JPH076842A - Connector structure for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase a mounting density of at least one side circuit base board among respective base boards inside two cases connected together rotatably by a hinge mechanism. CONSTITUTION:The first case 1 including the first circuit base board 7 and the second case 2 including the second circuit base board 8 are connected together rotationally by a hinge mechanism 3. One end part of an arc contact member 23 is fixed in the first connecting terminal 20 arranged on the end face of the first circuit base board 7, while the other end part side of the contact member 23 is freely slidably brought into elastic contact with the second connecting terminal 22 on the inside face of a recessed part 21 arranged in the end face of the second circuit base board 8. Therefore, the first circuit base board 7 and the second circuit base board 8 can be always connected together electrically even when the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated making the hinge mechanism 3 as the center, and an occupied area of the connecting part in the second circuit base board 8 can be greatly reduced, so that a mounting density of the second circuit baseboard 8 can be increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector structure for a foldable electronic device such as a mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a small electronic device such as a mobile phone, in order to improve portability, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a first case 1 and a second case 2 are provided.
Is rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism 3, and when carrying the first case 1 and the second case 2 with the hinge mechanism 3 as a center.
Is relatively rotated to be folded compactly, and when used, the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated around the hinge mechanism 3 to open. In this case, the first case 1 is provided with a plurality of key buttons 4,
The second case 2 is provided with a display window section 5 and a speaker section 6.

In such a small electronic device, since the first case 1 and the second case 2 rotate about the hinge mechanism 3, the first case 1 and the second case 2 are provided in the first case 1 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 provided in the second case 2 are electrically connected by the connection sheet 9. The connection sheet 9 is a flexible board, a heat seal, or the like that can be bent, and one end thereof is connected to a first connection terminal (not shown) provided at an end of the first circuit board 7 by soldering. The middle part is bent at a position corresponding to the hinge mechanism 3, and the other end is detachably connected to the connector 10 provided at the end of the second circuit board 8. The first circuit board 7 is provided with key contacts 11 corresponding to the plurality of key buttons 4, and the second circuit board 8 is provided with a liquid crystal display device 12 corresponding to the display window portion 5 and various electronic components. 13 are provided.

Therefore, in this small electronic device, even if the first case 1 and the second case 2 rotate about the hinge mechanism 3, the connection sheet 9 bends accordingly, so that the connection sheet 9 The first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 can be electrically connected at all times, and the other end of the connection sheet 9 is detachably connected to the connector 10. By removing the other end of the first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8
Only one of them can be replaced.

[0005]

However, in such a small-sized electronic device, high density mounting is demanded due to the multi-functionalization, but the connector 10 provided on the second circuit board 8 is connected to the connection sheet 9. Since the other end portion of the connector 10 is detachably connected, the connector 10 itself is large, and the area occupied by the connector 10 with respect to the second circuit board 8 is large. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. However, there is a problem that the mounting density of the second circuit board 8 is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to determine the mounting density of at least one of the circuit boards in the two cases rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure for an electronic device that can be improved.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a hinge mechanism in which a first case including a first circuit board and a second case including a second circuit board are provided. In an electronic device rotatably connected by means of a first connection terminal provided on an end surface of the first circuit board on the hinge mechanism side, and a second connection terminal provided on an end of the second circuit board on the hinge mechanism side. A terminal and an arc-shaped contact member, one end of which is fixed to the first connection terminal of the first circuit board and the other end of which is in slidable elastic contact with the second connection terminal of the second circuit board. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device in which a first case containing a first circuit board and a second case containing a second circuit board are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft. A leaf spring-like contact that is attached to the first connection terminal provided at the hinge shaft side end of the first circuit board when at least the first case and the second case are open. A first contact member having a portion,
It is attached to the hinge shaft while being in contact with the first contact member, and is provided at the hinge shaft side end of the second circuit board when at least the first case and the second case are open. And a second contact member having a leaf-spring-shaped contact portion that elastically contacts the two connection terminals.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device in which a first case containing a first circuit board and a second case containing a second circuit board are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft. The first provided on the hinge shaft side end of the circuit board
A leaf spring-shaped first contact member, one end of which is fixed to the connection terminal and the other end of which extends toward the hinge shaft, and a second connection which is provided at the end of the second circuit board on the hinge shaft side. A leaf spring-shaped second contact member having one end fixed to the terminal and the other end extending toward the hinge shaft, and the other end of the first contact member and the second contact member provided on the hinge shaft. And a conductive ring member that is in slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of each of the other end portions of the.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the other end of the contact member whose one end is fixed to the first connection terminal of the first circuit board is slidable on the second connection terminal of the second circuit board. Since the elastic contact is made, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can always be electrically connected to each other even when the first case and the second case are rotated about the hinge mechanism, and the conventional connector is used. The area occupied by at least the connection portion of the second circuit board can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the circuit board is provided on the circuit board, whereby the mounting density of the circuit board can be increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the first case and the second case are rotated and opened about the hinge mechanism, the first contact member provided on the hinge shaft is provided. The contact portion elastically contacts the first connection terminal of the first circuit board, and the contact portion of the second contact member provided on the hinge shaft in the state of being in contact with the first contact member is the second circuit board of the second circuit board. Since the connection terminal is elastically contacted, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can be electrically connected by the first contact member and the second contact member, and each circuit is different from the conventional one. The occupying area of the connecting portion of the board can be made very small, and thus the packaging density of the circuit board can be greatly increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the other end of the first contact member having one end fixed to the first connection terminal of the first circuit board and the one end of the second connection terminal of the second circuit board. Since the other end of the second contact member to which the portion is fixed is always in slidable elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the conductive ring member provided on the hinge shaft, the first case is centered on the hinge shaft. Even if the second case is rotated, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can always be electrically connected, and at least the second circuit board can be compared with the case where the conventional connector is used. It is possible to reduce the occupied area of the connection portion of, thereby increasing the packaging density of the circuit board.

[0012]

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In the small electronic device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge mechanism 3 includes a first case 1 having a first circuit board 7 and a second case 2 having a second circuit board 8 as in the conventional example. The structure is rotatably connected by. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, on the front and back surfaces near the end of the first circuit board 7 on the hinge mechanism 3 side, a first connection terminal 20 having a through hole 20a formed at the center is formed.
Are arranged in plural. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, a plurality of semicircular arc-shaped recesses 21 are provided corresponding to the first connection terminals 20 at the end of the second circuit board 8 on the hinge mechanism 3 side. The inner surface of each of the recesses 21 and the front and back surfaces of the edges thereof are formed by metal plating.
Each connection terminal 22 is provided. The contact members 23 are respectively connected to the first connection terminals 20.
One end 23a is inserted into the through hole 20a and fixed by the solder 24. Contact member 23
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is curved in a semi-circular shape that is substantially the same as the rotation locus of the second connection terminal 22 of the second circuit board 8 that rotates about the hinge mechanism 3. The other end 23b side is the concave portion 21 of the second circuit board 8.
It has a structure that slidably contacts the second connection terminal 22 on the inner surface of the.

In such a small electronic device, the other end 23b side of the contact member 23 having the one end 23a fixed to the first connection terminal 20 of the first circuit board 7 is connected to the second connection terminal of the second circuit board 8. Since the structure is slidably elastically contacted to the second case 22, the first case 1 and the second case 2 are centered around the hinge mechanism 3.
The contact member 23 always moves the first
The circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 can be electrically connected to each other, and the second connection terminal of the second circuit board 8 is different from the case where the conventional connector 10 is provided on the second circuit board 8. Two
The occupying area of the second circuit board 8 can be significantly reduced, and thus the mounting density of the second circuit board 8 can be increased, and the electronic component 14 that could not be conventionally mounted on the second circuit board 8 is shown in FIG. Can be mounted as shown. In this case, especially the other end 23b of the contact member 23
Is disposed in the recess 21 provided at the end of the second circuit board 8 and is in elastic contact with the second connection terminal 22 in the recess 21, so that the other end 23b of the contact member 23 shakes laterally. It is possible to ensure contact reliability without contacting the adjacent second connecting terminals 22 and contacting only the second connecting ends 22 corresponding to the first connecting terminals 20 to which the contact members 23 are fixed. it can.

[0014]

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in this case, FIGS.
The same parts as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In the small electronic device shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the hinge mechanism 3 includes a first case 1 having a first circuit board 7 and a second case 2 having a second circuit board 8 as in the conventional example. The structure is rotatably connected by. In this case, the first connection terminal 30 and the second connection terminal 31 are provided on the opposite end portions of the first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 that face each other via the hinge mechanism 3 from the end surface to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. Are arranged facing each other.

On the other hand, the hinge mechanism 3 is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first hinges attached to both ends of the first case 1.
The fixing member 32 and the second fixing member 33 attached to both ends of the second case 2 are opposed to each other, and the coil spring 34 is interposed between the fixing member 32 and the second fixing member 33.
The fixing member 32 and the second fixing member 33 are connected to each other. In this case, a collar member 36 for a spacer and a collar member 37 for a plurality of contacts are provided on the main shaft 35 between the second fixing members 33 on both sides located inside. The collar member 36 for the spacer is the second fixing member 3.
3 and the first connection terminal 30 and the respective end portions on both sides of the second connection terminal 31. Small diameter portions 36a and 37a corresponding to the first connection terminal 30 and the second connection terminal 31 are provided on the right side surfaces of the left spacer collar member 36 and the plurality of contact collar members 37, respectively. There is. The spacer collar member 36 and the contact collar member 37 are held by the second fixing members 33 on both sides, whereby the second case 2
Is fixed against.

The small diameter portion 36a of the collar member 36 for the left spacer and the small diameter portion 37 of the collar member 37 for contact
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a first contact member 38 and a second contact member 39 are rotatably attached to the outer periphery of a, respectively. The outer peripheral portion of the first contact member 38 has a leaf spring-shaped first contact portion 3
8a extends toward the first connection terminal 30 of the first circuit board 7. On the outer peripheral portion of the second contact member 39, a leaf spring-shaped second contact portion 39 a extends toward the first connection terminal 31 of the second circuit board 8. The first contact member 38 and the second contact member 39 always have the first contact portion 38a elastically contact the first connection terminal 30 and the second contact portion 39a elastically contact the second connection terminal 31 by a spring member (not shown). Is urged to.

In such a small electronic device, the first contact portion 38a of the first contact member 38 rotatably provided with respect to the main shaft 35 of the hinge mechanism 3 is connected to the first connection terminal 30 of the first circuit board 7. The second contact portion 39a of the second contact member 39 rotatably provided with respect to the main shaft 35 of the hinge mechanism 3 is elastically contacted with the second connection terminal 31 of the second circuit board 8. Because of the structure, the hinge mechanism 3
Even if the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated about
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first contact member 38 and the second contact member 39 form a first contact member.
The circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 can be electrically connected at all times, and the first connection terminal 30 of the first circuit board 7 and the second connection terminal of the second circuit board 8 can be compared with the conventional one. Three
Each occupying area of 1 can be made very small, so that the packaging density of each circuit board 7, 8 can be greatly increased.

In the second embodiment, the first contact member 38 and the second contact member 39 are the hinge mechanism 3.
It is rotatably provided with respect to the main shaft 35, and the first contact portion 38a and the second contact portion 39a are always elastically contacted with the first connection terminal 30 and the second connection terminal 31, respectively, by a spring member (not shown). However, the configuration is not limited to this, and may be configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example. That is, in a state in which the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated around the hinge mechanism 3 and opened, the first contact portion 38 a of the first contact member 38 causes the first contact portion 38 a of the first circuit board 7 to move. The first contact member 38 and the second contact member 39 so that the second contact portion 39a of the second contact member 39 elastically contacts the second connection terminal 31 of the second circuit board 8. Three
7 and when the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated around the hinge mechanism 3 as shown in FIG. 7 to be closed,
At least one of the first contact portion 38a and the second contact portion 39a, for example, the first contact portion 38a is the first connection terminal 30.
May be separated from.

[0019]

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in this case, FIGS.
The same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The description will be omitted as appropriate. In the small electronic device shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the first case 1 having the first circuit board 7 and the second case 2 having the second circuit board 8 are hinged as in the second embodiment. It has a structure in which it is rotatably connected by a mechanism 3. In this case, the first connection terminal 30 and the second connection terminal 31 are provided on the opposing end portions of the first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 that face each other via the hinge mechanism 3 from the end surface to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. Are arranged facing each other. In addition, the hinge mechanism 3 also includes the first fixing member 32 attached to the first case 1 as in the second embodiment.
And a second fixing member 33 attached to the second case 2 with a coil spring 34 interposed therebetween to form one main shaft (hinge shaft).
It has a structure in which it is rotatably connected at 35. The main shaft 35 is provided with a collar member 36 for spacers and a plurality of collar members 37 for contacts, as in the second embodiment. Then, the collar member 36 for the left spacer
A ring member 40 made of a metal having conductivity is provided on each outer peripheral surface of each of the small diameter portions 36a, 37a provided on each right side surface of each of the plurality of collar members 37 for contacts.

On the other hand, each first connection terminal 3 of the first circuit board 7
At 0, one end of a first contact member 41 having a leaf spring shape is fixed by solder or the like. First contact member 4
The other end of 1 extends toward the ring member 40 and is slidably elastically contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 40. Further, one end of a leaf spring-shaped second contact member 42 is fixed to each second connection terminal 31 of the second circuit board 8 by soldering or the like. The other end of the second contact member 42 extends toward the ring member 40 and is slidably elastically contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 40. Therefore, the first contact member 41 and the second contact member 42 are electrically connected to each other via the ring member 40, whereby the first connection terminal 30 of the first circuit board 7 and the second connection terminal of the second circuit board 8 are connected. 31 is electrically connected.

In such a small electronic device, the ring member 40 provided for the main shaft 35 of the hinge mechanism 3 has a first contact member whose one end is fixed to the first connection terminal 30 of the first circuit board 7. The other end of 41 is slidably elastically contacted, and the other end of the second contact member 42, whose one end is fixed to the second connection terminal 31 of the second circuit board 8, is slidably elastically contacted. Even if the first case 1 and the second case 2 are rotated around the hinge mechanism 3 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the first contact member 41 and the second contact member 42 include the ring member 4.
Since it is conducted through 0, the first circuit board 7 and the second circuit board 8 can always be electrically connected, and at least the second circuit board 7 can be electrically connected, as compared with the case where the conventional connector 10 is provided. The occupying area of the second connection terminal 31 of the circuit board 8 can be reduced, and thus the mounting density of each circuit board 7, 8 can be increased, which cannot be conventionally attached to the second circuit board 8. The electronic component 14 can be attached as shown in FIG.

[0022]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the other end side of the contact member whose one end is fixed to the first connection terminal provided on the end surface of the first circuit board is Since the second connection terminal provided at the end of the two circuit boards is slidably elastically contacted, even if the first case and the second case are rotated about the hinge mechanism, the first circuit board and the second case are always connected. Two circuit boards can be electrically connected, and at least the second circuit board can be provided as compared with the case where a conventional connector is provided on the circuit board.
The occupying area of the connecting portion of the circuit board can be significantly reduced, and thus the mounting density of the circuit board can be increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the contact portion of the first contact member provided on the hinge shaft when the first case and the second case are rotated and opened about the hinge mechanism. Is elastically contacted with the first connection terminal provided on the end of the first circuit board, and the contact portion of the second contact member provided on the hinge shaft is in contact with the first contact member. Since it is elastically contacted with the second connection terminal provided at the end, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can be electrically connected by the first and second contact members. As a result, the area occupied by the connecting portion of the circuit board can be made very small, and the mounting density of the circuit board can be greatly increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a first contact member provided on the first connection terminal of the first circuit board,
Since the second contact member provided on the second connection terminal of the second circuit board is always in elastic contact with and slides on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive ring member provided on the hinge shaft, Even if the first case and the second case are rotated, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can be electrically connected at all times, and compared with the case of using a conventional connector,
The occupying area of the connection portion of the second circuit board can be reduced, and thus the mounting density of the circuit board can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the essential parts showing the internal structure of the first embodiment of the present invention when the first case and the second case are opened.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first case and the second case are completely opened, and (b) is a view when the first case and the second case are bent. Sectional view.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a state in which one end of a contact member is attached to the first connection terminal, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged front view of a second connection end where the other end of the contact member elastically contacts.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the essential parts showing the second embodiment of the present invention and showing the internal structure with the first case and the second case opened.

5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first case and the second case in a completely open state, and (b) is a view when the first case and the second case are bent. Sectional view.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the second embodiment, which includes a first case and a second case.
Sectional drawing at the time of bending of a case.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the essential parts showing the internal structure of the third embodiment of the present invention with the first case and the second case opened.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

10 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 4, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first case and the second case completely opened, and (b) is a view when the first case and the second case are bent. Sectional view.

FIG. 11 shows a conventional example, (a) is a side view of the first case and the second case when folded, and (b) is the first case and the second case.
The front view in the state which opened the case completely.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the internal structure of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 1st case 2 2nd case 3 Hinge mechanism 7 1st circuit board 8 2nd circuit board 20,30 1st connection terminal 22,31 2nd connection terminal 23 Contact member 35 Spindle 38,41 1st contact member 39,42 Second contact member 40 Ring member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device in which a first case containing a first circuit board and a second case containing a second circuit board are rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge of the first circuit board is provided. A first connection terminal provided on an end surface on the mechanism side, a second connection terminal provided on an end on the hinge mechanism side of the second circuit board, and an end portion on the first connection terminal of the first circuit board Is stuck,
An arc-shaped contact member, the other end of which is in slidable elastic contact with the second connection terminal of the second circuit board, and a connector structure for electronic equipment. 2. An electronic device in which a first case containing a first circuit board and a second case containing a second circuit board are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft, the electronic device being attached to the hinge shaft. A leaf spring-like contact portion that elastically contacts a first connection terminal provided at an end of the first circuit board on the hinge shaft side when at least the first case and the second case are open. A first contact member having: a second contact circuit attached to the hinge shaft in a state of being in contact with the first contact member, and at least in a state of opening the first case and the second case. A second contact member having a leaf-spring-shaped contact portion elastically contacting the second connection terminal provided at the end portion of the substrate on the hinge shaft side, and a connector structure for an electronic device. 3. An electronic device in which a first case containing a first circuit board and a second case containing a second circuit board are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft, wherein the hinge of the first circuit board is provided. A first contact member, one end of which is fixed to a first connection terminal provided at an end on the shaft side and the other end of which is extended toward the hinge shaft, and a first contact member of a leaf spring shape; A leaf spring-shaped second contact member having one end fixed to a second connection terminal provided at the end on the hinge shaft side and the other end extending toward the hinge shaft; An electronic device, comprising: a conductive ring member that is provided and has the other end of the first contact member and the other end of the second contact member slidably elastically contacting the outer peripheral surface. Connector structure.