JP6532972B2 - Portable information equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information device provided with a foldable display inside a pair of foldable housing members.

  BACKGROUND In recent years, portable information devices such as tablet PCs and smart phones, which have touch panel liquid crystal displays and do not have a physical keyboard, are rapidly spreading. The display of this type of portable information device is desirably large at the time of use, but at the same time, it is desired to be miniaturized at the time of carrying. Therefore, a portable information device has also been proposed in which not only the housing but also the display is foldable by using a flexible display such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2014-216025, A

  As a housing | casing of the above folding structures, there exists a structure which connects adjacent edge parts between a pair of housing | casing members juxtaposedly arranged side by side with a hinge mechanism, for example. However, in this configuration, when the pair of housing members are folded in half, a gap is generated between the edge portions on the hinge side of the housing members. Then, the internal elements are exposed from the gap, which causes problems in the appearance quality and durability of the product.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information device capable of securing the appearance quality and durability of a product while having a foldable configuration. I assume.

  A portable information device according to the present invention includes a first case member and a second case member that can be folded in half by connecting adjacently disposed one edges to each other by a hinge mechanism; A portable information device comprising a housing member and a display foldable in two, provided over the inner surface of the second housing member, the first housing connected by the hinge mechanism. The inner surface of one edge of the first housing member and one edge of the second housing member so as to cover the gap between the one edge of the member and the one edge of the second housing member The back cover member is provided so as to extend over the inner surface, and the back cover member is an inner surface of the first housing member and the second housing member, and a back surface of the hinge mechanism disposed on the inner surface. And at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member. And the inner surface, between the rear surface of the hinge mechanism provided on one inner surface said, characterized in that it is provided slidably.

  The hinge mechanism includes a first hinge case fixed on an inner surface of the first case member, a second hinge case fixed on an inner surface of the second case member, and the first hinge case. Body and a hinge shaft pivotally connecting between the second hinge housing, and the first hinge housing and the second hinge housing have concave portions communicating with each other on the back side thereof Alternatively, the spine member may be disposed in the concave portion.

  The back cover member is provided slidably in a direction from the second housing member toward the first housing member along the inner surface with respect to the inner surface of one edge portion of the first housing member. The inner surface of one edge of the second housing member is slidably fixed to the inner surface, and the concave portion of the first hinge housing extends over the sliding range of the spine member. The configuration may be extended.

  The first housing member and the second housing member may be configured such that the hinge mechanism is disposed at each of longitudinal end portions of one edge thereof.

  The hinge mechanism includes a first hinge case fixed on an inner surface of the first case member, a second hinge case fixed on an inner surface of the second case member, and the first hinge case. A body and a hinge shaft pivotally connecting the second hinge case, wherein the first hinge case includes an inner surface of the first case member and an inner surface of the first case member The second hinge case is held between the upstanding wall portion, and the second hinge case is held between the inner surface of the second case member and the wall portion upstanding from the inner surface of the second case member. It may be

  The hinge mechanism is disposed at each of longitudinal end portions of one edge of the first housing member and the second housing member, and the first hinge housing and the second hinge housing are The wall portion respectively forms the side wall of the portable information device, and the first hinge case and the second hinge case are fitted in the recess formed in the inner wall surface of the wall portion. It may be

  The first and second housing members are arranged such that the hinge mechanisms are disposed at both longitudinal ends of one edge of the first housing member, and the hinge mechanisms are positioned outside the outer shape of the display. A first hinge housing fixed on the inner surface of the first housing member; and a second hinge housing fixed on the inner surface of the second housing member. And a hinge shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge housing and the second hinge housing, wherein at least a portion of the display other than a bending area corresponding to the spine member is the first hinge housing. (1) The surface of the display and the hinge in the state where the first housing member and the second housing member are opened in a flat plate shape while being positioned and fixed with respect to the housing member and the second housing member In a configuration in which the center of the axis and the axis center of the axis It may be.

  A portable information device according to the present invention includes a first case member and a second case member that can be folded in half by connecting adjacently disposed one edges to each other by a hinge mechanism; A portable information device comprising a housing member and a display foldable in two folds and provided between the inner surface of the second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing The hinge mechanism is disposed at each of both longitudinal ends of one edge of the member, and each hinge mechanism is provided at a position outside the outer shape of the display, and each hinge mechanism (1) A first hinge case fixed on the inner surface of the case member, a second hinge case fixed on the inner surface of the second case member, the first hinge case and the second hinge case And a hinge shaft rotatably connected between the bodies; The display is positioned and fixed with respect to the first housing member and the second housing member, and the display is in a state where the first housing member and the second housing member are opened in a flat plate shape. And the axial center of the hinge axis are arranged on the same plane.

  Each hinge mechanism has one end rotatably connected with the first hinge housing via the first hinge shaft, and the other end with the second hinge shaft relative to the second hinge housing A first arm rotatably connected via the first arm, and one end thereof is rotatably connected to the second hinge housing via a third hinge shaft, and the other end is the first arm A second arm rotatably coupled to the hinge housing via a fourth hinge shaft, in a state where the first housing member and the second housing member are opened in a flat plate shape The surface of the display and the centers of the first hinge axis, the second hinge axis, the third hinge axis, and the fourth hinge axis may be arranged on the same plane.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to secure the appearance quality and durability of the product while having a foldable configuration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the portable information device according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed and stored. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the portable information device shown in FIG. 1 is opened for use. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the portable information device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the portable information device shown in FIG. 1 from which a back cover member is omitted. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a spine member. 6A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line VIA-VIA in FIG. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure along a VIB-VIB line in FIG. 3. 7A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along the line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure along the line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing the positional relationship between the display and the hinge mechanism. FIG. 10A is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship between the display and the hinge mechanism in a state in which the pair of housing members are opened. FIG. 10B is a side view showing a state in which the pair of housing members are closed from the state shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a side view showing a state in which the pair of housing members is further closed from the state shown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10D is a side view showing a state in which the pair of housing members are further closed from the state shown in FIG. 10C and folded in two. FIG. 11 is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship between the display and the hinge mechanism in a state in which the pair of housing members are opened in a configuration having the hinge mechanism having a three-axis structure.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the portable information device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1. Description of Overall Configuration of Portable Information Device FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the portable information device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed and stored. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the portable information device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is opened for use. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the portable information device 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable information device 10 includes a first housing member 12A and a second housing member 12B, a spine member 14, and a display 16. In this embodiment, a tablet PC that can be folded in half like a book is illustrated as the portable information device 10. The portable information device 10 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, an electronic notebook, or the like.

  Each of the housing members 12A and 12B is a rectangular plate-like member in which side walls are erected on three sides other than the side corresponding to the spine member 14. Each of the housing members 12A and 12B is made of, for example, a fiber reinforced resin plate containing a metal plate of stainless steel, magnesium, aluminum or the like or a reinforcing fiber of carbon fiber or the like. The display 16 is fixed to the inner surface side of the housing members 12A and 12B via the support plate 18 (see also FIG. 6B). The housing members 12A and 12B are connected to each other via a pair of hinge mechanisms 19 and 19 provided at both ends of the spine member 14. The hinge mechanism 19 foldably connects the housing members 12A and 12B to the storage configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the usage configuration shown in FIG. A line C indicated by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3 indicates a bending center C which is the center of the folding operation of the housing members 12A and 12B.

  In each housing member 12A, 12B, the inner end surface 12Aa, 12Ba on the spine member 14 side is on the hinge side, and the outer end surface 12Ab, 12Bb on the opposite side to the spine member 14 side is on the open end side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main substrate 20, the communication module 21, the cooling fan 22 and the like are attached and fixed to the inner surface of the first housing member 12A using screws and the like (not shown). The sub substrate 24, the antenna 25, the battery device 26 and the like are attached and fixed to the inner surface of the second housing member 12B using screws and the like (not shown). The main substrate 20 is an electronic substrate for performing overall control of the portable information device 10, and various electronic components such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory (not shown) are mounted. The communication module 21 is a device that performs information processing of various wireless communications such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transmitted and received by the antenna 25. The cooling fan 22 is a fan for cooling heat generated by a central processing unit or the like mounted on the main substrate 20. The sub substrate 24 is an electronic substrate that functions as a controller that controls the display of the display 16. The battery device 26 is a power supply of the portable information device 10, and can be charged from an external power supply via a power supply cable (not shown).

  The display 16 is, for example, a touch panel liquid crystal display. The display 16 is a structure that can be folded together when the housing members 12A and 12B are folded. The display 16 is, for example, a flexible display such as an organic EL having a highly flexible paper structure, and is opened and closed in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the housing members 12A and 12B.

  The display 16 is attached and fixed to the inner surface side of each of the housing members 12A and 12B via the support plate 18 using a screw (not shown). The back surface of the display surface (front surface) of the display 16 is adhered and fixed to the front surface of the support plate 18 using an adhesive, double-sided tape or the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the support plate 18 includes a pair of plate members 18a and 18a which are disposed on the inner surface side of the respective housing members 12A and 12B and are mutually foldably connected around the bending center C. (See FIGS. 6A and 6B). The sheet-like member 18b is fixed to the entire surface of the pair of plate members 18a and 18a, and thereby, the plate members 18a and 18a are foldably connected to each other.

  Each plate member 18a is formed of, for example, a fiber-reinforced resin plate obtained by impregnating a reinforcing plate such as a metal plate of stainless steel, magnesium, aluminum or the like or a carbon fiber with a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin. In the present embodiment, a carbon fiber reinforced resin plate made of carbon fiber reinforced resin is used. The sheet-like member 18 b is a thin film made of a flexible material such as a thin resin film or metal foil. The sheet-like member 18b is fixed over the entire surface of each plate member 18a, 18a. In the present embodiment, a metal foil made of stainless steel is used as the sheet-like member 18b. The display 16 is adhered to the surface of the sheet-like member 18b using an adhesive or the like. The sheet-like member 18 b functions as a bent portion (flexible hinge) of the support plate 18 in a portion covering the adjacent end of each plate member 18 a.

  The support plate 18 is used in a flat plate shape between the housing members 12A and 12B, and adjacent end surfaces of the pair of plate members 18a and 18a abut each other (see FIG. 6B). In the storage form in which the support plate 18 is folded in two between the housing members 12A and 12B, the adjacent end surfaces of the pair of plate members 18a and 18a are separated from each other (see FIG. 6A).

  As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the display 16 is attached and fixed to the inner surface side of the housing members 12A and 12B, the bezel member 27 is disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the surface (see also FIG. 8). The bezel member 27 is provided to cover the non-display area (inactive area) R2 of the outer peripheral edge excluding the display area (active area) R1 on the surface of the display 16.

  In this way, the portable information device 10 opens and closes the display 16 provided inside by opening and closing the pair of housing members 12A and 12B, and the storage configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the usage configuration shown in FIG. It can be deformed.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the portable information device 10, the direction from the spine member 14 toward the outer end face 12Ab, 12Bb is X direction, and the direction along the longitudinal direction of the spine member 14 is Y direction. Call and explain. Regarding the X direction, the direction from the spine member 14 toward the one outer end surface 12Ab may be referred to as the X1 direction, and the direction toward the other outer end surface 12Bb may be referred to as the X2 direction. Similarly, in the Y direction, the direction toward one side (upper side in FIG. 3) in the longitudinal direction of the spine member 14 is referred to as Y1 direction, and the direction toward the other side (lower side in FIG. 3) as the Y2 direction. There is also.

2. Description of Hinge Mechanism A configuration example of the hinge mechanism 19 connecting the housing members 12A and 12B will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the portable information device 10 shown in FIG. 1 from which the back cover member 14 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge mechanisms 19 are disposed at positions overlapping with both longitudinal end portions of the spine member 14. The hinge mechanisms 19 are provided at positions outside the outline of the display 16 and have a line symmetrical structure. The hinge mechanism 19 includes a first hinge housing 28A, a second hinge housing 28B, a first arm 30, and a second arm 31.

  The first hinge housing 28A is a thin block-shaped component formed of resin, metal or the like. The first hinge housing 28A is fixed on the inner surface of the first housing member 12A using a fixing screw 32. The second hinge housing 28B is a thin block-shaped component formed of resin, metal or the like. The second hinge housing 28B is fixed on the inner surface of the second housing member 12B using a fixing screw 32.

  The first hinge housing 28A has a concave portion 34 on the back surface side that contacts the inner surface of the first housing member 12A. The concave portion 34 has a concave shape in which the inner side surface (the side surface on the Y2 side in the upper hinge mechanism 19 in FIG. 3) of the first hinge housing 28A opens to the side surface (the side surface on the X2 side) on the bending center C side. (See also FIGS. 7A-8). The second hinge housing 28 </ b> B has a concave portion 35 on the back surface side of the inner surface of the second housing member 12 </ b> B. The concave portion 35 has a concave shape in which the inner side surface (the side surface on the Y2 side in the upper hinge mechanism 19 in FIG. 3) of the second hinge housing 28B is opened to the side surface (the side surface on the X1 side) on the bending center C side. (See also FIGS. 7A-8). The respective concave portions 34, 35 communicate with each other across the bending center C (see FIGS. 3 and 7B).

  One end of the first arm 30 is pivotably connected to the first hinge housing 28A via the first hinge shaft 36a, while the other end is second to the second hinge housing 28B. It is rotatably connected via a hinge shaft 36b (see also FIGS. 7A and 7B). The second arm 31 has one end rotatably coupled to the second hinge housing 28B via the third hinge shaft 36c, and the other end fourth to the first hinge housing 28A. It is rotatably connected via a hinge shaft 36d (see also FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  The first arm 30 and the second arm 31 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction. The second hinge shaft 36 b of the first arm 30 is located between the third hinge shaft 36 c and the fourth hinge shaft 36 d of the second arm 31. The third hinge shaft 36 c of the second arm 31 is located between the first hinge shaft 36 a and the second hinge shaft 36 b of the first arm 30. As a result, the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 are staggered in the X and Y directions.

  In each hinge mechanism 19, when the space between the housing members 12A and 12B is folded around the bending center C, the arms 30 and 31 rotate via the hinge shafts 36a to 36d (see FIG. 4). Thus, the hinge mechanism 19 is rotatably connected from the state in which the housing members 12A and 12B are folded in two to the state in which the housing members 12A and 12B are opened in a flat plate shape.

3. Description of Back Cover Member The back cover member 14 will be described. In the storage mode shown in FIG. 1, the inner end surfaces 12Aa and 12Ba between the housing members 12A and 12B are largely separated to form a gap (see also FIG. 4). Therefore, in the portable information device 10, the back cover member 14 is provided in order to prevent the elements such as the internal display 16, the main substrate 20, and the battery device 26 from being exposed by covering the gap. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the spine member 14. 6A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line VIA-VIA in FIG. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure along a VIB-VIB line in FIG. 3.

  The back cover member 14 is a member to be a back cover when the portable information device 10 is folded, and is a flexible thin plate member. The back cover member 14 is provided across the housing members 12A and 12B so as to cover from the inside while straddling the inner end surfaces 12Aa and 12Ba (see FIGS. 3, 6A and 6B).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the spine member 14 includes a sheet-like member (flexible sheet-like member) 40, a first support member 42, a second support member 43, and a plurality of reinforcing members 44 a and 44 b, 44c and 44d.

  The first support member 42 and the second support member 43 are thin plate members extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the spine member 14. The reinforcing members 44 a to 44 d are thin plate members extending in the longitudinal direction of the spine member 14, and are narrower in the X direction than the support members 42 and 43. The reinforcing members 44a to 44d are arranged between the support members 42 and 43 in the X2 direction from the first housing member 12A to the second housing member 12B. The first support member 42, the second support member 43, and the reinforcing members 44a to 44d are thin plate members made of resin, metal or the like.

  The sheet-like member 40 is a fiber-reinforced resin plate in which reinforcing fibers such as carbon fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin. The sheet-like member 40 is a thin sheet-like member of 0.3 mm or less, for example, and has flexibility and high strength. As the reinforcing fibers, various materials such as metal fibers such as stainless steel fibers and inorganic fibers such as glass fibers may be used. The sheet-like member 40 may be formed of a resin film, a metal foil or the like.

  The support members 42 and 43 and the reinforcing members 44 a to 44 d are fixed to the surface of the sheet-like member 40 using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like. Thereby, the spine member 14 can be folded along with the folding operation of the housing members 12A and 12B. In the sheet-like member 40, a portion covering between the inner end faces 12Aa and 12Ba of the housing members 12A and 12B is a bent portion 40a (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The sheet-like member 40 has a plurality of notches 40 b aligned in the Y direction at the edge on the second support member 43 side.

  The first support member 42 is provided slidably along the inner surface on the inner surface side of the first housing member 12A in the X direction extending between the housing members 12A and 12B. The first support member 42 has pressing surfaces 42a on the surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction. The pressing surface 42 a is a surface one step lower than the other surface of the first support member 42. The first support member 42 has a plurality of groove portions 42b in the X direction on the surface of the portion which is to be between the pair of pressing surfaces 42a and 42a in the longitudinal direction. The side surface 42c on the X2 side facing the reinforcing member 44a of the first support member 42 is an inclined surface that retracts in the X1 direction from the reinforcing member 44a side in the direction from the back surface side (sheet member 40 side) to the front surface side. (See FIGS. 6A and 6B).

  The first support member 42 receives a biasing force from a tension spring (elastic member) 45 along the X direction (see FIGS. 3 and 6A). The tension spring 45 always biases the spine member 14 along the X1 direction from the second housing member 12B toward the first housing member 12A.

  The second support member 43 is non-slidably attached and fixed to the inner surface of the second housing member 12B using the fixing screw 46 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The second support member 43 has pressing surfaces 43a on the surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction. The pressing surface 43 a is a surface one step lower than the other surface of the second support member 43. The second support member 43 has a plurality of groove portions 43b in the X direction on the surface of the portion that is between the pair of pressing surfaces 43a and 43a. Through holes 47 for inserting the screw portion of the fixing screw 46 are provided at appropriate positions in the longitudinal direction of the second support member 43. The fixing screw 46 is fastened and fixed to the second housing member 12B through the notch 40b of the sheet-like member 40. The side surface 43c on the X1 side facing the reinforcing member 44d of the second support member 43 is an inclined surface that retracts in the X2 direction from the reinforcing member 44d side in the direction from the back surface side (sheet member 40 side) to the front surface side. (See FIGS. 6A and 6B).

  Each reinforcing member 44a to 44d has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in which the upper and lower bases are somewhat curved. Pressing surfaces 44e, which are surfaces one step lower than the other surfaces, are respectively provided on the surfaces of both longitudinal direction end portions of the reinforcing members 44a to 44d (see FIG. 5). Each pressing surface 44e is formed at a height position substantially equal to that of the pressing surfaces 42a and 43a of the support members 42 and 43 (see FIG. 7B). The number of reinforcing members 44a to 44d can be changed as appropriate.

  Each reinforcement member 44a to 44d has a side surface 48a on the first support member 42 side (X1 side) and a side surface 48b on the second support member 43 side (X2 side) (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The two reinforcing members 44a and 44b close to the first support member 42 and the two reinforcement members 44c and 44d close to the second support member 43 mutually refer to the boundary between the central reinforcement members 44b and 44c. It has a substantially line symmetrical shape. The side surface 48a of the reinforcing member 44a is an inclined surface which recedes in the X2 direction from the first support member 42 in the direction from the back surface side (sheet-like member 40 side) to the front surface side. The side surface 48b of the reinforcing member 44d is an inclined surface which recedes in the X1 direction from the second support member 43 in the direction from the back surface side (sheet-like member 40 side) to the front surface side. The other side surfaces 48a and 48b are inclined surfaces facing in a direction substantially parallel to the opposing side surfaces 48b and 48a, or in a direction slightly away from each other.

  In the storage form shown in FIG. 6A, the respective reinforcing members 44a to 44d are in contact with the side surfaces 48a and 48b on the inner surface side of the bent portion 40a of the sheet-like member 40 folded in two, and a plurality of teeth are clearances It forms an arch shape (arc shape) that seems to be side by side. At this time, the outer side surfaces 48a and 48b of the reinforcing members 44a and 44d at both ends abut on the side surfaces 42c and 43c of the support members 42 and 43, respectively. Due to this arch shape, each of the reinforcing members 44a to 44d functions as a support for firmly supporting between the housing members 12A and 12B of the storage form in which the rigidity is lowered by separating the inner end surfaces 12Aa and 12Ba. That is, although the hinge mechanism 19 is provided at both ends in the Y direction in the storage configuration in the vicinity of the back cover member 14 between the housing members 12A and 12B, parts having no rigidity extend in the Y direction except for both ends. Exist. Therefore, in the portable information device 10, the supporting members 42 and 43 and the reinforcing members 44a to 44b form arch-shaped columns extending in the Y direction, and secure the rigidity in the thickness direction in the storage configuration.

  In such a storage mode, the inner end surfaces 12Aa and 12Ba of the housing members 12A and 12B are disposed at the most distant position. Therefore, the back cover member 14 is at the retracted position where the first support member 42 side which is the slide side is drawn closest to the inner end surface 12Aa side (X2 direction) on the inner surface of the first housing member 12A. At that time, the first support member 42 slides against the biasing force of the tension spring 45 toward the inner end surface 12Aa.

  On the other hand, in the usage form in which the space between the housing members 12A and 12B is opened like a flat plate, the reinforcing members 44a to 44d are arranged in a row along with the support members 42 and 43 on the inner surface of the housing members 12A and 12B. Ru. For this reason, the spine member 14 is in the form of a flat plate having a minimum thickness. In this mode of use, the inner end surfaces 12Aa and 12Ba of the housing members 12A and 12B are disposed at the closest position or in the contact position. For this reason, the back cover member 14 is at an advanced position where the first support member 42 side on the slide side has advanced to the outer end surface 12Ab side (X1 direction) opposite to the inner end surface 12Aa side on the inner surface of the first housing member 12A. It becomes. At this time, since the first support member 42 slides smoothly to the outer end face 12Ab by the biasing force of the tension spring 45, the spine member 14 does not lift up or get caught when sliding.

  For example, a wire 49 connecting between the main substrate 20 and the sub substrate 24 is passed through the groove portions 42b and 43b across the left and right housing members 12A and 12B. The upper openings of the grooves 42b and 43b are covered by a cover member 51 (see FIG. 6A). The lid member 51 is a thin film made of a flexible material such as a thin resin film or metal foil. The lid member 51 is provided over substantially the entire length of the spine member 14 except for both end portions in the Y direction and across the entire width in the X direction, and is adhered to the surface of the spine member 14. In the case of the present embodiment, a sheet-like member (stainless steel sheet) made of stainless steel is used for the lid member 51. For example, the end on the X2 side of the lid member 51 is fixed to the surface of the second support member 43, and the end on the X1 side is movably mounted on the surface of the first support member 42 (FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B). Therefore, the lid member 51 slides on the spine member 14 following the slide of the spine member 14 and prevents the wire 49 from coming off the grooves 42 b and 43 b. Therefore, the wiring 49 can be prevented from rising from the upper openings of the groove portions 42 b and 43 b and falling off the groove portions 42 b and 43 b. As described above, in the portable information device 10, the grooves 42b and 43b are closed by the lid member 51 made of metal foil to prevent the wire 49 from falling off. For this reason, for example, when changing from the storage form shown in FIG. 6A to the use form shown in FIG. Along with As a result, the wiring 49 can be reliably prevented from contacting the adjacent end portion (edge) or the like between the plate members 18a and 18a, and the durability and the reliability of the portable information device 10 are improved. The end on the X1 side that is the end on the slide side of the lid member 51 may be configured to extend beyond the X1 side end of the first support member 42. Thereby, the wire 49 can be protected in a wider range than the region where the wire 49 overlaps with the spine member 14.

4. Description of Relationship Between Back Cover Member and Hinge Mechanism The relationship between the back cover member 14 and the hinge mechanism 19 will be described. 7A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along the line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure along the line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the spine member 14 extends to a position covering the back side of each hinge mechanism 19, and the hinge mechanism 19 is exposed from between the inner end faces 12Aa and 12Ba of the housing members 12A and 12B. To prevent that.

  As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 8, the back cover member 14 has the pressing surfaces 42a, 43a, 44e at both ends in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of each hinge case 28A, 28B and the case member 12A. , 12B, and held between them. Specifically, the pressing surfaces 42a, 43a, 44e of the spine member 14 are inserted into the concave portions 34, 35 of the hinge housings 28A, 28B. At this time, at least the pressing surfaces 42a and 44e of the first support member 42 and the reinforcing members 44a to 44d are slidably held in the concave portion 34 of the first support member 42, and the inner surface of the first housing 12A and the concave It is guided between the top surface of the part 34. That is, the concave portion 34 on the side of the first hinge housing 28A slidably guides the spine member 14 in the X direction to prevent floating or the like at the time of sliding. The concave portion 34 has a length that can correspond to the sliding distance (sliding range) L (see FIG. 7A) of the spine member 14. Therefore, the concave portion 34 is longer in the X direction than the concave portion 35 on the second hinge housing 28B side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the hinge mechanism 19 has fitting projections 50 on the outer side surfaces of the hinge housings 28 </ b> A and 28 </ b> B. On the other hand, a fitting recess 52a is formed on the inner side surface of the wall 52 which is a side wall along the X direction which stands up from the inner surface of each case member 12A, 12B facing the fitting protrusion 50. The fitting convex portion 50 can be fitted in the fitting concave portion 52a, and at least the movement of the fitting convex portion 50 in the direction of rising from the inner surface of the housing members 12A and 12B is restricted.

  Therefore, the first hinge housing 28A is sandwiched between the inner surface of the first housing member 12A and the top surface of the fitting recess 52a of the wall 52, and the floating thereof is prevented. The second hinge housing 28B is sandwiched between the inner surface of the second housing member 12B and the top surface of the fitting recess 52a of the wall 52, and the floating thereof is prevented. That is, since the hinge casings 28A and 28B have the concave portions 34 and 35 for inserting the back cover member 14 on the back side, the fixing screw 32 can be fastened only around the concave portions 34 and 35. Therefore, there is a concern that the hinge housings 28A and 28B may be lifted when the hinge mechanism 19 is moved. Therefore, in the portable information device 10, the hinge cases 28A and 28B are fitted to the wall 52 of the case members 12A and 12B and pressed down to prevent the floating thereof. Each of the hinge casings 28A and 28B may be fitted in the fitting recess 52a without providing the fitting protrusion 50.

5. Description of positional relationship between display and hinge mechanism The positional relationship between the display 16 and the hinge mechanism 19 will be described. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing the positional relationship between the display 16 and the hinge mechanism 19. 10A to 10D are side operation diagrams schematically showing the positional relationship between the display 16 and the hinge mechanism 19 when the pair of housing members 12A and 12B is rotated from the open state to the closed state. is there. 10A to 10D omit illustration of elements such as the spine member 14 etc. in consideration of the legibility of the drawings, and also show the second arm 31 and the hinge shafts 36c and 36d by broken lines.

  First, as described above, the display 16 is attached and fixed to each of the housing members 12A and 12B via the support plate 18. Further, each hinge mechanism 19 is disposed at each end of one edge (inner end face 12Aa, 12Ba) of each housing member 12A, 12B in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) and is outside the outer shape of the display 16 It is provided in the position.

  Although the attachment structure of the display 16 is not limited, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing members 12A and 12B are positioned and fixed via the attachment piece 18c of the support plate 18. The mounting pieces 18c are provided at appropriate positions on the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 18, and are projecting pieces that protrude outward from the outer peripheral edge of the plate member 18a. The mounting piece 18c is formed with a through hole for screwing at the center. The support plate 18 (display 16) is fastened and fixed to the housing members 12A and 12B by fastening the fixing screws 54 to the housing members 12A and 12B through the through holes.

  The display 16 is folded in half. For this reason, the support plate 18 (display 16) is not provided with the attachment piece 18c at a position corresponding to the bending portion 40a of the spine member 14. That is, in the display 16, the bending region R3 (see FIGS. 3 and 6A) corresponding to the spine member 14 is not fixed to the housing members 12A and 12B, but is positioned and fixed at other parts. . For example, a boss-shaped female screw or the like may be provided on the lower surface of the plate member 18a instead of the attachment piece 18c.

  As described above, in the portable information device 10, the display 16 is folded in half in a state where the display 16 is positioned and fixed to the housing members 12A and 12B. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the display 16 and the hinge shafts 36a to 36d of the hinge mechanism 19, the load on the bending region R3 of the display 16 may increase during the opening and closing operation, and the display 16 may not be smoothly bent. There is.

  Therefore, in the portable information device 10, as shown in FIG. 10A, the surface 16a of the display 16 and the hinge shaft are used in a state where the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B are opened flatly (use configuration). The axial centers A1 to A4 of 36a to 36d are arranged on the same plane. In other words, the axial centers A1 to A4 are disposed on an imaginary plane that coincides with the surface 16a of the flat-plate-like display 16. Thus, when the folding operation is performed between the housing members 12A and 12B from the usage form shown in FIG. 10A, the arms 30 and 31 are pivoted by the hinge shafts 36a to 36d as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C. The space between the body members 12A and 12B is gradually folded, and the display 16 is also folded. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10D, the housing members 12A and 12B are folded in half, and the display 16 is also folded in half in a circular arc of a predetermined curvature in design.

  The configuration in which the axis centers A1 to A4 of the hinge shafts 36a to 36d coincide with the surface 16a of the display 16 can be applied to a hinge mechanism having a triaxial structure or a structure having five or more axes, for example. For example, in the hinge mechanism 56 shown in FIG. 11, the first arm 30 is connected to the first hinge shaft 36a and the fifth hinge shaft 36e, and the second arm 31 is connected to the fourth hinge shaft 36d and the fifth hinge shaft 36e. Configuration. That is, the hinge mechanism 56 has a three-axis structure in which the fifth hinge shaft 36 e is shared by the arms 30 and 31. Also in the hinge mechanism 56, arranging the axis centers A1, A4 and A5 of the hinge shafts 36a, 36d and 36e on the same plane as the surface 16a of the display 16 enables smooth bending operation of the display 16. Become.

6. As described above, in the portable information device 10 according to the present embodiment, the adjacently disposed one edge portions (edge portions on the inner end surface 12Aa, 12Ba side) are connected by the hinge mechanism 19. The first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B which can be folded in two, and the inner surfaces of the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B are provided by being connected, And a foldable display 16. The portable information device 10 has a first housing so as to cover a gap between an edge of the first housing member 12A connected by the hinge mechanism 19 and an edge of the second housing member 12B. It has a back cover member 14 provided between the inner surface of one edge of the member 12A and the inner surface of one edge of the second housing member 12B. The back cover member 14 is held between the inner surfaces of the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B and the back surface of the hinge mechanism 19 disposed on the inner surfaces, and also the first housing member 12A and It is slidably provided between the inner surface of at least one of the second housing members 12B and the rear surface of the hinge mechanism 19 disposed on the one inner surface.

  Therefore, even if the back cover member 14 is in a state in which the space between the two housing members 12A and 12B is folded in half, the elements such as the main substrate 20 and the like from the gap between the housing members 12A and 12B At the same time, the hinge mechanism 19 can be prevented from being exposed, and the appearance quality and durability of the product can be ensured. Moreover, the back cover member 14 is provided slidably between the inner surface of at least one of the housing members 12A and 12B and the back surface of the hinge mechanism 19. Accordingly, the spine member 14 slides smoothly without rising or the like following the opening / closing operation of the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B. Therefore, when the space between the two housing members 12A and 12B is opened in a flat plate shape and the gap between them is reduced, the back cover member 14 is prevented from rising or shifting in the housing members 12A and 12B. it can.

  The hinge mechanism 19 includes a first hinge housing 28A fixed on the inner surface of the first housing member 12A, a second hinge housing 28B fixed on the inner surface of the second housing member 12B, and a first hinge. Housings 28A and hinge shafts 36a to 36d rotatably connecting between the second hinge housing 28B are provided, and the first hinge housing 28A and the second hinge housing 28B communicate with each other on the back surface side The back cover member 14 is disposed in the concave portions 34 and 35, respectively. As a result, the spine member 14 is securely held slidably by the concave portions 34 and 35 provided on the back surface side of the hinge casings 28A and 28B, and the floating, positional deviation, and the like can be further reliably prevented.

  The first hinge housing 28A is sandwiched between the inner surface of the first housing member 12A and the wall 52 upstanding from the inner surface of the first housing member 12A, and the second hinge housing 28B is a second housing. It is pinched | interposed between the inner surface of the body member 12B, and the wall part 52 which stood up from the inner surface of the 2nd housing member 12B. As described above, each hinge housing 28A, 28B has a recess 34, 35 for holding the spine member 14. Therefore, the fixing screw 32 can only be fastened at a position avoiding the concave portions 34, 35. Therefore, in the portable information device 10, the hinge casings 28A and 28B are engaged with the wall portion 52 of the casing members 12A and 12B and pressed to prevent the floating and the rattling at the time of operation.

  A hinge mechanism 19 is disposed at each of both longitudinal ends of one edge of the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B. The wall portions 52 of the first hinge case 28A and the second hinge case 28B respectively form the side walls of the portable information device 10, and the first hinge case 28A and the second hinge case 28B are formed. Is fitted in a fitting recess 52 a formed in the inner wall surface of the wall 52. Thereby, hinge housings 28A and 28B can be fixed more firmly.

  In the portable information device 10, the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B have the hinge mechanisms 19 disposed at both longitudinal end portions of one edge thereof, and each hinge mechanism 19 is a display It is provided in the position which becomes the outside of 16 external shapes. Each hinge mechanism 19 includes a first hinge housing 28A fixed on the inner surface of the first housing member 12A, a second hinge housing 28B fixed on the inner surface of the second housing member 12B, and Hinge shafts 36a to 36d rotatably connect between the hinge housing 28A and the second hinge housing 28B. The display 16 is positioned and fixed with respect to at least the first housing member 12A and the second housing member 12B at least a portion other than the bending region R3 corresponding to the spine member 14, and the first housing member 12A And the second housing member 12B in a flat plate shape, the surface 16a of the display 16 and the axial centers A1 to A4 of the hinge shafts 36a to 36d are arranged on the same plane.

  Therefore, in the operation of folding the flatly opened casing members 12A and 12B in two, the display 16 is smoothly folded in two in accordance with the pivoting movement of the hinge mechanism 19 regardless of the circumferential length difference. . As a result, when the housing members 12A and 12B are opened and closed, an excessive load is applied to the display 16, and it is possible to prevent the floating and the occurrence of a problem. That is, for example, in the configuration example shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the surface 16a of the display 16 in the state shown in FIG. 10A is in the bending operation where the central portion between the central hinge shafts 36b and 36c is shown in FIGS. It is folded without moving. Thus, the display 16 can perform a smooth bending operation along the bending locus at the time of its design.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  One edge side of the spine member 14 may be held slidably with respect to the second housing member 12B, and the other edge side may be fixed to the first housing member 12A. In addition, the spine member 14 may be held slidably with respect to each of the housing members 12A and 12B.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable information device 12A 1st housing member 12B 2nd housing member 14 back cover member 16 display 16a surface 18 Support plate 19, 56 hinge mechanism 28A 1st hinge housing 28B 2nd hinge housing 30 1st arm 31 Second arm 34, 35 recessed portion 36a first hinge shaft 36b second hinge shaft 36c third hinge shaft 36d fourth hinge shaft 36e fifth hinge shaft 40 sheet-like member 42 first support member 42a, 43a, 44e pressing surface 43 Second support member 44a to 44d Reinforcement member 50 Fitted convex portion 52 Wall 52a Fitted recessed portion A1 to A5 Axis center

Claims (1)

The first housing member and the second housing member that can be folded in two, the first housing member, and the second housing member can be folded in half by connecting the adjacently disposed one edges with each other by the hinge mechanism. A portable information device comprising a display foldable in half between the inner surfaces of the
The first and second housing members are arranged such that the hinge mechanisms are disposed at both longitudinal ends of one edge of the first housing member, and the hinge mechanisms are positioned outside the outer shape of the display. Provided,
Each hinge mechanism includes a first hinge housing fixed on the inner surface of the first housing member, a second hinge housing fixed on the inner surface of the second housing member, and the first hinge housing. A hinge shaft rotatably coupled between the body and the second hinge housing,
The display is positioned and fixed with respect to the first housing member and the second housing member,
In a state where the second housing member and the first housing member opening in a flat plate shape, and the surface of the display and the axial center of the hinge shaft is shall be arranged on the same plane,
Each hinge mechanism has one end rotatably connected with the first hinge housing via the first hinge shaft, and the other end with the second hinge shaft relative to the second hinge housing A first arm rotatably coupled via the
One end is pivotally connected to the second hinge housing via a third hinge shaft, and the other end is pivoted to the first hinge housing via a fourth hinge shaft And a second arm which can be connected
With the first housing member and the second housing member opened in a flat plate shape, the surface of the display, the first hinge shaft, the second hinge shaft, the third hinge shaft, and the fourth hinge portable information equipment and the axial center of the shaft, characterized in Rukoto disposed on the same plane.

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