JPH04268907A - Portable information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To compact device size without deteriorating operability by forming a keyboard part so as to fold it around a spindle rectangular to the rotational center axis direction of a display part. CONSTITUTION:When the device is not used, the keyboard part 1 is folded around the spindle 7, held between a display part 2 and a control part 5 and locked by a locking member so that the display part 2 is not opened at the time of carrying the device. In the case of using the device, the display part 2 and the control part 5 are rotated around respective turning spindles 6 of a back member and developed so as to be arranged approximately on the same plane. Then the keyboard part 1 is turned around the spindle 7, the face of key tops 10 is developed like a plane and then the control part 5 is restored up to the rear face position of the keyboard part 1. After engaging both the keyboard part 1 and control part 5, the keyboard part 1 is slid along a sliding groove and locked by a locking member 3 on a position by which the keyboard 1 is equally distributed right and left around the display part 2 to hold the keyboard part 1.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing device.

In recent years, information processing devices such as personal computers have become smaller and more dense, and many portable information processing devices such as notebook computers have been proposed. Under these circumstances, file devices, control devices, etc. are becoming smaller and more densely packed, but the keyboard device, which is the input/output section, requires a certain size, which is a constraint on the miniaturization of the overall device. ing.

0003

[Prior Art] Generally, a portable information processing device such as a notebook computer has a display section using a liquid crystal panel, etc., and a main body section with a keyboard section disposed on the surface section, which are foldably connected by an appropriate hinge. If such a portable information processing device is to be made smaller, the numeric keypad (number input keys) may be removed from the keyboard,
Alternatively, the shape of the key tops has been made smaller.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, as mentioned above, if the numeric keypad is removed from the keyboard section or the key top shape is made smaller to make the keyboard surface smaller, the operability of the device will be extremely deteriorated. It had the disadvantage of being stored away.

The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information processing device that can be miniaturized without deteriorating the operability.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by foldably attaching a display section 2 to a main body section having a keyboard section 1, as shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to an embodiment. To provide a portable information processing device characterized in that the keyboard section 1 is formed so as to be foldable in two around an axis perpendicular to the rotation center axis direction of the display section 2. This is achieved by

In this case, the keyboard section 1 may be slidable in the left and right directions with respect to the display section in the unfolded state, and the sliding path of the keyboard section 1 includes a sliding end position of the keyboard section 1. Further, the lock member 3 may be formed of a push button switch that moves forward and backward in the sliding path of the keyboard portion 1, and the main power source is turned off at the sliding end position of the keyboard portion 1. It is also possible to configure it so that it connects and disconnects.

[0008]

[Operation] Based on the above structure, the keyboard portion 1 of the portable information processing device according to the present invention is configured to be foldable in half, thereby saving space when carried. In addition, this keyboard section 1 can be unfolded when in use and has enough space to arrange the key tops, so there is no need to omit the numeric keypad or downsize the key top shape. No deterioration in operability.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5,
The portable information processing device includes a display section 2 formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a control section 5 connected to the display section 2 via a back member 4. 5 is pivotally attached to the back member 4 so that the angle between the two members can be arbitrarily changed.

On the other hand, the keyboard section 1 has an approximately central portion in the longitudinal direction along an axis 7 perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 6 of the display section 2 and the control section 5.
The guide protrusion 8 protruding from one side edge is slidably fitted into the guide groove 9 of the back member 4.

The spacing between the pivot shafts 6 of the back surface member 4 is set to such an extent that they do not interfere with the key tops 10 of the keyboard section 1 when the keyboard section 1 is folded and accommodated. Further, the wiring between the display section 2, the control section 5, and the keyboard section 1 is performed by passing a flexible printed board 12 or a cable through the hollow section 11 formed in the back surface member 4. , radio waves,
Connection using light or the like is also possible.

With the above configuration, the portable information processing device according to the present invention folds the keyboard section 1 around the axis 7 when not in use, and folds the keyboard section 1 between the display section 2 and the display section 2. The controller 5 is in a pinched state. Note that the display section 2 and the control section 5 are locked by a locking member (not shown), so that the display section 2 is locked so that it does not open when being carried.

[0014] To transition from this state to the use state,
First, as shown in FIG. 2, the display section 2 and the control section 5 are rotated about the rotation axis 6 of the back member 4 and unfolded so that they are substantially on the same plane (see FIG. 4). Next, the keyboard section 1 is rotated around the axis 7, that is, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 to unfold the key tops 10 into a flat surface, and then the control section 5 is returned to the position on the back surface of the keyboard section 1.

Here, the cover wall 13 erected at the free end of the control section 5 has a cover wall 13 that is slidably fitted into a slide protrusion 14 on the front side wall surface of the keyboard section 1, as shown in FIG. A slide groove 15 is formed to allow the keyboard 1 to slide along the slide groove 15 after the control unit 5 is returned to its original position and the two are engaged.

On the other hand, a locking member 3 is disposed at a portion that interferes with the sliding path of the keyboard section 1, and the locking member 3 is arranged so that the keyboard section 1 can be slid to a position where the keyboard section 1 is equally divided into left and right sections with respect to the center of the display section 2. When the keyboard portion 1 is moved, the sliding movement is locked by the locking member 3 and the keyboard portion 1 is held at that position. This state is the usage state shown in FIG.

Further, foldable legs 16 are provided at both ends of the keyboard section 1.
When using it, stand on the foot downwards.

Although a general mechanical locking mechanism can be used as the locking member 3, it is also possible to use a push button switch in which the operation button 17 moves forward and backward. In some cases, the power may be turned on only when the keyboard section 1 is unfolded in its normal position.

[0019] As described above, shows a modification in which the locking member 3 is formed by a push button switch. They are arranged at positions that match the positions of both ends of the cover wall 13.

In this example, when the switch is not in use, the operating button 17 is pressed against the cover wall 13 of the control section 5 to turn it off, and when the keyboard section 1 is slid laterally when in use, the cover is turned off. The pressure exerted by the wall 13 is released and the keyboard portion 1 protrudes toward the front surface, mechanically locking the keyboard portion 1 and transitioning to a state in which the power can be turned on.

Further, in the above embodiments, the keyboard section 1 is housed in a state where it is sandwiched between the display section 2 and the control section 5. As shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to store the control section 5 by sandwiching it between the keyboard section 1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower keyboard section 1 is rotated downward. By unfolding and sliding it to the side, it is brought into use.

[0022]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, since the keyboard section can be folded when not in use, portability can be improved.
Furthermore, since the necessary area is secured during use, the key arrangement can be similar to that of a desktop type, improving usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a start-of-use state.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing essential parts of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the keyboard section is unfolded.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing an engaged state of the keyboard part, in which (a) is a front view, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in (a).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the locking member, in which (a) is a front view and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in (a).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operating state of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a start-of-use state of FIG. 8;

[Brief explanation of symbols]

1 Keyboard part 2 Display section 3 Lock member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable information processing device in which a display section (2) is foldably attached to a main body section having a keyboard section (1), wherein the keyboard section (1) is attached to a display section (2). A portable information processing device characterized in that it is formed so that it can be folded into two around an axis perpendicular to a rotation center axis direction. 2. The portable information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard section (1) is slidable in the left and right directions with respect to the display section in the unfolded state. 3. The sliding path of the keyboard portion (1) includes:
3. The portable information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking member (3) for regulating a sliding end position of the keyboard portion (1). 4. The locking member (3) is formed by a push button switch that moves forward and backward along the sliding path of the keyboard section (1), and connects and disconnects the main power source at the sliding end position of the keyboard section (1). The portable information processing device according to claim 3.