JP4934606B2 - Foldable electronic device and method for manufacturing the foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable electronic device and a method for manufacturing the foldable electronic device that are particularly thin.

  In recent years, there is an increasing demand for thinning electronic devices such as mobile phones (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there are many electronic devices that can be folded, and in particular, mobile phones are mainly foldable.

  Conventionally, in a foldable electronic device that has been reduced in thickness, it is necessary to form a casing with a resin that has higher strength as the thickness is reduced. However, the problem is that a strong resin is more likely to be warped due to shrinkage when the resin is cooled in the molding process of the housing, and the appearance of the finished product is worse than a normal resin. There is. FIG. 10 is a front view of the foldable electronic device 1 and shows a state in which the upper housing 2 of the electronic device 1 is warped upward. As shown in FIG. 10, when the upper housing 2 is warped upward, when the electronic device 1 is folded, the interval r2 (r1 << 1) between the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 is larger than the normal interval r1. r2) occurs, and the appearance as a product deteriorates.

In order to solve such problems, conventionally, after the upper casing 2 is molded, heat is applied to the upper casing 2 to perform a process of returning the warped portion of the upper casing 2 to its original state. Yes.
JP 2007-60249 A

  However, in the past, since a strong resin is used for the housing, when the heat is applied from the outside after returning the warping of the housing, the case returns to the warped state again, There was a problem that the case would be broken if the warp was corrected by bending it in the direction opposite to the direction in which the case was bent. In addition, in order to correct the warp of the housing, a dedicated jig or the like for correcting the warp of the housing or a manufacturing process is required, which increases the number of steps and increases the manufacturing cost. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and eliminates a gap between the housings in a folded state without causing damage to the housing and an increase in manufacturing cost even if the housing is warped. An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable electronic device and a method for manufacturing the foldable electronic device.

  The foldable electronic device according to the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge portion that foldably connects the first housing and the second housing, and the second housing. A first end portion on a surface facing the first housing in a state where the first housing and the second housing are folded. To the second end.

  The method for manufacturing a foldable electronic device according to the present invention includes a folding step of forming a crease from a first end portion to a second end portion on a surface of a sheet metal, and the sheet metal having a crease in the folding step. And a fixing step for fixing the frame portion of the first housing, and the folded surface of the sheet metal and the second housing face each other in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are folded. As described above, an attachment step is provided in which the first housing and the second housing, which are fixed to the frame portion in the fixing step, are attached to each other in a foldable manner.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foldable electronic apparatus having a good appearance without causing damage to the casing and an increase in manufacturing cost.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable electronic device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the folding electronic device 100 in an opened state. The foldable electronic device 100 is, for example, a mobile phone.

  The foldable electronic device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a hinge part 103, and a sheet metal 104.

  The first casing 101 is attached to the second casing 102 via a hinge portion 103 so as to be rotatable. The first casing 101 has a display surface 140 that is exposed to the outside and displays characters or images.

  The second housing 102 includes a lower case 102a and an upper case 102b. The lower case 102a and the upper case 102b are integrally fixed by fitting and screwing with the outer peripheral edge portion of the sheet metal 104 interposed therebetween. The upper case 102 b has a window hole 160 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and frame portions 170 a to 170 d surrounding the window hole 160 are provided around the window hole 160. In addition, the second casing 102 is provided with a key switch portion (not shown) that covers the entire upper surface, so that the sheet metal 104 is not exposed to the outside.

  The hinge portion 103 connects the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 so that they can be folded. Specifically, the hinge portion 103 is moved from the folded state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are overlapped to the opened state in FIG. 1 or the folded state from the opened state. The first casing 101 and the second casing 102 are pivotably connected to serve as a rotation axis when the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 rotate with respect to each other.

  The sheet metal 104 is used as a reinforcing material for the second housing 102. The sheet metal 104 is integrally molded with the upper case 102b at the outer peripheral edge and fixed to the upper case 102b, and the outer peripheral edge is sandwiched between the lower case 102a and the frame parts 170a to 170d of the upper case 102b. It is disposed on substantially the entire surface of the second housing 102 and constitutes a part of the second housing 102. A part of the sheet metal 104 is exposed from the window hole 160. The sheet metal 104 has four sides of a first end 151, a second end 152, a third end 153, and a fourth end 154. In addition, the sheet metal 104 is folded in a state where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 overlap with each other, and the second end portion from the first end portion 151 on the surface facing the first housing 101. A fold 150 extending over 152 is provided, and a part of the fold 150 is exposed from the window hole 160. In addition, the sheet metal 104 is provided with a fold 150 at a location corresponding to a location where the warp of the first housing 101 occurs in a folded state where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 overlap each other. One casing 101 is bent from the fold 150 in the same direction as the direction in which the warp occurs. The detailed configuration of the sheet metal 104 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper case 102b in which the sheet metal 104 is integrally formed.

  In the upper case 102b, holding parts 201a and 201b for holding the hinge part 103 rotatably are integrally provided at the front end part and both end parts. The holding part 201a has a holding hole 210, and the holding part 201b has a holding hole (not shown). The holding portions 201a and 201b hold the hinge portion 103 rotatably by inserting both end portions of the hinge portion 103 into the holding holes 210 and the holding holes provided in the holding portion 201b, respectively.

  3 is an end view taken along line XX of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral edge portions 301a and 301b of the sheet metal 104 are integrally formed with the frame portions 170a to 170d of the upper case 102b. Thereby, the sheet metal 104 and the upper case 102b are fixed.

  Next, the sheet metal 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sheet metal 104. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The sheet metal 104 is mainly formed of a stainless material, and has a rectangular shape and a flat plate shape in plan view having four sides of a first end portion 151, a second end portion 152, a third end portion 153, and a fourth end portion 154. It is. The first end 151 opposes the second end 152 and is adjacent to the third end 153 and the fourth end 154. Further, the second end portion 152 is opposed to the first end portion 151 and is adjacent to the third end portion 153 and the fourth end portion 154. The third end 153 is opposed to the fourth end 154 and is adjacent to the first end 151 and the second end 152. In addition, the fourth end 154 is opposed to the third end 153 and is adjacent to the first end 151 and the second end 152. Further, the sheet metal 104 is folded on the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 so that the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 are overlapped with each other on a surface (a surface parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 4) facing the first casing 101. It has a fold 150 extending from one end 151 to the second end 152. The sheet metal 104 includes a first flat surface portion 410 and a second flat surface portion 420 that are integral with the first flat surface portion 410 and intersect at a fold 150. The first plane part 410 is bent from the fold line 150 upward in FIG. 5 so as to have a predetermined angle θ with respect to the second plane part 420.

  6 is a side view of the folded electronic device 100 in a folded state, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the folded electronic device 100 in a folded state.

  6, by providing a fold 150 in the sheet metal 104, the distance r10 between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 is constant in the side view of FIG. 6 in a state in which the foldable electronic device 100 is folded. can do. 7, the sheet metal 104 is provided with a fold 150, so that the distance r20 between the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 is shown in the front view of FIG. Can be constant.

  That is, for example, when the first housing 101 is warped upward in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sheet metal 104 is moved from the fold 150 to the top of FIGS. 6 and 7 in accordance with the warping direction of the first housing 101. The second housing 102 can be forcibly warped upward in FIGS. 6 and 7 by bending it at a predetermined angle θ. At this time, the sheet metal 104 and the upper case 102b of the second casing 102 are fixed by integral molding, and the upper case 102b and the lower case 102a are fixed by fitting and screwing. The body 102 can be forcibly bent in the bending direction of the sheet metal 104. As a result, the distance r10 between the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 or the distance r20 between the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 can be made constant.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the folding electronic device 100 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a fold line 150 extending from the first end portion 151 to the second end portion 152 is formed on the sheet metal 104 by pressing.

  Next, the sheet metal 104 formed with the fold 150 and the frame portions 170a to 170d of the upper case 102b of the second casing 102 are integrally formed, as shown in FIGS. 102b is fixed.

  Next, the upper case 102b and the lower case 102a to which the sheet metal 104 is fixed are fixed to each other by screwing via the sheet metal 104.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, in a folded state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 overlap each other, the surface of the sheet metal 104 provided with the fold 150 and the first housing 101 are The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are rotatably attached via the hinge portion 103 so as to face each other.

  Incidentally, since the degree of warping of the first casing 101 is substantially the same as long as it is molded under the same conditions, as long as the first casing 101 is molded under the same conditions, when the foldable electronic device 100 is mass-produced. In addition, the sheet metal 104 having the fold 150 shown in FIG. 4 can be used for all the foldable electronic devices 100.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, even if there is a warp of the casing, by eliminating the gap between the casings in the folded state, without causing damage to the casing and an increase in manufacturing cost, The appearance can be improved. According to the present embodiment, since the sheet metal and the second casing are fixed by integral molding, the second casing can be reliably warped in the bending direction of the sheet metal, so that the first casing in the folded state can be obtained. The distance between the body and the second housing can be made constant with high accuracy. In addition, according to the present embodiment, by providing a crease in the sheet metal used as a reinforcing material for the second housing, it is not necessary to provide a separate member for warping the second housing, so that the thin state Can be maintained, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a folding electronic apparatus 800 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the folded electronic device 800 in an opened state. The foldable electronic device 800 is, for example, a mobile phone.

  A foldable electronic apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 8 has a sheet metal 801 instead of the sheet metal 104 with respect to the foldable electronic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, parts having the same configuration as in FIG.

  The foldable electronic device 800 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a hinge portion 103, and a sheet metal 801.

  The second housing 102 includes a lower case 102a and an upper case 102b. The lower case 102a and the upper case 102b are integrally fixed by fitting and screwing with the outer peripheral edge of the sheet metal 801 interposed therebetween. The upper case 102 b has a window hole 160 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and frame portions 170 a to 170 d surrounding the window hole 160 are provided around the window hole 160. In addition, the second casing 102 is provided with a key switch portion (not shown) that covers the entire upper surface side, so that the sheet metal 801 is not exposed to the outside.

  The sheet metal 801 is used as a reinforcing material for the second housing 102. The sheet metal 801 is arranged so that the outer peripheral edge portion is integrally formed with the upper case 102b and fixed to the upper case 102b, and the outer peripheral edge portion is sandwiched between the lower case 102a and the frame portions 170a to 170d of the upper case 102b. As a result, a part of the second casing 102 is configured. Further, a part of the sheet metal 801 is exposed from the window hole 160. The sheet metal 801 has four sides of a first end 811, a second end 812, a third end 813, and a fourth end 814. In addition, the sheet metal 801 is folded from the first end 811 to the second end on the surface facing the first casing 101 in a folded state where the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 overlap each other. A fold line 810 extending over the portion 812 is provided, and a part of the fold line 810 is exposed from the window hole 160. Further, the sheet metal 801 is provided with a fold line 810 at a position corresponding to a position where the warp of the first casing 101 occurs in a folded state in which the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 overlap each other. One casing 101 is bent from the fold line 810 in the same direction as the direction in which the warp occurs.

  Next, the sheet metal 801 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sheet metal 801.

  The sheet metal 801 is made of stainless steel and has a rectangular shape and a flat plate shape in plan view having four sides of a first end portion 811, a second end portion 812, a third end portion 813, and a fourth end portion 814. is there. The first end portion 811 faces the fourth end portion 814 and is adjacent to the second end portion 812 and the third end portion 813. The second end portion 812 is opposed to the third end portion 813 and is adjacent to the first end portion 811 and the fourth end portion 814. The third end portion 813 faces the second end portion 812 and is adjacent to the first end portion 811 and the fourth end portion 814. The fourth end portion 814 is opposed to the first end portion 811 and is adjacent to the second end portion 812 and the third end portion 813. Further, the sheet metal 801 is in a folded state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 overlap with each other, and the first metal plate 801 is placed on the surface facing the first housing 101 (a surface parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 9). A fold line 810 extending from the first end 811 to the second end 812 adjacent to the first end 811. Further, the sheet metal 801 includes a first flat surface portion 910 and a second flat surface portion 920 that are integrated with the first flat surface portion 910 and intersect at a fold 810. The first plane part 910 is bent so as to have a predetermined angle θ with respect to the second plane part 920.

  The method for manufacturing the foldable electronic device 800 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, by eliminating the gap between the housings in a folded state without correcting the warping of the housing, the appearance can be prevented without causing damage to the housing and an increase in manufacturing cost. You can improve the appearance of the above. In addition, according to the present embodiment, by fixing the sheet metal and the lower case of the second casing by integral molding, the second casing can be reliably warped in the bending direction of the sheet metal, so in the folded state The interval between the first housing and the second housing can be made constant with high accuracy. In addition, according to the present embodiment, by providing a crease in the sheet metal used as a reinforcing material for the second housing, it is not necessary to provide a separate member for warping the second housing, so that the thin state Can be maintained, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

  In the first and second embodiments, the sheet metal is provided on the second housing side including the key switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sheet metal is provided on the first housing side including the display surface. The first housing may be forcibly warped in accordance with the warp of the second housing. In the first and second embodiments, the metal plate and the second housing are fixed by integral molding. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second metal housing is formed in the through hole formed in the metal plate. The boss and the sheet metal may be fastened by heat-fitting and the sheet metal and the second casing may be fixed, or the sheet metal and the second casing may be fixed by various methods. it can. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the sheet metal is rectangular on the plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sheet metal can be formed into an arbitrary shape having a plurality of end portions. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case of a mobile phone is described as the foldable electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is applicable to any foldable electronic device other than the mobile phone. can do.

  The folding electronic device and the method for manufacturing the folding electronic device according to the present invention are particularly suitable for reducing the thickness.

1 is a perspective view of a folding electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The perspective view of the upper case which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention XX line end view of FIG. Plan view of sheet metal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention AA line sectional view of FIG. Side view of the folding electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a folding electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The perspective view of the folding type electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention Plan view of sheet metal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Front view of conventional folding electronic equipment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Folding type electronic device 101 1st housing | casing 102 2nd housing | casing 102a Lower case 102b Upper case 103 Hinge part 104 Sheet metal 140 Display surface 150 Crease 151 1st edge part 152 2nd edge part 153 3rd edge part 154 Fourth end 160 Window hole 170a, 170b, 170c, 170d Frame

Claims (4)

A first housing;
A second housing;
A hinge part that foldably connects the first housing and the second housing;
A sheet metal constituting a part of the second housing,
The sheet metal is a fold having a crease extending from a first end to a second end on a surface facing the first casing in a state where the first casing and the second casing are folded. Tatami type electronic equipment.   The sheet metal is rectangular in plan view, and has a fold line extending from the first end facing each other to the second end, or from the first end adjacent to each other to the second end. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.   The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet metal is integrally formed with the second housing to constitute a part of the second housing. A folding step of forming a crease extending from the first end to the second end on the surface of the sheet metal;
A fixing step of fixing the sheet metal that has been creased in the bending step and the outer frame portion of the first housing;
In the state where the first casing and the second casing are folded, the sheet metal is attached to the outer frame portion in the fixing step so that the creased surface of the sheet metal faces the second casing. An attaching step for attaching the fixed first housing and the second housing to each other in a foldable manner;
A method for manufacturing a foldable electronic device.

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