Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that includes a small-sized waterproof structure with a simple configuration in relation to a joint part of three cover members.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has a housing (100) formed by combining a first member (1), a second member (2), and a third member (3). The first and second members respectively have first joint surfaces (1A, 2A), second joint surfaces (1B, 2B), and third joint surfaces (1C, 2C). The first and second members, and the third members respectively have fourth joint surfaces (12X, 3X), fifth joint surfaces (12Y, 3Y), and sixth joint surfaces (12Z, 3Z). An elastic member (4) is arranged between the first joint surfaces, the second joint surfaces, and / or the third joint surfaces of the first and second members. At least one of the fourth joint surface, the fifth joint surface, and the sixth joint surface of the third member is a micromachined surface subjected to water-repellent treatment by micromachining.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices are required to have high waterproof performance assuming usage situations in the rain or near water. In particular, in electronic devices whose housings are composed of three or more cover members, the path of water infiltration becomes complicated, but it is necessary to ensure waterproof performance while suppressing the increase in size so as not to impair the portability of the electronic device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof structure that includes an end structure formed by butting the end faces of two or more members together, and forms a water-repellent coating on each of the opposing end faces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-67456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The waterproof structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the formation of a water-repellent coating, which makes the structure complicated and increases the cost. Patent Document 1 does not disclose where an effective water-repellent coating should be formed in the waterproof structure where the three cover members come together. Patent Document 1 does not disclose the positional relationship of each part in the case of a waterproof structure in which a water-repellent coating and an elastic member such as a sealing member are mixed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a small, waterproof structure with a simple configuration for the joints of three cover members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention has a housing formed by combining a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member and the second member each have a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a third mating surface arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing, the first member, the second member, and the third member each have a fourth mating surface, a fifth mating surface, and a sixth mating surface arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing, an elastic member is arranged between at least one of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, and the third mating surface of the first member and the second member, and at least one of the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the third member is a micro-machined surface that has been subjected to a water-repellent treatment by micro-machining.

[0007] Other objects and features of the present invention will be described in the following embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device having a small waterproof structure with a simple configuration for the joints of three cover members. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a simplified model of the structure of a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a simplified model of the structure of a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a simplified model of the structure of the housing of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first case member and a third case member in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view of a second case member and a third case member in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is an enlarged view of a surface of a resin part on which a micromachined shape is formed in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of a first case member, a second case member, and an elastic member in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first case member, a second case member, a third case member, and an elastic member in the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First, referring to Figs. 1(a) and (b), the housing 100 of the electronic device in this embodiment will be described. Figs. 1(a) and (b) are perspective views of the housing 100 of the electronic device. Fig. 1(a) shows a perspective view of the housing 100, and Fig. 1(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the housing 100. Figs. 1(a) and (b) show a housing of an imaging device as an example of the housing 100 of the electronic device, but this embodiment is not limited thereto and can be widely applied to housings of electronic devices other than imaging devices. As shown in Figs. 1(a) and (b), the housing 100 has a front cover member 51, a rear cover member 52, and a side cover member 53.

[0012] Next, a model with a simplified structure of the housing 100 of an electronic device will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 3(a) to (c). Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a model with a simplified structure of the housing 100 of an electronic device. Figs. 3(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of a model with a simplified structure of the housing 100 of an electronic device.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 100 has a first case member (first member) 1, a second case member (second member) 2, and a third case member (third member) 3. That is, the electronic device of this embodiment has a housing 100 configured by combining the first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the third case member 3. Note that in this embodiment, the housing 100 may further have at least one other case member. The first case member 1 corresponds to the front cover member 51 in FIG. 1. Similarly, the second case member 2 corresponds to the rear cover member 52, and the third case member 3 corresponds to the side cover member 53.

[0014] The first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the third case member 3 are all exterior members. An exterior surface 10 of the first case member 1, an exterior surface 20 of the second case member 2, and an exterior surface 30 of the third case member 3 are each painted or textured. The mating portion between the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 is mated to the third case member 3 approximately perpendicularly.

[0015] Fig. 3(a) shows a cross section at the joint between the first case member 1 and the second case member 2. Fig. 3(b) shows a cross section at the joint between the second case member 2 and the third case member 3. Fig. 3(c) shows a cross section at the joint between the first case member 1 and the third case member 3. As shown in Figs. 3(a) to (c), the joints between the first case member 1, the second case member 2 and the third case member 3 each have a stepped shape.

[0016] The first case member 1 has three mating surfaces 1A-1C at the mating portion with the second case member 2, and has three mating surfaces 1X-1Z at the mating portion with the third case member 3. The second case member 2 has three mating surfaces 2A-2C at the mating portion with the first case member 1, and has three mating surfaces 2X-2Z at the mating portion with the third case member 3. The third case member 3 has three mating surfaces 3X-3Z at the mating portions with the first case member 1 and the second case member 2.

[0017] In addition, when the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 are joined together, the mating surfaces 1X and 2X, the mating surfaces 1Y and 2Y, and the mating surfaces 1Z and 2Z are each substantially continuous. Hereinafter, the mating surfaces 1X and 2X are referred to as mating surfaces 12X, the mating surfaces 1Y and 2Y as mating surfaces 12Y, and the mating surfaces 1Z and 2Z as mating surfaces 12Z, respectively. Note that an elastic member 4, which will be described later, is sandwiched between the mating surfaces 1C and 2C shown in FIG. 3(a) to close the gap between the mating surfaces 1C and 2C, but the elastic member 4 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

[0018] The mating surfaces 1A-1C and the mating surfaces 2A-2C are positioned to face each other. Similarly, the mating surfaces 12X-12Z and the mating surfaces 3X-3Z are positioned to face each other. A predetermined clearance is provided between the mating surfaces 1A-1C and the mating surfaces 2A-2C, and between the mating surfaces 12X-12Z and the mating surfaces 3X-3Z.

[0019] In this embodiment, the step shape of each mating portion of the first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the third case member 3 is not limited to the shapes shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(c). For example, in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), the third case member 3 has a concave step shape when viewed from the outside, but it may have a convex step shape, and the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 may have a mating portion with a concave step shape.

[0020] In this manner, the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 each have mating surfaces (first mating surfaces) 1A and 2A, mating surfaces (second mating surfaces) 1B and 2B, and mating surfaces (third mating surfaces) 1C and 2C, which are arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing 100. The first to third case members 1, 2, and 3 each have mating surfaces (fourth mating surfaces) 1X, 2X, and 3X, mating surfaces (fifth mating surfaces) 1Y, 2Y, and 3Y, and mating surfaces (sixth mating surfaces) 1Z, 2Z, and 3Z, which are arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing 100.

[0021] The first case member 1 and the second case member 2 are engaged with each other with the first mating surface, the second mating surface, and the third mating surface of the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 facing each other, respectively. Also, the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 face the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the third case member 3, respectively. In this state, the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 and the third case member 3 are engaged with each other.

[0022] Next, the structure of the joint of the three case members will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the third case member 3, and shows an enlarged view of the area A including the joint of the three case members. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first case member 1 and the third case member 3 joined together, from a different angle from Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, the second case member 2 is omitted for convenience of explanation. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the second case member 2 and the third case member 3 joined together, from a different angle from Fig. 4. In Fig. 6, the first case member 1 is omitted for convenience of explanation. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the joint surface 1B and the joint surface 1Y are discontinuous surfaces, and the joint surface 2B and the joint surface 2Y are discontinuous surfaces. In addition, the joint surface 1A and the joint surface 2A each have a relationship of being connected to the joint surface 3Z. 4 to 6, for convenience of explanation, an elastic member 4, which will be described later, is omitted.

[0023] Next, the micromachined shape in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the surface of a resin part with a micromachined shape, and shows the surface of the resin part molded using a mold in which the surface has been micromachined by irradiation with a femtosecond laser, and the micromachined shape has been transferred to the resin part. As shown in FIG. 7, it is known that the contact angle of a droplet on a micromachined surface is larger than the contact angle on a non-micromachined surface, resulting in a water-repellent effect. Here, the contact angle is the angle between the tangent of the contour curve of the droplet at the intersection point between the contour curve of the droplet and the solid surface and the solid surface. Note that the micromachined shape in FIG. 7 is a convex shape periodically arranged with a pitch of about 40 micrometers, but this embodiment is not limited to this shape, and another shape may be used as long as the micromachined shape imparts a water-repellent effect.

[0024] In this embodiment, at least a part of the housing 100 is a metal housing such as a magnesium housing having advantages in rigidity, robustness, and heat dissipation performance. In this embodiment, the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 are made of magnesium (metal), and the third case member 3 is made of a resin member. When the above-mentioned fine processing shape is given to the case member made of magnesium, the fine processing shape transferred by the secondary processing or chemical conversion treatment process after molding may be deformed and may not be able to give an appropriate water repellent effect. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fine processing shape is given only to the third case member 3 made of resin, and a separate part, an elastic member 4 described later, is pressed between the first case member 1 and the second case member 2. In this embodiment, by adopting such a waterproof structure, the gap between the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 can be blocked.

[0025] Next, the relationship between the first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the elastic member 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the first case member 1, the second case member 2, and the elastic member 4. For convenience of explanation, the third case member 3 is omitted in Fig. 8.

[0026] In this embodiment, the elastic member 4 is a sponge member (waterproof sponge) having waterproof properties. The elastic member 4 is attached to the mating surface 1C of the first case member 1 with a double-sided tape (not shown) or the like, and is sandwiched between the mating surface 1C and the mating surface 2C, thereby being charged in the z direction in FIG. 8. In this way, the elastic member 4 is configured to close the gap between the mating surface 1C and the mating surface 2C over the entire area. An end surface (end portion) 41 of the elastic member 4 facing the third case member 3 is exposed in the same direction (y direction) as each of the mating surface 1Z and the mating surface 2Z.

[0027] The material of the elastic member 4 is not limited to waterproof sponge, but may be any elastic material that can be sandwiched between the first case member 1 and the second case member 2 to close the gap between the members. The elastic member 4 may be, for example, a molded member such as an elastomer material formed integrally with the first case member 1 or the second case member 2 by two-color molding. Alternatively, the elastic member 4 may be an ultraviolet-curable resin member applied to the first case member 1 or the second case member 2 as an ultraviolet-curable resin. The location where the elastic member 4 is disposed is not limited to between the mating surface 1C and the mating surface 2C. For example, the elastic member 4 may be disposed between the mating surface 1B and the mating surface 2B. However, when the elastic member 4 is disposed between the mating surface 1A and the mating surface 2A, when the elastic member 4 is sandwiched and charged, the elastic member 4 may protrude toward the exterior surface 10 of the first case member 1 and the exterior surface 20 of the second case member 2, which may impair the appearance quality. For this reason, it is preferable that the elastic member 4 is disposed at least one of between the mating surface 1B and the mating surface 2B, and between the mating surface 1C and the mating surface 2C.

[0028] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. 8. Although the third case member 3 is omitted in FIG. 8, the third case member 3 is shown in FIG. 9. Here, the micromachined shape is applied to the mating surface 3Z of the third case member 3. That is, the mating surface 3Z, which is the surface to which the micromachined shape is applied, is configured as a continuous surface that faces each of the mating surface 1Z of the first case member 1, the end surface 41 of the elastic member 4, and the mating surface 2Z of the second case member 2 in the y direction. This makes it possible to effectively prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 100 due to the water-repellent effect between the respective surfaces.

[0029] In addition, the contact angle of the droplet may be improved by applying a surface treatment such as painting or anodizing to the mating surface 1Z and the mating surface 2Z, thereby enhancing the water-repellent effect between the mating surface 3Z. This makes it possible to effectively waterproof the first case member 1 and the third case member 3 and the second case member 2 and the third case member 3 without using a configuration in which the elastic member 4 fills the gap, thereby preventing the electronic device from becoming larger. In addition, since the micromachined shape is formed by transferring it from a mold, it becomes possible to apply the water-repellent treatment more simply and at a lower cost than a method of secondarily applying a water-repellent coating to a part.

[0030] Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the distances between the mating surface 1Z, the mating surface 2Z, and the end surface 41 facing the mating surface 3Z are D1, D2, and D3, respectively. In addition, the contact angle (second contact angle) of the droplet on the mating surface 1Z and the mating surface 2Z is ​​θ, and the contact angle (first contact angle) of the droplet on the end surface 41 is ω. If the contact angle ω is smaller than the contact angle θ, water passing through the gap of the distance D3 may infiltrate into the inside of the housing 100. For this reason, by abutting the end surface 41 against the mating surface 3Z, that is, by setting the distance D3 to 0, it is possible to effectively prevent water from infiltrating into the inside of the housing 100. On the other hand, if the contact angle ω is equal to or larger than the contact angle θ, it is possible to effectively prevent water from infiltrating into the inside of the housing 100 by setting the height of the end surface 41 so that the distance D3 is equal to or smaller than the larger of the distances D1 and D2.

[0031] In the latter case, since there is no need to charge the elastic member 4 against the third case member 3, it is possible to prevent the elastic member 4 from being pushed back by the reaction force of the elastic member 4 and becoming floating when the third case member 3 is assembled. Also, since the elastic member 4 is unlikely to protrude from the mating surfaces 1Z and 2Z before the third case member 3 is assembled, the elastic member 4 is unlikely to become twisted or peeled off during assembly, which contributes to improving the ease of assembly.

[0032] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device having a small waterproof structure with a simple configuration for the joints of the three cover members.

[0033] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) An electronic device having a housing formed by combining a first member, a second member, and a third member, the first member and the second member each have a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a third mating surface that are arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing, the first member, the second member, and the third member each have a fourth mating surface, a fifth mating surface, and a sixth mating surface that are arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing, an elastic member is disposed between at least one of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the third mating surface of the first member and the second member; At least one of the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, or the sixth mating surface of the third member is a micro-machined surface that has been treated to be water-repellent by micro-machining. (Configuration 2) the first member and the second member engage with each other with the first mating surface, the second mating surface, and the third mating surface of the first member and the second member facing each other, respectively; The electronic device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the first member and the second member are engaged with each other, and the first member and the second member are engaged with each other in a state in which the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the first member and the second member, respectively, face each other, and the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the third member. (Configuration 3) the elastic member is disposed between at least one of the second mating surface or the third mating surface; 3. The electronic device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the micromachined surface is the sixth mating surface of the third member. (Configuration 4) The electronic device described in configuration 3, characterized in that the sixth mating surface of the third member faces each of the sixth mating surface of the first member, an end face of the elastic member, and the sixth mating surface of the second member. (Configuration 5) a first contact angle of a droplet on the end face of the elastic member is smaller than second contact angles of a droplet on a mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface of the third member and a mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface, 5. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the end face of the elastic member and the micromachined surface are in contact with each other. (Configuration 6) a first contact angle of a liquid droplet on the end face of the elastic member is larger than second contact angles of a liquid droplet on a mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface of the third member and a mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface, An electronic device described in any of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that when the distance from the mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface to the micro-machined surface is D1, the distance from the mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface to the micro-machined surface is D2, and the distance from the end face of the elastic member to the micro-machined surface is D3, the distance D3 is less than the larger of distances D1 and D2. (Configuration 7) 7. The electronic device of any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the elastic member is a waterproof sponge member and is fixed to the first member or the second member with double-sided tape. (Configuration 8) 7. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the elastic member is a molded member and is formed integrally with the first member or the second member by two-color molding. (Configuration 9) 7. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the elastic member is an ultraviolet-curable resin member. (Configuration 10) 10. The electronic device of any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first member and the second member are each made of metal. (Configuration 11) 11. The electronic device according to configuration 10, wherein the third member is a resin member. (Configuration 12) The electronic device of any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein among the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of each of the first member and the second member, a mating surface that faces the micro-machined surface of the third member is painted. (Configuration 13) The electronic device of any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein among the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of each of the first member and the second member, a mating surface that faces the micro-machined surface of the third member is anodized.

[0034] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 100 Housings (Housings for electronic devices) 1 First case member (first member) 2 Second case member (second member) 3 Third case member (third member) 4 Elastic member 1A, 2A mating surface (first mating surface) 1B, 2B mating surface (second mating surface) 1C, 2C mating surface (third mating surface) 3X, 12X mating surface (4th mating surface) 3Y, 12Y mating surface (5th mating surface) 3Z, 12Z mating surface (6th mating surface)

Claims

1. An electronic device having a housing configured by combining a first member, a second member, and a third member, the first member and the second member each have a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a third mating surface that are arranged in a stepped manner from an outer side to an inner side of the housing, the first member, the second member, and the third member each have a fourth mating surface, a fifth mating surface, and a sixth mating surface that are arranged in a stepped manner from the outside to the inside of the housing, an elastic member is disposed between at least one of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the third mating surface of the first member and the second member; At least one of the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the third member is a micro-machined surface that has been treated to be water-repellent by micro-machining.

2. the first member and the second member engage with each other with the first mating surface, the second mating surface, and the third mating surface of the first member and the second member facing each other, respectively; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first member and the second member are engaged with each other, and the first member and the second member are engaged with each other in a state in which the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the first member and the second member, respectively, face each other, and the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of the third member, respectively.

3. the elastic member is disposed between at least one of the second mating surface or the third mating surface; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the finely machined surface is the sixth mating surface of the third member.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the sixth mating surface of the third member faces each of the sixth mating surface of the first member, an end face of the elastic member, and the sixth mating surface of the second member.

5. a first contact angle of a droplet on the end face of the elastic member is smaller than second contact angles of a droplet on a mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface of the third member and a mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the elastic member and the micromachined surface are in contact with each other.

6. a first contact angle of the liquid droplet on the end face of the elastic member is larger than a second contact angle of the liquid droplet on a mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface of the third member and a mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface, The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the distance from the mating surface of the first member facing the micro-machined surface to the micro-machined surface is D1, the distance from the mating surface of the second member facing the micro-machined surface to the micro-machined surface is D2, and the distance from the end face of the elastic member to the micro-machined surface is D3, the distance D3 is less than the larger of the distances D1 and D2.

7. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a waterproof sponge member and is fixed to the first member or the second member with double-sided tape.

8. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a molded member and is formed integrally with the first member or the second member by two-color molding.

9. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an ultraviolet-curable resin member.

10. 10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are each made of a metal.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the third member is a resin member.

12. 10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein among the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of each of the first member and the second member, a mating surface that faces the micro-machined surface of the third member is painted.

13. 10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein among the fourth mating surface, the fifth mating surface, and the sixth mating surface of each of the first member and the second member, a mating surface that faces the micro-machined surface of the third member is anodized.

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