Fixed structures and electronic equipment

The fixing structure with a light-shielding member and elastic member seals gaps between light-blocking and light-transmitting members, addressing light leakage and enhancing waterproofing and dustproofing in electronic devices.

JP7765196B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-06SHARP KK
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021076765
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-04-28
Publication Date
2025-11-06
Estimated Expiration
2041-04-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively block horizontal light from entering through gaps between light-blocking and light-transmitting members in electronic devices, necessitating additional components like light-shielding tape and printed layers to address waterproofing and dustproofing issues.

Method used

A fixing structure that includes a light-shielding member surrounded by a light-transmitting member, with an elastic member pressing the light-shielding member towards the light-transmitting member to seal the gap and block light, eliminating the need for additional sealing components.

Benefits of technology

Effectively blocks horizontal light from entering through gaps between light-blocking and light-transmitting members, enhancing waterproofing and dustproofing while improving design freedom and reducing manufacturing costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007765196000001
    Figure 0007765196000001
  • Figure 0007765196000002
    Figure 0007765196000002
  • Figure 0007765196000003
    Figure 0007765196000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To block horizontal light from a gap between a light-transmitting member and a light-blocking member that protect an imaging electronic component.SOLUTION: A fixing structure (5) for fixing a light shielding member (43) that surrounds a light emitting portion (41) and shields light in a housing of an electronic device includes a light transmitting member (11) that is in contact with the light shielding member (43), protects the light emitting portion (41), and transmits light, and an elastic member (14) disposed on the opposite side of the light shielding member (43) to the light transmitting member (11) and pressing the light shielding member (43) toward the light transmitting member (11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an add-on part made of a light-blocking material that is attached around the flash of a photographing device equipped with a camera and a flash. This prevents light from the flash from passing through the add-on case and reflecting on the camera lens, which could adversely affect the captured image, when the photographing device is covered with an add-on case made of a light-transmitting material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-230427 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a through hole is formed in the retrofit case, and when the photographing device is covered by the retrofit case, the camera and flash of the photographing device are exposed through the through hole.

[0005] Therefore, to provide waterproof and dustproof functionality to the camera and flash, it is necessary to install a component made of a light-transmitting material separate from the retrofit case over the through-hole in the retrofit case. In this case, light leaks through the gap between the component and the retrofit case, so light-shielding tape must be installed to fill the gap. In addition, a printed layer must be installed on the component to hide the light-shielding tape.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to block horizontal light from entering through a gap between a light-blocking member and a light-transmitting member that protects an electronic component for imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a fixing structure according to one aspect of the present invention is a fixing structure that fixes a light-shielding member that surrounds an imaging electronic component and blocks light within a housing of an electronic device, and includes: a light-transmitting member that contacts the light-shielding member to protect the imaging electronic component and transmits light; and an elastic member that is arranged on the opposite side of the light-transmitting member from the light-shielding member and presses the light-shielding member toward the light-transmitting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to block horizontal light from entering through a gap between a light-blocking member and a light-transmitting member that protects an imaging electronic component. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a rear view showing a part of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2 surrounded by a dotted line. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a comparative example in comparison with the configuration of a portion of the electronic device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of Electronic Device 1> Fig. 1 is a rear view showing a part of an electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line A-A. Note that Fig. 2 omits components other than the housing 2, the flash unit 4, the light-transmitting member 11, the shatterproof film 12, and the double-sided tape T1. In Figs. 1 and 2, the direction from the left end 21A to the right end 21B of the back surface 21 of the housing 2 is the X-axis direction, the direction from the flash unit 4 to the light-transmitting member 11 is the Z-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is the Y-axis direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, electronic device 1 includes a housing 2, a camera 3, and a flash unit 4. Electronic device 1 is a smartphone, but is not limited to this. For example, electronic device 1 may be a tablet or a PC (Personal Computer). A display panel (not shown) is provided on the front side of housing 2.

[0012] The camera 3 and the flash unit 4 are provided on the back surface 21. The light-transmitting member 11 is provided on the back surface 21 so as to cover the camera 3 and the flash unit 4. The light-transmitting member 11 is made of, for example, a translucent resin or glass that allows light to pass through. The light-transmitting member 11 is intended to provide the camera 3 and the flash unit 4 with waterproof and dustproof functions.

[0013] 2, a shatterproof film 12 is attached to the negative side of the Z axis of the light-transmitting member 11. The shatterproof film 12 is made of acrylic, polyester, or polyethylene as a base material, and is treated with a water-repellent surface treatment such as fluorine.

[0014] The housing 2 has an attachment portion 22A to which the peripheral back surface of the shatterproof film 12 is attached with double-sided tape T1. A substantially rectangular frame portion 22 is formed on the back surface 21 to cover the peripheral side surface of the light-transmitting member 11 so as to surround the attachment portion 22A.

[0015] The camera 3 captures still images and videos. The flash unit 4 emits light. Details of the flash unit 4 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 1, a printed layer P1 is provided around the camera 3 and along the inner periphery of the frame unit 22. The hatched area in FIG. 1 indicates the printed layer P1.

[0016] Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 2 surrounded by a dotted line DL. The electronic device 1 includes a fixing structure 5 that fixes a light-blocking member 43 inside a housing 2 of the electronic device 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the fixing structure 5 includes a light-transmitting member 11, a shatterproof film 12, a substrate 13, and an elastic member 14. The flash unit 4 includes a light-emitting unit 41, a window member 42, and a light-blocking member 43.

[0017] The light-transmitting member 11 contacts the light-shielding member 43 from the positive side on the Z axis, protecting the light-emitting unit 41 and allowing light to pass through. The light-emitting unit 41, a window member 42, and the light-shielding member 43 are provided on the substrate 13. The substrate 13 supports the components of the flash unit 4.

[0018] The elastic member 14 is disposed on the side of the light-blocking member 43 opposite the light-transmitting member 11, and presses the light-blocking member 43 toward the light-transmitting member 11. Specifically, the elastic member 14 is connected to the substrate 13 and presses the substrate 13 toward the light-transmitting member 11. The elastic member 14 is, for example, a cushioning material, but is not limited to this and may be a leaf spring, silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, fluororubber, or the like. The elastic member 14 is provided on the frame 23. The frame 23 is integrated with the exterior of the housing 2 and is formed inside the housing 2. The elastic member 14 may also be provided on other components housed in the housing 2 of the electronic device 1.

[0019] The elastic member 14 is partially connected to the rear surface 13A of the substrate 13 on the negative side of the Z axis. In other words, the area of ​​the contact surface between the elastic member 14 and the rear surface 13A is smaller than the entire area of ​​the rear surface 13A. This allows the size of the elastic member 14 to be smaller than when the elastic member 14 is entirely connected to the rear surface 13A, and reduces the manufacturing cost of the electronic device 1.

[0020] However, without being limited to this, the elastic member 14 may be connected to the entire rear surface 13A. In other words, the area of ​​the contact surface between the elastic member 14 and the rear surface 13A may be the same as the entire area of ​​the rear surface 13A. As a result, for example, when manufacturing a component in which the elastic member 14 is attached to the substrate 13, the outer shape of the component in which the elastic member 14 is attached to the substrate 13 can be processed in a single process. This eliminates the need to process the outer shape of the substrate 13 and the outer shape of the elastic member 14 in separate processes, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the electronic device 1. This is particularly effective when the size of the substrate 13 is small.

[0021] The light-emitting unit 41 is an imaging electronic component that emits light toward the light-transmitting member 11. The imaging electronic component refers to an electronic component used for capturing images by the camera 3. The imaging electronic component may be, for example, an imaging element included in the camera 3, in addition to the light-emitting unit 41 of the flash unit 4. In other words, one aspect of the present invention may also be applied to a fixing structure 5 that surrounds the periphery of imaging electronic components other than the light-emitting unit 41 and fixes a light-blocking member 43 that blocks light. The light-emitting unit 41 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0022] The window member 42 is formed, for example, from a translucent resin that transmits light from the light-emitting unit 41. An opening OP is formed in the window member 42 on the negative side of the Z axis. The space formed between the light-emitting unit 41 and the opening OP is covered by the window member 42. By forming the opening OP in the window member 42, a distance D1 is generated between the light-emitting unit 41 and the window member 42. The distance D1 is the distance along the Z axis direction.

[0023] The light-shielding member 43 surrounds the periphery of the light-emitting unit 41 and blocks light emitted from the light-emitting unit 41. The light-shielding member 43 is a colored member that is colored overall and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 42S of the window member 42. As a result, when the flash unit 4 is viewed in the negative direction on the Z axis, the outer periphery of the window member 42 is colored by the light-shielding member 43. Note that the light-shielding member 43 may be partially colored. In this case, the surface of the light-shielding member 43 that faces the window member 42 is colored.

[0024] An end 43E of the light blocking member 43 on the positive side of the Z axis has a convex shape. This allows line contact between the light blocking member 43 and the light-transmitting member 11, thereby efficiently blocking horizontal light from passing through a gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light blocking member 43. The end 43E is the portion of the light blocking member 43 that faces the light-transmitting member 11.

[0025] Also, a gap is formed between the light-transmitting member 11 and the window member 42. More precisely, a gap is formed between the shatterproof film 12 and the window member 42. This prevents the shatterproof film 12 from contacting the window member 42, allowing for line contact between the light-blocking member 43 and the light-transmitting member 11. Furthermore, this allows the electronic device 1 to be assembled while allowing for dimensional errors and the like of the components of the electronic device 1, and also prevents the impact from being directly transmitted to the window member 42 even if the light-transmitting member 11 is subjected to an impact.

[0026] As described above, due to the configuration of the fixing structure 5, the elastic member 14 presses the light-blocking member 43 toward the light-transmitting member 11, thereby sealing the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-blocking member 43. Therefore, it is possible to block light in the horizontal direction from the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-blocking member 43.

[0027] Furthermore, the substrate 13 on which the light-blocking member 43 is provided is pressed toward the light-transmitting member 11 by the elastic member 14. As a result, pressure is applied uniformly from the substrate 13 to the light-blocking member 43 as a whole, so that the contact portion of the light-blocking member 43 with the light-transmitting member 11 can be uniformly pressed against the light-transmitting member 11. Therefore, the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-blocking member 43 can be efficiently sealed.

[0028] Furthermore, the substrate 13 on which the light-blocking member 43 is provided is pressed toward the light-transmitting member 11 by the elastic member 14, thereby stabilizing the distance D1 between the light-emitting unit 41 and the window member 42. This reduces the impact on the light-emitting performance of the flash unit 4 caused by the instability of the distance D1.

[0029] Furthermore, since the elastic member 14 presses the light-shielding member 43 toward the light-transmitting member 11, leakage of light emitted from the light-emitting section 41 from the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-shielding member 43 can be reduced.

[0030] <Configuration of Comparative Example> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a comparative example compared to the partial configuration of the electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the electronic device in the comparative example does not include the elastic member 14 and the light-blocking member 43. A cover 15 is provided between the light-transmitting member 11 and the window member 42A. An opening OP2 is formed in the cover 15, and the protrusion 42B of the window member 42A is fitted into the opening OP2.

[0031] The light-transmitting member 11 and the cover 15 are fixed together with double-sided tape T2, and the cover 15 and the window member 42A are fixed together with double-sided tape T3. A printed layer P2 is provided on the negative side of the Z axis of the light-transmitting member 11 so that the double-sided tape T2 cannot be seen from outside the electronic device of the comparative example. The printed layer P2 covers the double-sided tape T2. The double-sided tape T2 is intended to block horizontal light from passing through the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the cover 15.

[0032] As described above, the electronic device of the comparative example does not include the elastic member 14 and the light-blocking member 43, and therefore needs to provide a printed layer P2 that covers the double-sided tape T2 on the light-transmitting member 11. In contrast, in the electronic device 1, the elastic member 14 presses the light-blocking member 43 toward the light-transmitting member 11, so it is possible to block horizontal light from passing through the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-blocking member 43 even without double-sided tape. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , there is no need to provide a printed layer P1 on the light-transmitting member 11 around the flash unit 4, which improves the design freedom of the electronic device 1.

[0033] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a portion of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration shown in Fig. 5 differs from the configuration shown in Fig. 3 in that a window member 42 is not provided and that the light-emitting unit 41 has been changed to an image sensor 41A.

[0034] The configuration of camera 3 included in the electronic device according to embodiment 2 may be the configuration shown in Fig. 5. Camera 3 has an image sensor 41A and a light blocking member 43. Camera 3 has other components such as a lens in addition to image sensor 41A and light blocking member 43, but these other components are not shown in the figure.

[0035] The light-transmitting member 11 protects the imaging element 41A. The imaging element 41A is provided on the substrate 13. The imaging element 41A is an electronic component for capturing images that receives light that has passed through the light-transmitting member 11. The imaging element 41A is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The light-shielding member 43 surrounds the periphery of the imaging element 41A and blocks light that travels toward the imaging element 41A through a gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-shielding member 43.

[0036] The elastic member 14 presses the light-shielding member 43 toward the light-transmitting member 11, thereby sealing the gap between the light-transmitting member 11 and the light-shielding member 43. This reduces the amount of light that enters the image pickup element 41A through the gap, thereby reducing the influence on the image captured by the image pickup element 41A.

[0037] 〔summary〕 The fixing structure according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a fixing structure for fixing a light-shielding member that surrounds an imaging electronic component and blocks light within the housing of an electronic device, and includes a light-transmitting member that contacts the light-shielding member to protect the imaging electronic component and transmits light, and an elastic member that is positioned on the opposite side of the light-transmitting member from the light-shielding member and presses the light-shielding member toward the light-transmitting member.

[0038] A fixing structure according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be the same as that according to aspect 1 above, and may include a substrate on which the imaging electronic components and the light-shielding member are provided, and the elastic member may be connected to the substrate and press the substrate toward the light-transmitting member.

[0039] A fixing structure according to a third aspect of the present invention is the fixing structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the imaging electronic component is a light emitting unit that emits light toward the light-transmitting member.

[0040] A fixing structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention may be configured such that, in the first or second aspect, the imaging electronic component is an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the light-transmitting member.

[0041] The electronic device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention may be the electronic device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising the fixing structure, the imaging electronic component, and the light blocking member.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Electronic equipment 2. Case 5 Fixed structure 11 Translucent member 13 PCB 14 Elastic member 41 Light emitting unit (electronic components for imaging) 41A Image sensor (electronic components for imaging) 43 Light blocking material

Claims

1. A fixing structure for fixing a light-shielding member that surrounds an imaging electronic component and blocks light within a housing of an electronic device, a light-transmitting member that contacts the light-blocking member, protects the imaging electronic components, and transmits light; an elastic member disposed on the opposite side of the light-blocking member from the light-transmitting member side, the elastic member pressing the light-blocking member toward the light-transmitting member; a substrate on which the imaging electronic components and the light-shielding member are provided and which is directly connected to the light-shielding member; an end portion of the light-blocking member facing the light-transmitting member has a convex shape; The elastic member is a fixing structure connected to the substrate and presses the substrate toward the light-transmitting member.

2. 2. The fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the imaging electronic component is a light emitting unit that emits light toward the light-transmitting member.

3. 2. The fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the imaging electronic component is an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the light-transmitting member.

4. An electronic device comprising: the fixing structure according to claim 1 ; the imaging electronic component; and the light-shielding member.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Dustproof member for imaging apparatus, dustproof structure for imaging apparatus, and imaging apparatus

    JP2008131396A

  • Dustproof member for imaging apparatus, dustproof structure for imaging apparatus, and imaging apparatus

    JP2008131397A

  • Imaging apparatus

    JP2008233796A

  • Imaging module

    JP2009201079A

  • Diffusion prevention post-mounted component for flash light

    JP2012230427A