JPH11345038A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment with a thin casing. SOLUTION: A portable computer as this electronic equipment is provided with a computer main body and the computer main body is provided with a lower housing 6. To the lower housing 6, a holding mechanism 51 for holding a battery pack in a battery housing part 20 is attached. The holding mechanism 51 is provided with an operation body 52, a lock member 53 and a return spring 54. The operation body 52 is provided with an operation part 61 and a wall part 62, the wall part 62 is provided with a locking part 71 for locking the engaging part of the battery pack and the operation body 52 is movable between a lock position where the locking part 71 locks the engaging part and an unlock position where it releases the engaging part. The return spring 54 energizes the operation body 52 to the lock position. The lock member 53 is attached to the operation part 61 movably between a first position for controlling the movement of the operation body 52 and a second position for allowing the movement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic devices such as portable computers and mobile information terminals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various book-type portable computers have been provided as portable electronic devices that are easy to carry and have high functionality. These computers include a computer main body having a box-shaped housing to which a keyboard and the like are attached, and a display unit provided with a housing supported by the computer main body and accommodating a color liquid crystal display. Various functional components such as a circuit board and a hard disk drive are housed inside the housing of the computer main body.

[0003] This type of computer is equipped with a battery pack that functions as a driving power supply because it is used relatively frequently in places where commercial AC power is not available. The battery pack is detachably accommodated in a battery accommodating portion formed inside a housing of the computer main body.

[0004] The battery accommodating portion has an opening which is opened on the bottom surface of the housing of the computer main body. The battery pack is inserted into and removed from the battery housing through the opening.

[0005] As a holding mechanism for holding the battery pack in the battery accommodating portion, the battery pack can be moved between a lock position for holding the battery pack in a housing of the computer main body and an unlock position for releasing the battery pack. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device including a holding member and a lock member that is configured separately from the holding member and that restricts and permits movement of the holding member.

In recent years, portable electronic devices such as the portable computers described above have been increasingly required to be thinner in the housings of the computer body and the display unit in order to make it easier for users to carry. Is getting stronger.

[0007] In the above-mentioned conventional portable computer, the holding member,
The lock member is attached, for example, in a state of being adjacent to each other. The holding member and the lock member are manually operated by an operator or the like.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional portable computer, the holding member and the lock member which are separate from each other are attached to the housing of the computer main body. For this reason, it is becoming difficult to meet the demand for thinning the computer body and the housing of the display unit. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of reducing the thickness of a housing.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. A pack-shaped device that is housed and has an engaging portion, and is provided on the housing and is movable between a lock position for locking the engaging portion and a lock releasing position for releasing the engaging portion. A holding mechanism biased to the lock position, and a holding mechanism movable to a first position for restricting the holding mechanism to the lock position and a second position for permitting movement of the holding mechanism. And a lock member attached to the lock member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, the engaging portion has an inclined surface, and the holding mechanism locks the engaging portion. A locking portion provided with a cam surface which is in sliding contact with the inclined surface when the pack-shaped device is attached or detached.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the inclined surface is
It is characterized in that it is formed along a direction that intersects the direction of attachment and detachment of the pack-like device with respect to the pack storage section.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the first or second aspect.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface comes into sliding contact with the inclined surface when the operation body is displaced to the lock position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the holding mechanism is arranged so as to be exposed on an outer wall of the housing; And an operating body having a cutout portion formed by cutting out a part of the operating body, and the lock body has a hook portion that is engaged with the cutout portion of the operating body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the fifth aspect, the operating body and the lock member each have an operating surface on which a finger is put, and the operating surface of the operating body. And the operation surface of the lock member is formed substantially flush.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising positioning means for positioning the lock member at a first position and a second position. It is characterized by:

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the housing is configured to lock the operation body with a lock position. A guide groove movably supported over the release position, the guide groove includes an engagement receiving portion formed concavely from an inner peripheral surface thereof, and when the operating body is displaced to the lock position, The lock member includes an engagement portion that engages with an engagement receiving portion to regulate the operation body to the lock position.

According to the above-described electronic device, the electronic device moves between the lock position for locking the engaging portion of the pack-shaped device and the unlock position for releasing the engaging portion. A lock member movable between a first position for restricting the holding mechanism to a lock position and a second position for allowing the movement of the holding mechanism is attached to the possible holding mechanism. As compared with a mechanism in which the mechanism and the lock member are attached to the housing adjacent to each other, the mounting density is improved, and the housing of the entire device can be made thinner.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the pack accommodating portion is formed inside a housing and has an opening opening outside the housing. An electronic device comprising: a pack-like device detachably housed through an opening; and a holding mechanism for holding the pack-like device in the pack housing portion, wherein the pack-like device is engaged outwardly. A locking portion that locks the engagement portion, and the locking portion locks the engagement portion, and a lock release position that releases the engagement portion. A first lock body that is movable across the first lock body, an operation lever that includes an operation unit that is exposed to the outer wall of the housing, and that is slidable together with the first lock body; Urging means for urging the lock body to the lock position; A second lock body attached to the operation lever so as to be movable between a first position restricting the movement of the operation lever and a second position allowing the movement of the operation lever. It is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the ninth aspect, when the operation lever slides, the first lock body interlocks with the operation lever. When the first lock body slides between the lock position and the unlock position while being slid across the lock position and the unlock position, the operation lever is independent of the operation lever. It is characterized by being slidable.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the tenth aspect, the engaging portion has an inclined surface, and the locking portion is provided when the pack-shaped device is attached or detached. It is characterized by having a cam surface which is in sliding contact with the inclined surface.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the inclined surface extends along a direction intersecting a mounting / removing direction of the pack-like device with respect to the pack housing. It is characterized by being formed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the ninth or eleventh aspect, the cam surface is provided when the first lock body is displaced to the lock position. It is characterized by being in sliding contact with the inclined surface.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the operating lever is formed by notching a part of the operating portion. Wherein the second lock body has a hook portion which is engaged with a notch of the operation lever.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the fifteenth aspect, the operation lever and the second lock body each have an operation surface on which a finger can be put. And the operation surface of the second lock body is formed substantially flush.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the fourteenth aspect, positioning means for positioning the second lock body at a first position and a second position, respectively. It is characterized by having.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the ninth to sixteenth aspects, the housing is configured to lock the operating body with a lock position. A guide groove movably supporting the release position, the guide groove including an engagement receiving portion formed concavely from an inner peripheral surface thereof, and the first lock body being displaced to the lock position. In this case, the second lock body is provided with an engagement portion that engages with an engagement receiving portion and regulates movement of the operation body.

[0027] According to the above-described electronic device, the holding mechanism has a locking portion for locking the engaging portion of the pack-shaped device, and the locking portion is provided with the engaging portion. A first lock body movable between a lock position for locking the joint portion and a lock release position for releasing the engagement portion; and an operation lever slidable together with the first lock body. Since the second lock body movable to a first position for restricting the movement of the operation lever and a second position for allowing the operation lever is attached to the operation lever, the operation lever and the second lock body are attached. And the mounting density is improved as compared to the case where the
It is possible to reduce the thickness of the housing of the entire device.

Further, since the first lock body is movable independently of the operation lever when sliding, the second lock body is displaced to the second position and the operation lever is moved. Even in a state in which movement of the pack-shaped device is restricted, the protruding portion of the pack-shaped device can be locked by the locking portion of the first lock body, and the pack-shaped device can be attached to the pack storage portion through the opening.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A description will be given with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a microminiature portable computer 1 as an electronic device having a size that can be stored in a pocket of a suit. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the computer 1 includes a computer main body 2 as a main body, and a display unit 3 as a flat display unit supported by the computer main body 2.

The computer body 2 includes a flat box-shaped housing 4, a CPU, a ROM,
It includes various functional components such as a circuit board on which a RAM or the like is mounted, and a keyboard 5 mounted on the upper surface of the housing.

The housing 4 has a flat bottom wall 4a, a front wall 4b connected to the bottom wall 4a, a pair of side walls 4c, 4c, a rear wall 4d, and an upper wall 4e. The upper wall 4e is the bottom wall 4
a of the upper wall 4e.
The armrest 8 is flat. Armrest 8
Extends along the width direction of the housing 4. Further, behind the armrest 8, the above-described keyboard 5 as means for inputting information is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 4 includes the bottom wall 4a and a peripheral wall 6a connected to the bottom wall 4a.
And a lower housing 6 having the upper wall 4e and a peripheral wall 7a connected to the upper wall 4e.

The housings 6, 7 are detachably connected to each other. The peripheral walls 6a, 7a of the housings 6, 7 are continuous with each other when the housings 6, 7 are connected to each other, and the front walls 4b,
A side wall 4c and a rear wall 4d are configured. The housings 6 and 7 are made of Mg-Al-Mn or M
It is made of a metal material such as a magnesium alloy such as g-Al-Zn-Mn. The above-described circuit board and the like are housed inside the housing 4 including the housings 6 and 7.

The display unit 3 includes a flat box-shaped housing 14 as a housing, and a color liquid crystal display 15 (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) housed in the housing 14. The LCD 15
Has a screen 15a on which information such as characters and figures is displayed.

The housing 14 of the display unit 3 includes an LCD cover 16 as a first housing member for supporting the LCD 15 and an LCD as a second housing member for covering the LCD 15 together with the LCD cover 16.
And a mask 17.

The LCD cover 16 is made of the same magnesium alloy as that of the upper and lower housings 6 and 7. The LCD mask 17 includes a display window 1 for exposing a screen 15a of the LCD 15 to the outside.
8 and is made of a synthetic resin material such as an ABS resin. The LCD mask 17 is detachably connected to the LCD cover 16.

The display unit 3 is rotatably supported by a hinge device (not shown) provided at the rear end of the housing 4 of the computer main body 2. For this reason,
The display unit 3 can be freely opened and closed between a closed position for covering the armrest 8 and the keyboard 5 and an open position for exposing the armrest 8 and the keyboard 5.

The housing 4 of the computer main body 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4, a battery storage unit 20 as a pack storage unit is provided. The battery housing 20 extends below the armrest 8 along the width direction of the housing 4.

The battery housing 20 includes a first end wall 21a, a second end wall 21b, and a side wall 22 extending upward from the bottom wall 4a, and the first and second end walls 21a, 21a.
b, and the ceiling wall 23 connected to the side wall 22.

The first and second end walls 21a and 21b are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the housing 4. The first end wall 21 a has a connector outlet 24 connected to the battery housing 20. The second end wall 21b is located at a position adjacent to the side wall 4c of the housing 4,
It is arranged substantially parallel to c.

The first end wall 21a and the second end wall 21b are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The side wall 2
2 is arranged at a position separated from the front wall 4b in the depth direction of the housing 4. The ceiling wall 23 faces the inner surface of the armrest 8.

The battery housing 20 has an opening 25. The opening 25 is provided between the bottom wall 4a and the front wall 4b.
And is opposed to the ceiling wall 23.
The opening 25 has a rectangular shape having a long axis extending in the width direction of the housing 4 and a short axis extending in the depth direction of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first connector 26 is disposed in the battery housing section 20. The first connector 26 has a connector body 27 and a plurality of contacts 28 supported by the connector body 27. The connector body 27 is supported on the back surface of the circuit board described above. The connector body 27 is provided with the contact 2
8 is exposed to the battery housing 20 through the connector outlet 24, and the first end wall 21a
It is arranged in the position adjacent to.

The contact 28 is exposed to the battery housing 20 through the connector outlet 24. Contact 28
Are arranged in a line in the depth direction of the housing 4. The contact 28 protrudes from the first end wall 21a toward the battery housing portion 20 side. The tips of the contacts 28 face the direction of the opening 25 of the battery housing 20. The contact 28 can be elastically deformed in the direction of being retracted into the connector body 27.

A battery pack 31 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) as a pack-like device is provided in the battery housing portion 20.
Are detachably accommodated. The battery pack 31
When the computer 1 is used in a place where commercial power is not available, it functions as a power supply for driving the computer. The battery pack 31 is inserted into and removed from the battery housing section 20 through the opening 25 along, for example, an arrow K in FIG.

The battery pack 31 includes a battery case 32 made of a synthetic resin and a secondary battery (not shown) housed inside the battery case 32. It has the shape of a rectangular box having a size that fits snugly.

The battery case 32 has first and second end faces 33a and 33b facing each other with the secondary battery interposed therebetween. The first end face 33a faces the first end wall 21a of the battery housing portion 20 and the first connector 26. The second end face 33b is configured to face the second end wall 21b of the battery housing 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, a second connector 34 is provided on the first end face 33a of the battery case 32. The second connector 34 has a plurality of terminal boards 35. The terminal plate 35 is electrically connected to the secondary battery. These terminal plates 35 are connected to the first connector 2.
The six contacts 28 are arranged in a row at an interval from each other.

The battery case 32 has a flat upper surface 36a.
And a lower surface 36b. Upper surface 36a and lower surface 36
b is connected to the first and second end faces 33a and 33b. When the battery pack 31 is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 20, the upper surface 36a is opposed to the ceiling wall 23, and the lower surface 36b is substantially flush with the bottom wall 4a. It is.

As shown in FIG. 4, the battery case 32 has a pair of engaging portions 41, 41 protruding outward. These engaging portions 41 are connected to the battery case 3.
The second connector 33 is arranged in parallel with the second end face 33b along the width direction of the end face 33b, and is disposed on the opposite side of the second connector 34. These engaging portions 41, 41 form an end surface 42 facing the second end wall 21b when the battery pack 31 is housed in the battery housing portion 20, and when the battery pack 31 is attached to the battery housing portion 20. The locking mechanism 51 as a holding mechanism described later has a cam surface 72 of a locking portion 71 of the locking mechanism 51 and an inclined surface 43 that comes into contact with the cam surface 72.

When the battery pack 31 is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 20, the inclined surface 43 moves from the upper surface 36 a to the lower surface 36 b of the battery case 32.
From the front wall 4b of the housing 4 to the side wall 2 of the battery housing 20
It is formed so as to be gradually inclined toward 2. Thus, the inclined surface 43 is formed along the direction intersecting the arrow K.

As shown in FIG. 5, a guide is provided on the peripheral wall 6a of the lower housing 6 which constitutes one of the side walls 4c adjacent to the second end wall 21b among the pair of side walls 4c, 4c of the housing 4. A groove 45 is formed. The guide groove 45 is
The front wall 4b and the side wall 4c of the housing 4 are provided near a corner 46 where they intersect each other. The guide groove 45 extends in the depth direction of the housing 4 and is formed to have a size such that a connecting portion of an operation body 52 described below can slide.

The guide groove 45 is provided in the upper housing 7.
And a slit-shaped insertion opening 47 opened at a joint portion with the above. The insertion opening 47 is formed in a size that allows a connecting portion of the operation body 52 to be described later to enter and exit.

The guide groove 45 has an engaging portion 75 located at the upper end of a hooking portion 75 of the lock member 53 described later.
The engagement receiving part 48 with which a engages is formed. The engagement receiving portion 48 is arranged on the front wall 4b side of the insertion opening 47 and is formed to be concave from an inner peripheral surface 45a of the guide groove 45 toward a portion where the upper housing 7 is fitted.

The second end wall 2 of the battery housing 20
1b, a pair of slide grooves 49, 49 facing the guide groove 45 are provided. The slide groove 49 is
A slit-like insertion groove 49a opened at a joint portion with the upper housing 7, and a latch extending from the lower end of the insertion groove 49a toward the rear wall 4d along the depth direction of the housing 4. And a slide groove 49b.

The insertion groove 49a is formed in such a size that a later-described locking portion 71 of the operating body 52 can enter and exit, and the locking portion slide groove 49b is formed in the locking portion 7
1 is formed in a size that can slide along the depth of the housing 4. The lower housing 6 has a connecting wall 6 for connecting the second end wall 21b and the peripheral wall 6a to each other.
b.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the lower housing 6, the second end wall 2
A lock mechanism 51 as a holding mechanism is provided between the first wall 1b and the peripheral wall 6a. The locking mechanism 51 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), an operating body 52, a lock member 53, and a return spring 54 as urging means are provided.

The operation body 52 is disposed between the second end wall 21b and the peripheral wall 6a when the operation body 52 is mounted on the lower housing 6, and is exposed on the outer wall such as the side wall 4c of the housing 4. The wall portion 62 to be accommodated, the operation portion 61 and the wall portion 6
And a connecting portion (not shown) for connecting the two to each other.

The operating section 61 has a rectangular shape extending along the depth direction of the housing 4 when the operating body 52 is attached to the lower housing 6, and is exposed on the outer wall of the housing 4. An operation surface 64 and a plurality of projections 65 formed on the operation surface 64 for hanging fingertips or the like are provided.
The protrusions 65 are formed so as to be convex toward the outside of the housing 4 and extend parallel to each other along the thickness direction of the housing 4. The operation portion 61 has a cutout portion 66 formed by cutting out from the upper end surface 61a downward.

The wall portion 62 has a rectangular shape extending along the depth direction of the housing 4 when the operating body 52 is mounted on the lower housing 6.
9 and a pair of locking portions 71, 71 (shown in FIG. 8 and the like) protruding into the pack storage portion 20. The locking portions 71, 71 are arranged side by side along the depth direction of the housing 4.

The locking portions 71 are each
a and the inside of the locking portion slide groove 49b
Are formed in such a size that they can be slid along the depth direction.

When the operating body 52 slidably mounted in the depth direction of the housing 4 is located on the front wall 4b side as the lock position, the locking portion 71 engages with the engaging portion 41. The cam surface 72 with which the inclined surface 43 is slidably contacted,
Each has. The cam surface 72 gradually approaches the front wall 4b from the lower housing 6 to the upper housing 7, that is, from the bottom wall 4a to the upper wall 4e of the housing 4, as shown in FIG. It is formed to be inclined in the direction.

As described above, the locking portion 71 locks the engaging portion 41 of the battery pack 31 when the operating body 52 is located closest to the front wall 4b, and connects the battery pack 31 to the battery. It is configured to be held in the storage section 20.

The locking portion 71 releases the engaging portion 41 of the battery pack 31 when the operating body 52 is located on the rear wall 4d side of the housing 4. Further, the wall portion 62 includes the second end wall 21b and the peripheral wall 6a.
And a convex portion 73 protruding toward the rear wall 4d when housed between the two.

The connecting portion comprises the operating portion 61 and the wall portion 62
Are connected to each other, and are formed in a size that can freely enter and exit the insertion port 47, and the guide groove 45
It is formed in such a size that it can slide in the inside along the depth direction of the housing 4.

The return spring 54 has one end engaged with the projection 73 of the wall 62 and the other end abutted on the connecting wall 6b. The body 54 is urged toward the front wall 4b of the housing 4.

With the above-described structure, as shown in FIG. 5, the operating body 52 is such that the connecting portion is inserted into the guide groove 45 through the insertion opening 47 and the locking portion 71 is inserted through the insertion groove 49a. The operating part 61 is exposed to the outer wall of the housing 4 and the wall part 62 is housed between the peripheral wall 6a and the second end wall 21b. It can be attached to the lower housing 6.

The operating body 52 has a locking position where the connecting portion slides in the guide groove 45 so that the locking portion 71 locks the engaging portion 41 of the battery pack 31. Stop part 71 is a battery pack 31
Is slidable over a lock release position for releasing the engaging portion 41 of the first position. The return spring 54 biases the operating body 52 to the lock position.

The lock member 53 includes a hook 75
And a lock operation surface 76. The hook 75
Are engaged with the notch 66 of the operating portion 61, and the engaging portion 75a located at the upper end thereof is engaged with the engaging receiving portion 48 of the guide groove 45. .

The hooking portion 75 is provided at a first position where the engaging portion 75a shown in FIG.
The engagement portion 75a shown in FIG. 7 is slidably attached to the operation body 52 over a second position where the engagement portion 75a is disengaged from the engagement receiving portion 48.

The lock operation surface 76 is provided with the engagement portion 75
When the upper end portion 75a of the operating body 52 is displaced to the above-described first position by engaging with the engagement receiving portion 48, the operating surface 61 of the operating body 52
Are formed so as to be substantially flush with each other. Further, the lock operation surface 76 includes a plurality of projections 77 on which a fingertip or the like is hooked.

The lock member 53 has a convex portion 78 as a positioning means, and the operating member 5
2 has first and second concave portions (not shown). The convex portion 78 of the lock member 53 is engaged with the first concave portion of the operating body 52 to position the lock member 53 at the first position. The lock member 53 is locked to position the lock member 53 at the second position.

The lock member 53 can be slid from the first position to the second position by, for example, hanging a fingertip on the projection 77 of the lock operation surface 76. Has become.

With the configuration described above, the lock member 5
3, when displaced to the first position, the upper end portion 75 a of the engaging portion 75 is engaged with the engaging receiving portion 48 of the guide groove 45, and the operating body 52 is moved in the depth direction of the housing 4. Along with the operation body 52, that is, the lock mechanism 51 to the lock position, and when the operation body 52 is displaced to the second position, the upper end portion 75a of the engagement portion 75
And allows the operation body 52 to move.

According to the above-described configuration, the lock mechanism 51
Is provided on the housing 4 and is movable between a lock position for locking the engagement portions 41, 41 and a lock release position for releasing the engagement portions 41, 41, and is located in the lock position. Being energized. Also, the lock member 53
Is attached to the lock mechanism 51 so as to be movable between a first position where the lock mechanism 51 is restricted to the lock position and a second position where the lock mechanism 51 is allowed to move.

When attaching the battery pack 31 to the battery accommodating portion 20, first, the computer 1 is turned over, and the bottom wall 4a of the housing 4 is turned upward. Next, FIG.
As shown in (2), the battery pack 31 is inserted into the battery accommodating section 20 through the opening 25. At this time, the first connector 26 of the first end wall 21a of the battery housing 20
A second connector 34 provided on the first end face 33a
, And is inserted into the battery accommodating portion 20 in an obliquely downward position with the first end surface 33a at the top.

The contact 28 of the first connector 26 and the terminal plate 35 of the second connector 34 are brought into contact with each other, and the end of the battery pack 31 on the first end face 33a side is The first end wall 2 of the storage section 20
1a side end.

After the terminal plate 35 of the second connector 34 and the contact 28 of the first connector 26 are brought into contact with each other, the battery pack 31 is turned downward about the contact portion as a fulcrum. The end of the second end surface 33b on which the engaging portion 41 is provided is dropped into the battery housing portion 20.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, the operating body 52 having the locking portion 71 for holding the battery pack 31 in the battery housing portion 20 is urged to the lock position. , The inclined surface 43 of the engaging portion 41 and the locking portion 7
The first cam surface 72 contacts each other. The lock member 53 is displaced to the second position.

When the battery pack 31 is further rotated downward from this state, the engaging portion 41 moves downward as shown in FIG.
The operating body 52 is slid from the locked position to the unlocked position according to the shape of the cam surface 72. The sliding of the operating body 52 causes the engaging portion 41 to move the cam surface 7.
When the vehicle goes over 2, the engaging portions 41 enter the insertion grooves 49a, and the pressing of the operating body 52 by these engaging portions 41 is released.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the operating body 52 is forcibly pushed back to the locked position by the return spring 54, and the engaging portion 41 is brought into contact with the locking portion 71 and the ceiling wall 23. And is locked in a state of being sandwiched between them. At this time, the battery pack 31 is
0, the upper surface 36a of the battery case 32 overlaps the ceiling wall 23, and the lower surface 36b of the battery case 32 is substantially flush with the bottom wall 4a.

Then, the lock member 53 is displaced from the second position to the first position, and the operation body 52 is held at the lock position. Since the operating body 52 is urged to the lock position by the return spring 54 and held in the lock position by the lock member 53, the battery pack 3
1 is locked in a state housed in the battery housing part 20. Inadvertently, the fingertip of the operator may touch the operation surface 6.
Even if the battery pack 4 is moved in the depth direction of the housing 4, the battery pack 31 is prevented from dropping out of the battery housing 20.

Next, when taking out the battery pack 31 from the battery housing section 20, first, as shown in FIG.
Face up. Next, the lock body 52 is displaced to the second position. Then, the operating body 52 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position against the elastic restoring force of the return spring 54.

Then, the engaging portion 41 is moved to the locking portion 71.
The battery pack 31 is released from being locked by
According to the present embodiment, which is detached from the battery housing portion 20 from the end on the second end surface 33b side where the engaging portion 41 is provided, the lock member that regulates and permits the movement of the operation body 52 Since the lock 53 is attached to the notch 66 of the operating body 52 having the lock 71 of the lock mechanism 51, the housings 4 and 14 of the entire device 1 can be thinned. Further, since the lock operation surface 76 of the lock member 53 and the operation surface 64 of the operation body 52 are formed so as to be substantially flush, the size of the housings 4 and 14 can be further reduced. Become.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, the second side wall 4c of the housing 4
As shown in FIG. 9, a guide groove 81 is formed in the peripheral wall 6a of the lower housing 6 that forms one side wall 4c adjacent to the end wall 21b. The guide groove 81 is provided near the corner 46 where the front wall 4b and the side wall 4c cross each other. The guide groove 81 extends in the depth direction of the housing 4 and is formed to have a size in which an engagement portion 91 of an operation lever 86 described below can slide.

The guide groove 81 has an engaging portion 98a located at the upper end of a hook 98 of a second lock body 88 described later.
Is formed with an engagement receiving portion 82 with which is engaged. The engagement receiving portion 82 is formed so as to be concave from the inner peripheral surface 81a of the guide groove 81 toward a portion where the guide groove 81 and the upper housing 7 meet.

The second end wall 2 of the battery housing 20
1b is provided with a pair of slide grooves 83, 83 facing the guide groove 81. The slide groove 83 is
Each of the slit-shaped insertion grooves 84 is opened at a joint portion with the upper housing 7, and extends from the lower end of the insertion groove 84 toward the rear wall 4 d along the depth direction of the housing 4. Locking portion slide groove 85.

The insertion groove 84 is formed in such a size that a locking portion 94 of a first lock body 87 described later can enter and exit. The locking portion slide groove 85 is formed in such a size that the locking portion 94 can slide along the depth of the housing 4.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lock mechanism 51 includes an operation lever 86 that is exposed and attached to an outer wall such as the side wall 4c of the housing 4, and a peripheral wall 6a of the lower housing 6.
A first lock body 87 housed between the first and second end walls 21b, a second lock body 88 as a lock member attached to the operation lever 86, and a return spring 89 as urging means. , Is provided.

The operation lever 86 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the operation portion 90 exposed to the outer wall such as the side wall 4 c of the housing 4 when attached to the lower housing 6 and the guide member 81 pass through the guide groove 81 to be described later. And an engaging portion 91 that engages with the engaging groove 95.

The operation section 90 has a rectangular shape extending along the depth direction of the housing 4 when attached to the lower housing 6, and has an operation surface 100 exposed on the outer wall of the housing 4. And a plurality of projections 92 formed on the operation surface 100 for hanging a fingertip or the like. The protrusion 92 is convex toward the outside of the housing 4 and is
Are formed so as to extend in parallel with each other along the thickness direction.

The operating section 90 has a notch 93 formed by notching downward from the upper end face 90a. The engagement portion 91 is freely engageable with an engagement groove 95, and the operation lever 86 and the first lock body 87 are detachable from each other.

The first lock body 87 is shown in FIGS.
12 and the peripheral wall 6a and the second end wall 2 as shown in FIG.
1b, and has a rectangular shape extending along the depth direction of the housing 4, and a pair of locking portions 94 protruding into the pack housing portion 20 through the slide groove 83. , 94 and an engaging portion 91 of the operation lever 86
Are integrally provided with an engaging groove 95 with which the engaging portion 96 engages, and a convex portion 96 protruding toward the rear wall 4d.

The locking portions 94, 94 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, they are arranged side by side along the depth direction of the housing 4. When the first lock body 87 slidably mounted along the depth direction of the housing 4 is positioned on the front wall 4b side as a lock position, the locking portion 94 engages with the engaging portion 41. Has a cam surface 97 with which the inclined surface 43 is slidably contacted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the cam surface 97 gradually moves from the lower housing 6 toward the upper housing 7, that is, from the bottom wall 4a of the housing 4 to the upper wall 4e. Is formed so as to incline in a direction approaching.

When the first lock member 87 is positioned closest to the front wall 4b, the locking portion 94 is connected to the battery pack 3.
The first engaging portion 41 is locked to hold the battery pack 31 in the battery housing portion 20. The locking portion 94 releases the engaging portion 41 of the battery pack 31 when the first lock body 87 is located on the rear wall 4d side of the housing 4.

The engagement groove 95 has a slit shape extending along the depth direction of the housing 4. The engagement portion 91 of the operation lever 86 is engaged with the engagement groove 95. The casing 4 is formed in a size that can slide along the depth direction.

One end of the return spring 89 is engaged with the projection 96 of the first lock body 87, and
The other end is provided in contact with the connection wall 6b, and urges the first lock body 87 toward the front wall 4b of the housing 4, and the engagement between the engagement groove 95 Engaging portion 91
, The operating lever 86 is urged toward the front wall 4b of the housing 4.

Further, the engaging portion 91 of the operating lever 86 and the engaging groove 95 of the first lock body 87 are connected to the rear wall 4d by the operating lever 86 against the elastic restoring force of the return spring 89.
When the first lock body 87 is displaced toward the rear wall 4b, the first lock body 87 is displaced toward the rear wall 4b in conjunction with the first lock body 87, and the operation is performed when only the first lock body 87 is displaced toward the rear wall 4d. The lever 86 is formed so as not to be displaced in conjunction with the lever 86.

With the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation lever 86 and the first lock body 87 are connected to each other by the operation part 90 of the operation lever 86 being exposed on the outer wall of the housing 4 and the engagement part 91 passes through the guide groove 81 and the peripheral wall 6a
The first lock body 87 is engaged with the engagement groove 95 of the first lock body 87 housed between the first lock body 87 and the second end wall 21b, and is attached to the lower housing 6.

The first lock body 87 is supported by an engagement portion 91 of an operation lever 86 which engages with the engagement groove 95 and slides in the guide groove 81.
The locking portion 94 is slidable between a lock position where the engagement portion 41 of the battery pack 31 is locked and a lock release position where the locking portion 94 releases the engagement portion 41 of the battery pack 31. Has become. The return spring 8
9 urges the first lock body 87 to the lock position.

The second lock body 88 has a hook 98
And a lock operation surface 99. The hook 98 is provided with a notch 93 of the operating portion 90 of the operating lever 86.
And an engaging portion 98a located at the upper end thereof is engaged with the engaging receiving portion 82 of the guide groove 81.

The second lock body 88 is provided as shown in FIG.
Over a first position where the engaging portion 98a is engaged with the engagement receiving portion 82 and a second position where the engaging portion 98a is disengaged from the engagement receiving portion 82 as shown in FIG. The operation lever 86 is slidably attached to the operation lever 86.

The lock operation surface 99 is provided with the engagement portion 98.
Is formed to be substantially flush with the operation surface 100 of the operation lever 86 when the upper end 98a of the control lever 86 is displaced to the above-described first position by engaging with the engagement receiving portion 82 of the guide groove 81. I have. Further, the lock operation surface 99 includes a plurality of protrusions 101 on which a fingertip or the like hangs.

The second lock body 88 has a convex portion 102 as a positioning means as shown in FIG. 9, and the operating lever 86 has first and second concave portions (not shown). I have. The convex portion 102 of the second lock body 88 is engaged with the first concave portion of the operation lever 86 to position the second lock body 88 at the first position. The second lock body 88 is positioned at the second position by engaging with the second recess.

Further, the projection 101 of the lock operation surface 99 is provided.
Hang a fingertip or the like on the second position from the first position.
, The second lock body 88 can be slid.

With the above-described structure, the second lock body 88 is moved to the first position when the engagement portion 98 is displaced to the first position.
The upper end 98a of the control lever 86 engages with the engagement receiving portion 82 of the guide groove 81 to restrict the movement of the operation lever 86 in the depth direction of the housing 4 so that the operation lever 86, that is, the lock mechanism 51 is moved. While being restricted to the lock position, when displaced to the second position, the upper end portion 98a of the engaging portion 98 is detached from the engaging receiving portion 82 to allow the operation lever 86 to move. .

When the operating lever 86 is displaced from the front wall 4b side to the rear wall 4d, the first lock body 87 opposes the elastic restoring force of the return spring 89. In conjunction with the displacement of the operation lever 86, the operation lever 86 slides from the lock position to the unlock position.

When only the first lock body 87 is displaced from the lock position to the unlock position,
The first lock body 87 slides along the engaging portion slide groove 85 of the slide groove 84 without displacing the operation lever 86. For this reason, the second lock body 88 is displaced to the first position and the operation lever 8 is moved.
In the case where the slide movement is restricted, the first
Is slidable over the lock position and the unlock position.

According to the above-described configuration, when the battery pack 31 is mounted on the battery housing portion 20, first, the computer 1 is turned over, and the bottom wall 4a of the housing 4 is turned upward. Next, the battery pack 31 is inserted into the battery housing 20 through the opening 25. At this time, the first connector 26 on the first end wall 21a of the battery housing 20 is used.
Then, in a state in which the second connector 34 provided on the first end face 33a is opposed to the first end face 33a, the second connector 34 is inserted into the battery accommodating portion 20 in an obliquely downward position with the first end face 33a at the top.

Then, the contact 28 of the first connector 26 and the terminal plate 35 of the second connector 34 are brought into contact with each other, and the end of the battery pack 31 on the first end face 33a side is connected to the battery. The first end wall 2 of the storage section 20
1a side end.

After the terminal plate 35 of the second connector 34 and the contact 28 of the first connector 26 are brought into contact with each other, the battery pack 31 is rotated downward about the contact portion as a fulcrum. The end of the second end surface 33b on which the engaging portion 41 is provided is dropped into the battery housing portion 20.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first lock body 87 having the locking portion 94 for holding the battery pack 31 in the battery housing portion 20 is urged to the lock position. Therefore, the inclined surface 43 of the engaging portion 41 and the cam surface 97 of the locking portion 94 come into contact with each other.

When the battery pack 31 is further rotated downward from this state, as shown in FIG.
As the engaging portion 41 moves downward, the inclined surface 4
3 and the first lock body 8 according to the shape of the cam surface 97.
7 is slid from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the engagement portion 41 gets over the cam surface 97 by the sliding of the first lock body 87, the engagement portion 41
Is inserted into the insertion groove 84, and the pressing of the first lock body 87 by these engagement portions 41 is released.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 15C, the first lock body 87 is forcibly pushed back to the lock position by the return spring 89, and the engaging portion 41 is brought into contact with the locking portion 94. It is locked while being sandwiched between the ceiling wall 23.
At this time, the battery pack 31 completely enters the battery accommodating portion 20, the upper surface 36a of the battery case 31 overlaps the ceiling wall 23, and the lower surface 36b of the battery case 31 is substantially the same as the bottom wall 4a. Become flush.

Then, the second lock body 88 is displaced from the second position to the first position, or is kept at the first position. Since the first lock body 87 is urged to the lock position by the return spring 89 and the operation lever 86 is held at the lock position by the second lock body 88, the battery pack 31 Locked in the state accommodated in. And
Even if the operator's fingertip or the like accidentally moves the operation surface 100 of the operation lever 86 in the depth direction of the housing 4, the battery pack 31 is prevented from dropping out of the battery housing 20.

Next, when taking out the battery pack 31 from the battery housing section 20, first, the computer 1 is turned upside down, and the bottom wall 4a of the housing 4 is turned upward. Next, the second lock body 88 is displaced to the second position. Then, the operation lever 86 is moved from the front wall 4b side to the rear wall 4d against the elastic restoring force of the return spring 89.

Then, the engaging portion 41 of the battery pack 31
Of the battery pack 31 is released from the second end surface 33 on which the engaging portion 41 is provided.
According to the present embodiment, which is detached from the inside of the battery accommodating portion 20 from the end on the side b, the first
Lock body 88 that regulates and permits the movement of the operation lever 86 that slides the lock body 87 in conjunction with
Is fixed to the notch 93 of the operation lever 86 so that the housings 4 and 14 of the entire device 1 can be thinned. Further, since the lock operation surface 99 of the second lock body 88 and the operation surface 100 of the operation lever 86 are formed to be substantially flush, the size of the housings 4 and 14 can be further reduced. It becomes possible.

Further, even when the movement of the operation lever 86 is restricted by the second lock body 88, the first lock body 87 can slide along the depth direction of the housing 4 because the first lock body 87 can slide. Connect battery pack 31 to housing 4
Can be attached to and held in the pack accommodating section 20 through the opening 25. Therefore, the operability of the lock mechanism 51 and the like when mounting the battery pack 31 is further improved.

Further, even when the slide movement of the operation lever 86 is restricted, the first lock body 84 can slide, so that the engagement portion 4 of the battery pack 31 can be moved.
1 and the locking portion 94 of the lock mechanism 51 are prevented from being damaged.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the battery pack 31 is shown as a pack-shaped device. For example, a hard disk drive or a CD-ROM drive may be used as the pack-shaped device. Is also good.

[0122]

According to the present invention, a holding member movable between a lock position and an unlock position has a locking member for regulating the holding mechanism to the lock position. Is attached, it is possible to make the housing of the entire device thinner.

According to the ninth to seventeenth aspects of the present invention, the second lock body that regulates and permits the movement of the operation lever that slides together with the first lock body having the locking portion is provided. Since it is attached to the operation lever, the housing of the entire device can be made thin.

Further, even when the movement of the operation lever of the second lock body is restricted, the pack-shaped device can be attached to the pack storage portion through the opening of the housing.
Therefore, the operability of the holding mechanism is further improved, and
This prevents the protrusion of the pack-shaped device and the locking portion of the first lock body from being damaged when the pack-shaped device is attached or detached.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the portable computer of the embodiment viewed from the bottom side;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing a first connector of the battery storage unit and a second connector of the battery pack according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state in which the battery pack according to the embodiment is inserted into a battery accommodating portion;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the lock mechanism of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where the lock body of the embodiment is displaced to a first position.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the lock body of the embodiment is displaced to a second position.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary sectional view showing a state in which the battery pack of the embodiment is locked by a locking portion;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a lock mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary plan view showing the lock mechanism of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state where the second lock body of the embodiment is displaced to a first position.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state where the second lock body of the embodiment is displaced to a second position.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary sectional view showing a state where the battery pack of the embodiment is locked by the locking portion;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable computer (electronic device) 4 ... Housing 20 ... Battery accommodating part (pack accommodating part) 25 ... Opening part 31 ... Battery pack (pack-shaped apparatus) 41 ... Engaging part 43 ... Inclined surface 45 ... Guide groove 45a ... Inner peripheral surface 48 ... engagement receiving part 51 ... lock mechanism (holding mechanism) 52 ... operating body 53 ... lock member 54 ... return spring (biasing means) 61 ... operating part 64 ... operating surface 66 ... notch 71 ... locking Part 72 ... Cam surface 75 ... Hooking part 75a ... Engaging part 76 ... Lock operation surface 78 ... Protrusion (positioning means) 81 ... Guide groove 81a ... Inner peripheral surface 82 ... Engagement receiving part 86 ... Operation lever 87 ... First 1 lock body 88 ... second lock body (lock member) 89 ... return spring (biasing means) 90 ... operating section 93 ... notch section 94 ... locking section 97 ... cam surface 98 ... hook section 98a ... engagement Part 99: Lock operation Surface 100 ... operating surface 102 ... projection (positioning means)

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A pack accommodating portion formed in a housing, a pack-like device removably accommodated in the pack accommodating portion and having an engaging portion, and a pack-like device provided in the housing, A holding mechanism movable between a lock position for locking and a lock release position for releasing the engaging portion and biased to the lock position; and a first mechanism for regulating the holding mechanism to the lock position. An electronic device comprising: a lock member attached to the holding mechanism so as to be movable between a position and a second position allowing the movement of the holding mechanism. 2. The engaging portion has an inclined surface, and the holding mechanism has an engaging portion for engaging the engaging portion, and the engaging portion is connected to the inclined surface when the pack-shaped device is attached or detached. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cam surface that slides. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the inclined surface is formed along a direction intersecting a mounting / removing direction of the pack-shaped device with respect to a pack housing. 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface comes into sliding contact with the inclined surface when the operating body is displaced to the lock position. 5. The holding mechanism includes an operating body having an operating portion exposed on an outer wall of the housing and a notch formed by cutting out a part of the operating portion. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lock member has a hook portion that locks the notch portion of the operation body. 6. The operation body and the lock member each have an operation surface on which a finger is put, and the operation surface of the operation body and the operation surface of the lock member are formed substantially flush. Item 6. The electronic device according to item 5. 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising positioning means for positioning said lock member at a first position and a second position. 8. The housing has a guide groove movably supporting the operation body between a lock position and an unlock position, and the guide groove is formed to be concave from an inner peripheral surface thereof. When the operating body is displaced to the lock position, the lock member includes an engaging portion that engages with an engaging receiving section and regulates the operating body to the lock position. Claim 1.
The electronic device according to claim 7. 9. A pack accommodating portion formed inside a housing and having an opening opening to the outside of the housing, a pack-like device removably accommodated in the pack accommodating portion through the opening, An electronic device comprising: a holding mechanism configured to hold the pack-shaped device in the pack accommodating portion; wherein the pack-shaped device includes an engaging portion that protrudes outward, and the holding mechanism includes the engaging portion. A first lock body including a locking portion for locking the locking portion, the locking portion being movable between a lock position where the locking portion locks the engagement portion and a lock release position releasing the engagement portion; An operating lever including an operating portion exposed on the outer wall of the housing and slidable together with the first lock body; and urging means for urging the first lock body to the lock position; A first position for restricting movement of the operation lever; An electronic apparatus comprising the, second locking member mounted movable in a second of said operating lever movably over a position to allow the operating lever. 10. When the operation lever slides, the first lock body slides between the lock position and the lock release position in conjunction with the operation lever, and the first lock body slides. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein when the lock body slides between the lock position and the unlock position, the lock body is slidable independently of the operation lever. 11. The locking device according to claim 10, wherein the engaging portion has an inclined surface, and the locking portion has a cam surface which comes into sliding contact with the inclined surface when the pack-shaped device is attached or detached.
Electronic device as described. 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the inclined surface is formed along a direction intersecting with a mounting / removing direction of the pack-shaped device with respect to a pack accommodating portion. 13. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface comes into sliding contact with the inclined surface when the first lock body is displaced to the lock position. 14. The operating lever has a cutout portion formed by cutting out a part of the operation portion, and the second lock body is engaged with the cutout portion of the operation lever. The electronic device according to claim 9, further comprising: 15. The operation lever and the second lock body each have an operation surface on which a finger is put, and the operation surface of the operation lever and the operation surface of the second lock body are formed substantially flush. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: 16. An electronic apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising positioning means for positioning said second lock body at a first position and a second position. 17. The device according to claim 17, wherein the housing includes a guide groove for movably supporting the operation body between a lock position and an unlock position, and the guide groove is formed to be concave from an inner peripheral surface thereof. An engagement portion that includes a receiving portion, wherein when the first lock body is displaced to the lock position, the second lock body engages with an engagement receiving portion to restrict movement of the operation body. The electronic device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, further comprising: