JP4733062B2 - Foldable mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable mobile communication terminal, 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 terminal that appears in the state of the display, since the operation unit is also rotated by 90 degrees, the display represented by the operation key is also viewed in a state rotated by 90 degrees, 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 portable communication terminal of Patent Document 1, the display unit can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state while the mobile phone itself is held vertically. 1 is supported on the case. In this foldable mobile communication terminal, a support shaft is provided at the center of the display unit perpendicular to the display unit, and the display unit is rotated 90 degrees around the support shaft.

  In addition, the mobile terminal of Patent Document 2 includes a first casing provided with a large number of key input units, and a second casing provided with a display unit capable of displaying characters and images, and one end of the first casing is provided with the first casing. And a connecting member hinged to the first casing so as to be foldable and connected so that the other end of the second casing contacts one area of the second casing, and between the one area of the second casing and the other end of the connecting member Provided on the display unit when the second casing is rotated by the rotating means, and a rotating means for rotating the second casing within a predetermined angle range along the contact surface with the connecting member. A signal processing device that performs a function of converting the image to be converted. In this mobile terminal, the position of the display unit is converted in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the size of the displayed image is also changed.

  Also, as shown in Patent Document 3, a foldable portable communication terminal 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 terminal, since the display unit is slid up and down, the display unit is rotated around the support shaft provided at the center of the display unit. Contact with the bulging part provided at the lower end can be avoided, and the display part can be enlarged.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, a first housing having a display portion on the surface, a second housing having an operation portion on the surface, a first housing, and a second housing. The display unit is supported by the first housing through a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state, and the support mechanism includes: There is known a device that 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 of the display unit moves along the hinge during the switching operation of the display unit.
JP 2001-156893 A JP 2003-114670 A JP 2003-319043 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-21576

  However, in the inventions of Patent Documents 1 to 3, since the display unit is supported by only one support pin with respect to the first housing, particularly when the display unit is in a horizontally long state, The display part is likely to wobble due to the bending moment.

  On the other hand, in the invention of Patent Document 4 described above, since the cam mechanism is used, the wobbling is less than in the case of a single support pin as in Patent Documents 1 to 3, but the display portion is further enlarged. Therefore, there is a problem that wobbling in the landscape state is unavoidable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and the object of the invention is that the display unit is supported by the first casing so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state via a support mechanism. In the foldable mobile communication terminal, the display unit is prevented from wobbling both when the display unit is in the vertically long state and when it is in the horizontally long state.

In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention, a first housing having a display portion provided 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;
The foldable portable communication terminal, in which the display unit is supported by the first casing via a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state, is an object.

The support mechanism includes a curved first guide groove that is provided in the first housing and that is curved in a convex shape extending in the left-right direction, and a second 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 first guide groove, and a second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the second guide groove. Prepared,
A holding mechanism for holding the display unit is provided both when the display unit is in the portrait state and in the landscape state.

  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. When the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the second guide pin is located at the lower end portion of the second guide groove, and the first guide pin is located at one of the left and right end portions of the first guide groove. At the time of the switching operation, the second guide pin slides in the left-right direction so that the first guide pin is engaged with the first guide groove so as to be located at the uppermost position in the middle, and at the same time, the second guide pin moves to the second guide groove After being slid to the upper end in the engaged state, it returns to the lower end again. 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.

  At this time, since the display unit is held by the holding mechanism both in the vertically long state and in the horizontally long state, even if the display unit is in a horizontally long state in which a wobbling moment easily acts, Does not feel the wobbling of the display.

In the second invention, in the first invention,
The holding mechanism is configured to bias the second guide pin.

  That is, when the first guide pin is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the first guide pin is located at either of the left and right end portions of the first guide groove. It is necessary to bias the first guide pin. However, according to the above configuration, the second guide pin is urged by the holding mechanism at the lower end portion of the second guide groove when the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. However, the display unit does not wobble and the number of parts is reduced, so that a holding mechanism having a simple configuration can be obtained.

In the third invention, in the first or second invention,
The first guide pin includes a first disk portion that slides around the periphery of the first guide groove,
The second guide pin includes a second disk portion that slides around the periphery of the second guide groove,
The holding mechanism is
A holding member for holding the second disc part;
A holding elastic member for biasing the holding member;
It has.

  According to the above configuration, the first disc portion prevents the first guide pin from slipping out of the first guide groove, and the second disc portion prevents the second guide pin from slipping out of the second guide groove. . Further, the second guide pin is stabilized by pressing the second disc portion of the second guide pin by the holding member biased by the holding elastic member, and as a result, the display portion is prevented from wobbling. The

In the fourth invention, in the third invention,
The holding member is swingably supported by a holding member support pin provided in the first housing, and the second guide pin is biased to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member. I am doing so.

  According to said structure, since the 2nd guide pin is urged | biased and stabilized by the lower end part of the 2nd guide groove by the elastic member for holding | maintenance, a display part does not wobble in a horizontally long state and a vertically long state. When switching to the horizontally long state or the vertically long state, the holding member is released by swinging the holding member against the urging force of the holding elastic member.

In the fifth invention, in the fourth invention,
One end of the holding elastic member is fixed to the first casing, and the other end is formed of a torsion coil spring that urges the holding member downward.

  According to the above configuration, a downward biasing force is applied to the holding member with a simple and highly durable configuration.

In the sixth invention, in the fourth or fifth invention,
On the upper side of the upper surface of the second disc part, an upper side chamfering part is formed on which the holding member gets over when the restriction by the holding member is released.

  According to the above configuration, when releasing the holding by the holding mechanism by rotating the display unit, if a certain level of force is applied to the display unit, the holding member contacts the upper side chamfer on the upper surface of the second disk unit. The display unit can be easily switched because the user can smoothly get on while touching.

In a seventh invention, in the sixth invention,
A lower side chamfering portion is formed below the upper surface of the second disc portion, over which the holding member rides when the display portion is switched and held in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

  That is, when the display unit is rotated and held in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the raised second guide pin returns to the lower end portion of the second guide groove again. Since the lower side chamfered portion is formed in the plate portion, the holding member easily gets over the second disc portion while contacting the lower side chamfered portion, and does not hinder the switching operation.

In the eighth invention, in the seventh invention,
The inclination angle of the lower side chamfered portion is smaller than the inclination angle of the upper side chamfered portion.

  According to the above configuration, when the inclination angle of the lower chamfered portion is reduced, the display unit is rotated to switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and the second guide pin returns to the lower end portion of the second guide groove. Since the holding member smoothly moves on the second disk part, the switching of the display part is smoothly finished. On the other hand, by increasing the inclination angle of the upper side chamfered portion, it is possible to prevent the display portion from being unintentionally released from being held in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state.

In a ninth invention, in any one of the fourth to eighth inventions,
A tapered surface that is bent in a direction away from the second guide groove is formed at a portion that contacts the second disk portion on the upper side of the holding member.

  According to the above configuration, when the second guide pin returns to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by rotating the display unit to switch between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, first, the second guide pin contacts the tapered surface of the holding member. Since the lower surface of the holding member is easily passed while pushing up the holding member, the holding member easily gets over the second disk portion and does not hinder the switching operation.

In a tenth invention, in any one of the fourth to ninth inventions,
In the vicinity of the second guide groove, a stopper portion is provided for restricting the holding member from moving below a predetermined position.

  According to said structure, it is controlled by the stopper part that the holding member urged | biased by the elastic member for holding | maintenance moves below a predetermined position. Specifically, the predetermined position is a position where the holding member abuts on the second disc portion or a position slightly below the second guide pin when the second guide pin is at the lower end of the second guide groove.

In an eleventh invention, in any one of the first to tenth inventions,
The first guide pin and the second guide pin are connected by a link member, and the link member is fixed to the back side of the display unit.

  According to said structure, a 1st guide pin and a 2nd guide pin interlock | cooperate with a link member, and while a display part rotates stably, positioning with a 1st guide pin and a 2nd guide pin is easy.

In a twelfth invention, in any one of the first to eleventh inventions,
The first housing is
A first housing body constituting a part of the hinge portion;
A guide plate fixed to the first housing body;
With
The support mechanism and the holding mechanism are provided on the guide plate.

  According to the above configuration, for example, the first casing body is formed of a highly rigid molded product, and the guide plate is formed of a sheet metal that can be easily processed, so that the overall thickness can be reduced, and the support mechanism and Positioning of the holding mechanism is easy. Further, if the support mechanism and the holding mechanism are configured to be unit-assembled with the guide plate, the assembly is facilitated.

In a thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect,
The support mechanism is provided with a switching auxiliary elastic member that has one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the guide plate, and urges the display unit to be in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. ing.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state, or both by adjusting how the urging force of the switching assisting elastic member is applied to the display unit. Is assisted by the switching assisting elastic member.

In a fourteenth invention, in the thirteenth invention,
The switching assisting elastic member is disposed so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the first guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the force of the switching auxiliary elastic member is stored most in the vicinity of the uppermost point of the first guide groove, and switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state and from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state by exceeding this top point. Is assisted by the switching assisting elastic member.

In the fifteenth through seventeenth inventions, in any one of the first through fourteenth inventions,
The second guide groove has a curved shape that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the hinge portion, or curves.

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

In an eighteenth invention, in any one of the first to seventeenth inventions,
The foldable mobile communication terminal is a mobile phone.

  According to the above configuration, in a mobile phone that is multifunctional and frequently used, the wobbling of the display unit is prevented regardless of whether the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile communication terminal of the present invention, the first guide pin of the display unit is slid while being engaged with the first guide groove, and at the same time, the second guide pin of the display unit. Is slid in a state of being engaged with the second guide groove, and the display unit is held by the holding mechanism when the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. For this reason, even when the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the wobbling of the display unit can be prevented, so that the user can comfortably use the foldable mobile communication terminal. Moreover, damage to the support mechanism due to wobble can be prevented.

  According to the second aspect, the holding mechanism biases the display portion to be positioned at the lower end portion of the second guide groove when the display portion is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. For this reason, the wobbling of the display unit in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the second disk portion of the second guide pin is pressed by the holding member biased by the holding elastic member. For this reason, by stabilizing the second guide pin, the wobbling of the display unit in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state can be easily prevented.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the second guide pin is held at the lower end of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member via the holding member swingably supported by the holding member supporting pin provided in the first housing. I am energizing the department. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the display unit from wobbling in a vertically long state and a horizontally long state with a simple configuration. Further, since the holding by the holding member can be easily released by swinging the holding member against the urging force of the holding elastic member, the switching operation can be performed smoothly.

  According to the fifth aspect, the holding member is urged downward by the torsion coil spring. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the display unit from wobbling in a vertically long state and a horizontally long state with a simple and highly durable configuration.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the holding member gets over the upper side chamfered portion of the second disk portion, the holding by the holding mechanism is released. For this reason, the display part can be switched smoothly.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the display portion is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the holding member is pushed by the lower side chamfered portion of the second guide pin that has returned to the lower end portion of the second guide groove. I try to get over the 2 disc part. For this reason, the display unit can be switched more smoothly.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the holding member is moved to the second guide when switching is completed rather than when switching of the display unit is started by making the inclination angle of the lower side chamfering portion smaller than the inclination angle of the upper side chamfering portion. It is easy to get over the pin. For this reason, the switching operation of the display unit can be performed more smoothly, and the holding reliability when the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state can be improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the display unit is switched and the second guide pin returns to the lower end of the second guide groove, the second guide pin is brought into contact with the tapered surface to lower the holding member. It is easy to pass through. For this reason, it can prevent effectively that a holding mechanism obstructs switching operation of a display part.

  According to the tenth aspect, the stopper member restricts the holding member biased by the holding elastic member from moving below the predetermined position. For this reason, the wobbling of the display unit in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  According to the eleventh aspect, since the first guide pin and the second guide pin are connected by the link member, the display unit can be stably and surely switched, and the support mechanism can be easily assembled. .

  According to the twelfth aspect, by providing the support mechanism and the holding mechanism on the guide plate fixed to the first casing body, the first casing is thinned and the folding portable communication terminal is made compact. In addition, the support mechanism and the holding mechanism can be easily assembled.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the switching operation is assisted by the switching auxiliary elastic member so that at least the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. For this reason, the user can perform the switching operation of the display unit with only one hand.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the switching auxiliary elastic member is arranged so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the first guide groove, thereby switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state and from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state. Since the switching can be assisted by the switching assisting elastic member, the display unit can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand.

  According to the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, the switching operation of the display unit can be performed more smoothly by appropriately selecting the shape of the second guide groove.

  According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, since the foldable mobile communication terminal is a mobile phone, the mobile phone does not wobble when the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and has high operability and durability. A telephone is obtained.

  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 terminal according to the present embodiment includes a first housing 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.

  5 to 10 show a cam mechanism, a holding mechanism, and a guide plate when the state of the liquid crystal display unit 2 changes, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a rear view, and (c) is a front view. It is. The first casing 3 is provided with a cam mechanism 10 as a support mechanism for supporting 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. The first housing 3 includes a first housing body 3b (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) in which a boss portion 3a into which a shaft portion (not shown) of the hinge portion 6 is inserted is formed on both sides of the lower end portion. ), A rectangular dish-shaped back cover 3c (shown only in FIG. 1) covering the first housing body 3b, and a guide plate 16 described later. 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 cam mechanism 10 includes a curved first guide groove 12 provided in the first housing 3 and extending in the left-right direction and curving in a convex shape, and a straight line provided in the first housing 3 and extending in the vertical direction. Second guide groove 14, a 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 groove 13 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. A second guide pin 15 slidably engaged with the guide 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 peripheral edge portion of a curvilinear opening that is curved in a middle convex shape, and the center portion of the first guide groove 12 is substantially at the center of the first housing 3 when the folding mobile phone 1 is viewed from the back surface. Has been placed. The second guide groove 14 is composed of a peripheral edge portion of a linear opening provided on the upper side in the vicinity of the uppermost portion of the first convex shape of the first guide groove 12 so as to be inclined with respect to the hinge portion 6. 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 16a with a screw (not shown) and fastened so as to be positioned at the middle portion in the thickness direction of the first housing 3, so that the first housing main body is fastened. It is fixed to 3b.

  On the other hand, 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 tip portion 18c continuous from the attachment portion 18b in an L shape in side view. 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 disc portions 13a and 15a are formed at the tips of the guide pins 13 and 15, and the disc 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. Further, the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are interlocked by the link member 18 so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 is stably rotated and the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are easily positioned. It has become.

  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 switching assisting elastic member 20 is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19. This switching assisting elastic member 20 is formed of a torsion coil spring, its both ends 20a and 20b are formed in a ring shape, its one end 20a is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the first guide pin 13, and the other end 20b is The outer periphery of the spring fixing pin 19 is rotatably fitted. As a result, the switching assisting elastic member 20 is supported so as to be able to swing left and right about 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. And it arrange | positions so that it may urge to change from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, 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 portion 14 c of the second guide groove 14). The switching assisting elastic member 20 is arranged so as to have the maximum deflection angle and to be compressed most, and the first guide pin 13 is displaced in either the left or right direction therefrom, so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. It is supposed to be energized to become.

  Although not shown in detail, the signal line for electrically connecting the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the second housing 5 has one end connected to a liquid crystal substrate (not shown) on the back surface of the liquid crystal display 2a and the other end. The hinge 6 is connected to a main board (not shown) on the second housing 5 side through a hinge shaft insertion hole 6a. The signal line is provided on the surface of the first housing body 3b so that the movement of the cam mechanism 10 is not obstructed even when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. (Shown in FIG. 11).

  The guide plate 16 is provided with a holding mechanism 30 that holds the liquid crystal display unit 2 regardless of whether the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. The holding mechanism 30 is configured to bias the second guide pin 15. That is, the holding mechanism 30 includes a holding member 31 that holds the second disk portion 15 a and a holding elastic member 32 that biases the holding member 31.

  The holding member 31 is swingably supported by a holding member support pin 33 provided in the first housing 3, and the second guide pin 15 is inserted into the second guide groove 14 by the holding elastic member 32. It is comprised so that it may urge to the lower end part 14b. On the lower side of the holding member 31, a recess 31a into which the second disk portion 15a is fitted is formed. The second disc portion 15a is securely held by the recess 31a. The holding elastic member 32 is formed of a torsion coil spring having one end 32 a fixed to the first housing 3 and the other end 32 b urging the holding member 31 downward. By using a torsion coil spring, a biasing force is applied to the holding member 31 with a simple and highly durable configuration.

  On the upper side of the upper surface of the second disk portion 15 a of the second guide pin 15, an upper side chamfer 15 b that the holding member 31 gets over when the restriction by the holding member 31 is released is formed. On the lower side of the upper surface of the second disk portion 15a, a lower side chamfered portion 15c over which the holding member 31 rides when the liquid crystal display portion 2 is switched and held in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state is formed. . The inclination angle of the lower side chamfer 15c is smaller than the inclination angle of the upper side chamfer 15b.

  A tapered surface 31b that is bent in a direction away from the second guide groove 14 is formed at a portion that contacts the second disk portion 15a on the upper side of the holding member 31.

  In the vicinity of the second guide groove 14, a stopper portion 35 that restricts the holding member 31 from moving below a predetermined position is provided. The holding member 31 urged by the holding elastic member 32 is restricted by the stopper portion 35 from moving below a predetermined position. Specifically, the predetermined position is a position where the holding member 31 contacts the second disk portion 15a when the second guide pin 15 is at the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14 or slightly below it. The position of By setting the position slightly lower, the second guide pin 15 is securely held.

  The cam mechanism 10, the holding mechanism 30, and the switching assisting elastic member 20 are configured to be unit-assembled. The cam mechanism 10 assembled as a unit is configured by attaching the guide plate 16 to the first housing body 3b. It can be easily attached to the first housing 3.

-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. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the second guide pin 15 is located at the lower end portion 14 b of the second guide groove 14, and the first guide pin 13 is located at the right end portion 12 b of the first guide groove 12 as viewed from the surface. To position. The second disk portion 15 a of the second guide pin 15 is pressed downward by the holding member 31 biased by the holding elastic member 32. As a result, the second guide pin 15 is stabilized, and as a result, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is prevented from wobbling. Since the inclination angle of the upper side chamfering portion 15b provided on the upper surface of the second disc portion 15a is larger than the inclination angle of the lower side chamfering portion 15c, the holding in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is unintentionally released. Is prevented.

  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 as viewed from the surface against the urging force of the switching auxiliary elastic member 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the second disc portion 15 a is moved away from the concave portion 31 a by swinging the holding member 31 upward against the urging force of the holding elastic member 32. The holding by the holding member 31 is released. At this time, if a certain force or more is applied to the liquid crystal display unit 2, the holding member 31 smoothly gets over the upper side chamfering portion 15b of the upper surface of the second disc portion 15a.

  Next, the lower end side corner portion 2b is moved. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the second guide pin 15 located at the lower end portion 14 b of the second guide groove 14 as viewed from the surface moves to the upper end portion 14 c and is located at the right end portion 12 b of the first guide groove 12. The first guide pin 13 moves to the center. The holding member 31 urged by the holding elastic member 32 is restricted from moving downward while coming into contact with the stopper portion 35.

  Next, when the maximum deflection angle of the switching assisting elastic member 20 is exceeded, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is assisted by the biasing force, and is switched to the landscape state shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the second guide pin 15 located at the upper end portion 14 c of the second guide groove 14 as viewed from the front surface moves downward, and the first guide located at the center of the first guide groove 12. The pin 13 moves to the left. When the raised second guide pin 15 returns to the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14 again, the second guide pin 15 first comes into contact with the tapered surface 31b of the holding member 31 and easily holds it while pushing up the holding member 31. It passes through the lower surface of the member 31. At this time, since the lower side chamfered portion 15c is formed in the second disc portion 15a, the holding member 31 easily gets over the second disc portion 15a and does not hinder the switching operation. Furthermore, since the holding member 31 smoothly moves on the second disk portion 15a by reducing the inclination angle of the lower side surface chamfered portion 15c, the switching of the liquid crystal display portion 2 ends smoothly.

  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 as to be positioned at the uppermost position in the middle of the first guide groove 12. 15 is slid to the upper end portion 14c while being engaged with the second guide groove 14, and then slid again to the lower end portion 14b.

  FIG. 13 shows an outline in which the lower end side corner portion 2b is seen from the back of the drawn locus by the movement restriction 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 trajectory maintaining a certain clearance S with the hinge portion 6. Guided and supported to move. For this reason, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 does not move below the locus, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be liquid crystal without rounding the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 2 along the radius around the support axis as in the prior art. The display part 2 does not contact the hinge part 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. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the horizontally long state, the second guide pin 15 is positioned at the lower end portion 14 b of the second guide groove 14, and the first guide pin 13 is positioned in the first guide groove 12. Located at the left end 12c.

  Thus, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 is held by the holding mechanism 30 both in the vertically long state and in the horizontally long state, the user can display the liquid crystal display even in the horizontally long state where wobble is likely to occur. I don't feel the wobble of part 2.

  By the way, when the first guide pin 13 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the first guide pin 13 is positioned at one of the left and right end portions 12b and 12c of the first guide groove 12, so that the first guide pin 13 is held by the holding mechanism 30. Then, it is necessary to bias the first guide pin 13 at both positions. However, in the present embodiment, the second guide pin 15 positioned at the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14 is urged in both the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2, so that the number of parts is reduced. The holding mechanism 30 having a simple configuration can be obtained.

  On the other hand, after use, contrary to the above, the lower corner portion 2b on the right side of the liquid crystal display portion 2 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the surface so as to resist the urging force of the switching auxiliary elastic member 20. When the switching assisting elastic member 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 guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slid in a state of being engaged with the first guide groove 12, and at the same time, the first of the liquid crystal display unit 2 2 The guide pin 15 is slid in a state of being engaged with the second guide groove 14, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 is held by the holding mechanism 30 regardless of whether the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. I am doing so. For this reason, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be prevented from wobbling even when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state, the user can comfortably use the foldable mobile phone 1. be able to. Further, it is possible to prevent the cam mechanism 10 from being damaged due to wobble.

  In the above embodiment, the second guide pin 15 positioned at the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14 is biased by the holding mechanism 30 when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. For this reason, wobbling of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  In the above embodiment, the second disk portion 15 a of the second guide pin 15 is pressed by the holding member 31 urged by the holding elastic member 32. For this reason, by stabilizing the second guide pin 15, it is possible to easily prevent the liquid crystal display unit 2 from wobbling in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second guide pin 15 is held in the second guide groove 14 by the holding elastic member 32 via the holding member 31 that is swingably supported by the holding member support pin 33 of the first housing 3. The lower end 14b is urged. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be prevented from wobbling in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state with a simple configuration. In addition, since the holding member 31 can be easily released by swinging the holding member 31 against the urging force of the holding elastic member 32, the switching operation can be performed smoothly.

  In the above embodiment, the holding member 31 is urged downward by the holding elastic member 32 made of a torsion coil spring. For this reason, the liquid crystal display part 2 can prevent the liquid crystal display part 2 from wobbling in a vertically long state and a horizontally long state with a simple and highly durable configuration.

  In the above-described embodiment, the holding member 31 is moved over the upper side chamfer 15b of the second disc portion 15a to release the holding by the holding mechanism 30. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched smoothly.

  In the above embodiment, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the holding member is pushed by the lower side chamfered portion 15c of the second guide pin 15 that has returned to the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14 again. 31 gets over the second disk portion 15a. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched more smoothly.

  In the above-described embodiment, the holding member 31 is not used when the switching is completed, rather than when the switching of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is started by making the inclination angle of the lower side chamfer 15c smaller than the inclination angle of the upper side chamfer 15b. 2 It is easy to get over the guide pin 15. For this reason, the switching operation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be performed more smoothly, and the retention reliability of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched and the second guide pin 15 returns to the lower end part 14b of the second guide groove 14, the second guide pin 15 is held in contact with the tapered surface 31b. It makes it easy to pass through the lower surface of the member 31. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent the holding mechanism 30 from hindering the switching operation of the liquid crystal display unit 2.

  In the above embodiment, the stopper member 35 restricts the holding member 31 biased by the holding elastic member 32 from moving below a predetermined position. For this reason, wobbling of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  In the above embodiment, since the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are connected by the link member 18, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be stably and surely switched, and the cam mechanism 10 can be easily operated. Can be assembled into.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 and the holding mechanism 30 are provided on the guide plate 16 fixed to the first housing body 3b, whereby the first housing 3 is thinned and the foldable mobile phone 1 is compact. In addition, the cam mechanism 10 and the holding mechanism 30 can be easily assembled.

  In the above embodiment, the switching auxiliary elastic member 20 is arranged so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the first guide groove 12, thereby switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state and switching from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state. Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand.

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

  That is, 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 or may have a curved shape that curves. 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 trajectory 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.

  In the above 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 a linear locus along the hinge portion 6, but a curved locus. You may make it move. 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 12 is provided in the second first guide groove 12 in the link member 18 in the second first guide groove 12. What is necessary is just to move the 2nd 1st guide pin. In this manner, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be smoothly switched and can be supported firmly so as to be able to further counteract the force of separating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the first housing 3. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid crystal display unit 2 from wobbling both when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state and when it is in the horizontally long state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 and the holding mechanism 30 are unit-assembled. However, the first guide groove 12 and the second guide groove 14 may be connected to the first housing 3 without unit assembly. Even if the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are provided integrally on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and are attached to the guide plate 16 by caulking, fastening, or the like, the disk portions 13a and 15a are provided later. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the switching auxiliary elastic member 20 is arranged to urge the liquid crystal display unit 2 when switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, but it becomes a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. You may make it energize preferentially only at the time.

  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. Further, it may be switched clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the surface. In this case, the first guide groove 12 is constituted by the peripheral edge portion of the opening having a shape such that the middle point protrudes to the lowest side when viewed from the surface side, and the seagull spreads the blades, and the second guide What is necessary is just to comprise the groove | channel 14 by the peripheral part of the opening extended substantially perpendicularly | vertically above the intermediate point of the 1st guide groove 12 in the guide plate 16. FIG. In this case, even when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is rotated in any direction, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is located at the lower end portion 14b of the second guide groove 14, and thus a similar holding mechanism 30 is provided. Can do.

  In the above 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 slightly 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 mobile communication terminal 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 terminal having a support mechanism that supports a liquid crystal display unit such as a mobile phone so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and 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 showing a foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is slightly rotated from the vertically 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. The liquid crystal display unit shows a cam mechanism, a holding mechanism, and a guide plate in a vertically long state, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a rear view, and (c) is a front view. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is slightly rotated from the vertically long state. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is rotated about 45 ° from the vertically long state. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 immediately before the liquid crystal display unit is in a horizontally long state. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 when the liquid crystal display unit is in a horizontally long state. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which a holding member gets over the upper surface of a 2nd disc part. 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.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile communication device)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 1st housing | casing 3a 1st housing | casing main body 3b Back cover 4 Operation part 5 2nd housing | casing 6 Hinge part 10 Cam mechanism (support mechanism)
12 1st guide groove 13 1st guide pin 13a 1st disk part 14 2nd guide groove 14a Lower end part 15 2nd guide pin 15a 2nd disk part 15b Upper side chamfer 15c Lower side chamfer 16 Guide plate 18 Link Member 20 Switching auxiliary elastic member 20a One end 20b The other end 30 Holding mechanism 31 Holding member 31a Tapered surface 32 Holding elastic member 33 Holding member supporting pin 35 Stopper portion

Claims (5)

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 first guide groove provided in the first casing and curved in a convex shape extending in the left-right direction; a second guide groove provided in the first casing and extending in the vertical direction; A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display portion and having a first disc portion that slides around the periphery of the first guide groove and slidably engaged with the first guide groove, and provided on the back surface of the display portion A second guide pin having a second disk portion that slides around the periphery of the second guide groove and slidably engaged with the second guide groove,
A holding mechanism for holding the display unit is provided in both the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit ,
The holding mechanism is
A holding member that holds the second disc part, and a holding elastic member that biases the holding member,
The holding member supporting pin provided in the first housing is swingably supported, and is configured to urge the second guide pin to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member. ,
Above SL on the upper side of the upper surface of the second circular disk, folding portable communications terminal, characterized in that the upper chamfered portion rides over the holding member when releasing the restriction by the holding member is formed. In the foldable portable communication terminal according to claim 1 ,
A lower side chamfer is formed on the lower side of the upper surface of the second disc portion, over which the holding member rides when the display unit is switched and held in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. Foldable mobile communication terminal. 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 first guide groove provided in the first casing and curved in a convex shape extending in the left-right direction; a second guide groove provided in the first casing and extending in the vertical direction; A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display portion and having a first disc portion that slides around the periphery of the first guide groove and slidably engaged with the first guide groove, and provided on the back surface of the display portion A second guide pin having a second disk portion that slides around the periphery of the second guide groove and slidably engaged with the second guide groove,
A holding mechanism for holding the display unit is provided in both the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit,
The holding mechanism is
A holding member that holds the second disc part, and a holding elastic member that biases the holding member,
The holding member supporting pin provided in the first housing is swingably supported, and is configured to urge the second guide pin to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member. ,
One of the holding elastic members is fixed to the first housing, and the other end is a torsion coil spring that biases the holding member downward. 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 first guide groove provided in the first casing and curved in a convex shape extending in the left-right direction; a second guide groove provided in the first casing and extending in the vertical direction; A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display portion and having a first disc portion that slides around the periphery of the first guide groove and slidably engaged with the first guide groove, and provided on the back surface of the display portion A second guide pin having a second disk portion that slides around the periphery of the second guide groove and slidably engaged with the second guide groove,
A holding mechanism for holding the display unit is provided in both the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit,
The holding mechanism is
A holding member that holds the second disc part, and a holding elastic member that biases the holding member,
The holding member supporting pin provided in the first housing is swingably supported, and is configured to urge the second guide pin to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member. ,
A foldable portable communication terminal characterized in that a tapered surface bent in a direction away from the second guide groove is formed in a portion in contact with the second disk portion above the holding member. 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 first guide groove provided in the first casing and curved in a convex shape extending in the left-right direction; a second guide groove provided in the first casing and extending in the vertical direction; A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display portion and having a first disc portion that slides around the periphery of the first guide groove and slidably engaged with the first guide groove, and provided on the back surface of the display portion A second guide pin having a second disk portion that slides around the periphery of the second guide groove and slidably engaged with the second guide groove,
A holding mechanism for holding the display unit is provided in both the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit,
The holding mechanism is
A holding member that holds the second disc part, and a holding elastic member that biases the holding member,
The holding member supporting pin provided in the first housing is swingably supported, and is configured to urge the second guide pin to the lower end portion of the second guide groove by the holding elastic member. ,
In the vicinity of the second guide groove, a foldable mobile communication terminal is provided with a stopper portion for restricting the holding member from moving below a predetermined position.

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