WO2012086034A1

WO2012086034A1 - Display unit structure in housing for electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012086034A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/073201
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和彦永井
Original assignee: 磐田電工株式会社
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2010-12-22
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: JP3184761U

Abstract

The present invention is a display unit structure in a housing for an electronic apparatus in which a plurality of light-transmitting holes which transmit light from a light-emitting body within the housing to outside the housing comprising metal plates are disposed so that a high degree of waterproof quality is acquired without interfering with the transmission of light. To this end, the present invention is a display unit structure in which a plurality of light-transmitting holes (6) which transmit light from the light-emitting body (8) to outside the housing are disposed in order to display various types of information upon the exterior of the housing, wherein the light-transmitting holes (6) are formed from: a first hole portion (6a) drilled upon the surface of a metal plate which is to be an inner surface side of the housing; and a multitude of second hole portions(6b) which are in communication with the first hole portion (6a) upon the surface of the metal plate which is to be the exterior surface side of the housing, are drilled with a fine hole diameter within the aperture of the first hole portion (6a), and are sealed with filler material (9) having permeability with respect to light.

Description

Display unit structure in electronic equipment casing

The present invention relates to a display unit structure of a casing made of a metal plate constituting an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a portable audio device, and in particular, displays various information on the outer surface of the casing by transmitting light from the casing. The present invention relates to a display unit structure.

In recent years, electronic devices (portable terminal devices) such as mobile phones and portable audio devices tend to be configured using a casing made of a metal plate. This is superior to plastics in terms of seeking high-quality products such as aesthetics and design properties that are obtained from the unique luster of the metal, ensuring product strength (durability), and housing. This is because the degree of integration of semiconductor elements mounted in the body is increased, and it is more advantageous than plastics for manufacturing products that are becoming smaller and thinner.

In the case of a mobile phone, a main display unit such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying various information such as a telephone number of the other party at the time of outgoing call, a telephone directory, outgoing / incoming call history, etc. Is provided with a sub-display unit for displaying various information such as time and destination. For example, in the case of a foldable mobile phone in which two cases, that is, a display unit side case and an operation unit side case are connected so as to be foldable and openable, the display unit side case and the operation unit side case are closed. In the folded state, a sub display unit smaller than the main display unit is provided on the outer surface (front surface) of the display unit side body so that various information from the time, date, and other party can be confirmed. It is often provided.

Therefore, a housing made of a metal plate that is not transparent to light is used, and a plurality of light beams transmitted from a plurality of light emitters arranged at predetermined positions in the housing are transmitted outside the housing. A through-hole is provided so that each light from the light-emitting body that selectively emits light according to the display contents such as time, date, and various information from the called party, etc. is transmitted to the outside of the housing so that the light can be visually recognized. A portable terminal device configured to be able to do this is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, a through hole for transmitting light from a light emitter in a housing to the outside of the housing is visible to the human eye on the surface of the metal plate on the outer surface side of the housing. On the other hand, the surface of the metal plate on the back surface side (inner surface side) of the casing is communicated with the fine outer surface hole with a hole diameter (opening diameter) different from that of the fine outer surface hole. The back surface hole to be formed has a hole structure formed by drilling from each surface side.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-98693 (see paragraph numbers 0013, 0015, 0019 and FIGS. 4 to 6)

However, the through-hole that transmits light from the light emitter in the conventional case to the outside of the case is in an open state where no measures are taken to prevent water, dust, etc. from entering the case. Therefore, there is a problem in waterproofness. For example, when a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone gets wet with water or is accidentally dropped into water, water enters the case through a through-hole that is open inside and outside, and electric circuits such as circuit boards in the case There is a problem that causes failure in the system.

In addition, since the through hole is open inside and outside, the light from the light emitter in the housing does not stay on the outer surface (display surface) of the housing that displays various types of information and passes from the through hole to the outside of the housing. Since it passes completely, there are problems such as lack of clarity in displaying various types of information and making it difficult to see various types of information displayed on the outer surface of the housing.

The present invention was created with the object of solving such problems. That is, a display unit structure of a housing for an electronic device in which a plurality of light transmitting holes (through holes) that transmit light from a light emitter in a housing made of a metal plate to the outside of the housing are disposed, It is an object of the present invention to provide high waterproofness without interfering with transmission, and to display various information clearly.

In order to solve the above problems, the display unit structure in the electronic device casing according to the present invention includes at least the following configurations.
A plurality of light transmitting holes for transmitting selective light from a plurality of light emitters arranged in a casing made of a metal plate to the outside of the casing and displaying information on the outer surface of the casing are arranged. A display unit structure in an electronic device casing,
The translucent hole includes a first hole formed in a surface of the metal plate which is an inner surface side of the housing, and a first hole formed in the surface of the metal plate which is an outer surface side of the housing. A plurality of second holes formed with a fine hole diameter in the opening of the first hole, and is filled with the light-transmitting filler. It is characterized by being.

Here, it is preferable that the filler is an epoxy resin excellent in permeability filled in both the first hole portion and the second hole portion of the light transmitting hole. As the epoxy resin (EP), for example, it is more preferable to select an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the surface of the metal plate on the outer surface side of the housing is provided with a coating film that covers the display portion including the light transmitting hole group. The coating film is applied on the surface of the metal plate on the outer surface side of the housing as an undercoat layer, a colored layer applied on the adhesive layer, and applied on the colored layer. It is formed in a desired film thickness from three layers with a clear layer.

According to the display unit structure in the electronic device casing made of the metal plate of the present invention, the light transmitting hole that transmits light from the light emitter in the casing to the outside of the casing and displays various information on the outer surface of the casing. Is blocked by a filler having transparency (transparency), so that water, dust, and the like can be prevented from entering the housing through the light transmitting holes.
In addition, the filler is an epoxy resin having excellent transparency that does not reduce the luminous intensity (display function) of light from the light emitter, so that the contrast between the light transmitting hole and the portion where the light transmitting hole is not opened is provided. Various information can be displayed visually.
As a result, the water of an electric system such as a circuit board on which the light emitter is mounted is reduced without reducing the light intensity (display function) of the light from the light emitter for clearly displaying various information on the outer surface of the housing. Water resistance can be added to prevent malfunctions caused by dust and dirt. That is, the waterproofness required for recent electronic devices (mobile terminal devices) such as mobile phones can be obtained.

Further, according to the display unit structure of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, when filling the light-transmitting hole with the filler, the housing protrudes from the outer surface of the housing to the outside or does not stop in the middle of the hole. By setting the filling conditions so that the light-transmitting holes are filled with the outer surface of the body, it is difficult to understand the presence of each light-transmitting hole (it is difficult to see). That is, by filling the filling material flush with each other, the translucent holes (many first holes) and the outer surface of the display unit side body are integrated (a sense of unity), and there is an opening of the translucent holes. It becomes difficult to understand. As a result, a clean appearance can be obtained.

In addition, according to the display unit structure of the present invention, the many light transmitting holes formed in the display unit are covered with a coating film for coloring applied to the outer surface of the housing in addition to the waterproof action by the filler. Therefore, higher waterproofness can be imparted to the display unit. That is, it is possible to provide the display unit with a waterproof structure in which waterproofness required for an electronic device (mobile terminal device) such as a mobile phone is further enhanced by a synergistic action between the filler and the coating film.

It is a perspective view which shows the mobile phone which consists of a metal housing | casing to which the display part structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention was applied as an example. It is sectional drawing which shows the hole structure of the translucent hole in the display part structure. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment which changed the hole structure of the translucent hole in the display part structure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing, as an example, a mobile phone made of a metal casing to which a display unit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a hole structure of light transmitting holes in the display portion structure.
Examples of the electronic device include a mobile phone, a portable audio device, and other portable terminal devices. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone will be described as an example.

≪Description of mobile phone≫
The mobile phone A is configured to be foldable from two housings. In other words, the display unit side body 1 and the operation unit side body 2 are connected to a uniaxial or biaxial hinge unit 3 so that they can be folded and opened.

≪Description of display unit side case and operation unit side case≫
Although the detailed structure of the display unit side body 1 and the operation unit side body 2 is omitted, for example, a series of press working (punching) using a metal plate such as a SUS plate, an Al plate, a Ti plate, etc. , A metal case a formed by bending) and a main body case (not shown) formed by using a synthetic resin material or other materials are overlapped and joined to each other.

Then, in a state where the display unit side body 1 and the operation unit side body 2 are closed (folded), on the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1 which is inside, the phone number of the other party at the time of outgoing call, the phone book, A main display unit 5 such as a liquid crystal display device that displays various information such as outgoing / incoming histories is provided. As shown in FIG. A sub-display unit 4 is provided for visually displaying various information such as time, date, incoming call partner, etc. to which the part structure is applied. On the other hand, an operation unit (not shown) on which various operation keys and the like are arranged is provided on the inner surface side of the operation unit side body 2 that is inside when closed.

The sub display unit 4 displays various information by arranging a plurality of light transmitting holes 6 having a hole structure (hole shape) shown in FIG. 2 in the metal case a of the display unit side body 1 in a matrix shape. It is provided on the outer surface (front surface) of the display unit side body 1 with a size (size) necessary for this.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 (two-dot chain line) and FIG. 2, the display unit side housing corresponds to the plurality of light transmitting holes 6 formed in a matrix in the display unit side housing 1. Similarly, light emitted selectively from a plurality of light emitters 8, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted and arranged in a matrix on the circuit board 7 in the body 1 is transmitted from the corresponding light transmitting holes 6 to the display unit. It is provided so as to be transmitted through the outer surface of the side housing 1 (outside the housing).

≪Description of translucent hole≫
The translucent hole 6 is a first hole 6 a formed in the surface of the metal case (metal plate) a that is the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1, and the outer surface side of the display unit side body 1. A number of second holes communicating with the first hole 6a on the surface of the metal case (metal plate) a and having a fine hole diameter in the opening (inside the hole diameter) of the first hole 6a. Part (micropore) 6b.

The first hole 6a is formed on the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1 with a desired hole diameter and depth by a half-etching process or the like from the surface side of the metal case a that is the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1. Drilled.
For example, when a metal plate having a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, particularly a 0.3 mm metal plate is used, the first hole 6a has a hole diameter (opening diameter) of 1.4 mm and a depth of It is perforated by half etching from the surface side of the metal case a which becomes the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1 at 0.15 mm.

The second hole 6b extends from the bottom of the first hole 6a to the surface of the metal case a on the outer surface side (front surface side) of the display unit side body 1 from the surface side. A hole is formed on the outer surface side of the display unit side body 1 with a fine hole diameter by laser processing or the like toward the hole 6a.
For example, it is drilled by laser processing toward the first hole 6a from the surface side of the metal case a that is the outer surface side of the display unit side body 1 with a hole diameter (opening diameter) of about 30 μm.
That is, when a metal plate having a plate thickness of 0.3 mm is used and communicated with the first hole 6 a having a depth of 0.15 mm, the second hole 6 b has a hole diameter of about 30 μm and a depth (first The inner and outer penetration length (from the hole bottom of one hole 6a to the outer surface of the metal case a) is 0.15 mm which is substantially the same as the depth 0.15 mm of the first hole 6a. It is drilled toward the first hole 6a from the surface side of the metal case a on the outer surface side.

A large number of second hole portions 6b are formed in the opening (inside the hole diameter) of the first hole portion 6a. For example, when the hole diameter φ of the first hole 6a is 1.4 mm and the hole diameter of the second hole 6b is 30 μm, the second hole 6b is 39 in the opening of the first hole 6a. Individually drilled.
Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitter 8 is dispersed from the first hole 6a into each of the 39 second holes 6b in the opening of the first hole 6a, and the display unit side body 1 is dispersed. It will be permeate | transmitted to the outer surface (outside of a housing | casing).

Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the second hole 6b is formed on the outer surface side of the display unit side body 1 with respect to the hole diameter φ1 on the communication side (light entrance side) with the first hole 6a. It is formed in a truncated cone shape in a substantially reverse direction in a sectional view in which the hole diameter φ2 on the light exit side is large.
Thus, the hole penetration form of the 2nd hole 6b is formed in the truncated cone shape in the substantially reverse direction in the cross sectional view from the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1 to the outer surface side. Light from the light emitter 8 that selectively emits light in dot units of the holes 6 is diffused and transmitted to the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 (outside the case). That is, when light enters the second hole 6b from the first hole 6a, the light is condensed, and when light exits from the second hole 6b to the outer surface of the display unit side body 1, it is diffused and transmitted. Become.
Thereby, an atmosphere in which the luminous intensity (display function) in the light transmitting hole 6 in dot units is increased is obtained on the outer surface (front surface) of the display unit side body 1, and the light transmitting hole 6 and the light transmitting hole 6 are obtained. It is possible to expect effects such as easy viewing of various information displayed by contrast with a portion where no opening is made.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sub display unit 4 is formed on the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 by being drilled in the metal case a of the display unit side body 1 with the hole structure (hole shape) described in detail above. Each light transmitting hole 6 is closed by a filler 9.

≪Description of filling material≫
Here, description will be made with reference to FIG. 2 as appropriate.
The filler 9 has, for example, excellent transparency (transparency) capable of transmitting the light to the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 without reducing the luminous intensity (display function) of the light from the light emitter 8. ) Epoxy resin.
In the present embodiment, an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin is selected as the epoxy resin, and the filler 9 made of the ultraviolet curable resin is connected to the first holes 6a shown in FIG. By filling both the part 6b and the surface from the surface side of the metal case a that is the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1, the light transmitting holes 6 that form the sub display unit 4 are closed.

In this embodiment, when filling each light transmitting hole 6 with the filler 9 made of an ultraviolet curable resin, in order to fill the outer surface (front surface) of the display unit side body 1 with the following filling, Depending on conditions.
Filling conditions a. Filling device: Dispenser manufactured by Sanei Tech b. Resin viscosity: 0.1 to 1.3 Pa · s

According to the mobile phone A including the sub display unit 4 composed of the plurality of light transmitting holes 6 closed by the filling material 9 filled under such filling conditions, the mobile phone A is wet or accidentally dropped into the water. In such a case, it is possible to provide waterproofing to prevent water or the like from entering the display unit side body 1 from each light transmitting hole 6 of the sub display unit 4.
And the filler 9 which gives waterproofness to each translucent hole 6 of the sub display part 4 protrudes outside from the outer surface (surface) of the display part side housing | casing 1, or dents inside the outer surface. Filling each light transmitting hole 6 flush with the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 without causing a filling defect makes it difficult to understand (invisible) the presence of each light transmitting hole 6. That is, by filling the filling material 9 flush with each other, the translucent holes 6 (many first holes 6b) and the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 are integrated (a sense of unity), and the translucent holes are obtained. It becomes difficult to understand the existence of 6 openings. Thereby, it can be set as the simple external appearance which the display part side housing | casing 1 cleaned.

Further, the productivity is improved by selecting an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin as the filler 9 that closes each light transmitting hole 6. That is, the ultraviolet curable resin has a characteristic that the resin is cured in only a few seconds in response to the light energy of the ultraviolet rays, so that time for drying is not required and the product can be produced efficiently.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the coating film 10 is further provided in the surface of the metal case a used as the outer surface side of the display part side housing | casing 1 so that the sub display part 4 which consists of several translucent hole 6 group may be covered. .

≪Description of coating film≫
Here, description will be made with reference to FIG. 2 as appropriate.
The coating film 10 has a role of imparting a design property or a high-class feeling as a product to the outer surface of the display unit side body 1, and waterproofing of the light transmitting holes 6 of the sub display unit 4 in cooperation with the filler 9. It plays a role to promote sex.
As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the coating film 10 includes an adhesive layer 10a directly applied as an underlayer on the outer surface of the display unit side body 1, and a colored layer 10b applied on the adhesive layer 10a. And a clear layer 10c applied on the colored layer 10b. The coating film 10 is formed on the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 with a film thickness of 30 to 50 μm by a baking coating method or other coating methods.
Although it does not specifically limit as the colored layer 10b, For example, various colors, such as black, red, silver, blue, yellow, are mentioned.

[Description of operation]
Next, the mobile phone A including the sub display unit 4 to which the display unit structure configured as described above is applied will be briefly described.
Each light transmitting hole 6 of the sub display unit 4 on which various information such as time, date, and the other party is displayed by light transmission is closed by a filler 9 having light transmission properties. The filler 9 is an epoxy resin that does not lower the light intensity (display function) of the light from the light emitter 8.
Accordingly, various kinds of information visually displayed on the sub display unit 4 due to the contrast between the light transmitting hole 6 and the portion where the light transmitting hole 6 is not opened, for example, the luminous intensity of the light transmitted through the light transmitting hole 6. Due to the weakness of the display, it is possible to obtain a waterproof property that prevents water or the like from entering the display unit side body 1 from the light transmitting hole 6 of the sub display unit 4 without deteriorating the display function such as the display content being difficult to understand. It is done.

Further, an epoxy resin is used as the filler 9 that closes the light transmitting hole 6, and an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin is selected as the epoxy resin, so that a large number of first holes 6 a of the light transmitting hole 6 can be obtained. The resin filled in the second hole 6b is cured in just a few seconds in response to the light energy of ultraviolet rays, so that a product can be produced efficiently.

When the light emitter 8 mounted and arranged on the circuit board 7 in the display unit side body 1 is opposed to the perforated arrangement of the light transmitting holes 6, the presence of the sub display unit 4 is not known. That is, the second hole 6b extending from the first hole 6a on the inner surface of the display unit side body 1 to the outer surface of the display unit side case 1 is, for example, a very small minute hole having a hole diameter of about 30 μm. Further, since the light-emitting body 8 is not emitting light because it is covered with the coating film 10 having the colored layer 10b, the light-transmitting hole 6 group of the sub-display unit 4 is difficult to understand from the user of the mobile phone A or the like ( It is difficult to see.
As a result, the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 is provided with the sub display unit 4 including a plurality of light transmitting holes 6 for visually displaying various information by transmission of light from the light emitter 8. Nevertheless, when the light emitter 8 is not emitting light, it is possible to provide a clean and simple appearance that the sub display unit 4 is difficult to understand. Further, the appearance of the display unit side body 1 provided with the sub display unit 4 is obtained from the color in addition to the fact that the existence of the plurality of translucent holes 6 perforated in a matrix is difficult to understand. It is possible to bring out a high-class feeling through a sense of unity by the decorations that are made, and a dramatic improvement in aesthetics and design.

On the other hand, when the light emitter 8 emits light, the light is transmitted from the first hole 6a of the light transmitting hole 6 through the many second holes 6b to the outer surface of the display unit side body 1. In other words, various information such as time, date, destination, etc. are clearly displayed on the sub display unit 4 of the display unit side body 1 by the display action obtained by the filler 9 made of epoxy resin. Since it is displayed on the screen, various information is very easy to see.

Further, the sub display unit 4 composed of the collective arrangement of the plurality of light transmitting holes 6 is covered with a coating film 10 provided on the outer surface of the display unit side body 1. Thereby, the waterproof action of each light transmitting hole 6 of the sub display unit 4 is further enhanced by the synergistic action of the filler 9 and the coating film 10. In other words, not only to the extent that the mobile phone A is wetted with water in each light transmitting hole 6 of the sub display portion 4, but also when the mobile phone A is accidentally dropped into water with a certain depth of water, the display side High waterproofness that can reliably prevent water from entering the housing 1 is obtained.

[Description of Other Embodiments]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment in which the hole structure of the light transmitting hole in the display unit structure is changed.
In this embodiment, the hole penetration form of the 2nd hole 6b of the translucent hole 6 is changed. Since the other components are basically the same as those in the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and redundant description is omitted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the second hole 6b is formed on the outer surface side of the display unit side body 1 (light transmission side) rather than the hole diameter φ1 on the communication side (light entrance side) with the first hole 6a. It is formed in a substantially frustoconical shape in cross-sectional view with a small diameter of the hole diameter φ2 on the outlet side.
In this case, the second hole 6b is the outer surface of the display unit side body 1 from the surface side of the metal case a (the bottom side of the first hole 6a) which is the inner surface side of the display unit side body 1. It is drilled by laser processing toward the surface of the metal case a which is the side.

As mentioned above, although the specific example of embodiment of this invention was demonstrated in detail, the said detailed embodiment is only an illustration and does not limit a claim. The technical matters described in the scope of claims include any design changes made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, only one side of the first hole portion 6a and the second hole portion 6b forming the light transmitting hole 6 can be closed with the filler 9, so that waterproofness can be obtained.

Moreover, the depth of the 1st hole 6a and the 2nd hole 6b can be changed. For example, the depth can be changed, such as making the second hole 6b side deeper than the first hole 6a side. That is, it can be arbitrarily changed within an allowable range in which there is no possibility of causing a decrease in strength (rigidity) of the housing due to the number of holes perforated or the depth.

Also, the sub display unit 4 can be used as an illumination display unit by selectively blinking the light emission of the light emitter 8. That is, the sub-display is provided by arranging the light emitters 8 disposed in the display unit side body 1 so as to face the respective drilling positions of the light transmitting holes 6 of the sub display unit 4 so as to have an illumination function. The unit 4 can be used as an illumination display unit.

The present invention includes a plurality of light transmitting holes (through holes) that pass from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the housing at positions facing a plurality of light emitters in the housing made of a metal plate. Electronic devices (portable terminal devices) such as mobile phones and portable audio devices having a display structure that visually displays characters, pictures, and the like by light emitted from a light emitter by contrast with a portion where no opening is formed It can be used effectively for imparting waterproofness to the water.

A Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
a Metal case (metal plate)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part side housing | casing 2 Operation part side housing | casing 3 Hinge unit 4 Sub display part (display part)
6 translucent hole 6a first hole 6b second hole 8 illuminant 9 filler 10 coating film

Claims

An electronic device comprising a plurality of light transmitting holes for transmitting selective light from a plurality of light emitters arranged in a casing made of a metal plate to the outside of the casing and displaying information on the outer surface of the casing. A display unit structure in a device casing,
The translucent hole includes a first hole formed in a surface of the metal plate that is an inner surface side of the housing;
A number of second hole portions that communicate with the first hole portion on the surface of the metal plate on the outer surface side of the housing and are formed with a fine hole diameter within the opening of the first hole portion. And formed from
And the display part structure in the housing | casing for electronic devices characterized by being plugged with the said filler which has the light transmittance.
The said filler is epoxy resin excellent in the transmittance | permeability with which both the said 1st hole part and said 2nd hole part of the said translucent hole are filled. Structure of a display unit in an electronic device casing.
The filling material is filled in the translucent hole with filling conditions set so as to be flush with the surface of the metal plate on the outer surface side of the housing. The display part structure in the housing | casing for electronic devices of description.
2. The electronic device housing according to claim 1, further comprising a coating film that covers the surface of the metal plate that is an outer surface side of the housing including the display unit that includes the light transmitting hole group. Display structure in the body.