JPH10207573A - Keyboard opening and closing type information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the breakdown of a latch mechanism without decreasing the rigidity of a keyboard by restricting the unlatching of a keyboard latch means by a display latch means. SOLUTION: While a display is closed, LCD latches 16 penetrates undercuts 22 of the keyboard 12 and engage LCD latch receivers 20 provided in a base cover 11. The moving direction of the LCD latches 16 and the moving direction of keyboard latches 18 cross each other at right angles, so the LCD latches 16 are unable to move in their slide direction even if part of a keyboard latch 18 abuts against the LCD latch 16 when slid, so that neither of the keyboard latches 18 moves and the keyboard 12 is not opened. Therefore, while the display is closed, a keyboard latch lever 19 can not be slid, so even if an operator follows a wrong opening procedure, the equipment is never broken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor, which opens and closes a keyboard and allows replacement of electric components such as a built-in hard disk drive, a battery and a CD-ROM drive. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portable information processing apparatus called a keyboard-openable notebook computer, in which a keyboard is slightly opened. 16 to 1
8 is an enlarged perspective view of an LCD (liquid crystal display) latch section and a keyboard latch section. 16 shows a state in which the keyboard is slightly opened, FIG. 17 shows a state in which the keyboard is closed and the display is slightly opened, and FIG. 18 shows a state in which both the keyboard and the display are closed.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 100 denotes an LC such as a TFT.
A display 101 with a built-in D is a base cover for storing electrical components necessary for the system.

[0004] 102 is a keyboard that can be opened and closed, 103 is a battery that supplies power to the system, 1
04 is a CD-ROM drive, 105 is a hard disk drive. 106 is LCD latch, 107 is LC
A D latch lever, 108 is a keyboard latch, and 109 is a keyboard latch lever.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an LCD latch receiver provided on the base cover 102 for locking the LCD latch 106;
1 is a base cover 1 for locking the keyboard latch 108
02 is a keyboard latch receiver.

Reference numeral 112 denotes an escape hole formed on the keyboard 102 to allow the LCD latch 106 to pass therethrough.

[0007] The built-in subsystems such as the battery 103, the CD-ROM drive 104, and the hard disk drive 105 are taken out of the notebook computer (FIG. 18) with the display 100 closed.
Alternatively, when replacing, the operator first slides the LCD latch levers 107 provided on both sides of the display 100 in the direction of arrow p to release the LCD latch 106 hooked on the LCD latch receiver 110. If the display 100 is lifted upward with the LCD latch lever 107 slid, the display 100 can be opened (see FIG. 17).

Next, the keyboard latch lever 109 disposed on the front side of the keyboard 102 is slid in the direction of arrow r. Then, the keyboard latch 108 held on the keyboard latch receiver 111 is released. When the keyboard latch lever 109 is slid and lifted upward, the keyboard 102 can be opened (see FIG. 16).

When the keyboard 102 is opened according to the above-described procedure, all the subsystems built in the notebook computer can be seen from above, and the operator can take out the subsystems freely in this state (FIG. 15).
reference).

As described above, the keyboard open / close type notebook personal computer can open the keyboard only by releasing the latch of the keyboard, so that the subsystem can be easily replaced.

[0011]

As described in the above-mentioned prior art, in a keyboard-openable notebook personal computer, when taking out a subsystem from a state where the display 100 is closed, if the display 100 and the keyboard 102 are opened in this order, Although there is no problem, for example, when the display 100 and the keyboard 102 are simultaneously opened, the LCD latch 106 of the display 100 hits the end of the escape hole 112 of the keyboard 102 on the way because the rotation centers of the keyboard and the display are different. (FIG. 19
See), the display and keyboard can no longer be opened with normal force.

Attempting to open it brute force will cause the LCD latch 106 of the display 100 to bite into the end of the escape hole 112 on the keyboard 102. If the user tries to open it further, stress concentrates locally on the LCD latch 106, the escape hole 112 of the keyboard 102, and the like, causing breakage.

In order to prevent this destruction, the keyboard 1
Various opening / closing methods and structures have been devised so that the latch portion does not hit even when the 02 and the display 100 are opened at the same time. Also, a method has been devised to make it difficult for the keyboard 102 and the display 100 to be simultaneously opened.

As a method of preventing the apparatus from being damaged even when the keyboard 100 is opened at the same time, the escape hole of the keyboard 102 may be a U-shaped hole instead of a rectangular hole (see FIG. 20). There is a method of enlarging the relief hole on the base 102 (FIG. 21).
reference). By doing so, even if the keyboard 102 and the display 100 are opened at the same time, the escape holes of the LCD latch 106 and the keyboard 102 do not hit, so that the latch portion can be prevented from being broken.

However, according to this method, the escape hole of the keyboard 102 becomes a U-shaped hole or becomes large, so that the rigidity of the keyboard 102 is reduced. In addition, the keyboard is a part that characterizes notebook computers, and in terms of design, unsightly holes and the like should be as small as possible.

As a method that is difficult to open at the same time, an LCD
There is a method of separating the positions of the latch lever 107 and the keyboard latch lever 109 as much as possible. By doing so, the LCD latch lever 107 and the keyboard latch lever 1
09 cannot be operated at the same time (see FIG. 22), so that destruction of the latch portion can be prevented. Here, the LCD latch lever 107 is arranged on both sides of the display 100,
One keyboard latch lever 109 is provided at substantially the center on the front side of the keyboard 102. In this case, as a latch mechanism, the latch levers 107 and 109 are constantly urged in the locking direction by springs.
Even if the lock is released by sliding the 109, the latch levers 107 and 109 return to the original state and become locked when the hand is released.

However, when the rigidity of the entire notebook personal computer is low, the LC latch lever 107 and the keyboard latch lever 109 need not be slid at the same time.
If the keyboard latch lever is slid up after sliding the D latch lever, the display 100 and the keyboard 102 may be lifted together. This is because when the display 100 is closed, the frictional force generated by the movable part and the fixed part of the hinge (not shown) always acts on the base cover 101 side and the display 100 side. When closed, the entire PC will be locked in a bent state.

When the rigidity of the display 100 is compared with that of the base cover 101, the display 1 is generally
Since 00 is weaker, the display 100 bends with the upper side convex (see FIG. 23). When the LCD latch lever 107 of the display is slid and unlocked in this state, the display 100 pops up and slightly opens in an attempt to return to the original state (see FIG. 24).

In this state, since the LCD latch 106 is not engaged, when the keyboard is released and the keyboard 102 is lifted upward, the display 1
00 and the keyboard 102 will be lifted together.

Recently, the case of a notebook computer has been reduced in size and weight, and the thickness of the case has been reduced. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire notebook personal computer also tends to decrease as the wall thickness decreases. Also, LC
In a configuration in which the D latch 106 is locked to the keyboard 102 and the keyboard latch 108 is locked to the base cover 101, it is only necessary to release the keyboard latch 108 without releasing the LCD latch 106 and the keyboard latch 108 at the same time. The display 100 and the keyboard 102 will open together, causing the latch to break.

In the various proposals described above, although there are advantages, there is still room for improvement in operability and safety.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the rigidity of the keyboard and to make the design unsightly.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus which can prevent a latch mechanism from being broken without providing an unnecessarily large escape hole.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a keyboard and a display can be opened and closed by rotation with respect to an apparatus main body, respectively. In a keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus in which both the keyboard and the display are closed in a state where the keyboard is located between the main body and the main body, the keyboard is latched in a closed state, and the keyboard latch means and the keyboard latch means Keyboard latch receiving means for latching, display latch means for latching the display in a closed state, and display latch receiving means latched by the display latch means, wherein the keyboard and the display are both closed. In the cancellation, Characterized by being adapted to regulate the release of the latch of the keyboard latch means by Reiratchi means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the moving direction of the latch of the keyboard latch means is orthogonal to the moving direction of the display latch means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard opening / closing type information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the keyboard latch means manually connects a first member for latching the keyboard latch receiving means and the first member. Moving to release the latch state of the keyboard latch means;
The display latch means includes a third member for locking the display latch receiving means, and a fourth member for manually moving the third member to release the latch state of the display latch means. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the second member is disposed on a front outer surface of the keyboard, and the fourth member is disposed on a lateral outer surface of the display. It is characterized by being arranged in.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the second member is slid along the front side of the keyboard and the fourth member is slid along the lateral side of the display. It is characterized by moving.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the keyboard latch receiving means latched by the first member and the display latch receiver latched by the third member. The means is arranged on the apparatus main body side.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the second member is disposed on a front outer surface of the keyboard, and the fourth member is disposed on a front outer surface of the display. It is characterized by being arranged in.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the second member slides along the front side of the keyboard, and the fourth member slides along the front side of the display. It is characterized by being pressed down.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the keyboard latch receiving means latched by the first member and the display latch receiver latched by the third member. A means is disposed on the apparatus main body side, and a hole for passing the third member is provided in the keyboard.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard closed / closed type information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the moving direction of the latch of the keyboard latch means is parallel to the moving direction of the display latch means. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the keyboard latch means manually connects a fifth member for latching the keyboard latch receiving means and the fifth member. A sixth member for moving the keyboard latch means to release the latched state, wherein the display latch means manually moves the seventh member for locking the display latch receiving means and the seventh member; And an eighth member for releasing the latch state of the display latch means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the sixth member and the eighth member are arranged on the same front or side surface of the keyboard and the display. It is characterized by having done.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the keyboard latch receiving means latched by the fifth member and the display latch receiving means latched by the seventh member. The means is arranged on the apparatus main body side.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard opening / closing type information processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the keyboard latch receiving means latched by the fifth member is disposed on the main body of the apparatus, and the seventh member uses The display latch receiving means to be latched is arranged on the fifth member.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, a latch amount between the keyboard latch means and the keyboard latch receiving means is larger than a movement amount of the display latch means. It is characterized by the following.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a keyboard latch unit and an LCD latch unit in a state in which a keyboard and a display of a keyboard open / close type notebook personal computer are closed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the keyboard latch unit and the LCD latch unit with the display opened. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the LCD latch unit in a state where the keyboard and the display are closed. 4 to 6 are perspective views of a notebook computer with an openable keyboard. 4 shows a state where the keyboard is slightly opened, FIG. 5 shows a state where the keyboard is closed and the display is opened, and FIG. 6 shows a state where the keyboard and the display are closed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a display having a built-in LCD such as a TFT, and reference numeral 11 denotes a base cover for accommodating electric components necessary for the system. Reference numeral 12 denotes a keyboard that can be opened and closed, and 13 denotes a battery that supplies power to the system. 14 is a CD-ROM drive, 15
Is a hard disk drive, 16 is an LCD latch, 17
Is an LCD latch lever.

LCD latch 16 and LCD latch lever 1
7 are each fixed inside the display 10,
When the LCD latch lever 17 is slid in the direction of the arrow a (see FIGS. 3 and 6), the LCD latch 16 is configured so that the play is reduced and the slide can be performed smoothly to such an extent that the movement is not hindered by a guide (not shown). Have been. Reference numeral 18 denotes a keyboard latch, and 19 denotes a keyboard latch lever (see FIG. 4). The keyboard latch 18 and the keyboard latch lever 19 are fixed inside the keyboard 12, and when the keyboard latch lever 19 is slid in the direction of arrow b (see FIG. 5), the keyboard latch 18 is smoothly moved by a guide (not shown). It is configured to move. Reference numeral 20 denotes an LCD latch receiver provided on the base cover 11 for locking the LCD latch 16,
21 is a base cover for locking the keyboard latch 18.
1 is a keyboard latch receiver. 22 is L
An escape hole 23 formed on the keyboard 12 for passing the CD latch 16 is indicated by an arrow c in FIG.
It is a tension spring that urges in the direction.

After the keyboard latch 18 is slid in the direction of arrow b in FIG.
Is returned to the original position by the tension of the tension spring 23. Reference numeral 24 denotes a compression spring for urging the LCD latch 16 of the display in the direction of arrow d. The LCD latch 16 is slid in the direction of arrow a and released.
Is returned to its original position.

First, a case where the display and the keyboard are opened according to a normal procedure will be described. From the notebook computer (FIG. 6) in which both the display 10 and the keyboard 12 are closed, the built-in battery 13,
CD-ROM drive 14, hard disk drive 1
When removing or replacing a subsystem such as 5, the operator first slides the LCD latch levers 17 arranged on both sides of the display 10 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. The released LCD latch 16 is released. LCD latch lever 1
The display 10 can be opened by lifting the display 10 upward with the slide 7 (see FIG. 5).

Next, when the keyboard latch lever 19 provided on the front side of the keyboard 12 is slid in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 5, the keyboard latch 18 hooked on the keyboard latch receiver 21 is released. When the keyboard latch lever 19 is slid and lifted upward, the keyboard 12 can be opened (FIG. 4).
reference).

The display 1 follows the normal procedure described above.
When the keyboard 12 is opened with 0, since the latch portion is not particularly caught or stress is partially concentrated, the components are not damaged. Also, in such a keyboard-openable notebook computer, when the display and keyboard are opened, all the subsystems built into the notebook computer can be seen from above, and the operator can take out the subsystem freely in this state. it can.

Next, instead of the normal procedure described above,
A case where the keyboard is opened by an abnormal procedure will be described. When taking out a built-in subsystem from a notebook personal computer (FIG. 6) in which the display 10 and the keyboard 12 are closed, the operator must use the display 10.
The normal operation is to slide the LCD latch levers 17 arranged on both sides of the LCD latch 16 in the direction of arrow a to release the LCD latch 16 hooked on the LCD latch receiver 20.

If the operator attempts to slide the keyboard latch lever 19 in the direction of arrow b by mistake with the LCD latch lever 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 5),
Since the front end 25 of the keyboard latch 18 hits the end face of the LCD latch 16, the keyboard latch 18 cannot be removed from the keyboard latch receiver 21 and the keyboard 1
2 cannot be opened. This is because the moving direction of the LCD latch 16 and the moving direction of the keyboard latch 18 are orthogonal to each other, and the assist of the keyboard latch 18 is restricted.

That is, when the display is closed, the LCD latch 16 passes through the escape hole 22 of the keyboard 12 and hangs on the LCD latch receiver 20 provided on the base cover 11. Since the movement direction of the keyboard latch 18 is orthogonal, even if a part of the keyboard latch 18
Since the latch 16 is not made of birch which can move in the sliding direction, the keyboard latch 18 does not move and the keyboard 12 does not open.

Then, the operator notices that the operation procedure is wrong, and executes again in a normal procedure. In other words, the user knows that the levers provided on both sides of the display 10 are the LCD latch levers 17, operates the same, and opens the display (see FIG. 2), and then operates the keyboard latch lever 19 to open the keyboard. Will be.

Therefore, when the display is closed,
Since the keyboard latch lever 19 cannot slide,
Even if the operator opens the wrong procedure, the equipment will not be destroyed. Second, the rigidity of the laptop is low,
The case where the display 10 pops up when the LCD latch 16 is released will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the keyboard latch portion and the LCD latch portion where the display pops up. The reason why this pop-up occurs is that when the display 10 is closed, the frictional force generated between the movable portion and the fixed portion of the hinge always causes the base cover 11 and the display 10 to close.
Therefore, in the case of a notebook computer having low rigidity, when the display 10 is closed, the entire notebook computer is locked in a bent state. When the strength of rigidity is compared between the display 10 and the base cover 11,
Since the display is generally weaker, the display 1
0 will bend upwards. When the LCD latch lever 17 of the display 10 is slid in this state to release the lock, the display 10 pops up in an attempt to return to the original state.

When the operator slides the LCD latch lever 17 to temporarily release the latch, the display 10 pops up to return to the original state.
When the keyboard latch 18 is slid in the direction of the arrow b in this state, the tip 25 of the latch 18
And the keyboard 12 cannot be opened. That is, device destruction of the latch portion can be prevented.

However, if the pop-up amount of the display 10 is larger than expected, for example, the LCD latch 16 comes out of the escape hole 22 of the keyboard 12 and the tip 25 of the keyboard latch 18 does not hit the end face of the LCD latch 16, the keyboard The latch 18 is released, and the keyboard 12 is opened. In such a case,
The latch section may be broken.

However, in the design of the notebook computer, when the rigidity of the display 10 and the base cover 11 and the arm length of the LCD latch 16 are determined, even if the display 10 pops up in consideration of the worst case, the keyboard latch 18 Of the LCD latch 1
6 can be prevented from breaking the lever and the latch portion.

In the above embodiment, the LCD latch receiver for locking the LCD latch 16 is provided on the inner surface of the base cover. However, the same effect can be obtained by providing this receiver in the keyboard instead of the base cover. However, the LCD latch 16
When the keyboard is locked to the keyboard 12, it is necessary to determine the hooking (locking) position and the structure of the hooking portion by reinforcing the keyboard 12 in consideration of the rigidity and strength of the keyboard 12 in some cases.

As described above, in the keyboard open / close type notebook personal computer, when the keyboard 12 and the display 10 are closed, the keyboard latch lever 1
9 is restricted by the end face of the LCD latch lever 17, even if the operator attempts to operate by mistake, the operator immediately notices the mistake,
Since the procedure is changed, the keyboard 12 can be opened without damaging the latch section. Then, the operator can exchange the subsystem.

In the first embodiment, two sets of keyboard latches are provided on the near side of the keyboard, and one set of LCD latches is provided on both sides of the display. With regard to, the latch movement directions of the respective latches may be orthogonal to each other, and the movement of the keyboard latch means may be restricted by the LCD latch means, and is not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a drawing that best illustrates the features of the second embodiment, and shows a perspective view of a keyboard latch and an LCD latch in a state in which a keyboard and a display of a keyboard openable notebook computer are closed. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the entire keyboard-openable notebook computer.
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the keyboard and the display are slightly opened, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the keyboard and the display are closed.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 30 denotes an LCD latch button (lever), reference numeral 31 denotes an LCD latch, reference numeral 32 denotes a shaft for pivotally supporting the LCD latch button 30, and reference numeral 33 denotes a coil spring for urging the LCD latch in the direction of arrow e. The LCD latch button 30, the LCD latch 31, and the shaft 32 are integrated, and when the front surface of the LCD latch button 30 exposed on the surface of the display 40 (see FIG. 9) is pushed in the direction of arrow g, the LCD latch 31 is pushed. Rotates around the shaft 32 in the direction of arrow h. Thereafter, when the user releases the hand, the LCD latch 31 is returned to the original position (a stopper (not shown)) by the restoring force of the coil spring 33.

The backlash in the longitudinal direction of these LCD latches is reduced to such an extent that frictional resistance does not occur when the latches rotate. 34 is a keyboard latch, 35 is a keyboard latch stay, and 36 is a keyboard latch lever. 37 is a keyboard latch lever, 37 is an escape hole opened in the keyboard latch stay 35 to escape the LCD latch 31, and 38 is a compression spring for urging the keyboard latch 34 in the direction of arrow f.

The keyboard latch 34, the keyboard latch stay 35, and the keyboard latch lever 36 are integrated. When the LCD latch 31 does not pass through the escape hole 37 (the display 40 is open), the front of the keyboard 42. After sliding the keyboard latch lever 36 exposed in the direction of the arrow i, when the hand is released, the keyboard latch 34 is returned to the original position (a stopper (not shown)) by the restoring force of the compression spring 38.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a display having a built-in LCD,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a base cover for storing electrical components; 42, a keyboard configured to be openable and closable; 43, an escape hole for escaping the LCD latch 31; 44, an LCD provided on the base cover 41 for locking the LCD latch 31; Latch receiver,
Reference numeral 45 denotes a keyboard latch receiver provided on the base cover 41 for locking the keyboard latch 34.

First, a case where the display 40 and the keyboard 42 are opened according to a normal procedure will be described.

When removing or replacing a built-in subsystem from a notebook personal computer (see FIG. 10) in which both the display 40 and the keyboard 42 are closed, first, the operator operates the LCD provided on the front of the display 40. Depressing the latch button 30 releases the LCD latch 31 hooked on the LCD latch receiver 44. When the display 40 is lifted upward while the LCD latch button 30 is pressed, the display 40 can be opened.

When the keyboard latch lever 36 provided on the front of the keyboard 42 is slid in the direction of arrow i, the keyboard latch 34 hooked on the keyboard latch receiver 45 is released. When the keyboard latch lever 36 is slid and lifted upward, the keyboard 42 can be opened (see FIG. 9).

The display 4 follows the normal procedure described above.
When the keyboard 42 is opened with 0, the parts are not damaged because the touch portion is not particularly caught or stress is partially concentrated.

Next, instead of the normal procedure described above,
A case where the keyboard 42 is opened by an abnormal procedure will be described. When the operator tries to remove the built-in subsystem from the notebook computer with the display 40 and the keyboard 42 closed, the keyboard latch lever 36 is mistaken for the LCD latch button 30 and is slid in the direction of the arrow i. (See FIGS. 8 and 10.) Since the LCD latch 31 passes through the escape hole 37 of the keyboard latch stay 35 integrated with the keyboard latch 34, the keyboard latch 34 does not move.

Then, the operator notices that the operation procedure is wrong, and repeats the conversion in a normal procedure. That is, the button 30 provided on the front of the display 40
Is the LCD latch button, the user operates the button to open the display 40, and then changes the keyboard latch lever 36 to open the keyboard 42.

Therefore, when the display 40 is closed, the keyboard latch lever 36 cannot be slid. Therefore, even if the operator mistakes the procedure for opening, the components such as the latch mechanism will not be destroyed. In the first embodiment, the keyboard latch and the LCD latch are latched by sliding a lever, and the LCD latch in the second embodiment is latched by pressing a button. With respect to the movement direction of each latch means, a lever configured so that the latch movement direction of each latch is orthogonal and the movement of the keyboard latch means is regulated by the LCD latch means, the same effect can be obtained. It is not limited to the configuration.

(Third Embodiment) The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 11 and 12 best illustrate the features of the third embodiment, and show cross sections of the keyboard latch and the LCD latch of the notebook computer with the keyboard open and closed with the display closed. . FIG.
Is the state before the keyboard latch is slid, FIG.
Shows the state after sliding the keyboard latch.

In the first and second embodiments, the moving directions of the keyboard latch means and the LCD latch means are orthogonal, but from the third embodiment, the moving directions of the keyboard latch means and the LCD latch means are changed. The case where the directions are parallel will be described.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 61 denotes a display having a built-in LCD; 62, a keyboard which can be opened and closed; 63, a base cover; 64, an LCD latch;
Is a tension spring for urging the LCD latch 64 in the direction of arrow j. The LCD latch 64 slides an LCD latch button (not shown) exposed on the front surface of the display 61 in the direction of arrow k and slides smoothly.

Reference numeral 66 denotes an LCD latch receiver provided on the base cover 63 for locking the LCD latch 64, 67 a keyboard latch, and 68 a keyboard latch 67 with an arrow j.
It is a tension spring that urges in the direction. The keyboard latch 67 slides a keyboard latch button (not shown) exposed on the front surface of the display 61 in the direction of arrow k and slides smoothly. When the keyboard latch 67 and the LCD latch 64 are released, the tension springs 65 and 68 return to their original positions by the restoring force.

Reference numeral 69 denotes a key for locking the keyboard latch 67.
This is a keyboard latch receiver provided on the base cover 63. A is the sliding movement amount of the LCD latch 64, and B is L
A latch amount between the CD latch 64 and the LCD latch receiver 66, C is a sliding movement amount of the keyboard latch 67, and D is a latch amount between the keyboard latch 67 and the keyboard latch receiver 69.

The following relationships exist among the numerical values A, B, C, and D.

[0076]

[Equation 1] A> B

[0077]

[Equation 2] C> D

[0078]

A> D Equations (1) and (2) are conditional expressions necessary for the LCD latch 64 and the keyboard latch 67 to realize their respective latch functions. Expression 2 is a conditional expression required to realize the present embodiment. In these configurations, the method of opening the display 61 and the keyboard 62 according to the normal procedure is basically the same as the conversion procedure described in the first and second embodiments. In the following, a description will be given of a case where the keyboard 62 is opened not according to a normal procedure but according to an abnormal procedure.

In order to take out the built-in subsystem from the notebook computer in which the display 61 and the keyboard 62 are closed, an operator tentatively mistakes a keyboard latch lever (not shown) fixed to the keyboard latch 67 for an LCD latch button. When the user tries to slide the LCD latch 64 in the direction of arrow k in FIG. 11, the LCD latch 64 is pushed by the rear end of the keyboard latch 67 and moves together in the direction k. If the slide is continued, the latches 64 and 67 stop after moving by the slide movement amount A of the LCD latch 64 (see FIG. 12). In this state, the keyboard latch 67 is hooked on the keyboard latch receiver 69 provided on the base cover 63 for a distance of DA, and even if the keyboard 62 is lifted upward, the keyboard latch lever slides.
The keyboard 62 will not be opened (actually, since the latch portion has backlash, the amount of hooking is not DA but DA- △. Here, it is assumed that △ = 0 and described. However, when designing, it is necessary to consider this play.)

Then, the operator notices that the operation procedure is wrong, and restarts the operation according to the normal procedure. In other words, the user knows that the lever (not shown) provided on the front surface of the display 61 is the LCD latch lever, operates it, opens the display, and then replaces the keyboard latch lever to open the keyboard 62.

Thus, when the display 61 is closed, the keyboard latch lever can slide, but the keyboard 62 does not close. Therefore, even if the operator mistakes the opening procedure, parts such as the latch mechanism will not be destroyed.

As can be seen from FIG. 12, when the keyboard latch 67 is slid, the LCD latch 64 is moved.
Will fall out of the LCD latch receiver 66. For example, by designing the rigidity of the notebook PC housing low,
When the display is closed, the distortion energy accumulated in the personal computer housing is released by releasing the LCD latch, and the display 61 pops up. That is, the keyboard 62 is operated by the latch lever for opening and closing the keyboard.
Since both the latches of the LCD and the display 61 can be released, the LCD latch lever can be eliminated. Further, from the user's point of view, since there is only one kind of opening / closing lever disposed on the external appearance of the notebook computer, there is no operational error. Although the LCD latch receiver is provided on the base cover 63 here,
The same effect can be obtained by providing this receiver in the keyboard 62.

(Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the features of the fourth embodiment best, and show cross-sectional views of the keyboard latch and the LCD latch in a state in which the keyboard and the display of the keyboard openable notebook computer are closed. I have. FIG.
3 is a state before the keyboard latch is slid, FIG.
4 shows a state after the keyboard latch is slid.

In the third embodiment, the moving directions of the keyboard latch means and the LCD latch means are parallel, and both latches are hooked on the latch receiver provided on the base cover. The LCD latch is configured to be locked by an LCD latch receiving means provided on the keyboard latch.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 81 denotes a display having a built-in LCD; 82, a keyboard which can be opened and closed; 83, a base cover; 84, an LCD latch;
Is a tension spring that urges the LCD latch 84 in the direction of arrow m. The LCD latch 84 is configured to slide an LCD latch button (not shown) exposed on the front surface of the display 81 in the direction of the arrow n to smoothly slide.

Reference numeral 86 denotes an LCD latch receiver provided at the rear end of the keyboard latch 87 for locking the LCD latch 84. Reference numeral 88 denotes a tension spring for urging the keyboard latch 87 in the direction of arrow m. The keyboard latch 87 slides a keyboard latch button (not shown), which is exposed on the front surface of the display 81, in the direction of arrow n, and slides smoothly. Keyboard latch 8
7. When the LCD latch 84 is released, it is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the tension springs 85 and 88. Reference numeral 89 denotes a keyboard latch receiver provided on the base cover 83 for locking the keyboard latch 87.

E is the sliding movement amount of the LCD latch 84,
F is a latch amount between the LCD latch 84 and the LCD latch receiver 86, G is a sliding movement amount of the keyboard latch 87, and H is a latch amount between the keyboard latch 87 and the keyboard latch receiver 89. The following relationships exist among the numerical values A, B, C, and D.

[0088]

[Equation 4] E> F

[0089]

G> H

[0090]

E> H Equations (4) and (5) are conditional expressions necessary for the LCD latch and the keyboard latch to realize their respective latch functions.
Expression 6 is a conditional expression necessary to realize the present embodiment.

In these configurations, the method of opening the display and keyboard according to the normal procedure is basically the same as the operation procedure described in the first and second embodiments. Here, a case where the keyboard is opened not according to a normal procedure but according to an abnormal procedure will be described.

In order to take out the built-in subsystem from the notebook computer in which the display 81 and the keyboard 82 are closed, the operator tentatively mistakes a keyboard latch button (not shown) fixed to the keyboard latch 87 for an LCD latch button. To slide in the direction of arrow n (see FIG. 13).
4 is pushed at the rear end of the keyboard latch 67 and moves together in the n direction.

When the slide is continued as it is, the LCD latch 64 is moved by the slide movement amount E, and then each of the latches 8 is moved.
4 and 87 stop (see FIG. 14). In this state, the keyboard latch 87 is hooked on the keyboard latch receiver 89 provided on the base cover 83 for a distance of HE, and even if the keyboard 82 is to be lifted upward, the buttons slide but the keyboard 82 Will not open (actually, since there is backlash in the latch portion, the hooking amount is not HE, but HE-Σ. Here, it is assumed that Σ = 0 and described. However, it is necessary to consider this backlash when designing.)

Then, the operator notices that the operation procedure is wrong, and performs the operation again according to the normal procedure. That is, the user recognizes that the button (not shown) provided on the front surface of the display 81 is the LCD latch button, operates it, opens the display 81, and then operates the keyboard latch button to open the keyboard 82.

Therefore, when the display 81 is closed, the keyboard latch button can slide, but the keyboard 82 does not open. Therefore, even if the operator mistakes the procedure for opening, the components such as the latch mechanism will not be destroyed.

Further, as can be seen from FIG.
If the latch receiver 86 is provided at the rear end of the keyboard latch 87, the LCD latch 84 and the LCD latch receiver 86 that locks the LCD latch 84 slide together with the sliding of the keyboard latch 87, so that the LCD latch is released. There is no. In addition, by locking the LCD latch to the keyboard latch, the length of the arm of the LCD latch 84 can be shortened, so that the design day is improved and the strength against external force is increased.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, when both the keyboard and the display are closed, the latch release of the keyboard latch means is prevented by the LCD latch means. When replacing a sub-system such as a hard disk drive, a battery, and a CD-ROM, the keyboard is not opened even if the keyboard is first opened by mistake, so that the destruction of the latch mechanism can be prevented.

[0098]

As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, since the release of the keyboard latch means is restricted by the display latch means, the keyboard can be opened in connection with the opening of the display. This prevents the user from forcibly opening the keyboard as in the related art, thereby preventing damage to the device.

According to the second to ninth aspects of the present invention, by making the latch direction of the keyboard latch means orthogonal to the latch direction of the display latch means, the member for the latch (latch lever) is the same as that of the keyboard and the display. It is not necessary to arrange on the side.For example, the latch lever for the display latch is arranged on the lateral side of the display, and the latch lever required for the keyboard is arranged on the front side of the keyboard to prevent mutual operation of the latch levers. Can be. Also, in consideration of operability, even if both latch levers are provided on the front surface, the user can determine whether the latch lever is for a keyboard or a display by changing the operation content such as pressing one and sliding the other. I can let you know.

According to the tenth to twelfth and fifteenth aspects of the present invention, the latch direction of the keyboard latch means and the latch direction of the display latch means are made parallel to each other, so that a member for manual release such as a latch lever is provided between the keyboard and the display. The devices can be arranged on the same side surface, and a device with excellent design can be provided.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by providing the keyboard and the display latch receiving means on the apparatus main body side, the keyboard latch means becomes operable after the display latch means is unlatched. Thereby, the safety of the device is achieved.

In the fourteenth aspect, the display latch receiving means is disposed on the keyboard latch means. This reduces the number of device members and contributes to downsizing of the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a keyboard latch unit and an L in a state where a keyboard and a display are closed in a first embodiment;
It is a cross-sectional view of a CD latch unit.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a keyboard latch unit and an LCD latch unit with a display opened.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an LCD latch unit in a state where a keyboard and a display are closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a keyboard is slightly opened.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a keyboard is closed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a keyboard and a display are closed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard latch unit and the LCD latch unit in which the display pops up.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a keyboard latch unit and an L when a keyboard and a display are closed according to the second embodiment;
It is a perspective view of a CD latch part.

FIG. 9 is a state diagram in which a keyboard and a display are slightly opened.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a keyboard and a display are closed.

FIG. 11 is a state diagram before sliding a keyboard latch in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state after a keyboard latch is slid.

FIG. 13 is a state diagram before sliding a keyboard latch in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a state after the keyboard latch is slid.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the keyboard is slightly opened.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a state in which the keyboard is slightly opened.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a state where a keyboard is closed and a display is slightly opened.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a state where both a keyboard and a display are closed.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view when a keyboard and a display are simultaneously opened.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view when a relief hole is formed as a U-shaped hole as a countermeasure against latch destruction.

FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view when a relief hole is enlarged as a countermeasure against latch destruction.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view when each latch lever is released as a measure against latch destruction.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing a state where the display is distorted.

FIG. 24 is a side view showing a state in which the display pops up.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Display with built-in LCD such as TFT 11 Base cover for storing necessary electric parts for system 12 Keyboard openable and closable 13 Battery for supplying power to system 14 CD-ROM drive 15 Hard disk drive 16 LCD latch 17 LCD Latch lever 18 Keyboard latch 19 Keyboard latch lever 20 Locks LCD latch 16, LCD latch receiver 21 Locks keyboard latch 18, Keyboard latch receiver 22 Relief hole of LCD latch opened on keyboard 12 23 Keyboard latch Tension spring for urging 24 LCD latch 16 Compression spring for urging 25 Tip of keyboard latch 18 100 Display with built-in LCD such as TFT 101 Stores electrical components necessary for system Base cover 102 Openable / closable keyboard 103 Battery for supplying power to the system 103 CD-ROM drive 105 Hard disk drive 106 LCD latch 107 LCD latch lever 108 Keyboard latch 109 Keyboard latch lever 110 LCD provided on the base cover 102 Latch receiver 111 Keyboard latch receiver provided on base cover 102

Claims (15)

[Claims] A keyboard and a display are openable and closable by rotation with respect to an apparatus main body, respectively, and the keyboard and the display are both closed in a state where the keyboard is located between the display and the apparatus main body. A keyboard opening / closing type information processing apparatus, wherein: the keyboard is latched in a closed state; keyboard latch means; keyboard latch receiving means for latching by the keyboard latch means; display latch means for latching the display in a closed state; And a display latch receiving means latched by the display latch means, wherein when the keyboard and the display are both unlatched, the display latch means releases the keyboard latch means. Keyboard openable information processing apparatus is characterized in that so as to regulate. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the latch of the keyboard latch means and the direction of movement of the display latch means are orthogonal to each other. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said keyboard latch means is a first member for latching said keyboard latch receiving means, and said first member is manually moved to move said keyboard. A second member for releasing a latch state of the latch means, wherein the display latch means manually moves the third member for locking the display latch receiving means and the display latch means; And a fourth member for releasing the latched state of the keyboard. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second member is arranged on a front outer surface of the keyboard, and the fourth member is arranged on a lateral outer surface of the display. Characteristic keyboard open / close type information processing device. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second member slides along the front side of the keyboard and the fourth member slides along the side surface of the display. Keyboard open / close type information processing device. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said keyboard latch receiving means latched by said first member and said display latch receiving means latched by said third member are attached to said apparatus main body. A keyboard open / close type information processing device, which is disposed on the side. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second member is arranged on a front outer surface of the keyboard, and the fourth member is arranged on a front outer surface of the display. Characteristic keyboard open / close type information processing device. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second member slides along the front side of the keyboard, and the fourth member presses down toward the front side of the display. A keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said keyboard latch receiving means latched by said first member and said display latch receiving means latched by said third member are attached to said apparatus main body. A keyboard opening / closing information processing device, wherein a hole is provided in the keyboard, and a hole is provided in the keyboard to allow the third member to pass therethrough. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the latch of the keyboard latch means and the direction of movement of the display latch means are parallel to each other. apparatus. 11. The keyboard open / close type information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said keyboard latch means manually moves said fifth member for latching said keyboard latch receiving means and said keyboard. A sixth member for releasing a latch state of the latch means,
The display latch means has a seventh member for locking the display latch receiving means and an eighth member for manually moving the seventh member to release the latch state of the display latch means. Keyboard opening and closing information processing device. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sixth member and said eighth member are arranged on the same front or side surface of said keyboard and said display. Keyboard opening and closing information processing device. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said keyboard latch receiving means latched by said fifth member and said display latch receiving means latched by said seventh member. A keyboard open / close type information processing device, which is disposed on the side. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said keyboard latch receiving means latched by said fifth member is disposed on said apparatus body, and said display latched by said seventh member. A keyboard opening / closing information processing apparatus, wherein a latch receiving means is arranged on the fifth member. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a latch amount between said keyboard latch means and said keyboard latch receiving means is larger than a movement amount of said display latch means. Keyboard closed information processor.