Information processing device

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device that can suppress the reduction in hinge rigidity while also suppressing the increase in the depth dimension of the display unit due to cable routing. [Solution] The information processing device of the embodiment comprises a bracket, a hinge unit, and a display unit. The bracket has a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing the first surface at a predetermined distance, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface and facing a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the cross-section formed by the surfaces including the first and second directions is substantially U-shaped. The hinge unit is fixed to the first surface and has a rotation axis along the first direction and the third direction intersecting the second direction, and the main body is fixed so as to be rotatable with respect to the first surface. The display unit is fixed to the second surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as one form of an information processing apparatus, a notebook-type personal computer, so-called a notebook PC, is known. A notebook PC has, for example, a main body portion provided with an information processing unit and a display portion composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like connected by a hinge.

[0003] The notebook PC opens the display portion with respect to the main body portion, separates the input portion such as a keyboard and the display portion, and makes them usable. Also, the notebook PC closes the display portion with respect to the main body portion, covers the input portion with the display portion to make it in a non-use state, makes it compact to improve portability, and protects the input portion and the display portion. In the notebook PC configured as such, the electrical connection between the main body portion and the display portion is often performed by a cable wired via a hinge, for example.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The cable connecting the main unit and the display unit is sometimes routed in a dedicated cable space inside the display unit. In this case, the depth of the display unit increases by the volume of the dedicated cable space, making it difficult to make the laptop compact by reducing the depth of the display unit. Furthermore, if a dedicated cable space is not provided inside the display unit, and a notch is made in the hinge to route the cable in the notch, there is a problem of reduced hinge rigidity.

[0006] An objective of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can suppress the reduction in hinge rigidity while suppressing the increase in the depth dimension of the display unit due to the arrangement of cables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a bracket, a hinge unit, and a display unit. The bracket has a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing the first surface at a predetermined distance, and a third surface connecting the first and second surfaces and facing a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the cross-section formed by the surfaces including the first and second directions is substantially U-shaped. The hinge unit is fixed to the first surface and has a rotation axis along the first direction and the third direction intersecting the second direction, and the main body is fixed so as to be rotatable with respect to the first surface. The display unit is fixed to the second surface.

[0008] In the aforementioned information processing device, the display unit is formed into a flat plate shape and includes a cable disposed between a first surface and a second surface.

[0009] In the aforementioned information processing device, the hinge unit is fixed to the first surface by a plurality of fastening members.

[0010] In the aforementioned information processing device, the hinge unit has a cut portion in which a part of the circumferential direction is cut into a planar shape.

[0011] In the information processing device, a projection is provided on the first surface that protrudes in a first direction, and the hinge unit has a through hole that aligns with and engages with the projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the information processing device can suppress a decrease in hinge rigidity while suppressing an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit due to the arrangement of cables. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit of an information processing device in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit of the information processing device of the above embodiment, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the hinge unit of the information processing device of the above embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bracket of the information processing device of the above embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of section F5 in Figure 4 in the information processing device of the above embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the hinge unit and bracket on which the cable is arranged in the information processing device of the above embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the information processing device of the above embodiment with the hinge unit, bracket, cable, and front cover assembled. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the information processing device of the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations of the embodiments described below, as well as the operations and results (effects) achieved by the configurations, are merely examples and are not limited to the content described below. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only for distinguishing components and members, and do not indicate order or priority.

[0015] First, the outline and structure of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 1 viewed from another angle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a display unit 11, a main body unit 12, and a hinge unit 13.

[0016] In the following figures, for convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined. The depth direction of the information processing apparatus 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the width direction of the information processing apparatus 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the thickness direction of the information processing apparatus 1 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction can also be referred to as the front-back direction. The Y-axis direction can also be referred to as the left-right direction. The Z-axis direction can also be referred to as the up-down direction. Note that the expressions indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down in this embodiment are for convenience and do not limit the position, posture, and usage mode of the information processing apparatus 1. Also, the X-axis direction is an example of the second direction. The Y-axis direction is an example of the third direction. The Z-axis direction is an example of the first direction.

[0017] The information processing apparatus 1 is, for example, a widely used portable personal computer (so-called notebook computer). The display unit 11 and the main body unit 12 of the information processing apparatus 1 are connected via the hinge unit 13 so as to be openable and closable. <000009?

[0018] The display unit 11 includes a front cover 111, a back cover 112, a display device 113, a hinge cover 115, and a cable 116. The display unit 11 may further include other components. The front cover 111 and the back cover 112 are fitted and fixed to each other in the Z-axis direction to form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape.

[0019] The display unit 11 houses the display device 113. The display device 113 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic Electroluminescent Display), or the like. Note that the display unit 11 and the main body unit 12 can use well-known configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0020] The hinge cover 115 extends in the Y-axis direction and is formed hollow. The hinge cover 115 protrudes from the front surface 111a of the front cover 111 in the direction in which the front surface 111a faces (the +Z direction in FIG. 1). The hinge cover 115 is attached to the front cover 111, for example, by snap fit. The hinge cover 115 houses a part of the hinge unit 13 and the cable 116 described later.

[0021] The cable 116 is formed in a flat plate shape. The cable 116 electrically connects the internal structure (not shown) of the information processing device 1, which is connected to the inside of the display device 113 and the inside of the main body unit 12 via the inside of the hinge cover 115. The cable 116 is exposed from the end of the hinge cover 115 in the +Y direction with respect to the hinge cover 115. In each figure of the present embodiment, only the attachment, which is the part of the main body unit 12 attached to the hinge unit 13, is shown, and other parts are omitted.

[0022] Next, the detailed structure of the hinge unit 13 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the hinge unit 13 of the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. Two hinge units 13 are provided, one at each end of the hinge cover 115 in the Y-axis direction. The hinge unit 13 extends in the Y-axis direction. In each figure of this embodiment, only one of the hinge units 13 provided near the end of the hinge cover 115 in the +Y direction is shown, and the other is omitted.

[0023] The hinge unit 13 has a fixed portion 131 and a shaft portion 132. The fixed portion 131 extends in the Y-axis direction near the end of the hinge unit 13 in the -Y direction. The fixed portion 131 has an upper surface 131a and three through holes H1. The upper surface 131a faces the +Z direction.

[0024] Each of the three through holes H1 is formed in a substantially circular shape in the XY plane. Each of the three through holes H1 is formed in the upper surface 131a. Each of the three through holes H1 penetrates the fixing portion 131 in the Z-axis direction. Each of the three through holes H1 is aligned in the Y-axis direction.

[0025] The shaft portion 132 extends in the Y-axis direction near the end of the hinge unit 13 in the +Y direction. The shaft portion 132 is rotatable together with the main body portion 12 with the rotation axis Ax, which extends in the Y-axis direction, as the rotation axis.

[0026] The shaft portion 132 has a cut portion 132a. The cut portion 132a is a part of the shaft portion 132 that has been cut into a planar shape in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the cut portion 132a is a part with a polygonal cross-section that is formed by cutting a part of the outer circumference of the shaft portion 132 into a planar shape. Each surface formed on the shaft portion 132 faces radially outward. In Figure 3, some of the surfaces formed on the shaft portion 132 are omitted.

[0027] Next, the detailed structure of the bracket 14 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bracket 14 of the information processing device 1 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the information processing device 1 further comprises the bracket 14. The bracket 14 has an upper part 14a, a side part 14b, and a lower part 14c.

[0028] The upper part 14a extends in the Y-axis direction. The side part 14b is connected to the upper part 14a at its end in the +Z direction and extends in the Y-axis direction. The lower part 14c is connected to the end of the side part 14b in the -Z direction and extends in the Y-axis direction. The end of the lower part 14c in the +Y direction extends in a flat shape toward the +X direction.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of section F5 in Figure 4 in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the upper part 14a has an upper surface 14a1, a projection 14a2, and two through holes H2. The upper surface 14a1 faces in the +Z direction. The upper surface 14a1 extends in the Y-axis direction. The projection 14a2 is disposed on the upper surface 14a1 and protrudes in the +Z direction. The projection 14a2 is located near the center of the upper surface 14a1 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The projection 14a2 is formed in a substantially circular shape in the XY plane.

[0030] The size of the protrusion 14a2 in the XY plane is approximately the same as the size of the through-hole H1 located in the center of the three through-holes H1 in the Y-axis direction. The upper surface 14a1 is an example of the first surface.

[0031] The side portion 14b has a side surface 14b1. The side surface 14b1 connects the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1 and is oriented in the X-axis direction. The side surface 14b1 is an example of a third surface. The lower portion 14c has a lower surface 14c1. The lower surface 14c1 faces the upper surface 14a1 with a predetermined distance between them. The lower surface 14c1 is an example of a second surface.

[0032] The lower surface 14c1 is fixed to the display unit 11 (back cover 112) by means of adhesive, for example. Note that the display device 113 is omitted in Figures 4 and 5. Also, the cross-section of the bracket 14, including the Z-axis and X-axis planes, is roughly U-shaped.

[0033] Each of the two through holes H2 is formed in a substantially circular shape in the XY plane. Each of the two through holes H2 is formed in the upper surface 14a1. Each of the two through holes H2 penetrates the upper part 14a in the Z-axis direction. Each of the two through holes H2 is aligned in the Y-axis direction.

[0034] The protrusion 14a2 is provided between the two through holes H2 in the Y-axis direction. The size of the two through holes H2 in the XY plane is approximately the same as the size of the two through holes H1 located at both ends of the three through holes H1 in the Y-axis direction.

[0035] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the hinge unit 13 and bracket 14 on which the cable 116 is arranged in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1. The hinge unit 13 has a rotation axis Ax along the Y-axis direction. The main body 12 is fixed to the hinge unit 13 so as to be rotatable relative to the upper surface 14a1 near the end of the hinge unit 13 in the +Y direction. The fixing part 131 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 of the upper part 14a by two screws 16.

[0036] Of the three through holes H1, the through hole H1 located in the center in the Y-axis direction is aligned and fitted with the projection 14a2. Each screw 16 is inserted into through holes H1 and H2, which are superimposed in the Z-axis direction. Each pair of screws 16 is positioned side by side with through hole H1 in the Y-axis direction.

[0037] The display unit 11 (back cover 112) is fixed to the lower surface 14c1. The cable 116 has a flat plate portion 116a. A portion of the flat plate portion 116a of the cable 116 is disposed between the upper part 14a and the lower part 14c. The screw 16 is an example of a fastening member.

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the information processing device 1 of this embodiment with the hinge unit 13, bracket 14, cable 116, and front cover 111 assembled. As shown in Figure 7, a portion of the flat plate portion 116a of the cable 116 is disposed between the upper part 14a and the lower part 14c of the bracket 14 and is covered by the front cover 111.

[0039] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the cable 116 is arranged adjacent to the space where the hinge unit 13 is installed in the Z-axis direction. The display device 113 is also arranged adjacent to the bracket 14 in the X-axis direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cable 116 does not need to be arranged inside the display unit 11 alongside the display device 113 in the X-axis direction. In other words, the information processing device 1 can suppress an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11.

[0041] [Example 1] Of the three through holes H1 provided in the fixing portion 131 of the hinge unit 13, the through hole H1 located at one end in the Y-axis direction (the hole into which the screw 16 is inserted) may be formed in a substantially elliptical shape in the XY plane with the Y-axis direction as the major axis.

[0042] In this case, when assembling the information processing device 1, the worker first aligns the through hole H1 at the center in the Y-axis direction with the protruding portion 14a2 when fixing the hinge unit 13 to the bracket 14 with screws 16. Then, the worker inserts and fastens the screw 16 into the substantially circular through hole H1 located at one end in the Y-axis direction, and finally inserts and fastens the screw 16 into the substantially elliptical through hole H1 located at the other end in the Y-axis direction.

[0043] This corrects the misalignment of the shaft portion 132 with respect to the rotation axis Ax. In other words, the information processing device 1, with the above-described structure, can prevent the screw 16 from being unable to be fastened due to the position of the through hole H1 of the hinge unit 13 (fixing portion 131) being misaligned with respect to the through hole H2 of the bracket 14 in the XY plane.

[0044] [Differentiation 2] The number of through holes H2 and screws 16 provided in the upper surface 14a1 is not limited to two; for example, there may be four. In this case, the number of through holes H1 provided in the fixing part 131 will be five. The hinge unit 13 is also fixed to the upper surface 14a1 by four screws 16.

[0045] With the above-described structure, the information processing device 1 can increase the fixing strength of the hinge unit 13 to the upper surface 14a1 compared to the case where there are two through holes H2 and two screws 16 in the upper surface 14a1 (i.e., two screws 16). Consequently, the information processing device 1 can improve its rigidity.

[0046] The information processing device 1 of the above embodiment comprises a bracket 14, a hinge unit 13, and a display unit 11. The bracket 14 has an upper surface 14a1 facing the Z-axis direction, a lower surface 14c1 facing the upper surface 14a1 at a predetermined distance, and a side surface 14b1 connecting the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1 and facing the X-axis direction intersecting the Z-axis direction, and the cross section formed by the planes including the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is substantially U-shaped. The hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 and has a rotation axis Ax along the Y-axis direction intersecting the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and the main body 12 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 so as to be rotatable. The display unit 11 is fixed to the lower surface 14c1.

[0047] In the above configuration, the information processing device 1 comprises a bracket 14, a hinge unit 13, and a display unit 11. The bracket 14 has an upper surface 14a1, a lower surface 14c1, and a side surface 14b1. The upper surface 14a1 faces in the Z-axis direction. The lower surface 14c1 faces the upper surface 14a1 at a predetermined distance. The side surface 14b1 connects the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1 and faces in the X-axis direction, which intersects with the Z-axis direction. The cross-section of the bracket 14, including the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, is approximately U-shaped. The hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 and has a rotation axis Ax along the Y-axis direction which intersects with the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and the main body 12 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 so as to be rotatable. The display unit 11 is fixed to the lower surface 14c1. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the bracket 14 does not have a cutout for arranging the cable 116.

[0048] This configuration allows the information processing device 1 to house a portion of the internal structure of the display unit 11 in the space between the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1 without reducing the rigidity of the bracket due to the presence of the notch. Consequently, the information processing device 1 can suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the bracket 14 while suppressing an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, the display unit 11 also includes a cable 116 that is formed in a flat shape and disposed between the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1.

[0050] In the above configuration, the display unit 11 is equipped with a cable 116. The cable 116 is formed into a flat plate shape and is disposed between the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1. This allows the information processing device 1 to house the cable 116, which is part of the internal structure of the display unit 11, in the space between the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1. Consequently, the information processing device 1 can suppress an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11 due to the display unit 11 having a space to house the cable 116.

[0051] In this embodiment, the hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 by a plurality of screws 16.

[0052] According to the above configuration, the hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 by a plurality of screws 16. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can align the rotation axis Ax of the hinge unit 13 with respect to the bracket 14 using the plurality of screws 16 during assembly.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hinge unit 13 has a cut portion 132a in which a part of the circumferential direction is cut into a planar shape.

[0054] According to the above configuration, the hinge unit 13 has a cut portion 132a in which a part of the circumferential direction is cut into a planar shape. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can arrange a part of the cable 116 connecting the display unit 11 and the main body unit 12 in the space formed by the cut portion 132a, and consequently, it is possible to suppress the increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11 due to the thickness of the cable 116.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a projection 14a2 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction is provided on the upper surface 14a1, and the hinge unit 13 has a through hole H1 that aligns with and engages with the projection 14a2.

[0056] According to the above configuration, a projection 14a2 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction is provided on the upper surface 14a1. The hinge unit 13 also has a through hole H1 that aligns with and engages with the projection 14a2.

[0057] With this configuration, the hinge unit 13 can be positioned relative to the bracket 14 by fitting the protruding portion 14a2 and the through hole H1 together when assembling the information processing device 1. Consequently, the information processing device 1 can improve the workability of assembling the hinge unit 13 to the bracket 14 during the manufacturing process.

[0058] Although 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 implemented 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 variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Information Processing Device 11 Display section 12 Main body 13 Hinge Unit 14 brackets 14a1 Top surface 14a2 Protrusion 14b1 Side 14c1 Bottom surface 16 screws 116 Cable 116a Flat plate part 131 Fixed part 132 Shaft section 132a Cutting part Ax rotation axis H1, H2 through hole

Claims

1. A bracket having a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing the first surface at a predetermined distance, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface and facing a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the cross-section formed by the surfaces including the first direction and the second direction is substantially U-shaped, A hinge unit fixed to the first surface and having a rotation axis along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the main body of which is fixed so as to be rotatable with respect to the first surface, A display unit fixed to the second surface, Equipped with, Information processing device.

2. The display unit is formed in a flat shape and includes a cable disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The hinge unit is fixed to the first surface by a plurality of fastening members. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The hinge unit has a cut portion in which a part of the circumferential direction is cut into a planar shape. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The first surface is provided with a projection that protrudes in the first direction, The hinge unit has a through hole that aligns with and engages with the protruding portion. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

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