JP5877685B2 - Enclosure for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronics housing constituting an outer electronic appliance.

  In general, an electronic device forms a window portion in a casing that covers the outside thereof, a transparent plate corresponding to the display portion is fixed to the window portion, and various displays are realized through the transparent plate. As various demands for electronic devices increase, the demand for waterproofness and thinning of electronic devices has also increased. When waterproofing an electronic device, since the display unit of the electronic device is configured by connecting a material different from that of the housing, at least the connection portion needs to be waterproofed. A technique for waterproofing the display unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1 as an example.

  Here, a conventionally known typical waterproof structure of a display unit will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing constituting the outside of a conventional electronic device. FIG. 12 shows a sectional view taken along line LL and an enlarged view of a part M thereof. The housing 20 includes a frame 20a that is a main component of the housing 20, and a transparent display plate 22 that is fixed from the back side of the display window portion 21 that is formed through the front surface. The display panel 22 is formed with an area slightly larger than the window portion 21, and is bonded and fixed to the back side of the outer periphery of the window portion 21 via an elastic adhesive layer 23.

JP 2009-141210 A

  However, if the frame 20a and the display panel 22 are stacked in the thickness direction, the total thickness of the electronic device increases, which becomes an obstacle to thinning. Further, a method of arranging the display plate 22 and the window portion 21 of the frame 20a on the same plane and connecting the end faces of the both 21 and 22 with an adhesive or an elastic member is conceivable. There is a risk that the strength is lowered and the display panel 22 is dropped from the window portion 21 or a part of the adhesive or the elastic member is peeled off, resulting in a decrease in waterproofness.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above demands and problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device casing having a thin electronic device and a high waterproof property.

  To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device casing that covers the outside of an electronic device, and includes a frame for the casing and a transparent display plate disposed in a window that penetrates the frame. And an elastic member that connects the inner end face of the window portion and the display plate, the back surface of the display plate and the back surface of the frame located outside the window portion are formed flush with each other, and the front side of the display plate is formed by the elastic member It is the housing | casing for electronic devices which covers at least one part of the outer periphery of the surface of this.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device casing in which the back surface of the display panel, the back surface of the frame, and the back surface of the elastic member are formed flush with each other.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device casing in which the elastic member further covers at least the front surface of the frame.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic apparatus includes an outer frame, a frame for a housing, a transparent display plate disposed in a window portion penetrating the frame, an inner end surface of the window portion, and a display plate. A method for manufacturing a casing for an electronic device comprising a connecting elastic member, a frame setting step for setting a frame on a first mold constituting a molding die for the elastic member, a back surface of a display plate, and a window A display plate disposing step of disposing the display plate in the first mold located directly under the window so that the back surface of the frame located outside the portion is flush with the first, and a first disposing the frame and the display plate A mold setting step of disposing a second mold having a recess for forming a space between the top surface of the display plate and the front surface of the display board; and a first mold and a second mold A space formed between the display plate and the window, and the front surface and the recess of the display plate An elastomer supply step for supplying an elastomer composition for forming an elastic member into a space including at least a gap, a curing step for curing the elastomer composition, and the outer periphery on the front surface of the display board after the curing step And an exposure step of removing the inner elastic member from the outer periphery and exposing the inner portion from the outer periphery of the display panel.

  Further, another form of the present invention is a space formed between the first mold and the second mold in the elastomer supply step, wherein the gap between the display plate and the window portion, A method for manufacturing a casing for an electronic device that supplies an elastomer composition for forming an elastic member in a space including at least a gap between a front side surface and a recess and a gap between a second mold and a front side surface of a frame. is there.

  Another embodiment of the present invention further provides a release layer in which a release layer interposed between the front side surface and the elastic member is arranged on the front side surface of the display plate before or after the display plate arranging step. It is a manufacturing method of the housing | casing for electronic devices which further includes an arrangement | positioning process and removes a release layer with an elastic member inside from an outer periphery in an exposure process.

  According to the present invention, the electronic device can be thinned and highly waterproof.

FIG. 1: shows the partial exploded perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the housing for electronic devices which concerns on 1st embodiment which comprises some electronic devices, and the electronic device main body combined with it. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the housing for an electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part B thereof. FIG. 3 shows a part of the manufacturing process of the electronic device casing shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the frame on the first mold and the process following the process shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. 4 and a cross-sectional view taken along the DD line inside and outside the mold. FIG. 6 shows a step subsequent to the step shown in FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view taken along line EE after molding, an enlarged view of part E ′ in the cross-sectional view taken along line EE, and F after removing a part of the elastic member. -F line sectional drawing is shown. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electronic device casing according to a second embodiment that constitutes a part of the electronic device. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of the housing for electronic equipment shown in FIG. 7 and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part H thereof. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a process of forming an elastic member on a frame disposed between the first mold and the second mold, and is a perspective view of the mold immediately after molding and a part of the inside and outside of the mold. A sectional view taken along line II is shown. FIG. 10 shows a step following the step shown in FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ after molding, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK after removing a part of the elastic member. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing constituting the front side of a conventional electronic device. 12 shows an LL line cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 11 and an enlarged view of a part M thereof.

Next, a preferred embodiment of an electronic device casing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a portable communication terminal will be described as an example of an electronic device. However, the electronic device is not limited thereto, and may be a portable music player, a small television receiver, a remote controller, or the like.

<First embodiment>
1. Structure of Electronic Device Housing FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view in which an electronic device housing according to a first embodiment constituting a part of the electronic device and an electronic device main body combined therewith are disassembled.

  The electronic device casing (hereinafter simply referred to as “enclosure”) 2 according to the first embodiment has a shape of a tray that covers the outside of the electronic apparatus 1. The housing 2 is configured to come into contact with the stepped end surface 4 on the electronic device main body 3 side including a circuit board and a battery, and can be fitted into the electronic device main body 3 in the thickness direction. The casing 2 has a frame 2a for the casing 2 which is a main component of the casing 2, a display board 5 suitably formed of transparent glass or resin, and a gap between the display board 5 and the frame 2a. And an elastic member 6 connected to 2a. The frame 2a includes a rectangular window portion 9 penetrating the front surface. The display board 5 is formed slightly smaller than the window portion 9.

  The frame 2a can be suitably manufactured from resin, metal or ceramics. When the frame 2a is manufactured from resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer (ABS) resin, etc. are preferably used. Can do. An inorganic filler or an organic filler may be dispersed in the frame 2a. If the display board 5 is transparent, it can also be comprised with the acrylic resin which is excellent in transparency other than glass. Here, “transparent” means a light transmittance that is higher than a level at which the display on the back side of the housing 2 can be visually recognized through the display board 5, and is broadly defined to include translucent in addition to colored transparent and colorless transparent. To be interpreted. The elastic member 6 is preferably made of an elastomer that is more flexible than the frame 2a and the display board 5, and can be preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermosetting elastomer, natural rubber, or the like. One type of silicone elastomer can be suitably used. As another material of the elastic member 6, for example, a styrene elastomer, an olefin elastomer, or a urethane elastomer can be used. Further, an inorganic filler or an organic filler may be dispersed in the elastic member 6.

  2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the housing for an electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part B thereof.

  The display board 5 is preferably configured to have a thickness slightly smaller than the thickness of the frame 2a. In the case where the casing 2 is formed in the shape of a thin rectangular parallelepiped having a width of 50 to 70 mm, a length of 100 to 120 mm, and a height of 3 to 8 mm, a suitable thickness of the display panel 5 is 0.5 to 1.0 mm as an example. It is. Moreover, the suitable thickness of the flame | frame 2a is 0.6-2.5 mm. Note that the thickness of the frame 2a and the thickness of the display board 5 may be the same (for example, both are 0.5 mm). The display board 5 is arrange | positioned in the window part 9 so that the back surface and the back surface of the outer periphery of the window part 9 of the flame | frame 2a may become flush | level. The elastic member 6 is fixed to the frame 2 a so as to fill a gap between the window portion 9 and the display plate 5 and cover the outer periphery of the display plate 5. If the back surface of the elastic member 6 is formed so as to be flush with the back surface of the display board 5 and the back surface of the outer periphery of the window portion 9 of the frame 2a, the back surface of the housing 2 is flattened to make it thinner. From the viewpoint, it is still preferable. Since the elastic member 6 includes the covering portion 7 that covers the outer periphery of the display plate 5 over the entire circumference, the contact area with the display plate 5 can be increased. As a result, the frame 2a and the display board 5 can be more firmly connected. Further, by interposing an easy-adhesive primer between the display panel 5 and the elastic member 6, stronger adhesion can be realized. If the thickness of the covering portion 7 is substantially equal to the difference between the thickness of the frame 2a and the thickness of the display portion 5, the area from the frame 2a to the covering portion 7 of the elastic member 6 can be made flat, and the electronic device It is possible to prevent one user from catching a finger when using it.

2. Method for Manufacturing Electronic Device Housing FIG. 3 shows a part of the manufacturing process of the electronic device housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the frame on the first mold and the process following the process shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. 4 and a cross-sectional view taken along the DD line inside and outside the mold. FIG. 6 shows a step subsequent to the step shown in FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view taken along line EE after molding, an enlarged view of part E ′ in the cross-sectional view taken along line EE, and F after removing a part of the elastic member -F line sectional drawing is shown.

  The housing 2 can be preferably manufactured by sequentially executing the steps from FIG. 3 to FIG. 6. Here, an example in which PC resin is used as the frame 2a and silicone rubber is used as the elastic member 6 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, a protective film 8 as an example of a release layer is pasted on the front surface of the display board 5 (release layer arranging step). The protective film 8 prevents the display board 5 and the composition from adhering to each other when the unvulcanized silicone rubber composition before the elastic member 6 is cured is supplied onto the display board 5. The film for facilitating peeling of the composition from the display board 5. The protective film 8 is preferably made of a material that can withstand the heating temperature (about 100 ° C.) during molding, for example, a resin such as PET, polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and the like. Is done. The protective film 8 is formed smaller than the display board 5 so that the outer periphery of the display board 5 can be exposed over the entire circumference. This is for removing the elastic member 6 on the protective film 8 from the frame 2a while leaving the elastic member 6 formed in the exposed portion on the frame 2a side in a later step.

  The melted PC resin is filled into the mold, and after being cured by cooling, the mold is opened to manufacture the PC resin frame 2a. Next, the projecting region formed on the first mold 10 constituting the molding die 10 is set so as to cover the projecting region substantially equal to the inner volume and shape of the frame 2a. Frame setting process). In this state, the window portion 9 of the frame 2a is opened on the top surface of the protruding region. Next, it displays on the protrusion area | region of the 1st metal mold | die 10 located directly under the window part 9 so that the back surface of the display board 5 and the back surface of the flame | frame 2a located in the outer side of the window part 9 may be hold | maintained flush. The board 5 is arranged (display board arrangement process). The display board 5 with the protective film 8 attached is arranged with the protective film 8 side up. The frame 2a and the first mold 10 with the display board 5 placed in the window 9 are as shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the second mold 11 constituting the molding mold is covered on the frame 2 a similarly to the first mold 10 (mold setting step). The second mold 11 has a recess 12 that is recessed inward from the lower surface in substantially the same shape and size as the protective film 8. When the first mold 10 and the second mold 11 are clamped, the gap between the display plate 5 and the window portion 9 surrounding the outer periphery thereof, the gap between the lower surface of the second mold 11 and the display plate 5, the protective film 8 and A gap with the recess 12 is generated. A silicone rubber composition as the material is supplied onto the display board 5 so that the elastic member 6 can be formed in a space constituted by these gaps (elastomer supply step). Next, the mold is heated to cure the composition (curing step). As a result, when the mold is opened, as shown in FIG. 6, a molded body in which the display portion 5 and the frame 2a are connected by the elastic member 6 having the protruding portion 13 on the protective film 8 is obtained.

  Next, the protrusion 13 is removed from the display panel 5. In order to easily remove the protruding portion 13, as shown in the enlarged view of a part E ′ in the EE cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, a cut portion is formed in the skirt portion of the protruding portion 13 of the elastic member 6 to form a thin-walled portion. You may shape | mold so that 13a may be left. In addition, the removal may be performed manually or with any cutting tool regardless of the presence or absence of the thin portion 13a. When the protruding portion 13 is removed, the protective film 8 on the back side is also peeled off from the display board 5 together with the protruding portion 13 (exposure process). As a result, it is possible to obtain the casing 2 in a state where the region of the protective film 8 is exposed and the elastic member 6 fills the area from the outside to the window portion 9.

  As described above, the housing 2 is manufactured by sequentially performing the steps from FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, and thus has the following merits. The display plate 5 is not sandwiched between the upper surface of the projecting region of the first mold 10 and the lower surface of the second mold 11, and a gap is secured between the second mold 11 and the display plate 5, and elasticity is maintained. Since the silicone rubber composition for forming the member 6 is supplied to the gap, the risk of breaking the display board 5 in the molding process of the elastic member 6 can be reduced. In particular, even when the thickness of the display plate 5 varies, by designing the depth of the recess 12 to be larger than the variation, the lower surface of the second mold 11 is pressed against the display plate 5 and breaks. Such a situation can be resolved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the pressure at the time of clamping with the 1st metal mold | die 10 and the 2nd metal mold | die 11, and not to break the display board 5, In that case, a silicone rubber composition is displayed. It flows from the outer periphery of the plate 5 inward, and burrs are likely to occur on the front surface of the display plate 5, which requires labor to remove the burrs. The manufacturing method described above eliminates such labor. In addition, the elastic member 6 is formed so as to cover the surface on the front side of the display board 5 in addition to the gap between the display board 5 and the window portion 9, and thereafter, only the protruding portion 13 that covers the area necessary for display is provided. Since it is formed by removing, the display plate 5 and the frame 2a can be reliably sealed. In particular, the presence of the covering portion 7 that covers the outer periphery of the front surface of the display board 5 contributes to the realization of the reliable seal. Furthermore, since the protective film 8 is stuck on the display board 5, the silicone rubber composition is supplied from above, and the cured part 13 is removed together with the protective film 8 after the curing, the silicone rubber composition Therefore, it is possible to appropriately protect the display plate 5 and to easily remove the protruding portion 13. Instead of applying the protective film 8, a release agent may be applied on the display board 5. In addition, by integrating the display board 5 into the frame 2a via the elastic member 6, the assembly process of the electronic device 1 can be simplified and the efficiency of component management can be improved.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the electronic device casing according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration described in the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral in the drawing, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

1. Structure of Electronic Device Housing FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electronic device housing according to the second embodiment constituting a part of the electronic device.

  The difference between the housing 2 according to the second embodiment and that according to the first embodiment is that the elastic member 6 has a surface covering portion 14 that covers at least the front surface of the frame 2a. As shown in FIG. 7, the casing 2 is covered with a surface covering portion 14 except for the display area in the center of the display board 5.

  FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of the housing for electronic equipment shown in FIG. 7 and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part H thereof.

  The elastic member 6 forms a covering portion 7 that covers the outer periphery of the front side surface of the display plate 5 from a gap between the display plate 5 and the window portion 9, and also has a surface covering portion 14 that covers at least the front side surface of the frame 2a. Form. The surface covering portion 14 effectively contributes to giving a good tactile sensation including ease of holding to the user who uses the electronic apparatus 1. Moreover, since the coating | coated part 7 and the surface coating | coated part 14 are substantially flush, when using the electronic device 1, it can prevent that a finger | toe etc. are caught. In this embodiment, the surface covering portion 14 covers only the front surface and the side surface of the frame 2a, but it may be formed to extend from the opening end of the frame 2a and further from the opening end to the inner surface. . Further, the surface covering portion 14 may cover only the top surface that occupies most of the front side surface without covering the side surface of the frame 2a.

2. Manufacturing method of housing for electronic device The housing 2 according to the second embodiment undergoes the same processes as those described based on FIGS. 3 and 4 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, description of the same process is omitted, and subsequent processes different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a process of forming an elastic member on a frame disposed between the first mold and the second mold, and is a perspective view of the mold immediately after molding and a part of the inside and outside of the mold. A sectional view taken along line II is shown. FIG. 10 shows a step following the step shown in FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ after molding, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK after removing a part of the elastic member.

  After the protective film 8 is affixed to the display board 5 and the display board 5 is arranged on the first mold 10 in the window portion 9 as in the method for manufacturing the casing 2 according to the first embodiment (display board arrangement process). As shown in FIG. 9, the second mold 11 constituting the mold is covered from the top of the frame 2a in the same manner as the first mold 10 (mold setting step). The second mold 11 has a recess 15 that is substantially the same shape and the same size as the protective film 8 and that is recessed inward from the lower surface, and in the region outside the recess 15, the surface on the front side of the frame 2 a It is comprised so that it may also have a clearance gap between. When the first mold 10 and the second mold 11 are clamped, the gap between the display plate 5 and the window portion 9 surrounding the outer periphery thereof, the gap between the lower surface of the second mold 11 and the display plate 5, the protective film 8 and A gap between the recess 15 and a gap between the lower surface of the second mold 11 and the frame 2a are generated. A silicone rubber composition as the material is supplied onto the display board 5 so that the elastic member 6 can be formed in a space constituted by these gaps (elastomer supply step). Next, the mold is heated to cure the composition (curing step). As a result, when the mold is opened, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic member 6 having the protruding portion 13 on the protective film 8 and the surface covering portion 14 covering the front surface and the side surface of the frame 2a, A molded body in which the display unit 5 and the frame 2a are connected is obtained.

  Next, the protrusion 13 is removed from the display panel 5. In order to easily remove the protruding portion 13, similarly to the first embodiment, a cut may be formed in the skirt portion of the protruding portion 13 of the elastic member 6 so as to leave the thin portion 13 a. When the protruding portion 13 is removed, the protective film 8 on the back side is also peeled off from the display board 5 together with the protruding portion 13 (exposure process). As a result, the housing 2 in a state in which the region of the protective film 8 is exposed, covers from the outside to the window portion 9, and further, the surface and the side surface of the frame 2a are continuously covered with the elastic member 6. Can be obtained.

<Other embodiments>
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as described below, for example.

  For example, the elastic member 6 covers the outer periphery of the front side surface of the display board 5 over the entire circumference, and at least a part of the outer periphery is, for example, a long side positioned in the width direction of the display board 5 Only the side or only the short side may be covered. Further, the back surface of the elastic member 6 is not formed flush with the back surface of the display plate 5 and the back surface of the frame 2a, and may be recessed toward the front side from the back surfaces of the display plate 5 and the frame 2a. In the exposure process, the protrusion 13 and the protective film 8 may not be removed together with the protrusion 13 and the protective film 8 may be removed separately. Further, after disposing the display board 5 on the protruding region of the first mold 10, the release layer is disposed on the front surface of the display board 5 (the protective film 8 is applied or the release agent is applied). Also good.

  The present invention can be used, for example, in an electronic device that can be waterproofed from the outer periphery of the display panel.

1 Electronic equipment 2 Housing (enclosure for electronic equipment)
2a Frame 8 protective film (an example of a release layer)
9 Window 5 Display Panel 6 Elastic Member 10 First Mold (Part of Molding Mold)
11 Second mold (part of mold for molding)
12 recessed part 13 protrusion part (inner elastic member)
15 recess

Claims (2)

An electronic device casing that covers the outside of the electronic device,
A frame for the housing;
A transparent display board that is disposed in a window that penetrates the frame and is thinner than the frame;
An elastic member connecting the inner end face of the window and the display plate;
With
The back surface of the display plate and the back surface of the frame located outside the window portion are formed flush with each other,
The elastic member covers at least a part of the outer periphery of the front side surface of the display board;
The back surface of the display board, the back surface of the frame, and the back surface of the elastic member are formed flush with each other,
Furthermore, the housing | casing for electronic devices characterized by making the coating | coated part which consists of the said elastic member which coat | covers the outer periphery of the said display board with the surface on the front side of the said frame. An electronic device casing that covers the outside of the electronic device,
A frame for the housing;
A transparent display board that is disposed in a window that penetrates the frame and is thinner than the frame;
An elastic member connecting the inner end face of the window and the display plate;
With
The back surface of the display plate and the back surface of the frame located outside the window portion are formed flush with each other,
The elastic member covers at least a part of the outer periphery of the front side surface of the display board;
The back surface of the display board, the back surface of the frame, and the back surface of the elastic member are formed flush with each other,
Cover the front surface of the frame with the elastic member,
Further, the display panel outer periphery and the covering portion for covering at the elastic member, the electronic device housing, characterized in that the surface covering portion for covering the front surface in the flush of the frame.

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