JPH0715655B2 - Portable equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a portable unit in which a display unit can be detached from a main body, and in particular, a display unit for applying a rotational force applied to a socket for rotatably supporting a display. The present invention relates to a portable device having a mechanism for releasing when detached.

(Prior Art) In recent years, a laptop type portable computer in which a flat panel display unit is rotatably attached to a main body, such as USP4,571,456, has been developed. This portable computer has a latch assembly for setting the display unit in a position to cover the keyboard of the main body. Further, this portable computer has a coil spring for hopping up the display unit to a predetermined position when the latch is released.

Further, among laptop type portable computers, portable computers such as USP4,749,364 in which a rotatable display unit can be detached from the main body have been developed. In this display detachable type portable computer, the display unit is mechanically connected to the main body by inserting a plug of the display unit into a socket rotatably attached to the main body. Since the socket is rotatably attached to the body, the display unit rotates with respect to the body. The display unit is
By operating the release lever, the mechanical connection with the main body is released and it becomes removable.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) If a display detachable type portable computer is to be provided with a coil spring for hopping up a display unit as disclosed in USP 4,571,456, The force of the coil spring must be applied to the rotating socket.
However, if a force is applied to the socket to hop up the display unit, when the display unit is removed from the main body, the socket always stands up on the main body. If the socket is kept upright when the display unit is removed, the portability and operability of the portable computer deteriorates.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a display unit with a force for hopping up the display unit, but provides a socket for rotatably supporting the display unit with a force for hopping up. It is not intended to provide a display detachable type portable device.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a portable device of the present invention has a main body having a keyboard and a socket mounting surface, a front surface, and a rotating body. A socket provided so that a first position has a display surface and covers the keyboard by engaging the socket, and a second position for operating the keyboard while looking at the display surface. And a lifting means for raising the display unit in the first position toward the second position. The lifting means applies a force to the display unit to raise it in the second position direction, but does not apply the force to the socket.
Therefore, when the display unit is removed from the socket, the front surface of the socket can be set to the second position facing the socket mounting surface.

(Operation) In the portable device of the present invention, when the display unit is removed from the socket, the front surface of the socket can be set at a position facing the socket mounting surface, so that the socket is an obstacle when the display unit is removed from the socket. As a result, the operability and portability of the device are improved.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 are perspective views of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view when the display unit is set to a first position to cover the keyboard, FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the display unit hops up to a predetermined position, and FIG. The perspective view when the keyboard is set to the second position where the keyboard is operated while looking, FIG. 4 is the perspective view when the display unit is removed from the socket, and FIG. 5 is the front surface of the socket after the display unit is removed from the socket FIG. 7 is a perspective view when the is set at a third position facing the socket mounting surface.

The portable computer 1 has a main body 3 and a display unit 5. The main body 3 has a keyboard 7 on its front part.
have. The body 3 has a socket mounting surface 9 and a groove 10 on the rear portion thereof.
have. The body 3 has a socket 11 rotatably attached to the body 3 on a socket mounting surface 9. The main body 3 has a front surface 12 and a handle 13 that is slidable between a position in contact with the front surface 12 and a position away from the front surface 12, and for carrying the portable computer 1. The main body 3 has a pair of latch grooves 14 on both sides of the keyboard 7. The body 3 has a pair of inner side surfaces 16. The in-faces 16 each have a circular hole, as will be described later.

The display unit 5 has a display surface 15 on its inner surface.
have. The display unit 5 has an engaging foot 17 that engages with the socket 11 and an auxiliary foot 19 that engages with the main body 3 in the groove 10 at the bottom end thereof. The display unit 5 has a slide switch 21 on each side thereof. The display unit 5 has a pair of latch claws 23 interlocking with the slide switch 21 and engaging with the latch grooves 14 on both sides of the display surface. The display unit 5 has auxiliary springs 25 on both sides of the display surface for assisting the hop-up operation of the display unit 5.

The socket 11 has a main body side connector 27 therein. The socket 11 has a front surface 29 and a pair of side surfaces 30. The front surface 29 has a pair of latch holes 31. Each side surface has a respective cylindrical boss that engages a circular hole in the inner surface 16, as described below. Engagement foot 17 has a latch hole 31
The engaging claw 33 that engages with the release lever 35 for moving the engaging claw 33 to release the engagement between the socket 11 and the engaging foot 17.
With.

Here, the operation of this portable computer will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the operator sets the display unit 5 to the first position where the display unit 5 covers the keyboard 7, the latch claw 23 is inserted into and engaged with the latch groove 14, so that the display unit 5 is closed. It is fixed to the main body 3 so as to cover 7. In the first position, the coil spring of the shaft lock mechanism described later is in a state where the coil diameter is wider than in the steady state, and gives the display unit 5 a force to lift the display unit 5 in the arrow A direction. In the first position, the auxiliary spring 25 also gives the display unit 5 a force to lift the display unit 5 in the direction of arrow A. The force of the coil spring of the shaft lock mechanism to lift the display unit 5 in the direction of arrow A is directly applied to the engaging leg 17 of the display unit 5, and the socket 11 is articulated through the engaging leg 17 in an articulated manner. Has been added. Note that in the state shown in FIG. 1, the front surface 12 is so arranged that the handle 13 can easily carry the portable computer 1.
It is set in a position away from.

When the operator slides the slide switch 21 in the direction of arrow B while the display unit 5 is fixed to the first position, the latches 23 and 14 are released from the latches. When the latch claw 23 and the latch groove 14 are released from the latch, the display unit 5 and the socket 11 are lifted in the arrow A direction by the action of the coil spring and the auxiliary spring 25. The display unit 5 and the socket 11 lifted in the direction of the arrow A stop at the position shown in FIG. 2 in which the force of the coil spring and the auxiliary spring 25 and the weight of the display unit 5 balance each other. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the handle 13 is set at a position where it comes into contact with the front surface 12 so as not to disturb the keyboard operation.

From the state shown in FIG. 2, the operator rotates the display unit 5 in the direction of arrow C and sets the display unit 5 in the second position shown in FIG. Operate the computer 1.

When removing the display unit 5 from the main body 3, the operator pulls the release lever 35 in the direction of the arrow D, and the latch hole 31
And the engagement claw 33 is disengaged. After releasing the engagement between the latch hole 31 and the engaging claw 33, when the operator pulls up the display unit 5 in the arrow E direction, the display unit 5 is removed from the main body as shown in FIG.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, since the engaging legs 17 are removed, the force of the coil spring of the shaft lock mechanism is not applied to the socket 11. Therefore, when the operator rotates the socket 11 in the direction of arrow F, as shown in FIG.
Is set to a third position where the front surface 29 faces the socket mounting surface 9.

Next, the engaging legs 17 and the socket 11 of the display unit 5
The relationship between the shaft lock mechanism and the shaft lock mechanism will be described. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the engagement leg 17, the socket 11 and the shaft lock mechanism,
7 is a partial sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.

As described above, the side surface 30 of the socket 11 has the cylindrical bosses 37 and 38, and the inner side surface 16 of the main body 3 has the circular hole 39. By engaging the cylindrical bosses 37 and 38 with the circular holes 39, respectively, the socket 11 becomes rotatable with respect to the main body 3. A cylindrical boss 38 in which a cable 41 connected to the main body side connector 27 in the socket 11 is engaged with one circular hole 39
The inside is connected to a circuit and a power source provided in the main body 3.

The shaft lock mechanism 43 is fixed near the other circular hole 39 in the main body 3. The shaft lock mechanism 43 includes a rotating shaft 45,
A shaft holder 49 that rotatably holds one end 47 of the rotating shaft 45,
A coil spring 51 tightly wound around the rotating shaft 45 and a pin 53.
With a rotating arm 55 fixed to the rotating shaft 45.
The other end 57 of the rotating shaft 45 has a flat surface 59. Coil spring 51
One end 61 of the arm contacts the side surface 63 of the rotary arm 55, and the other end
65 is fixed to the shaft holder 49. When the rotating arm 55 rotates in the direction of arrow G, one end 61 of the coil spring 51 is pushed by the side surface 63 of the rotating arm 55, so that the diameter of the coil spring 51 expands. When the rotating arm 55 rotates in the direction of arrow H, the side surface 63 of the rotating arm 55 separates from the one end 61 of the coil spring 51,
The coil spring 51 is in a steady state and tightly tightens the rotating shaft 45. The shaft lock mechanism 43 is fixed in the main body 3 by inserting screws 69 into the pair of screw holes 67.

The other end 57 of the rotary shaft 45 is connected to the other circular hole 39 of the inner side surface 16.
It passes through the cylindrical boss 37 of the socket 11 engaged with and projects into the socket 11. The engaging foot 17 is inside the side surface 71,
It has an engaging plate 75 having an engaging groove 73 for engaging a flat surface 59 protruding into the socket 11 of the rotating shaft 45.

The engagement leg 17 has a display side connector 76 therein. The display side connector 76 has a pair of guide pins 78. The body side connector 27 has a guide hole 80 into which the guide pin 78 is inserted. When the engaging leg 17 is inserted into the socket 11, the main body side connector 27 and the display side connector 76 are guided and connected by the guide pin 78 and the guide hole 80.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the engagement leg 17 is inserted into the socket 11, the engagement groove 73 of the engagement plate 75 engages with the flat surface 59 of the rotary shaft 45. By the engagement between the engagement groove 73 and the flat surface 59, the rotational movement of the flat panel display unit 5 is transmitted to the shaft lock mechanism 43. When the operator rotates the display unit 5 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 1, the engagement between the engagement groove 73 and the flat surface 59 causes the rotary shaft 45 to move in the direction of arrow G in FIG. Rotate.
When the rotary shaft 45 rotates in the direction of arrow G, the rotary arm 55 fixed to the rotary shaft 45 by the pin 53 interlocks with the rotary shaft 45. When the rotating arm 45 rotates in the arrow G direction, one end 61 of the coil spring 51 rotates in the arrow G direction, and the diameter of the coil spring 51 becomes wider than in the steady state. When the diameter of the coil spring 51 becomes wider than the steady state, the diameter of the coil spring 51 tries to return to the steady state, and the force generated by the action moves the display unit 5 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. It will help you to hop up. Display unit 5
When the shaft is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the engagement between the engagement groove 73 and the flat surface 59 causes the rotation shaft 45 to rotate.
Rotates in the direction of arrow H in FIG. When the rotary shaft 45 rotates in the arrow H direction, the rotary arm 55 rotates in the arrow H direction,
One end 61 of the coil spring 51 is separated from the rotating arm 55. When one end 61 of the coil spring 51 separates from the rotating arm 55, the coil spring 51 firmly tightens the rotating shaft 45. When the coil spring 51 firmly tightens the rotating shaft 45, the rotating shaft 45 is locked.
When the rotation shaft 45 is locked, the rotation of the display unit 5 due to its own weight is restricted via the flat surface 59 and the engagement plate 75. The locking force of the rotating shaft 45 by the coil spring 51 is smaller than the rotating force of the display unit 5 by the operator, so that the operator can fix the display unit 5 at an arbitrary angle in the vicinity shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the operation of the release lever 35 when the display unit 5 is detached from the socket 11. The release lever 35 is rotatable around a rotary shaft 77 fixed in the engaging leg 17. The release lever 35 is constantly given a force in the arrow J direction by a spring (not shown). The release lever 35 has an engaging claw 33 at one end thereof. The engaging claw 33 engages with the latch hole 31 in the front surface 29 of the socket 11 when the engaging foot 17 is set in the socket 11, and fixes the display unit 5 to the socket 11. The release lever 35 has protrusions 79 on both sides of the engaging claw 33. The operator operates the engaging feet 17
When removing from the socket 11, the release lever 35 is rotated in the direction of arrow D. When the release lever 35 is set to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9, the projection 79 engages with the recess provided in the engaging leg 17 and the release lever 35 is fixed. In this state, the operator moves the display unit 5 in the direction of arrow E in FIG.
When the display unit 5 is pulled up, the display unit 5 can be detached from the main body 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 5 is attached to the main body 3
When removed from the socket, the socket described in FIGS. 6 to 8 is used.
The flat surface 59 of the rotary shaft 45 protruding into the inside 11 is free. The socket 11 is only rotatably attached to the main body 3 by inserting the cylindrical boss 37 into the circular hole 39. The rotating shaft 45 does not rotate even if only the socket 11 is rotated. Therefore, even if the socket 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 4, the force of the coil spring 51 is not received, and the socket 11 is located at a position where the front surface 29 faces the socket mounting surface 9 as shown in FIG. Can be set to

In the present embodiment, the other end 57 of the rotary shaft 45 is a flat plate having a flat surface 59, and the end of the engaging plate 75 is a rectangular engaging groove 73, but the present invention is not limited thereto. is not. As shown in FIG. 10, an engaging groove is formed on the other end 83 of the rotary shaft 81.
85 is provided, and an engaging piece 89 that can be inserted into the engaging groove 85 is provided at the tip of the engaging plate 87, as shown in FIG.
The present invention can also be implemented by a configuration in which the other end 93 of the 91 is provided with the engaging hole 95 and the engaging plate 97 is provided with the engaging pin 99 which can be inserted into the engaging hole 95.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a force for hopping up the display unit is applied to the display unit, but a socket for rotatably supporting the display unit hops up. It is possible to provide a display-detachable type portable device that does not apply the power of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first view of the display unit covering the keyboard.
2 is a perspective view of the portable computer when set to the position, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer when the display unit hops up to a predetermined position because the display unit is unlatched, and FIG. The perspective view of the portable computer when it is set to the second position where the keyboard is operated while looking at it, FIG. 4 is the perspective view of the portable computer when the display unit is removed from the socket, and FIG. 5 is the display unit from the socket. After the removal, the front surface of the socket is set to the third position opposed to the socket mounting surface. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable computer, and FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the engaging feet, the socket, and the shaft locking mechanism. Figure 7 is an enlarged view for VI is a sectional view, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the operation of the release lever, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are other embodiments of the shaft locking mechanism. It is a figure for explaining an example.

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A main body having a front portion having a keyboard and a rear portion, a display unit having a display surface, a first position at which the display unit is detachable from the main body, and the display unit covers the keyboard. And mechanical connection means for rotatably connecting the display unit between the second position for operating the keyboard while looking at the display surface, and when the display unit is connected to the main body. A unit for applying a rotational force to the display unit to flatten the rear portion when the display unit is detached from the main body. 2. The rear part is higher than the front part, and further has a mounting part on which the connecting means is mounted.
The portable device according to the item. 3. The portable device according to claim 2, wherein the rear portion further has a rear top, and when the display unit is detached from the main body, the connecting means is stored at the same height as the rear top. machine. 4. The means applies a rotational force to the display unit when the display unit is located from the first position to a predetermined position between the first position and the second position, The portable device according to claim 1, wherein when the display unit is located from the predetermined position to the second position, the display unit is locked so that the display unit can be adjusted in angle. 5. The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection means for electrically connecting the main body and the display unit when the display unit is connected to the main body. 6. A main body having a storage portion, a display unit detachably connected to the main body, a front surface provided on the storage portion, the display unit being attached to the main body, Rotating means for rotatably supporting the display unit and allowing the front surface to maintain a position substantially facing the storage portion when the display unit is removed from the main body; A rotating device for applying a rotating force to the display unit when attached to the main body. 7. The rotating means further comprises first engaging means, and the display unit further comprises second engaging means for engaging the first engaging means, the first engaging means comprising: 7. The portable device according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is rotatably supported by the main body by the engagement between the engagement means and the second engagement means. 8. The main body further has a front portion having a keyboard and a rear portion having the storage portion, the display unit further has a display surface, the first engaging means and the second engaging means. When engaged with the engagement means, the display unit rotates between a first position for covering the keyboard and a second position for operating the keyboard while looking at the display surface. The portable device according to claim 7. 9. The rotating force applying means applies the rotating force to the display unit between the first position and a predetermined position between the first position and the second position. The portable device according to claim 8, which is a portable device. 10. The portable device according to claim 9, further comprising locking means for locking the display unit between the predetermined position and the second position so that the display unit can be adjusted in angle. 11. The portable device according to claim 6, further comprising an electrical connection means for electrically connecting the main body and the display unit when the display unit is connected to the main body. 12. A main body having a keyboard and a socket receiving surface, a display unit having a display surface and a socket engaging portion, and a socket engaging portion provided on the socket receiving surface for detachable engagement. A socket for rotatably supporting the display unit between a first position for covering the keyboard and a second position for operating the keyboard while looking at the display surface; When the socket engaging portion is engaged with the socket,
Lift means for applying a force for lifting the display unit to the display unit in the first position, and for releasing the lift force when the socket engaging portion is removed from the socket. And a portable device equipped with. 13. The socket further has a front surface, and when the socket engaging portion is detached from the socket, the front surface is allowed to be maintained at a position substantially facing the socket receiving surface. The portable device according to claim 12. 14. The main body further has a front top surface having the keyboard, a rear portion having the socket housing portion and a rear top surface, the socket further has a rear surface, and the socket engaging portion is 13. The portable device of claim 12, which is permitted to maintain the rear surface in a position substantially parallel to the rear top surface when removed from the socket. 15. The socket is allowed to remain at a position where the rear surface is substantially level with the rear top surface when the socket engaging portion is removed from the socket. Portable device according to paragraph 14. 16. The portable device according to claim 15, wherein the rear top surface is higher than the front top surface by the length of the display unit in the thickness direction. 17. The socket engagement portion further has a transmission portion for transmitting the lift force to the display unit, the lift means further includes a holder for fixing the lift means to the main body. A rotation shaft having an engagement portion that engages with the transmission portion when the socket engagement portion engages with the socket; a spring for generating the lift force; and a rotation shaft engaged with the rotation shaft. 13. An arm for transmitting a lift force by the spring to the rotating shaft, the socket having a hole for slidably contacting the rotating shaft and projecting the engaging portion. The listed portable device. 18. The spring is wound around the rotary shaft, one end of the spring is fixed to the holder, and the other end of the spring contacts the arm, the first position and the predetermined position. 18. The portable device according to claim 17, wherein the lift force is generated when the arm pushes the other end of the spring between and. 19. The arm separates from the other end between the predetermined position and the second position, and the arm separates from the other end, whereby the spring tightens the rotating shaft, 19. The portable device according to claim 18, wherein the play unit is locked so that its angle can be adjusted. 20. The socket engaging portion further has a first connector, and the socket further comprises a second connector to which the first connector is connected when the socket engaging portion is engaged with the socket. 20. The portable device according to claim 19, which has a connector.