Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device includes: a first case; and a second housing which is connected to the first housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and in which the display unit is disposed. The second housing is provided with: a first outer surface that exposes the display unit; and a second outer surface facing in a direction opposite to the first outer surface. The second outer surface is formed with a step extending in an intersecting direction that intersects the rotation axis and is parallel to the second outer surface. Ribs extending in the intersecting direction are provided on the rear surface of the second outer surface. At least a portion of the rib is located at a position overlapping the step in the intersecting direction. The rib is provided at a position overlapping the step when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the second outer surface, or at a position between the step and the center of the second outer surface in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The size of the step decreases from one side toward the other side in the intersecting direction. The height of the rib in a portion overlapping the step in the intersecting direction increases from one side toward the other side in the intersecting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device having a step formed on an outer surface of a housing. Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose portable information processing devices such as notebook computers (laptop PCs). In the portable information processing device, a liquid crystal display panel is arranged between a rear housing and a front housing. A raised portion is formed on the rear housing. A step is formed on the outer surface of the rear housing by the raised portion. The strength of the rear housing is improved by the step.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-272860

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-204174 Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device capable of maintaining the strength of a casing and improving the degree of freedom in designing the casing.

[0008] An electronic device of one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first shell, which is provided with an input unit; and a second shell, which is rotatably connected to the first shell via a hinge portion and is provided with a display unit, wherein the second shell comprises: a first outer surface, which exposes the display unit; and a second outer surface, which faces a direction opposite to the first outer surface, and on the second outer surface, a step is formed extending along a cross direction, the cross direction intersects with the rotation axis of the first shell and the second shell and is parallel to the second outer surface, and on the inner surface which is the back side of the second outer surface, a step extending along the cross direction is provided. A rib extending in the cross direction, at least a portion of the rib is located at a position overlapping with the step in the cross direction, the rib is arranged at a position overlapping with the step when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface, or at a position between the step and the center of the second outer surface in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, the size of the step decreases from one side of the cross direction of the second outer surface to the other side, and the height of the rib at the portion overlapping with the step in the cross direction increases from one side of the inner surface to the other side of the cross direction.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of maintaining the strength of a housing and improving the degree of freedom in designing the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the front.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the rear.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a top view of the second shell.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a bottom view of the second shell.

[0014] Figure 5 Use VV line to Figure 4 A sectional view of the second shell cut away.

[0015] Figure 6 Use VI-VI line to Figure 4 A sectional view of the second shell cut off.

[0016] Figure 7 It is schematically shown Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view.

[0017] Figure 8 Use the VIII-VIII line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut off.

[0018] Fig. 9 Use IX-IX line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut off.

[0019] Fig.10 Use XX line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] (The process of realizing this disclosure)

[0021] In the portable information processing devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a step is formed in the housing. By forming the step, the strength of the housing is improved.

[0022] In the portable information processing devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the height of the step is fixed. The limitation of forming a step of a fixed height on the housing determines the appearance of the housing into a limited shape. In other words, the degree of freedom in the design of the housing is reduced.

[0023] Without the above-mentioned restrictions, the degree of freedom in designing the housing can be increased, but on the other hand, there is a concern that the strength of the housing may be reduced.

[0024] To this end, the inventors discovered that by forming steps on the outer surface that become smaller as they move in one direction, and forming ribs on the back side of the outer surface that become higher as they move in a direction opposite to the one direction, the strength of the shell can be maintained and the design freedom of the shell can be increased, thereby achieving the following disclosure.

[0025] (Implementation Method)

[0026] [Overall structure]

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the front. The X, Y, and Z directions in the figure respectively represent the width direction (long side direction of the first housing 2), the depth direction (short side direction of the first housing 2), and the height direction (thickness direction of the first housing 2) of the first housing 2. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the electronic device 1 is a notebook 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 each have a thin box-shaped outer profile and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the upper surface side.

[0029] The first housing 2 accommodates a keyboard 4 and a touchpad 5. In other words, the keyboard 4 and the touchpad 5 are arranged in the first housing 2. The second housing 3 accommodates a liquid crystal panel 6. In other words, the liquid crystal panel 6 is arranged in the second housing 3. The keyboard 4 and the touchpad 5 are examples of an input unit. The liquid crystal panel 6 is an example of a display unit. In this specification, the keyboard 4 and the touchpad 5 are sometimes referred to as input units 4 and 5, and the liquid crystal panel 6 is sometimes referred to as a display unit 6.

[0030] The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected via a hinge 7. The hinge 7 is provided at the end of the first housing 2 in the depth direction (Y direction). The hinge 7 connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 so that they can rotate with respect to each other around a rotation axis 8. The rotation axis 8 of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is parallel to the X direction. By rotating at least one of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 through the hinge 7, the electronic device 1 can be opened and closed. Specifically, by the hinge 7, the electronic device 1 can be set to an open state and a closed state. The so-called "open state" refers to a state in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are separated from each other, and the input units 4, 5 and the display unit 6 are exposed. The so-called "closed state" refers to a state in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction, the input units 4, 5 and the display unit 6 face each other, and the input units 4, 5 and the display unit 6 are not exposed.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the rear. Figure 3 It is a top view of the second shell. Figure 4 It is a bottom view of the second shell.

[0032] Hereinafter, the structure of the second housing 3 will be described in detail. Figure 3 The L, S, and T directions in the following figures respectively represent the width direction (long side direction of the second shell 3), the depth direction (short side direction of the second shell 3), and the height direction (thickness direction of the second shell 3) of the second shell 3. The L, S, and T directions are orthogonal to each other. In the aforementioned "closed state", the L direction is parallel to the X direction and the rotation axis 8, the S direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the T direction is parallel to the Z direction. In the aforementioned "open state", the L direction is parallel to the X direction, but the S and T directions are not parallel to the Y and Z directions, respectively. The S and T directions are orthogonal to the rotation axis 8. The S direction is an example of a cross direction and an orthogonal direction.

[0033] like Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the second housing 3 includes a first outer surface 3A (see Figure 1 )、The second outer surface 3B (refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 ) and inner surface 3C (reference Figure 4 ). The first outer surface 3A and the second outer surface 3B face opposite directions. The inner surface 3C is the back of the second outer surface 3B. The L and S directions are parallel to the first outer surface 3A, the second outer surface 3B, and the inner surface 3C, respectively. The T direction is orthogonal to the first outer surface 3A, the second outer surface 3B, and the inner surface 3C, respectively.

[0034] The second housing 3 includes a base end 3D and a front end 3E. The base end 3D is a rotation base end of the second housing 3 and is provided with a hinge portion 7. The front end 3E is a rotation front end of the second housing 3 and is located on the opposite side of the base end 3D in the S direction.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the second shell 3 includes a frame 30. The frame 30 is installed on the side of the second shell 3 that is opposite to the first shell 2 in the "closed state". A liquid crystal panel 6 is installed on the inner side of the frame 30. As a result, the outer edge of the frame 30 on the side that is opposite to the first shell 2 in the "closed state" is exposed in the second shell 3, and the liquid crystal panel 6 is exposed at a position further inside than the outer edge. The first outer surface 3A is formed by the exposed frame 30 and the liquid crystal panel 6. The portion of the second shell 3 other than the outer edge on the side that is opposite to the first shell 2 in the "closed state" is covered by the liquid crystal panel 6. The portion other than the outer edge is Figure 4 The inner surface 3C shown in FIG. 3C is opposite to the liquid crystal panel 6 in the T direction. Figure 4 2 shows the second housing 3 from which the frame body 30 and the liquid crystal panel 6 are removed.

[0036] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , two steps 31 are formed on the second outer surface 3B. The two steps 31 extend in the S direction, respectively. Figure 3 As shown, the two steps 31 are arranged in plane symmetry with respect to a virtual plane passing through a virtual straight line 84 shown by a two-dot chain line and perpendicular to the L direction. The virtual straight line 84 is a line passing through the center of the second outer surface 3B in the L direction as viewed from the T direction and extending in the S direction along the second outer surface 3B.

[0037] The two steps 31 are respectively formed between the end and the center of the second outer surface 3B in the L direction. The center of the second outer surface 3B in the L direction is the position of the virtual straight line 84 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the step 31 is provided by bending a plate-shaped member having substantially the same thickness, such as a metal plate.

[0039] Figure 5 Use VV line to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the second shell cut off. Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the center side of the second outer surface 3B closer to the L direction than the step 31 is recessed relative to the end side of the second outer surface 3B closer to the L direction than the step 31. That is, the area 3Bb between the two steps 31 in the L direction of the second outer surface 3B is recessed relative to the area 3Ba outside the step 31 in the L direction of the second outer surface 3B.

[0040] Figure 6 Use VI-VI line to Figure 4 A sectional view of the second shell cut off. Figure 7 It is schematically shown Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of. Figure 3 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the step 31 extends from the base end 3D toward the front end 3E in the S direction. In the S direction, one end 31A of the step 31 is located at the base end 3D. In this embodiment, the step 31 does not extend to the front end 3E. In the S direction, the other end 31B of the step 31 is located at a position different from the front end 3E. In other words, the step 31 is formed at a distance from the front end 3E. As a result, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the second outer surface 3B has an area 3Bc without the step 31 between the step 31 and the front end 3E in the S direction. In this embodiment, the "without the step 31" means flat. That is, in this embodiment, the area 3Bc is a flat area.

[0041] In this embodiment, the base end 3D side in the S direction, in other words, the hinge portion 7 side of the second housing 3 corresponds to one side in the S direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the front end 3E side in the S direction, in other words, the rotation front end side of the second housing 3 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 7 of the second housing 3 corresponds to the other side in the S direction.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, two ribs 32 are formed on the inner surface 3C. The two ribs 32 extend in the S direction respectively. The two ribs 32 are arranged in plane symmetry with respect to a virtual plane passing through the virtual straight line 85 and perpendicular to the L direction, similarly to the two steps 31. The virtual straight line 85 is a line passing through the center of the inner surface 3C in the L direction and extending in the S direction along the inner surface 3C as viewed from the T direction. The center of the inner surface 3C in the L direction is the position of the virtual straight line 85. In this embodiment, the position of the virtual straight line 85 in the L direction is the same as the position of the virtual straight line 84 in the L direction. The two ribs 32 are formed between the end of the inner surface 3C in the L direction and the virtual straight line 85, similarly to the two steps 31.

[0043] like Figure 4 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the rib 32 is formed to be spaced apart from the base end 3D and the front end 3E in the S direction. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown in the figure, in the S direction, one end 32A of the rib 32 is located between one end 31A and the other end 31B of the step 31. In the S direction, the other end 32B of the rib 32 is located between the other end 31B of the step 31 and the front end 3E of the second housing 3. In other words, a part of the rib 32 is located at a position overlapping with the step 31 in the S direction. In addition, another part of the rib 32 is provided between the step 31 and the front end 3E in the S direction.

[0044] That is, the other part of the rib 32 is provided on the back side of the region 3Bc of the second outer surface 3B where the step 31 is not formed. That is, the rib 32 is provided continuously from the back side of the region 3Bc of the second outer surface 3B where the step 31 is not formed to the back side of the region of the second outer surface 3B where the step 31 is formed.

[0045] Generally, stress is easily concentrated at the starting point of the step 31 (for example, the other end 31B of the step 31). In this embodiment, as described above, the rib 32 is formed across the back surface of the starting point of the step 31 and the back surfaces on both sides of the starting point in the S direction. Thus, the strength of the starting point of the step 31 can be improved compared to a structure in which the rib 32 is provided only on the back surface of the region where the step 31 is formed in the second outer surface 3B. In other words, the starting point of the step 31, which is easy to collect stress, can be reinforced.

[0046] Figure 8 Use the VIII-VIII line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut away. Fig. 9 Use IX-IX line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut away. Fig.10 Use XX line to Figure 7 A sectional view of the second shell cut away.

[0047] like Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 As shown, the rib 32 is provided at a position overlapping with the step 31 in the L direction. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the T direction perpendicular to the second outer surface 3B, a portion of the rib 32 is provided at a position overlapping with the step 31. Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 , the length of the rib 32 in the L direction is longer than the length of the step 31 in the L direction. In other words, the rib 32 is wider than the step 31.

[0048] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the length of the step 31 in the T direction, that is, the size of the step 31, decreases as it moves from the base end 3D side of the second outer surface 3B toward the front end 3E side. In this embodiment, the change in the size of the step 31 is generated by tilting the area 3Bb relative to the area 3Ba on the second outer surface 3B. For example, Figure 8 The size S1 of the step 31 at the position shown is greater than Fig. 9 The size S2 of the step 31 at the position shown is large. Fig.10 In the position shown, there is no step 31 .

[0049] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the height of the rib 32 in the S direction from the back side of the region 3Bb increases as it moves from the base end 3D side of the second outer surface 3B toward the front end 3E side. The portion of the rib 32 located between one end 32A and the other end 31B of the step 31 in the S direction is the portion of the rib 32 that overlaps with the step 31 in the S direction. The height of the rib 32 is the length of the rib 32 in the T direction. In this embodiment, the change in the height of the rib 32 is produced by inclining the portion of the back side of the region 3Bb of the second outer surface 3B in the inner surface 3C relative to the region 3Ba of the second outer surface 3B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the protruding front end surface 32C of the rib 32 is parallel to the region 3Ba. For example, Figure 8 The height H1 of the rib 32 at the position shown is lower than Fig. 9 The height H2 of the rib 32 at the position shown is lower than Fig.10The height H3 of the rib 32 at the position shown. In addition, the height of the rib 32 can also be changed by inclining the protruding front end surface 32C of the rib 32 with respect to the S direction.

[0050] The height of the portion of the rib 32 located between the other end 31B of the step 31 and the front end 3E of the second housing 3 in the S direction is constant. The portion of the rib 32 located between the other end 31B of the step 31 and the front end 3E of the second housing 3 in the S direction is the portion of the rib 32 that does not overlap with the step 31 in the S direction.

[0051] The ratio at which the size of the step 31 decreases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side in the S direction is equal to the ratio at which the height of the rib 32 increases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side in the S direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, the two steps 31 have the same size at each position, position in the S direction, etc. In this embodiment, the two ribs 32 have the same height at each position, position in the S direction, etc.

[0053] [Effect]

[0054] According to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the size of the step 31 decreases from one side of the second outer surface 3B toward the other side in the S direction. Thus, the ratio at which the size of the step 31 decreases can be set in various ways. In addition, thereby, the direction in which the step 31 decreases can be set to two directions, for example, the direction from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side and the direction from the front end 3E side toward the base end 3D side. As described above, compared with a structure in which the size of the step 31 is fixed, the degree of freedom in the design of the second outer surface 3B can be increased.

[0056] According to this embodiment, a rib 32 extending in the S direction is formed on the inner surface 3C, which is the back side of the second outer surface 3B. In addition, the height of the portion of the rib 32 that overlaps with the step 31 in the S direction increases as it moves from one side of the inner surface 3C in the S direction toward the other side. In other words, the height of the rib 32 is high on the back side of the portion with a smaller step 31, and low on the back side of the portion with a larger step 31. Thus, the reduction in the strength of the second shell 3 caused by the smaller step 31 can be suppressed by the rib 32 having a higher height. In addition, by configuring the rib 32 to be lower on the back side of the portion with a larger step 31, it is possible to suppress the second shell 3 from becoming larger in the T direction.

[0057] Usually, the liquid crystal panel 6 disposed opposite to the inner surface 3C of the second housing 3 is located on the back side of the portion where the step 31 is not formed. Therefore, when the rib 32 is formed on the back side of this portion, the arrangement space of the liquid crystal panel 6 becomes smaller. In this embodiment, when the rib 32 is provided at a position overlapping with the step 31 as viewed from the T direction, the rib 32 is located on the back side of the portion where the step 31 is formed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the arrangement space of the liquid crystal panel 6 from becoming smaller.

[0058] According to this embodiment, since the rib 32 becomes higher at the same ratio as the ratio at which the size of the step 31 becomes smaller, the difference in strength of the second housing 3 caused by the difference in position in the S direction can be reduced.

[0059] According to this embodiment, since the rib 32 is wider than the step 31 , the strength of the second housing 3 can be improved compared to a structure in which the width of the rib 32 is equal to or smaller than the width of the step 31 .

[0060] According to this embodiment, the step 31 is formed at a distance from the front end 3E. That is, since the step 31 does not exist in the portion of the distance, the strength of the second housing 3 is reduced in the portion of the distance. However, according to this embodiment, by providing the rib 32 in the portion of the distance, the reduction in the strength of the second housing 3 can be suppressed.

[0061] According to this embodiment, since the center side of the L direction of the second outer surface 3B is recessed, the strength of the second housing 3 can be improved while making the appearance of the second housing 3 look thinner.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the step 31 on the rotation shaft 8 side (base end 3D side) of the second housing 3 can be formed to be larger and the step 31 on the rotation tip side (tip 3E side) of the second housing 3 can be formed to be smaller.

[0063] According to this embodiment, since the step 31 is provided in plane symmetry with respect to the virtual plane passing through the virtual straight line 84 and perpendicular to the L direction, it is possible to suppress an extreme difference between the strength on one side in the L direction and the strength on the other side in the L direction with respect to the virtual straight line 84. In addition, the design property of the second housing 3 can be improved.

[0064] In this embodiment, an example in which the step 31 and the rib 32 extend in the S direction is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The step 31 and the rib 32 may extend in a direction inclined relative to the S direction. In other words, the step 31 may not be parallel to the S direction. In this case, the direction in which the step 31 extends (the direction inclined relative to the S direction) is equivalent to the intersecting direction. In other words, the intersecting direction is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 8, but is the direction intersecting the rotation axis 8.

[0065] In this embodiment, an example is described in which both the step 31 and the rib 32 extend in the S direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The direction in which the step 31 extends and the direction in which the rib 32 extends may be different. For example, the step 31 may extend in the S direction, and the rib 32 may extend in a direction inclined relative to the S direction.

[0066] In this embodiment, an example in which two steps 31 and two ribs 32 are formed is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The steps 31 and the ribs 32 may be formed with one or more steps 31 and 32, respectively. In addition, the number of steps 31 may be different from the number of ribs 32. For example, one step 31 may be formed and three ribs 32 may be formed.

[0067] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the step 31 and the rib 32 are plane-symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane passing through the virtual straight line and perpendicular to the L direction, but the step 31 and the rib 32 may not be plane-symmetrical. In addition, one of the step 31 and the rib 32 may be plane-symmetrical, while the other may not be plane-symmetrical.

[0068] In this embodiment, an example is described in which each step 31 has the same structure and each rib 32 has the same structure, but each step 31 may have different structures, and each rib 32 may have different structures. For example, the size of each step 31 may be different from each other, and the height of each rib 32 may be different from each other.

[0069] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the step 31 extends from the base end 3D and is formed at a distance from the front end 3E, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the step 31 may extend from the front end 3E and be formed at a distance from the base end 3D, or may be formed at a distance from both the base end 3D and the front end 3E. Similarly, an example is described in which the rib 32 is formed at a distance from both the base end 3D and the front end 3E, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0070] In this embodiment, an example is described in which one end 32A of the rib 32 is located between one end 31A and the other end 31B of the step 31, and the other end 32B of the rib 32 is located between the other end 31B of the step 31 and the front end 3E of the second housing 3 in the S direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one end 32A of the rib 32 may be located between the base end 3D and one end 31A of the step 31, and the other end 32B of the rib 32 may be located between one end 31A and the other end 31B of the step 31 in the S direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, an example is described in which a part of the rib 32 is located at a position overlapping with the step 31 in the S direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the entire rib 32 may be located at a position overlapping with the step 31 in the S direction. In other words, it is sufficient as long as at least a part of the rib 32 is located at a position overlapping with the step 31 in the S direction.

[0072] In this embodiment, an example in which a part of the rib 32 is provided between the step 31 and the front end 3E in the S direction is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a part of the rib 32 may be provided between the step 31 and the base end 3D in the S direction. In addition, for example, a part of the rib 32 may be provided between the step 31 and the base end 3D in the S direction, and another part of the rib 32 may be provided between the step 31 and the front end 3E in the S direction. In addition, for example, the rib 32 may be provided entirely between one end 31A and the other end 31B of the step 31 in the S direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, the rib 32 is provided at an example where it overlaps with the step 31 when viewed from the T direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the rib 32 may be provided at a position between the step 31 and the center of the second outer surface 3B (virtual straight lines 84, 85) in the L direction.

[0074] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the size of the step 31 decreases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side. However, conversely, the size of the step 31 may increase from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side.

[0075] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the height of the rib 32 increases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side. However, contrary to the above, the height of the rib 32 may decrease from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side.

[0076] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the ratio at which the size of the step 31 decreases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side is equal to the ratio at which the height of the rib 32 increases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the ratio at which the size of the step 31 decreases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side may be different from the ratio at which the height of the rib 32 increases from the base end 3D side toward the front end 3E side.

[0077] Although the present disclosure is fully described in relation to the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various modifications and alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it should be understood that such modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.

[0078] (Overview of Implementation Methods)

[0079] (1) An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a first housing having an input unit; and a second housing connected to the first housing via a hinge so as to be rotatable with respect to each other and having a display unit, wherein the second housing comprises: a first outer surface having the display unit exposed; and a second outer surface facing in a direction opposite to the first outer surface, wherein a step extending in a cross direction is formed on the second outer surface, the cross direction intersecting with a rotation axis of the first housing and the second housing and being parallel to the second outer surface, and a step extending in a cross direction is provided on an inner surface which is a back side of the second outer surface. A rib extending in a fork direction, at least a portion of the rib is located at a position overlapping with the step in the intersection direction, the rib is arranged at a position overlapping with the step when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface, or at a position between the step and the center of the second outer surface in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, the size of the step decreases from one side of the intersection direction of the second outer surface to the other side, and the height of the rib at the portion overlapping with the step in the intersection direction increases from one side of the inner surface to the other side of the intersection direction.

[0080] (2) In the electronic device of (1), a ratio at which the size of the step decreases from one side to the other side in the intersecting direction may be equal to a ratio at which the height of the rib increases from one side to the other side in the intersecting direction.

[0081] (3) In the electronic device of (1) or (2), the length of the rib in the width direction may be longer than the length of the step in the width direction.

[0082] (4) In the electronic device of any one of (1) to (3), the second shell may also include: a base end, on which the hinge portion is configured; and a front end, which is located on the opposite side of the base end in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the rotation axis and parallel to the second outer surface, and the step may also be formed at a distance from at least one of the base end and the front end, and a portion of the rib may also be arranged in at least one of the step and the base end and the step and the front end in the orthogonal direction.

[0083] (5) In the electronic device of any one of (1) to (4), the step may be formed between the end and the center of the second outer surface in the width direction, and the center side of the second outer surface closer to the width direction than the step may be recessed relative to the end side of the second outer surface closer to the width direction than the step.

[0084] (6) In the electronic device of any one of (1) to (5), one side of the intersection direction may be the hinge portion side of the second shell, and the other side of the intersection direction may be the rotation front end side of the second shell on the side opposite to the hinge portion of the second shell.

[0085] (7) In the electronic device according to any one of (1) to (6), the step may be provided in plane symmetry with respect to a virtual plane passing through the center of the second outer surface in the width direction and perpendicular to the width direction.

[0086] Industrial Applicability

[0087] The present disclosure is useful in an electronic device (for example, a laptop PC) including a first housing having an input unit and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge and having a display unit.

[0088] Explanation of symbols

[0089] 1 Electronic equipment

[0090] 2 1st shell

[0091] 3. Second shell

[0092] 31 steps

[0093] 32 Ribs

[0094] 3A 1st outer surface

[0095] 3B Second outer surface

[0096] 3C inner surface

[0097] 3D Base

[0098] 3E Front End

[0099] 4 Keyboard (input unit)

[0100] 5 Touchpad (input part)

[0101] 6 Liquid crystal panel (display part)

[0102] 7. Articulation

[0103] 8 Rotation axis

[0104] 84, 85 virtual straight line.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: A first housing having an input unit; and The second housing is connected to the first housing via a hinge so as to be rotatable with respect to each other and is provided with a display unit. The second housing comprises: a first outer surface exposing the display portion; and The second outer surface faces in a direction opposite to the first outer surface, The second outer surface is provided with a step extending in a cross direction, wherein the cross direction intersects with the rotation axis of the first shell and the second shell and is parallel to the second outer surface. A rib extending along the intersecting direction is provided on the inner surface which is the back side of the second outer surface. At least a portion of the rib is located at a position overlapping the step in the intersecting direction, The rib is provided at a position overlapping with the step when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface, or at a position between the step and the center of the second outer surface in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The size of the step decreases from one side of the second outer surface toward the other side in the intersecting direction. The height of the rib at a portion overlapping the step in the intersecting direction increases from one side of the inner surface in the intersecting direction toward the other side.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The ratio at which the size of the step decreases from one side toward the other side in the intersecting direction is equal to the ratio at which the height of the rib increases from one side toward the other side in the intersecting direction.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the rib in the width direction is longer than the length of the step in the width direction.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The second housing includes: a base end, where the hinge portion is disposed; and a front end, located on the opposite side of the base end in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the rotation axis and parallel to the second outer surface. The step is formed at a distance from at least one of the base end and the front end. A portion of the rib is provided at least one of between the step and the base end and between the step and the front end in the orthogonal direction.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The step is formed between the end and the center of the second outer surface in the width direction. A portion of the second outer surface closer to a center in the width direction than the step is recessed relative to an end portion of the second outer surface closer to an end in the width direction than the step.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: One side of the intersecting direction is the hinge portion side of the second housing, The other side in the intersecting direction is a rotation front end side of the second housing on the side opposite to the hinge portion in the second housing.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The step is provided in plane symmetry with respect to a virtual plane that passes through the center of the second outer surface in the width direction and is perpendicular to the width direction.

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