Cradle and electronic device

Abstract

The present application relates to a bracket and an electronic device. A tilting action of the electronic device can be performed, and a depth dimension is suppressed. The bracket includes a first hinge shaft, a second hinge shaft, a base plate having a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft, a fixing plate arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first arm about an axis of the first hinge shaft, for fixing the bracket to a mounting object, a mounting plate arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the second arm about an axis of the second hinge shaft, for mounting a housing of the electronic device, and a limiting mechanism selectively limiting relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate about the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the mounting plate about the axis of the second hinge shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a bracket for an electronic device and an electronic device provided with the bracket. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, electronic devices capable of conducting a conference or a call via sound and images between remote locations using the Internet, telephone lines, or the like are utilized. Such electronic devices are equipped with a speaker device for outputting sound or the like emitted from an object side (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-178244

[0004] In recent years, the demand for online conferences using displays has increased. Therefore, there is a demand for, for example, using the above-described electronic device by wall mounting above or below a large display wall-mounted. In this case, the electronic device needs to minimize the depth dimension of the housing to suppress the protrusion length from the wall.

[0005] However, the above-described electronic device sometimes has a camera and a display portion on the front surface of the housing. It is preferable that the camera or the like can capture conference participants as much as possible on the front surface. Therefore, it is considered that the electronic device is equipped with a motor mechanism for changing the angle of the camera, but the mechanism is large, which leads to an increase in the protrusion amount. Therefore, it is also considered that a tilting structure is equipped in the bracket for wall mounting. However, in this case, it is necessary to minimize the protrusion amount of the bracket from the wall, and a tilting operation in a sufficient angle range can be performed. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application was completed in consideration of the problems of the above-described related art, and aims to provide a bracket capable of performing a tilting operation of an electronic device and capable of suppressing the depth dimension, and an electronic device provided with the bracket.

[0007] The bracket according to the first aspect of the present application is a bracket for an electronic device, including: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate having a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixing plate supported by the first hinge shaft and disposed so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first arm about an axis of the first hinge shaft, for fixing the bracket to a mounting object; a mounting plate supported by the second hinge shaft and disposed so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the second arm about an axis of the second hinge shaft, for mounting a housing of the electronic device; and a limiting mechanism selectively limiting relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate about the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the mounting plate about the axis of the second hinge shaft.

[0008] The electronic device according to the second aspect of the present application includes a housing that houses an electronic component and has a camera or a display portion on a first surface, and a bracket that is attached to a second surface of the housing and is used for wall mounting of the housing, the bracket including a first hinge shaft, a second hinge shaft, a base plate that has a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft, a fixing plate that is supported by the first hinge shaft and is configured to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first arm about an axis of the first hinge shaft, and is used for fixing the bracket to a wall, a mounting plate that is supported by the second hinge shaft and is configured to be relatively rotatable with respect to the second arm about an axis of the second hinge shaft, and is used for mounting the electronic device, and a stopper mechanism that selectively restricts relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate about the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the mounting plate about the axis of the second hinge shaft.

[0009] According to the above-described aspect of the present application, the electronic device can be tilted, and the depth can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a system diagram showing a use aspect of the electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2A is a bottom view of the electronic device.

[0012] Figure 2B is a side view of the electronic device.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0014] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted downward and viewed from the front side.

[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0016] Figure 6A is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0017] Figure 6B is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0018] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0019] Figure 7B is a perspective view of the bracket in a state where the bracket is tilted upward and viewed from the front side.

[0020] Figure 8A is a schematic side sectional view of the bracket at an initial position.

[0021] Figure 8B is a side sectional view showing a state in which the bracket shown in Figure 8A is inclined upward.

[0022] Figure 8C is a side sectional view showing a state in which the bracket shown in Figure 8A is inclined downward.

[0023] Figure 9 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the lock lever is stacked between the first cam and the second cam from the state shown in Figure 8A

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first hinge shaft of the bracket and its peripheral portion to which the enlarged example is applied.

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the second hinge shaft of the bracket shown in Figure 10 and its peripheral portion to which the enlarged example is applied.

[0026] Figure 12A is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the bracket shown in Figure 10 is inclined upward.

[0027] Figure 12B is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the bracket shown in Figure 10 is inclined downward.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] 10... electronic device; 22... housing; 23, 23A... bracket; 24... camera; 26... lamp; 27... display portion; 30... bracket plate; 36... wall; 40... first hinge shaft; 41... second hinge shaft; 42... base plate; 42c... first arm; 42d... second arm; 44... fixed plate; 45... mounting plate; 46... stopper mechanism; 54... first cam; 55... second cam; 56... lock lever. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an electronic device and a bracket to which the present application is applied will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 ​is a system diagram showing one use mode of the electronic device 10 according to one embodiment. The electronic device 10 according to the embodiment is, for example, a terminal device that can be used for an online conference system that conducts a conference or a call using sound and images between remote locations connected via the Internet.

[0032] Figure 1 The online conference system shown includes the electronic device 10 according to the embodiment, the touch panel operation section 12, the external display 14, and the personal computer 16. As shown in Figure 1 The electronic device 10 is, for example, hung above or below the external display 14 hung on a wall in a conference room. The electronic device 10 can also be placed on a table or the like to be used.

[0033] The touch panel operation section 12 is a touch panel type terminal for input operation of the electronic device 10. The external display 14 can display, for example, information from the personal computer 20 on the conference object side connected to the electronic device 10 via the Internet 18 and the cloud server 19. Specifically, the external display 14 displays, under the control of the electronic device 10, a face image, profile, or the like of the conference object. The personal computer 16 can transmit, for example, a profile or the like from the user of the electronic device 10 to the external display 14 and the personal computer 20 on the object side. The personal computer 16 can also be used as an input operation terminal for the electronic device 10 instead of the touch panel operation section 12.

[0034] The electronic device 10 and the touch panel operation section 12, the external display 14, and the personal computer 16 are connected, for example, using connectors and cables in accordance with connection standards stipulated by USB standards, HDMI (registered trademark) standards, or the like.

[0035] First, an outline of the electronic device 10 will be described.

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are a bottom view and a side view of the electronic device 10, respectively. Figure 2B Fig. 10 shows a right side view of the electronic device 10, and a left side view is a configuration symmetrical to the right side view.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B The electronic device 10 has a housing 22 and a cradle 23. Hereinafter, the electronic device 10 and the cradle 23 will be described with reference to a direction of viewing the front face shown in Figure 1 The height direction of the housing 22 will be referred to as up and down, the width direction of the housing 22 will be referred to as left and right, and the depth direction of the housing 22 will be referred to as front and back, with reference to the direction of viewing the front face shown in

[0038] The housing 22 has a horizontally long bar shape, and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped case. Therefore, the front surface 22a and the back surface 22b of the housing 22 each have a width dimension that is horizontally long in the left-right direction and a height dimension that is smaller than the width dimension. The upper surface 22c and the lower surface 22d of the housing 22 each have a width dimension that is horizontally long in the left-right direction and a depth dimension D that is smaller than the width dimension. The left side surface 22e and the right side surface 22f of the housing 22 each have a depth dimension D that is narrow in the front-rear direction and a height dimension that is slightly larger than the depth dimension in the up-down direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a. Figure 1

[0040] The camera 24 is a camera device that photographs a user located on the front surface side of the electronic device 10. The camera 24 is disposed at an upper portion of the front surface 22a substantially in the center in the left-right direction. The microphone 25 is a microphone device that collects sound of a user of the electronic device 10 and the like. The microphone 25 faces the front surface 22a from a plurality of microphone holes arranged in the left-right direction below the camera 24. The lamp 26 is a light notification portion for notifying a user of an operation state of the electronic device 10, a sound collection state of the microphone 25, and the like, and is a display portion also called a smart light. The lamp 26 faces the front surface 22a from a horizontally long and thin light-transmitting window provided between the camera 24 and the microphone 25. A power lamp and the like of the electronic device 10 are also provided on the front surface 22a. A display portion 27 such as a liquid crystal display that displays a clock, an operation state, and the like can also be provided on the front surface 22a.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a. Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a.

[0042] Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a. Figure 2B As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a. As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 24, a microphone 25, and a lamp 26 are provided on the front surface 22a.​

[0043] Next, the bracket 23 will be described.

[0044] As described above, the electronic device 10 can be wall-mounted to a wall 36 of a conference room or the like. In the case of use by wall mounting, as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the electronic device 10 is used by mounting the bracket 23 and the bracket plate 30 to the back surface 22b. The electronic device 10 can be mounted on a shelf or the like for setting of an external display 14, in addition to the wall 36, for example.

[0045] The bracket plate 30 is a metal plate that is long in the left-right direction. The bracket plate 30 has the bracket 23 threadedly fastened and fixed to the front surface in the left-right direction, and the back surface is threadedly fastened and fixed to the wall 36. Thus, the bracket plate 30 supports the bracket 23 and the case 22 mounted to the bracket to the wall 36. The bracket plate 30 can be omitted, in which case the left and right brackets 23 can be directly fixed to the wall 36.

[0046] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bracket 23 in which the upward tilting operation is performed, viewed from the front surface side. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bracket 23 in which the downward tilting operation is performed, viewed from the front surface side. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bracket 23 in the initial position, viewed from the back surface side. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the bracket plate 30 is schematically illustrated with a flat plate without irregularities, but the actual bracket plate 30 is provided with screw holes, bending for ensuring strength, and the like at various places. In addition, in Figures 3-5 , only one of the left and right brackets 23 is illustrated, but the other bracket 23 can be of the same configuration or of a left-right symmetrical configuration.

[0047] The bracket 23 is a wall mounting metal part that supports the case 22 to the wall 36 and can perform the upward tilting operation and the downward tilting operation of the case 22 (see also Figures 8A-8C ). Here, with regard to the bracket 23 and the case 22 mounted to the bracket, as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B , a state in which the upward tilting operation and the downward tilting operation are not performed is referred to as an initial position. In the initial position, the bracket 23 is folded to be thinnest in the front-rear dimension. The back surface 22b of the case 22 is closest to the wall 36, and becomes a state in which it is parallel to the wall 36.

[0048] As shown in Figures 3-5As shown, the bracket 23 has a first hinge shaft 40, a second hinge shaft 41, a base plate 42, a fixing plate 44, a mounting plate 45, and a stopper mechanism 46. The bracket 23 of the present embodiment further has a first auxiliary plate 48, a second auxiliary plate 49, an auxiliary fixing plate 50, an auxiliary mounting plate 51, a first torque generating portion 52, and a second torque generating portion 53.

[0049] The hinge shafts 40, 41 are metal shafts. The hinge shafts 40, 41 are arranged in a state of being parallel to each other in the axial direction and are disposed at intervals in the up-and-down direction. The cross section of the hinge shafts 40, 41 is appropriately provided with a circular portion and a substantially elliptical portion along the axial direction.

[0050] The base plate 42 is a metal plate that links between the hinge shafts 40, 41. The base plate 42 has a plate 42a, a standing wall 42b, a first arm 42c, and a second arm 42d.

[0051] The plate 42a is a plate that becomes the main body of the base plate 42, and the plate 42a extends between the hinge shafts 40, 41. In the initial position, the face of the plate 42a expands in parallel with the wall 36 in the up-and-down direction and the left-and-right direction. The standing wall 42b is a portion that bends the left edge portion of the plate 42a toward the rear. The base plate 42 is formed with the standing wall 42b at the side portion of the plate 42a, and thus the cross-sectional shape thereof is substantially L-shaped.

[0052] The first arm 42c protrudes upward from the upper end face of the base plate 42. The first arm 42c of the present embodiment is formed by a portion that makes the upper end portion of the standing wall 42b more protrude than the upper end face of the plate 42a. The first arm 42c has a through-hole formed in the plate thickness direction, and the first hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the through-hole so as to be relatively rotatable. Thus, the first arm 42c is supported to the first hinge shaft 40 so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0053] The second arm 42d protrudes downward from the lower end face of the base plate 42. The second arm 42d of the present embodiment is formed by a portion that makes the lower end portion of the standing wall 42b protrude more than the lower end face of the plate 42a. The second arm 42d has a through-hole formed in the plate thickness direction, and the second hinge shaft 41 is inserted through the through-hole so as to be relatively rotatable. Thus, the second arm 42d is supported to the second hinge shaft 41 so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0054] The first auxiliary plate 48 is a metal plate that assists the linking strength between the base plate 42 and the first hinge shaft 40, and functions integrally with the base plate 42. The first auxiliary plate 48 is threadedly fastened and fixed to the rear upper portion of the base plate 42. The first hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the through-hole of the arm 48a protruding from the upper end face of the first auxiliary plate 48 so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0055] The second auxiliary plate 49 is a metal plate that assists in the strength of the connection between the auxiliary substrate 42 and the second hinge shaft 41, and functions integrally with the substrate 42. The second auxiliary plate 49 is screw-fastened to the lower portion of the back surface of the substrate 42. The second hinge shaft 41 is inserted through the arm 49a of the second auxiliary plate 49 protruding from the lower end surface in a relatively rotatable manner. The auxiliary plates 48 and 49 can be omitted.

[0056] The fixing plate 44 is a metal plate for fixing the bracket 23 to the wall 36 as the mounting target. The bracket 23 of the present embodiment is fixed to the wall 36 via the bracket plate 30, and thus the fixing plate 44 is screw-fastened to the bracket plate 30, and is indirectly fixed to the wall 36. The fixing plate 44 has an arm 44a and a screw hole 44b.

[0057] The fixing plate 44 has a standing wall in which the upper edge portion thereof is bent toward the rear. The arm 44a is formed by a portion in which the left end portion of the standing wall is bent toward the upper, and is a plate along the upper and lower, front and rear. The arm 44a has a through hole through which the first hinge shaft 40 cannot be inserted in a relatively rotatable manner. Thus, the fixing plate 44 functions integrally with the first hinge shaft 40. The screw hole 44b is a portion that is screw-fastened to the bracket plate 30, and is provided, for example, at three places (see Figure 5 ).

[0058] The auxiliary fixing plate 50 is a metal plate that assists in the strength of the connection between the fixing plate 44 and the first hinge shaft 40, and functions in the same manner as the fixing plate 44. That is, the first hinge shaft 40 cannot be inserted through the arm 50a of the auxiliary fixing plate 50 protruding from the upper end surface in a relatively rotatable manner. In addition, the auxiliary fixing plate 50 has screw holes 50b for screw-fastening to the bracket plate 30, for example, at three places (see Figure 5 ). The auxiliary fixing plate 50 is arranged in alignment with the fixing plate 44 along the left and right, with the first arm 42c of the substrate 42 interposed therebetween. In the initial position, the faces of the fixing plates 44 and 50 expand in parallel with the substrate 42 in the upper and lower, left and right. The auxiliary fixing plate 50 can be omitted.

[0059] The mounting plate 45 is a metal plate for mounting the case 22 to the bracket 23. The mounting plate 45 has an arm 45a and a mounting hole 45b.

[0060] The arm 45a is a portion in which the rear end portion of the right side portion of the mounting plate 45 is bent toward the upper, and is a plate along the upper and lower, front and rear. The arm 45a has a through hole through which the second hinge shaft 41 cannot be inserted in a relatively rotatable manner. Thus, the mounting plate 45 functions integrally with the second hinge shaft 41. The mounting hole 45b is a through hole through which a screw for screw-fastening to the screw hole provided to the lower surface 22d of the case 22 is inserted, and is provided, for example, at two places (see Figure 4 ). The case 22 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 45, and is fastened to the mounting plate 45 using the mounting hole 45b.

[0061] The auxiliary mounting plate 51 is a metal plate that reinforces the joint strength between the auxiliary mounting plate 45 and the second hinge shaft 41. The auxiliary mounting plate 51 is threadedly fastened to the rear of the upper surface of the mounting plate 45. The second hinge shaft 41 is inserted through the arm 51a of the auxiliary mounting plate 51 protruding from the upper surface so as to be incapable of relative rotation. The arms 51a and 45a are arranged in a left-right row so as to sandwich the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 therebetween. In the initial position, the faces of the mounting plates 45, 51 extend orthogonally to the base plate 42 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The auxiliary mounting plate 51 can also be omitted.

[0062] The bracket 23 configured as above is wall-mounted by fixing the fixing plates 44, 50 to the wall 36 via the bracket plate 30, thereby wall-mounting the housing 22 fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 45, and is capable of its upward tilting action and downward tilting action.

[0063] The upward tilting action swings the housing 22 upward from the initial position shown in Figure 2B . In this way, the bracket 23 rotates the base plate 42 and the mounting plates 45, 51 upward about the first hinge shaft 40 integrated with the fixing plates 44, 50 fixed to the wall 36 as a rotation axis (see Figure 3 ). Thereby, the front face 22a of the housing 22 faces upward within a prescribed angular range.

[0064] The downward tilting action swings the housing 22 downward from the initial position shown in Figure 2B . In this way, the bracket 23 becomes a state in which the base plate 42 is integrated with the fixing plates 44, 50 fixed to the wall 36. Moreover, the second hinge shaft 41 rotates the mounting plates 45, 51 integrated with the second hinge shaft 41 downward about the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 as a bearing (see Figure 4 ). Thereby, the front face 22a of the housing 22 faces downward within a prescribed angular range.

[0065] However, the bracket 23 has a two-axis hinge configuration having the two hinge shafts 40, 41 as described above. Therefore, a case in which the rotation action about the first hinge shaft 40 and the rotation action about the second hinge shaft 41 are simultaneously performed is also assumed. In this case, the lower end portion of the base plate 42 moves forward with the first hinge shaft 40 as a rotation center, and therefore the second hinge shaft 41 moves forward, and in this state, the mounting plate 45 rotates about the second hinge shaft 41 as a center. As a result, the housing 22 becomes a posture in which the amount of protrusion from the wall 36 increases to the assumption above, or a posture in which the housing 22 moves parallel forward from the initial position to outside of the assumption.

[0066] Therefore, the bracket 23 is provided with the stopper mechanism 46, and is capable of selectively switching the rotation action about the first hinge shaft 40 and the rotation action about the second hinge shaft 41.

[0067] Figure 6A is an enlarged perspective view of the first hinge shaft 40 and its peripheral portion. Figure 6B is an enlarged perspective view of the first hinge shaft 40 and its peripheral portion in a state where the substrate 42 and the first torque generating portion 52 are removed. Figure 7A is an enlarged perspective view of the second hinge shaft 41 and its peripheral portion. Figure 7B is an enlarged perspective view of the second hinge shaft 41 and its peripheral portion in a state where the substrate 42 and the second torque generating portion 53 are removed.

[0068] The stop mechanism 46 is a mechanism that selectively restricts the relative rotation of the first arm 42c of the substrate 42 with respect to the first hinge shaft 40 and the relative rotation of the second arm 42d of the substrate 42 with respect to the second hinge shaft 41. In other words, the stop mechanism 46 is a mechanism that selectively restricts the relative rotation of the first arm 42c and the arm 44a of the fixed plate 44 around the axis of the first hinge shaft 40 and the relative rotation of the second arm 42d and the arm 45a of the mounting plate 45 around the axis of the second hinge shaft 41.

[0069] As shown in Figures 5-7B , the stop mechanism 46 has a first cam 54, a second cam 55, and a lock lever 56.

[0070] As shown in Figures 5-6B , the first cam 54 is a ring-shaped metal member. The first cam 54 has a shaft hole 54a, a first engagement hole 54b, a first groove 54c, and a first stopper 54d.

[0071] The shaft hole 54a is a through hole that penetrates through the center of the axis of the first cam 54. The inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 54a is provided with a substantially elliptical shape having two planes parallel to each other. The portion of the first hinge shaft 40 that is substantially elliptical in cross section is not inserted through the shaft hole 54a in a relative rotation manner, and the two are spline-fitted (see Figure 6B ).

[0072] The first engagement hole 54b is a downward circular-arc-shaped groove formed in the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the first cam 54 and extending in the plate thickness direction of the first cam 54. The first engagement hole 54b can be engaged with and disengaged from the circular-arc-shaped first end portion 56a of the lock lever 56 (see also Figures 8A-8C ).

[0073] The first slot 54c is an upward circular-arc-shaped slot formed in the upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first cam 54. The first cam 54 is in abutment with the left side portion of the first arm 42c of the base plate 42. The first slot 54c is open in the right side surface of the first cam 54 opposite the first arm 42c and extends in the circumferential direction of the first cam 54. The first protrusion 42e protruding from the left side surface of the first arm 42c is relatively movably inserted in the first slot 54c. The first protrusion 42e has a circular-arc shape extending in the first slot 54c. The entire length of the first slot 54c is longer than the entire length of the first protrusion 42e. Thus, a gap G1 (see FIG. 6) that defines the relative movement distance of the first protrusion 42e in the first slot 54c is formed between the first slot 54c and the first protrusion 42e. Figures 8A-8C ).

[0074] The first limiter 54d is a plate piece protruding in the tangential direction from the outer circumferential surface of the first cam 54 and protruding downward from the rear surface of the first cam 54. In the initial position, the first limiter 54d is in abutment with the rear surface (first surface) of the lock lever 56 (see Figure 5 and Figure 8A ).

[0075] As shown in Figure 5 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B , the second cam 55 is a ring-shaped metal member. The second cam 55 has an axis hole 55a, a second engagement hole 55b, a second slot 55c, and a second limiter 55d.

[0076] The axis hole 55a can be the same shape as the axis hole 54a of the first cam 54. The portion of the second hinge shaft 41 having a substantially elliptical shape is not relatively rotatably inserted through the axis hole 55a, and the two are spline-fitted (see Figure 7B ).

[0077] The second engagement hole 55b is an upward circular-arc-shaped slot formed in the upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second cam 55 and extending in the plate thickness direction of the second cam 55. The second engagement hole 55b allows the second end portion 56b of the lock lever 56, which is circular-arc-shaped, to be engaged and disengaged (see also Figures 8A-8C ).

[0078] The second slot 55c is a downward circular-arc-shaped slot formed in a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second cam 55. The second cam 55 is in abutment with the left side portion of the second arm 42d of the base plate 42. The second slot 55c is open in the right side surface of the second cam 55 opposite the second arm 42d and extends in the circumferential direction of the second cam 55. The second protrusion 42f protruding from the left side surface of the second arm 42d is relatively movably inserted in the second slot 55c. The second protrusion 42f has a circular-arc shape extending along the second slot 55c. The entire length of the second slot 55c is longer than the entire length of the second protrusion 42f. Thus, a gap G2 (see FIG. 6) that defines the relative movement distance of the second protrusion 42f within the second slot 55c is formed between the second slot 55c and the second protrusion 42f. Figures 8A-8C ).

[0079] The second limiter 55d is a plate piece protruding in a tangent direction from the outer circumferential surface of the second cam 55 and protruding downward from the front surface of the second cam 55. In the initial position, the second limiter 55d is in abutment with the front surface (second surface) of the lock lever 56 (see Figure 5 and Figure 8A ).

[0080] As shown in Figure 5 , the lock lever 56 is supported to the rear surface of the base plate 42 in a manner that is relatively movable in the up-down direction with respect to the rear surface of the base plate 42 between the upper and lower cams 54, 55. Figure 5 The reference numeral 58 in is a substantially crank-shaped guide plate that guides the up-down sliding of the lock lever 56 with respect to the rear surface of the base plate 42.

[0081] The entire length of the lock lever 56 is shorter than the interval between the engagement holes 54b, 55b. Specifically, the entire length of the lock lever 56 is the length in which, in a state in which the first end portion 56a is engaged with the first engagement hole 54b, the second end portion 56b is disengaged upward from the second engagement hole 55b and slightly separated from the outer circumferential surface of the second cam 55. In other words, the lock lever 56 has a length in which, in a state in which the second end portion 56b is engaged with the second engagement hole 55b, the first end portion 56a is disengaged downward from the first engagement hole 54b and slightly separated from the outer circumferential surface of the first cam 54.

[0082] As shown in Figure 5 , the lock lever 56 of the present embodiment has a first lever 56A and a second lever 56B that are divided in the up-down direction, and an elastic member 56C that links between the levers 56A, 56B (see also Figure 8A ).

[0083] The first rod 56A has a first end portion 56a at its upper end. The second rod 56B has a second end portion 56b at its lower end. The elastic member 56C is a telescopic member, such as a coil spring, that connects the lower end portion of the first rod 56A and the upper end portion of the second rod 56B. With this structure, the locking rod 56 of this embodiment can reduce the distance between the first end portion 56a and the second end portion 56b, i.e., the total length.

[0084] like Figure 6A As shown, the first torque generating unit 52 imparts a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation of the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 and the arm 48a of the first auxiliary plate 48 around the axis of the first hinge axis 40. The first torque generating unit 52 is, for example, a structure formed by stacking multiple metal disc springs, with a through hole formed at the center of the axis of each disc spring for the first hinge axis 40 to be inserted.

[0085] Figure 6A Reference numeral 60 in the figures indicates an end cap, and reference numeral 61 indicates a nut. The first hinge shaft 40 has an end cap 60 fixed at one end and a nut 61 fastened at the other end. The bracket 23 can adjust the generating torque of the first torque generating unit 52 by adjusting the tightening torque of the nut 61.

[0086] like Figure 7A As shown, the second torque generating unit 53 imparts a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation of the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 and the arm 49a of the second auxiliary plate 49 around the axis of the second hinge shaft 41. The structure of the second torque generating unit 53 and its surrounding portion is the same as or similar to the structure of the first torque generating unit 52 and its surrounding portion described above. That is, an end cap 60 and a nut 61 are also provided on the second hinge shaft 41. Furthermore, the bracket 23 can adjust the generating torque of the second torque generating unit 53 by adjusting the tightening torque of the nut 61.

[0087] Next, the upward tilting and downward tilting actions of the bracket 23 equipped with the aforementioned motion limiting mechanism 46 will be explained.

[0088] Figure 8A This is a schematic side sectional view of the bracket 23 in its initial position. Figure 8B It means to make Figure 8A The side sectional view of the bracket 23 in the state of tilting upwards. Figure 8C It means to make Figure 8A The side sectional view shows the bracket 23 in a downward tilting position. Figures 8A-8C The housing 22, which is mounted on the mounting plate 45, is shown in the diagram with a double-dotted line.

[0089] like Figure 8AAs shown, in the initial position, the lock lever 56 is in a state where the first end portion 56a is disengaged from the first engagement hole 54b of the first cam 54 and the second end portion 56b is engaged with the second engagement hole 55b of the second cam 55, by sliding downward due to its own weight. That is, the lock lever 56 is engaged with the second cam 55 which is linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to be able to rotate relatively. Therefore, the base plate 42 linked to the lock lever 56 is integrated with the second hinge shaft 41 and the mounting plates 45, 51 which are linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to be able to rotate relatively. As a result, the bracket 23 restricts the relative rotation between the second hinge shaft 41 and the second arm 42d of the base plate 42.

[0090] On the other hand, the lock lever 56 is disengaged from the first cam 54 which is linked to the first hinge shaft 40 so as not to be able to rotate relatively. Therefore, the bracket 23 allows the relative rotation between the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 and the first hinge shaft 40. At this time, the first hinge shaft 40 is integrated with the fixed plates 44, 50 which are fixed to the wall 36 via the bracket plate 30.

[0091] From the initial position Figure 8B As shown, in the upward tilting operation, the housing 22 is swung upward. Thus, the bracket 23 rotates the base plate 42 upward, with the mounting plates 45, 51 and the housing 22 fixed to the mounting plates, using the first hinge shaft 40 integrated with the wall 36 as a rotation axis, by an external force applied to the housing 22 in the upward direction (see FIG. 6). Figure 8B

[0092] Thus, the housing 22 can be tilted upward at a desired angle. In the upward tilting operation, the first protrusion 42e of the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 moves within the first groove 54c of the first cam 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Figure 8A Figure 8B The distance by which the first protrusion 42e can move within the first groove 54c is limited by the gap Gl. As a result, the distance by which the first protrusion 42e can move within the first groove 54c limits the range of the relative rotation between the first hinge shaft 40 and the base plate 42 in the upward tilting operation, i.e., the upward tilting angle of the housing 22. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, the upward tilting angle is 15 degrees.

[0093] Next, in the downward tilting operation from Figure 8A As shown, in the initial position, the lock lever 56 is in a state where the first end portion 56a is disengaged from the first engagement hole 54b of the first cam 54 and the second end portion 56b is engaged with the second engagement hole 55b of the second cam 55, by sliding downward due to its own weight. That is, the lock lever 56 is engaged with the second cam 55 which is linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to be able to rotate relatively. Therefore, the base plate 42 linked to the lock lever 56 is integrated with the second hinge shaft 41 and the mounting plates 45, 51 which are linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to be able to rotate relatively. As a result, the bracket 23 restricts the relative rotation between the second hinge shaft 41 and the second arm 42d of the base plate 42. Figure 8C ​​In the case of the downward tilting operation shown, the holding case 22 is swung downward. Thus, the bracket 23 rotates the second hinge shaft 41 and the mounting plates 45, 51 integrated with the second hinge shaft 41, with the second arm 42d of the substrate 42 as a bearing, by the external force imparted to the holding case 22 in the downward direction. At this time, the second cam 55 linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to rotate relatively also rotates. As a result, the inner peripheral surface of the second engagement hole 55b of the second cam 55 slides against the second end portion 56b of the lock lever 56, and pushes the lock lever 56 against the inclined surface provided at the edge portion of the second engagement hole 55b (see Figure 8C ). That is, the lock lever 56 slides upward against the weight.

[0094] Thus, the lock lever 56 this time becomes a state in which the first end portion 56a engages with the first engagement hole 54b of the first cam 54, and the second end portion 56b is disengaged from the second engagement hole 55b of the second cam 55. That is, the lock lever 56 becomes a state in which it engages with the first engagement hole 54b of the first cam 54 linked to the first hinge shaft 40 so as not to rotate relatively. Therefore, the substrate 42 linked to the lock lever 56 is integrated with the first hinge shaft 40 and the fixed plates 44, 50 linked to the first hinge shaft 40 so as not to rotate relatively. As a result, the bracket 23 restricts the relative rotation between the first hinge shaft 40 and the first arm 42c of the substrate 42.

[0095] On the other hand, the lock lever 56 is disengaged from the second cam 55 linked to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to rotate relatively. Therefore, the bracket 23 allows the relative rotation between the second arm 42d of the substrate 42 and the second hinge shaft 41. At this time, the second hinge shaft 41 is integrated with the mounting plates 45 and the holding case 22 fixed to the mounting plates.

[0096] Thus, the holding case 22 can perform a downward tilting operation at a desired angle. At the time of this downward tilting operation, the second protrusion 42f provided at the second arm 42d of the substrate 42 moves within the second groove 55c of the second cam 55 (see Figure 8A and Figure 8C ). The distance by which the second protrusion 42f can move within the second groove 55c is limited by the gap G2. As a result, the distance by which the second protrusion 42f can move within the second groove 55c limits the range of the angle of relative rotation between the second hinge shaft 41 and the substrate 42 at the time of the downward tilting operation, that is, the downward tilting angle of the holding case 22. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, the downward tilting angle is 15 degrees.

[0097] However, the bracket 23 in Figure 8AIn the illustrated initial position, the first limiter 54d of the first cam 54 is in abutment with the rear of the lock lever 56, and the second limiter 55d of the second cam 55 is in abutment with the front. Thus, the bracket 23 prevents the base plate 42 from being rotated counterclockwise about the first hinge shaft 40, and the mounting plate 45, 51 from being rotated counterclockwise about the second hinge shaft 41.

[0098] Figure 9 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the lock lever 56 is stacked between the first cam 54 and the second cam 55 from the state shown in Figure 8A is a side sectional view showing a state in which the lock lever 56 is stacked between the first cam 54 and the second cam 55 from the state shown in

[0099] The bracket 23 has two hinge shafts 40, 41. Thus, for example, if the housing 22 is forcibly pulled forward, the bracket 23 simultaneously generates rotational movement about the shafts of the respective hinge shafts 40, 41. As a result, as shown in Figure 9 As shown, the lock lever 56 can become a stacked state in which the first end portion 56a is caught in the inclined surface provided at the edge portion of the first engagement hole 54b, and the second end portion 56b is caught in the inclined surface provided at the edge portion of the second engagement hole 55b.

[0100] In this stacked state, the rotational movement about the shafts of the respective hinge shafts 40, 41 is simultaneously restricted. Thus, if the electronic device 10 forcibly swings the housing 22 upward or downward from the stacked state, an excessive load is applied to each portion of the bracket 23, and breakage or malfunction is feared.

[0101] Thus, the lock lever 56 of the present embodiment has two levers 56A, 56B that are divided vertically, and the two are connected by an elastic member 56C. Thus, in the case in which a forcible force is applied to the housing 22 from the Figure 9 stacked state shown in FIG. 10, the elastic member 56C contracts, and the overall length of the lock lever 56 becomes shorter. As a result, the stacked state in which the end portions 56a, 56b of the lock lever 56 are caught in the inclined surfaces of the engagement holes 54b, 55b is released. Thus, thereafter, for example, the housing 22 can be temporarily pressed rearward to return the bracket 23 to the initial position, and normal upward tilting movement and downward tilting movement can be performed again.

[0102] As described above, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment has the housing 22 that houses electronic components and has the camera 24 or the display portion 27 or the lamp 26 at the front face 22a, and the bracket 23 that is installed at the back face 22b of the housing 22 and is used for wall-hanging fixation of the housing 22. Further, the bracket 23 has the link mechanism 4 that selectively restricts relative rotation of the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 and the fixed plate 44 about the shaft of the first hinge shaft 40 and relative rotation of the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 and the mounting plate 45 about the shaft of the second hinge shaft 41.

[0103] Thus, the electronic device 10 can selectively perform the upward tilting action with the first hinge shaft 40 as the center of rotation and the downward tilting action with the second hinge shaft 41 as the center of rotation with respect to the housing 22 fixed to the wall via the bracket 23. At this time, the bracket 23 has two shafts, i.e., the hinge shafts 40, 41, arranged in the up-down direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2B and Figures 8A-8C illustrated, either of the upward tilting action and the downward tilting action can avoid the upper and lower corners of the back surface 22b of the housing 22 from interfering with the wall 36, for example, and can ensure a large movable range of 15 degrees each in the up-down direction. Also, the bracket 23 does not need a motor mechanism, and by the angle range expansion effect of the housing 22 based on the above-described two shafts, the depth direction thickness thereof can be suppressed to a minimum. The depth dimension of the initial position of the bracket 23 of the present embodiment is, for example, 10 mm or less, and thus the protruding length of the electronic device 10 including the housing 22 from the wall 36 is 100 mm or less.

[0104] However, in the above-described example in which the first hinge shaft 40 relatively rotatably supports the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 and the fixed plate 44 is fixedly and non-rotatably linked, likewise, the second hinge shaft 41 relatively rotatably supports the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 and the mounting plate 45 is fixedly and non-rotatably linked.

[0105] However, the bracket 23 can be configured in the opposite manner, in which the first hinge shaft non-rotatably links the first arm 42c of the base plate 42 and rotatably supports the fixed plate 44, and likewise, the second hinge shaft 41 non-rotatably links the second arm 42d of the base plate 42 and rotatably supports the mounting plate 45. In this case, for example, the first cam 54 is integrally linked with the fixed plate 44, and likewise, the second cam 5 is integrally linked with the mounting plate 45. For the bracket 23A related to the modification example shown in Figures 10-12B will be described.

[0106] As shown in Figures 10-12BAs shown in the bracket 23A, the first arm 42c is coupled to the first hinge shaft 40 so as not to be relatively rotatable, the second arm 42d is coupled to the second hinge shaft 41 so as not to be relatively rotatable, the fixed plate 44, 50 is relatively rotatably supported to the first hinge shaft 40, and the mounting plate 45, 51 is relatively rotatably supported to the second hinge shaft 41. The first cam 54 of the stopper mechanism 46 in this case is relatively rotatably supported to the first hinge shaft 40, and is coupled to the fixed plate 44, 50 so as not to be relatively rotatable. The second cam 55 is relatively rotatably coupled to the second hinge shaft 41, and is coupled to the mounting plate 45, 51 so as not to be relatively rotatable. The first cam 54 and the fixed plate 44, 50 are integrally coupled to each other, for example, by a metal plate 70 fixed to the rear of each. Similarly, the second cam 55 and the mounting plate 45, 51 are integrally coupled to each other, for example, by a metal plate 70 fixed to the front of each. Further, each metal plate 70 is not fixed to the arms 42c, 42d of the base plate 42.

[0107] The lock lever 56 of such a stopper mechanism 46 restricts the relative rotation of the fixed plate 44, 50 with respect to the first hinge shaft 40, and allows the relative rotation of the mounting plate 45, 51 with respect to the second hinge shaft 41, by becoming a state in which the second end portion 56b is separated from the second engagement hole 55b in a state in which the first end portion 56a is engaged with the first engagement hole 54b. Thus, the mounting plate 45, 51 and the second cam 55 relatively rotate with respect to the second hinge shaft 41 and the base plate 42, and the bracket 23A is inclined downward (refer to FIG. 6). On the other hand, the lock lever 56 restricts the relative rotation of the mounting plate 45, 51 with respect to the second hinge shaft 41, and allows the relative rotation of the fixed plate 44, 50 with respect to the first hinge shaft 40, by becoming a state in which the first end portion 56a is separated from the first engagement hole 54b in a state in which the second end portion 56b is engaged with the second engagement hole 55b. Thus, the base plate 42 rotates with the first hinge shaft 40 around the axis of the first hinge shaft 40, and relatively rotates with respect to the fixed plate 44, 50 and the first cam 54, and the bracket 23A is inclined upward (refer to FIG. 7). Figure 12B Figure 12A

[0108] Further, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present application.​​

Claims

1. A cradle which is a cradle for an electronic device, characterized by comprising: Possessing: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate having a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixing plate supported by the first hinge shaft and arranged to be relatively rotatable about the axis of the first hinge shaft with respect to the first arm for fixing the bracket to a mounting object; a mounting plate supported by the second hinge shaft and arranged to be relatively rotatable about the axis of the second hinge shaft with respect to the second arm for mounting of a housing of the electronic device; and a limiting mechanism selectively limiting relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate about the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the mounting plate about the axis of the second hinge shaft, the first arm is relatively rotatably supported on the first hinge shaft, the second arm is relatively rotatably supported on the second hinge shaft, the fixing plate is non-rotatably coupled to the first hinge shaft, the mounting plate is non-rotatably coupled to the second hinge shaft, the limiting mechanism has: a first cam having a first engagement hole and non-rotatably coupled to the first hinge shaft; a second cam having a second engagement hole and non-rotatably coupled to the second hinge shaft; and a lock lever relatively movably supported on the base plate between the first cam and the second cam, a first end portion of the lock lever being engageable and disengageable with respect to the first engagement hole, and a second end portion of the lock lever being engageable and disengageable with respect to the second engagement hole, the lock lever, by being in a state where the second end portion thereof is disengaged from the second engagement hole when the first end portion thereof is engaged with the first engagement hole, limits relative rotation of the first arm with respect to the first hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the second arm with respect to the second hinge shaft, enabling rotation of the mounting plate about the axis of the second hinge shaft, on the other hand, the lock lever, by being in a state where the first end portion thereof is disengaged from the first engagement hole when the second end portion thereof is engaged with the second engagement hole, limits relative rotation of the second arm with respect to the second hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the first arm with respect to the first hinge shaft, enabling rotation of the base plate about the axis of the first hinge shaft.

2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein: the first cam has a ring shape and is provided with a first groove extending in the circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the second cam has a ring shape and is provided with a second groove extending in the circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the first arm has a first protrusion that limits an angle range of relative rotation between the first hinge shaft and the base plate by moving in the first groove, the second arm has a second protrusion that limits an angle range of relative rotation between the second hinge shaft and the base plate by moving in the second groove.

3. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: ​ The first cam has a first stopper that abuts against a first surface of the lock lever to restrict a direction of relative rotation between the first hinge shaft and the base plate, The second cam has a second stopper that abuts against a second surface of the lock lever to restrict a direction of relative rotation between the second hinge shaft and the base plate.

4. The cradle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The lock lever has: a first lever having a first end portion of the lock lever; a second lever having a second end portion of the lock lever and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first lever; and an elastic member that links the first lever and the second lever and is capable of reducing a distance between the first end portion of the lock lever and the second end portion of the lock lever.

5. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the first arm is linked to the first hinge shaft so as not to relatively rotate, the second arm is linked to the second hinge shaft so as not to relatively rotate, the fixed plate is supported to the first hinge shaft so as to relatively rotate, the mounting plate is supported to the second hinge shaft so as to relatively rotate, the stopper mechanism has: a first cam having a first engagement hole and supported to the first hinge shaft so as to relatively rotate and not to relatively rotate with the fixed plate; a second cam having a second engagement hole and supported to the second hinge shaft so as to relatively rotate and not to relatively rotate with the mounting plate; and a lock lever supported to the base plate so as to relatively move between the first cam and the second cam, a first end portion of the lock lever is capable of engaging with and disengaging from the first engagement hole, and a second end portion of the lock lever is capable of engaging with and disengaging from the second engagement hole, the lock lever restricts relative rotation of the fixed plate with respect to the first hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the mounting plate with respect to the second hinge shaft by being in a state where the second end portion of the lock lever is disengaged from the second engagement hole when the first end portion of the lock lever is engaged with the first engagement hole, and the mounting plate is capable of rotating around an axis of the second hinge shaft, on the other hand, the lock lever restricts relative rotation of the mounting plate with respect to the second hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the base plate with respect to the first hinge shaft by being in a state where the first end portion of the lock lever is disengaged from the first engagement hole when the second end portion of the lock lever is engaged with the second engagement hole, and the base plate is capable of rotating around an axis of the first hinge shaft. The housing accommodates an electronic component and has a camera or a display portion on a first surface; and 6. An electronic device, comprising: The cradle is mounted to a second surface of the housing and is used for wall-hanging fixation of the housing, The cradle has: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate having a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixed plate supported by the first hinge shaft and arranged to relatively rotate with respect to the first arm around an axis of the first hinge shaft, and used for fixation of the cradle to a wall; and a mounting plate supported by the second hinge shaft and arranged to relatively rotate with respect to the second arm around an axis of the second hinge shaft, and used for fixation of the cradle to a wall. ​ a mounting plate supported by the second hinge shaft and configured to be relatively rotatable with respect to the second arm about an axis of the second hinge shaft, for mounting a housing of the electronic device; and a stopper mechanism selectively restricting relative rotation of the first arm and the fixed plate about an axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the mounting plate about an axis of the second hinge shaft, the first arm is relatively rotatable supported by the first hinge shaft, the second arm is relatively rotatable supported by the second hinge shaft, the fixed plate is non-rotatable coupled with the first hinge shaft, the mounting plate is non-rotatable coupled with the second hinge shaft, the stopper mechanism has: a first cam having a first engagement hole and non-rotatable coupled with the first hinge shaft; a second cam having a second engagement hole and non-rotatable coupled with the second hinge shaft; and a lock lever relatively movably supported by the base plate between the first cam and the second cam, a first end portion of the lock lever is engageable and disengageable with respect to the first engagement hole, a second end portion of the lock lever is engageable and disengageable with respect to the second engagement hole, the lock lever restricts relative rotation of the first arm with respect to the first hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the second arm with respect to the second hinge shaft by being in a state that the second end portion of the lock lever is disengaged from the second engagement hole when the first end portion of the lock lever is engaged with the first engagement hole, and the mounting plate is rotatable about an axis of the second hinge shaft, on the other hand, the lock lever restricts relative rotation of the second arm with respect to the second hinge shaft and allows relative rotation of the first arm with respect to the first hinge shaft by being in a state that the first end portion of the lock lever is disengaged from the first engagement hole when the second end portion of the lock lever is engaged with the second engagement hole, and the base plate is rotatable about an axis of the first hinge shaft.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein in a state that the housing is closest to the wall, the base plate and the fixed plate are parallel to each other, and the base plate and the mounting plate are orthogonal to each other. ​

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