electronic machinery

Abstract

To improve the degree of freedom of the arrangement of constituents of an electronic apparatus while ensuring impact resistance of the electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus 1 comprises: a housing 10 that has a first side part 14 located along a first direction, and a second side part 16 located along a second direction intersecting the first direction; and impact absorption members 40 and 50 that each extend along both the first side part 14 and the second side part 16 from a corner part 18 where the first side part 14 and the second side part 16 intersect each other. The impact absorption members 40 and 50 are each branched into two at a leading end of a side extending along the first side part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, mobile phones have been known in which shock resistance is enhanced by providing a cushioning material on the outer surface of the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-9448 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for improving the degree of freedom in arranging components of electronic devices while ensuring the impact resistance of the electronic devices.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the degree of freedom in arranging components of an electronic device while ensuring the impact resistance of the electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing and a shock-absorbing member. The housing has a first side portion extending along a first direction and a second side portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The shock-absorbing member extends from a corner where the first side portion and the second side portion intersect, along both the first side portion and the second side portion. The tip of the shock-absorbing member on the side extending along the first side portion is bifurcated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, both impact resistance and freedom in configuration arrangement are achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wireframe representation of the top cover of the electronic device. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a wireframe representation of a shock absorbing member on the upper end side of the electronic device. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wireframe representation of a bottom cover of the electronic device. [Figure 2D] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a wireframe representation of a shock absorbing member at the bottom end of the electronic device. [Figure 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of an upper end cover, a shock absorbing member, and a side cover of the electronic device. FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an assembly procedure (1) of an electronic device. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an assembly procedure (2) of the electronic device. [Figure 4C] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing assembly procedures (3) and (4) of the electronic device. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an example of a top view of an electronic device. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the left side of the electronic device. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of the left side of the electronic device as viewed from behind. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The electronic device according to the present embodiment may be a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. The electronic device according to the present embodiment is not limited to a mobile electronic device. The electronic device may be various electronic devices such as a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a home appliance, an industrial device or an FA (Factory Automation) device, or a dedicated terminal.

[0010] (Overall configuration of electronic device 1) 1, an electronic device 1 according to one embodiment includes a housing 10 and a display 12. The housing 10 holds the display 12. The display 12 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or an inorganic EL display, but is not limited to these. The display 12 may be configured as a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor.

[0011] In this embodiment, the housing 10 is assumed to have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10 has a first surface on which the display 12 is located and a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface. The first surface faces in the positive direction of the Z axis. The first surface is also referred to as the front surface. The second surface faces in the negative direction of the Z axis. The second surface is also referred to as the back surface. The housing 10 has four side surfaces located between the first and second surfaces: two first side portions 14 extending in the Y axis direction and two second side portions 16 extending in the X axis direction. The Y axis direction is also referred to as the first direction. The X axis direction is also referred to as the second direction. The first side portions 14 are assumed to be longer than the second side portions 16. In other words, the shapes of the first and second surfaces are substantially rectangular, with the sides along the first direction being longer than the sides along the second direction. The first direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The second direction corresponds to the lateral direction of the housing 10. Housing 10 further includes a corner 18 located where first side 14 and second side 16 intersect.

[0012] In this embodiment, the housing 10 has six main surfaces. Each surface of the housing 10 is not limited to a flat surface, but may be a curved surface, including a curved shape. The surfaces of the housing 10 may be connected to each other so as to intersect with each other. The surfaces of the housing 10 may be connected to each other smoothly. The number of main surfaces of the housing 10 is not limited to six. The shape of the housing 10 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, but may be various other shapes.

[0013] The electronic device 1 includes an upper end cover 20 located at the end in the positive direction of the Y axis, and a lower end cover 30 located at the end in the negative direction of the Y axis. The upper end cover 20 and the lower end cover 30 are located along the second side 16 of the housing 10. The upper end cover 20 and the lower end cover 30 are also collectively referred to as end covers.

[0014] The electronic device 1 includes a shock absorbing member 40 located at the end in the positive direction of the Y-axis and a shock absorbing member 50 located at the end in the negative direction of the Y-axis. The shock absorbing members 40 and 50 are located along the first side 14, corner 18, and second side 16 of the housing 10. In other words, the shock absorbing members 40 and 50 extend from the corner 18 of the housing 10 along both the first side 14 and the second side 16.

[0015] The electronic device 1 includes a side cover 61 located at the end in the negative direction of the X-axis and a side cover 62 located at the end in the positive direction of the X-axis. The side covers 61 and 62 are located along the first side 14 of the housing 10.

[0016] The electronic device 1 includes input units 71, 72, and 73 located on the side cover 61, and input units 74 and 75 located on the side cover 62. The input units 71, 72, 73, and 74 are configured as physical buttons. If the electronic device 1 includes a camera, the input unit 74 may be configured as a camera shutter button, for example. The input unit 75 is configured as a fingerprint sensor, for example. The input units 71 to 75 are not limited to these examples and may be configured as various other types of input devices. The number of input units included in the electronic device 1 is not limited to five, but may be four or less, or six or more.

[0017] 2A, upper end cover 20 has fitting portion 21 located at the end facing the negative X-axis direction and fitting portion 22 located at the end facing the positive X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2B, impact absorbing member 40 has protrusions 41 and 42 extending in the negative Y-axis direction at first side portion 14 on the negative X-axis side. Impact absorbing member 40 also has protrusions 45 and 46 extending in the negative Y-axis direction at first side portion 14 on the positive X-axis side.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2C, lower end cover 30 has fitting portion 31 located at the end facing the negative X-axis direction and fitting portion 32 located at the end facing the positive X-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 2D, impact absorbing member 50 has protrusions 51 and 52 extending in the positive Y-axis direction at first side portion 14 on the negative X-axis side. Impact absorbing member 50 also has protrusions 55 and 56 extending in the positive Y-axis direction at first side portion 14 on the positive X-axis side. In other words, the tip of impact absorbing member 50 on the side extending along first side portion 14 is bifurcated.

[0019] In other words, the ends of the shock absorbing members 40 and 50 that extend along the first side portion 14 are bifurcated. Furthermore, the shock absorbing members 40 and 50 extend along the first side portion 14 from each of two corners 18 located at both ends of the second side portion 16 of the housing 10. The ends of the shock absorbing members 40 and 50 that extend from the corners 18 along the first side portion 14 are bifurcated.

[0020] (Assembly procedure for the housing 10) 3 and 4A, 4B, and 4C, the assembly procedure of the top end cover 20, the shock absorbing member 40, and the side cover 61 at the end of the electronic device 1 in the positive Y-axis direction will be described.

[0021] 3 and 4A, as step (1) indicated by the dashed arrow, upper end cover 20 is attached from the front side to the end of housing 10 in the positive Y-axis direction. Upper end cover 20 has fitting portion 21 located at the end in the negative X-axis direction and fitting portion 22 located at the end in the positive X-axis direction.

[0022] 3 and 4B, as step (2) indicated by the dashed arrows, shock absorbing member 40 is attached to housing 10 from the positive side of the Y-axis toward the negative side of the Y-axis so as to secure upper end cover 20. Shock absorbing member 40 has protrusions 41 and 42 that extend bifurcated along first side portion 14 on the negative side of the X-axis, and protrusions 45 and 46 that extend bifurcated along first side portion 14 on the positive side of the X-axis. Shock absorbing member 40 has branched portion 44 from which protrusions 41 and 42 branch, and branched portion 48 from which protrusions 45 and 46 branch. Shock absorbing member 40 has joint portion 43 located between protrusions 41 and 42, and joint portion 47 located between protrusions 45 and 46.

[0023] The shock absorbing member 40 has branched portions 44 and 48 at positions corresponding to the corners 18 of the housing 10. That is, the shock absorbing member 40 begins to bifurcate at the corners 18. The protrusions 41 and 42 branch into two from the branched portion 44 located at the corners 18 and extend along the corners 18 and the first side portion 14. The protrusions 45 and 46 branch into two from the branched portion 48 located at the corners 18 and extend along the corners 18 and the first side portion 14.

[0024] The shock absorbing member 40 is attached so that the portion surrounded by the branch portion 44, the protrusions 41, and the protrusions 42 fits into the fitting portion 21 of the upper end cover 20. The shock absorbing member 40 is also attached so that the portion surrounded by the branch portion 48, the protrusions 45, and the protrusions 46 fits into the fitting portion 22 of the upper end cover 20. The upper end cover 20 is fixed to the housing 10 by fitting the shock absorbing member 40 into the fitting portions 21 and 22 of the upper end cover 20.

[0025] 3 and 4C , as step (3), side cover 61 on the negative side of the X-axis is attached to housing 10 toward the positive direction of the X-axis so as to fix shock absorbing member 40. Side cover 61 is attached so as to join with joint 43 of shock absorbing member 40. Furthermore, as step (4), as represented by the dashed arrow, screws 63 are attached to screw holes 19 of housing 10. By attaching side cover 61 to housing 10 with screws 63, joint 43 of shock absorbing member 40 is fixed to housing 10 by side cover 61.

[0026] Additionally, a side cover 62 on the X-axis positive side is attached to the housing 10 facing in the X-axis negative direction so as to fix the shock absorbing member 40. The side cover 62 is attached so as to join with the joint 47 of the shock absorbing member 40. The side cover 62 is attached to the housing 10 with screws. By attaching the side cover 62 to the housing 10 with screws, the joint 47 of the shock absorbing member 40 is fixed to the housing 10 by the side cover 62.

[0027] As described above, by fixing the side covers 61 and 62 to the housing 10, the shock absorbing member 40 is fixed to the housing 10 at the joints 43 and 47. Furthermore, by fixing the shock absorbing member 40 to the housing 10, the top end cover 20 is fixed to the housing 10 at the fitting portions 21 and 22. In other words, by fixing the side covers 61 and 62 to the housing 10, the top end cover 20 and the shock absorbing member 40 are fixed to the housing 10 without applying joining members such as screws 63 to the top end cover 20 and the shock absorbing member 40 themselves.

[0028] This concludes the description of the procedure for assembling the cover at the end on the positive Y-axis side of the electronic device 1. The cover is also assembled at the end on the negative Y-axis side of the electronic device 1 using the same procedure.

[0029] (Protection of each component of the electronic device 1 by the shock absorbing members 40 and 50) As shown in FIG. 5 , in a cross-sectional view of the first side portion 14 of the housing 10 on the negative X-axis side, an input portion 71 is provided as an operation key within the side cover 61. The input portion 71 has a tip portion 71A protruding from the side cover 61. The protrusions 41 and 42 of the shock absorbing member 40 each have a tip portion 41A and a tip portion 42A protruding further in the negative X-axis direction than the side cover 61. A line connecting the tip portion 41A and the tip portion 42A of the shock absorbing member 40 extends toward the negative X-axis direction by a length L1 relative to a parallel line passing through the tip portion 71A of the input portion 71. Conversely, the tip portion 71A of the input portion 71 is recessed by a length L1 relative to the tips 41A and 42A of the shock absorbing member 40. Therefore, if the electronic device 1 collides with another object, such as a floor, from the first side portion 14, the tip portion 41A or 42A of the shock absorbing member 40 can protect the input portion 71. The impact absorbing member 40 can protect not only the input portion 71 but also the input portions 72 to 75 in the same manner.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6 , when the electronic device 1 is viewed from the Y-axis positive side, the top cover 20 has a surface 20A located on the front side corresponding to the Z-axis positive side. Furthermore, the protrusion 45 of the shock absorbing member 40 has a tip 45A protruding toward the Z-axis positive side. The tip 45A of the protrusion 45 of the shock absorbing member 40 protrudes toward the Z-axis positive side from the surface 20A of the top cover 20 by a length represented by L2. Conversely, the surface 20A of the top cover 20 is recessed toward the Z-axis negative side from the tip 45A of the protrusion 45 of the shock absorbing member 40. Furthermore, the surface 20A of the top cover 20 is recessed toward the Z-axis negative side from the tip of the protrusion 41 of the shock absorbing member 40. Therefore, if the electronic device 1 collides from the front side with another object, such as a floor, the protrusion 45 or 41 of the shock absorbing member 40 can protect the top cover 20. Furthermore, the protrusion 51 or 55 of the impact absorbing member 50 located on the negative Y-axis side can protect the lower end cover 30.

[0031] 6, the shock absorbing member 40 appears X-shaped because it is bifurcated at both ends when the housing 10 is viewed from the second side portion 16. This appearance of the shock absorbing member 40 can improve the aesthetic appearance of the electronic device 1 as a whole.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7 , in a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 from the positive Y-axis side, the display 12 has a surface 12A located on the front side corresponding to the positive Z-axis side. The tip 45A of the protrusion 45 of the shock-absorbing member 40 protrudes from the surface 12A of the display 12 in the positive Z-axis direction by a length represented by L3. Conversely, the surface 12A of the display 12 is recessed in the negative Z-axis direction from the tip 45A of the protrusion 45 of the shock-absorbing member 40. Furthermore, the surface 12A of the display 12 is recessed in the negative Z-axis direction from the tip of the protrusion 41 of the shock-absorbing member 40. Therefore, if the electronic device 1 collides with another object, such as a floor, from the front side, the protrusion 45 or 41 of the shock-absorbing member 40 can protect the display 12. Furthermore, the protrusion 51 or 55 of the shock-absorbing member 50, located in the negative Y-axis direction, can protect the display 12.

[0033] The Z-axis direction is also referred to as the third direction. The Z-axis intersects the X-axis and the Y-axis. Therefore, the third direction intersects the first direction and the second direction. The protrusion 45 of the shock absorbing member 40 protrudes from the surface 12A of the display 12 along the third direction.

[0034] The display 12 may further include a protective film 13 attached to the surface 12A. The display 12 can be further protected by the protective film 13. The surface of the protective film 13 is recessed toward the negative Z-axis direction relative to the tips of the protrusions 41 and 45 of the shock absorbing member 40 and the protrusions 51 and 55 of the shock absorbing member 50 on the positive Z-axis direction side. Therefore, the shock absorbing member 40 or 50 can also protect the protective film 13.

[0035] 8 , in a plan view of the side cover 61, at least a portion of the input portion 71 may be located between the protruding portion 41 and the protruding portion 42 of the impact absorbing member 40. In other words, each of the two protruding portions 41 and 42 branched from the branch portion 44 of the impact absorbing member 40 may protrude in the second direction further than at least a portion of the input portion 71 located between the protruding portions 41 and 42 on the first side portion 14.

[0036] The protrusions 41 and 42 extend in the negative direction of the Y axis. The portion of the protrusions 41 and 42 that protrudes the furthest in the negative direction of the Y axis is the tip 42B of the protrusion 42. Meanwhile, the input unit 71 has an end 71B on the positive side of the Y axis. The end 71B of the input unit 71 on the positive side of the Y axis may be located on the positive side of the Y axis when viewed from the tip 42B of the protrusion 42. The distance along the Y axis between the end 71B of the input unit 71 and the tip 42B of the protrusion 42 is represented by L4. By positioning at least a portion of the input unit 71 between the protrusions 41 and 42, the protrusion 41 or 42 of the shock absorbing member 40 can protect the input unit 71 if the first side 14 of the electronic device 1 collides with another object, such as a floor.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9 , the protrusion 42 has a tip 42C that protrudes the furthest toward the negative X-axis side. The input portion 71 has a tip 71C on the positive Y-axis side of the portion that protrudes further toward the negative X-axis side than the side cover 61 in a side view of the side cover 61. The distance along the Y-axis from tip 42C to tip 71C is represented by L5. The longer L5 is, the greater the impact that may be transmitted to the input portion 71 when the first side portion 14 receives an impact. Conversely, the impact transmitted to the input portion 71 may be reduced by shortening L5.

[0038] 10 , in a cross-sectional view of the side cover 61, the joint 43 of the shock absorbing member 40 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the side cover 61, thereby fixing the shock absorbing member 40 to the housing 10. The side cover 61 is fixed to the screw hole 19 of the housing 10 with a screw 63. On the other hand, the shock absorbing member 40 is fixed to the housing 10 without using a joint member such as a screw. In other words, the shock absorbing member 40 is fastened to the housing 10 by the side cover 61.

[0039] (summary) As described above, the electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes shock absorbing members 40 and 50, each having a bifurcated tip, at the end of the housing 10. The bifurcated protrusions 41, 45, 51, and 55 of the shock absorbing members 40 and 50 protrude forward beyond the surface 12A of the display 12, ensuring the shock resistance of the electronic device 1. Furthermore, the input unit 71 and other components are disposed between the protrusions 41 and 42 on the first side 14 of the housing 10, ensuring the shock resistance of the components. Furthermore, the side cover 61 or 62 is fixed to the housing 10 with screws between the protrusions 41 and 42 on the first side 14 of the housing 10, improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the input unit 71 or 72 on the first side 14.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the shock absorbing member 40 is connected between the two corners 18 located at both ends of the second side portion 16 of the housing 10. The shock absorbing member 40 may be configured as two separate members separated between the two corners 18. Specifically, the shock absorbing member 40 may have a portion extending from one of the two corners 18 at both ends of the second side portion 16 along the first side portion 14 and a portion extending along the second side portion 16. The tip of the portion extending along the second side portion 16 does not reach the other corner 18. In other words, the shock absorbing member 40 may be divided into two members corresponding to the two corners 18 at both ends of the second side portion 16 of the housing 10. This increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the components of the electronic device 1 and the degree of freedom in the design of the electronic device 1.

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0042] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, the configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers exchanged. For example, the first surface can exchange the identifiers "first" and "second" with the second surface. The exchange of identifiers is performed simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the exchange of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which an identifier has been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The descriptions of identifiers such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number.

[0043] In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a housing having a first side portion extending along a first direction and a second side portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a shock absorbing member extending from a corner where the first side portion and the second side portion intersect along both the first side portion and the second side portion, wherein the tip of the shock absorbing member extending along the first side portion is bifurcated.

[0044] (2) In the electronic device of (1) above, the shock absorbing member may have a bifurcated tip extending along the first side from each of the two corners located at both ends of the second side.

[0045] (3) In the electronic device of (2) above, the shock absorbing member may be bifurcated at both ends when the housing is viewed from the second side portion.

[0046] (4) In any one of the electronic devices (1) to (3) above, the shock absorbing member may have a branching portion that begins to branch into two at the corner, and a protrusion that branches into two from the branching portion and extends along the corner and the first side portion.

[0047] (5) The electronic device of (4) above may further include an end cover and a side cover. The end cover may have a fitting portion that fits into the branch portion of the shock absorbing member and be fixed by the shock absorbing member at the fitting portion. The shock absorbing member may have a joint portion that is located between the protrusions and joins to the side cover and be fixed by the end cover at the joint portion.

[0048] (6) In the electronic device of (4) or (5), the housing may have a display, and one of the two protrusions branched from the branch portion that is located closer to the surface of the display may protrude beyond the surface of the display along a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction.

[0049] (7) In any one of the electronic devices (4) to (6) above, each of the two protrusions branching from the branching portion may protrude in the second direction beyond at least a portion of the input portion located between the protrusions on the first side portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Electronic equipment 2. Control Unit 10 housing (14: first side portion, 16: second side portion, 18: corner portion, 19: screw hole) 12 Display (12A: surface, 13: protective film) 20 Upper end cover (20A: surface, 21, 22: fitting portion) 30 Lower end cover (31, 32: fitting portion) 40 Impact absorbing member 41, 42, 45, 46 Protruding parts (41A, 42A, 42C, 45A: thickness direction tip, 42B: protruding direction tip) 43, 47 joint 44, 48 Branch 50 Impact absorbing member 51, 52, 55, 56 protrusion 53, 57 joint 54, 58 Branch 61, 62 Side cover 63 Screw 71 to 75 Input section (71A: tip section, 71B, 71C: end sections)

Claims

1. a housing having a first side portion positioned along a first direction and a second side portion positioned along a second direction intersecting the first direction; an impact absorbing member extending from a corner where the first side portion and the second side portion intersect along both the first side portion and the second side portion; Equipped with an end of the shock absorbing member on the side extending along the first side portion being bifurcated into two;

2. 2 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member has a bifurcated tip extending from each of the two corners located at both ends of the second side portion along the first side portion.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the shock absorbing member is bifurcated at both ends when the housing is viewed from the second side.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing member has a branched portion that begins to branch into two at the corner, and a protruding portion that branches into two from the branched portion and extends along the corner and the first side portion.

5. Further comprising end covers and side covers; the end cover has a fitting portion that fits into the branch portion of the impact absorbing member, and is fixed by the impact absorbing member at the fitting portion; The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the shock absorbing member has a joint portion that is positioned between the protrusions and joins to the side cover, and is fixed by the side cover at the joint portion.

6. the housing has a display; 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the protrusion that is located on the surface side of the display, of the two protrusions that branch off from the branch portion, protrudes beyond the surface of the display along a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction.

7. 5 . The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein each of the two protrusions branched from the branch portion protrudes in the second direction beyond at least a portion of the input portion located between the protrusions on the first side portion.

Images