Information processing device

Abstract

Provided is an information processing device that can suppress a decrease in the rigidity of a hinge while suppressing an increase in the depth dimension of a display unit due to cable installation. [Solution] An information processing device according to an embodiment includes 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 a cross section taken along a surface including the first direction and the second direction is substantially U-shaped. The hinge unit is fixed to the first surface and has a rotation axis along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the main body is fixed to be rotatable relative to the first surface. The display unit is fixed to the second surface.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A notebook-type personal computer, or so-called notebook computer, is known as one type of information processing device. A notebook computer has, for example, a main body having an information processing unit and a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) connected by a hinge.

[0003] In a notebook computer, the display unit is opened relative to the main body unit, and the input unit such as a keyboard is separated from the display unit to enable use. The display unit is also closed relative to the main body unit, and the input unit is covered by the display unit to enable an unused state, making the computer more compact and improving portability while protecting the input unit and display unit. In a notebook computer configured in this way, the main body unit and the display unit are electrically connected, for example, by a cable that is routed through a hinge in many cases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-191044 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The cable connecting the main body and the display unit is sometimes arranged in a dedicated space for the cable inside the display unit. In this case, the depth dimension of the display unit increases by the volume of the dedicated space for the cable, making it difficult to make the notebook computer compact by reducing the depth dimension of the display unit. In addition, if a dedicated space for the cable is not provided inside the display unit and a notch is provided in the hinge and the cable is arranged in the notch, there is a problem that the rigidity of the hinge is reduced.

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

[0007] The information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes 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 taken along a surface including the first direction and the second direction is substantially U-shaped. The hinge unit is fixed to the first surface and has a rotation axis along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the main body is fixed to be rotatable with respect to the first surface. The display unit is fixed to the second surface.

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

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

[0010] In the information processing device, the hinge unit has a cutout portion where a part in the circumferential direction is cut into a flat shape.

[0011] In the information processing device, a protruding portion that protrudes in a first direction is disposed on the first surface, and the hinge unit has a through hole that is aligned with and engages with the protruding portion. Effect of the Invention

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

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a hinge unit of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit of the information processing device of the embodiment described above, seen from a different angle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a hinge unit of the information processing device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bracket of the information processing device of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion F5 in FIG. 4 in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a hinge unit and a bracket in which cables are arranged in the information processing device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the hinge unit, the bracket, the cable, and the front cover are assembled in the information processing device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the information processing device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the contents described below. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish parts and components, and do not indicate order or priority.

[0015] First, the outline and structure of the information processing device 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 device 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge unit 13 of the information processing device 1 of the embodiment as viewed from another angle. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the information processing device 1 includes a display unit 11, a main body unit 12, and the hinge unit 13.

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

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

[0018] The display unit 11 has 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 have other components. The front cover 111 and the back cover 112 are joined and fixed to each other in the Z-axis direction to form a substantially rectangular box shape.

[0019] The display unit 11 houses a display device 113. The display device 113 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescent display (OLED). Note that the display unit 11 and the main body unit 12 can have well-known configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

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

[0021] The cable 116 is formed in a flat plate shape. The cable 116 passes through the inside of the hinge cover 115, and electrically connects the inside of the display device 113 to an internal structure (not shown) of the information processing device 1 connected to the main body 12. The cable 116 is exposed from the end of the hinge cover 115 in the +Y direction relative to the hinge cover 115. Note that in each drawing of this embodiment, only an attachment that is a portion of the main body 12 that is attached to the hinge unit 13 is shown, and other portions are omitted.

[0022] Next, a detailed structure of the hinge unit 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 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 near each end of the hinge cover 115 in the Y-axis direction. The hinge units 13 extend in the Y-axis direction. In each drawing 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 an 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 an end of the hinge unit 13 in the +Y direction. The shaft portion 132 is rotatable together with the main body portion 12 about a rotation axis Ax extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0026] The shaft portion 132 has a cut portion 132a. The cut portion 132a is a portion in which a part of the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 132 is cut into a flat shape. More specifically, the cut portion 132a is a portion having a polygonal cross section formed by cutting a part of the outer circumferential portion of the shaft portion 132 into a flat shape. Each surface formed on the shaft portion 132 faces outward in the radial direction of the shaft portion 132. In FIG. 3, some of the surfaces formed on the shaft portion 132 are omitted.

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

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

[0029] 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the F5 portion of FIG. 4 in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion 14a has an upper surface 14a1, a protruding portion 14a2, and two through holes H2. The upper surface 14a1 faces the +Z direction. The upper surface 14a1 extends in the Y-axis direction. The protruding portion 14a2 is disposed on the upper surface 14a1 and protrudes in the +Z direction. The protruding portion 14a2 is disposed near the center of the upper surface 14a1 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The protruding portion 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 that is located at the center in the Y axis direction among the three through holes H1 in the XY plane. The upper surface 14a1 is an example of a 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 faces 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 gap therebetween. 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, for example, adhesion. Note that the display device 113 is omitted in Figures 4 and 5. Also, the cross section of the bracket 14 taken along a plane including the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is substantially 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 portion 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 in the Y-axis direction among the three through holes H1 in the XY plane.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the hinge unit 13 and bracket 14 in which the cable 116 is arranged in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 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 near an end of the hinge unit 13 in the +Y direction so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper surface 14a1. The fixing portion 131 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 of the upper portion 14a by two screws 16.

[0036] Of the three through holes H1, the through hole H1 located at the center in the Y-axis direction is aligned with and engaged with the protrusion 14a2. Each screw 16 is inserted into the through hole H1 and the through hole H2 which are overlapped in the Z-axis direction. The two screws 16 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction with the through hole H1 between them.

[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 part of the flat plate portion 116a of the cable 116 is disposed between the upper portion 14a and the lower portion 14c. The screw 16 is an example of a fastening member.

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

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

[0040] 7 and 8, the cable 116 does not need to be arranged side by side with the display device 113 in the X-axis direction inside the display unit 11. That is, the information processing device 1 can prevent the depth dimension of the display unit 11 from increasing.

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

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

[0043] This corrects the positional deviation of the shaft portion 132 with respect to the rotation axis Ax. That is, with the above-described structure, the information processing device 1 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 shifted with respect to the through hole H2 of the bracket 14 in the XY plane.

[0044] [Variation 2] The number of through holes H2 and screws 16 provided in the upper surface 14a1 is not limited to two, and may be, for example, four. In this case, the number of through holes H1 provided in the fixing portion 131 is five. Furthermore, the hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 by the 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 a case where the number of through holes H2 and the number of screws 16 provided in the upper surface 14a1 are two (a case where there are two screws 16). As a result, the rigidity of the information processing device 1 can be improved.

[0046] The information processing device 1 of the above embodiment includes 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 with a predetermined gap therebetween, 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 has a substantially U-shaped cross section along a plane including the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. 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 unit 12 is fixed to be rotatable relative to the upper surface 14a1. The display unit 11 is fixed to the lower surface 14c1.

[0047] In the above-mentioned configuration, the information processing device 1 includes 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 the Z-axis direction. The lower surface 14c1 faces the upper surface 14a1 with a predetermined distance therebetween. The side surface 14b1 connects the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1 and faces the X-axis direction intersecting the Z-axis direction. The cross section of the bracket 14 taken along a plane 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 unit 12 is fixed to be rotatable relative to the upper surface 14a1. The display unit 11 is fixed to the lower surface 14c1. In the above-described configuration, the bracket 14 does not have a cutout portion for routing the cable 116 therethrough.

[0048] With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can accommodate a part 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 cutout portion. As a result, the information processing device 1 can prevent the rigidity of the bracket 14 from decreasing while preventing an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11.

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

[0050] In the above-described configuration, the display unit 11 includes the cable 116. The cable 116 is formed in a flat plate shape and disposed between the upper surface 14a1 and the lower surface 14c1. This allows the information processing device 1 to store 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. As a result, the information processing device 1 can prevent an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11 due to the display unit 11 having a space for storing 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-described configuration, the hinge unit 13 is fixed to the upper surface 14a1 by the multiple 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 by the multiple screws 16 during assembly.

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

[0054] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the hinge unit 13 has the cutout portion 132a where a part of the circumferential direction is cut into a flat 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 cutout portion 132a, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in the depth dimension of the display unit 11 due to the thickness of the cable 116.

[0055] In this embodiment, a protruding portion 14a2 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction is disposed on the upper surface 14a1, and the hinge unit 13 has a through hole H1 that is aligned with and engages with the protruding portion 14a2.

[0056] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the upper surface 14a1 is provided with the protruding portion 14a2 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the hinge unit 13 has a through hole H1 that is aligned with and engages with the protruding portion 14a2.

[0057] With this configuration, when the information processing device 1 is assembled, the protrusion 14a2 and the through hole H1 are fitted together, so that the hinge unit 13 can be positioned with respect to the bracket 14. As a result, the information processing device 1 can improve the workability of assembling the hinge unit 13 to the bracket 14 in the manufacturing process.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be 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 modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Information processing device 11 Display section 12 Main body 13 Hinge unit 14 Bracket 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 section 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, the bracket having a substantially U-shaped cross section taken along a surface including the first direction and the second direction; a hinge unit fixed to the first surface, the hinge unit having a rotation axis along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the hinge unit having a main body portion rotatably fixed to the first surface; A display unit fixed to the second surface; Equipped with Information processing device.

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

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

4. The hinge unit has a cut portion in which a part in a circumferential direction is cut into a flat shape. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

5. a protrusion protruding in the first direction is disposed on the first surface, The hinge unit has a through hole that is aligned with and engages with the protrusion. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

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