Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device according to the present disclosure is provided with: a display unit including a panel having a first main surface, a second main surface on the opposite side from the first main surface, and an outer peripheral end portion connecting the first main surface and the second main surface; a first housing that accommodates the display unit; a second housing that accommodates the input unit; and a hinge portion that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing. The first housing includes: a first frame member surrounding an outer peripheral end portion of the panel; and a second frame member extending from the first frame member along the second main surface of the panel and disposed in a frame shape on the second main surface side of the panel. The first frame member is provided with a cutout that exposes the outer peripheral end of the panel and the second frame member at a position where the hinge portion is disposed. The second frame member has a protruding end that protrudes further toward the cutout than the outer peripheral end portion of the panel at a portion exposed from the cutout.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device including a touch panel display and an exterior portion having a frame portion that holds the outer edge portion of the touch panel display over the entire circumference.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-250900 Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device capable of suppressing damage to a panel of a display unit.

[0007] An electronic device of one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a display unit, including a panel, the panel having a first main surface, a second main surface on the side opposite to the first main surface, and a peripheral end connecting the first main surface and the second main surface; a first shell, accommodating the display unit; a second shell, accommodating an input unit; and a hinge portion, rotatably connecting the first shell and the second shell, the first shell including: a first frame member, surrounding the peripheral end of the panel; and a second frame member, extending from the first frame member along the second main surface of the panel and arranged in a frame shape on the second main surface side of the panel, the first frame member, at a position where the hinge portion is arranged, is provided with a notch that exposes the peripheral end of the panel and the second frame member, and the second frame member has a protruding end that protrudes toward the notch more than the peripheral end of the panel at the portion exposed from the notch.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of suppressing damage to a panel of a display unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the first housing according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of the dashed area III.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line VV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] (The process of realizing this disclosure)

[0015] Patent document 1 discloses an information processing device having a first outer casing, a second outer casing, and a connecting portion that can rotatably connect the first outer casing and the second outer casing. The information processing device has a touch panel display housed in the first outer casing, and the outer edge of the touch panel display is held by the frame portion of the outer casing over the entire circumference. In addition, in a plan view, the first outer casing and the second outer casing are rectangular, and the connecting portion has a structure in which a cylindrical connecting portion formed on one side of the first outer casing and a cylindrical connecting portion formed on one side of the second outer casing are fitted into each other so as to be rotatable.

[0016] In such an information processing device, when miniaturization of the first exterior portion is sought, it is considered to omit the frame portion of the portion where the connecting portion is not formed on one side of the first exterior portion where the connecting portion is formed. However, for example, when the information processing device is dropped, an impact is applied to the first exterior portion, and a panel such as a touch panel display moves toward the connecting portion formed on the second exterior portion, the touch panel display may contact the connecting portion formed on the second exterior portion and be damaged.

[0017] Therefore, the present inventors have studied electronic devices capable of suppressing damage to a panel of a display unit, and have achieved the following disclosure.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described according to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or its use. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are also schematic diagrams, and the ratios of various dimensions may not be consistent with reality.

[0019] In addition, in this specification, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for explanation only and should not be understood as an explicit or implicit statement of the relative importance or order of technical features. Features limited to "first" and "second" explicitly or implicitly indicate the situation of including one or more of the features.

[0020] (Implementation Method)

[0021] [Electronic equipment]

[0022] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an example of an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1As shown, the electronic device 1 is a notebook-type personal computer (laptop PC). The electronic device 1 includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 have a thin box-shaped outer shell and a rectangular shape.

[0023] The first housing 2 accommodates the display unit 4. The display surface of the display unit 4 is exposed from the first housing 2. In addition, the first housing 2 accommodates a camera, an antenna, and the like.

[0024] The second housing 3 accommodates an input unit. The input unit is, for example, a keyboard 5 and a touch pad 6. The input unit is exposed from the second housing 3. In this specification, the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 are sometimes referred to as input units 5 and 6. In addition, inside the second housing 3, circuits such as a CPU and a memory, a battery, and the like are accommodated.

[0025] The first shell 2 and the second shell 3 are connected via a hinge 7. The hinge 7 connects the first shell 2 and the second shell 3 so that they can rotate. By rotating the first shell 2 and / or the second shell 3 through the hinge 7, the electronic device 1 can be set to an open state and a closed state. In addition, the so-called "open state" refers to a state in which the first shell 2 and the second shell 3 are separated, and the display unit 4 and the input units 5 and 6 are exposed. The so-called "closed state" refers to a state in which the first shell 2 and the second shell 3 are arranged opposite to each other, the display unit 4 and the input units 5 and 6 face each other, and the display unit 4 and the input units 5 and 6 are not exposed.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the first housing 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of the dashed area III. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The X, Y, and Z directions in the figure represent the width direction, thickness direction, and height direction of the first housing 2, respectively.

[0027] <Display section>

[0028] The display unit 4 displays an image. In the embodiment, the display unit 4 receives a touch operation of the user and displays an image. The display unit 4 includes a touch panel 8 as an input device and a liquid crystal panel as a display device. The touch panel 8 can use, for example, a touch panel of an electrostatic capacitance coupling method and a touch panel of a resistive film method. The touch panel 8 of this embodiment is an example of a panel involved in the present disclosure.

[0029] Reference Figures 2 to 5, the touch panel 8 has a first main surface PS1, a second main surface PS2 on the side opposite to the first main surface PS1, and an outer peripheral end 8a connecting the first main surface PS1 and the second main surface PS2. Specifically, the touch panel 8 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The first main surface PS1 corresponds to the display surface of the touch panel 8. The second main surface PS2 corresponds to the back side of the touch panel 8. The first main surface PS1 and the second main surface PS2 extend along the X direction and the Z direction.

[0030] A liquid crystal unit 9 is disposed on the second main surface PS2 side of the touch panel 8. The liquid crystal unit 9 includes a liquid crystal panel as a display panel for displaying images, a backlight as a light source for displaying images on the liquid crystal panel, and a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. The liquid crystal unit 9 is mounted on the touch panel 8.

[0031] <First Shell>

[0032] Reference Figures 2 to 5 , the first housing 2 includes a first frame member 11 , a second frame member 12 , and a top plate member 13 .

[0033] The first frame member 11 is in the shape of a frame surrounding the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8. The first frame member 11 protects the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8. The first frame member 11 constitutes a portion of the front surface side of the first housing 2. The first frame member 11 is formed of resin. For example, various resin materials such as polycarbonate, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and polyacetal can be used as the material of the first frame member 11. The Young's modulus of the material of the first frame member 11 is greater than 1.0 GPa and less than 3.0 GPa.

[0034] The second frame member 12 is arranged in a frame shape on the second main surface PS2 side of the touch panel 8. The second frame member 12 extends from the first frame member 11 along the second main surface PS2 of the touch panel 8. The second frame member 12 supports the touch panel 8. In the embodiment, the second frame member 12 is formed integrally with the first frame member 11. In other words, the first frame member 11 and the second frame member 12 are integrally constructed. The second frame member 12 is formed by resin. The material of the second frame member 12 can use various resin materials such as polycarbonate, ABS resin and polyacetal. The Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member 12 is greater than 1.0 GPa and less than 3.0 GPa.

[0035] The second frame member 12 is bonded to the second main surface PS2 of the touch panel 8 via the adhesive 14. Thus, the second frame member 12 is fixed to the touch panel 8.

[0036] The top plate member 13 is arranged on the second main surface PS2 side of the touch panel 8. The top plate member 13 constitutes a portion of the back side of the first housing 2. The top plate member 13 includes: a first portion 13a extending in the X direction and the Z direction and covering the second main surface PS2 of the touch panel 8; and a second portion 13b extending from the first portion 13a toward the second frame member 12 in the Y direction. The top plate member 13 is formed of various metal materials such as magnesium alloy or aluminum alloy.

[0037] The top plate member 13 is attached to the first frame member 11. The hinge portion 7 is rotatably supported by the first frame member 11 and the top plate member 13.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , two notches 15 are provided at the positions where the hinge 7 is arranged in the first housing 2. The hinge 7 is arranged in each of the two notches 15. The two notches 15 are arranged with a gap in the X direction. The notches 15 are arranged at the lower end of the first housing 2 so that one side of the first housing 2 in the Z direction (in the Figure 2 In addition, the notch 15 is provided so as to penetrate the first frame member 11 and the top plate member 13 in the Y direction.

[0039] The notch 15 exposes the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12 in the Z direction. Figure 5 As shown, the second frame member 12 has a protruding end 12a that protrudes toward the notch 15 more than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 in the portion exposed from the notch 15. The protruding end 12a protrudes more in the Z direction than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8. In the direction (Z direction) in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, the protruding end 12a protrudes more than 0.3mm and less than 1mm than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8. In other words, in the direction (Z direction) in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, the dimension L from the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 to the end of the protruding end 12a is more than 0.3mm and less than 1mm. In addition, a circular arc surface 12b is provided on the surface of the protruding end 12a facing the notch 15. Specifically, the corners of the protruding end 12a are rounded. In an embodiment, the radius of the circular arc surface 12b may also be more than 0.2mm and less than 0.4mm.

[0040] Reference Figure 5 , the first housing 2 includes a protruding member 16 and a rib 17 provided on the protruding member 16 .

[0041] The protruding member 16 protrudes from the second frame member 12 to the side opposite to the second main surface PS2 side of the touch panel 8. The protruding member 16 extends in the X direction and the Y direction. The protruding member 16 is opposite to the second portion 13b of the top plate member 13. In the embodiment, the protruding member 16 is formed integrally with the second frame member 12. In other words, the protruding member 16 and the second frame member 12 are integrally structured. The protruding member 16 is formed by resin. For example, various resin materials such as polycarbonate, ABS resin and polyacetal can be used as the material of the protruding member 16. The Young's modulus of the material of the protruding member 16 is greater than 1.0 GPa and less than 3.0 GPa.

[0042] The rib 17 protrudes from the surface of the protruding member 16 that is opposite to the second portion 13b of the top plate member 13 toward the second portion 13b. The rib 17 extends in the Y direction and the Z direction. The protruding member 16 and the rib 17 are located in the range where the protruding end 12a is provided in the second frame member 12. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of ribs 17 are provided at intervals in the X direction. In an embodiment, the rib 17 is formed integrally with the protruding member 16. In other words, the rib 17 and the protruding member 16 are an integral structure. The rib 17 is formed by resin. The material of the rib 17 can use various resin materials such as polycarbonate, ABS resin and polyacetal. The Young's modulus of the material of the rib 17 is greater than 1.0 GPa and less than 3.0 GPa.

[0043] [Effect]

[0044] According to the electronic device 1 of the embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0045] In the embodiment, the portion of the second frame member 12 exposed from the notch has a protruding end 12a that protrudes toward the notch 15 more than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8. Therefore, even if an impact is applied to the first housing 2 and the touch panel 8 moves toward the hinge 7 together with the first housing 2, the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 contacts the hinge 7 before the touch panel 8 contacts the hinge 7. Thus, since the touch panel 8 is prevented from contacting the hinge 7, damage to the touch panel 8 can be prevented.

[0046] In the past, in order to protect the panel of the display unit from the impact of falling, etc., the entire circumference of the panel was covered by a frame member. In contrast, in the embodiment, the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 protrudes toward the notch 15 more than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8, so that the touch panel 8 can be protected from the impact of falling, etc. Therefore, the first frame member 11 does not need to cover the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 at the position where the hinge 7 is configured. Thus, in the embodiment, compared with the case where the first frame member 11 has a portion covering the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 at the position where the hinge 7 is configured, the outer shape of the first frame member 11 can be reduced by the thickness of the portion, so that the first housing 2 can be miniaturized.

[0047] Since the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12 are exposed through the notch 15, when the electronic device 1 is disassembled for repair or the like, the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12 can be disassembled from the exposed portion of the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12. As a result, the workability when disassembling the electronic device 1 can be improved.

[0048] In the direction in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, since the protruding end 12a protrudes by 0.3 mm or more than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8, it is possible to reliably prevent the touch panel 8 from contacting the hinge portion 7. In the direction in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, since the protruding end 12a protrudes by 1 mm or less than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8, it is possible to miniaturize the first housing 2. In the embodiment, in the direction in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, since the protruding end 12a protrudes by 0.3 mm or more and 1 mm or less than the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8, it is possible to suppress damage to the touch panel 8 while miniaturizing the first housing 2.

[0049] In the embodiment, since the Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member 12 is greater than 1.0 GPa and less than 3.0 GPa, when the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 contacts the hinge portion 7, the second frame member 12 deforms, thereby being able to suppress the impact caused by the contact between the second frame member 12 and the hinge portion 7 from being transmitted to the touch panel 8.

[0050] In the case where the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12 are not fixed, when an impact is applied to the first housing 2, only the touch panel 8 moves toward the hinge 7, and the touch panel 8 and the hinge 7 may come into contact. In contrast, according to the embodiment, since the touch panel 8 and the second frame member 12 are fixed, when an impact is applied to the first housing 2, the second frame member 12 moves in conjunction with the touch panel 8. As a result, before the touch panel 8 comes into contact with the hinge 7, the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 comes into contact with the hinge 7, and the touch panel 8 is prevented from coming into contact with the hinge 7, so that damage to the touch panel 8 can be prevented.

[0051] In the embodiment, since the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 has the arc surface 12b, the stress acting on the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 is dispersed even when the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 contacts the hinge portion 7. As a result, since the stress is suppressed from being locally concentrated on the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12, the damage of the second frame member 12 can be suppressed.

[0052] In the embodiment, even if an impact is applied to the first housing 2 and the second frame member 12 moves relative to the top plate member 13 toward the hinge portion 7, the second portion 13b of the top plate member 13 is in contact with the rib 17, so that the second frame member 12 is restricted from moving toward the hinge portion 7. As a result, since the touch panel 8 accommodated in the first housing 2 is prevented from contacting the hinge portion 7, damage to the touch panel 8 can be prevented.

[0053] In the embodiments, the panel involved in the present disclosure is described as an example of a touch panel, but it is not limited to this. The panel involved in the present disclosure may also be a liquid crystal panel or the like as a display panel for displaying images. For example, the liquid crystal panel can use a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a semi-transmissive liquid crystal panel, a reflective liquid crystal panel, etc.

[0054] In the embodiment, an example is described in which the protruding end 12a protrudes from the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 by 0.3 mm or more and 1 mm or less in the direction (Z direction) in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the direction in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, the protruding end 12a may protrude from the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 by less than 0.3 mm. In the direction in which the protruding end 12a protrudes, the protruding end 12a may protrude from the outer peripheral end 8a of the touch panel 8 by more than 1 mm.

[0055] In the embodiment, the Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member 12 is described as being 1.0 GPa or more and 3.0 GPa or less, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member 12 may be less than 1.0 GPa. The Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member 12 may exceed 3.0 GPa.

[0056] In the embodiment, the example in which the touch panel 8 is fixed to the second frame member 12 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The touch panel 8 may not be fixed to the second frame member 12 .

[0057] In the embodiment, the example in which the protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 has the arc surface 12b at the portion exposed from the notch 15 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The protruding end 12a of the second frame member 12 may have a right-angled corner, for example.

[0058] In the embodiment, the example in which the first housing 2 includes the protruding member 16 and the rib 17 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first housing 2 may not include the protruding member 16 and the rib 17 .

[0059] In the embodiment, the example in which the first frame member 11, the second frame member 12, the protruding member 16, and the rib 17 are integrally formed is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first frame member 11, the second frame member 12, the protruding member 16, and the rib 17 may be formed separately, or two or three of them may be integrally formed.

[0060] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to the embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately made.

[0061] The present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it should be understood that such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.

[0062] (Overview of Implementation Methods)

[0063] (1) An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a display unit including a panel having a first main surface, a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface, and an outer peripheral end connecting the first main surface and the second main surface; a first housing accommodating the display unit; a second housing accommodating an input unit; and a hinge portion rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing, the first housing including: a first frame member surrounding the outer peripheral end of the panel; and a second frame member extending from the first frame member along the second main surface of the panel and arranged in a frame shape on the second main surface side of the panel, the first frame member having a notch for exposing the outer peripheral end of the panel and the second frame member at a position where the hinge portion is arranged, the second frame member having a protruding end protruding toward the notch more than the outer peripheral end of the panel at a portion exposed from the notch.

[0064] (2) In the electronic device described in (1), in the direction in which the protruding end protrudes, the protruding end may protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the panel by 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0065] (3) In the electronic device described in (1) or (2), the Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member may be 1.0 GPa or more and 3.0 GPa or less.

[0066] (4) In the electronic device described in (1) to (3), the panel may be fixed to the second frame member.

[0067] (5) In the electronic device described in (1) to (4), the protruding end of the second frame member may have an arc surface at a portion exposed from the notch.

[0068] (6) In the electronic device described in (1) to (5), the first shell may further include: a top plate member having a first portion covering the second main surface of the panel and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the first frame member; a protruding member protruding from the second frame member to the side opposite to the second main surface of the panel and configured to be opposite to the second portion of the top plate member; and a rib extending from the protruding member toward the second portion of the top plate member.

[0069] (7) In the electronic device described in (1) to (6), the panel may be a touch panel.

[0070] Explanation of symbols

[0071] 1 Electronic equipment

[0072] 2 1st shell

[0073] 3. Second shell

[0074] 4 Display

[0075] 5 Keyboard (input unit)

[0076] 6 Touchpad (input part)

[0077] 7. Articulation

[0078] 8 Touch Panel

[0079] 8a outer peripheral end

[0080] 9 Liquid crystal unit

[0081] 11 1st frame member

[0082] 12 2nd frame member

[0083] 12a Overhang

[0084] 12b Arc surface

[0085] 13 Top plate components

[0086] 13a Part 1

[0087] 13b Part 2

[0088] 14 Adhesive

[0089] 15 Gap

[0090] 16 Protruding member

[0091] 17 Rib

[0092] L size

[0093] PS1 Main side 1

[0094] PS2 2nd main side.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: A display unit including a panel having a first main surface, a second main surface on the side opposite to the first main surface, and an outer peripheral end connecting the first main surface and the second main surface; A first housing, accommodating the display unit; A second housing, accommodating the input portion; and A hinge portion connects the first shell and the second shell so as to be rotatable. The first housing comprises: a first frame member surrounding the outer peripheral end of the panel; and a second frame member extending from the first frame member along the second main surface of the panel and arranged in a frame shape on the second main surface side of the panel, The first frame member is provided with a notch at a position where the hinge is arranged so as to expose the outer peripheral end of the panel and the second frame member. The second frame member has a protruding end that protrudes toward the notch further than the outer peripheral end of the panel at a portion exposed from the notch.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: In the direction in which the protruding end protrudes, the protruding end protrudes by 0.3 mm or more and 1 mm or less than the outer peripheral end portion of the panel.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The Young's modulus of the material of the second frame member is 1.0 GPa or more and 3.0 GPa or less.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The panel is fixed to the second frame member.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The protruding end of the second frame member has an arc surface at a portion exposed from the notch.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first housing further comprises: a top plate member having a first portion covering the second main surface of the panel and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the second frame member; a protruding member protruding from the second frame member to the side opposite to the second main surface side of the panel and arranged to face the second portion of the top plate member; and The rib extends from the protruding member toward the second portion of the top plate member.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The panel is a touch panel.

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