electronic machinery

Abstract

This enables the miniaturization of electronic devices equipped with optical communication components. [Solution] The electronic device 100 comprises a housing 102 in which a housing space S1 is formed between a pair of cover plates 111 and 112, an optical antenna 12 provided in the housing space S1 and having a transmitting / receiving surface 12a for transmitting and receiving optical signals, and a reflective member 20 provided in the housing space S1. An optical passage opening 116 is formed in the housing 102 through which optical signals pass. The optical antenna 12 is installed with its transmitting / receiving surface 12a facing laterally along the cover plate 112. The reflective member 20 has a reflective surface 20a that directs optical signals from either the optical antenna 12 or the optical passage opening 116 toward the other.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some electronic devices such as notebook PCs may be equipped with an optical communication unit for performing optical communication with an external device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The electronic device is placed on an external device such as an expansion device, for example. The optical communication unit of the electronic device is arranged so as to face the optical communication unit of the external device. The electronic device transmits and receives optical signals to and from the external device through an opening formed in the bottom plate of the housing, for example.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-mentioned electronic device, since the thickness dimension of the optical communication unit is large, it has not been easy to make the housing thinner.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to achieve thinning in an electronic device equipped with an optical communication unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a housing space formed between a pair of cover plates, an optical antenna provided in the housing space and having a transmitting / receiving surface for transmitting and receiving at least one of optical signals, and a reflective member provided in the housing space, wherein an optical opening is formed in the housing through which the optical signal passes, the optical antenna is installed with its transmitting / receiving surface facing laterally along the cover plates, and the reflective member has a reflective surface that directs the optical signal from either the optical antenna or the optical opening toward the other.

[0007] Preferably, one of the pair of cover plates is an upper plate, the other of the pair of cover plates is a bottom plate, and the light-passing opening is formed in the bottom plate.

[0008] The electronic device may have a second optical opening formed in the upper plate through which the optical signal passes, and the reflective member may be switchable between a first orientation in which the reflective surface directs the optical signal from one of the optical antenna and the optical opening toward the other, and a second orientation in which the reflective surface directs the optical signal from one of the optical antenna and the second optical opening toward the other.

[0009] The bottom plate may be provided with a light absorber that absorbs a portion of the optical signal passing through the light passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make electronic devices equipped with an optical communication unit thinner. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the electronic device and external device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an exploded view of the electronic equipment and external equipment according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An electronic device according to an embodiment will be described.

[0013] [Electronic device] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 100. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic device 100. Figure 4 is a side view of the electronic device 100 and the external device 200. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the electronic device 100 and the external device 200.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 100 comprises a first housing 101, a second housing 102 (housing), an optical communication unit 10 (see Figure 2), a reflective member 20 (see Figure 2), and a light absorbing unit 30 (see Figure 2).

[0015] The electronic device 100 is, for example, a notebook PC (PC: personal computer). The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are connected at their ends via a hinge mechanism 110. The first housing 101 is rotatable relative to the second housing 102 around the axis of rotation of the hinge mechanism 110.

[0016] The first housing 101 is also called a display housing. The first housing 101 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The end of the first housing 101 where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is the first base end 101b. The end opposite to the first base end 101b is the first open end 101a. The first housing 101 mounts a display 103. The display 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (EL: Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0017] The second housing 102 is also called a system housing. The second housing 102 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The end of the second housing 102 where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is the second base end 102b. The end opposite to the second base end 102b is the second open end 102a.

[0018] The second housing 102 mounts a keyboard 107 and a touch pad 108. The second housing 102 houses electronic components such as, for example, a CPU, a memory, a motherboard, a battery, and a storage device.

[0019] Regarding the second housing 102, the positional relationship of each component may be described using an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the second cover plate 112. The Y direction is the short side direction of the second cover plate 112. The Y direction is orthogonal to the X direction. +Y is the direction from the front plate 114 to the rear plate 115. -Y is the direction opposite to +Y. The Z direction is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. The Z direction is the thickness direction of the second cover plate 112. Looking from the Z direction is called a plan view. +Z is the direction from the second cover plate 112 to the first cover plate 111. -Z is the direction opposite to +Z. The plane including the X direction and the Y direction is the XY plane. The plane including the X direction and the Z direction is the XZ plane. The plane including the Y direction and the Z direction is the YZ plane. The direction along the XY plane is an example of "sideways".

[0020] The second housing 102 includes a housing main body 120 and a second cover plate 112. The second housing 102 is a flat case. The second housing 102 is made of, for example, plastic, metal, or the like.

[0021] The main body 120 of the housing includes a first cover plate 111, a pair of side plates 113, a front plate 114, and a rear plate 115. The first cover plate 111 is rectangular in plan view. The pair of side plates 113 are formed on one and the other side edges of the first cover plate 111, respectively. The side plates 113 are formed perpendicular to the first cover plate 111. The side plates 113 are, for example, parallel to the YZ plane. The first cover plate 111 is an example of a "cover plate". In the present embodiment, the first cover plate 111 is the upper plate.

[0022] The front plate 114 is formed at the front edge (second open end 102a) of the first cover plate 111. The rear plate 115 is formed at the rear edge (second base end 102b) of the first cover plate 111.

[0023] The second cover plate 112 is rectangular in plan view. The second cover plate 112 faces the first cover plate 111 with a gap therebetween. The second cover plate 112 faces the placement surface (for example, the upper surface of the external device 200 shown in FIG. 4) when the second housing 102 is placed on the placement surface. The second cover plate 112 is an example of a "cover plate". In the present embodiment, the second cover plate 112 is the bottom plate.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a light passage opening 116 through which an optical signal passes is formed in the second cover plate 112. The light passage opening 116 is formed to penetrate the second cover plate 112 from the inner surface 112a (+Z side surface) to the outer surface 112b (-Z side surface) of the second cover plate 112. The shape of the light passage opening 116 viewed from the Z direction is not particularly limited. The light passage opening 116 may be circular, rectangular, or the like when viewed from the Z direction.

[0025] The second housing 102 forms an accommodation space S1 between the first cover plate 111 and the second cover plate 112. The accommodation space S1 is the internal space of the second housing 102. The first cover plate 111 and the second cover plate 112 are examples of a "pair of cover plates".

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the optical communication unit 10 is located in the housing space S1 of the second housing 102. As shown in Figure 3, the optical communication unit 10 comprises a substrate 11 and an optical antenna 12. The optical communication unit 10 is installed, for example, on the inner surface 112a of the second cover plate 112.

[0027] The substrate 11 is formed of, for example, resin. The substrate 11 is positioned so as to intersect with the second cover plate 112, for example, perpendicular to the second cover plate 112. The substrate 11 is positioned parallel to the XZ plane, for example.

[0028] The optical antenna 12 is mounted, for example, on the -Y side of the substrate 11. The optical antenna 12 has a transmitting / receiving surface 12a that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving optical signals. The transmitting / receiving surface 12a is a surface perpendicular to the second cover plate 112. The transmitting / receiving surface 12a is oriented in a direction along the second cover plate 112 (laterally). In this embodiment, the optical antenna 12 is installed in a position where the transmitting / receiving surface 12a faces the -Y side. The transmitting / receiving surface 12a is perpendicular to the Y direction.

[0029] The orientation of the transmitting / receiving surface 12a does not have to be precisely aligned with the second cover plate 112 (to the side). The orientation of the transmitting / receiving surface 12a may be inclined, for example, within a range of ±10° with respect to the side.

[0030] The optical antenna 12 comprises at least one of an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. In this embodiment, the optical antenna 12 can both transmit and receive optical signals by having an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. In this embodiment, the optical antenna 12 can both transmit and receive optical signals, but the optical antenna may be configured to perform only one of the two: transmitting or receiving optical signals.

[0031] The optical transmitter may be, for example, a surface-emitting laser or an LED (Light Emission Diode). The optical transmitter emits, for example, visible light, infrared light, or near-ultraviolet light as an optical signal. The optical transmitter transmits the optical signal from the transmitting / receiving surface 12a. The optical antenna 12 may be equipped with a collimator lens through which the light output from the optical transmitter passes. The optical antenna 12 may be equipped with a drive circuit that drives the optical transmitter.

[0032] The optical receiver may be, for example, a photodiode. The optical receiver can receive, for example, visible light, infrared light, near-ultraviolet light, etc., as optical signals. The optical receiver receives the optical signal at the transmitting / receiving surface 12a. The optical antenna 12 may be equipped with a focusing lens through which the light input to the optical receiver passes. The optical antenna 12 may be equipped with a transimpedance amplifier, etc., which converts the current photoelectrically converted by the photodiode into a voltage signal.

[0033] The optical antenna 12 is installed at a position away from the optical passage opening 116 in the direction along the XY plane. In this embodiment, the optical antenna 12 is located away from the optical passage opening 116 on the +Y side. This allows the optical path of the optical signal to be lengthened.

[0034] The light-absorbing section 30 is installed on top of the -Y side surface (transmitting / receiving surface 12a) of the optical antenna 12. The light-absorbing section 30 is layered with a thickness direction aligned with the Y direction. The light-absorbing section 30 has the function of substantially lengthening the optical path by, for example, reflecting or refracting incident light. The light-absorbing section 30 is made of alumina or the like. The light-absorbing section 30 absorbs a portion of the optical signal. The optical signal can be transmitted through the light-absorbing section 30 in the thickness direction. The light-absorbing section 30 is an example of a "light absorber".

[0035] The reflective member 20 is installed in the housing space S1 of the second housing 102. The reflective member 20 is installed, for example, on the inner surface 112a of the second cover plate 112. The reflective member 20 is located away from the optical antenna 12 in the direction along the XY plane. In this embodiment, the reflective member 20 is located away from the optical antenna 12 on the -Y side.

[0036] The reflective member 20 has a reflective surface 20a that reflects optical signals. The reflective member 20 is installed in a position where the reflective surface 20a is inclined with respect to the Z direction. The reflective surface 20a is inclined to approach the optical antenna 12 towards the +Z side.

[0037] The angle of the reflective surface 20a is determined so that the optical signal from either the optical antenna 12 or the optical passage opening 116 can be directed to the other. Specifically, the reflective surface 20a can reflect the optical signal emitted from the optical antenna 12 to the -Y side and direct it to the -Z side, and the reflected light can be emitted to the outside through the optical passage opening 116. The reflective surface 20a also reflects the optical signal that enters the second housing 102 from the outside towards the +Z side via the optical passage opening 116 and directs it to the +Y side, and the reflected light is directed towards the optical antenna 12. The inclination angle of the reflective surface 20a with respect to the Z direction is, for example, 30° to 60°.

[0038] [External device] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the external device 200 is a flat case. The top surface 200a of the external device 200 is a mounting surface on which the electronic device 100 can be placed. The external device 200 is equipped with, for example, electronic components to extend the functionality of the electronic device 100.

[0039] The external device 200 includes an optical communication unit 210 capable of optical communication with the optical communication unit 10 of the electronic device 100. The optical communication unit 210 has a transmitting / receiving surface that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving optical signals. The optical communication unit 210 is installed in a position where the transmitting / receiving surface faces the +Z side.

[0040] The optical communication unit 210 includes at least one of an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. In this embodiment, the optical communication unit 210 can both transmit and receive optical signals by having an optical transmitter and an optical receiver.

[0041] [How to use electronic devices] Next, we will explain how to use the electronic device 100. As shown in Figure 4, the electronic device 100 is placed on the upper surface 200a of the external device 200. The electronic device 100 is positioned so that the optical passage 116 (see Figure 3) faces the optical communication unit 210.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, when an optical signal is sent from the electronic device 100 to the external device 200, the optical antenna 12 of the electronic device 100 emits the optical signal from the transmitting / receiving surface 12a to the -Y side. The optical signal passes through the light absorption section 30 and is reflected by the reflective surface 20a of the reflective member 20 and directed towards the -Z side. The reflected light is emitted to the outside from the optical passage opening 116 and incident on the transmitting / receiving surface of the optical communication section 210 of the external device 200 (see Figure 4).

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, when an optical signal is sent from the external device 200 to the electronic device 100, the optical communication unit 210 of the external device 200 emits the optical signal from its transmitting / receiving surface toward the +Z side. As shown in Figure 3, the optical signal enters the second housing 102 through the optical passage opening 116. The optical signal is reflected by the reflective surface 20a of the reflective member 20 and directed toward the +Y side. The reflected light passes through the optical absorption unit 30 and is incident on the transmitting / receiving surface 12a of the optical antenna 12.

[0044] Light Fidelity (LiFi) is an example of a communication standard used for optical communication between electronic device 100 and external device 200. The optical signals used in LiFi may be, for example, visible light, infrared light, or near-ultraviolet light. LiFi is superior in terms of bandwidth, energy saving, energy efficiency, low electromagnetic interference, and ease of implementation.

[0045] [Effects of the electronic device according to this embodiment] The electronic device 100 according to this embodiment includes a reflective member 20 having a reflective surface 20a that directs an optical signal from one of the optical antenna 12 and the optical passage opening 116 toward the other. Since the optical antenna 12 is installed with its transmitting / receiving surface 12a facing sideways, the thickness of the second housing 102 can be reduced even if the distance from the reflective member 20 is large. Therefore, the electronic device 100 can be made thinner.

[0046] In the electronic device 100, the optical path of the optical signal can be lengthened by installing the optical communication unit 10 and the reflective member 20 separately. Therefore, communication performance can be ensured even when a sufficient distance is required between the transmitting and receiving sides.

[0047] In the electronic device 100, the optical passage opening 116 is formed in the second cover plate 112 (bottom plate). Therefore, optical communication with the external device 200 on which the electronic device 100 is mounted is facilitated. When using the external device 200 on which the electronic device 100 is mounted, the distance between the electronic device 100 and the external device 200 becomes small, but in the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment, the optical path length can be secured, so good communication performance can be achieved.

[0048] [Electronic device] (Second embodiment) Figures 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing the internal structure of the electronic device 300 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the electronic device 300 differs from the electronic device 100 shown in Figure 3 in that it has a light-absorbing section 330 instead of the light-absorbing section 30, and a second light-passing opening 117 is formed in the first cover plate 111.

[0049] The light-absorbing section 330 is provided on the second cover plate 112. The light-absorbing section 330 closes the light-passing opening 116. The first cover plate 111 has a second optical opening 117 through which optical signals pass. The second optical opening 117 is formed by penetrating the second cover plate 112 from one side to the other.

[0050] In this embodiment, the reflective member 320 is rotatable around its lower end 321 as a pivot point. By rotating the reflective member 320 around its lower end 321 as a pivot point, it can switch between the first posture shown in Figure 6 and the second posture shown in Figure 7.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, in the first orientation, the reflective member 320 is tilted so that the reflective surface 20a approaches the optical antenna 12 with the +Z side facing forward. The angle of the reflective surface 20a is determined so that the optical signal from either the optical antenna 12 or the optical passage opening 116 can be directed towards the other.

[0052] More specifically, the reflective surface 20a reflects the optical signal emitted from the optical antenna 12 to the -Y side and directs it toward the -Z side, allowing the reflected light to be emitted to the outside through the optical passage opening 116. The reflective surface 20a also reflects the optical signal that enters the interior of the second housing 102 from the outside toward the +Z side via the optical passage opening 116 and directs it toward the +Y side, allowing the reflected light to be directed toward the optical antenna 12. As a result, the electronic device 300 can communicate with the external device 200 located below the second housing 102.

[0053] As the optical signal passes through the optical absorbing section 330 when it passes through the optical passage opening 116, the optical communication performance between the optical communication unit 10 and the external device 200 (see Figure 4) can be improved.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, in the second orientation, the reflective surface 20a of the reflective member 320 is tilted toward the +Z side, away from the optical antenna 12. The angle of the reflective surface 20a is determined so that the optical signal from either the optical antenna 12 or the second optical port 117 can be directed toward the other.

[0055] More specifically, the reflective surface 20a reflects the optical signal emitted from the optical antenna 12 to the -Y side and directs it toward the +Z side, allowing the reflected light to be emitted to the outside through the second optical passage 117. The reflective surface 20a reflects the optical signal that enters the interior of the second housing 102 from the outside toward the -Z side via the second optical passage 117 and directs it toward the +Y side, allowing the reflected light to be directed toward the optical antenna 12. As a result, the electronic device 300 can communicate with external equipment (not shown) located above the second housing 102.

[0056] Since the electronic device 300 according to this embodiment includes a reflective member 20 having a reflective surface 20a, it can be made thinner without degrading the optical communication performance, similar to the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment (see Figure 1).

[0057] In this embodiment, the electronic device 300 can use either an external device 200 located below the electronic device 300 (see Figure 4) or an external device located above it, by selecting the orientation of the reflective member 320.

[0058] The specific configuration of this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and also includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. The configurations described in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way. In the example shown in Figure 2, the transmitting / receiving surface 12a is a surface perpendicular to the second cover plate 112, but the transmitting / receiving surface 12a may also be a surface that intersects with the second cover plate 112.

[0059] The electronic device 100 shown in Figure 3 is equipped with one reflective member 20, but there may be multiple reflective members. When multiple reflective members are used, the optical signal travels by being sequentially reflected by the multiple reflective members. For example, when two reflective members are used, the optical signal emitted from the optical antenna is reflected by the first reflective member, then by the second reflective member, and then emitted outside the housing through the optical passage.

[0060] In the electronic device 100 shown in Figure 3, the light-passing opening 116 is formed in the second cover plate 112 (bottom plate), but the location where the light-passing opening is formed is not particularly limited. For example, the light-passing opening may be formed in the first cover plate 111, side plate 113, front plate 114, rear plate 115, etc.

[0061] In this embodiment, the electronic devices 100 and 300 are notebook PCs, but the electronic devices are not limited to notebook PCs; they may also be tablet devices, smartphones, desktop PCs, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 12...Optical antenna, 12a...Transmitting / receiving surface, 20...Reflective member, 20a...Reflective surface, 102...Second housing (housing), 30, 330...Optical absorption section (optical absorber), 100, 300...Electronic equipment, 111...First cover plate (top plate), 112...Second cover plate (bottom plate), 116...Optical passage opening, 117...Second optical passage opening, S1...Housing space

Claims

1. A housing with a storage space formed between a pair of cover plates, An optical antenna provided in the aforementioned housing space, having a transmitting and receiving surface for transmitting and receiving optical signals, A reflective member provided in the aforementioned storage space, Equipped with, The housing has an optical port through which the optical signal passes, The optical antenna is installed with its transmitting and receiving surface facing sideways along the cover plate. The reflective member has a reflective surface that directs the optical signal from one of the optical antenna and the optical port toward the other. electronic equipment.

2. One of the pair of cover plates is the top plate, The other of the pair of cover plates is the bottom plate. The light-passing opening is formed in the bottom plate, The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. A second light-passing opening is formed in the upper plate through which the optical signal passes. The reflective member is switchable between a first orientation in which the reflective surface directs the optical signal from one of the optical antenna and the optical port toward the other, and a second orientation in which the reflective surface directs the optical signal from one of the optical antenna and the second optical port toward the other. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The bottom plate is provided with a light absorber that absorbs a portion of the optical signal passing through the light passage opening. The electronic device according to claim 3.

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