Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device that can increase the durability of legs against lateral loads.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a housing having a bottom plate and legs made of a curable material. The bottom plate has a recess formed on a bottom surface and an internal introduction path that guides the curable material into the recess. The leg has a leg body formed in the recess by the curable material introduced through the internal introduction path, and a connecting portion formed in the internal introduction path by the curable material. The internal introduction path is formed outside the recess in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] In an electronic device such as a notebook personal computer, a plurality of legs may be provided on a bottom plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The legs have, for example, a resin base. The base includes an enlarged portion provided on the lower surface side of the bottom plate, a shaft portion protruding from the upper surface of the enlarged portion, and a fixing portion provided at the upper end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is inserted through a through hole formed in the bottom plate. A rubber anti-slip portion is provided on the outer surface of the enlarged portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The electronic device had room for improvement in terms of durability when a load was applied to the legs from the side.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide an electronic device capable of enhancing the durability of legs against a load from the side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing having a bottom plate and legs formed of a curable material. The bottom plate has a recess formed on the bottom surface and an internal introduction path for guiding the curable material into the recess. The legs have a leg body formed in the recess by the curable material introduced through the internal introduction path and a continuous portion formed in the internal introduction path by the curable material. At least a part of the internal introduction path is formed outside the recess in a plan view.

[0007] A plurality of the internal introduction paths are preferably formed, and the plurality of internal introduction paths are preferably formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess in a plan view.

[0008] An annular introduction path is preferably formed on the inner surface of the bottom plate, which is the surface opposite to the bottom surface of the bottom plate, and a partition portion for forming a plurality of the internal introduction paths by dividing the annular introduction path is preferably formed in an island portion surrounded by the annular introduction path.

[0009] The legs are preferably made transparent.

[0010] The legs are preferably formed of a single curable material.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] One aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device capable of enhancing the durability of the legs against lateral loads.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The electronic device according to the embodiment will be described.

[0014] [Electronic Device] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the second housing 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102 (housing), and legs 10 (see FIG. 2). The electronic device 100 is, for example, a notebook PC (PC: Personal Computer).

[0015] The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are connected at their ends via a hinge mechanism 110. The first housing 101 is relatively rotatable around the rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism 110 with respect to the second housing 102.

[0016] The first housing 101 is also called a display housing. The first housing 101 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The end of the first housing 101 where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is called the first base end 101b. The end opposite to the first base end 101b is called the first open end 101a. The first housing 101 mounts a display unit 103. The display unit 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0017] The second housing 102 is also called a system housing. The second housing 102 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The end of the second housing 102 where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is called the second base end 102b. The end opposite to the second base end 102b is called the second open end 102a. The second housing 102 mounts a keyboard 107 and a touch pad 108. Between the upper plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 of the second housing 102, electronic components such as a CPU, a memory, a motherboard, a battery, and a storage device are mounted, for example.

[0018] Regarding the second housing 102, the positional relationship of each component may be described using an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 112. The Y direction is the short-side direction of the bottom plate 112. The Y direction is orthogonal to the X direction. The plane including the X direction and the Y direction is the XY plane. The Z direction is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. The Z direction is the thickness direction of the bottom plate 112.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, the vertical positional relationship of the second housing 102 is provisionally defined. The Z direction is the vertical direction. The upper plate 111 is located above the bottom plate 112. Looking from the Z direction (vertical direction) is called a plan view. The positional relationship defined here does not limit the posture of the electronic device 100 during use.

[0020] The second housing 102 is a flat case having an upper plate 111 and a bottom plate 112. The upper plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 are rectangular in plan view. The upper plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 face each other with a gap therebetween. The bottom surface 112a of the bottom plate 112 faces the placement surface (such as the upper surface of a desk) when the second housing 102 is placed on the placement surface. The second housing 102 is made of, for example, plastic, metal, or the like.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the legs 10 are provided on the bottom plate 112. The number of legs 10 is, for example, four. The four legs 10 are respectively formed at positions close to the corners of the rectangular bottom plate 112.

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the structure of the legs 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of the second housing 102. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom plate 112 of the second housing 102. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the bottom plate 112 of the second housing 102.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, a protruding portion 113 protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 112. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 113 is oval-shaped with a major axis along the X direction in plan view.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 11 and one or a plurality of internal introduction paths 12 are formed in the bottom plate 112. The recess 11 is formed concave upward from the bottom surface 112a. The recess 11 has a side surface 11a along the Z direction and a top surface 11b along the XY plane.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the recess 11 is oval-shaped with a major axis along the X direction in plan view. The recess 11 has two linear side edges 11c and two semi-circular end edges 11d in plan view. The two side edges 11c are parallel to and face each other. The side edge 11c is parallel to the X direction. The two end edges 11d are curved in a shape convex in a direction away from each other (for example, semi-circular). The longitudinal dimension of the recess 11 is larger than the dimension in the short direction (width direction).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, an annular introduction path 13 is formed on the upper surface 113a (inner surface of the bottom plate) of the protruding portion 113. The annular introduction path 13 is formed downward from the upper surface 113a. A part of the annular introduction path 13 (that is, the lower part of the internal introduction path 12) reaches the side surface of the internal space of the recess 11. Thereby, the internal introduction path 12 communicates with the recess 11.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the annular introduction path 13 is formed in an oval annular shape. An island portion 20, which is a portion surrounded by the annular introduction path 13, has a main portion 21 and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of partition portions 22.

[0028] The main portion 21 has an oval shape having a major axis along the X direction in a plan view. The main portion 21 has two linear side edges 21c and two semi-circular end edges 21d in a plan view. The two side edges 21c are parallel to and face each other. The side edge 21c is parallel to the X direction. The two end edges 21d have a curved shape (for example, a semi-circular shape) that protrudes in a direction away from each other. The longitudinal dimension of the main portion 21 is larger than the dimension in the short-side direction (width direction).

[0029] The main portion 21 has the same shape as the recess 11 in a plan view. The main portion 21 is located at a position where the entire region overlaps with the recess 11. Therefore, the annular introduction path 13 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view. It is sufficient that at least a part of the annular introduction path 13 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view.

[0030] The partition portions 22 are formed on the side edge 21c of the main portion 21 in a plan view. Two of the four partition portions 22 (partition portions 22A and 22B) are formed on one side edge 21c at intervals in the X direction. The other two of the four partition portions 22 (partition portions 22C and 22D) are formed on the other side edge 21c at intervals in the X direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the partitioning portion 22 extends downward from the main portion 21 and reaches the bottom plate 112. Therefore, the partitioning portion 22 divides the annular introduction path 13 in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the annular introduction path 13 is divided into four internal introduction paths 12 by four partitioning portions 22. The internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view. The internal introduction path 12 only needs to have at least a part formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the internal introduction path 12 partitioned by the partitioning portions 22 (22A, 22B) formed on one side edge 21c of the main portion 21 is the first internal introduction path 12A. The internal introduction path 12 partitioned by the partitioning portions 22 (22C, 22D) formed on the other side edge 21c of the main portion 21 is the second internal introduction path 12B. The internal introduction path 12 partitioned by the partitioning portion 22A and the partitioning portion 22C is the third internal introduction path 12C. The internal introduction path 12 partitioned by the partitioning portion 22B and the partitioning portion 22D is the fourth internal introduction path 12D. The first to fourth internal introduction paths 12A to 12D are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess 11.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the leg portion 10 includes a leg body 31 and one or a plurality of connecting portions 32. The leg body 31 is formed in the recess 11. The upper part of the leg body 31 is formed in the recess 11. The lower part of the leg body 31 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 112a. The leg body 31 is formed in an elliptical column shape having a central axis along the Z direction.

[0034] The connecting portion 32 is formed in the annular introduction path 13. A part of the connecting portion 32 is formed in the internal introduction path 12. The connecting portion 32 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the leg body 31 in a plan view. The connecting portion 32 is connected to the leg body 31. The connecting portion 32 is integrally formed with the leg body 31. The connecting portion 32 protrudes outward of the leg body 31 in a plan view.

[0035] The leg portion 10 is formed of a curable material. Examples of the curable material include thermoplastic materials, thermosetting materials, and active energy ray curable materials. The leg portion 10 is formed of, for example, a single curable material. That is, the leg portion 10 has no layer structure and is formed uniformly.

[0036] The thermoplastic material cures due to a decrease in temperature. Examples of the thermoplastic material include rubber and resin. As the rubber, for example, acrylonitrile-based rubber (NBR: (acrylo) nitrile Butadiene Rubber) is used. As the rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) may be used. The hardness of the rubber may be, for example, A70 or more and A90 or less as measured by JIS K 6253 Type A.

[0037] Examples of the resin include resins such as polyolefin-based (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), polyester-based (polyethylene terephthalate, etc.), polyamide-based, and polyimide-based resins.

[0038] The thermosetting material and the active energy ray curable material include curable materials such as monomers, oligomers, and prepolymers. The active energy ray curable material cures by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams.

[0039] The leg portion 10 is desirably transparent. For example, it is desirable that the leg body 31 has a transmittance of 50% or more in the thickness direction (Z direction) in the entire wavelength range of visible light (360 nm to 830 nm). The method for measuring the light transmittance conforms to, for example, JIS K7361.

[0040] The leg portion 10 may be an elastic body. If the leg portion 10 is an elastic body, vibration transmission between the electronic device 100 and the installation surface can be suppressed.

[0041] A method for manufacturing the leg portion 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The uncured curable material is introduced into the internal introduction path 12 from the upper opening 13a of the annular introduction path 13. The curable material flows from the internal introduction path 12 toward the recess 11. The curable material fills the internal introduction path 12 and the recess 11. The leg body 31 is formed by the curable material filled in the recess 11. The curable material filled in the internal introduction path 12 becomes the connecting portion 32. By curing the curable material, the leg 10 including the leg body 31 and the connecting portion 32 is formed.

[0042] The leg 10 can be formed, for example, by injection molding. The leg 10 may be formed, for example, by double injection together with the second housing 102.

[0043] [Effects Exhibited by the Electronic Device of the First Embodiment] In the electronic device 100, at least a part of the internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the leg 10 is provided on the bottom plate 112 in a form in which the leg body 31 is supported by the connecting portion 32 protruding outward. Since the outer peripheral surface of the leg body 31 of the leg 10 is supported by the connecting portion 32, the fixing strength with respect to the bottom plate 112 is increased. Therefore, even when a lateral load is applied to the leg body 31, deformation such that the leg body 31 peels off from the bottom plate 112 hardly occurs. Thus, the durability of the leg 10 can be enhanced as compared with the case where the connecting portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg body (inside the outer peripheral edge of the leg body).

[0044] Since the connecting portion 32 of the leg 10 is formed outside the leg body 31 in a plan view, the fixing strength of the leg body 31 is increased in a wide range in the circumferential direction as compared with the case where the connecting portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg body (inside the outer peripheral edge of the leg body). Thus, the durability of the leg 10 can be enhanced.

[0045] Since the leg portion 10 has the continuous portion 32 that protrudes outward from the leg body 31, the continuous portion 32 restricts the detachment of the leg portion 10 from the bottom plate 112. Therefore, unlike the structure in which the continuous portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg body, it is not necessary to provide a stopper for preventing detachment on the continuous portion 32. Accordingly, the dimension of the leg portion 10 in the thickness direction (Z direction) can be reduced. Thus, it is suitable in terms of space saving inside the second housing 102 and thinning of the second housing 102.

[0046] In the electronic device 100, a plurality of internal introduction paths 12 (12A to 12D) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess 11. Therefore, the leg body 31 is supported by the continuous portion 32 over a wide range in the circumferential direction. Thus, the durability of the leg portion 10 can be further enhanced.

[0047] In the electronic device 100, the internal introduction path 12 is formed by dividing the annular introduction path 13 by the partition portion 22. According to this configuration, a plurality of internal introduction paths 12 can be realized with a simple structure.

[0048] In the electronic device 100, since the leg portion 10 is transparent, it is not conspicuous. Therefore, the electronic device 100 is excellent in terms of aesthetics. Since the internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view, the internal introduction path 12 is difficult to visually recognize even if the leg portion 10 is transparent. Thus, the leg portion 10 is better, for example, in terms of designability, than the case where the internal introduction path is formed on the upper surface of the recess.

[0049] In the electronic device 100, since the durability of the leg portion 10 can be enhanced by the above-described structure, the leg portion 10 can be formed of a single curable material. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed as compared with the case where the leg portion is a two-layer molded product having a resin base and a rubber coating.

[0050] [Electronic Device] (Second Embodiment) The electronic device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. For the common configurations with the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the second housing 302 of the electronic device 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the legs 210 are provided on the bottom plate 412. The legs 210 are respectively formed at positions close to the corners of the rectangular bottom plate 412. The legs 210 are rectangular in plan view.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part of the bottom surface 412a of the second housing 302. FIG. 8 is a top view of a part of the bottom plate 412 of the second housing 302. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the bottom plate 412 of the second housing 302. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 8.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom plate 412 has a recess 211 and a plurality of internal introduction paths 212. The recess 211 is formed in a concave shape upward from the bottom surface 412a.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 211 is rectangular in plan view. As shown in FIG. 9, the internal introduction path 212 opens to the upper surface side of the bottom plate 412. The lower part of the internal introduction path 212 reaches the side surface of the recess 211. Thus, the internal introduction path 212 communicates with the recess 211.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the annular introduction path 213 is formed in an annular shape. The island portion 220 surrounded by the annular introduction path 213 has a main portion 221 and a plurality of partition portions 222.

[0056] The main portion 221 is rectangular in plan view. The main portion 221 is located at a position overlapping the recess 211 in plan view. Therefore, in plan view, the internal introduction path 212 is formed outside the recess 211. It is sufficient that at least a part of the internal introduction path 212 is formed outside the recess 211 in plan view.

[0057] The partition portions 222 are formed at intervals on the periphery of the main portion 221 in plan view. As shown in FIG. 9, the partitioning portion 222 extends downward from the main portion 221. The partitioning portion 222 forms the internal introduction path 212 by dividing the annular introduction path 213 in the circumferential direction of the concave portion 211. Therefore, the plurality of internal introduction paths 212 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the concave portion 211.

[0058] The leg portion 210 includes a leg body 231 and one or a plurality of continuous portions 232. The leg body 231 is formed in the concave portion 211. A part of the leg body 231 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 412a. The continuous portion 232 is formed in the internal introduction path 212. The continuous portion 232 is connected to the leg body 231. The continuous portion 232 is integrally formed with the leg body 231.

[0059] The leg portion 210 is formed of a curable material. The leg portion 210 is preferably transparent. The leg portion 210 may be an elastic body.

[0060] [Effects Exhibited by the Electronic Device of the Second Embodiment] In the electronic device 200, at least a part of the internal introduction path 212 is formed outside the concave portion 211 in a plan view (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the fixing strength of the leg portion 210 to the bottom plate 412 is increased. Accordingly, even when a lateral load is applied to the leg body 231, deformation such that the leg body 231 peels off from the bottom plate 412 is unlikely to occur. Thus, the durability of the leg portion 210 can be enhanced.

[0061] Since the continuous portion 232 of the leg portion 210 is formed outside the leg body 231 in a plan view, the fixing strength of the leg body 231 is increased over a wide range in the circumferential direction. Thus, the durability of the leg portion 210 can be enhanced.

[0062] Since the detachment of the leg portion 210 is restricted by the continuous portion 232, it is not necessary to provide a stopper for preventing detachment on the continuous portion 232. Therefore, the dimension of the leg portion 210 in the thickness direction (Z direction) can be reduced. Thus, it is suitable in terms of space saving inside the second housing 302 and thinning of the second housing 302.

[0063] [Electronic device] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a top view of a part of the bottom plate 512 of the second housing of the electronic device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, an island-shaped portion 320 having a main portion 321 and a plurality of partition portions 322 is formed on the bottom plate 512. In the electronic device of this example, the partition portion 322 reaches the protruding portion 113. This electronic device is different from the electronic device shown in FIG. 8 in that a plurality of internal introduction paths 312 are independently formed by being separated by the partition portion 322.

[0064] The electronic device having this configuration has an advantage that the usage amount of the curable material can be reduced.

[0065] The specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes designs and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Each configuration described in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. In the electronic device 100 (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment, four internal introduction paths 12 (12A to 12D) are formed by four partition portions 22, but the number of partition portions and internal introduction paths is not particularly limited. The number of partition portions and internal introduction paths may be 1, or may be a plurality (any number of 2 or more).

[0066] The shape of the leg portion in plan view is not particularly limited. The shape of the leg portion is not limited to an oval shape, and may be a circular shape, a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. The leg portion is preferably transparent, but may be opaque. The electronic device of the embodiment is not limited to a notebook PC, and may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 10,210… Foot, 11,211… Concave portion, 12,212,312… Internal introduction path, 12A… First internal introduction path (internal introduction path), 12B… Second internal introduction path (internal introduction path), 12C… Third internal introduction path (internal introduction path), 12D… Fourth internal introduction path (internal introduction path), 13,213… Annular introduction path, 22,222,322… Partition portion, 31,231… Foot body, 32,232… Connecting portion, 100,200… Electronic device, 102,302… Second housing (housing), 112,412,512… Bottom plate, 112a,412a… Bottom surface, 113a… Upper surface (inner surface of the bottom plate)

Claims

1. A housing having a bottom plate, and legs formed of a curable material, wherein the bottom plate has a recess formed on the bottom surface and an internal introduction path for guiding the curable material into the recess, the legs have a leg body formed in the recess by the curable material introduced through the internal introduction path and a continuous portion formed in the internal introduction path by the curable material, at least a part of the internal introduction path is formed outside the recess in a plan view, an electronic device.

2. A plurality of the internal introduction paths are formed, and the plurality of internal introduction paths are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess in a plan view, The electronic device according to Claim 1.

3. An annular introduction path is formed on the inner surface which is the surface opposite to the bottom surface of the bottom plate, and a partitioning portion for forming a plurality of the internal introduction paths by dividing the annular introduction path is formed in an island portion surrounded by the annular introduction path, The electronic device according to Claim 2.

4. The legs are transparent, The electronic device according to Claim 1.

5. The legs are formed of a single curable material, The electronic device according to Claim 1.

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