Information processing device

Abstract

An information processing device is provided that can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by misalignment between a board and a battery connector. [Solution] An information processing device according to an embodiment includes a substrate, a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and a battery. The first connector portion is fixed to an end of the substrate in a first direction, which is the direction of the short side, and extends in a second direction, which is the direction of the long side of the substrate. The second connector portion is connected to the first connector portion on the opposite side of the substrate from the first connector portion in the first direction, and is slidable in the second direction relative to the first connector portion. The battery is connected to the second connector portion on the opposite side of the second connector portion from the first connector portion in the first direction, and has a battery connector portion connected to the second connector portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in information processing devices such as notebook personal computers (notebook PCs) and tablet personal computers (tablet PCs), a configuration is known in which a battery is attached to a storage compartment provided in a bottom cover and the user can remove and attach the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7688311 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The battery mounted in the bottom cover's housing is electrically connected to the board by mating the battery connector with the board connector fixed to the top cover. In the case of a floating structure in which the bottom cover is screwed to the mating top cover in a floating state, the bottom cover can move relative to the top cover. In this case, the battery mounted on the bottom cover also moves together with the bottom cover relative to the top cover.

[0005] This can cause misalignment between the connector on the battery side and the connector on the board side fixed to the top cover, which can lead to problems with the connector. Therefore, it would be ideal to propose an information processing device that can prevent problems caused by misalignment between the connectors on the board and the battery.

[0006] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by misalignment between the board and the battery connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a substrate, a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and a battery. The first connector portion is fixed to an end of the substrate in a first direction, which is the direction of the short side, and extends in a second direction, which is the direction of the long side of the substrate. The second connector portion is connected to the first connector portion on a side opposite the substrate from the first connector portion in the first direction, and is slidable in the second direction relative to the first connector portion. The battery is connected to the second connector portion on a side opposite the first connector portion from the second connector portion in the first direction, and has a battery connector portion connected to the second connector portion.

[0008] The information processing device includes a first component that fixes a board to its interior and a second component that mates with the first component. The battery is disposed on a plane that includes a first direction and a second direction. The first component is provided at a position on the plane that corresponds to an end of the battery, extends along the end of the battery, and has a protrusion that protrudes inward from its inner surface. The battery abuts against the protrusion and is spaced apart from the second component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by misalignment between the board and the battery connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of the information processing device according to the embodiment, showing a portion F3 in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the F4(a) and F4(b) sections of FIG. 2 in the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, illustrating the main body with the bottom cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, illustrating a battery fixed to the top cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the information processing device according to the embodiment, showing part F7 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [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 said configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the following description. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts and components, and do not indicate order or priority.

[0012] First, the outline and structure of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the information processing device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 1 includes a display unit 11 having an LCD panel 113 and a touch panel 114, a main body unit 12, and a hinge unit 13.

[0013] In the following drawings, for convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined. The width direction of the information processing device 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the depth 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 left-right direction. The Y-axis direction may also be referred to as the front-rear direction. The Z-axis direction may also be referred to as the up-down direction. The first direction is an example of the Y-axis direction. The second direction is an example of the X-axis direction. Note that the expressions indicating directions such as front-rear, left-right, up-down, etc. in this embodiment are names for convenience, and do not limit the position, attitude, or usage mode of the information processing device 1.

[0014] The information processing device 1 is, for example, a portable personal computer (so-called notebook computer) in which the display unit 11 can be rotated 360 degrees relative to the main body unit 12. The information processing device 1 may be, for example, a tablet in which the display unit can be rotated 360 degrees relative to the main body unit.

[0015] 1, in the information processing device 1, a main body 12 and a display 11 are connected via a hinge 13, and the display 11 can be opened approximately 360 degrees relative to the main body 12 around the hinge 13. The hinge 13 connects the display 11 to the main body 12 in a rotatable manner.

[0016] A keyboard (sometimes referred to as KB) and a touchpad (sometimes referred to as MS) are arranged on the surface (upper surface 121b) of main body 12 that faces display unit 11 when closed. Similarly, an LCD panel 113 and a touch panel 114 superimposed on LCD panel 113 are arranged on the surface of display unit 11 that faces main body 12 when closed.

[0017] Therefore, the information processing device 1 can be used as a normal notebook PC, in which the main body 12 and display 11 are opened approximately 120 degrees (hereinafter referred to as the normal state), and input operations are performed using the keyboard and touchpad, while the display screen of the LCD panel 113 is checked.

[0018] When the user uses the keyboard and touchpad mounted on the main body 12 as a normal notebook PC, the user rotates the hinge 13 so that the display 11 is open relative to the main body 12 as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the open state).

[0019] Furthermore, when the information processing device 1 is opened approximately 360 degrees with the main body 12 and the display 11 facing each other with their backs facing each other (hereinafter referred to as the tablet state or 360-degree state), it can be used as a tablet type device, allowing input operations to be performed using the touch panel 114 while checking the display screen of the LCD panel 113.

[0020] When the user uses the information processing device 1 in a tablet state, the user rotates the hinge unit 13 so that the display unit 11 is positioned on the −Z direction side of the main body unit 12 and is closed.

[0021] For example, when the information processing device 1 is not in use or is being carried, the user rotates the hinge unit 13 to position the front cover 111 of the display unit 11 and the top cover 121 of the main body unit 12 facing each other, and places the display unit 11 in a closed state (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a 0-degree state) positioned on the +Z direction side of the main body unit 12. Each of the figures from FIG. 2 onwards shows the information processing device 1 in this 0-degree state.

[0022] In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the main body unit 12 and the display unit 11 are rotatable via the hinge unit 13 is exemplified, but the main body unit 12 and the display unit 11 may be detachable via the hinge unit 13. For example, the display unit 11 may be attached to the hinge unit 13 in a state in which it is opened approximately 120 degrees relative to the main body unit 12, and used as a normal notebook PC. Also, the main body unit 12 and the display unit 11 may be attached to the hinge unit 13 in a state in which they are stacked with their back surfaces facing each other, and used as a tablet.

[0023] Next, the connection between the board 123 mounted on the main body 12 of the information processing device 1 and the battery 124 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a bottom view showing the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a bottom view showing an enlarged view of part F3 in Figure 2 in the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. Note that each of the figures from Figure 2 onwards shows the information processing device 1 in a state where the stylus pen 2 (hereinafter referred to as pen 2) is attached to the main body 12.

[0024] 2, Fig. 2(a) shows a state in which the battery cover 125 is attached to the bottom cover 122. Fig. 2(b) shows a state in which the battery cover 125 is removed from the bottom cover 122.

[0025] 3, FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which connector movable part 1231b, which is a connector of substrate 123, is in an initial position. FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which connector movable part 1231b has slid in the +X direction. FIG. 3(c) shows a state in which connector movable part 1231b has slid in the -X direction. That is, the arrow directions in each diagram in FIG. 3 indicate the directions in which connector movable part 1231b can slide. The initial position and the sliding of connector movable part 1231b will be described later.

[0026] 2, the main body 12 has a top cover 121 (see FIG. 1), a bottom cover 122, a circuit board 123, a battery 124, and a battery cover 125. The top cover 121 is an example of a first part. The bottom cover 122 is an example of a second part.

[0027] Bottom cover 122 is paired with top cover 121. Bottom cover 122 has a floating structure in which it is fixed by screws in a floating state relative to top cover 121. Therefore, bottom cover 122 moves slightly relative to top cover 121, which makes it possible to prevent information processing device 1 from rattling against the ground surface when structural twisting occurs.

[0028] The bottom cover 122 is formed with a first opening 122a and a second opening 122b. The first opening 122a is formed at a position spaced apart in the +Y direction from the end of the bottom cover 122 in the -Y direction. The battery 124 is disposed at a position in the main body 12 where the first opening 122a is formed. The battery 124 is disposed on the XY plane. The battery 124 is disposed opposite the board 123 in the Y-axis direction. The board 123 is disposed adjacent to the battery 124 on the +Y direction side of the battery 124. The top cover 121 fixes the board 123 to an inner surface 121c (see FIG. 5). The battery cover 125 covers the battery 124 from the -Z direction and closes the first opening 122a. The second opening 122b is formed at the end of the bottom cover 122 in the -Y direction. The pen 2 is disposed in a position in the main body 12 where the second opening 122b is formed.

[0029] 3, a board connector part 1231 is disposed at the end of the board 123 in the -Y direction. The board connector part 1231 is divided into a connector fixed part 1231a and a connector movable part 1231b.

[0030] The connector fixing portion 1231a is fixed to an end of the substrate 123 in the -Y direction, which is the short side direction, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the long side direction of the substrate. The connector moving portion 1231b is connected to the connector fixing portion 1231a on the opposite side of the substrate 123 in the Y-axis direction with respect to the connector fixing portion 1231a. The connector moving portion 1231b extends in the X-axis direction. The connector moving portion 1231b is slidable in the X-axis direction relative to the connector fixing portion 1231a. The connector moving portion 1231b is provided with a convex portion 1231c that is convex in the -Y direction.

[0031] Here, the short side direction is the direction along the depth direction of the information processing device 1, and the direction along the Y axis direction. The long side direction is the direction along the width direction of the information processing device 1, and the direction along the X axis direction. Furthermore, the first connector portion is an example of a connector fixed portion 1231a. The second connector portion is an example of a connector movable portion 1231b.

[0032] The battery 124 is disposed adjacent to the substrate on the -Y direction side. The battery 124 has a battery connector portion 1241. The battery connector portion 1241 is disposed at an end of the battery 124 in the +Y direction. The battery connector portion 1241 is connected to the connector movable portion 1231b on the opposite side of the connector fixed portion 1231a with respect to the connector movable portion 1231b in the Y axis direction. The battery connector portion 1241 is formed in a shape corresponding to the connector movable portion 1231b. The battery connector portion 1241 is formed with a recessed portion 1241c recessed in the -Y direction. The protruding portion 1231c and the recessed portion 1241c fit together.

[0033] The board connector 1231 has a plurality of terminals 1231d. Each of the plurality of terminals 1231d is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. Each of the plurality of terminals 1231d extends in the Y-axis direction. Each of the plurality of terminals 1231d is arranged substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. One end of each of the plurality of terminals 1231d is connected to the connector fixing portion 1231a, and the other end is connected to the battery connector 1241 via the connector movable portion 1231b. Note that in FIG. 3(a), the shape and position of some of the terminals 1231d are indicated by dashed lines for the sake of explanation.

[0034] A space S exists between both ends of connector movable part 1231b in the X-axis direction and connector fixed part 1231a. Connector movable part 1231b can slide in a direction parallel to connector fixed part 1231a (X-axis direction, as viewed by the arrow in FIG. 3(a)) so as to overlap this space S. At this time, one end of each of multiple terminals 1231d remains fixed inside connector fixed part 1231a, while the other end moves integrally with connector movable part 1231b in the X-axis direction.

[0035] 3(a) is the position of the connector movable part 1231b when no external force is acting on the battery 124, which is the initial position described above. When an external force acts on the battery 124 in this initial position, the external force is transmitted to the connector movable part 1231b via the convex part 1231c.

[0036] Here, when the connector movable part 1231b slides in the +X direction due to an external force transmitted from the battery 124, the connector movable part 1231b transitions to the position shown in Fig. 3(b). At this time, the battery connector part 1241 and the battery 124, which are engaged with the connector movable part 1231b, also slide in the +X direction together with the connector movable part 1231b and transition to the position shown in Fig. 3(b).

[0037] Therefore, no misalignment occurs between the connector movable part 1231b and the battery connector part 1241, and malfunctions such as poor contact in each connector part due to misalignment are suppressed. In addition, when the connector movable part 1231b slides in the -X direction, the same occurs as when the connector movable part 1231b slides in the +X direction, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] Next, the fixing of the battery 124 in the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a bottom view showing an enlarged view of F4(a) and F4(b) in Fig. 2 in the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment, illustrating the main body 12 with the bottom cover 122 removed.

[0039] In Fig. 4, Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view of part F4(a) in Fig. 2. Fig. 4(b) is an enlarged view of part F4(b) in Fig. 2. In Fig. 5, Fig. 5(a) shows a state in which the bottom cover 122 has been removed from the main body 12. Fig. 5(b) is an enlarged view of part b in Fig. 5(a). Fig. 5(c) is an enlarged view of part c in Fig. 5(a).

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) and 5(a) to 5(c), ribs 1211 are provided on the inner surface 121c of the top cover 121. The ribs 1211 are provided at positions corresponding to the ends of the battery 124 on the XY plane. More specifically, the ribs 1211 are provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the battery 124 on the X axis and the ends of the battery 124 in the -Y direction. The ribs 1211 extend along the ends of the battery 124. The ribs 1211 protrude from the inner surface 121c in a direction facing inward of the top cover 121 (-Z direction).

[0041] The battery 124 abuts against the ribs 1211 and is spaced apart from the bottom cover 122. More specifically, the ribs 1211 abut against both ends of the battery 124 in the X-axis direction and the end of the battery 124 in the -Y direction via cushioning materials 1211a, which will be described later. The ribs 1211 protrude from the inner surface 121c in a direction facing the inside of the top cover 121 (-Z direction).

[0042] This structure prevents the battery 124 from becoming displaced relative to the bottom cover 122. Furthermore, when the top cover 121 becomes displaced relative to the bottom cover 122 due to an external force or the like, the battery 124 works together with the top cover 121 to prevent the battery 124 from becoming displaced relative to the bottom cover 122.

[0043] A cushioning material 1211a is attached to the surface of the rib 1211 facing the battery 124. The cushioning material 1211a is disposed between the rib 1211 and the battery 124, and abuts against the rib 1211 and the battery 124.

[0044] The position and shape of the rib 1211 are not limited to those described above, and for example, the rib 1211 may be provided only at both ends of the battery 124 in the X-axis direction, or may be formed in a substantially L-shape at the corners of the battery 124 in the -Y direction. Also, the cushioning material 1211a does not need to be attached to the surface of the rib 1211 facing the battery 124.

[0045] Next, the effects of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment, and is a diagram showing the battery 124 fixed to the top cover 121. Fig. 7 is a bottom view showing an enlarged view of part F7 in Fig. 6 in the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0046] The battery 124 abuts against the rib 1211, which prevents the battery 124 from shifting position relative to the top cover 121 due to an external impact or the like. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, when an external force acts in a direction that rotates the bottom cover 122, the bottom cover 122 shifts position relative to the top cover 121 in the rotational direction on the XY plane. On the other hand, the battery 124 abuts against the rib 1211 of the top cover 121, which prevents the battery 124 from shifting position relative to the top cover 121.

[0047] Furthermore, the board connector 1231 is fixed to the top cover 121 via the board 123, and is less likely to become misaligned with respect to the top cover 121. That is, both the board connector 1231 and the battery connector 1241 are fixed to the top cover 121.

[0048] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the board connector portion 1231 and the battery connector portion 1241 are prevented from shifting relative to each other when an external force is applied, and as a result, problems such as poor contact in each connector due to positional shifts are prevented.

[0049] The information processing device 1 of the above embodiment includes a substrate 123, a connector fixing portion 1231a, a connector movable portion 1231b, and a battery 124. The connector fixing portion 1231a is fixed to an end of the substrate 123 in the −Y direction, which is the short side direction, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the long side direction of the substrate 123. The connector movable portion 1231b is connected to the connector fixing portion 1231a on the side opposite the substrate 123 with respect to the connector fixing portion 1231a in the −Y direction, and is slidable in the X-axis direction with respect to the connector fixing portion 1231a. The battery 124 is connected to the connector movable portion 1231b on the side opposite the connector fixing portion 1231a with respect to the connector movable portion 1231b in the −Y direction, and includes a battery connector portion 1241 connected to the connector movable portion 1231b.

[0050] According to the above-described configuration, when the battery 124 moves in the X-axis direction and a relative positional deviation occurs with respect to the substrate 123, the connector movable part 1231b slides in the X-axis direction together with the battery connector part 1241 because the connector movable part 1231b is connected to the battery connector part 1241.

[0051] That is, even if the battery 124 moves in the X-axis direction and is misaligned relative to the substrate 123, no misalignment occurs between the connector movable part 1231b and the battery connector part 1241. This allows the information processing device 1 to prevent malfunctions caused by misalignment between the substrate 123 and the connector part of the battery 124.

[0052] In this embodiment, the battery 124 is provided with a top cover 121 that fixes the substrate 123 to the inside thereof, and a bottom cover 122 that pairs with the top cover 121. The battery 124 is disposed on the XY plane. The top cover 121 is provided at a position on the XY plane that corresponds to the end of the battery 124, and has a rib 1211 that extends along the end of the battery 124 and protrudes inward from the inner surface 121c. The battery 124 abuts against the rib 1211 and is spaced apart from the bottom cover 122.

[0053] In this configuration, misalignment is suppressed among the top cover 121, the board 123 fixed to the top cover 121, and the connector fixing portion 1231a fixed to the end of the board 123. Furthermore, the battery 124 disposed on the XY plane is provided at a position corresponding to the end on the XY plane, and extends along the end of the battery 124. The battery 124 comes into contact with a rib 1211 that protrudes inward from the inner surface 121c of the top cover 121, thereby suppressing misalignment with respect to the top cover 121. In other words, the battery connector 1241 included in the battery 124 and the connector fixing portion 1231a are both suppressed from misalignment with respect to the top cover 121.

[0054] This configuration suppresses misalignment between the connector movable part 1231b and the connector fixed part 1231a fixed to the battery connector part 1241. Consequently, the information processing device 1 can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by misalignment between the connectors.

[0055] [Variations] In this embodiment, the bottom cover 122 has a floating structure in which it is fixed to the top cover 121 by screws in a floating state, but this is not limiting and it does not have to have a floating structure.

[0056] Even in a structure in which the bottom cover 122 does not have a floating structure, the above-described configuration prevents the board connector portion 1231 and the battery connector portion 1241 from shifting relative positions when an external force is applied, thereby preventing problems such as poor contact in each connector due to positional shifts.

[0057] 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 embodied 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Information processing equipment 121 Top cover 122 Bottom cover 123 PCB 124 Battery 1211 Rib 1231 PCB connector 1231a Connector fixing part 1231b Connector moving part 1231d terminal 1241 Battery connector S space

Claims

1. A substrate; a first connector portion fixed to an end of the substrate in a first direction, which is a short side direction, and extending in a second direction, which is a long side direction of the substrate; a second connector portion connected to the first connector portion on the opposite side of the first connector portion from the substrate in the first direction and slidable in the second direction relative to the first connector portion; a battery having a battery connector portion connected to the second connector portion on the opposite side of the second connector portion to the first connector portion in the first direction, and connected to the second connector portion; Equipped with Information processing device.

2. a first part for fixing the substrate therein, and a second part for mating with the first part; the battery is disposed on a plane including the first direction and the second direction; the first component is provided at a position on the plane corresponding to an end of the battery, extends along the end of the battery, and has a protrusion that protrudes from an inner surface in a direction facing inward; the battery abuts against the protrusion and is spaced apart from the second component; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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