Portable Devices

Abstract

To make it possible that a mechanical key rotor and a key plate can be stopped in an intermediate position between a retracted position and a fully deployed position.SOLUTION: A portable device includes: a rotor that supports a rear end part of an elongated key plate; a case that rotatably supports the rotor from a retracted position to a fully deployed position; biasing means that applies a biasing force to the rotor from the retracted position toward the fully deployed position; and a release knob that receives operation by an operator. With the rotor in the retracted position, when a first operation of pressing and sliding against the release knob is performed, the rotor is released from the retracted position, is moved to an intermediate position between the retracted position and the fully deployed position, and stops at the intermediate position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a so-called electronic key system that allows a user to remotely lock and unlock a vehicle door lock mechanism from a portable device carried by the user. For example, a portable device used in such an electronic key system includes a mechanical key that is rotatably accommodated in a case. The mechanical key is mainly used to start the engine of the vehicle.

[0003] For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called jackknife-type key unit in which, when the release knob is pressed while the mechanical key is in the stored position, the force from a torsion spring rotates the rotor member of the mechanical key 180 degrees, automatically rotating the mechanical key to a fully deployed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-172172 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The key unit of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a configuration that assumes that the mechanical key is used in a state in which it is held in a state in which the angle of the mechanical key is rotated 180° relative to the case. However, the key cylinder into which the mechanical key is inserted when starting the engine of the vehicle is provided on the side of the steering column of the vehicle. The orientation of the key cylinder is usually provided perpendicular to the front-rear direction based on the orientation of the vehicle body. Therefore, when an operator sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle starts the engine of the vehicle using the mechanical key provided in the conventional key unit, the operator needs to twist the case while holding the case and bending the wrist at an angle of 90°. Alternatively, the operator needs to twist the case of the key unit inserted in the key cylinder at an angle of 90° relative to the steering column of the vehicle while pinching it with only the fingertips. Therefore, the conventional key unit is difficult for operators with weak strength, such as women, to operate. In addition, with conventional key units, the force of the torsion spring causes the mechanical key to rotate 180 degrees quickly from the stored position to the fully deployed position in one go, which could cause the key plate supported by the rotor of the mechanical key to come into forcefully contact with the hand of the user holding the case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A portable device in one embodiment comprises a rotor that supports the rear end of a long key plate, a case that rotatably supports the rotor from a stored position to a fully extended position, a biasing means that applies a biasing force to the rotor from the stored position to the fully extended position, and a release knob that accepts operations from an operator, and when the rotor is in the stored position and a first operation is performed by pressing and sliding the release knob, the rotor is released from the stored position and transitions to an intermediate position between the stored position and the fully extended position, and stops at the intermediate position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the portable device, the rotor and the key plate can be stopped at an intermediate position between the storage position and the fully deployed position. Therefore, when gripping the case and twisting the key plate, the operator does not need to bend the wrist. Also, when rotating the key plate, there is no risk of the rotated key plate hitting the hand of the user holding the case with force. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanical key according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a mechanical key according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the portable device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the rear side of an upper case according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a bottom view of an upper case according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the back side of the upper case according to the embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a portable device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Overview of the mobile device 10) Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a portable device 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the portable device 10 with the mechanical key 120 open (hereinafter referred to as the "open state"). For the sake of convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction (thickness direction of the case 100) in the figure is defined as the up-down direction, the Y-axis direction (short side direction of the case 100) in the figure is defined as the width direction, and the X-axis direction (longitudinal direction of the case 100) in the figure is defined as the front-rear direction.

[0011] The portable device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a portable device carried by a user, and includes a communication device (not shown) that transmits a wireless signal to an on-board device (not shown) mounted in a vehicle. The on-board device and the communication device constitute an electronic key system. The user can operate the communication device by pressing knobs 201a to 201c provided on the portable device 10, and can perform wireless communication with the on-board device. This allows the user to remotely lock and unlock the lock mechanism of the vehicle doors.

[0012] 1, the portable device 10 includes a case 100 and a mechanical key 120 rotatably supported by the case 100. The case 100 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped container-like component made of a synthetic resin material such as ABS resin or PC resin. The portable device 10 can transition between a state in which the mechanical key 120 is open and a state in which the mechanical key 120 is closed (hereinafter referred to as a "closed state") by rotating the mechanical key 120 in response to a user's operation.

[0013] In the closed state of the portable device 10, the key plate 122 of the mechanical key 120 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 100A of the case 100. In the closed state, the mechanical key 120 is engaged with the case 100 while being biased by a compressed spring 124, which will be described in detail later. When a release knob 123 of the mechanical key 120 protruding from the top surface of the case 100 is pressed, the mechanical key 120 is released from the engagement with the case 100 and starts to rotate relative to the case 100. At this time, the mechanical key 120 rotates in a direction BX around a rotation center axis AX whose axial direction is the up-down direction of the case 100. The direction BX is an example of a "first direction". At this time, the mechanical key 120 rotates clockwise when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction). When the mechanical key 120 is rotated 180° from the closed state, the portable device 10 enters an open state in which the key plate 122 protrudes linearly forward (positive X-axis direction in the figure) from the tip surface of the case 100, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] Here, when the user performs a first operation, which is an operation of lightly pressing the release knob 123 and sliding it downward, the portable device 10 can stop the mechanical key 120 in a state rotated 90° from the closed state (i.e., half-open state). When the user performs a second operation, which is an operation of deeply pressing the release knob 123 and sliding it downward, the portable device 10 can set the mechanical key 120 to the closed state or a state rotated 180° from the half-open state (i.e., fully open state).

[0015] The key plate 122 of the mechanical key 120 has an elongated shape and is a member used as a key rod for mechanically rotating a key cylinder provided in a vehicle. By opening the mechanical key 120, the user can use the key plate 122 as a key rod. At this time, the user can use the case 100 of the portable device 10 as a handle without changing the hand that has pressed the release knob 123 while holding the case 100. The user can also use the key plate 122 as a key rod while holding the case 100. The user can insert the key plate 122 of the mechanical key 120 in the open state into a key cylinder (not shown) provided on the side of the steering column of the vehicle and twist the key to mechanically rotate the key cylinder. The vehicle engine can also be started by performing this operation. Furthermore, the key plate 122 of the mechanical key 120 is provided on a vehicle door and can mechanically rotate a key cylinder (not shown) provided to lock or unlock the lock mechanism of the vehicle door.

[0016] In particular, when the portable device 10 is in a half-open state, the longitudinal direction of the case 100 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the key plate 122 of the mechanical key 120, so that the user can use the half-open portable device 10 like a lever handle. Therefore, the user can generate a large torsional moment by applying only a relatively small operating force by treating the longitudinal direction of the key plate 122 as a central axis and operating the case 100 so as to rotate largely in the circumferential direction of the central axis. In addition, the user can concentrate the large torsional moment on the key plate 122.

[0017] (Configuration of mobile device 10) 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a portable device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the portable device 10 includes, from the top in the figure, an upper case 101, a mechanical key 120, an intermediate case 103, and a lower case 102.

[0018] Upper case 101 is a cover-like member provided above intermediate case 103 and covering the upper side of intermediate case 103. Lower case 102 is a cover-like member provided below intermediate case 103 and covering the lower side of intermediate case 103. Intermediate case 103 is a member disposed between upper case 101 and lower case 102. Upper case 101, intermediate case 103, and lower case 102 are combined with each other to form case 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 101B is formed in the center of the upper case 101 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A rubber sheet 200 is provided so as to cover the opening 101B of the upper case 101. The rubber sheet 200 has knobs 201a to 201c for operating the communication device. The knobs 201a to 201c are provided at the position of the opening 101B. For example, the knob 201a is pressed by a user when locking a locking mechanism of a vehicle door. For example, the knob 201b is pressed by a user when unlocking a locking mechanism of a vehicle door. For example, the knob 201c is pressed by a user when unlocking a locking mechanism of a vehicle trunk. In addition, an opening 101A is formed in the vicinity of a left front corner (a corner on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of the upper case 101 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction and have a circular shape in a plan view from above (the Z-axis positive direction). The opening 101A is a through hole through which a columnar portion 123A of a release knob 123, which will be described later in detail, is inserted.

[0020] Mechanical key 120 is provided in case 100 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis AX. Mechanical key 120 includes rotor 121, key plate 122, and release knob 123. Key plate 122 is a member made of metal, and rotor 121 and release knob 123 are members made of synthetic resin.

[0021] The release knob 123 is a generally cylindrical member. The release knob 123 is provided on the rotation axis AX so that its upper end protrudes from an opening 101A formed in the top surface of the upper case 101. The release knob 123 is rotatable together with the rotor 121 around the rotation axis AX. When the release knob 123 is pressed by a user, it can unlock the rotation of the rotor 121 and make the rotor 121 rotatable.

[0022] The rotor 121 is provided in the second housing space 100B formed in the left front corner (the corner on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of the intermediate case 103 so as to be rotatable about the rotation center axis AX. The intermediate case 103 has abutment surfaces provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis AX. The pair of abutment surfaces is provided and constitutes the second housing space 100B. The pair of abutment surfaces is disposed opposite to each other and supports the rotor 121 so as to sandwich it. Therefore, the rotor 121 is rotatable in the direction BX and cannot move in the direction of the rotation center axis AX. The release knob 123 is provided in the rotor 121 so as to penetrate in the up-down direction. The rotor 121 also has an engagement groove 121C shown in FIG. 3. The engagement groove 121C has a guide surface perpendicular to the direction BX. The engagement groove 121C is shaped so that a protrusion 123C of the release knob 123, which will be described later in detail, is fitted into the engagement groove 121C. By fitting the engagement groove 121C of the rotor 121 into the protrusion 123C of the release knob 123, the release knob 123 and the rotor 121 can slide up and down to change their relative positions. Also, by fitting the engagement groove 121C of the rotor 121 into the protrusion 123C of the release knob 123, the rotor 121 can rotate together with the release knob 123 around the rotation center axis AX in the second housing space 100B. The rotor 121 supports the rear end of the key plate 122. By rotating, the rotor 121 can transition the state of the key plate 122 between a state in which it protrudes forward from the case 100 and a state in which it is housed in the first housing space 100A of the case 100.

[0023] The key plate 122 may be formed integrally with the rotor 121.

[0024] The intermediate case 103 is a member that supports various components (e.g., circuit board 300, battery, etc.) that make up the communication device. As shown in Fig. 3, a second housing space 100B in which the rotor 121 is rotatably housed is formed at the front left corner (the corner on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of the intermediate case 103. Also, a first housing space 100A in which the key plate 122 is housed is formed at the left side (the side on the Y-axis positive side) of the intermediate case 103.

[0025] In the intermediate case 103, a leaf spring 105 is provided on the bottom surface of the first housing space 100A. The leaf spring 105 is a lever-shaped elastic member that extends linearly in the X-axis direction. The front end (the end on the X-axis positive side) of the leaf spring 105 is fixed to the bottom surface of the first housing space 100A of the intermediate case 103. The rear end (the end on the X-axis negative side) of the leaf spring 105 biases the key plate 122 accommodated in the first housing space 100A in the outward direction (the Y-axis positive direction). The leaf spring 105 is formed integrally with the intermediate case 103. As a result, the portable device 10 according to one embodiment can easily install the leaf spring 105 in the first housing space 100A without increasing the number of parts or the number of assembly steps.

[0026] (Mechanical key 120 configuration) Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a mechanical key 120 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a mechanical key 120 according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the portable device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical key 120 includes a rotor 121, a key plate 122, a release knob 123, a spring 124, and a spring holder 125.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 121A is formed at the center of rotation of the rotor 121, penetrating the rotor 121 in the up-down direction. The through hole 121A has a generally circular opening shape in a plan view from above (positive direction of the Z axis). A pair of engagement grooves 121B and a pair of engagement grooves 121C are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 121A. The pair of engagement grooves 121B are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the through hole 121A (i.e., the center of rotation of the rotor 121). The pair of engagement grooves 121C are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the through hole 121A (i.e., the center of rotation of the rotor 121). However, on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 121A, the pair of engagement grooves 121B and the pair of engagement grooves 121C are provided at positions different from each other by 90°.

[0029] Release knob 123 is a cylindrical hollow member whose axial direction is generally in the vertical direction. A lower portion of release knob 123 is fitted into through-hole 121A formed at the center of rotation of rotor 121 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. As a result, release knob 123 functions as a rotation shaft of rotor 121 and rotates together with rotor 121. An upper portion of release knob 123 penetrates opening 101A (see FIG. 2) formed in upper case 101 from the rear side of upper case 101. As a result, the upper portion of release knob 123 is provided to protrude from opening 101A, and can be pressed to unlock rotation of mechanical key 120.

[0030] The release knob 123 has a columnar portion 123A having a cylindrical shape, a pair of vertical walls 123B, and a pair of protrusions 123C. The vertical walls 123B and the protrusions 123C are provided so as to protrude in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the columnar shape formed by the columnar portion 123A. The vertical walls 123B have a surface that is parallel to the rotation axis AX and perpendicular to the direction BX, and are shaped to abut against the upper case 101 and the rotor 121. The protrusions 123C have a surface that is parallel to the rotation axis AX and perpendicular to the direction BX, and are shaped to abut against the rotor 121. The columnar portion 123A has a hollow structure, and an internal space 123D is formed inside. The vertical walls 123B are an example of a "regulating portion". The pair of vertical walls 123B are provided on the outer circumferential surface of columnar portion 123A in point symmetry with respect to the center of columnar portion 123A. The pair of protrusions 123C are provided on the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of columnar portion 123A in point symmetry with respect to the center of columnar portion 123A. On the outer circumferential surface of columnar portion 123A, the pair of protrusions 123C and the pair of vertical walls 123B are provided at positions that differ from each other by 90°.

[0031] 4 and 5, a pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 are fitted into a pair of engagement grooves 121B provided on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 121A of the rotor 121 so as to be slidable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Also, a pair of protrusions 123C (see FIG. 3) of the release knob 123 are fitted into a pair of engagement grooves 121C (see FIG. 3) provided on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 121A of the rotor 121 so as to be slidable in the up-down direction. As a result, the release knob 123 is provided to be slidable in the up-down direction with respect to the rotor 121, is prevented from rotating with respect to the rotor 121, and rotates together with the rotor 121.

[0032] 3, the pair of engagement grooves 121C are formed with a certain height dimension upward from the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of through hole 121A of rotor 121, but do not reach the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of through hole 121A. Therefore, the pair of protrusions 123C come into contact with the upper ends of the pair of engagement grooves 121C, thereby preventing further upward movement of release knob 123 relative to rotor 121. This prevents release knob 123 from falling upward from rotor 121.

[0033] The spring 124 is an example of a "biasing means." The spring 124 is provided between the release knob 123 and the spring holder 125 so as to be elastically deformable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and in the rotational direction of the rotor 121. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper part of the spring 124 is housed in the internal space 123D of the columnar part 123A of the release knob 123. The lower part of the spring 124 is supported by the spring holder 125. The spring 124 biases the release knob 123 upward (Z-axis positive direction) and in the opening rotation direction (clockwise direction when viewed from above (Z-axis positive direction) in a plan view) by its own spring force.

[0034] The spring holder 125 is a container-like member with an open top. The spring holder 125 supports the lower part of the spring 124. The spring holder 125 is fitted into an opening 103A (see FIGS. 3 and 5) having the same shape as the outer shape of the spring holder 125, which is formed in the bottom of the second housing space 100B in the intermediate case 103. In this way, the spring holder 125 is fixed to the bottom of the second housing space 100B.

[0035] With the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, mechanical key 120 has release knob 123 that can slide up and down relative to rotor 121, release knob 123 is biased upward and in the opening rotation direction by spring 124, and release knob 123 can rotate together with rotor 121.

[0036] (Configuration of peripheral wall portion 104 of upper case 101) Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear side of upper case 101 according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of upper case 101 according to one embodiment.

[0037] 6 and 7, upper case 101 has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 104 formed to protrude from surface 104D on the side in the negative direction of the Z axis. Peripheral wall portion 104 has a shape that defines opening 101A, and is provided to surround circular opening 101A.

[0038] The peripheral wall 104 has an annular bottom surface 104a formed on the Z negative side and parallel to the XY plane. The bottom surface 104a is shaped like the upper case 101 so as to come into contact with and slide against the upper surfaces of the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 on the Z positive side when the release knob 123 rotates.

[0039] The peripheral wall 104 is also provided with a pair of first engagement grooves 104A, which are cut out from the bottom surface 104a of the peripheral wall 104 in a concave shape extending upward, at 180° intervals on a straight line passing through the center of the peripheral wall 104 along the Y-axis direction. The pair of first engagement grooves 104A has a width that allows the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 to fit into the pair of first engagement grooves 104A when the mechanical key 120 is in a fully open state, thereby fixing the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121. The pair of first engagement grooves 104A also fix the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121 when the mechanical key 120 is in a storage position, thereby fixing the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121 by fitting into the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123.

[0040] 6 and 7, the peripheral wall portion 104 has a pair of second engagement grooves 104B cut out in a concave shape from the bottom surface 104a of the peripheral wall portion 104 upwardly, formed at 180° intervals on a straight line passing through the center of the peripheral wall portion 104 along the X-axis direction. The pair of second engagement grooves 104B has a width that allows the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 to fit into the pair of second engagement grooves 104B when the mechanical key 120 is in a half-open state, thereby fixing the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the upper case 101 has a stopper portion 104C protruding in the Z negative direction from the surface (bottom surface 104a) of the peripheral wall portion 104 on the Z negative direction side. The stopper portion 104C has a first surface 104Ca provided perpendicular to the direction BX. The stopper portion 104C has a second surface 104Cb arranged in the direction BX of the first surface 104Ca, continuing from the first surface 104Ca. The second surface 104Cb includes an inclination in the direction BX such that the amount of protrusion from the surface 104D on the Z negative direction side of the upper case 101 decreases as the distance from the first surface 104Ca increases. A pair of stopper portions 104C are provided, and the pair of stopper portions 104C are provided at an interval of 180°. Stopper portion 104C of upper case 101 is provided contiguous with the side of second engagement groove 104B in the opening rotation direction (counterclockwise side in a plan view from below). Stopper portion 104C is shaped on upper case 101 such that vertical wall portion 123B of release knob 123 abuts against stopper portion 104C when a first operation is performed on release knob 123 and mechanical key 120 is rotated open to the half-open state. When vertical wall portion 123B abuts against stopper portion 104C, release knob 123 and rotor 121 stop rotating.

[0042] (Release knob 123 rotation and stopping principle) Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the back side of upper case 101 according to one embodiment. In Fig. 8, upper case 101, release knob 123 and spring 124 are shown, and other members are omitted from the illustration.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows the state of release knob 123 when mechanical key 120 is in the fully open state. As shown in Fig. 8, when mechanical key 120 is in the fully open state, a pair of vertical wall portions 123B (123B-1, 123B-2) of release knob 123 fit into a pair of first engagement grooves 104A (104A-1, 104A-2). This fixes the rotation of release knob 123 and rotor 121 in the fully open state.

[0044] 8, the release knob 123 is biased upward (positive direction of the Z axis, arrow D1 in the figure) and in the opening rotation direction (direction BX) by a spring 124 housed in the internal space 123D. As a result, the release knob 123 rotates in the opening rotation direction, that is, counterclockwise (direction BX) when viewed from below, while the upper surfaces of the pair of vertical wall portions 123B slide on the bottom surface 104a of the peripheral wall portion 104.

[0045] When in the closed state, release knob 123 slides upward due to the biasing force of spring 124. As a result, vertical wall portion 123B of release knob 123 fits into and is locked in first engagement groove 104A of upper case 101. As a result, the rotation of release knob 123 and rotor 121 is fixed in the closed state.

[0046] When the release knob 123 is released from the closed state by the first operation of the release knob 123 and rotates 90° to the half-open state, the pair of vertical wall portions 123B come into contact with the pair of stopper portions 104C, thereby stopping the rotation. When the release knob 123 is released from the operating force in the half-open state, the release knob 123 slides upward due to the biasing force of the spring 124. As a result, the vertical wall portion 123B fits into and is locked in the second engagement groove 104B. As a result, the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121 is fixed in the half-open state.

[0047] Furthermore, if a second operation is performed when mechanical key 120 is in the half-open state, release knob 123 is released from engagement with upper case 101 and rotates a further 90° to the fully-open state. At this time, release knob 123 slides upward due to the biasing force of spring 124. As a result, vertical wall portion 123B of release knob 123 fits into and is engaged with first engagement groove 104A of upper case 101. As a result, release knob 123 and rotor 121 are fixed from rotating in the fully-open state.

[0048] (Operation of the mobile device 10) 9 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the portable device 10 according to an embodiment. In Fig. 9 to 14, (a) is an external perspective view showing the state of the mechanical key 120 in the portable device 10. Also, in Fig. 9 to 14, (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement state of the vertical wall portion 123B in the portable device 10.

[0049] Fig. 9 shows the closed state of the portable device 10. As shown in Fig. 9, when the portable device 10 is in the closed state, the mechanical key 120 is in a state where the key plate 122 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 100A provided in the first accommodation space 100A (i.e., in the stored position). Also, as shown in Fig. 9(b), when the portable device 10 is in the closed state, a pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 engage with a pair of first engagement grooves 104A formed in the peripheral wall portion 104 of the upper case 101, thereby locking the rotation of the mechanical key 120.

[0050] 9, the key plate 122 accommodated in the first housing space 100A is biased in the opening rotation direction (positive direction of the Y axis) by the leaf spring 105 provided on the bottom surface of the first housing space 100A. This allows the portable device 10 according to the embodiment to suppress rattle in the rotation system of the mechanical key 120, thereby suppressing unpleasant noise caused by the rattle.

[0051] Furthermore, even if the portable device 10 according to one embodiment is dropped, the impact applied to the intermediate case 103 (the bottom surface of the first housing space 100A) via the mechanical key 120 can be absorbed by the leaf spring 105. Therefore, the portable device 10 according to one embodiment can prevent damage to the intermediate case 103 and electronic components held by the intermediate case 103 caused by the portable device 10 being dropped.

[0052] Fig. 10 shows a state immediately after the first or second operation of the release knob 123 is performed from the closed state of the portable device 10. As shown in Fig. 10, when the release knob 123 is pressed downward with a half-press stroke (first operation, second operation) from the closed state of the portable device 10, the release knob 123 moves downward while compressing the spring 124. Then, when the stroke required for the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 to come out downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) from the pair of first engagement grooves 104A formed in the peripheral wall portion 104 of the upper case 101 is performed, the engagement between the pair of vertical wall portions 123B and the pair of first engagement grooves 104A is released, and the rotation of the mechanical key 120 is unlocked.

[0053] 11 shows a state in which the mechanical key 120 is rotated 90° from the closed state of the portable device 10 by the first operation. As shown in FIG. 11, when the mechanical key 120 is unlocked from the stored state, the key plate 122 is pushed in the opening rotation direction (positive direction of the Y axis) by the biasing force of the leaf spring 105 and the spring 124, and the mechanical key 120 starts to rotate to open. When the mechanical key 120 is rotating to open, the upper surfaces of the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 slide on the bottom surface 104a of the peripheral wall portion 104 of the upper case 101. As shown in FIG. 11(b), the stopper portion 104C has a shape that protrudes in the direction in which the release knob slides (negative direction of the Z axis) with respect to the space C formed by the trajectory of the release knob 123 when it rotates. Therefore, when mechanical key 120 is rotated 90° to the half-open state, the pair of vertical walls 123B come into contact with first surface 104Ca of stopper portion 104C, stopping the rotation of mechanical key 120. At this time, if the user stops operating release knob 123, release knob 123 is released from the operating force and slides upward due to the biasing force of spring 124.

[0054] Fig. 12 shows the state in which the mechanical key 120 has been rotated 90° and locked. As shown in Fig. 12, when the mechanical key 120 is rotated 90° to the half-open state, the upward biasing force of the spring 124 causes the pair of vertical wall portions 123B to fit into the pair of second engagement grooves 104B. As a result, the vertical wall portion 123B of the release knob 123 fits into and is locked in the second engagement grooves 104B of the upper case 101, and the mechanical key 120 and the case 100 are fixed and their relative positions do not change. This makes it easier for the user to operate the key plate as a key stick.

[0055] 13 shows a state in which the mechanical key 120 is rotated 90° by the second operation of the release knob 123 from the closed state of the portable device 10, or a state in which the second operation of the release knob 123 is performed from the half-open state. Explaining the half-open state, as shown in FIG. 13, when the release knob 123 is pressed downward with a full stroke (second operation), the release knob 123 moves downward while compressing the spring 124. Then, a stroke is performed in which the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 are pulled out downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) from the pair of second engagement grooves 104B formed in the peripheral wall portion 104 of the upper case 101, and the engagement between the pair of vertical wall portions 123B and the pair of first engagement grooves 104A is released. Furthermore, due to a stroke in which the upper ends of the pair of vertical wall portions 123B of the release knob 123 move downward beyond the stopper portion 104C formed on the peripheral wall portion 104 of the upper case 101, the mechanical key 120 is rotated toward the fully open state without abutting against the vertical wall portions 123B.

[0056] FIG. 14 shows the fully open state of the mechanical key 120 rotated 180° from the closed state of the portable device 10. As shown in FIG. 14, when the mechanical key 120 is unlocked and released from the closed or half-open state, it rotates open due to the biasing force of the spring 124. When the mechanical key 120 rotates open, the upper surfaces of the pair of vertical walls 123B of the release knob 123 slide on the bottom surface 104a of the peripheral wall 104 of the upper case 101. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the mechanical key 120 rotates to the fully open state, the side surface of the rotor 121 abuts against the inner wall surface of the second housing space 100B, thereby stopping the rotation of the mechanical key 120. Furthermore, the pair of vertical walls 123B are fitted into the pair of first engagement grooves 104A due to the upward biasing force of the spring 124. As a result, the rotation of release knob 123 and rotor 121 is fixed in the fully open state, and the relative positions of mechanical key 120 and case 100 are fixed and do not change, making it easier for the user to operate the key plate as a key stick.

[0057] When the user presses the release knob 123 from the open state shown in Fig. 14, the portable device 10 performs a stroke sufficient to disengage the release knob 123 from the first engagement groove 104A downward (Z-axis negative direction) and applies a biasing force to the key plate 122 in the closing rotation direction, the mechanical key 120 rotates in the closing rotation direction (counterclockwise in a plan view from above (Z-axis positive direction)) around the release knob 123 as a rotation axis. When the mechanical key 120 rotates 90° in the closing rotation direction from the open state shown in Fig. 14, the pair of vertical wall portions 123B overcome the pair of stopper portions 104C and are fitted into the pair of second engagement grooves 104B by the upward biasing force of the spring 124. As a result, the rotation of the release knob 123 and the rotor 121 is fixed in the half-open state. Furthermore, when the user presses the release knob 123 from the half-open state, causing the mechanical key 120 to perform a stroke sufficient to disengage downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the second engagement groove 104B, and the user applies a biasing force in the closing rotation direction to the key plate 122, causing it to rotate a further 90° in the closing rotation direction, where the key plate 122 is accommodated in the first storage space 100A, i.e., the closed state shown in FIG. 9.

[0058] In addition, in one embodiment of the portable device 10, when the second operation of the release knob 123 is performed while the portable device 10 is in the closed state, the mechanical key 120 does not stop at the half-turn position, but can be rotated 180° in one go to the fully open position.

[0059] As described above, the portable device 10 according to one embodiment comprises a rotor 121 that supports the rear end of a long key plate 122, a case 100 that rotatably supports the rotor 121 from the stored position to the fully extended position, a spring 124 that applies a biasing force to the rotor 121 from the stored position to the fully extended position, and a release knob 123 that receives operations from an operator. When the rotor 121 is in the stored position and a first operation is performed on the release knob 123, the rotor 121 transitions from the stored position to an intermediate position between the stored position and the fully extended position and stops at the intermediate position.

[0060] As a result, in the portable device 10 according to the embodiment, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 can be stopped at the intermediate position simply by performing the first operation on the release knob 123.

[0061] In addition, in the portable device 10 according to one embodiment, when a second operation is performed on the release knob 123 while the rotor 121 is in the stored position, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 transition from the stored position to the fully deployed position.

[0062] As a result, in the portable device 10 according to the embodiment, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 can be transitioned to the fully deployed position simply by performing the second operation on the release knob 123.

[0063] Moreover, in one embodiment of the portable device 10, the release knob 123 is arranged on the rotation axis AX of the rotor 121 so as to be rotatable together with the rotor 121 and slidable in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX, the release knob 123 has a cylindrical shape and has a vertical wall portion 123B protruding radially from the outer circumferential surface of the release knob 123, and the case 100 has a stopper portion 104C against which the vertical wall portion 123B abuts when the rotor 121 transitions to the intermediate position.

[0064] As a result, in the portable device 10 according to one embodiment, by abutting the vertical wall portion 123B of the release knob 123 against the stopper portion 104C of the case 100, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 can be reliably stopped at the intermediate position.

[0065] In addition, in the portable device 10 according to the embodiment, the first operation is an operation of sliding the release knob 123 along the central axis of the cylindrical shape of the release knob 123, and an operation of sliding the release knob 123 to a position where the vertical wall portion 123B of the release knob 123 abuts against the stopper portion 104C, and the stroke of the second operation is larger than the stroke of the first operation. The first operation is set to a stroke that is large enough to release the vertical wall portion 123B of the release knob 123 from the storage position and not exceed a position where it can abut against the stopper portion 104C. The second operation is set to a stroke that is large enough to exceed the stopper portion 104C so that the vertical wall portion 123B of the release knob 123 is released from the storage position and does not abut against the stopper portion 104C.

[0066] As a result, in one embodiment of the portable device 10, by half-pressing the release knob 123, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 can be transitioned to an intermediate position, and by fully pressing the release knob 123, the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 can be transitioned to a fully deployed position.

[0067] In addition, in one embodiment of the portable device 10, the case 100 has a first engagement groove 104A into which the vertical wall portion 123B fits when the rotor 121 transitions to the fully deployed position, and a second engagement groove 104B into which the vertical wall portion 123B fits when the rotor 121 transitions to the intermediate position.

[0068] This allows the portable device 10 according to the embodiment to reliably fix the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 at the fully deployed position and the intermediate position.

[0069] In the portable device 10 according to one embodiment, the stopper portion 104C has a vertical surface on which the vertical wall portion 123B abuts when in the stored position, and an inclined surface on which the vertical wall portion 123B abuts when in the fully deployed position.

[0070] As a result, in one embodiment of the portable device 10, when the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 are rotated in the opening direction, the vertical wall portion 123B abuts against the stopper portion 104C, thereby reliably stopping the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 at an intermediate position, and when the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 are rotated in the closing direction, even if the vertical wall portion 123B is in contact with the inclined surface of the stopper portion 104C without maintaining the pressing operation of the release knob 123, the vertical wall portion 123B can slide over the stopper portion 104C without getting caught on each other.

[0071] Furthermore, in the portable device 10 according to one embodiment, the case 100 has a longitudinal shape whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the key plate 122 when the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 are moved to the intermediate position.

[0072] As a result, when the rotor 121 and the key plate 122 are in the intermediate position, the longitudinal direction of the case 100 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the key plate 122, so that the portable device 10 according to the embodiment can be used like a lever handle. Therefore, the user can generate a large torsional moment by simply applying a relatively small rotational operating force to the case 100. In addition, the user can concentrate the large torsional moment on the key plate 122, and mechanically twist the key cylinder.

[0073] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Portable Devices 100 cases 100A First storage space 100B Second storage space 101 Upper case 101A opening 101B opening 102 Lower case 103 Intermediate Case 104 Peripheral wall section 104a Bottom 104A 1st engagement groove 104B 2nd engagement groove 104C Stopper part 104D surface 105 Leaf Spring 120 Mechanical Key 121 Rotor 122 Key Plate 123 Release knob 123A Column part 123B Vertical wall section (regulating section) 123C Protrusion 123D interior space 124 Spring (biasing means) 125 Spring holder 200 Rubber Sheet AX Rotation axis BX direction C The space formed by the path of the release knob when it is rotated

Claims

1. A rotor supporting a rear end portion of an elongated key plate; a case that rotatably supports the rotor from a stowed position to a fully deployed position; a biasing means for applying a biasing force to the rotor from the stowed position to the fully deployed position; A release knob that accepts operations from the operator Equipped with When a first operation of pressing and sliding the release knob is performed while the rotor is in the storage position, the rotor is released from the storage position and transitions to an intermediate position between the storage position and the fully deployed position, and stops at the intermediate position. A portable device comprising:

2. When the rotor is in the stored position or the intermediate position and a second operation of pressing and sliding the release knob is performed, the rotor is released from the stored position and transitions to the fully deployed position, or released from the intermediate position and transitions to the fully deployed position.

2. The portable device of claim 1.

3. The release knob The cylindrical member has a restricting portion protruding in a radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member, the rotor is provided on a rotation central shaft of the rotor so as to be rotatable together with the rotor and slidable in an axial direction of the rotation central shaft, The case is When the rotor is moved to the intermediate position, the restricting portion has a stopper portion at a position where the restricting portion can come into contact with the stopper portion.

3. A portable device according to claim 2.

4. the first operation is set to a stroke having a size that does not exceed a position where the restricting portion of the release knob is released from the stored position and can come into contact with the stopper portion, The second operation is set to a stroke that is larger than the stroke of the first operation, and is set to a stroke that exceeds the stopper portion so that the restricting portion of the release knob is released from the stored position and does not come into contact with the stopper portion.

4. A portable device according to claim 3.

5. The case is a first engagement groove into which the restriction portion fits when the rotor transitions to the stored position; a second engagement groove into which the regulating portion fits when the rotor transitions to the intermediate position.

5. A portable device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The stopper portion has a shape that protrudes in a direction in which the release knob slides relative to a space formed by a path of the release knob when the release knob rotates from the case.

6. A portable device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The stopper portion is a first surface that is provided perpendicular to a first direction in which the rotor rotates from the stowed position to the fully deployed position and is capable of abutting against the restricting portion; a second surface including a slope such that the amount of protrusion from the case decreases as the distance from the first surface increases in the first direction; 7. A mobile device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The case is When the rotor is moved to the intermediate position, the rotor has a longitudinal shape whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the key plate.

8. A mobile device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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