electronic machines

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that enables stable holding and detection of a stored stand. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a housing, a stand rotatably mounted on the housing and changeable between a first position along the housing and a second position protruding from the housing, a magnet provided on the stand, an adsorbent provided on the housing and capable of attracting the magnet of the stand in the first position, and a magnetic sensor provided on the housing and capable of detecting the magnet of the stand in the first position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device provided with a stand.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, portable electronic devices such as notebook PCs and tablet terminals have rapidly spread (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For this type of electronic device, usage modes of operating while held by hand and operating while placed on a desk or knee are assumed. In the usage mode of being placed on a desk or knee, it may also be used in a state where it is stood up using a stand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The stand of Patent Document 1 can be stored and held on the back surface of the housing by using the adsorption force of a magnet when not in use. At this time, if the electronic device can detect the stand in the stored state, it becomes possible to predict the usage mode and control various functions, and the added value and convenience are improved.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device capable of stably holding and detecting a stored stand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a stand rotatably mounted on the housing and changeable between a first position along the housing and a second position protruding from the housing, a magnet provided on the stand, an adsorbent provided on the housing and capable of attracting the magnet of the stand in the first position, and a magnetic sensor provided on the housing and capable of detecting the magnet of the stand in the first position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, stable holding and detection of the stored stand become possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an electronic device according to one embodiment in a closed, 0-degree position. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the electronic device shown in Figure 1 opened and rotated 180 degrees, standing upright on its stand. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the enclosure in a 100-degree orientation. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing a magnified portion of the rear of the enclosure. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the enclosure when the stand is in the usage position. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a side view of the stand shown in Figure 5A in its stored position. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the housing with the suction device mounted when the stand is in the usage position. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a side view of the stand shown in Figure 6A in its stored position. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A is an enlarged view of the adsorbent and its surrounding area shown in Figure 6A. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B is an enlarged view of the adsorbent and its surrounding area shown in Figure 6B. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the electronic device 10 according to one embodiment in a closed, 0-degree position. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the electronic device 10 shown in Figure 1 in an open, 180-degree position, and standing upright on the stand 14.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electronic device 10 of this embodiment may include a housing 11, 12, a stand 14, a hinge 15, and a display 16 (see Figure 4). The electronic device 10 of this embodiment is exemplified by a notebook PC or tablet terminal that can be folded like a book. The electronic device 10 may also be a smartphone or a portable game console, etc. The electronic device 10 may be a tablet terminal, etc., formed as a single plate having only one housing 11 and not the other housing 12.

[0012] The enclosures 11 and 12 are arranged adjacent to each other. Each enclosure 11 and 12 can be formed into a thin, flat box shape. The display 16 is positioned to face the surfaces 11a and 12a of the enclosures 11 and 12. The stand 14 is provided on the rear side 11b of enclosure 11. The stand 14 may also be provided on the rear side 12b of enclosure 12. Various electronic components such as a motherboard with a CPU, a storage device, a battery device, and a communication module are appropriately mounted inside the enclosures 11 and 12.

[0013] The hinge 15 connects the housings 11 and 12 so that they can rotate relative to each other between a 0-degree position and a 180-degree position. The hinge 15 also functions as a spine that hides the gap between adjacent edges 11c and 12c formed in the 0-degree position shown in Figure 1.

[0014] Hereinafter, for the electronic device 10, the width direction of the housings 11 and 12 will be referred to as the X direction, the arrangement direction of the housings 11 and 12 will be referred to as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the housings 11 and 12 will be referred to as the Z direction for explanation. Also, regarding the angular posture between the housings 11 and 12, the state where they are stacked so as to overlap in the plane direction is called the 0-degree posture (see FIG. 1), and the state where they are arranged side by side in the direction (X direction) perpendicular to the plane direction is called the 180-degree posture (see FIG. 2) for explanation. The posture between 0 degrees and 180 degrees can be called with appropriate angular graduations. For example, the state where the plane directions of the housings 11 and 12 are orthogonal to each other is the 90-degree posture. These angles are for convenience of explanation, and it is natural that in an actual product, the angular position may deviate somewhat from the exact angular position indicated by the angular numbers.

[0015] In the 0-degree posture shown in FIG. 1, the housings 11 and 12 are in a folded state. The display 16 can be configured by, for example, a touch-operable paper-like flexible display formed of an organic EL. In the 0-degree posture, the portion of the display 16 straddling the adjacent edges 11c and 12c is bent in a substantially U shape. In the 180-degree posture shown in FIG. 2, the housings 11 and 12 are arranged side by side (vertically in FIG. 2). The surfaces 11a and 12a are arranged on the same plane. In the 180-degree posture, the display 16 is arranged along the surfaces 11a and 12a arranged on the same plane, forming a single flat large screen as a whole. The display 16 may have a dual display structure provided individually on the surfaces 11a and 12a of each housing 11 and 12. The display 16 may be provided on only one of the housings 11 and 12.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the stand 14 and its peripheral part will be described.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the state where the housings 11 and 12 are in a 100-degree posture. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view enlarging a part of the rear surface 11b of the housing 11. The angles around 100 degrees shown in FIG. 3 are modes (notebook mode) suitable for using the electronic device 10 as a general clamshell-type notebook PC. Note that the 180-degree posture shown in FIG. 2 is a mode (tablet mode) suitable for using the electronic device 10 as a large-screen tablet terminal or display device.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the stand 14 is provided on the rear surface 11b of the housing 11. The stand 14 of the present embodiment is a so-called kickstand. The stand 14 is connected to the housing 11 so as to be relatively rotatable via a predetermined hinge. In the present embodiment, a U-shaped stand 14 is illustrated. The shape of the stand 14 may of course be other than U-shaped, for example, a plate shape, a bar shape, or the like.

[0019] The housing 11 preferably has a storage recess 18 on the rear surface 11b that can store the stand 14. The storage recess 18 is a storage hole for the stand 14. The storage recess 18 has substantially the same shape as the stand 14 in plan view and has the same depth as or slightly greater than the thickness of the stand 14.

[0020] The stand 14 has stand hinges 14a attached to both ends of the U-shape. The stand hinge 14a can be changed between a storage position (first position) where the stand 14 is stored in the storage recess 18 and a use position (second position) protruding from the rear surface 11b. In the storage position, the stand 14 is buried in the storage recess 18 and has a posture along the rear surface 11b (see FIG. 1). At this time, the surface of the stand 14 is preferably arranged flush with the rear surface 11b. In the use position, the stand 14 can hold the electronic device 10 in a standing posture by the leg portion 14b extending in the X direction abutting on a desk surface or the like (see FIG. 2). The leg portion 14b is a rod-shaped portion extending in the X direction on the side opposite to the stand hinge 14a side.

[0021] The stand 14 is equipped with magnets 20. The magnets 20 are provided, for example, near both ends along the longitudinal direction of the leg portion 14b. The magnets 20 are attracted to the adsorbent body 22, which will be described later, and are used to hold the stand 14 in the storage position. The magnets 20 are also the target of detection by the magnetic sensor 24, which will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the housing 11 can be equipped with a suction body 22, a magnetic sensor 24, a proximity sensor 26, an antenna 28, and a control unit 30.

[0023] The suction body 22, magnetic sensor 24, proximity sensor 26, and antenna 28 may be positioned on the bottom surface of the storage recess 18 or on the underside of the bottom surface. These are positioned, for example, along the edge 11d of the housing 11 opposite to the adjacent edge 11c. The suction body 22, magnetic sensor 24, proximity sensor 26, and antenna 28 are provided, for example, in pairs. These are provided, for example, near both ends of the storage recess 18 that extends in the X direction along the edge 11d.

[0024] The suction body 22 is positioned facing the bottom surface of the storage recess 18. The suction body 22 is positioned near both ends in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the portion along the edge 11d of the storage recess 18. The suction body 22 is a component that can be attracted to the magnet 20 of the stand 14 in the storage position. The suction body 22 can be made of a metal plate formed of a material that attracts to the magnet 20. The material of the suction body 22 is, for example, stainless steel (SUS) or steel. In this embodiment, the suction body 22 is formed of a rectangular SUS plate. A cutout hole 22a is formed in a part of the suction body 22 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate (see Figure 4). The cutout hole 22a serves as the installation space for the magnetic sensor 24.

[0025] The magnetic sensor 24 is inserted, for example, into the cutout hole 22a of the adsorbent body 22 and positioned to face the bottom surface of the storage recess 18. The magnetic sensor 24 is a sensor capable of detecting magnetic force, such as a Hall sensor. The magnetic sensor 24 can detect the magnet 20 of the stand 14 in the storage position. Reference numeral 24a in Figure 4 is a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the magnetic sensor 24 is mounted (see also Figure 5A).

[0026] The proximity sensor 26 is provided integrally with, for example, the antenna 28. The proximity sensor 26 is a sensor capable of detecting an object 32 approaching the housing 11. The object 32 to be detected by the proximity sensor 26 is a human body. The proximity sensor 26 is, for example, a capacitive proximity sensor. A capacitive proximity sensor is a non-contact type sensor that utilizes an electric field and can non-contactually detect the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined detection range. The proximity sensor 26 may be configured integrally with the magnetic sensor 24. In this case, the proximity sensor 26 and the magnetic sensor 24 may be configured with their respective functions mounted on a single IC. For example, the IC incorporating the functions of sensors 24 and 26 may be mounted on a printed circuit board 24a, and this IC may be placed in a cutout hole 22a. The antenna 28 may be made of a printed circuit board 24a, and the above IC may be mounted on it.

[0027] The antenna 28 is provided, for example, near the corners at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion 11d. The antenna 28 is formed in a substantially L-shape in a plan view, for example. The antenna 28 is an antenna element capable of receiving and transmitting predetermined radio waves. The antenna 28 of this embodiment can be used, for example, for transmitting and receiving WWAN (Wireless WAN). The antenna 28 is connected to a WWAN-compatible communication module mounted, for example, inside the housing 11.

[0028] The control unit 30 controls various functions of the electronic device 10. The control unit 30 is connected by wiring to at least the magnetic sensor 24, the proximity sensor, and the antenna 28. These wires are illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 4. The control unit 30 can perform predetermined controls based on the detection results of the magnetic sensor 24 and the proximity sensor 26. The control unit 30 may be implemented by having a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software; by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0029] For example, the control unit 30 can determine that a human body is within a predetermined distance when the proximity sensor 26 detects an object 32, and can perform control to suppress the output of the antenna 28. For example, the control unit 30 can exclude the detection of the stand 14 by the proximity sensor 26 when the magnetic sensor 24 detects the magnet 20 of the stand 14 in its stored position. This prevents the control unit 30 from mistakenly identifying the stand 14 as a human body and suppressing the output of the antenna 28 when the proximity sensor 26 detects the stand 14. Also, for example, the control unit 30 can determine that the stand 14 is in use when the magnetic sensor 24 does not detect the magnet 20 of the stand 14 in its stored position. In this case, the control unit 30 can perform control such as orienting the display direction of the display 16 in the Y direction. The control unit 30 may also perform audio control switching, camera control, etc., based on the detection results of the magnetic sensor 24 and the proximity sensor 26.

[0030] Next, the rotational movement of the stand 14 and the detection operation of the stand 14 by the magnetic sensor 24 will be described. Figure 5A is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the housing 11 when the stand 14 is in the usage position. Figure 5B is a side view of the stand 14 shown in Figure 5A when it is in the stored position.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the magnet 20 of the stand 14 is positioned such that, for example, the north pole 20N faces the storage recess 18 and the south pole 20S faces the back. The positions of the north pole 20N and south pole 20S may be reversed. The north pole 20N and south pole 20S may also be positioned so that they are aligned in the Y direction in the figures. The magnetic sensor 24 is positioned to detect the back side 11b of the housing 11. The white arrows in Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the detection direction of the magnetic sensor 24, and the same applies to Figures 6A to 7B.

[0032] In the usage position shown in Figure 5A, the magnet 20 is outside the detection range of the magnetic sensor 24. In other words, the magnetic sensor 24 does not detect the magnet 20. Therefore, for example, the control unit 30 can control the display direction of the display 16 to face the Y direction. The control unit 30 can also perform controls such as disabling the control to turn off the display 16 after a predetermined time has elapsed, or disabling the switching to the screen saver.

[0033] The stand 14, in its operating position, can be closed to its storage position, for example, by a person. When the stand 14 is closed almost to its storage position, the magnet 20 attracts the suction body 22. As a result, the stand 14 can be smoothly closed to its storage position by the force of the magnet 20, and a moderate clicking sensation is also obtained.

[0034] In the storage position shown in Figure 5B, the magnet 20 is within the detection range of the magnetic sensor 24. In other words, the magnetic sensor 24 can detect the magnet 20. Therefore, the control unit 30 can determine that the stand 14 is in the storage position and within the detection range of the proximity sensor 26. Thus, the control unit 30 can, for example, when the electronic device 10 is being used in the notebook mode shown in Figure 3, perform control that excludes the stand 14 from the detection target of the proximity sensor 26. For example, when the electronic device 10 in notebook mode as shown in Figure 3 is placed on a desk, the control unit 30 can avoid misidentifying the stand 14 as a human body and suppressing the output of the antenna 28. In this case, it can also perform control to increase the output of the antenna 28. As a result, the electronic device 10 can maintain high communication quality. Furthermore, the control unit 30 can also perform control to suppress the output of the antenna 28 when the proximity sensor 26 detects that an object 32, for example, a human body, has approached the antenna 28.

[0035] The stand 14 always operates in a constant manner around the stand hinge 14a as its axis of rotation, and is positioned in the same location when stored. Therefore, the detection value of the stand 14 detected by the proximity sensor 26 is constant. The electronic device 10 therefore acquires the detection value of the stand 14 in advance and stores it in a predetermined memory. This allows the control unit 30 to exclude this detection value when the stand 14 is closed and within the detection range of the proximity sensor 26.

[0036] In the above example, the suction body 22 on the housing 11 side is shown as being made of a metal plate. As shown in Figures 6A to 7B, the electronic device 10 may use a suction body 34 made of a magnet instead of the suction body 22. Figure 6A is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the housing 11 with the suction body 34 mounted when the stand 14 is in the usage position. Figure 6B is a side view of the stand 14 shown in Figure 6A in the stored position. Figure 7A is an enlarged view of the suction body 34 and its surrounding area shown in Figure 6A. Figure 7B is an enlarged view of the suction body 34 and its surrounding area shown in Figure 6B.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6A to 7B, the adsorbent 34 is a magnet. The adsorbent 34 needs to be able to attract the magnet 20 of the stand 14. The adsorbent 34 has, for example, an N pole 34N and an S pole 34S arranged side by side in the Y direction on the side of the magnetic sensor 24. The adsorbent 34 has, for example, the S pole 34S on the side closer to the magnetic sensor 24 and the N pole 34N on the side further away from the magnetic sensor 24. The S pole 34S is positioned opposite the N pole 20N of the magnet 20 in the storage position. The N pole 34N is positioned not opposite the N pole 20N of the magnet 20 in the storage position.

[0038] In this configuration example as well, the stand 14 can be reliably closed to the storage position by the attractive force between the magnet 20 and the adsorbent 34. Furthermore, in this configuration example as well, the magnet 20 can be detected by the magnetic sensor 24 in the storage position shown in Figure 6B, and various controls can be performed.

[0039] In this configuration example, since the magnetic adsorbent 34 is located near the magnetic sensor 24, it is necessary to prevent the magnetic sensor 24 from falsely detecting the adsorbent 34. The dashed arrows M in Figures 7A and 7B illustrate magnetic field lines. In the usage position shown in Figure 7A, the adsorbent 34 has a magnetic force and arrangement such that the magnetic field lines M do not interfere with the magnetic sensor 24. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 24 does not falsely detect the adsorbent 34. In the storage position shown in Figure 7B, the adsorbent 34 is attracted to the magnet 20. At this time, the magnetic field lines M interfere with the magnetic sensor 24. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 24 can reliably detect the magnet 20 while suppressing false detection of the adsorbent 34.

[0040] As described above, the electronic device 10 of this embodiment includes a stand 14 that is rotatably mounted on the housing 11 and can be changed between a storage position (first position) along the housing 11 and a usage position (second position) protruding from the housing 11. A magnet 20 is provided on the stand 14. Furthermore, the electronic device 10 includes an adsorbent 22 provided on the housing 11 that can attract the magnet 20 (34) of the stand 14 in the first position, and a magnetic sensor 24 that can detect the magnet 20.

[0041] Therefore, the electronic device 10 can stably hold the stand 14 in the storage position by the magnet 20 being attracted to the adsorbent 22 (34). The electronic device 10 can also detect the magnet 20 for holding the stand 14 with the magnetic sensor 24. As a result, the electronic device 10 can detect that the stand 14 is in the storage position and control various functions that predict the usage pattern as described above. For this reason, the electronic device 10 can improve its added value and convenience while having a simple configuration using the magnet 20 and magnetic sensor 24 and a minimum number of parts.

[0042] The adsorbent body 22 may consist of a magnet 20 and an adsorbable metal plate. In this case, the adsorbent body 22 may have a cutout hole 22a into which a magnetic sensor 24 is inserted. This ensures reliable detection of the magnet 20 by the magnetic sensor 24 while maximizing the adsorption area between the adsorbent body 22 and the magnet 20.

[0043] The electronic device 10 may further include a proximity sensor 26 capable of detecting an object 32 approaching the housing 11, and an antenna 28. In this case, the electronic device 10 can also control the output of the antenna 28 in response to the detection of the stand 14 by the magnetic sensor 24 and the detection of the object 32 by the proximity sensor 26.

[0044] The adsorbent body 22(34), magnetic sensor 24, proximity sensor 26, and antenna 28 may be positioned on the edge 11d of the housing 11. In this case, the stand 14 in the storage position should be positioned so as to overlap at least the adsorbent body 22(34) and magnetic sensor 24 in the Z direction. This allows the electronic device 10 to reliably attract the magnet 20 to the adsorbent body 22(34) and to reliably detect the magnet 20 by the magnetic sensor 24.

[0045] The electronic device 10 of this embodiment is foldable in half like a book. In this case, the stand 14, suction body 22, magnetic sensor 24, proximity sensor 26, and antenna 28 of the electronic device 10 may all be provided on one of the housings 11. That is, the electronic device 10 has all of these components mounted together on one housing 11. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can further enhance its added value and convenience by performing various controls associated with the detection of the stand 14.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be freely modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] The above example illustrates an electronic device 10 that can be folded in half like a book. However, the present invention is applicable to various configurations other than those in which identical housings are folded in half, such as a double-door configuration in which smaller housings are foldably connected to the left and right edges of a larger housing, an S-shaped folding configuration in which housings with different folding directions are connected to the left and right edges of a single housing, and a J-shaped folding configuration in which a smaller housing is foldably connected to one of the left or right edges of a larger housing. The number of connected housings may be four or more. Furthermore, as described above, the present invention can also be used for electronic devices other than those with folding structures. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 10 Electronic equipment 11,12 cabinet 14 Stands 18 Storage recess 20 magnets 22,34 Adsorbent 22a Hole 24 Magnetic Sensors 26 Proximity Sensor 28 Antennas 30 Control Unit

Claims

1. It is an electronic device, The casing and A stand is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing and can be changed between a first position along the housing and a second position protruding from the housing. A magnet provided on the aforementioned stand, An adsorbent body provided in the housing and capable of attracting the magnet of the stand in the first position, A magnetic sensor provided in the housing and capable of detecting the magnet of the stand in the first position, A proximity sensor is provided in the housing and is capable of detecting an object approaching the housing, An electronic device characterized by having the following features.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, Furthermore, the housing is equipped with an antenna. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, The adsorbent, the magnetic sensor, the proximity sensor, and the antenna are arranged on one edge of the housing. In the first position, the stand is positioned to overlap at least with the adsorbent and the magnetic sensor. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, The aforementioned housings are provided in pairs so as to be adjacent to each other, The pair of housings are connected so as to be able to rotate relative to each other between a first orientation in which they are stacked so that their plane directions overlap, and a second orientation in which their plane directions are arranged side by side. The stand, the adsorbent, the magnetic sensor, the proximity sensor, and the antenna are all provided in one of the pair of housings. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

5. An electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, Furthermore, the system includes a control unit that controls the output of the antenna based on the detection results of the proximity sensor and the magnetic sensor. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

6. An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The adsorbent body is composed of a metal plate that can be attracted to the magnet. The adsorbent has a hollowed-out hole into which the magnetic sensor is inserted. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

Images