Information device and wiring structure

Abstract

To provide information equipment which can be miniaturized by reducing an area occupied by wiring, and a wiring structure.SOLUTION: An information apparatus according to one embodiment is an information apparatus in which a first portion and a second portion are connected to each other via a hinge portion. The information device includes a first terminal disposed in the first portion, a second terminal disposed in the second portion, and an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. The optical fiber extends from the first end, through the hinge portion, and to the second end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to information equipment and wiring structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a display connection structure. The display connection structure includes a main body, a display to which an image signal is input from the main body, mounting means for mounting the display to the main body, and an optical connector for transmitting the image signal using light. The optical connector has a light-emitting module rotatably mounted on the main body and a light-receiving module mounted on the display.

[0003] The light-emitting module has a laser diode. A driver is connected to the laser diode via a cable. The driver receives power from an auxiliary power supply and drives the laser diode. The light-receiving module has a photodiode array. The laser diode and the photodiode array face each other at a predetermined distance so that they can transmit light to each other.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a notebook computer equipped with a hinge mechanism. The notebook computer includes a first housing that houses a circuit board, a hard disk drive, etc., and a second housing that has a liquid crystal display. The first housing and the second housing are supported by a hinge portion so that they can rotate relative to each other. The hinge portion includes a shaft. The shaft has a pillar portion, and the central axis of the pillar portion is eccentric with respect to the central axis of rotation of the shaft.

[0005] A first connector is built into the first housing, and a second connector is built into the second housing. The first connector and the second connector are electrically connected to each other via a cable. The laptop can transition between a first state in which it is open 90 degrees and a second state in which it is closed. When the laptop is in the first state, the cable is not bent significantly. When the laptop is closed to transition from the first state to the second state, a portion of the cable located near the shaft bends, and the cable approaches the post of the shaft. Because the post of the shaft is eccentric from the central axis of rotation, the post is moved away from the cable in the second state.

[0006] Patent Document 3 describes a tape recorder editing machine having an electronic device main body and a rotating device that is a display unit that rotates relative to the electronic device main body. The electronic device main body has a pair of left and right recesses on both the left and right sides of its upper part. The rotating device has a pair of left and right protrusions on both the left and right sides of its lower part.

[0007] The tape recorder editing machine includes a hinge mechanism provided between a recessed portion of the electronic device main body and a protruding portion of the rotating device, and an electric wire electrically connecting the electronic device main body and the rotating device to each other. The hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical body. The electric wire is bent inside the cylindrical body in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-154760 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-119698 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-131077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Meanwhile, the signal transmission capacity of information devices is increasing due to factors such as improved performance of the electrical devices built into the devices. It is expected that the number of electrical devices installed in the devices will also increase. With the increase in signal transmission capacity and the increase in the number of electrical devices installed in the devices, it may be necessary to increase the thickness of the electrical wires or the number of electrical wires. In this case, the area occupied by the wiring in the devices will increase, raising concerns about the size of the devices. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the area occupied by the wiring and thereby make the devices more compact.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information device and a wiring structure that can be miniaturized by reducing the area occupied by wiring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The information device according to the present disclosure has a first portion and a second portion connected to each other via a hinge portion. The information device includes a first terminal disposed in the first portion, a second terminal disposed in the second portion, and an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. The optical fiber extends from the first terminal, passes through the hinge portion, and extends to the second terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the area occupied by wiring can be reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to a first modified example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to a second modification. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth modified examples. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to the seventh modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh modifications. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an information device having a wiring structure according to the twelfth modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to the thirteenth modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an information device having a wiring structure according to the fourteenth modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the fifteenth and sixteenth modifications. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth modifications. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to the twentieth modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the 21st and 22nd modifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) An information device according to one embodiment is an information device in which a first portion and a second portion are connected to each other via a hinge portion. The information device includes a first terminal disposed in the first portion, a second terminal disposed in the second portion, and an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. The optical fiber extends from the first terminal, passes through the hinge portion, and extends to the second terminal.

[0015] (11) According to one embodiment, a wiring structure is provided in an information device in which a first portion and a second portion are connected to each other via a hinge portion. The wiring structure includes a first terminal disposed in the first portion, a second terminal disposed in the second portion, and an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. The optical fiber is disposed so as to extend from the first terminal, pass through the hinge portion, and extend to the second terminal.

[0016] This information device and wiring structure include a first terminal, a second terminal, and an optical fiber. The first terminal is disposed in a first portion of the information device, and the second terminal is disposed in a second portion of the information device. The optical fiber is passed through a hinge portion of the information device and optically connects the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. By connecting the first terminal disposed in the first portion to the second terminal disposed in the second portion via the optical fiber, high-capacity signal transmission can be performed using a small number of thin optical fibers. Therefore, the area occupied by the optical fiber in the information device can be reduced, which reduces the area occupied by the wiring and allows the information device to be made more compact.

[0017] (2) In the above (1), each of the first terminal and the second terminal may include a substrate, an electrical connector disposed on the substrate, and a photoelectric conversion element electrically connected to the electrical connector and optically connected to the optical fiber. In this case, photoelectric conversion can be performed in each of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0018] (3) In the above (2), the electrical connector of the first terminal may be electrically connected to a camera disposed in the first section, in which case the second section can be connected to the camera via the second terminal, the optical fiber, and the first terminal.

[0019] (4) In any of the above (1) to (3), the direction in which the optical fiber extends from the first terminal and the direction in which the optical fiber extends from the second terminal may coincide with the direction in which the rotation axis of the hinge portion extends. In this case, bending of the optical fiber when the first portion rotates via the hinge portion can be more reliably prevented.

[0020] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, the second terminal may be rectangular having long and short sides, and may be oriented such that the direction in which the long sides extend coincides with the direction in which the rotation axis of the hinge portion extends.

[0021] (6) In any of the above (1) to (4), the second terminal may be rectangular having long and short sides, and the second terminal may be disposed such that the direction in which the long sides extend intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis of the hinge portion extends.

[0022] (7) In any of the above (1) to (6), the hinge portion may have a hole through which the optical fiber is inserted. The direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the first terminal enters the hole may be the same as the direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the second terminal enters the hole. In this case, the optical fiber extends from the hole in the hinge portion toward the first terminal and the second terminal in the same direction, thereby making the wiring structure more compact. This contributes to further miniaturization of information devices.

[0023] (8) In any of the above (1) to (6), the hinge portion may have a hole into which the optical fiber is inserted. The direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the first terminal enters the hole may be different from the direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the second terminal enters the hole. In this case, the optical fiber extends from the hole in the hinge portion toward the first terminal and the second terminal in directions different from each other, thereby reducing the bending angle of the optical fiber. As a result, breakage of the optical fiber can be more reliably prevented.

[0024] (9) In any of the above (1) to (8), the optical fiber may have an excess length portion, which is a curved portion of the optical fiber, that maintains the slack state of the optical fiber when the first portion rotates relative to the second portion. In this case, the excess length of the optical fiber maintains the slack state of the optical fiber even when the first portion is rotated via the hinge portion. Therefore, breakage of the optical fiber can be more reliably prevented.

[0025] (10) In any of the above (1) to (9), the optical fiber may have a twisted portion that is twisted when the first portion is opened relative to the second portion. In this case, the twist can be reduced when closing the first portion onto the second portion, thereby more reliably preventing breakage of the optical fiber.

[0026] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of information devices and wiring structures according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the examples below, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope equivalent to the claims. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. For ease of understanding, the drawings may be partially simplified, omitted, or exaggerated, and dimensional proportions, etc., are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0027] The information device comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge portion. An example in which the first portion is a monitor portion 2 and the second portion is a main body portion 3 will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of information device 1. Information device 1 is a notebook computer. Information device 1 is a laptop computer. Information device 1 comprises a monitor portion 2, a main body portion 3, and a hinge portion 4. Monitor portion 2 has, for example, a display 2b, a camera 2c, and a frame portion 2d. Display 2b is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and camera 2c is a webcam. Display 2b and camera 2c are driven by receiving electrical signals.

[0028] The frame portion 2d is a portion of the monitor unit 2 that is formed in a frame shape. The frame portion 2d holds, for example, the display 2b and the camera 2c. For example, the frame portion 2d is formed in a rectangular plate shape. In this case, the frame portion 2d has long sides extending along a first direction D1 and short sides extending along a second direction D2 that intersects with the first direction D1. The first direction D1 is the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge unit 4 extends. The second direction D2 is a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction D1, extends along the frame portion 2d, and approaches the hinge unit 4.

[0029] The main body 3 has a keyboard 3b, a touchpad 3c, a power button 3d, a motherboard 3f, and a frame 3h. The keyboard 3b, the touchpad 3c, and the power button 3d are each electrically connected to the motherboard 3f. The keyboard 3b, the touchpad 3c, and the power button 3d are components operated by a user of the information device 1. When the keyboard 3b, the touchpad 3c, and the power button 3d are each operated, a signal is output from the motherboard 3f to each component of the information device 1, causing each component of the information device 1 to function.

[0030] The frame portion 3h is a frame-shaped portion of the main body 3. The frame portion 3h holds the keyboard 3b, the touchpad 3c, and the power button 3d, and also houses the motherboard 3f. For example, the frame portion 3h has a rectangular plate shape. In this case, the frame portion 3h has long sides extending along the first direction D1 and short sides extending along a third direction D3 that intersects with the first direction D1. The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1, extends along the frame portion 3h, and is a direction away from the hinge portion 4.

[0031] The above describes an example of the configuration of the monitor unit 2 and the main body unit 3. However, the configurations of the monitor unit 2 and the main body unit 3 are not limited to the above example and can be modified as appropriate. The monitor unit 2 and the main body unit 3 are connected to each other via a hinge unit 4. The hinge unit 4 is a part that allows the monitor unit 2 to rotate relative to the main body unit 3 around the rotation axis X. The hinge unit 4 is, for example, cylindrical. As an example, the information device 1 has two hinge units 4 aligned along the first direction D1. However, the shape and number of the hinge units 4 are not particularly limited.

[0032] The maximum rotation angle of the monitor unit 2 relative to the main body unit 3 is, for example, 180°. In this case, when the monitor unit 2 is opened to the maximum extent relative to the main body unit 3, the display 2b becomes approximately parallel to the keyboard 3b. However, the maximum rotation angle of the monitor unit 2 relative to the main body unit 3 may be 360° and is not particularly limited. When the monitor unit 2 rotates relative to the main body unit 3, the first terminal 11 moves relative to the second terminal 12, thereby pulling the optical fiber 13.

[0033] The information device 1 has a wiring structure 10. The wiring structure 10 is built into the information device 1. In FIG. 1 and the figures described below, at least a portion of the wiring structure built into the information device is shown with a solid line for clarity. The components constituting the information device 1 are electrically connected to one another. The components constituting the information device 1 operate upon receiving electrical signals. In contrast, the wiring structure 10 has an optical fiber 13 and transmits an optical signal via the optical fiber 13. The wiring structure 10 has a first terminal 11, a second terminal 12, and the optical fiber 13 optically connecting the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 to one another. For example, the wiring structure 10 has one first terminal 11 connected to an end of the optical fiber 13 and one second terminal 12 connected to the end of the optical fiber 13 opposite the first terminal 11. The first terminal 11 is disposed in the monitor unit 2, and the second terminal 12 is disposed in the main unit 3.

[0034] 2 is an enlarged view of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 of the wiring structure 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first terminal 11 has a rectangular shape having a long side 11h and a short side 11j. The first terminal 11 is oriented such that the direction in which the long side 11h extends coincides with the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge portion 4 extends (first direction D1).

[0035] The first terminal 11 has a pair of long sides 11h and a pair of short sides 11j. For example, the optical fiber 13 extends from the short sides 11j in the first direction D1. The first terminal 11 has a substrate 11b, an electrical connector 11c arranged on the substrate 11b, a photoelectric conversion element 11d electrically connected to the electrical connector 11c and optically connected to the optical fiber 13, and a lens unit 11f including a lens that focuses light from the photoelectric conversion element 11d to the optical fiber 13.

[0036] An electrical connector 11c, a photoelectric conversion element 11d, and a lens unit 11f are mounted on a substrate 11b. The substrate 11b has a main surface 11k on which the electrical connector 11c, the photoelectric conversion element 11d, and the lens unit 11f are mounted, and a back surface facing the opposite side to the main surface 11k. The substrate 11b is, for example, rectangular in shape with long sides 11h and short sides 11j. The electrical connector 11c is electrically connected to a camera 2c. For example, the camera 2c outputs an image signal as an electrical signal to the electrical connector 11c. The type of the electrical connector 11c is not particularly limited.

[0037] The photoelectric conversion element 11d converts an electrical signal into an optical signal. The photoelectric conversion element 11d is, for example, a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), which is a type of semiconductor laser diode. The photoelectric conversion element 11d outputs an optical signal to a lens of the lens unit 11f, and the lens focuses the optical signal into the optical fiber 13.

[0038] The optical fiber 13 has a core and a cladding that covers the core. The optical fiber 13 is covered with a coating. The optical fiber 13 is, for example, a multimode fiber. The optical fiber 13 is, for example, a glass fiber. However, the optical fiber 13 may be made of plastic, and the type and material of the optical fiber 13 are not particularly limited.

[0039] For example, the wiring structure 10 has one or two optical fibers 13. In this case, the area occupied by the wiring structure 10 inside the information device 1 can be reduced. However, there is no particular limit to the number of optical fibers 13. The optical fibers 13 extend from the first terminal 11, pass through the hinge portion 4, and extend to the second terminal 12.

[0040] For example, the optical fiber 13 is arranged to pass through the frame portion 2d of the monitor unit 2. In this embodiment, the optical fiber 13 is arranged to bypass the display 2b. For example, the optical fiber 13 extends from the first terminal 11 in a first direction D1, and the portion of the optical fiber 13 extending in the first direction D1 is bent in a second direction D2.

[0041] For example, the optical fiber 13 extending in the second direction D2 is bent in the opposite direction to the first direction D1 at the end of the frame 2d in the second direction D2 and enters the hinge 4. For example, the hinge 4 has a hole through which the optical fiber 13 passes. An example of the wiring of the optical fiber 13 in the hinge 4 will be described in detail later. The optical fiber 13 enters the frame 3h of the main body 3 from the hinge 4 and extends to the second terminal 12. An example of the wiring of the optical fiber 13 inside the information device 1 has been described above. However, the wiring mode of the optical fiber 13 is not limited to the above example.

[0042] For example, the second terminal 12 has the same configuration as the first terminal 11. The second terminal 12 has a rectangular shape having long sides 12h and short sides 12j. The second terminal 12 is arranged such that the direction in which the long sides 12h extend coincides with the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge portion 4 extends (first direction D1). The second terminal 12 has a pair of long sides 12h and a pair of short sides 12j.

[0043] The second terminal 12 is arranged, for example, so as to be oriented in the same direction as the first terminal 11. That is, the second terminal 12 is arranged so that the direction in which the long side 12h extends coincides with the direction in which the long side 11h extends, and the direction in which the short side 12j extends coincides with the direction in which the short side 11j extends.

[0044] For example, the optical fiber 13 extends from the short side 12j in the first direction D1. In this case, the direction in which the optical fiber 13 extends from the first terminal 11 and the direction in which the optical fiber 13 extends from the second terminal 12 coincide with the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge portion 4 extends (first direction D1). "Coinciding with a direction" does not necessarily mean a direction that is completely the same as the direction, but also includes a direction that differs from the direction to the extent that the effect is unchanged.

[0045] For example, second terminal 12 has a substrate 12b, an electrical connector 12c arranged on substrate 12b, a photoelectric conversion element 12d electrically connected to electrical connector 12c and optically connected to optical fiber 13, and a lens unit 12f including a lens that outputs light from optical fiber 13 to photoelectric conversion element 12d. Electrical connector 12c, photoelectric conversion element 12d, and lens unit 12f are mounted on substrate 12b.

[0046] For example, the substrate 12b has a main surface 12k on which the electrical connector 12c, the photoelectric conversion element 12d, and the lens unit 12f are mounted, and a back surface facing away from the main surface 12k. For example, the main surface 12k of the second terminal 12 faces the same direction as the main surface 11k of the first terminal 11.

[0047] The substrate 12b is, for example, rectangular in shape with long sides 12h and short sides 12j. The electrical connector 12c is electrically connected to the motherboard 3f. For example, an electrical signal is output from the electrical connector 12c to the motherboard 3f. The type of the electrical connector 12c is not particularly limited.

[0048] The photoelectric conversion element 12d converts an optical signal into an electrical signal. One example of the photoelectric conversion element 12d is a photodiode (PD). The photoelectric conversion element 12d converts, for example, an optical signal from the lens of the lens unit 12f into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is output from the photoelectric conversion element 12d to the motherboard 3f via the electrical connector 12c and processed by a chipset mounted on the motherboard 3f.

[0049] Next, the effects obtained from the information device 1 and wiring structure 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The information device 1 and wiring structure 10 include a first terminal 11, a second terminal 12, and an optical fiber 13. The first terminal 11 is disposed on the monitor 2 of the information device 1, and the second terminal 12 is disposed on the main body 3 of the information device 1. The optical fiber 13 is passed through the hinge 4 of the information device 1 and optically connects the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 to each other. By connecting the first terminal 11 disposed on the monitor 2 to the second terminal 12 disposed on the main body 3 via the optical fiber 13, high-capacity signal transmission can be performed using a small number of thin optical fibers 13. Therefore, the area occupied by the optical fiber 13 in the information device 1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the area occupied by wiring and enabling the information device 1 to be made more compact.

[0050] As described above, the first terminal 11 may include the substrate 11b, the electrical connector 11c arranged on the substrate 11b, and the photoelectric conversion element 11d electrically connected to the electrical connector 11c and optically connected to the optical fiber 13. In this case, the first terminal 11 can convert an electrical signal into an optical signal. For example, the second terminal 12 has the same configuration as the first terminal 11. In this case, the second terminal 12 can provide the same effects as the first terminal 11.

[0051] As described above, the electrical connector 11c of the first terminal 11 may be electrically connected to the camera 2c arranged on the monitor unit 2. In this case, the main body unit 3 can be electrically connected to the camera 2c via the second terminal 12, the optical fiber 13, and the first terminal 11.

[0052] As described above, the direction in which the optical fiber 13 extends from the first terminal 11 and the direction in which the optical fiber 13 extends from the second terminal 12 may coincide with the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge unit 4 extends. In this case, bending of the optical fiber 13 when the monitor unit 2 rotates via the hinge unit 4 can be more reliably prevented. Therefore, damage and breakage of the optical fiber 13 can be more reliably prevented.

[0053] Next, various modified examples of the information device and wiring structure according to the present disclosure will be described. Some configurations of the information device and wiring structure according to each modified example described below are the same as some configurations of the information device 1 and wiring structure 10 described above. Therefore, in the following, descriptions of the same configurations as the information device 1 and wiring structure 10 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] 3 is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10A according to a first modification. In the wiring structure 10A, the main surface 12k of the second terminal 12 faces in the opposite direction to the main surface 11k of the first terminal 11. That is, the back surface 12p of the second terminal 12 faces in the same direction as the main surface 11k of the first terminal 11. For example, the electrical connector 12c is a board-to-board connector. In this case, the electrical connector 12c can be easily connected to the motherboard 3f.

[0055] 4 is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10B according to a second modification. The wiring structure 10B has two first terminals 11, one second terminal 12, and two optical fibers 13. The two optical fibers 13 extend from the second terminal 12. The first terminal 11 is connected to each of the two optical fibers 13 extending from the second terminal 12. As in the wiring structure 10B, the number of first terminals 11, the number of second terminals 12, and the number of optical fibers 13 are not particularly limited. For example, the wiring structure may have one first terminal 11, two second terminals 12, and two optical fibers 13.

[0056] FIG. 5(1) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10C according to a third modified example. In the wiring structure 10C, the optical fiber 13 extends linearly between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. FIG. 5(2) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10D according to a fourth modified example. In the wiring structure 10D, the optical fiber 13 has a ring-shaped portion 13b located between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. The optical fiber 13 is bent into a ring shape at the ring-shaped portion 13b. The ring-shaped portion 13b also functions as an excess length portion, which will be described later.

[0057] Fig. 5(3) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10E according to a fifth modified example. In the wiring structure 10E, two optical fibers 13 extend linearly between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. Fig. 5(4) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10F according to a sixth modified example. In the wiring structure 10F, a plurality of optical fibers 13 (for example, two) are twisted between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In this case, it is possible to arrange the plurality of optical fibers 13 so that they do not become unraveled.

[0058] 6 is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10G according to a seventh modification. The wiring structure 10G further includes an electric wire 14 extending from the first terminal 11 to the second terminal 12. The electric wire 14 is fixed to a pad on the substrate 11b of the first terminal 11 and a pad on the substrate 12b of the second terminal 12. The electric wire 14 extends from the pad on the substrate 11b to the pad on the substrate 12b. The electric wire 14 transmits and receives electric signals between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In this case, for example, it is possible to supply power to a camera 2c electrically connected to the electrical connector 11c via the electric wire 14.

[0059] Fig. 7(1) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10H according to an eighth modification. In the wiring structure 10H, the optical fiber 13 and the electric wire 14 each extend linearly between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. Fig. 7(2) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10J according to a ninth modification. In the wiring structure 10J, the optical fiber 13 has a ring-shaped portion 13b, and the electric wire 14 extends linearly between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12.

[0060] Fig. 7(3) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10K according to a tenth modification. In the wiring structure 10K, two optical fibers 13 and one electric wire 14 extend linearly between a first terminal 11 and a second terminal 12. Fig. 7(4) is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10L according to an eleventh modification. In the wiring structure 10L, a plurality of optical fibers 13 are twisted together between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12, and the electric wire 14 extends linearly.

[0061] 7(1) to 7(4), the wiring structure may include a protective tube that covers at least a portion of the optical fiber 13 and the electric wire 14. This protective tube is, for example, a resin tube such as a heat-shrinkable tube. In this case, the optical fiber 13 and the electric wire 14 can be more reliably protected.

[0062] 8 is a diagram showing an information device 1A equipped with a wiring structure 10M according to a twelfth modification. In the wiring structure 10M, the optical fiber 13 is passed through the rear side of the display 2b of the monitor unit 2 (the back side of the paper in FIG. 8) rather than through the frame 2d of the monitor unit 2. That is, the optical fiber 13 extends from the first terminal 11 to the area inside the monitor unit 2 behind the display 2b, via the hinge unit 4, and to the second terminal 12. In this case, the length of the optical fiber 13 can be made shorter.

[0063] 9 is a diagram showing a wiring structure 10N according to a thirteenth modification. The wiring structure 10N differs from the previously described wiring structure 10 in the orientation of the second terminal 12. In the wiring structure 10N, the second terminal 12 is arranged so that it is oriented in a different direction from the first terminal 11. The second terminal 12 is arranged so that the extension direction of the long side 12h intersects (for example, orthogonal to) the extension direction of the long side 11h, and the extension direction of the short side 12j intersects the extension direction of the short side 11j.

[0064] 10 is a diagram showing an information device 1B including a wiring structure 10P according to a fourteenth modification. The wiring structure 10P differs from the above-described wiring structure 10 in the position where the second terminal 12 is arranged on the main body 3 and the orientation of the arranged second terminal 12. In the wiring structure 10P, the second terminal 12 is arranged such that the direction in which the long side 12h extends intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis X of the hinge portion 4 extends.

[0065] For example, the second terminal 12 is disposed such that the direction in which the long side 12h extends coincides with the third direction D3. The optical fiber 13 extends from the long side 12h of the second terminal 12. In this manner, the orientation and arrangement position of the second terminal 12 in the main body 3, and the side of the second terminal 12 from which the optical fiber 13 extends, can be changed as appropriate. The orientation and arrangement position of the first terminal 11 in the monitor 2, and the side of the first terminal 11 from which the optical fiber 13 extends, can also be changed as appropriate. For example, the optical fiber 13 may extend from the long side 11h of the first terminal 11.

[0066] 11 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the fifteenth and sixteenth modifications. In the wiring structure according to the fifteenth modification, the optical fiber 13 has a curved excess length 13d, as shown by "curved" in FIG. 11. As described above, when the monitor unit 2 rotates relative to the main body unit 3, it is expected that the first terminal 11 moves relative to the second terminal 12, pulling the optical fiber 13. If a strong pulling force acts on the optical fiber 13, there is a concern that the optical fiber 13 may break.

[0067] If the optical fiber 13 has the excess length 13d, the pulling force on the optical fiber 13 when the monitor unit 2 is rotated can be reduced, and breakage of the optical fiber 13 can be more reliably prevented. The "excess length" refers to the portion of the optical fiber that maintains a slack state even when the monitor unit rotates relative to the main body unit and the optical fiber is pulled. The "excess length" is, for example, a portion that is pre-curved so that tension is not applied to the optical fiber even when the monitor unit is rotated to the maximum (for example, 180° or 360°) relative to the main body unit.

[0068] The wiring structure according to the fifteenth modification has a guide 15 built into the information device 1. For example, a plurality of guides 15 are provided inside the information device 1, and the optical fiber 13 is passed between the plurality of guides 15 to form an S-shaped excess length portion 13d. As an example, the guide 15 is cylindrical. As shown in "annular" in FIG. 11 , the wiring structure according to the sixteenth modification has the guide 15, and the optical fiber 13 is wound around the guide 15 to form the excess length portion 13d as an annular portion 13b.

[0069] In this way, the shape of the excess length portion 13d may be S-shaped, annular, or U-shaped, and the shape of the excess length portion 13d can be changed as appropriate. The length of the excess length portion 13d is, for example, 5 cm or more and 10 cm or less. However, the length of the excess length portion 13d can be changed as appropriate.

[0070] 12A and 12B are diagrams showing wiring structures according to the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth modifications. As shown in FIG. 12A, in the seventeenth modification, the hinge portion 4 has a shaft 4b. The optical fiber 13 has an extra length 13d that wraps around the shaft 4b. As shown in FIG. 12B, in the eighteenth modification, the hinge portion 4 does not have to have the shaft 4b. The optical fiber 13 has an extra length 13d that extends annularly along the inner periphery of the cylindrical hinge portion 4.

[0071] As shown in (3) of FIG. 12, in the nineteenth modification, the excess length portion 13d may be formed at a location other than the hinge portion 4. For example, the optical fiber 13 may have the excess length portion 13d located between the hinge portion 4 and a fixing member 16 that fixes the optical fiber 13. The fixing member 16 is, for example, a tape that fixes the optical fiber 13. However, the fixing member 16 may also be an adhesive, and the type of the fixing member 16 is not particularly limited. For example, the fixing member 16 may have a concave-convex structure into which the optical fiber 13 fits.

[0072] As described above, the optical fiber 13 may have an excess length 13d, which is a curved portion of the optical fiber 13, that maintains the slack state of the optical fiber 13 when the monitor unit 2 rotates relative to the main body unit 3. In this case, by having the excess length 13d in the optical fiber 13, the slack state of the optical fiber 13 is maintained even when the monitor unit 2 is rotated via the hinge unit 4. Therefore, breakage of the optical fiber 13 can be more reliably prevented.

[0073] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to a twentieth modification. Fig. 13 shows optical fiber 13 and hinge portion 4 when the rotation angle of monitor unit 2 relative to main body unit 3 is 180°, and optical fiber 13 and hinge portion 4 when the rotation angle of monitor unit 2 relative to main body unit 3 is 0°. Optical fiber 13 has twisted portion 13c that is twisted when monitor unit 2 is opened relative to main body 3.

[0074] For example, twisted portion 13c is inserted inside hinge portion 4. As an example, twisted portion 13c is twisted when monitor unit 2 is open at the maximum angle (for example, 180°) relative to main body unit 3, and the twist of twisted portion 13c decreases as the rotation angle of monitor unit 2 relative to main body unit 3 decreases. For example, when monitor unit 2 is not open relative to main body unit 3 (when the rotation angle is 0°), no twist occurs in twisted portion 13c.

[0075] As described above, the optical fiber 13 may have a twisted portion 13c that is twisted when the monitor unit 2 is open relative to the main body unit 3. In this case, the twist of the optical fiber 13 can be reduced when the monitor unit 2 is closed relative to the main body unit 3, thereby more reliably preventing breakage of the optical fiber 13. Note that the twisted portion 13c may be formed by reversing the orientation of the main surface 11k of the substrate 11b and the orientation of the main surface 12k of the substrate 12b.

[0076] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing wiring structures according to the 21st and 22nd modifications. The hinge portion 4 has a hole 4c into which the optical fiber 13 is inserted. The number of holes 4c may be one or more. A portion 13f extending from the first terminal 11 of the optical fiber 13 and a portion 13h extending from the second terminal 12 of the optical fiber 13 are inserted into the hole 4c. As shown in the "different direction" of FIG. 14, which is the 21st modification, the direction in which the portion 13f enters the hole 4c may be different from the direction in which the portion 13h enters the hole 4c. As shown in the "same direction" of FIG. 14, which is the 22nd modification, the direction in which the portion 13f enters the hole 4c may be the same as the direction in which the portion 13h enters the hole 4c.

[0077] As described above, in the twenty-first modification, the direction in which the portion 13f of the optical fiber 13 extending from the first terminal 11 enters the hole 4c of the hinge portion 4 is different from the direction in which the portion 13h of the optical fiber 13 extending from the second terminal 12 enters the hole 4c. In this case, the optical fiber 13 extends from the hole 4c of the hinge portion 4 toward the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 in directions different from each other, so the bending angle of the optical fiber 13 can be made small. For example, the bending angle of the optical fiber 13 can be made gentler, such as 90° or more. As a result, breakage of the optical fiber 13 can be more reliably prevented.

[0078] Furthermore, in the 22nd modification, the direction in which the portion 13f of the optical fiber 13 extending from the first terminal 11 enters the hole 4c of the hinge portion 4 coincides with the direction in which the portion 13h of the optical fiber 13 extending from the second terminal 12 enters the hole 4c. In this case, the optical fiber 13 extends from the hole 4c of the hinge portion 4 toward the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 in the same direction, making it possible to make the wiring structure more compact. This contributes to further miniaturization of the information device 1.

[0079] Incidentally, when the monitor unit 2 is opened or closed, there is a possibility that the optical fiber 13 may be rubbed at the hinge unit 4. To prepare for such a case, the wiring structure may include a protective tube that covers the portion of the optical fiber 13 that is inserted into the hinge unit 4. This protective tube is, for example, a resin tube such as a heat-shrinkable tube. In this case, the portion of the optical fiber 13 that is inserted into the hinge unit 4 is protected by the protective tube, thereby reducing the possibility of the optical fiber 13 being rubbed and more reliably protecting the optical fiber 13.

[0080] The above describes embodiments and various modifications of the information device and wiring structure according to the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments or various modifications. In other words, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible within the scope of the gist of the claims. In other words, the shape, size, number, material, and arrangement of each part of the information device and wiring structure can be appropriately changed within the scope of the above-described gist. While the above describes the embodiment and the first through twenty-second modifications, the information device and wiring structure according to the present disclosure may be a combination of a part of a configuration selected from at least one of the embodiment and the first through twenty-second modifications with the remaining part different from the selected configuration. In this way, the above-described embodiment and the first through twenty-second modifications can be appropriately combined.

[0081] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first terminal 11 has an electrical connector 11c electrically connected to the camera 2c. However, the camera may be mounted on the substrate 11b of the first terminal 11. The first terminal 11 may also be electrically connected to a device other than the camera 2c, for example, the first terminal 11 may be electrically connected to the display 2b of the monitor unit 2. As such, the configuration of the first terminal 11 and the types of components of the information device 1 to which the first terminal 11 is connected are not particularly limited. The same applies to the configuration of the second terminal 12 and the types of components of the information device 1 to which the second terminal 12 is connected.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the information device 1 has been described in which the first part is the monitor 2 and the second part is the main body 3. However, the first part does not have to be the monitor 2, and the second part does not have to be the main body 3. In this way, the functions of the first part and the second part are not particularly limited.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the information device 1 is a notebook computer. However, the information device having the wiring structure according to the present disclosure may be a device other than a notebook computer. In other words, the information device may be any device capable of transmitting information, and the type of information device is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1,1A,1B…Information equipment 2...Monitor section (first section) 2b…Display 2c...Camera 2d…Frame part 3…Main part (second part) 3b...Keyboard 3c...Touchpad 3d...Power button 3f...Motherboard 3h…Frame part 4...Hinge part 4b...shaft 4c...hole 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10J, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10P... Wiring structure 11...Terminal 1 11b...Substrate 11c...electrical connector 11d...Photoelectric conversion element 11f...Lens unit 11h...long side 11j...short side 11k…main surface 12...Second terminal 12b...Substrate 12c...electrical connector 12d...Photoelectric conversion element 12f...Lens unit 12h...long side 12j...short side 12k…main surface 12p...back 13...Optical fiber 13b...Annular section 13c...Twisted section 13d...Extra length 13f,13h…part 14...Electric wire 15... Guide 16...Fixing member X...Rotation axis

Claims

1. An information device in which a first portion and a second portion are connected to each other via a hinge portion, a first terminal disposed in the first portion; a second terminal disposed in the second portion; an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other; Equipped with The optical fiber extends from the first terminal, passes through the hinge portion, and extends to the second terminal. Information equipment.

2. Each of the first terminal and the second terminal A substrate; an electrical connector disposed on the substrate; a photoelectric conversion element electrically connected to the electrical connector and optically connected to the optical fiber; Equipped with 2. The information device according to claim 1.

3. the electrical connector of the first terminal is electrically connected to a camera disposed in the first portion; 3. The information device according to claim 2.

4. a direction in which the optical fiber extends from the first terminal and a direction in which the optical fiber extends from the second terminal coincide with a direction in which a rotation axis of the hinge portion extends; 4. The information device according to claim 1.

5. the second terminal is rectangular in shape having long and short sides, The second terminal is disposed in such a direction that the direction in which the long side extends coincides with the direction in which the rotation axis of the hinge portion extends.

4. The information device according to claim 1.

6. the second terminal is rectangular in shape having long and short sides, The second terminal is disposed such that the direction in which the long side extends intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis of the hinge portion extends.

4. The information device according to claim 1.

7. the hinge portion has a hole into which the optical fiber is inserted, a direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the first terminal enters the hole coincides with a direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the second terminal enters the hole; 4. The information device according to claim 1.

8. the hinge portion has a hole into which the optical fiber is inserted, a direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the first terminal enters the hole is different from a direction in which the portion of the optical fiber extending from the second terminal enters the hole; 4. The information device according to claim 1.

9. the optical fiber has an excess portion, which is a curved portion of the optical fiber and maintains a slack state of the optical fiber when the first portion rotates relative to the second portion; 4. The information device according to claim 1.

10. the optical fiber has a twisted portion that is twisted relative to the second portion when the first portion is in an open state; 4. The information device according to claim 1.

11. A wiring structure provided in an information device, in which a first portion and a second portion are connected to each other via a hinge portion, a first terminal disposed in the first portion; a second terminal disposed in the second portion; an optical fiber optically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other; Equipped with The optical fiber is arranged to extend from the first terminal, pass through the hinge portion, and extend to the second terminal. Wiring structure.

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