Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device that enables smooth connection of a connection plug while thinning the appearance of a housing.SOLUTION: The electronic device is a clamshell-type electronic device, and comprises: a lid equipped with a display; a housing to which the lid is relatively rotatably connected; and an external interface section on a side surface of the housing. The external interface section includes: an input / output port; and a slide block with a surface on which the input / output port is mounted. The slide block is slidably supported by the housing so as to cause the input / output port to be advanced to and retracted from the side surface of the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with an input / output port. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as notebook PCs are provided with input / output ports for connecting external devices, for example, on the side of a case on which a keyboard is mounted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6481872 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a strong demand for thinner housings for electronic devices such as those mentioned above. In particular, the thickness of the ridges on the sides of the housing is an important factor that determines the appearance and portability of the device. Usually, the thickness of the input / output ports is the dominant factor in determining the thickness of the ridges. For this reason, there is a demand to reduce the thickness of the input / output ports.

[0005] However, the size of the connection plugs connected to the I / O ports may vary depending on the model and cable type, even if they are of the same standard. Therefore, it is desirable for the I / O ports to be able to accommodate many types of plugs, and in particular to be able to accommodate plugs of standard sizes for each connection standard. On the other hand, if the thickness of the I / O port is reduced too much in order to make the edges thinner, there is a risk that even standard-sized plugs will interfere with the case or desk and become impossible to connect.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide an electronic device that enables smooth connection of a connection plug while achieving a slimmer appearance of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a clamshell-type electronic device comprising a lid carrying a display, a housing to which the lid is connected so as to be rotatable relative to one another, and an external interface unit facing a side of the housing, the external interface unit having an input / output port and a slide block attached so that the input / output port faces a surface and is slidably supported relative to the housing to move the input / output port forward and backward toward the side of the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a slim appearance of the housing and to smoothly connect the connection plug. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device according to an embodiment, viewed from above with the cover open from the housing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the electronic device with the cover closed on the housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the electronic device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the external interface unit and its surroundings shown in FIG. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a state in which the slide block shown in FIG. 5A is in a forward position. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the external interface unit and its surroundings when the slide block is in the retracted position. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a bottom view showing a state in which the slide block shown in FIG. 6A is in the forward position. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the housing cut along a plane passing through the external interface unit 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8A] 8A is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the external interface unit and its surroundings in a state in which the slide block shown in FIG. 7 is in a retracted position. FIG. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a front cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after the slide block shown in FIG. 8A is moved to the forward position. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the slide block shown in FIG. 8B is locked in the forward position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment, viewed from above, with a cover 11 open from a housing 12. Fig. 2 is a right side view of the electronic device 10 with the cover 11 closed relative to the housing 12. Fig. 3 is a left side view of the electronic device 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the electronic device 10 shown in Fig. 2, viewed from the bottom side.

[0012] 1 to 4, electronic device 10 is a clamshell notebook PC in which cover 11 and housing 12 are connected by hinge 14 so as to be relatively rotatable. The electronic device may be, for example, a tablet PC or the like other than the notebook PC.

[0013] The lid body 11 is a flat box body. The lid body 11 is equipped with a display 16. The display 16 is, for example, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display or a liquid crystal display. The periphery of the display 16 is surrounded by a bezel member 18. A camera module 20 is provided on the upper part of the display 16. Reference symbol 20a in Figs. 2 and 3 denotes a cover material for expanding the thickness of the lid body 11 toward the rear side at a position where it overlaps with the camera module 20. Although the lid body 11 is extremely thin, the cover material 20a locally increases the thickness, making it possible to mount a thick, high-performance camera module 20. The cover material 20a may be omitted.

[0014] The cover 11 is connected to the rear end (Y2 end) of the housing 12 by a hinge 14. The hinge 14 in this embodiment has a long structure extending in the width direction (X direction) of the cover 11, and is a so-called one-bar hinge. The hinge 14 may be a pair provided on the left and right sides, for example.

[0015] Hereinafter, the housing 12 and each of the components mounted thereon will be described based on the direction as seen by a user operating the keyboard 22 facing the top surface 12a of the housing 12, with the width direction (left-right direction) of the housing 12 referred to as the X1 and X2 directions, the depth direction (front-back direction) referred to as the Y1 and Y2 directions, and the thickness direction (up-down direction) referred to as the Z1 and Z2 directions. The X1 and X2 directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the X direction, and the Y1, Y2 directions and the Z1, Z2 directions are sometimes similarly referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0016] The housing 12 is a flat box. A keyboard 22 and a touchpad 23 face the top surface 12a of the housing 12. The keyboard 22 is a mechanical type having a plurality of key tops that can move up and down. The keyboard 22 may be a software type that is displayed on a touch panel display. In the case of a software keyboard, a large screen display similar to the display 16 may be provided on the top surface 12a of the housing 12 instead of the mechanical keyboard 22. Inside the housing 12, in addition to a motherboard on which a CPU, memory, etc. are mounted, a battery, a cooling module for cooling the CPU, etc. are housed.

[0017] 2 to 4, housing 12 has side surfaces 24 to 27 that form the outer surfaces of four upright walls standing between top surface 12a and bottom surface 12b. Housing 12 can be constructed by detachably connecting two housing members made of a metal material such as magnesium or aluminum, a resin material such as ABS resin or glass fiber reinforced plastic, or a carbon material such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

[0018] The side surface 24 along the Y direction on the X2 side (right side) of the housing 12 has a ridge surface portion 24a and a tapered surface portion 24b. The side surfaces 24 to 27 form the outer surface of a standing wall having a predetermined thickness formed on the housing member as described above. Therefore, the ridge surface portion 24a and the tapered surface portion 24b are formed by the housing member of a certain thickness that forms such a standing wall, and the same is true for the ridge surface portion 25a and the tapered surface portion 25b described later.

[0019] The ridge surface portion 24a is a portion of the side surface 24 that forms a ridge that protrudes most outward (to the X2 side). The ridge surface portion 24a hangs down from the outer edge of the upper surface 12a along the Z2 direction. The ridge surface portion 24a has a substantially constant width (thickness) in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the housing 12. The ridge surface portion 24a extends along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the side surface 24 over its entire length. The Z direction width of the ridge surface portion 24a is, for example, approximately half of the side surface 24 when viewed from the side.

[0020] The tapered surface portion 24b is an inclined surface that gradually slopes from the Z2 side edge (lower surface 24a1) of the ridge surface portion 24a toward the bottom surface 12b of the housing 12 toward the inside of the housing 12 (X1 direction). In the housing 12 of this embodiment, the outer shape of the bottom surface 12b is smaller than the outer shape of the upper surface 12a in a plan view. The tapered surface portion 24b is a portion that connects the lower edge of the ridge surface portion 24a, which hangs down from the outer edge of the upper surface 12a to the Z2 side, to the bottom surface 12b located on the inside of the housing 12.

[0021] In this way, the side surface 24 has a ridgeline formed by the ridgeline surface portion 24a located at the top, and a tapered surface portion 24b receding toward the back is provided below the ridgeline surface portion 24a. That is, in the housing 12, the thickness of the ridgeline surface portion 24a in the Z direction is an important factor in the impression of the appearance (thickness) of the side surface 24 and the ease of grasping the side surface 24 by hand (portability). The thickness of the ridgeline surface portion 24a is set to about half that of the side surface 24 over the entire length of the housing 12, thereby improving the slim appearance and portability. The side surface 24 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward so as to face the external interface unit 30, which will be described in detail later.

[0022] A side surface 25 along the Y direction on the X1 side (left side) of the housing 12 has a substantially symmetrical structure with the above-mentioned side surface 24, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, the side surface 25 has a ridge surface portion 25a and a tapered surface portion 25b that have a substantially symmetrical structure with the ridge surface portion 24a and the tapered surface portion 24b of the side surface 24. A lower surface 25a1 of the ridge surface portion 25a is at the same height position in the Z direction as a lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a. An external interface portion 32 having a different structure from the external interface portion 30 faces the back side (Z2 side) of the side surface 25, but details will be described later.

[0023] Side surface 26 along the X direction on the Y1 side (front side) of housing 12 has a similar basic configuration to the above-mentioned sides 24 and 25 except that its extension direction is perpendicular to the side surfaces 24 and 25, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, side surface 25 has ridge surface portion 26a and tapered surface portion 26b similar to ridge surface portion 24a and tapered surface portion 24b of side surface 24. Lower surface 26a1 of ridge surface portion 26a is at the same height in the Z direction as lower surfaces 24a1 and 25a1 of ridge surface portions 24a and 25a.

[0024] The side surface 27 along the X direction on the Y2 side (rear side) of the housing 12 has a ridge surface portion 27a, a tapered surface portion 27b, and a concave portion 27c. The concave portion 27c is a portion in which most of the entire length of the side surface 27, including the center, is recessed toward the Y1 side. The concave portion 27c is a space for arranging and moving the hinge 14. The ridge surface portion 27a of the side surface 27 is suspended along the Z2 direction from the edge of a short inclined surface that inclines in the Z2 direction from the outer edge of the upper surface 12a toward the Y2 direction to avoid interference with the lid body 11 that opens and closes. The lower surface 27a1 of the ridge surface portion 27a is at the same height as the lower surfaces 24a1 of the other ridge surface portions 24a, etc., and is continuous with each other. The inclination angle of tapered surface portion 27b of side surface 27 is steeper than the other tapered surface portions 24b, 25b, and 27b in order to ensure a storage space for the shaft of hinge 14 and the like (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0025] In this way, the side surfaces 24 to 27 of the housing 12 are arranged so that the ridge surface portions 24a, 25a, 26a, and 27a, which are at the same height and have approximately the same width in the Z direction, are continuous with each other. Furthermore, the tapered surface portions 24b, etc. are inclined inward from the lower edges of the ridge surface portions 24a, etc., toward the bottom surface 12b, thereby forming a tapered surface that tapers off as a whole.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the external interface units 30 and 32. The external interface units 30 and 32 are interfaces for connecting external devices such as a monitor, a storage device, and a printing device.

[0027] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the external interface unit 30 and its periphery shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the slide block 34 is in the retracted position. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a state in which the slide block 34 shown in FIG. 5A is in the advanced position. FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the external interface unit 30 and its periphery with the slide block 34 in the retracted position. FIG. 6B is a bottom view showing a state in which the slide block 34 shown in FIG. 6A is in the advanced position. FIG. 7 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the housing 12 cut along the YZ plane passing through the external interface units 30 and 32.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the external interface section 30 facing the side surface 24 has a slide block 34, and input / output ports (I / O ports) 36, 37 attached to face a surface 34a of the slide block 34.

[0029] The input / output ports 36 and 37 can be configured with receptacles that comply with any connection standard. In this embodiment, the input / output port 36 complies with the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, and the input / output port 37 complies with the USB 3.0 communication standard. Of course, the connection standard of the input / output ports 36 and 37 may comply with other standards.

[0030] The slide block 34 is supported on the bottom surface 12b side of the housing 12 so as to be slidable along the X direction. The upper surface (Z1 side surface) of the slide block 34 contacts the lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a, and the lower surface (Z2 side surface) is lower than the bottom surface 12b. The input / output ports 36, 37 are fixed to the slide block 34 so that the connection ports face the surface 34a on the X2 side of the slide block 34. This allows the slide block 34 to move the input / output ports 36, 37 facing the surface 34a toward and away from the side surface 24. The width (thickness) of the surface 34a in the Z direction is slightly larger than the overall thickness of the side surface 24 in the side view shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0031] The side surface 24 of the housing 12 has a notch 24c formed by cutting out a portion of the tapered surface portion 24b in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). The notch 24c exposes the lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a. The width of the notch 24c in the Y direction is slightly larger than the width of the slide block 34 in the Y direction. The notch 24c allows the slide block 34 to be inserted slidably along the X direction. As a result, the slide block 34 slides along the lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a while being guided in the X direction by the notch 24c.

[0032] As described above, in the slide block 34 of this embodiment, the thickness of the surface 34a in the Z direction is greater than the thickness of the side surface 24. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 4 to 5B, the housing 12 can have a protruding portion 38 provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface 12b at a position aligned with the slide block 34 in the X direction. The protruding portion 38 is a flat rod-like member extending in the X direction or a square tube-like member with arcuate ends. The total length of the protruding portion 38 in the X direction is shorter than the width of the bottom surface 12b in the X direction. As a result, the slide block 34 is installed so as to protrude in the X2 direction from the X2 side end (one end 38a) of the protruding portion 38.

[0033] The protrusion 38 is provided near the rear end (Y2 end) of the bottom surface 12b of the housing 12. As a result, the protrusion 38 functions as a rear leg that raises the rear of the housing 12 placed on the placement surface (for example, the top surface 52 of a desk) higher than the front. In other words, the protrusion 38 protrudes from the bottom surface 12b, thereby serving as a leg that raises the bottom surface 12b from the placement surface and prevents the bottom from hitting the top surface 52 of the slide block 34. When the thickness of the slide block 34 is small, the protrusion 38 may be omitted. The protrusion 38 also exerts the effect of improving operability by putting the keyboard 22 in a tilted position with the front lowered. Circular rubber legs 40 may be provided at both ends of the protrusion 38 in the X direction.

[0034] 4 denotes stripe-shaped rubber legs that extend along the X direction of the bottom surface 12b and are arranged in a row in the Y direction. The rubber legs 41 are provided in a plurality of stripes for design considerations, but may be provided, for example, only on the front end portion of the bottom surface 12b, or may have a shape other than elongated in the X direction.

[0035] Therefore, the slide block 34 can advance and retreat between a retreated position (see FIGS. 5A and 6A) where the surface 34a is recessed further inward (X1 side) of the housing 12 than the ridge surface portion 24a, and an advanced position (see FIGS. 5B and 6B) where the surface 34a is disposed substantially flush with the ridge surface portion 24a in the Z direction. In addition, in the retreated position, the surface 34a substantially overlaps, for example, the lower end portion (X1 side end portion) of the tapered surface portion 24b in the Z direction. As a result, the slide block 34 can advance and retreat the input / output ports 36, 37 toward the side surface 24, and move them between a retreated position recessed from the ridge surface portion 24a to the rear side and an advanced position disposed substantially flush with the ridge surface portion 24a.

[0036] Although the range of advancement and retreat of the slide block 34 is not limited to the above, it is preferable that in the forward position, the surface 34a (input / output ports 36, 37) can advance to a position that is approximately aligned with the ridge surface portion 24a in the Z direction. On the other hand, in the retracted position, it is preferable that the surface 34a (input / output ports 36, 37) can retreat to a position that is at least approximately aligned with the lower end of the tapered surface portion 24b.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the external interface section 32 facing the side surface 25 has a fixed block 42 and input / output ports (I / O ports) 44, 45 attached to face a surface 42a of the fixed block 42.

[0038] The input / output ports 44, 45 can be configured with receptacles that comply with any connection standard. In this embodiment, the input / output ports 44, 45 both comply with the USB 3.0 communication standard. Of course, the connection standard of the input / output ports 44, 45 may comply with other standards.

[0039] The fixed block 42 is fixed to the bottom surface 12b of the housing 12. The fixed block 42 is disposed so that the surface 42a on the X1 side is located on the inner side (X2 side) of the side surface 25 and faces the side surface 25. The side surface 25 has a notch 25c similar to the notch 24c of the side surface 24 in a part of the tapered surface portion 25b (see FIG. 7). The fixed block 42 is accommodated in the X1 side end (other end 38b) of the protruding portion 38 on the inner side of the notch 25c. The distance in the X direction between the surface 42a and the ridge surface portion 25a is approximately the same as the distance in the X direction between the surface 34a and the ridge surface portion 24a when the slide block 34 is in the retracted position. As a result, when the slide block 34 is in the retracted position, the design of the side surfaces 24, 25 of the housing 12 is approximately the same, and the housing 12 is made thinner overall and has improved appearance quality.

[0040] Next, a configuration example of the advancement / retraction mechanism of the slide block 34 will be described.

[0041] Fig. 8A is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the external interface unit 30 and its peripheral parts with the slide block 34 shown in Fig. 7 in the retreated position. Fig. 8B is a front cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after the slide block 34 shown in Fig. 8A is moved to the advanced position. Fig. 8C is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the slide block 34 shown in Fig. 8B is locked in the advanced position.

[0042] 7 to 8C, the external interface unit 30 can have a slide mechanism 48 that advances and retreats the slide block 34, and a lock mechanism 50 that locks the slide block 34 in an advanced position. Of course, the advance and retreat structure of the slide block 34 may be a structure other than the structure using the slide mechanism 48 and lock mechanism 50 described below.

[0043] The slide mechanism 48 has a guide block 48a and a stopper piece 48b (see also FIGS. 6A and 6B).

[0044] The guide block 48a is a block-shaped member that is formed integrally with the slide block 34 so as to extend from the surface opposite to the surface 34a, or is fixed to this surface. The guide block 48a is slidably inserted into the internal space of the protruding portion 38 from one end 38a. The guide block 48a is provided with a guide groove 48a1 that opens toward the Z2 side and whose opening is closed by the bottom plate of the protruding portion 38. The guide groove 48a1 extends along the X direction. The stopper piece 48b is a plate piece that protrudes from the bottom plate of the protruding portion 38 toward the internal space. The stopper piece 48b is inserted in a state that it can slide in the X direction relative to the guide groove 48a1. The movement stroke of the stopper piece 48b in the X direction in the guide groove 48a1 coincides with the advancement and retreat distance of the slide block 34.

[0045] The locking mechanism 50 is for locking the movement of the slide block 34 when it is in the forward position. The locking mechanism 50 includes a locking plate 50a and an elastic member 50b.

[0046] The lock plate 50a is a rectangular plate. The length of the lock plate 50a in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the slide block 34 in the Y direction. The width of the lock plate 50a in the X direction is equal to or slightly smaller than the width of the gap G formed between the X1 side end of the slide block 34 in the forward position and one end 38a of the protruding portion 38. A flange portion 50a1 with an expanded width in the X direction is formed on the Z1 side of the lock plate 50a. The external interface portion 30 has a housing groove 50c that is provided, for example, from the guide block 48a to the slide block 34 and opens toward the Z2 side. The lock plate 50a is housed in the housing groove 50c so that it can move up and down in the Z direction. The opening of the housing groove 50c becomes the gap G. At this time, the width of the flange portion 50a1 in the X direction is larger than the width of the housing groove 50c (gap G) in the X direction. Therefore, the lock plate 50a is prevented from coming off the housing groove 50c in the Z2 direction.

[0047] The elastic member 50b is, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 50b presses the Z1 side surface of the lock plate 50a in the receiving groove 50c, and constantly urges the lock plate 50a in the Z2 direction. For example, two elastic members 50b are provided in the Y direction (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

[0048] Next, the advance / retract movement and effects of the slide block 34 will be described.

[0049] When the external interface unit 30 is not used, or when the connection plug from the external device to be connected to the input / output ports 36, 37 is small and thin, the electronic device 10 can keep the slide block 34 in the retracted position.

[0050] 5A, 6A, and 8A, in this state, the surface 34a of the slide block 34 is located far back from the ridge surface 24a toward the X1 side, and the appearance of the side surface 24 is thinned. Also, in this state, the lock plate 50a is located in a position recessed in the accommodation groove 50c against the biasing force of the elastic member 50b, and is accommodated in the internal space of the protrusion 38.

[0051] Next, when sliding the slide block 34 to use the external interface unit 30, the user moves the slide block 34 in the X2 direction with the fingertip F (see FIG. 8B). At this time, in this embodiment, the width of the gap G is not set to zero even in the retracted position, but is left slightly. Therefore, when sliding the slide block 34, the fingertip F can be hooked onto the end of the slide block 34 through the small gap G, and high operability is obtained (see FIG. 8A).

[0052] When the slide block 34 reaches the forward position, as shown in FIG. 8B, the X1-side inner wall of the guide groove 48a1 abuts against the stopper piece 48b, restricting further forward movement of the slide block 34. In this state, the opening of the accommodation groove 50c coincides with the gap G, allowing the lock plate 50a to move in the Z2 direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the lock plate 50a advances to a position where it closes the gap G due to the biasing force of the elastic member 50b. As a result, the lock plate 50a is sandwiched between the X1-side end of the slide block 34 and one end 38a of the protruding portion 38. As a result, the slide block 34 is locked in the forward position, and its movement in the X1 direction is also restricted.

[0053] 7, the user can smoothly push the connection plug P1 into the input / output ports 36, 37 to connect them. In the forward position, the surface 34a of the slide block 34, i.e., the input / output ports 36, 37, are disposed substantially flush with the ridge surface portion 24a of the side surface 24. For this reason, even when using a large connection plug P1 having a standard size among connection plugs that comply with the HDMI standard, for example, the connection plug P1 can be reliably connected to the input / output port 36 while avoiding interference with the ridge surface portion 24a or the placement surface such as the desk top surface 52.

[0054] On the other hand, the external interface section 32 on the side surface 25 side has input / output ports 44, 45 provided in the fixed block 42, and therefore cannot be used to connect a large plug such as the connection plug P1. However, the input / output ports 44, 45 can be effectively used for the small, thin connection plug P2. In other words, the external interface section 30 on the side surface 24 side can also be effectively used for a small, thin plug such as the connection plug P2 with the slide block 34 in the retracted position.

[0055] Next, when the use of the external interface unit 30 is completed and the slide block 34 is to be returned to the retracted position, the lock plate 50a exposed on the bottom surface 12b side is pushed toward the Z1 side with a fingertip against the biasing force of the elastic member 50b. Then, the slide block 34 can be easily moved to the retracted position by pushing the slide block 34 toward the X1 side. The surface of the lock plate 50a may be colored in a color (e.g., red) that stands out against the color of the bottom surface 12b of the housing 12 (usually a dark color such as black or gray). In this way, the user can smoothly press the lock plate 50a when retracting the slide block 34. The user can also easily see that the slide block 34 is locked in the forward position by the lock mechanism 50.

[0056] As described above, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment includes the external interface unit 30 facing the side surface 24 of the housing 12. The external interface unit 30 includes the input / output ports 36, 37 and the slide block 34 that is attached so that the input / output ports 36, 37 face the surface 34a and is supported slidably relative to the housing 12 to move the input / output ports 36, 37 forward and backward toward the side surface 24 of the housing 12.

[0057] Therefore, in the electronic device 10, by providing the input / output ports 36, 37 on the slide block 34, there is no need to increase the thickness of the side surface 24 in accordance with the thickness of the input / output ports 36, 37. This allows the electronic device 10 to achieve a slim appearance of the housing 12. Moreover, in the electronic device 10, the input / output ports 36, 37 can be advanced toward the side surface 24 via the slide block 34. This allows the electronic device 10 to smoothly connect even a large connection plug P1, for example, a standard size for HDMI (registered trademark), to the input / output port 36 without interfering with the side surface 24 or the placement surface.

[0058] In the electronic device 10, the side surface 24 has a substantially constant width in the thickness direction of the housing 12, and has a ridge surface portion 24a extending along the longitudinal direction of the side surface 24. The slide block 34 slides along the lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a. This allows the outer surface of the side surface 24 of the housing 12 when the slide block 34 is retracted to be formed substantially only by the narrow ridge surface portion 24a. This allows the appearance of the housing 12 to be made even thinner.

[0059] The side surface 24 may have a tapered surface portion 24b that gradually slopes from the lower surface 24a1 of the ridge surface portion 24a toward the bottom surface 12b of the housing 12 toward the inside of the housing 12. In this way, the housing 12 can achieve a slim appearance while ensuring a sufficient storage space for internal devices equivalent to the total thickness of the ridge surface portion 24a and the tapered surface portion 24b. In this case, the slide block 34 may be inserted into a cutout portion 24c formed by cutting out a portion of the tapered surface portion 24b in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the slide block 34 in the retreated position is embedded inside the tapered surface portion 24b and becomes less noticeable, which further contributes to a slim appearance.

[0060] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0061] Although the above describes an example of a configuration in which an external interface unit 30 equipped with a slide block 34 is provided on the right side surface 24 of the housing 12, such an external interface unit 30 may be provided on the left or front side surface 24, 26. In addition, for example, the external interface unit 32 on the side surface 25 may also have a similar advance / retract structure to the external interface unit 30. The number of input / output ports provided on the external interface units 30, 32 may be one, or three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Electronic equipment 11 Lid 12. Cabinet 14 Hinge 24~27 Side 24a, 25a, 26a, 27a ridge line surface part 24b,25b,26b,27b Tapered surface part 30,32 External interface section 34 Slide Block 36,37,44,45 I / O ports 38 Protrusion 48 Slide mechanism 50 Locking mechanism

Claims

1. A clamshell-type electronic device, A lid body equipped with a display, A housing to which the cover is connected so as to be relatively rotatable; an external interface unit facing a side surface of the housing; Equipped with The external interface unit includes: An input / output port; a slide block that is attached so that the input / output port faces a surface of the housing and is slidably supported on the housing to move the input / output port forward and backward toward a side surface of the housing; have 1. An electronic device comprising:

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, the side surface of the housing has a substantially constant width in a thickness direction of the housing and has a ridge surface portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the side surface, The slide block slides along the lower surface of the ridge surface portion.

1. An electronic device comprising:

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, The side surface of the housing further includes: a tapered surface portion that gradually slopes inwardly from a lower surface of the ridge surface portion toward a bottom surface side of the housing; a notch portion formed by cutting out a portion of the tapered surface portion in a longitudinal direction; having The slide block is inserted into the notch.

1. An electronic device comprising:

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The housing further includes a protrusion that protrudes from a bottom surface and extends along a width direction of the housing that is perpendicular to the side surface, The slide block is provided so as to move forward and backward from one end of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction.

1. An electronic device comprising:

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, The second external interface portion is provided so as to face the other end of the protruding portion in the longitudinal direction.

1. An electronic device comprising:

6. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The external interface unit further includes a locking mechanism that locks the movement of the slide block at a position where the surface advances toward the side surface of the housing.

1. An electronic device comprising:

Images