Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device capable of making the size of a cover near a camera unit smaller than before.SOLUTION: An electronic device comprises a display section, a frame body, a camera unit, and a shutter component. The display section has a display surface facing in a first direction. The frame body has a front facing in the first direction, and an imaging hole formed on the front, and surrounds the periphery of the display surface. The camera unit is arranged while being aligned to the imaging hole inside the frame body, and sets the first direction to an imaging direction. The shutter component is mounted to the frame body. The shutter component has a pair of arms and a light-shielding plate. The pair of arms is provided in both the sides in a width direction of the camera unit and extends from the camera unit side to the front side. The light-shielding plate is provided from one arm to the other arm and shields entry of light into the camera unit from the imaging hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present embodiment relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In electronic devices equipped with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), such as personal computers, cameras that capture images of the outside of the housing (for example, a user using the electronic device) are known. Some cameras have a camera shutter structure provided in the housing that allows them to be switched between a state where they are exposed to the outside of the housing and a state where they are not exposed to the outside of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7299550 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a camera shutter structure is disposed in a housing, the camera shutter parts must be placed between the camera unit and the camera sheet that covers the surface of the camera unit, so the camera unit needs to be placed away from the surface of the housing. This means that the camera sheet and other components will be larger than when the camera shutter structure is not disposed in the housing, and this could result in the cover around the camera unit becoming larger.

[0005] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can reduce the size of a cover near a camera unit compared to conventional devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a frame, a camera unit, and a shutter component. The display unit has a display surface facing a first direction. The frame has a front surface facing the first direction and an imaging hole formed in the front surface, and surrounds the periphery of the display surface. The camera unit is disposed inside the frame in alignment with the imaging hole, and the first direction is the imaging direction. The shutter component is attached to the frame. The shutter component has a pair of arms and a light shielding plate. The pair of arms are provided on both sides of the camera unit in the width direction and extend from the camera unit side toward the front side. The light shielding plate is provided from one arm to the other arm and blocks light from entering the camera unit through the imaging hole.

[0007] In the electronic device, the pair of arms are crank-shaped and have a first portion having a first surface and a second portion connected to the first portion. The light shielding plate is fixed to the first surface. The first portion is closer to the front surface than the second portion.

[0008] In the electronic device, the light blocking plates are fixed to the pair of arms, respectively, and are formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0009] In the electronic device, the ratio of the thickness of the light blocking plate to the thickness of the pair of arms is 34% or less.

[0010] In the electronic device, the thickness of each of the pair of arms is 0.6 mm or more, and the thickness of the light blocking plate is 0.2 mm or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the size of the cover near the camera unit can be made smaller than before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a housing in which a camera shutter structure according to this embodiment is disposed. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a housing in which the camera shutter structure of this embodiment is arranged. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a camera unit and an attachment in the electronic device of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a camera unit and a camera shutter structure disposed in a housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a camera shutter part in which no sheet part is provided in the camera shutter structure of this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a camera shutter part on which a sheet part is arranged in the camera shutter structure of this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the shutter component attached to the cover from the rear side of the cover. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the camera installed in the housing in this embodiment, cut along a plane normal to the Y axis. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a camera installed in a housing, taken along a plane normal to the Y axis, in a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the electronic device 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and results (effects) brought about by said configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the following description. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts and components, and do not indicate order or priority.

[0014] First, the outline and structure of electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a housing 10 in which camera shutter structure 17 according to this embodiment is arranged. The housing 10 of electronic device 1 to which display device 11 shown in Fig. 1 is attached is, for example, an LCD-integrated personal computer (PC). The housing 10 of electronic device 1 has a structure in which display device 11, which is a liquid crystal screen, and a personal computer main body (not shown) are integrated inside the housing 10.

[0015] In the following drawings, for convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined. The short side direction of the housing 10 is the X-axis direction, the long side direction of the housing 10 is the Y-axis direction, and the thickness direction of the housing 10 is the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction may also be referred to as the up-down direction. The Y-axis direction may also be referred to as the left-right direction. The Z-axis direction may also be referred to as the front-rear direction. Note that the expressions indicating directions such as front-rear, left-right, up-down, etc. in this embodiment are names used for convenience and do not limit the position, posture, or usage mode of the housing 10. Furthermore, the +Z direction is an example of a first direction, and the -Z direction is an example of a second direction.

[0016] The electronic device 1 includes a display device 11 having a display surface 11a facing the +Z direction, a cover 12 having a front surface 122 facing the +Z direction and an imaging hole 122a formed in the front surface 122, and surrounding the periphery of the display surface 11a, a camera unit 16 positioned inside the cover 12 in alignment with the imaging hole 122a and having an imaging direction in the +Z direction, and a shutter component 17a attached to the cover 12. The display device 11 is a device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display. The display device 11 is capable of displaying images on the display surface 11a. The display surface 11a is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening 111. For example, a touch panel may be provided on the display surface 11a. In this case, a user can operate the display device 11 by touching the display surface 11a. The cover 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The display device 11 is an example of a display unit. The cover 12 is an example of a frame.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the housing 10 in which the camera shutter structure 17 of this embodiment is disposed. As shown in Fig. 2, a hole 121a is formed in the upper surface 121 of the cover 12. The hole 121a extends in the Y-axis direction and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The hole 121a is formed near the center of the cover 12 in the Y-axis direction. The hole 121a connects the inside and outside of the housing 10.

[0018] An imaging hole is formed in the front surface 122 of the cover 12. The imaging hole is a hole through which a camera 161, which will be described later, receives light entering from outside the housing 10. The imaging hole penetrates from the inside to the outside of the housing 10. The imaging hole is formed near the center of the cover 12 in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] A camera sheet 13 is disposed on the front surface 122 of the cover 12. The camera sheet 13 covers the imaging hole and a portion of the front surface 122 from the +Z direction. The camera sheet 13 extends in the Y-axis direction and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The camera sheet 13 is disposed near the center of the cover 12 in the Y-axis direction. The camera sheet 13 transmits light traveling from the outside to the inside of the housing 10.

[0020] A camera unit 16, which will be described later, is disposed on the −Z direction side of the camera sheet 13. The camera unit 16 is disposed above the display device 11 (+X direction) and near the center of the cover 12 in the Y axis direction.

[0021] 3 is a perspective view showing the attachment 14 and camera unit 16 in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment. The attachment 14 is a member that fixes the camera unit 16, which will be described later, to the housing 10. The attachment 14 extends in the Y-axis direction. The end of the attachment 14 in the +X direction protrudes in the +Z direction. The housing 10 is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] A camera unit 16 is disposed on a mounting surface 14a, which is the front surface of the attachment 14. The camera unit 16 extends in the Y-axis direction. The camera unit 16 is fixed to the mounting surface 14a of the attachment 14, for example, by screws. A camera 161, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 162, and a pair of microphones 163 are disposed on the front surface 16a of the camera unit 16. The front surface 16a faces the +Z direction. In FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line indicates the angle of view of the camera 161 and the sound pickup direction of the microphone 163.

[0023] Camera 161 is an optical device that captures an image in front of housing 10 (in the +Z direction). Camera 161 is disposed near the center of camera unit 16 in the Y-axis direction. Camera 161 is fixed to front surface 16a with the image capturing direction of camera 161 oriented in the +Z direction, i.e., with lens 161a of camera 161 facing the +Z direction.

[0024] The LED 162 is a light source that turns on or off to indicate the activation state of the camera 161. The LED 162 is fixed to the front surface 16a with the direction of the light emitted by the LED 162 facing the +Z direction.

[0025] The pair of microphones 163 pick up, for example, the voice of the user of the electronic device 1 uttered toward the housing 10. The pair of microphones 163 are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The microphones 163 are fixed to the front surface 16a with the direction in which the microphones 163 pick up sound being the +Z direction. The camera 161 and the LED 162 are disposed between the pair of microphones 163 on the front surface 16a.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the camera unit 16 and camera shutter structure 17 arranged in the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter component 17a of this embodiment includes a pair of arms 172 provided on both sides of the camera unit 16 in the width direction and extending from the camera unit 16 side toward the front surface 122 side, and a sheet component 174 provided from one arm 172 to the other arm 172 to block light from entering the camera unit 16 through the imaging hole. The sheet component 174 is an example of a light blocking plate. The shutter component 17a also includes an operating unit 171 and a pair of claws 173. Note that the cover 12 is not shown in FIG. 4. The dashed double-dashed line in FIG. 4 indicates the angle of view of the camera 161.

[0027] A space S is formed between the pair of arms 172. The space S is a space surrounded by the camera unit 16, the pair of arms 172, and the sheet component 174. The front end of the camera 161 is located near the center of the space S in the Y-axis direction. The front end of the camera 161 is close to the sheet component 174. The pair of arms 172 and the sheet component 174 will be described in detail later.

[0028] 5 is a perspective view showing shutter component 17a in camera shutter structure 17 of this embodiment, in which sheet component 174 is not provided. As shown in FIG. 5, operation component 171 is formed in the shape of a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped plate. Operation component 171 extends in the Y-axis direction. Operation component 171 is slidable in the Y-axis direction relative to upper surface 121 of cover 12.

[0029] The pair of arms 172 are members that fix the sheet component 174 to the operating unit 171. Ends of the pair of arms 172 in the +X direction are fixed to the back surface 171a of the operating unit 171. The pair of arms 172 are formed in a crank shape. The pair of arms 172 have a first portion 172a having a front surface 172a1 and a second portion 172b connected to the first portion 172a. The sheet component 174 is fixed to the front surface 172a1. The first portion 172a is closer to the cover 12 than the second portion 172b. The pair of arms 172 are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The first portion 172a is formed in a substantially flat plate shape in the XY plane. The front surface 172a1 faces the +Z direction. The second portion 172b is formed in a substantially flat plate shape in the XY plane. The end of the first portion 172a in the +X direction is connected to the end of the second portion 172b in the -X direction. Note that the illustration of the cover 12 is omitted in Fig. 5.

[0030] The pair of claws 173 are members that fix the shutter component 17a to the housing 10. The pair of claws 173 are fixed at their ends in the +X direction to the rear surface 171a of the operation unit 171. The pair of claws 173 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and their ends in the -X direction protrude in the -Z direction. The pair of claws 173 are disposed at the ends of the operation unit 171 in the -Z direction. The pair of claws 173 are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The pair of claws 173 are disposed at positions that substantially overlap the pair of arms 172 in the Y-axis direction.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing shutter component 17a in which sheet component 174 is arranged in camera shutter structure 17 of this embodiment. Sheet component 174 is arranged between front surface 122 and camera 161. Sheet component 174 is a member that blocks light entering camera 161 through the imaging hole. As shown in FIG. 6, sheet component 174 is fixed to front surfaces 172a1 of the pair of arms 172. Sheet component 174 is provided from one arm 172 to the other arm 172. Sheet component 174 is formed in a flat plate shape. The above-mentioned space S is formed between the pair of arms 172. Note that in FIG. 6, the housing 10, cover 12, and camera unit 16 (camera 161) are omitted from illustration.

[0032] The thickness of sheet component 174 in the Z-axis direction is sufficiently thinner than the thickness of the pair of arms 172 in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, for example, the ratio of the thickness of sheet component 174 to the thickness of the pair of arms 172 is 34% or less. Also, for example, the thickness of each of the pair of arms 172 is 0.6 mm or more, and the thickness of sheet component 174 is 0.2 mm or less.

[0033] A hole 174a is formed in the sheet component 174. The hole 174a is a hole that prevents the sheet component 174 from blocking the imaging direction (+Z direction) when the camera 161 captures an image in front (+Z direction). The hole 174a is formed in a substantially circular shape. The hole 174a penetrates the sheet component 174 in the Z-axis direction. When a user of the electronic device captures an image using the camera 161, the shutter component 17a is positioned so that the hole 174a and the imaging hole overlap in the Z-axis direction.

[0034] (Shutter parts installation procedure) Next, a procedure for attaching the shutter component 17a to the cover 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the shutter component 17a attached to the cover 12, as seen from the rear side of the cover 12. First, the shutter component 17a is inserted in the -X direction into a hole 121a formed in the top surface 121 of the cover 12, with the rear surface 171a of the operation unit 171 facing downward (-X direction). Then, the pair of claws 173 fit into the rear surface 123 of the cover 12, thereby fixing the shutter component 17a to the cover 12.

[0035] In this state, shutter part 17a is fixed in the X-axis direction by a pair of claws 173, but is not fixed in the Y-axis direction and is slidable in the Y-axis direction relative to cover 12. By sliding shutter part 17a in the Y-axis direction relative to cover 12, shutter part 17a is aligned so that hole 174a and the imaging hole overlap in the Z-axis direction, and shutter part 17a is switched between a photographing position where camera 161 is exposed to the outside of housing 10 and a non-photographing position where camera 161 is shielded from light from the outside of housing 10 by sheet part 174.

[0036] (Effect of camera shutter structure) Next, the effect of camera shutter structure 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of camera 161 installed in housing 10 in this embodiment, cut along a plane normal to the Y axis. In FIG. 8, the two-dot chain line indicates angles of view θ1 and θ2 of camera 161. The range indicated by angles of view θ1 and θ2 is located within the range in the X-axis direction where camera sheet 13 is disposed. In order for camera 161 to capture an image of the outside of housing 10, the image capture range of camera 161 determined by angles of view θ1 and θ2 needs to be within the range where camera sheet 13, which transmits light entering from outside housing 10, is located.

[0037] The sheet component 174 is disposed between the camera sheet 13 and the camera 161. The sheet component 174 is disposed between the camera sheet 13 and the camera 161. The length between the front surface 122 of the cover 12 and the front end of the camera 161 is L1.

[0038] Here, as a comparative example, a configuration having a thicker sheet component than that of the present embodiment is assumed. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the present embodiment may be omitted. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the camera 161 installed in the housing 10A in the comparative example, cut along a plane normal to the Y axis. In FIG. 9, the two-dot chain line indicates the angles of view θ1 and θ2 of the camera 161. The camera 161 in the comparative example has the same structure as the camera 161 in the present embodiment. Therefore, the angles of view θ1 and θ2 in the comparative example are the same as those in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the sheet component 174A is disposed between the camera sheet 13A and the camera 161, as in the present embodiment. The sheet component 174A is thicker in the Z-axis direction than the sheet component 174. Furthermore, the length between the front surface 122A of the cover 12A and the camera 161 is L2.

[0039] In contrast to the above-described comparative example, camera shutter structure 17 in this embodiment has sheet component 174 that is thinner in the Z-axis direction than sheet component 174A in the comparative example. Also, length L1 between front surface 122 of cover 12 and camera 161 is shorter than length L2 between front surface 122A of cover 12A and camera 161.

[0040] With this structure, camera shutter structure 17 in this embodiment can move camera 161 closer to front surface 122 of cover 12 by the amount that the thickness of sheet component 174 is reduced. This narrows the shooting range indicated by angles of view θ1 and θ2 on camera sheet 13. This allows the length of camera sheet 13 in the X-axis direction to be shorter than in conventional structures. This in turn allows the size of cover 12 near camera unit 16 to be smaller than in conventional structures.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the electronic device includes a display device 11, a cover 12, a camera unit 16, and a shutter component 17a. The display device 11 has a display surface 11a facing the +Z direction. The cover 12 has a front surface 122 facing the +Z direction and an imaging hole formed in the front surface 122, and surrounds the periphery of the display surface 11a. The camera unit 16 is disposed inside the cover 12 in alignment with the imaging hole, and the imaging direction is the +Z direction. The shutter component 17a is attached to the cover 12. The shutter component 17a has a pair of arms 172 and a sheet component 174. The pair of arms 172 are provided on both sides of the camera unit 16 in the width direction and extend from the camera unit 16 side toward the front surface 122 side. The sheet component 174 is provided from one arm 172 to the other arm 172 and blocks light from entering the camera unit 16 through the imaging hole.

[0042] In the above-described configuration, a pair of arms 172 are provided on both sides of the camera unit 16 in the width direction. The arms 172 extend from the camera unit 16 toward the front surface 122. A sheet component 174 is provided from one arm 172 to the other arm 172. With this structure, the sheet components 174 provided on the pair of arms 172 are brought closer to the front surface 122 of the cover 12 by the arms 172 extending from the camera unit 16 toward the front surface 122. This reduces the distance between the front surface 122 of the cover 12 and the sheet component 174, allowing the lens 161a of the camera 161 located close to the sheet component 174 to approach the front surface 122 of the cover 12 accordingly. This reduces the imaging range indicated by the angles of view θ1 and θ2 occupying the camera sheet 13, thereby allowing the width of the camera sheet 13 to be reduced. Consequently, the electronic device 1 can reduce the size of the cover 12 near the camera unit 16 compared to conventional structures.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pair of arms 172 are formed in a crank shape and include a first portion 172a having a front surface 172a1 and a second portion 172b connected to the first portion 172a. The sheet component 174 is fixed to the front surface 172a1. The first portion 172a is closer to the front surface 122 than the second portion 172b.

[0044] As a result, sheet component 174 fixed to first portion 172a is brought closer to front surface 122 of cover 12. Accordingly, camera 161 is also brought closer to front surface 122 of cover 12. As a result, the shooting range indicated by angles of view θ1 and θ2 on camera sheet 13 becomes smaller. Therefore, camera shutter structure 17 can shorten the length of camera sheet 13 in the X-axis direction. Consequently, camera shutter structure 17 can make the size of cover 12 near camera unit 16 smaller than before.

[0045] In this embodiment, the sheet parts 174 are fixed to the pair of arms 172, respectively, and are formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0046] In the above-described structure, a portion of the camera 161 is disposed in the space S between the pair of arms 172. On the other hand, assuming a structure in which the pair of arms 172 are integrated into one arm, the arm is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape on the XY plane, and the above-described space S is not formed in the direction in which the camera 161 faces (the +Z direction side of the camera 161). In other words, by disposing the arms 172 as a pair in the Y-axis direction, the space S is formed in the direction in which the camera 161 faces. In the camera shutter structure 17, the camera 161 is disposed so that a portion of the camera 161 overlaps the space S, thereby bringing the camera 161 closer to the front surface 122 of the cover 12. This reduces the shooting range indicated by the angles of view θ1 and θ2 of view occupied by the camera sheet 13. Therefore, the camera shutter structure 17 can shorten the length of the camera sheet 13 in the X-axis direction. Consequently, the camera shutter structure 17 can reduce the size of the cover 12 near the camera unit 16 compared to conventional structures.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sheet component 174 is disposed between the camera sheet 13 and the camera 161. In this structure, the camera shutter structure 17 can bring the camera 161 closer to the front surface 122 of the cover 12 by reducing the thickness of the sheet component 174 in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the sheet component 174 to the thickness of the pair of arms 172 is 34% or less. More specifically, the thickness of each of the pair of arms 172 is 0.6 mm or more, and the thickness of the sheet component 174 is 0.2 mm or less.

[0048] That is, because the thickness of sheet component 174 is sufficiently thin compared to the thickness of pair of arms 172, camera shutter structure 17 can bring camera 161 closer to front surface 122 of cover 12. This reduces the shooting range indicated by angles of view θ1 and θ2 on camera sheet 13. As a result, camera shutter structure 17 can shorten the length of camera sheet 13 in the X-axis direction. Consequently, camera shutter structure 17 can make the size of cover 12 near camera unit 16 smaller than before.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Electronic equipment 10. Cabinet 11 Display device 11a Display surface 12 Cover 16 Camera Unit 17 Camera shutter structure 17a Shutter parts 122a Imaging hole 172 Arm 172a First Part 172a1 front 172b Second part 174 Seat parts θ1, θ2 angle of view L1, L2: The distance between the front of the cover and the camera S space

Claims

1. a display unit having a display surface facing a first direction; a frame body having a front surface facing a first direction and an imaging hole formed in the front surface, the frame body surrounding the periphery of the display surface; a camera unit disposed inside the frame in alignment with the imaging hole, the camera unit capturing an image in the first direction; a shutter component attached to the frame body, The shutter component is a pair of arms provided on both sides of the camera unit in the width direction and extending from the camera unit side toward the front side; a light blocking plate provided across one arm and the other arm to block light from entering the camera unit through the imaging hole, electronic equipment.

2. The pair of arms are formed in a crank shape and each have a first portion having a first surface and a second portion connected to the first portion, the light blocking plate is fixed to the first surface, the first portion is closer to the front surface than the second portion; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The light blocking plates are fixed to the pair of arms, respectively, and are formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. The ratio of the thickness of the light shielding plate to the thickness of the pair of arms is 34% or less.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The thickness of each of the pair of arms is 0.6 mm or more, The thickness of the light shielding plate is 0.2 mm or less.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1.

Images