JPH08263171A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the liquid crystal display device of a folding type information processor from breaking owing to the bending of a display part without impeding thickness reduction and weight reduction. CONSTITUTION: The display part is closed by being fallen on the top surface of a main body part and then a receiving plate support material 11 moves up on a support material receiving base 12 associatively with the closing operation; and a key switch receiving plate 13 is elevated to abut against the reverse surface of the key top of a key switch 6, which is locked to suppress the bending of the liquid crystal display device 5 of the display part by the key top, thereby preventing the liquid crystal display device 5 from breaking by bending too much.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a thin word processor and a personal computer, and more particularly, a display section having a liquid crystal display device is superposed on an upper surface of a main body section having a keyboard and a pointing device. The present invention relates to a foldable thin information processing device which is brought down and closed to be carried or stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a thin information processing apparatus called a notebook type information processing apparatus, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-102110, the thickness is being reduced in consideration of portability of the apparatus. In order to improve the operability during operation, lower the keyboard when retracting it to the storage state so that it does not touch the display surface of the liquid crystal display device, and raise it when using the mode. A configuration has been proposed in which the key top is advanced to a height at which it can be easily operated.

However, if there is a gap between the top surface of the key top and the display surface of the liquid crystal display device when the display portion is closed and closed, a pressing force acts from the outside on the top surface of the case of the display portion. In this case, the display portion is likely to bend in a convex shape toward the main body portion, and even if the liquid crystal display surface comes into contact with the top surface of the key top, the key top easily descends, so that the liquid crystal display device is prevented from bending. However, there is a drawback that the liquid crystal display device is damaged due to a large amount of bending (the liquid crystal plate is broken).

As a reinforcing measure for suppressing the amount of bending of the display unit against external force, the thickness of the case for accommodating the liquid crystal display device is increased, or the plate thickness, shape and holding range of the metal fitting for holding the liquid crystal plate are expanded. There is a method to make the reinforcement function by adjusting such as. However, such a reinforcing measure has a drawback that it goes against the basic purpose of making the information processing apparatus thinner and lighter.

[0005]

As described above, the foldable thin information processing device in which the conventional liquid crystal display device is incorporated in the display unit has a storage form in which the display unit is folded and closed so as to be stacked on the main body. If a large pressing force is applied to the top surface of the display unit from the outside, the liquid crystal display device may be excessively bent and damaged, and if the case is thickened or reinforcing metal fittings are used to reinforce the display unit, it becomes thinner. Therefore, weight reduction will be greatly hindered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thin information processing apparatus capable of preventing the liquid crystal display device from being damaged due to the bending of the display section without inhibiting the thinning.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thin information processing apparatus capable of preventing the liquid crystal display device from being damaged due to the bending of the display section by a mechanism which causes a slight increase in weight.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a main body part having a built-in keyboard so that a key top protrudes on an upper surface thereof, and a display part having a liquid crystal display device. In an information processing device, which is openably and closably coupled to the main body so that the display can be closed by stacking it on the upper surface of the main body, a key switch of the keyboard is interlocked with an opening / closing operation of the display. Is equipped with a key switch lock mechanism that locks or unlocks so that the display does not fall, and locks the key switch when the display unit is folded and closed so that it overlaps the upper surface of the main unit, and the bending of the liquid crystal display device of the display unit is keyed. Try to suppress it at the top,
Alternatively, a liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member that moves up and down between the key tops in association with the opening / closing operation of the display unit is provided, and the liquid crystal display surface is in a form in which the display unit is folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the main body unit. The present invention is characterized in that the flexure suppressing member is raised to face the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device of the display section to suppress the flexure of the liquid crystal display device.

[0009]

When the display section is folded down so as to overlap the upper surface of the main body section and closed, the key switch is locked, and the key top prevents the liquid crystal display device of the display section from bending.

When the display unit is folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the main body unit, the liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member rises to face the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device of the display unit. Suppress the bending of.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are longitudinal side views and perspective views of essential parts showing a storage form and a use form of a portable information processing device such as a notebook word processor or a personal computer according to the present invention. It is a figure.

A keyboard 18, which is an input device, an external storage device 7 for storing input and editing information, and a control device (not shown) are housed in a casing composed of a lower case 1 and an upper case 2 of the main body. It is arranged to form a main body. The liquid crystal display device 5 for displaying input and editing information is displayed under the case 3
A base portion of the display unit housed in a casing constituted by the upper case 4 and the rear end portion of the main body unit is rotatably and rotatably coupled to the rear end portion of the main body unit. The rotating hinge 17 includes a rotating member 8 that rotates with rotation of the hinge within a certain angle range, and one end of a first connecting arm 9 is slidably connected to a side surface of the rotating member 8. And the first
The other end of the connecting arm 9 is slidably and rotatably connected to one end of the second connecting arm 10, and the connecting portion is guided to the arm relay member 14 standing upright from the lower case 1 of the main body so that the connecting portion can move forward and backward. It is engaged with the formed arm guide hole 14a, one end of a connecting member 16 is slidably rotatably connected to the other end of the second connecting arm 10, and the other end of the connecting member 16 supports a receiving plate. The material 11 is connected in a slidably rotatable manner. The receiving plate supporting member 11 and the supporting member pedestal 12 standing upright from the lower case 1 of the main body so as to support the receiving plate supporting member 11 so as to be able to slide forward and backward, are inclined in opposite directions in a "wedge shape". The sliding surface is engaged. Then, when the hinge 17 rotates in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the display unit, the hinge 17 is intervened via the rotating member 8, the first connecting arm 9, the second connecting arm 10, and the connecting member 16 which are subordinately connected thereto. The support plate support member 11 is interlocked so as to slide forward and backward on the sliding surface of the support member support 12, and the guide hole 13a is engaged so as to move up and down along the support plate guide rod 19. The key switch receiving plate 13 is moved up and down.

Such a key switch receiving plate drive mechanism is
The key switch receiving plates 13 are installed in a symmetrical manner on the left and right sides inside the main body and move up and down in parallel. This key switch receiving plate 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a key switch operation shaft penetrating hole 13b formed correspondingly to the key switch 6 so that the key switch operation shaft is penetrated to expose the key top so as to project from the upper surface of the main body. When the plate 13 is in the lowered state, the key top is allowed to descend, and when the key switch receiving plate 13 is in the raised state, the key switch receiving plate 13 contacts the lower surface of the key top to lower the key top. Configure a key switch lock mechanism to prevent this.

Next, the liquid crystal display device 5 in this embodiment.
The key switch lock mechanism for preventing the damage due to the bending of the key switch will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, integrated with the lower case 1 of the main body at a position on both sides inside the lower case 1 of the main body at an appropriate distance outward from the lateral end surface of the keyboard 18. The support receiving base 12 which is molded or fixed by adhesion or the like and erected is installed in a "wedge shape" in which the front side of the main body is high and the rear side is low. The upper surface of the supporting material support 12 has a rail-type concave groove surface shape, and the receiving plate supporting material 11 ("wedge shape" in which the front side is low and the rear side is high) is formed in the concave groove surface shape portion. The ridges on the lower surface are fitted to slidably support the receiving plate support member 11. The groove-shaped and ridge-shaped fitting sliding mechanism is effective for sliding the receiving plate support member 11 in a stable posture to advance and retreat. In addition, as for the uneven shape, contrary to this embodiment,
It goes without saying that the same operational effect can be obtained even with a configuration in which the convex strip surface is formed on the side and the concave groove surface is formed on the receiving plate supporting member 11 side.

Further, the key switch receiving plate 13 has a lateral width extending further outside the installation position of the supporting material receiving base 12, and the key switch is operated at a position corresponding to the key arrangement of the keyboard 18. The key switch operation shaft through hole 13 which is slightly larger than the shaft (key top mounting portion)
The same number b of key switches 6 are opened. The key switch 6 has a structure in which the key top is inserted from above the key switch operation shaft through hole 13b and the key top is fitted and attached to the key switch operation shaft of the switch portion provided on the keyboard 18. Further, the key switch receiving plate 13 has the guide holes 13a at two positions on the left and right or a plurality of positions slightly outside the outer dimensions of the keyboard 18.
The key switch receiving plate is provided with the receiving plate guide bar 19 which is provided at two or more right and left positions of the lower case 1 of the main body and is fitted in the guide hole 13a by a clearance fitting method. Guide up and down movement of 13.

One end of the connecting member 16 is rotatably slidably connected to the back of the receiving plate supporting member 11 so as to form an L shape, and the other end of the connecting member 16 is connected to the second member. One end of the connecting arm 10 is connected to be rotatable and slidable so as to form an L-shape. Further, at the other end of the second connecting arm 10, a connecting portion between the first connecting arm 9 and the second connecting arm 10 is provided inside the arm relay member 14 which is erected on the lower case 1 of the main body. One end of the first connecting arm 9 is connected in a rotatable and slidable state while engaging with the arm guide hole 14a formed along the sliding miracle drawn by. The other end of the first connecting arm 9 is connected to the rotating member 8 in a rotatable and slidable manner. The rotating member 8 is further interlocked with the operation of the rotating hinge 17 that controls the rotating operation of the display unit in which the liquid crystal display device 5 is built in the housing composed of the display lower case 3 and the upper case 4. Rotate.

In the information processing apparatus having such a configuration,
When the display unit is closed as shown by the arrow a in FIG. 1, the connecting portion between the first connecting arm 9 and the second connecting arm 10 moves along the arm guide hole 14a as shown by the arrow c, and is received. The plate support 11 is slid forward as indicated by the arrow b, and the key switch receiving plate 13 is pushed upward to bring it into contact with the bottom of the key top of the key switch 6 so that the key switch 6 is not lowered. To do.

When the display unit is opened as shown in FIG. 2, contrary to the above operation, the key switch receiving plate 13 is lowered to allow the key switch 6 to be depressed (unlocked).

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the key switch 6 in the conventional information processing apparatus is pushed down with the finger 21, and FIG. 5 shows that the display unit is closed and the key switch receiving plate 13 is moved to the key switch 6 in the above embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the key switch receiving plate 13 is completely lowered to the top surface of the keyboard 18 and the lock is released by opening the display unit. Usually, when performing an editing operation while observing the display image of the liquid crystal display device 5, the display unit is often opened and used so as to stand up at an angle of approximately 90 to 135 degrees. Therefore, 90
When the display unit is opened and used so as to stand up at an angle of degrees, the keyboard 18 must be operated normally. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the display portion is opened and raised so that it stands up at an angle of 90 degrees, the key switch receiving plate 13 descends to the bottom as shown in FIG. The key switch 6 is completely unlocked. Also, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2, even if the display unit is opened up to a standing angle of 135 degrees where a mechanical stopper acts, the keyboard 1
Do not hinder the operation of 8.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show other different embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, a liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member that moves up and down between the key tops in association with the opening / closing operation of the display unit is provided, and in the form in which the display unit is folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the main body unit, The liquid crystal display surface flexure suppressing member is raised to face the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device 5 of the display section to suppress the flexure of the liquid crystal display device 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the key switch receiving plate 1
A part of the top surface of the liquid crystal display device 3 or a plurality of the top surfaces of the liquid crystal display device 5 rises as the key switch receiving plate 13 rises up to the same height as the top surface of the key top through the space between the key tops. The rib 22 is provided to suppress bending.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the key switch receiving plate 1
A part of the top surface of the liquid crystal display device 3 or a plurality of the top surfaces of the liquid crystal display device 5 rises as the key switch receiving plate 13 rises up to the same height as the top surface of the key top through the space between the key tops. The bosses 23a to 23c for suppressing the bending are provided.

FIG. 9 shows an open state in which the display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is opened, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which a pressing load is applied from the top surface of the display unit by the hand 24 in the closed state.

According to each of the above-described embodiments, when the display section is folded down so as to be stacked on the main body section and placed in the closed storage state, the key switch receiving plate 13 rises in association with the closing operation of the display section. The key switch 6 is locked to prevent the key switch 6 from descending, or the ribs 22 or the bosses 23a to 23c are pushed up. Even if the display device 5 tries to bend in a convex shape toward the main body side, the liquid crystal display surface or the case design surface around the liquid crystal display surface is the key top or the rib 22 or the boss 23a.
Since the upper surface of 23c is contacted and further bending is suppressed, the effect that the liquid crystal display device is not excessively bent and damaged even if a considerably large pressing force (load) acts is obtained.

Even if no external force is applied to the top surface of the case of the display unit, if the liquid crystal display surface is brought into contact with the top surfaces of the key tops, the ribs 22 or the bosses 23a to 23c, the liquid crystal display surface will be damaged. It is advisable that there is a slight gap (for example, about 1 mm) between the two when no external force is applied.

[0028]

According to the present invention, when the display portion is folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the main body portion, the key switch is locked and the bending of the liquid crystal display device of the display portion is suppressed by the key top. Alternatively, since the liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member rises and opposes the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device of the display unit to suppress the deflection of the liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device may be excessively bent and damaged. Absent. Moreover, since the case is made thick and no reinforcing metal fittings are used, the reduction in thickness and weight can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a stored form.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a usage pattern of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional information processing apparatus in a keyboard operation state.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a key switch locked state in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a key switch unlocked state in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a main part exploded perspective view showing an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a main part exploded perspective view showing an information processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a usage pattern of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing a storage form of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 main body lower case 2 main body upper case 3 display lower case 4 display upper case 5 liquid crystal display device 6 key switch 8 rotating member 9 first connecting arm 10 second connecting arm 11 receiving plate support Material 12 Support material pedestal 13 Key switch receiving plate 13a Guide hole 14 Arm relay member 14a Arm guide hole 16 Connecting member 17 Rotating hinge 18 Keyboard 19 Support plate guide bar 22 Rib 23 Boss

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuji Takekoshi 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Ltd., Electric Appliances Division, Taga Headquarters (72) Inventor Takahiro Iwasaka Higashi-taga, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki 1-1-1 Machi Incorporated company Hitachi Ltd. Electric Appliances Division Taga Headquarters

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A main body part having a built-in keyboard so that a key top projects on an upper surface thereof, and a display part having a liquid crystal display device, and the display part is tilted and closed so as to be superposed on the upper surface of the main body part. In the information processing device that is openably and closably coupled to the main body portion, a key switch lock mechanism is provided for locking or unlocking the key switch of the keyboard so as not to descend in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the display portion. An information processing device, wherein the key switch is locked in a form in which the display unit is folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the main body unit, and the bending of the liquid crystal display device of the display unit is suppressed by the key top. 2. The key switch lock mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the key switch lock mechanism is located below a key top and moves up and down in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of a display unit. An information processing apparatus comprising a key switch receiving plate for preventing the downward movement of the key. 3. The key top according to claim 1, wherein the display section is folded and closed so as to overlap the upper surface of the main body section, and the key top faces the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device with a slight gap. An information processing device characterized by the above. 4. The gap according to claim 3, wherein the gap is about 1 mm.
An information processing device characterized by being set to. 5. A main body part having a built-in keyboard so that a key top projects on the top surface, and a display part having a liquid crystal display device, and the display part is folded down and closed so as to overlap the top surface of the main body part. In the information processing device that is openably and closably coupled to the main body portion, a liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member that moves up and down between the key tops in association with the opening and closing operation of the display portion is provided, and the display portion is provided in the main body. In a form in which the liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member is lifted to face the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device of the display unit in a form of being folded and closed so as to overlap with the upper surface of the display unit, the liquid crystal display device is suppressed from bending. An information processing device characterized by the above. 6. The liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member according to claim 5, wherein the liquid crystal display surface deflection suppressing member is located below the key top and moves up and down in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the display unit, and when rising, the liquid crystal display surface of the liquid crystal display device. And an information processing device facing each other with a slight gap therebetween. 7. The gap according to claim 6, wherein the gap is about 1 mm.
An information processing device characterized by being set to.