Shell and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a housing and an electronic device capable of improving appearance quality and stably fixing a plate member. The case is a case for an electronic device, and is provided with: a case member having a curved-surface-shaped outer surface and having a recessed portion provided in a portion of the outer surface; and a plate member which is affixed to the bottom surface of the recessed section so as to fill the recessed section, the surface of the plate member facing the outer surface, the plate member having a rectangular outer shape having long sides and short sides shorter than the long sides, the bottom surface of the recessed portion is formed in a curved shape in the longitudinal direction of the plate member so as to be curved along the curved surface shape, and is formed in a linear shape in the short direction of the plate member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to housings and electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices such as laptop PCs have housings that house display panels, such as LCD screens. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the housing component supporting the back of the display panel has a dome-shaped curved surface.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-079985

[0004] The aforementioned electronic devices sometimes have a thin plate component on the outer surface of the housing. This plate component is, for example, a nameplate displaying the product name and manufacturer's name.

[0005] However, when the shell member has a curved shape as described above, if the bonding surface of the plate member is a simple plane, the steps between the outer surface and the surface of the plate member are likely to be more pronounced. On the other hand, when the bonding surface is set as a misaligned surface of the outer surface, for example, it is necessary to bend the long and short sides of a rectangular plate member in three dimensions. In this case, there is a concern that the plate member, especially the short side with strong bending rigidity, may lift up and peel off from the bonding surface. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a housing and electronic device that can improve the appearance quality and stably fix the board components.

[0007] The housing according to the first aspect of the present invention is a housing for an electronic device, and includes: a housing member having a curved outer surface and a recessed portion provided on a portion of the outer surface; and a plate member attached to the bottom surface of the recessed portion in such a way as to fill the recessed portion, with the surface facing the outer surface. The plate member has a rectangular shape having a long side and a short side shorter than the long side. The bottom surface of the recessed portion is formed in a curved shape along the curved shape in the long side direction of the plate member and in a straight shape in the short side direction of the plate member.

[0008] The electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: a housing member having a curved outer surface and a recessed portion provided in a portion of the curved outer surface; and a plate member attached to the bottom surface of the recessed portion in such a way as to fill the recessed portion, with the surface facing the outer surface. The plate member has a rectangular shape having a long side and a short side shorter than the long side. The bottom surface of the recessed portion is formed in a curved shape along the curved shape in the long side direction of the plate member and in a straight shape in the short side direction of the plate member.

[0009] According to the above-described method of the present invention, the appearance quality can be improved and the plate components can be stably fixed. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to one embodiment, viewed from above.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic top view of the first shell as seen from the outer surface of the shell components.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of the shell component.

[0013] Figure 4A It is a three-dimensional view of the plate component and its surrounding parts.

[0014] Figure 4B From Figure 4A The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the concave section after the plate component has been removed.

[0015] Figure 5A It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the VA-VA line.

[0016] Figure 5B It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the VB-VB line.

[0017] Figure 5C It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the VC-VC line.

[0018] Figure 5D It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the VD-VD line.

[0019] Figure 6A It is a perspective view schematically showing the state before the plate component is attached to the bottom surface of the concave part.

[0020] Figure 6B It is a schematic representation in Figure 6A The diagram shows the state where the plate component is attached to the bottom surface.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10...electronic device; 11...first housing; 20...housing component; 20a...outer surface; 20b...curved shape; 26...plate component; 26b, 28b...long side; 26c, 28c...short side; 27...marker; 28...recess; 28a...bottom surface. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the housing and electronic device involved in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view, taken from above, of the electronic device 10 according to one embodiment. (As shown) Figure 1 As shown, the electronic device 10 in this embodiment is a clamshell laptop PC, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are connected by a hinge 14 to allow relative rotation. In this embodiment, an electronic device 10 based on a laptop PC is shown, but the electronic device can be, in addition to a laptop PC, a standalone display device, a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a portable game console.

[0025] The second housing 12 is a flat box and is adjacent to the first housing 11. The interior of the second housing 12 houses various electronic components, including a motherboard housing a CPU, a battery, a memory, and an antenna. The keyboard 16 and touchpad 17 face the upper surface 12a of the second housing 12. Alternatively, the second housing 12 may have a touch panel display mounted on its upper surface 12a, displaying a software keyboard.

[0026] The first housing 11 is a flat box. The first housing 11 houses the display panel 18. Hereinafter, the first housing 11 and the structural elements mounted on it will be described based on the direction observed by a user from the display surface 18a of the display panel 18. The left-right direction will be referred to as X1 and X2, the up-down direction as Y1 and Y2, and the depth direction (thickness direction) as Z1 and Z2. There are also cases where the X1 and X2 directions are collectively referred to as the X direction, and similarly, the Y1 and Y2 directions and the Z1 and Z2 directions may be referred to as the Y direction and Z direction, respectively.

[0027] The display surface 18a of the display panel 18 faces the Z1 side surface of the first housing 11. The display panel 18 can be made of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The first housing 11 has a housing member 20 forming the Z2 side surface and a frame member 22 forming the outer periphery of the Z1 side surface. The top, bottom, left, and right sides of the first housing 11 are formed by vertical walls 23 that rise from the periphery of the housing member 20. The frame member 22 is a frame-shaped thin plate that surrounds the outer periphery of the display surface 18a of the display panel 18. The hinge 14 is connected to the Y2 side edge of the first housing 11 and is covered by a rod-shaped hinge cover extending in the X direction.

[0028] Figure 2This is a schematic top view of the first housing 11 as seen from the outer surface 20a side of the housing member 20. Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of the housing component 20.

[0029] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing member 20 has a dome-shaped curved surface 20b with a vertical wall 23 that smoothly bulges from an outer edge toward the center. In other words, the outer surface 20a has a dome shape that bulges from the outer periphery toward the center and expands inward in the Z direction. The space ensured by the inner side of the curved surface 20b can accommodate, for example, a control board for a display panel 18.

[0030] The first housing 11 has a plate component 26 on its outer surface 20a.

[0031] The board component 26 is, for example, a nameplate with an identifier 27 provided on its surface 26a. The identifier 27 displays the product name, manufacturer name, etc. of the electronic device 10 through strings, graphics, badges, or combinations thereof. The board component 26 can also be used for purposes other than displaying the identifier 27. The board component 26 can also be used, for example, for decorative purposes in appearance design or for setting up small electronic components such as LEDs.

[0032] The plate member 26 is embedded in a recess 28 partially formed on the outer surface 20a, and its surface 26a faces the outer surface 20a. The surface 26a of the plate member 26 can be positioned slightly lower than the outer surface 20a towards the Z1 side, or approximately coplanar with the outer surface 20a. Figure 2 In the top view shown, the concave portion 28 and the plate member 26 are, for example, located near the corners of X2 and Y2, and close to the edge portion (wall 23) on the X2 side. This location is a part of the curved shape 20b formed on the outer surface 20a. In other words, the plate member 26 is located in the concave portion 28 formed in a part of the curved shape 20b.

[0033] Next, the mounting structure for mounting the plate component 26 to the concave portion 28 will be described.

[0034] Figure 4A This is a perspective view of plate component 26 and its surrounding parts. Figure 4B From Figure 4A A perspective view of the concave portion 28 after the plate component 26 has been removed. Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 5D They are along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the VA-VA line, VB-VB line, VC-VC line, and VD-VD line. Figure 6AThis is a perspective view schematically showing the state before the plate component 26 is attached to the bottom surface 28a of the concave portion 28. Figure 6B It is a schematic indication that it has already been Figure 6A The diagram shows the state in which the plate component 26 is attached to the bottom surface 28a.

[0035] like Figures 4A to 6B As shown, the plate component 26 has a rectangular shape with a long side 26b and a short side 26c that is shorter than the long side 26b. The plate component 26 can be constructed from a thin resin plate, for example, made of polycarbonate.

[0036] The thickness of the plate component 26 can be set to, for example, approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The length of the long side 26b can be, for example, more than twice the length of the short side 26c. For example, the length of the long side 26b can be set to approximately 30 mm to 80 mm, and the length of the short side 26c can be set to approximately 10 mm to 30 mm. The plate component 26 has such a shape that it can be bent flexibly to a certain extent at least in the direction of the long side 26b, but has strong bending rigidity, is relatively stiff, and is not easily bent in the direction of the short side 26c.

[0037] The concave portion 28 has a shape formed by partially and shallowly excavating a curved shape 20b formed on the outer surface 20a. The top view shape of the concave portion 28 can be a rectangle slightly larger than the outer shape of the plate member 26. The depth of the concave portion 28 in the Z direction is slightly greater than the thickness of the plate member 26. Therefore, the plate member 26 can be configured to fill the concave portion 28.

[0038] The plate component 26 has double-sided adhesive tape 30 on its back side 26d, opposite to the surface 26a. The plate component 26 can be adhered to and fixed to the bottom surface 28a of the recessed portion 28 using the double-sided adhesive tape 30. Alternatively, the plate component 26 can be adhered to the bottom surface 28a using an adhesive or the like instead of the double-sided adhesive tape 30.

[0039] The bottom surface 28a has a rectangular shape with a long side 28b and a short side 28c shorter than the long side 28b. The four edges of the bottom surface 28a are surrounded by narrow, moat-like grooves 28d that are recessed towards the Z2 side. The grooves 28d are clearance portions used to prevent the outer edge of the back surface 26d of the plate member 26 from poorly adhering and lifting off the bottom surface 28a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bottom surface 28a has a rectangular shape with the amount of grooves 28d slightly smaller than the overall shape of the plate member 26. The grooves 28d may also be omitted. In this case, the bottom surface 28a can have a rectangular shape that is the same as or slightly larger than the overall shape of the plate member 26.

[0040] Figure 4BThe positioning hole 28e formed on the bottom surface 28a in the thickness direction is for fitting a positioning pin provided on the back surface 26d of the plate component 26. The positioning hole 28e may also be omitted.

[0041] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the bottom surface 28a is formed as a curve along the long side 26b of the plate member 26, curving in a manner that follows the curved surface shape 20b. In other words, the long side 28b of the bottom surface 28a is a curve extending along the curved surface shape 20b. Specifically, Figure 4B and Figure 6A The lines connecting angles C1 and C2 and connecting angles C3 and C4 on the base 28a shown are curves.

[0042] like Figures 5C-6B As shown, the bottom surface 28a is formed as a straight line relative to the direction along the short side 26c of the plate member 26. In other words, the short side 28c of the bottom surface 28a is a straight line. Specifically, Figure 4B and Figure 6A The lines connecting angles C1 and C3 and connecting angles C2 and C4 on the base 28a shown are straight lines.

[0043] When the plate component 26 is installed in the concave portion 28, the back surface 26d is adhered to the bottom surface 28a using double-sided adhesive tape 30. At this time, the bottom surface 28a is curved in the direction of its long sides 26b and 28b, and straight in the direction of its short sides 26c and 28c. Therefore, the plate component 26 is bent along the curved surface in the direction of its long side 26b, while remaining fixed to the plane in the direction of its short side 26c.

[0044] Based on the above, the surface 26a of the plate member 26 is configured such that the long side 26b is along the curved shape 20b of the outer surface 20a of the housing member 20, or in other words, along the inner edge of the concave portion 28. Therefore, the step S1 formed between the long side 26b of the surface 26a and the adjacent outer surface 20a is minimized.

[0045] On the other hand, for the surface 26a of the plate member 26, the direction of the short side 26c is set to be a straight line without following the curved shape 20b of the outer surface 20a of the shell member 20. However, the short side 26c is shorter than the long side 26b. Therefore, the step S2 formed between the short side 26c of the surface 26a and the adjacent outer surface 20a is suppressed, and the short side 26c is not significant on the outer surface 20a.

[0046] Here, it is possible to consider forming the bottom surface 28a with a flat surface. For example, the flat bottom surface 28a is formed by using three of the four corners C1 to C4 as horizontal surfaces. Therefore, for example, if the bottom surface 28a is formed with a flat surface based on corners C1 to C3, corner C4 becomes a position that is recessed towards the Z1 side or a position that is raised towards the Z2 side. As a result, when the plate member 26 is attached to the flat bottom surface 28a, the portion directly above the misaligned corner C4 in the Z direction may form a large step relative to the outer surface 20a. Furthermore, since the long side 28b of the flat bottom surface 28a is also formed in a straight line, the step S1 between it and the curved outer surface 20a tends to become more pronounced.

[0047] In this respect, the bottom surface 28a of the concave portion 28 in this embodiment is formed as described above, in a curved shape along the curved surface shape 20b in the long side 26b direction, and in a straight shape in the short side 26c direction. Therefore, the first housing 11 can minimize the steps S1 and S2 between the plate member 26 and the surrounding outer surface 20a, achieving a higher appearance quality. Furthermore, the plate member 26 does not bend in the short side 26c direction, where bending rigidity is high. Therefore, the plate member 26 also prevents the short side 26c from lifting off the bottom surface 28a, thus preventing the double-sided adhesive tape 30 from peeling off, thereby enabling stable fixation.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is self-evident that it can be freely modified within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0049] The rectangle of the plate component 26 can certainly be such that the long side 26b and the short side 26c are completely straight when viewed from above, but it is also possible that the long side 26b and the short side 26c are slightly curved when viewed from above.

Claims

1. A housing for electronic devices, characterized in that, have: A shell member having a curved outer surface, and a recessed portion provided in a certain part of the outer surface; and A plate component, which is attached to the bottom surface of the recess in such a way that it fills the recess, with its surface facing the outer surface. The plate component has a rectangular shape with a long side and a short side shorter than the long side. The bottom surface of the concave portion is formed as a curve along the long side of the plate member and as a straight line along the short side of the plate member.

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, For the plate component, the length of the long side is more than twice the length of the short side.

3. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The board component is a resin board.

4. An electronic device, characterized in that, have: A shell member having a curved outer surface, and a recessed portion provided in a certain part of the curved outer surface; and A plate component, which is attached to the bottom surface of the recess in such a way that it fills the recess, with its surface facing the outer surface. The plate component has a rectangular shape with a long side and a short side shorter than the long side. The bottom surface of the concave portion is formed as a curve along the long side of the plate member and as a straight line along the short side of the plate member.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plate component is a nameplate with markings on its surface.

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