electronic machines

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus capable of suppressing damage to a display unit.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus of the present disclosure, which can be used in a plurality of use states, includes: a display unit; a first housing having a first main surface, and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, which has a frame surrounding the display unit and exposing the display surface of the display unit from the first main surface; and a second housing having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface, which is rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge. The use states include: a first state where the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the first main surface and the third main surface face each other; a second state where the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the second main surface and the fourth main surface face each other; and a third state between the first and second states. The first housing has a first protrusion between a first end portion connected to the second housing via a hinge and the display unit, which protrudes from the first main surface beyond the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device in which a liquid crystal display device is attached to a main body case by a support mechanism that can rotate by 180 degrees or more.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The information processing device described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in preventing damage to the liquid crystal display screen.

[0005] This disclosure provides an electronic device capable of preventing damage to a display unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to an aspect of this disclosure is an electronic device that can be used in a plurality of usage states, a display unit, a first housing having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the first housing surrounding the display unit and having a frame that exposes the display surface of the display unit from the first main surface, a second housing having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface, the second housing being rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge, and comprising The aforementioned usage state includes a first state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the first main surface and the third main surface face each other, a second state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the second main surface and the fourth main surface face each other, and a third state between the first state and the second state. The first housing has a first projection that protrudes from the first main surface beyond the display portion between the first end of the frame, which is connected to the second housing via the hinge, and the display portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide electronic equipment that can prevent damage to the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing electronic equipment according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure [Figure 2] Perspective view showing the closed state of the electronic device in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the tablet state of the electronic device. [Figure 4] Side view showing the clamshell state of the electronic device in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Enlarged view of region R1 in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a side view showing the closed state of the electronic device. [Figure 7] Enlarged view of region R2 in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Enlarged view of region R3 in Figure 6. [Figure 9] Side view showing an electronic device in tablet mode placed on a desk with the first enclosure facing downwards. [Figure 10] Enlarged view of region R4 in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electronic device in tablet mode, with the frame omitted. [Figure 12] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view (AA) of the electronic device in tablet form. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Background of the Present Disclosure) In electronic devices such as laptop computers, a first housing having a display device such as a liquid crystal screen and a second housing having an input device such as a keyboard are rotatably connected via a hinge. Among such electronic devices, there is also a convertible type that can rotate the first housing and the second housing 360 degrees.

[0010] A convertible type electronic device can be used in a plurality of usage states. The usage states of the electronic device include, for example, a closed state in which the first housing and the second housing are at a 0-degree position so that the input device and the display device are not exposed, and a tablet state in which the first housing and the second housing are rotated to a 360-degree position so that the input device and the display device are exposed. Also, in the case of a convertible type electronic device, the first housing and the second housing can maintain an arbitrary angle between the closed state and the tablet state.

[0011] When a convertible type electronic device is used in the tablet state, a display device such as a liquid crystal screen is in a state of being exposed to the outside. When the electronic device is temporarily placed on a desk, the display device may come into contact with the desk and the display device may be damaged.

[0012] Therefore, the present inventors have studied an electronic device capable of suppressing damage to the display device even when used in the tablet state, and have reached the following invention.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description does not limit the present disclosure, but is essentially only an example and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. The drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension etc. do not necessarily match the actual ones.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) [Overall Configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic device 1 of Figure 1 in the closed state. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the electronic device 1 of Figure 1 in the tablet state.

[0015] In the following explanation, the X direction in each figure may also be referred to as the width direction, the Y direction as the thickness direction, and the Z direction as the depth direction.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is, for example, a laptop PC. The electronic device 1 comprises a display unit 11, a first housing 10, and a second housing 20. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are rotatably connected via a hinge 30. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are connected via two hinges 30.

[0017] The first housing 10 houses the display unit 11. The first housing 10 has a first main surface 12 and a second main surface 13 opposite to the first main surface 12. The first housing 10 also has a frame 14 that surrounds the display unit 11 and exposes the display surface of the display unit 11 from the first main surface 12.

[0018] The second housing 20 has a third main surface 22 and a fourth main surface 23 opposite to the third main surface 22. In this embodiment, the second housing 20 can house, for example, an input device 21 such as a keyboard, and devices such as a central processing unit (CPU), volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (ROM, SSD, etc.), and a battery. The non-volatile memory (ROM, SSD, etc.) stores an operating system (OS), various application programs, various data, etc. The central processing unit (CPU) is configured to realize various functions by reading the OS, application programs, and various data and executing calculations.

[0019] The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be formed from a metal such as a magnesium alloy, or from a synthetic resin, etc.

[0020] The display unit 11 includes, for example, a touch panel display capable of receiving touch operations from a user, and is composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc.

[0021] Since the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are rotatably connected via a hinge 30, the electronic device 1 can be used in a range of states, including the closed state (first state) shown in Figure 2, the tablet state (second state) shown in Figure 3, and the clamshell state (third state) between the closed state and the tablet state shown in Figure 1.

[0022] In the clamshell configuration shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 1 can be used by placing it on a desk, for example, and performing input operations on the electronic device 1 using an input device 21 such as a keyboard. In the clamshell configuration, the angle θ1 between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is maintained at, for example, 135 degrees. In the clamshell configuration, the angle θ1 between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is not limited to 135 degrees, but can be any angle that causes the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 to move away from each other in the rotational direction.

[0023] In the closed state shown in Figure 2, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are positioned so that the first main surface 12 of the first housing 10 and the third main surface 22 of the second housing 20 face each other. In the closed state, the angle between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is 0 degrees. By closing the electronic device 1, the display unit 11 and the input device 21 can be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, for example, when the electronic device 1 is placed in a bag or the like for carrying, incorrect operations can be prevented from being input from the display unit 11 and the input device 21.

[0024] In the tablet configuration shown in Figure 3, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are positioned so that the second main surface 13 of the first housing 10 and the fourth main surface 23 of the second housing 20 face each other. In the tablet configuration, the angle θ2 between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is 360 degrees. By configuring the electronic device 1 as a tablet, the display unit 11 and the input device 21 are exposed to the outside. By configuring the electronic device 1 as a tablet, the user can use the electronic device 1 as a tablet terminal, for example, by touching the display unit 11.

[0025] Figure 4 is a side view showing the clamshell state of the electronic device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of region R1 in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first housing 10 has a first projection 15 that protrudes from the first main surface 12 beyond the display unit 11 between the first end 10a, which is connected to the second housing 20 via a hinge 30, and the display unit 11. The first end 10a refers to the end of the first housing 10 on the hinge 30 side. More specifically, in the first housing 10, the first projection 15 is provided along the periphery of the portion of the frame 14 on the hinge 30 side. The first projection 15 is a semi-cylindrical projection extending in the width direction (X direction) formed on the portion of the frame 14 on the hinge 30 side. As shown in Figure 5, the first projection 15 protrudes in the direction from the second main surface 13 toward the first main surface (direction of arrow A1 in Figure 5). More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the first projection 15 protrudes in the direction of arrow A1 from the first main surface 12 of the first housing 10 at a height of distance d1.

[0026] Figure 6 is a side view showing the closed state of the electronic device 1 in Figure 2. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of region R2 in Figure 6. The first projection 15 has an arc-shaped cross-section centered on the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30 when cut by a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30. As shown in Figure 7, the first projection 15 is formed such that its surface overlaps with a circle C1 centered on the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30. The first projection 15 having an arc-shaped cross-section centered on the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30 allows the first housing 10 to rotate more smoothly relative to the second housing 20.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, a recess 24 is formed on the third main surface 22 of the second housing 20, on the side of the third end 20a that connects to the first housing 10 via the hinge 30. The third end 20a refers to the end of the second housing 20 on the hinge 30 side. When the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the first projection 15 is housed in the recess 24. The recess 24 is not an essential component, and the second housing 20 does not need to have a recess 24 formed therein. The formation of the recess 24 in the second housing 20 prevents the first end 10a of the first housing 10 from interfering with the second housing 20 when the first housing 10 rotates relative to the second housing 20. Furthermore, the formation of the recess 24 in the second housing 20 reduces the thickness t1 (see Figure 7) of the electronic device 1 when it is in the closed state, contributing to the miniaturization of the electronic device 1.

[0028] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of region R3 in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, in this embodiment, the first housing 10 has a second projection 16. The second projection 16 is located on the first main surface 12, on the side of the second end 10b opposite to the first end 10a of the first housing 10, and its thickness increases from the first end 10a to the second end 10b, protruding from the first main surface 12 beyond the display unit 11. As shown in Figure 8, the first housing 10 has a second projection 16 on the side of the second end 10b of the frame 14, which protrudes beyond the portion of the first main surface 12 where the display unit 11 is located. The second projection 16 is formed to be thicker than the portion of the first housing 10 where the display unit 11 is located. Specifically, in the first housing 10, the thickness t2 of the portion where the display unit 11 is located is smaller than the thickness t3 of the second end 10b. Furthermore, the second projection 16 is formed such that its thickness gradually increases along the first main surface 12 towards the second end 10b. The provision of the second projection 16 allows the display unit 11 to be positioned inside the frame 14, thereby suppressing damage to the display unit 11.

[0029] As shown in Figure 8, the second housing 20 is formed such that the thickness gradually decreases toward the fourth end 20b in the portion opposite to the third end 20a. Specifically, when the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the thickness t4 of the portion of the second housing 20 facing the display unit 11 (thickness of the second projection 16) is greater than the thickness t5 of the fourth end 20b. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the thickness t1 of the electronic device 1 when it is in the closed state, contributing to the miniaturization of the electronic device 1.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness t6 of the first housing in the portion where the first projection 15 shown in Figure 7 is provided is greater than the thickness t3 of the first housing in the portion where the second projection 16 is provided. That is, in the direction perpendicular to the first main surface 11, the height of the first projection 15 is greater than the height of the second projection 16.

[0031] Figure 9 is a side view showing that the electronic device 1 in tablet mode is placed on the desk 40 with the first housing 10 facing downwards. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of area R4 in Figure 9.

[0032] When a user is using the electronic device 1 in tablet mode, the electronic device 1 may be placed on a desk 40 or the like with the first housing 10 facing downwards, as shown in Figure 9. At this time, the first main surface 12 of the first housing 10 will come into contact with the desk 40. In this embodiment, since the first projection 15 and the second projection 16 are formed on the first main surface 12 side of the first housing 10, a gap S1 is formed between the display unit 11 and the desk 40, as shown in Figure 10. Therefore, when the electronic device 1 in tablet mode is placed on the desk 40 with the first housing 10 facing downwards, it is possible to prevent the display unit 11 from coming into direct contact with the desk 40. This makes it possible to prevent scratches on the surface of the display unit 11.

[0033] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the electronic device 1 in tablet mode as shown in Figure 3, with the frame 14 omitted. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view AA of the electronic device 1 in tablet mode as shown in Figure 3. The electronic device 1 may further include a substrate 50, as shown in Figure 11. An example of the substrate 50 is a substrate that includes a circuit for controlling the display unit 11.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12, the first projection 15 has a space S2 formed inside it that can accommodate a substrate 50. The substrate 50 is positioned inside the space S2 at an angle with respect to the first main surface 12. Because the substrate 50 can be positioned ingeniously within the space S2 inside the first projection 15, it is not necessary to provide a separate space for the substrate 50, which contributes to the miniaturization of the electronic device 1.

[0035] [effect] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0036] Electronic device 1 is an electronic device that can be used in multiple operating states. Electronic device 1 comprises a display unit 11, a first housing 10, and a second housing 20. The first housing 10 has a first main surface 12 and a second main surface 13 opposite to the first main surface 12, and has a frame 14 that surrounds the display unit 11 and exposes the display surface of the display unit 11 from the first main surface 12. The second housing 20 has a third main surface 22 and a fourth main surface 23 opposite to the third main surface 22, and is rotatably connected to the first housing 10 via a hinge 30. The operating states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. In the first state, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are arranged so that the first main surface 12 and the third main surface 22 face each other. In the second state, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are arranged so that the second main surface 13 and the fourth main surface 23 face each other. The third state is between the first and second states. The first housing 10 has a first projection 15 that protrudes from the first main surface 12 beyond the display unit 11 between the first end 10a, which is connected to the second housing 20 via a hinge 30, and the display unit 11.

[0037] This configuration makes it possible to provide an electronic device that can prevent damage to the display unit. When the electronic device 1 is used in tablet mode (third state), the display unit 11 is exposed. In the embodiment described above, by providing the first projection 15, a gap can be created between the desk and the display unit 11 when the device is placed on a desk or the like, thereby preventing the display unit 11 from coming into contact with the desk or the like and being damaged.

[0038] The first projection 15 may be formed along the periphery of the frame 14.

[0039] This configuration not only prevents damage to the display unit 11 but also suppresses bending of the display unit 11.

[0040] The first projection 15 may have an arc-shaped cross-section centered on the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30 when cut by a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax of the hinge 30.

[0041] This configuration allows for smooth rotation between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

[0042] The first housing 10 may have a second projection 16 on the first main surface 12, on the side of the second end 10b opposite to the first end 10a, where the thickness increases from the first end 10a to the second end 10b, and which protrudes more than the display portion 11 from the first main surface 12.

[0043] This configuration allows the display unit 11 to be positioned inside the frame 14, thereby suppressing damage to the display unit 11.

[0044] A recess 24 may be formed on the third main surface 22 of the second housing 20 at the portion of the third end 20a that connects to the first housing 10 via a hinge 30. The recess 24 may accommodate the first projection 15 when the usage state is the first state.

[0045] This configuration contributes to miniaturizing the electronic device 1.

[0046] The electronic device 1 may further include a circuit board 50 electrically connected to the display unit 11. The first projection 15 has a space formed inside that can accommodate the circuit board 50, and the circuit board 50 may be arranged inside the first projection 15 at an angle with respect to the first main surface 12. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the thickness t1 of the electronic device 1 when it is in a closed state, contributing to the miniaturization of the electronic device 1.

[0047] The height of the first projection 15 in the direction perpendicular to the first main surface may be greater than the height of the second projection 16.

[0048] This configuration makes the display unit 11 less susceptible to damage.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the central processing unit (CPU), volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (ROM, SSD, etc.), and battery are built into the second housing 20, but the invention is not limited to this. The central processing unit (CPU), volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (ROM, SSD, etc.), and battery may be built into either the first housing 10 or the second housing 20.

[0050] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described an example in which the electronic device 1 has two hinges 30, it is not limited to this. The number of hinges connecting the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 may be one or three or more.

[0051] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The electronic device of the present disclosure is an electronic device that can be used in a plurality of usage states, comprising: a first housing having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the first housing having a frame that surrounds a display unit and exposes the display surface of the display unit from the first main surface; and a second housing having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface, and being rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge, the usage states include a first state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the first main surface and the third main surface face each other; a second state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the second main surface and the fourth main surface face each other; and a third state between the first state and the second state, wherein the first housing has a first projection between a first end connected to the second housing via a hinge and the display unit, the projection extending from the first main surface beyond the display unit.

[0052] (2) In the electronic device of (1), the first projection may be formed along the periphery of the frame.

[0053] (3) In the electronic device of (1) or (2), the first projection may have an arc-shaped cross-section centered on the axis of rotation of the hinge when cut by a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[0054] (4) In any one of the electronic devices described in (1) to (3), the first housing may have a second projection on the first main surface, on the portion of the second end opposite to the first end, which increases in thickness from the first end to the second end and protrudes from the first main surface beyond the display portion.

[0055] (5) In the electronic device of (4), the height of the first projection in the direction perpendicular to the first main surface may be greater than the height of the second projection.

[0056] (6) In any one of the electronic devices described in (1) to (5), a recess is formed on the third main surface of the second housing on the third end side that connects to the first housing via a hinge, and the recess may accommodate the first projection when the usage state is the first state.

[0057] (7) Any one of the electronic devices described in (1) to (6) further comprises a circuit board electrically connected to a display unit, wherein the first projection has a space formed inside which the circuit board can be housed, and the circuit board may be arranged inside the first projection at an angle with respect to the first main surface. [Industrial applicability]

[0058] This disclosure is broadly applicable to electronic devices, including laptop computers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Electronic equipment 10. First cabinet 10a 1st end 10b 2nd end 11 Display section 12. First Main Surface 13. Second Main Surface 14 frames 15 1st protrusion 16 Second protrusion 20 Second cabinet 20a Third end 20b 4th end 21 Input device 22 Third Main Surface 23 Fourth Main Surface 24 recesses 30 hinges 50 circuit boards Ax rotation axis S1 Gap S2 Space

Claims

1. An electronic device that can be used in multiple usage states, Display unit and A first housing having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the first housing having a frame that surrounds the display unit and exposes the display surface of the display unit from the first main surface, A second housing having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface, and rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge, Equipped with, The aforementioned usage state includes a first state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the first main surface and the third main surface face each other, a second state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged so that the second main surface and the fourth main surface face each other, and a third state between the first state and the second state. The first housing has a first projection between the first end, which is connected to the second housing via the hinge, and the display portion, which protrudes from the first main surface beyond the display portion. The first housing has a second projection on the first main surface, on the portion of the second end opposite to the first end, which increases in thickness from the first end to the second end and protrudes from the first main surface beyond the display portion. electronic equipment.

2. The first projection is formed along the periphery of the frame, The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The first projection, when cut by a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge, has an arc-shaped cross-section centered on the rotation axis of the hinge. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. The height of the first projection in the direction perpendicular to the first main surface is greater than the height of the second projection. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. A recess is formed in the third main surface of the second housing, on the portion of the third end that connects to the first housing via the hinge. The recess accommodates the first projection when the usage state is the first state. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. The display unit further comprises a circuit board electrically connected to the display unit, The first projection has a space formed inside that can accommodate the substrate. The substrate is arranged inside the first projection, at an inclination with respect to the first main surface. The electronic device according to claim 1.

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