KR100294261B1 - Portable computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable computer is provided to have a hinge assembly for enabling two display panels to be folded at a main body, specially to offer a display panel for only a user when generally used, and to enable other person to input or output data at an opposite side via a simple connection to the display panel for only the user when the other person has to check the input data. CONSTITUTION: The system comprises a main body(30), a main display panel(80), a sub display panel(90), and a connector(100). The main body(30) mounts a keyboard, a floppy disk drive, and other devices. The main display panel(80), e.g. a plasma display or an LCD, has a hinge assembly attached to a side of the main body(30), and is foldable down on top of the main body(30). The sub display panel(90) faces opposite to the main display panel(80), is detachably coupled to a back side of the main display panel(80) and electrically connected to the main body(30) via the main display panel(80). The connector(100) includes one end to be electrically connected to the main display panel(80), and the other end to be electrically connected to the sub display panel(90). The sub display panel(90) includes a touch screen for enabling to easily input data with a pen. A switch(38) powers on or off the sub display panel(90) when the sub display panel(90) is folded on the back side of the main display panel(80).

Description

Portable computer. (a portable computer)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly, to a portable computer in which a main body portion and a display panel portion are hinged to each other so that the display panel portion is folded.

Portable computers, including portable computers such as laptop computers, notebook computers, and palmtop computers, are becoming more versatile in place of desktop computers.

In order to use such a portable computer efficiently, it is possible by providing various convenient functions without affecting the functions as a portable device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a general portable computer 10 includes a main body 12 provided with a keyboard and a floppy disk drive, and a flat display 16 such as a plasma display and a liquid crystal display (LCD). Is composed of a display panel unit 14. In this case, the display panel 14 is coupled to the main body 12 in a hinged structure and is folded in the main body 12.

However, a portable computer equipped with a conventional flat panel display has a limited viewing angle due to technical problems. Therefore, it is very inconvenient for several people to process data on a portable computer and view the results. In particular, such a problem is very inconvenient for a user who mainly consults, such as a doctor or a salesperson. This is because, when it is necessary to show the contents of the input to the counselor, the user has to turn the system to the counselor, and when there are many input contents, it is very cumbersome for the user to input the counselor individually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to use a portable computer capable of inputting and outputting data in both directions, that is, using a display screen only for a user when using it in general, and inputting information from a counterpart. The present invention provides a new type of portable computer that can input data in the opposite direction of the display screen that a user sees through a simple connection and immediately view the output information.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a display panel portion is opened from a main body portion in a conventional portable computer;

2 is a side view showing a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention in use;

3 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector portion used to electrically connect the main display panel portion and the sub display panel portion;

5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a western display panel unit is coupled through a connector unit to a main display panel unit coupled to a main body unit;

6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main display panel portion and a sub display panel portion are covered with a main body portion, and a cover portion provided for convenient use of the sub display panel portion is coupled to the main body portion;

7 is an exploded plan view illustrating a structure of a cover unit coupled to a main body unit;

8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover portion is positioned on a bottom surface to support a sub display panel portion;

9 is a perspective view of a portable computer showing a state in which a cover part is covered with a main display panel part and a sub display panel part coupled;

10 is a perspective view of a portable computer showing a state in which a sub display panel portion is separated from a main display panel portion and a cover portion is covered with a main display panel portion.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

20: portable computer 30: main body

36: pedestal 38: switch

80: main display panel portion 84: locking device

86,94: Panel groove 90: Sub display panel unit

96 panel terminal 100 connector

102: first connector 102 ': second connector

106: positioning projection 108,124: pin hole

110: connector terminal 112: connector pin

114: cable 116: plate

118: control surface 120: mating surface

122: positioning groove 130: cover part

132: first cover 134: second cover

136: third cover 138: fourth cover

140: fifth cover 142: sixth cover

144: cover pin 146: cover protrusion

150: first setting groove 152: first setting protrusion

154: cover hole 156: second setting groove

158: second setting projection 160: input pen

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, a portable computer includes a main body; A main display panel unit which is hinged at one surface of the main body and folded on an upper surface of the main body in a direction in which the display is installed; A sub display panel unit detachably coupled to a rear surface of the main display panel unit such that a display faces a direction opposite to the display of the main display panel unit and electrically connected to the main body unit through the main display panel unit; The connector may be formed in a hinge structure, one end of which is electrically connected to the main display panel, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the sub display panel, such that the sub display panel is hinged with the main display panel.

In the present invention as described above is located in the rear portion of the main display panel portion is coupled to the main body portion in a hinge structure, formed in a predetermined length when the sub display panel portion is coupled to the main display panel portion or the main display panel portion The cover unit may cover a portion of the main and sub display panel units, and may support the sub display panel unit to maintain a predetermined height and angle when the sub display panel unit is used. The cover part includes a first cover hinged to the main body part; A second cover hinged to the first cover and coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel portion when the cover portion is covered on a rear surface of the sub display panel portion in a state in which the sub display panel portion is coupled to the main display panel portion; Wow; A third cover hinged to the second cover and coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel portion when the cover portion is covered on a rear surface of the sub display panel portion in a state in which the sub display panel portion is coupled to the main display panel portion; ; A fourth cover hinged to the third cover and coupled to an upper surface of the sub display panel unit when the cover unit is covered on a rear surface of the sub display panel unit while the sub display panel unit is coupled to the main display panel unit; ; A fifth cover hinged to the fourth cover and coupled to an upper surface of the main display panel when the cover is covered by the main display panel; And a sixth cover hinged to the fifth cover and coupled to an upper portion of the front surface of the main display panel when the cover is covered by the main display panel. When the fifth cover is rotated in the opposite direction to cover the display panel is formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing the display panel at the interface between the fourth cover and the fifth cover so as not to rotate more than 90 degrees And a first setting groove and a first setting protrusion coupled to each other. The sixth cover is formed on a surface opposite to the surface facing the display panel at the interface between the fifth cover and the sixth cover so that the sixth cover is not rotated by more than 180 degrees when rotated in the opposite direction covered by the display panel And a second setting groove and a second setting protrusion coupled to each other. And a switch which cuts off power supplied to the sub display panel unit when the sub display panel unit is folded on the rear surface of the main display panel unit.

On the other hand, the portable computer according to the present invention includes a plate formed with an adjustment surface so that the connector portion is symmetrical to each other at both ends of the coupling surface having a predetermined width and length; A first connector having one end hinged to an inner surface of the adjustment surface and pivoted at a predetermined angle, the first connector being coupled to a rear surface of the main display panel through a connector terminal installed at the other end; And a second connector hinged to an inner surface of the adjustment surface so as to be rotated at a predetermined angle to face the first connector and coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel through a connector terminal provided at the other end. Connector terminals of the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected by a cable through a hinge portion of the first connector and the second connector. A plurality of positioning grooves which are symmetrical with respect to both inner surfaces of the adjustment surface and formed at predetermined distances from a rotation center of the first and second connectors at a predetermined distance; It includes a plurality of positioning projections formed to be coupled to the positioning groove on both sides of the first and second connectors.

The present invention requires two display panel units each including a display screen to output information in both directions. In addition, there is a need for a hinged connector to connect the two display panel parts facing each other in the opposite direction, and to adjust and maintain the inner angles of the two display panel parts. At this time, the connector should be able to implement the same screen by connecting two display panel units and at the same time implement the interior of the two display panel units from 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

In addition, when the cabinet of the display panel is installed to realize the interactive display screen, the design of the cabinet may be maintained while supporting the display panel unit added by the height of the main body unit. To this end, a cover that covers the back of the display panel unit may be used as a stand when using the added display panel unit, and used as a display protective cover when the added display panel unit is not used.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10, and like reference numerals denote like elements for performing the same function.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable computer 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a flat type such as a main body 30 including a keyboard and a floppy disk drive, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display, and the like. A display is installed, and is hinged at one surface of the main body portion 30, and consists of a main display panel portion 80 that is folded on the upper surface of the main body portion 30 in the direction in which the display is installed. In addition, the portable computer 20 is detachably coupled to the rear of the main display panel unit 80 so that the display faces the direction opposite to the display of the main display panel unit 80, and the main display panel unit A hinge structure and a sub display panel unit 90 electrically connected to the main body unit 30 through an end portion 80, and one end thereof is electrically connected to the main display panel unit 80. The connector 90 includes a connector 100 electrically connected to the sub display panel 90 so that the other end 90 is hinged with the main display panel 80.

In this case, the sub display panel unit 90 is configured to include a touch screen capable of pen input so that a person using the sub display panel unit 90 on the opposite side of the input user can use the input pen 160 to input data. Make it easy to type. In addition, when the sub display panel unit 90 is folded to the rear surface of the main display panel unit 80, a switch 38 is provided to cut off the power supplied to the sub display panel unit 90.

Meanwhile, the main display panel unit 80 or the main display panel unit 80 is located at the rear of the main display panel unit 80 and is coupled to the main body unit 30 by a hinge structure, and has a predetermined length. When the sub display panel unit 90 is combined, the main and sub display panel units 80 and 90 are partially covered, and when the sub display panel unit 90 is used, the sub display panel unit 90 ) Is installed to support the cover 130 to maintain a predetermined height and angle. The cover 130 may be used as a support when the sub display panel unit 90 is used, and when the sub display panel unit 90 overlaps with the main display panel unit 80, the sub display is moved. It is possible to protect the display of the panel unit 90 from external impact.

3 is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit configuration of the portable computer 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the portable computer 20 performs a control operation of the system and a system bus 40 to which various signals and data are transmitted for performing data calculation and program execution, and controlling the system. The CPU module 42 and the microcomputer 52 for controlling the video, the video module 50 for controlling the main and sub display panel units 80 and 90 in which contents input and output to the system are displayed, and various ports 62, 64, 66), floppy disk drive 60, I / O controller 56 for controlling keyboard 24, etc., IDE controller for controlling hard disk drive 70, CD-ROM drive 72, etc. 54, the PCMCIA controller 48, the SRAM 58 and the ROM 44 used as the internal storage device, the RAM 46, the adapter 80 and the battery 82 for supplying power. It comprises a switching mode power supply (78) or the like. In addition, a switch 38 is connected between the sub display panel unit 90 and the video module 50 to supply power to the sub display panel unit 90 when the sub display panel unit 90 is not used. To block. In addition, the sub display panel unit 90 is connected to the microcomputer 52 so that the data input by the input pen 160 is processed.

4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector portion used to electrically connect the main display panel portion and the sub display panel portion.

Referring to FIG. 4, the connector part 100 has a plate 116 and an inner surface of the control surface 118 having the control surface 118 formed so as to be symmetrical with each other at both ends of the coupling surface 120 having a predetermined width and length. One end is hinged to the first connector is rotated at a predetermined angle, the first connector 102 is coupled to the back of the main display panel unit 80 through the connector terminal 110 installed on the other end, and the first connector 102 A second connector 102 'which is hinged to an inner surface of the control surface 118 so as to be rotated at a predetermined angle so as to be opposed to the second surface and coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90 through a connector terminal provided at the other end thereof. It consists of. In this case, the hinge coupling of the plate 116 and the first and second connectors 102 and 102 ′ may include a pinhole 124 and the first and second connectors 102 and 102 formed in the adjusting surface 118 of the plate 116. The pinholes 108 and 108 'formed at') may be aligned, and the connector pins 112 may be coupled to each other.

Meanwhile, the connector terminals of the first connector 102 and the second connector 102 'are electrically connected by a cable 114 through the hinge portion of the first connector 102 and the second connector 102'. . In addition, a plurality of positioning grooves 122 and the first symmetrical surfaces of the first and second connectors 102 and 102 ′ which are symmetrical to each other on both inner surfaces of the adjusting surface 118 are formed at a predetermined distance from a rotational distance of the first and second connectors 102 and 102 ′. And a plurality of positioning protrusions 106 to be coupled to the positioning grooves 122 on both sides of the second connectors 102 and 102 '. By the positioning groove 122 and the positioning protrusion 106, the first and second connectors 102 and 102 'are adjusted at a predetermined angle during rotation.

5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a western display panel unit is coupled through a connector unit to a main display panel unit coupled to a main body unit;

Referring to FIG. 5, the main display panel unit 80 is hinged to the rear surface of the main body unit 30. In addition, when the main display panel 80 is covered on the top of the main body 30 on the front surface of the main display panel 80, the main display panel 80 to the main body 30 A locking device 84 for fixing is installed, and a panel groove 86 is formed on the rear surface of the main display panel unit 80 so that the first connector 102 of the connector unit 100 is coupled thereto. In this case, the panel groove 86 is provided with a panel terminal electrically connected to the circuit of the main display panel unit 80.

Meanwhile, a panel groove 96 is formed on a rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90 so that the second connector 102 ′ of the connector unit 100 is coupled to the panel groove 96. The panel terminal 96 which is electrically connected with the connector terminal of the connector 102 'is provided.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main display panel portion and a sub display panel portion are covered with a main body portion, and a cover portion provided for convenient use of the sub display panel portion is coupled to the main body portion.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sub display panel unit 90 is coupled to the main display panel unit 80 by the connector unit 100, and is covered on the rear surface of the main display panel unit 80. The main display panel 80 is covered by the main body 30 as it is. When the user wishes to move or store the portable computer 20 in such a state, the cover 130 coupled to the rear surface of the main body 30 may be covered from the rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90.

At this time, the cover portion 130 has a configuration as shown in FIG. In this case, the cover unit 130 is composed of a plurality of covers. This is because it is necessary to adjust the length of the cover part in accordance with the combination of the sub display panel part.

That is, the cover part 130 is hinged to the first cover 132 and the first cover 132 and the first cover 132 is hinged to the main body portion 30, and subsequently hinged to each other And a third cover 136, a fourth cover 138, a fifth cover 140, and a sixth cover 142 which are rotated at a predetermined angle. And, the hinge coupling of each cover is made of a cover pin 144 is coupled to the hinge portion formed on both sides. In this case, the fifth cover 140 is a cover for covering the upper surface of the main display panel unit 80, and the sixth cover 142 is a cover for covering the upper front portion of the main display panel unit 80. . Accordingly, cover holes 154 are formed at the interface between the fifth and sixth covers 140 and 142 for the locking device 84 installed on the top of the portable computer.

On the other hand, the main body 30 is formed with a pedestal 36 protruding a predetermined length so as to be located at the rear of the main display panel unit 80. In addition, the first cover 132 is formed to have a predetermined thickness, and the cover 130 is placed on the pedestal 36 when the cover 130 is covered on the back of the display panel. Such a configuration is provided when the switch 38 is installed on the rear surface of the main body portion 30 on which the pedestal 36 is formed, and the first cover 132 is placed on the pedestal 36. By operating the to cut off the power supplied to the sub display panel unit 90. In addition, the first cover 132 supports the sub display panel unit 90 when the sub display panel unit 90 is covered by the main display panel unit 80.

7 and 8, since the cover portion 13 needs to serve as a support when the sub display panel portion 90 is used, the cover portion 90 should be stably positioned on the bottom surface. do. Therefore, in the present invention, when the cover portion 130 is unfolded for use as the support of the sub display panel portion 90, a combination structure of the protrusion and the groove is used so that the portion to which the load is applied is set stably.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cover part 130 is unfolded on the bottom surface to support the sub display panel part 90, the fifth cover 140 is the fourth cover 138. Folded from, the fifth and sixth covers 140 and 142 have a structure serving as legs. Accordingly, the display panel at the interface between the fourth cover 138 and the fifth cover 140 so that the fifth cover 140 does not rotate more than 90 degrees when the fifth cover 140 is rotated in the opposite direction to cover the display panel. The first setting groove 150 and the first setting protrusion 152 which are coupled to each other on the surface opposite to the surface facing to each other are formed. The display panel is disposed at the interface between the fifth cover 140 and the sixth cover 142 so that the sixth cover 142 is not rotated by more than 180 degrees when the sixth cover 142 is rotated in the opposite direction covered by the display panel. The second setting grooves 156 and the second setting protrusions 158 which are coupled to each other on the surface opposite to the surface facing to each other are formed. By configuring the grooves and the projections as described above, the cover 130 is stably supported when a load is applied to the cover 130. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the second setting grooves 156 and the second formed on the boundary surfaces of the fifth and sixth covers 140 and 142 also at the interface between the second cover 134 and the third cover 136. It can be configured in the same form as the setting projection 158 to be more stably supported.

Meanwhile, a cover protrusion 146 is formed on an upper surface of the third cover 136 to set a position when the sub display panel unit 90 is opened at a predetermined angle.

9 is a perspective view of a portable computer illustrating a state in which a cover part is covered while a main display panel part and a sub display panel part are coupled to each other.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the cover unit 130 is covered while the sub display panel unit 90 is coupled to the rear surface of the main display panel unit 80, the second and third covers of the cover unit 130 are covered. 134 and 136 are coupled to the rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90. The fourth and fifth covers 138 and 140 are coupled to upper surfaces of the sub and main display panel units 90 and 80, respectively. In addition, the sixth cover 142 is coupled to an upper end of the front surface of the main display panel unit 80.

10 is a perspective view of a portable computer showing a state in which a sub display panel portion is separated from a main display panel portion and a cover portion is covered with a main display panel portion.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the sub display panel unit 90 is separated from the main display panel unit 80 and the cover unit 130 is covered, the first cover 132 of the pedestal 36 Since the second cover 134 is designed to match the width of the sub display panel unit 90, the second cover 134 is mounted on the upper surface of the first cover 132. In addition, the third and fourth covers 136 and 138 are coupled to a rear surface of the main display panel unit 80, and the fifth cover 140 is coupled to an upper surface of the main display panel unit 80. The sixth cover 142 is coupled to an upper end of the front surface of the main display panel unit 80.

By applying the present invention as described above, data can be viewed or inputted in both directions, and thus convenience of use can be pursued. In other words, since several people process data on one portable computer and use the two screens to view the result, inconvenience of one screen is reduced. In particular, such a portable computer can be used immediately by a user such as a doctor or a salesperson, and the contents thereof can be immediately shown to a counselor.

Claims (9)

A main body portion 30; A main display panel unit 80 hinged at one surface of the main body unit 30 and folded at an upper surface of the main body unit 30 in a direction in which the display is installed; The display unit is detachably coupled to the rear surface of the main display panel unit 80 so that the display faces the direction opposite to the display of the main display panel unit 80, and through the main display panel unit 80, the main body unit ( A sub display panel unit 90 electrically connected to the base panel 30; Is formed in a hinge structure, one end is electrically connected to the main display panel unit 80, the other end of the sub display panel unit so that the sub display panel unit 90 is hinged with the main display panel unit 80 A portable computer comprising a connector portion (100) electrically connected to (90). The method of claim 1, Located at the rear of the main display panel unit 80 and coupled to the main body unit 30 in a hinge structure, and formed in a predetermined length to the main display panel unit 80 or the main display panel unit 80 When the sub display panel unit 90 is combined, the main and sub display panel units 80 and 90 cover a part of the surface, and when the sub display panel unit 90 is used, the sub display panel unit 90 A portable computer comprising a cover portion (130) for supporting to maintain a predetermined height and angle. The method of claim 2, The cover portion 130 includes a first cover 132 hinged to the main body portion 30; The cover unit 130 is hinged to the first cover 132 and the sub display panel unit 90 is coupled to the main display panel unit 80 and the sub display panel unit 90. A second cover 134 coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90 when covered on a rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90; The cover 130 is hinged to the second cover 134 and the sub display panel unit 90 is coupled to the main display panel unit 80. A third cover 136 coupled to a rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90 when covered on the rear surface; The cover 130 is hinged to the third cover 136 and the sub display panel unit 90 is coupled to the main display panel unit 80. A fourth cover 138 coupled to an upper surface of the sub display panel unit 90 when covered on a rear surface thereof; A fifth cover 140 hinged to the fourth cover 138 and coupled to an upper surface of the main display panel unit 80 when the cover unit 130 is covered by the main display panel unit 80. And; The sixth cover 142 which is hinged to the fifth cover 140 and coupled to an upper portion of the front surface of the main display panel unit 80 when the cover unit 130 is covered by the main display panel unit 80. Portable computer, including). The method of claim 3, wherein When the fifth cover 140 is rotated in the opposite direction covered by the display panel, the fifth cover 140 faces the display panel at an interface between the fourth cover 138 and the fifth cover 140 so as not to be rotated by more than 90 degrees. A portable computer comprising a first setting groove (150) and a first setting protrusion (152) each formed on a surface opposite to the surface and coupled to each other. The method of claim 3, wherein When the sixth cover 142 is rotated in the opposite direction covered by the display panel, the sixth cover 142 faces the display panel at an interface between the fifth cover 140 and the sixth cover 142 so that the sixth cover 142 is not rotated by more than 180 degrees. A portable computer comprising a second setting groove (156) and a second setting protrusion (158) each formed on a surface opposite to the surface and coupled to each other. The method of claim 1, And a switch (38) for interrupting power supplied to the sub display panel unit (90) when the sub display panel unit (90) is folded to the rear surface of the main display panel unit (80). The method of claim 1, The connector unit 100 includes a plate 116 having an adjustment surface 118 formed at both ends of the coupling surface 120 having a predetermined width and length to be symmetrical with each other; A first connector 102 hinged to an inner surface of the adjustment surface 118 and rotated at a predetermined angle, and coupled to a rear surface of the main display panel unit 80 through a connector terminal 110 installed at the other end; ; One end is hinged to the inner surface of the control surface 118 so as to be rotated at a predetermined angle to face the first connector 102, and is coupled to the rear surface of the sub display panel unit 90 through a connector terminal installed at the other end A portable computer comprising a second connector (102 '). The method of claim 7, wherein And the connector terminals of the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected by a cable through a hinge portion of the first connector and the second connector. The method of claim 7, wherein A plurality of positioning grooves 122 symmetrical with respect to both inner surfaces of the adjusting surface 118 and formed at a predetermined distance from a rotation center of the first and second connectors 102 and 102 'at a predetermined distance; A portable computer comprising a plurality of positioning protrusions (106) formed to engage the positioning grooves (122) on both sides of the first and second connectors (102, 102 ').

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