WO2003075545A1

WO2003075545A1 - Foldable-type portable communicator

Info

Publication number: WO2003075545A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/002078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Orio Yoshii; Makoto Tamaru; Yasuhiko Ota; Hiroyuki Sato
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-03-07
Filing date: 2003-02-25
Publication date: 2003-09-12
Also published as: JP2003264617A; AU2003211703A1

Abstract

A display panel is prevented from being flawed by the contact of the display panel with the top faces of operation keys. A foldable-type portable communicator comprises a first casing (1) equipped with a display section, a second casing (6) equipped with an operating section, and a hinge section (11) for foldably opening/closing the first casing (1) and the second casing (6). Projections (10) projecting higher than the operating section are provided on the open/close end opposite to the hinge section (11) and between the hinge section and this open/close end.

Description

Specification

The present invention relates to a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone having a configuration in which a display unit and an operation unit are folded so as to face each other.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there is a great demand for a large-sized display unit in a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone. When mounting a large display unit in a so-called straight type, in which the display unit and key operation unit are housed in one housing, the display unit and the operation unit are arranged side by side, which increases the size of the device body. There is a problem that usability deteriorates. For this reason, a method has been adopted in which the housing is foldable, and one is divided for a display unit and the other is divided for an operation unit such as a key switch.

In such a foldable mobile phone, since the display unit and the operation unit face each other in a folded state, interference between the display unit and the operation unit when the housing is closed becomes a problem. In order to solve this problem, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-292209, a stopper is provided on the opening / closing side opposite to the hinge part on the housing provided with the operation unit. A configuration in which a projection is provided and a receiving member made of a soft material is provided at a position corresponding to the projection on the housing provided with the display unit, so that when the housing is closed, the display unit does not abut on the operation unit. I am doing it.

According to the above configuration, when the housing is closed after using the mobile phone, the protrusion serving as a stopper abuts the receiving member at the open / close end of the display-side housing and the operating-unit-side housing. The contact between the display unit and the operation unit when the is closed can be avoided. However, there is no means to avoid interference at the center of each of the display unit side housing and the operation unit side housing. When this occurs, there is a problem in that the top surface of the keys of the operation unit abuts the display panel, and the display panel is scratched. Furthermore, even when the case is closed, if the mobile phone is placed in a breast pocket on a crowded train or the like, a static load is applied to the case, and the center of the case on the display side curves, There is a problem that the top surface of the keys of the operation unit touches the display panel, and the display panel is scratched.

As a countermeasure, the height of the protrusion serving as a stopper may be increased so that the top panel of the display panel does not contact the top surface of the key of the operation unit, but the thickness when the housing is closed increases, There is a problem that a gap between the housing on the display unit side and the housing on the operation unit side becomes large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problem, and is a foldable portable phone that can prevent a panel of a display unit from being damaged by contact between a panel of the display unit and a top surface of a key of an operation unit. A communication device is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a foldable portable communication device according to claim 1 includes a first housing having a display unit, a second housing having an operation unit, the first housing and the first housing. A folding type portable communication device comprising a hinge for opening and closing the second housing in a freely foldable manner, wherein a projection protruding higher than a height of the operation unit is provided on an opening / closing end opposite to the hinge, According to the above configuration, the display provided when the housing is closed by the projection provided at the closed end opposite to the hinge. Abutting between the hinge and the open / close end. Even when radius deformation occurs, it is possible to avoid contact between the display unit and the operation unit. Because, it is possible to display part and the operation part is scratched panel of the display unit in contact to prevent and Tsukuko.

The foldable portable communication device according to claim 2 is the foldable portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least a projection provided between the hinge portion and the open / close end is provided on the second housing. It is characterized by having been provided.

According to the above configuration, by providing the projection provided at least between the hinge part and the open / close end on the second housing, the visibility of the display unit provided in the first housing is not impaired. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 3 is the foldable portable communication device according to claim 1. In the band communication device, the protrusion is provided integrally with an elastic sheet that supports the operation unit inside the second housing, and is exposed through a surface of the second housing. Things.

According to the above configuration, by using the elastic sheet supporting the operation unit and providing the projection integrally with the elastic sheet, the projection itself has elasticity to absorb the impact force when the housing is closed. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a member for receiving the projection, and the configuration can be simplified.

The foldable portable communication device according to claim 4, wherein the foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the foldable portable communication device is provided between the hinge portion and the closed end. The height of the projections provided is lower than the height of the projections provided at the opening / closing end.

According to the above configuration, in the normal opening / closing operation, the projection provided at the closed end prevents the display unit and the operation unit from contacting each other. The contact between the display unit and the operation unit can be avoided by the projection provided between the display unit and the operation unit in two stages.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the foldable portable communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. ,

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a first housing, 2 denotes a display unit, 2 denotes an LCD panel, 3 denotes a receiver, 4 denotes an antenna, 5 denotes a stopper, 6 denotes a second housing, and 6 denotes a hole. , 7 is a keypad, 8 is a function key, 9 is a microphone, 10 is a protrusion, 101 is a protrusion provided at the closed end, 102 is a protrusion provided at an intermediate position, 1 is a hinge, 1 2 is a numeric keypad, 1 3 is a function key, 1 4 is a key top, 1 5 is a key base, 16 is a diaphragm switch, 1 7 Denotes a printed wiring board, 18 denotes a protrusion, 181 denotes a protrusion provided at the open / close end, and 182 denotes a protrusion provided at an intermediate position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the device is folded.

In FIG. 1, a first housing 1 on the display side of a foldable mobile communication device such as a mobile phone is provided with a display unit 2 comprising an LCD panel 21, a receiver 3, an antenna 4, and a stopper receiver 5. The second housing 6 on the side of the unit is provided with a numeric keypad 7, a function key 8, a microphone 9, and a projection 10, and the first housing 1 and the second housing 6 are connected by a hinge 11 so as to be freely opened and closed. I have. The protrusion 10 is composed of a protrusion 102 provided at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 6 (between the hinge portion and the open / close end) and a protrusion 102 provided at the closed end. Is provided.

In FIG. 2, since the height of the projection 10 is set to be larger than the distance between the top surface of the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 8 and the LCD panel 21, the projection 1 is closed when the housing is closed. 0 1 contacts the stopper 5, and the projection 102 contacts the display 2. The stopper stopper 5 has a buffering function for receiving the contact of the protrusion 101, and is made of a soft material such as rubber. The protrusion 102 is in direct contact with the display unit 2 without going through the stopper receiver. This is because if the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 is provided with a stopper, the display becomes difficult to see. However, since the position where the protrusion 102 abuts is located outside the actual display surface of the LCD panel 21, even if the protrusion 102 is damaged due to the abutment, the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 8 can be used. There are fewer practical problems compared to when the abutment causes damage.

Next, the opening and closing operations of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, when the first housing 1 in the open state is closed, the projection 101 provided on the opening / closing end farther from the hinge 11 abuts on the stopper receiver 5, and the top of the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 8 To prevent the surface from touching the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2. at the same time, The protrusion provided at the intermediate position 102 abuts the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 and prevents the top surface of the numeric keypad 7 and the function keys 8 from abutting the LCD panel 21 of the display unit _2c intermediate position If there is no projection provided on the first housing 1, the impact of closing the first housing 1 will cause the middle part to bend, and the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 will have the numeric keys 7 and the function keys 8 of the second housing 6 The contents displayed on the display unit 2 are difficult to read because the surface is scratched by contact.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts as those in FIG.

A resin key top 14 of operation keys such as a numeric keypad 12 and a function key 13 is provided on a key base 15 made of a soft material such as rubber. Below the key base 15, a diaphragm switch 16 is provided on the printed circuit board 1 、, and when the key base 15 is pressed via the key top 14, the key base 15 is The radius, diaphragm switch 16 is pushed down and the switch is turned on. Further, a projection 18 that is higher than the height of the key top 14 is provided integrally with the key base 15. The projection 18 penetrates through the hole 61 provided in the second housing 6 and protrudes from the surface of the housing. When the second housing 6 is closed, the projection 18 comes into contact with the first housing 1 and operates the operation key. Prevent the top surface from touching the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2.

Since the projection 18 is provided integrally with the key base 15 made of a soft material, it is not necessary to newly provide a stopper receiver having a buffering action, so that the projection 18 has a simple configuration, and the display section 2 of the first housing 1 has a simple structure. Even when directly touching the LCD panel 21, the projection itself is made of a soft material, so that the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 is not damaged.

Next, the opening and closing operation of the foldable portable communication device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 3, when the first housing 1 in the open state is closed, the projection 18 1 provided on the open / close end farther from the hinge 11 1 abuts the LCD panel 21 of the first housing 1, and The key 7 and the top surface of the function key 8 are prevented from contacting the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2. At the same time, the projection 18 provided at the intermediate position contacts the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 to prevent the numeric keys 7 and the function keys 8 from contacting the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2. . With the above configuration, even when the first housing 1 is vigorously closed, the central portion of the first housing 1 is radiused, and the top surfaces of the numeric keys 7 and the function keys 8 are in contact with the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2. There is no. Moreover, since the projections 18 2 provided at the intermediate position are made of a soft material integral with the key base 15, the LCD panel 21 of the display section 2 is not damaged.

Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a projection 101 provided on the opening / closing end farther from the hinge 11 is provided on the stopper 5 in order to keep a space between the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 8 and the display unit 2 so as not to come into contact with each other. Closed in contact. The stopper receiver 5 serves as a buffer for receiving the abutment of the projection 10 and is made of a soft material such as rubber. The projection 102 at the intermediate position is in direct contact with the display unit 2. This is because if the stop 5 is provided on the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2, the display becomes difficult to see. However, since the position where the protrusion 102 abuts on the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 is located outside the actual display surface of the LCD panel 21, it is assumed that the protrusion 102 is damaged due to the contact of the protrusion 102. However, there is less practical problem compared to the case where the ten keys 7 and the function keys 8 are damaged by contact.

The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the height of the protrusion 102 provided at the intermediate position. That is, the height of the protrusion 102 is lower than the height of the protrusion 101 at the opening / closing end remote from the hinge 11 and higher than the height of the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 8. Therefore, even when the first housing 1 is closed, the projection 102 provided at the intermediate position does not normally come into contact with the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2.

Next, the opening and closing operation of the foldable portable communication device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 4, when the first housing 1 in the open state is closed, the projection 101 provided on the opening / closing end farther from the hinge 11 abuts against the stopper receiver 5 provided on the first housing 1 and Prevents the top of keys 7 and function keys 8 from touching the LCD panel 21 of the display 2. At this time, since the height of the projection 102 at the intermediate position is set lower than the projection 101, the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 is not abutted and the LCD panel 21 is damaged. Never. However, when the housing is vigorously closed, if the center of the first housing 1 is radiused, the protrusion 102 provided at the intermediate position contacts the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 and the numeric keypad. Prevent the top surface of 7 koto from touching the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2. In addition, even if the first housing 1 is closed and the first housing 1 is radiused due to static load applied to a mobile phone placed in a breast pocket by a crowded train or the like, The provided protrusion 102 abuts the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2 to prevent the top surface of the operation unit such as the numeric keypad 7 from abutting the LCD panel 21 of the display unit 2.

In addition, the protrusion 10 provided integrally with the second housing 6 is provided integrally with the keypad 15 similarly to the second embodiment, and penetrates the hole provided in the second housing 6. It may be configured to protrude from the housing surface.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projection is provided at the intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the housing, so that the housing is radiused, and the top surface of the operation key is in contact with the LCD panel of the display unit, thereby causing damage. It can be prevented from attaching. In addition, since the projection is provided integrally with the key base, there is no need to separately provide a stopper receiver for receiving the projection. Although the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-61966 filed on March 7, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first housing including a display unit, a second housing including an operation unit, and the first housing and the second housing being freely foldable. In the folding portable communication device having a hinge portion that opens and closes, a protrusion protruding higher than a height of the operation portion is provided between the hinge portion and the open / close end opposite to the hinge portion. It is provided.

Therefore, in the present invention, the housing is provided by the projection provided on the open / close end opposite to the hinge portion. The contact between the display unit and the operation unit when closed can be avoided, and the projection provided between the hinge unit and the open / close end allows the housing to be closed vigorously or to be added to the housing. Even when the casing is deformed radially due to the target load, it is possible to avoid the contact between the display unit and the operation unit, so that the display unit and the operation unit come into contact and the panel of the display unit is damaged. Can be prevented.

Further, in the present invention, a projection provided at least between the hinge portion and the opening / closing end is provided on the second housing.

Therefore, there is an effect that the visibility of the display unit provided in the first housing is not impaired.

In the present invention, the protrusion is provided integrally with an elastic sheet that supports the operation unit inside the second housing, and is exposed through the surface of the second housing.

Therefore, by using the elastic sheet supporting the operation unit and providing the projection integrally with the elastic sheet, the projection itself can be made to have a positive characteristic to absorb the impact force when the housing is closed. Thus, there is an effect that it is not necessary to separately provide a member for receiving the projection, and a simple configuration can be obtained.

Further, in the present invention, the height of the projection provided between the hinge portion and the opening / closing end is made lower than the height of the projection provided at the opening / closing end.

Therefore, in the normal opening / closing operation, the projection provided at the opening / closing end prevents the display unit and the operation unit from contacting each other, and when the housing is deformed radially, it is provided between the hinge portion and the opening / closing end. Since the contact between the display unit and the operation unit is avoided by the protrusions, there is an effect that the contact between the display unit and the operation unit can be reliably avoided in two stages.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A foldable type including a first housing including a display unit, a second housing including an operation unit, and a hinge unit configured to freely open and close the first housing and the second housing. In mobile communication devices,

A foldable portable communication device, wherein a projection protruding higher than the height of the operation unit is provided on an open / close end opposite to the hinge unit and between the hinge unit and the open / close end.

2. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein a projection provided at least between the hinge portion and the opening / closing end is provided on the second housing.

3. The projection according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided integrally with an elastic sheet that supports the operation unit inside the second housing, and is exposed through a surface of the second housing. A foldable portable communication device as described.

4. The projection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a height of a projection provided between the hinge portion and the opening / closing end is lower than a height of a projection provided at the opening / closing end. 2. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 1.