electronic machinery

Abstract

To provide an electronic device that can increase the durability of legs against lateral loads.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a housing having a bottom plate and legs made of a curable material. The bottom plate has a recess formed on a bottom surface and an internal introduction path that guides the curable material into the recess. The leg has a leg body formed in the recess by the curable material introduced through the internal introduction path, and a connecting portion formed in the internal introduction path by the curable material. The internal introduction path is formed outside the recess in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Electronic devices such as notebook personal computers often have multiple legs on their bottom plates (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The legs have, for example, a resin base. The base includes an enlarged portion provided on the underside of the bottom plate, a shaft portion protruding from the upper surface of the enlarged portion, and a fixing portion provided at the upper end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is inserted into a through-hole formed in the bottom plate. A rubber anti-slip portion is provided on the outer surface of the enlarged portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-121711 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The electronic device has room for improvement in terms of durability when a load is applied to the legs from the side.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can increase the durability of legs against lateral loads. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a bottom plate and legs formed of a hardenable material, wherein the bottom plate has a recess formed on its bottom surface and an internal inlet passage for guiding the hardenable material into the recess, and the legs have a leg main body formed in the recess by the hardenable material introduced through the internal inlet passage and a connecting portion formed in the internal inlet passage by the hardenable material, and at least a portion of the internal inlet passage is formed outside the recess when viewed in a plane.

[0007] It is preferable that a plurality of the internal introduction passages are formed, and that the plurality of internal introduction passages are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess in a plan view.

[0008] It is preferable that the electronic device has an annular inlet passage formed on the inner surface of the bottom plate, which is the surface opposite to the bottom surface, and that an island-shaped portion surrounded by the annular inlet passage has a partition portion formed in it that divides the annular inlet passage to form multiple internal inlet passages.

[0009] The legs are preferably transparent.

[0010] Preferably, the legs are formed from a single piece of the hardenable material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] One aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device that can increase the durability of legs against lateral loads. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a second housing of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of a second housing of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the bottom plate of the second housing of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a top view of a portion of the bottom plate of the second housing of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a second housing of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of a part of a second housing of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of the bottom plate of the second housing of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the bottom plate of the second housing of the electronic device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a top view of a portion of the bottom plate of the second housing of the electronic device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An electronic device according to an embodiment will be described.

[0014] [Electronic Device] (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the second housing 102. 1, electronic device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102 (housing), and a leg portion 10 (see FIG. 2). Electronic device 100 is, for example, a notebook PC (PC: personal computer).

[0015] Ends of first housing 101 and second housing 102 are connected via hinge mechanism 110. First housing 101 is rotatable relative to second housing 102 around a rotation axis defined by hinge mechanism 110.

[0016] The first housing 101 is also called a display housing. The first housing 101 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Of the ends of the first housing 101, the end where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is called a first base end 101b. The end opposite the first base end 101b is called a first open end 101a. The first housing 101 is equipped with a display unit 103. The display unit 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0017] The second housing 102 is also called a system housing. The second housing 102 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Of the ends of the second housing 102, the end where the hinge mechanism 110 is provided is called the second base end 102b. The end opposite the second base end 102b is called the second open end 102a. The second housing 102 is equipped with a keyboard 107 and a touchpad 108. The second housing 102 is equipped with electronic components such as a CPU, memory, a motherboard, a battery, and a storage device between a top plate 111 and a bottom plate 112.

[0018] The positional relationship of each component of the second housing 102 may be explained using an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 112. The Y direction is the lateral direction of the bottom plate 112. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The plane including the X and Y directions is the XY plane. The Z direction is perpendicular to the X and Y directions. The Z direction is the thickness direction of the bottom plate 112.

[0019] The vertical positional relationship of second housing 102 will be provisionally defined based on FIG. 1. The Z direction is the up-down direction. Top plate 111 is positioned above bottom plate 112. A view from the Z direction (up-down direction) is called a plan view. The positional relationship defined here does not limit the posture of electronic device 100 during use.

[0020] The second housing 102 is a flat case having an upper plate 111 and a bottom plate 112. The upper plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 are rectangular in plan view. The upper plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 face each other with a gap between them. When the second housing 102 is placed on a placement surface (such as the top surface of a desk), the bottom surface 112a of the bottom plate 112 faces the placement surface. The second housing 102 is made of, for example, plastic, metal, or the like.

[0021] 2, the legs 10 are provided on a bottom plate 112. The number of legs 10 is, for example, four. The four legs 10 are formed at positions near the corners of the rectangular bottom plate 112.

[0022] The structure of the leg portion 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the second housing 102. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the bottom plate 112 of the second housing 102. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a top view of a portion of the bottom plate 112 of the second housing 102.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, a protrusion 113 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 112. As shown in Fig. 5, the protrusion 113 has an elliptical shape with a major axis along the X direction in a plan view.

[0024] 4, a recess 11 and one or more internal introduction paths 12 are formed in the bottom plate 112. The recess 11 is formed in a concave shape extending upward from the bottom surface 112a. The recess 11 has a side surface 11a extending along the Z direction and a top surface 11b extending along the XY plane.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the recess 11 has an oval shape with a major axis along the X direction in plan view. In plan view, the recess 11 has two linear side edges 11c and two semicircular end edges 11d. The two side edges 11c are parallel to and face each other. The side edges 11c are parallel to the X direction. The two end edges 11d are curved (e.g., semicircular) and convex in directions away from each other. The longitudinal dimension of the recess 11 is greater than the lateral dimension (width direction).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, an annular introduction path 13 is formed on the upper surface 113a (the inner surface of the bottom plate) of the protrusion 113. The annular introduction path 13 is formed downward from the upper surface 113a. A part of the annular introduction path 13 (i.e., the lower part of the internal introduction path 12) reaches the side surface of the internal space of the recess 11. This allows the internal introduction path 12 to communicate with the recess 11.

[0027] 5, the annular introduction path 13 is formed in an oval ring shape. The island-shaped portion 20, which is the portion surrounded by the annular introduction path 13, has a main portion 21 and a plurality of partition portions 22 (four in this embodiment).

[0028] In a plan view, the main portion 21 has an oval shape with a major axis along the X direction. In a plan view, the main portion 21 has two linear side edges 21c and two semicircular end edges 21d. The two side edges 21c are parallel to and face each other. The side edges 21c are parallel to the X direction. The two end edges 21d are curved (e.g., semicircular) and convex in directions away from each other. The longitudinal dimension of the main portion 21 is greater than the lateral dimension (width direction).

[0029] The main portion 21 has the same shape as the recessed portion 11 in a plan view. The main portion 21 is located so that the entire area thereof overlaps with the recessed portion 11. Therefore, the annular introduction path 13 is formed outside the recessed portion 11 in a plan view. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the annular introduction path 13 is formed outside the recessed portion 11 in a plan view.

[0030] In a plan view, the partitions 22 are formed on the side edges 21c of the main portion 21. Two of the four partitions 22 (partitions 22A and 22B) are formed on one side edge 21c at an interval in the X direction. The other two of the four partitions 22 (partitions 22C and 22D) are formed on the other side edge 21c at an interval in the X direction.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, the partitions 22 extend downward from the main portion 21 and reach the bottom plate 112. Therefore, the partitions 22 divide the annular introduction path 13 in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the annular introduction path 13 is divided into four internal introduction paths 12 by the four partitions 22. The internal introduction paths 12 are formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the internal introduction passage 12 partitioned by the partitions 22 (22A, 22B) formed on one side edge 21c of the main portion 21 is the first internal introduction passage 12A. The internal introduction passage 12 partitioned by the partitions 22 (22C, 22D) formed on the other side edge 21c of the main portion 21 is the second internal introduction passage 12B. The internal introduction passage 12 partitioned by the partitions 22A and 22C is the third internal introduction passage 12C. The internal introduction passage 12 partitioned by the partitions 22B and 22D is the fourth internal introduction passage 12D. The first to fourth internal introduction passages 12A to 12D are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess 11.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the leg 10 includes a leg body 31 and one or more connecting portions 32. The leg body 31 is formed in the recess 11. The upper part of the leg body 31 is formed within the recess 11. The lower part of the leg body 31 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 112a. The leg body 31 has an elongated cylindrical shape with a central axis along the Z direction.

[0034] The connecting portion 32 is formed within the annular introduction path 13. A portion of the connecting portion 32 is formed within the internal introduction path 12. The connecting portion 32 is annular in shape surrounding the leg main body 31 in a plan view. The connecting portion 32 is connected to the leg main body 31. The connecting portion 32 is formed integrally with the leg main body 31. The connecting portion 32 protrudes outward from the leg main body 31 in a plan view.

[0035] The leg portion 10 is formed of a curable material. Examples of the curable material include a thermoplastic material, a thermosetting material, and an active energy ray-curable material. The leg portion 10 is formed of, for example, a single curable material. In other words, the leg portion 10 is formed uniformly without a layer structure.

[0036] Thermoplastic materials harden when the temperature is reduced. Examples of thermoplastic materials include rubber and resin. For example, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR: (acrylo) nitrile butadiene rubber) is used as the rubber. Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM: Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) may also be used as the rubber. The hardness of the rubber may be, for example, A70 or more and A90 or less, as measured according to JIS K 6253 Type A.

[0037] Examples of the resin include polyolefin-based resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), polyester-based resins (polyethylene terephthalate, etc.), polyamide-based resins, and polyimide-based resins.

[0038] The thermosetting material and the active energy ray-curable material include curable materials such as monomers, oligomers, prepolymers, etc. The active energy ray-curable material is cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams.

[0039] It is desirable that the leg 10 is transparent. For example, it is desirable that the leg main body 31 has a transmittance of 50% or more in the thickness direction (Z direction) over the entire wavelength range of visible light (360 nm to 830 nm). The method for measuring light transmittance complies with, for example, JIS K7361.

[0040] The legs 10 may be made of an elastic material. When the legs 10 are made of an elastic material, it is possible to suppress the transmission of vibration between the electronic device 100 and the surface on which it is placed.

[0041] A method for manufacturing the leg portion 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Uncured curable material is introduced into the internal introduction passage 12 from the upper opening 13a of the annular introduction passage 13. The curable material flows from the internal introduction passage 12 toward the recess 11. The curable material is filled into the internal introduction passage 12 and the recess 11. The leg main body 31 is formed by the curable material filled into the recess 11. The curable material filled into the internal introduction passage 12 becomes the connecting portion 32. By hardening the curable material, the leg 10 comprising the leg main body 31 and the connecting portion 32 is formed.

[0042] The leg portion 10 can be formed by, for example, injection molding. The leg portion 10 may also be formed together with the second housing 102 by, for example, double injection molding.

[0043] [Effects of the Electronic Device of the First Embodiment] In the electronic device 100, at least a portion of the internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the leg 10 is provided on the bottom plate 112 with the leg main body 31 supported by the connecting portion 32 protruding outward. Since the outer peripheral surface of the leg main body 31 is supported by the connecting portion 32, the fixing strength of the leg 10 to the bottom plate 112 is increased. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the leg main body 31 from the side, deformation such that the leg main body 31 is separated from the bottom plate 112 is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the durability of the leg 10 can be improved compared to when the connecting portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg main body (inside the outer peripheral edge of the leg main body).

[0044] In the leg 10, the connecting portion 32 is formed outside the leg main body 31 in a plan view, so the fixing strength of the leg main body 31 is increased over a wider range in the circumferential direction compared to when the connecting portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg main body (inside the outer periphery of the leg main body). This increases the durability of the leg 10.

[0045] Since the leg 10 has a connecting portion 32 that protrudes outward from the leg main body 31, the connecting portion 32 prevents the leg 10 from falling off the bottom plate 112. Therefore, unlike a structure in which the connecting portion is provided on the upper surface of the leg main body, there is no need to provide a stopper on the connecting portion 32 to prevent it from falling off. This allows the dimension of the leg 10 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to be reduced. This is therefore advantageous in terms of saving space inside the second housing 102 and making the second housing 102 thinner.

[0046] In the electronic device 100, a plurality of internal introduction paths 12 (12A to 12D) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess 11. Therefore, the leg main body 31 is supported by the connecting portion 32 over a wide range in the circumferential direction. This further increases the durability of the leg 10.

[0047] In the electronic device 100, the internal introduction paths 12 are formed by dividing the annular introduction path 13 by the partitioning portions 22. According to this configuration, the multiple internal introduction paths 12 can be realized with a simple structure.

[0048] In the electronic device 100, the leg portion 10 is transparent and therefore not very noticeable. Therefore, the electronic device 100 is excellent in terms of aesthetics. Since the internal introduction path 12 is formed outside the recess 11 in a plan view, the internal introduction path 12 is difficult to see even if the leg portion 10 is transparent. Therefore, compared to when the internal introduction path is formed on the upper surface of the recess, the leg portion 10 is superior in terms of design, for example.

[0049] In the electronic device 100, the above-described structure can increase the durability of the leg 10, so the leg 10 can be made of a single hardening material, which reduces manufacturing costs compared to when the leg is a two-layer molded product having a resin base and a rubber covering.

[0050] [Electronic Device] (Second Embodiment) An electronic device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the second housing 302 of the electronic device 200 according to the second embodiment. 6, the legs 210 are provided on a bottom plate 412. The legs 210 are formed at positions close to the corners of the rectangular bottom plate 412. The legs 210 are rectangular in shape in a plan view.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom surface 412a of a portion of second housing 302. Fig. 8 is a top view of a portion of bottom plate 412 of second housing 302. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of bottom plate 412 of second housing 302. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 8.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom plate 412 has a recess 211 and a plurality of internal introduction paths 212. The recess 211 is formed in a recessed shape extending upward from the bottom surface 412a.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 211 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. 9, the internal introduction path 212 opens to the upper surface side of the bottom plate 412. The lower part of the internal introduction path 212 reaches the side surface of the recess 211. As a result, the internal introduction path 212 communicates with the recess 211.

[0055] 8, the annular introduction path 213 is formed in an annular shape. An island-shaped portion 220 surrounded by the annular introduction path 213 has a main portion 221 and a plurality of partition portions 222.

[0056] The main portion 221 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The main portion 221 is located so as to overlap the recessed portion 211 in a plan view. Therefore, the internal introduction path 212 is formed outside the recessed portion 211 in a plan view. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the internal introduction path 212 is formed outside the recessed portion 211 in a plan view.

[0057] The partitions 222 are formed at intervals on the periphery of the main portion 221 in a plan view. 9, the partitioning portion 222 extends downward from the main portion 221. The partitioning portion 222 forms the internal introduction paths 212 by dividing the annular introduction path 213 in the circumferential direction of the recessed portion 211. Therefore, the multiple internal introduction paths 212 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recessed portion 211.

[0058] The leg 210 includes a leg body 231 and one or more connecting portions 232 . The leg body 231 is formed in the recess 211. A portion of the leg body 231 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 412a. The connecting portion 232 is formed in the internal introduction path 212. The connecting portion 232 is connected to the leg body 231. The connecting portion 232 is formed integrally with the leg body 231.

[0059] The leg portion 210 is formed of a hardening material. The leg portion 210 is preferably transparent. The leg portion 210 may be made of an elastic material.

[0060] [Effects of the Electronic Device of the Second Embodiment] In electronic device 200, at least a portion of internal introduction path 212 is formed outside recess 211 in plan view (see FIG. 7). This increases the fixing strength of leg 210 to bottom plate 412. Therefore, even if a load is applied to leg main body 231 from the side, leg main body 231 is unlikely to deform to the point where it peels off from bottom plate 412. This increases the durability of leg 210.

[0061] In the leg portion 210, the connecting portion 232 is formed outside the leg portion main body 231 in a plan view, so that the fixing strength of the leg portion main body 231 is increased over a wide range in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the durability of the leg portion 210 can be increased.

[0062] Since the leg portion 210 is prevented from falling off by the connecting portion 232, there is no need to provide a stopper on the connecting portion 232 to prevent the leg portion 210 from falling off. Therefore, the dimension of the leg portion 210 in the thickness direction (Z direction) can be reduced. This is therefore advantageous in terms of saving space inside the second housing 302 and making the second housing 302 thinner.

[0063] [Electronic Device] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a top view of a part of bottom plate 512 of the second housing of the electronic device according to the third embodiment. 10, bottom plate 512 is formed with island-shaped portion 320 having main portion 321 and multiple partitions 322. In this example of the electronic device, partitions 322 reach protruding portion 113. This electronic device differs from the electronic device shown in FIG. 8 in that multiple internal introduction paths 312 are formed independently by being separated by partitions 322.

[0064] An electronic device having this configuration has the advantage that the amount of hardening material used can be reduced.

[0065] The specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-described embodiment can be combined in any manner. In the electronic device 100 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), four internal introduction paths 12 (12A to 12D) are formed by four partitions 22, but the number of partitions and internal introduction paths is not particularly limited. The number of partitions and internal introduction paths may be one or more (any number equal to or greater than two).

[0066] The shape of the legs in plan view is not particularly limited, and is not limited to an oval shape, but may be a circle, a rectangle, an ellipse, or the like. The legs are preferably transparent, but may also be opaque. The electronic device of the embodiment is not limited to a notebook PC, but may also be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10,210... Leg portion, 11,211... Recess, 12,212,312... Internal introduction passage, 12A... First internal introduction passage (internal introduction passage), 12B... Second internal introduction passage (internal introduction passage), 12C... Third internal introduction passage (internal introduction passage), 12D... Fourth internal introduction passage (internal introduction passage), 13,213... Annular introduction passage, 22,222,322... Partition portion, 31,231... Leg main body, 32,232... Connecting portion, 100,200... Electronic device, 102,302... Second housing (housing), 112,412,512... Bottom plate, 112a,412a... Bottom surface, 113a... Upper surface (inner surface of bottom plate)

Claims

1. The device includes a housing having a bottom plate and legs formed of a hardenable material, the bottom plate has a recess formed on a bottom surface thereof and an internal introduction path for introducing the hardenable material into the recess; the leg portion has a leg portion main body formed in the recess by the hardenable material introduced through the internal introduction passage, and a connecting portion formed in the internal introduction passage by the hardenable material, At least a portion of the internal introduction path is formed outside the recess in a plan view. electronic equipment.

2. A plurality of the internal introduction paths are formed, The internal introduction passages are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the recess in a plan view. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. an annular introduction passage is formed on an inner surface of the bottom plate, the inner surface being the surface opposite to the bottom surface; a partition portion that divides the annular introduction path and forms a plurality of the internal introduction paths is formed in an island-shaped portion surrounded by the annular introduction path; 3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The legs are transparent. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. the leg portion is formed from a single piece of the hardenable material; The electronic device according to claim 1.

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