Cradle and electronic device

Abstract

The present invention provides a cradle and an electronic device with which it is possible to regulate misalignment of the cradle and the electronic device. The cradle can support an electronic device comprising: a main body having a back face spaced apart from a front face, a side face connecting the front and back faces, and a recessed part open to the back and side faces; and a stand member provided on the back face and capable of being moved to a first orientation close to the back face and a second orientation away from the back face, the stand member having a covering part that covers at least a portion of the recessed part when in the first orientation. The cradle comprises: a housing having an opposing face that opposes the back face in the depth direction and a bottom face that opposes the side face when supporting the electronic device; and a raised part that protrudes from the bottom face, apart from the opposing face in the depth direction. When supporting the electronic device, the raised part is positioned inside the recessed part, and the covering part is positioned in the gap between the raised part and the opposing face.

Description

Cradle and Electronics

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a cradle and an electronic device that the cradle can support.

[0002] As an example of such a cradle, a device holder capable of supporting an electronic device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-182852

[0004] There is still room for improvement in the cradle and the electronic device in terms of restricting misalignment between the cradle and the electronic device when the cradle is supporting the electronic device.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a cradle and an electronic device that can regulate positional deviation between the cradle and the electronic device when the cradle is supporting the electronic device.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the cradle according to the present disclosure is a cradle capable of supporting an electronic device, the cradle comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface spaced apart from the front surface and facing away from the front surface, a side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a recessed portion provided at the boundary between the back surface and the side surface and open to the back surface and the side surface; a display portion provided on the front surface; a first connector provided on the side surface; and a stand member provided on the back surface, movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and having a covering portion that covers at least a part of the recessed portion when in the first position; a second connector that connects with the first connector of the electronic device when supporting the electronic device; a housing having an opposing surface that faces the back surface of the main body of the electronic device in a depth direction when supporting the electronic device and a bottom surface that faces the side surface of the main body of the electronic device when supporting the electronic device; and a convex portion that protrudes from the bottom surface and is spaced apart in the depth direction from the opposing surface, When the electronic device is supported, the convex portion is positioned within the concave portion of the main body of the electronic device, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first posture of the electronic device is positioned in the depth direction gap between the convex portion and the opposing surface.

[0007] Furthermore, the electronic device according to the present disclosure is an electronic device that can be supported by a cradle, comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface that is spaced apart from the front surface and faces away from the front surface, a side surface that connects the front surface and the back surface, and a recess that is provided at the boundary between the back surface and the side surface and is open to the back surface and the side surface; a display unit provided on the front surface; a first connector provided on the side surface; and a stand member that is provided on the back surface and is movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and has a covering portion that covers at least a portion of the recess when in the first position; when supported by the cradle, the first connector is connected to a second connector provided on the cradle, a protrusion provided on the cradle is located within the recess, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first position covers at least a portion of the protrusion located within the recess.

[0008] According to the cradle and electronic device support system of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent misalignment between the cradle and the electronic device when the cradle is supporting the electronic device.

[0009] 7 is a front view schematically showing a cradle and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing the electronic device from which the stand member has been removed from FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is a side view schematically showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a schematic side view for explaining insertion of an electronic device into a cradle. FIG. 18 is a schematic side view for explaining insertion of an electronic device into a cradle. FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing a modified example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle capable of supporting an electronic device, the cradle comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface spaced apart from the front surface and facing away from the front surface, a side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a recessed portion provided at a boundary between the back surface and the side surface and open to the back surface and the side surface; a display portion provided on the front surface; a first connector provided on the side surface; and a stand member provided on the back surface, movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and having a covering portion that covers at least a part of the recessed portion when in the first position; a second connector that connects with the first connector of the electronic device when supporting the electronic device; a housing having an opposing surface that faces the back surface of the main body of the electronic device in a depth direction when supporting the electronic device and a bottom surface that faces the side surface of the main body of the electronic device when supporting the electronic device; and a convex portion that protrudes from the bottom surface and is spaced apart in the depth direction from the opposing surface, A cradle is provided in which, when supporting the electronic device, the convex portion is positioned within the concave portion of the main body of the electronic device, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first posture of the electronic device is positioned in the depthwise gap between the convex portion and the opposing surface.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle as described in the first aspect, further comprising a pair of protrusions that protrude from the bottom surface and are inserted into two recesses provided on the side surfaces of the main body of the electronic device when the electronic device is supported, the pair of protrusions are provided at positions that sandwich the second connector in a width direction that intersects the depth direction and follows the bottom surface, each of the pair of protrusions has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that face the other of the pair of protrusions in the width direction, the first inclined surface is located on the base end side of the pair of protrusions and is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the bottom surface, the second inclined surface is located on the tip end side of the pair of protrusions, is continuous with the first inclined surface and is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the bottom surface, and the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the bottom surface is greater than the angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the bottom surface.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle as described in the first or second aspect, further comprising a support portion that supports the convex portion from the bottom surface side, and both side surfaces of the convex portion in a width direction that intersects with the depth direction and follows the bottom surface have an interface at the boundary with the support portion that is inclined with respect to the bottom surface so that the width direction length of the convex portion increases as it approaches the support portion.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the convex portion is a separate member from the housing, and the coefficient of friction of the material of the convex portion is lower than the coefficient of friction of the material of the housing adjacent to the convex portion.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the length of the convex portion in a width direction intersecting the depth direction and along the bottom surface is longer than the length of the second connector in the width direction.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device that can be supported by a cradle, comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface that is spaced apart from the front surface and faces away from the front surface, a side surface that connects the front surface and the back surface, and a recess that is provided at the boundary between the back surface and the side surface and is open to the back surface and the side surface; a display unit provided on the front surface; a first connector provided on the side surface; and a stand member that is provided on the back surface and is movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and has a covering portion that covers at least a portion of the recess when in the first position; when supported by the cradle, the first connector connects to a second connector provided on the cradle, a convex portion provided on the cradle is located within the recess, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first position covers at least a portion of the convex portion located within the recess.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the electronic device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the main body has an internal space, and the recess does not communicate with the internal space.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device as described in the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein when the stand member is in the first position, the pivoting tip of the stand member is close to the side surface, the pivoting tip has a notch cut out toward the pivoting base end, and when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the side surface, the notch overlaps with the recess.

[0018] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device described in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the length of the recess in a width direction intersecting the front surface and along the side surface is longer than the length of the first connector in the width direction.

[0019] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the electronic device according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, wherein an inner edge of the recess is chamfered.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, substantially the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the following uses terms indicating directions such as "up," "down," "horizontal," "vertical," and "height," assuming a state of normal use, but this does not mean to limit the state of use of the cradle and electronic device of the present invention.

[0022] (Embodiment) The configurations of a cradle and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0023] A cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of supporting an electronic device and is electrically connected to the supported electrical device. The cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can function as a charger for charging the supported electronic device. Furthermore, the cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can expand the functionality of the supported electronic device. For example, the expansion of the functionality of the electronic device can be achieved by connecting the electronic device to a wired local area network (LAN) via the cradle. Furthermore, for example, the expansion of the functionality of the electronic device can be achieved by displaying an image displayed on a display unit provided in the electronic device on an external display connected to the cradle.

[0024] The electronic device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is, for example, a game device, a smartphone, a personal computer, etc. The electronic device support system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a system including the cradle and the electronic device, and includes, for example, a game device as the electronic device and a cradle capable of supporting the game device.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a cradle and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic device support system 1 includes a cradle 2 and an electronic device 3. The cradle 2 is capable of supporting the electronic device 3. In Fig. 1, the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3. The electronic device 3 includes a first connector 33 (see Fig. 7), and the cradle 2 includes a second connector 71 (see Figs. 3 and 4). When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 are connected. This electrically connects the cradle 2 and the electronic device 3.

[0027] In this specification and the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the depth direction of the electronic device support system 1 is referred to as the X direction, the width direction of the electronic device support system 1 is referred to as the Y direction, and the height direction of the electronic device support system 1 is referred to as the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. In the Z direction, the bottom side of the groove 4A (see FIG. 2) of the housing 4 of the cradle 2 is referred to as the "bottom," and the opening side of the groove 4A (opposite the bottom side) is referred to as the "top."

[0028] The configuration of the cradle 2 will now be described.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of Fig. 4.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cradle 2 includes a housing 4, a fixed member 5, a bottom member 8, a movable member 6, and a second connector 71.

[0031] In this embodiment, the housing 4 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and includes a groove 4A. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing 4 has an internal space 4M. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 4 includes an upper surface 4B, a lower surface 4C, a front surface 4D, a rear surface 4E, a first side surface 4F, and a second side surface 4G. The upper surface 4B, the lower surface 4C, the front surface 4D, the rear surface 4E, the first side surface 4F, and the second side surface 4G constitute the rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. However, the outer shape of the housing 4 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0032] The upper surface 4B and the lower surface 4C are surfaces that extend in the X and Y directions. The upper surface 4B and the lower surface 4C are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. The upper surface 4B and the lower surface 4C face opposite each other in the Z direction. When the housing 4 is placed on a desk or the like, the lower surface 4C faces the placement surface in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the lower surface 4C has a plurality of feet 41. Each foot 41 protrudes downward from the lower surface 4C. When the housing 4 is placed on a desk or the like, each foot 41 comes into contact with the placement surface. As a result, when the housing 4 is placed on a desk or the like, a gap is created between the lower surface 4C and the placement surface.

[0033] The front surface 4D and the back surface 4E are surfaces that extend in the Y direction and the Z direction. The front surface 4D and the back surface 4E connect the upper surface 4B and the lower surface 4C. The front surface 4D and the back surface 4E are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The front surface 4D and the back surface 4E face in opposite directions in the X direction.

[0034] The first side surface 4F and the second side surface 4G are surfaces that extend in the X direction and the Z direction. The first side surface 4F and the second side surface 4G connect the top surface 4B and the bottom surface 4C. The first side surface 4F and the second side surface 4G connect the front surface 4D and the back surface 4E. The first side surface 4F and the second side surface 4G are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The first side surface 4F and the second side surface 4G face opposite each other in the Y direction.

[0035] A groove 4A is provided on the upper surface 4B. The groove 4A is recessed downward from the upper surface 4B. The groove 4A is provided in the Y direction from the first side surface 4F to the second side surface 4G. In other words, both ends of the groove 4A in the Y direction are open. The groove 4A is composed of a first opposing surface 4H, a second opposing surface 4I, and a bottom surface 4J. The second opposing surface 4I is an example of an opposing surface. The first opposing surface 4H and the second opposing surface 4I extend downward from the upper surface 4B. The first opposing surface 4H and the second opposing surface 4I oppose each other in the X direction. The bottom surface 4J connects the lower end of the first opposing surface 4H to the lower end of the second opposing surface 4I. As described above, in this embodiment, both ends of the groove 4A in the Y direction are open, but at least one end of the groove 4A in the Y direction does not have to be open. For example, in a configuration in which both ends of the groove portion 4A in the Y direction are not open, the surfaces constituting the groove portion 4A include, in addition to the first opposing surface 4H, the second opposing surface 4I, and the bottom surface 4J, a surface that defines one end in the Y direction and a surface that defines the other end in the Y direction.

[0036] 4 and 5, the lower surface 4C has air intake ports 4K. The air intake ports 4K are a plurality of through holes arranged in the X and Y directions on the lower surface 4C. The air intake ports 4K communicate between the outside of the housing 4 and the internal space 4M.

[0037] The bottom surface 4J has two exhaust ports 4La and 4Lb. Each of the two exhaust ports 4La and 4Lb connects the internal space 4M to the outside of the housing 4. The exhaust port 4La is located on one side relative to the fixed member 5 in the Y direction. The exhaust port 4Lb is located on the other side relative to the fixed member 5 in the Y direction.

[0038] The configuration of the intake port 4K and the exhaust ports 4La, 4Lb, such as their shapes, numbers, positions, and sizes, is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the fixed member 5 and the bottom member 8 are fixed to the housing 4. The bottom surface 4J of the housing 4 is separated into two parts via a gap provided in the center of the housing 4 in the Y direction. The fixed member 5 and the bottom member 8 are disposed in this gap. The fixed member 5 and the bottom member 8 are located between the two exhaust ports 4La, 4Lb in the Y direction. The bottom member 8 is supported on the back surface of the lower surface 4C of the housing 4.

[0040] The fixed member 5, the bottom member 8, and the housing 4 are each separate members. The fixed member 5 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the material of the housing 4 adjacent to the fixed member 5. The material of the fixed member 5 is, for example, a resin composed of PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) to which a sliding modifier has been added, and the material of the housing 4 is, for example, a resin composed of PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The fixed member 5 may be molded integrally with the housing 4. Alternatively, the fixed member 5 may be made of the same material as the housing 4 but formed as a separate member from the housing 4.

[0041] The fixing member 5 includes a support portion 51 and a protrusion 52. In this embodiment, the support portion 51 and the protrusion 52 are integrally molded.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the support portion 51 is fitted into the gap between the two bottom surfaces 4J. This divides the internal space 4M into three parts: parts located below each of the two bottom surfaces 4J, and a part surrounded by the support portion 51. Although not visible in Figures 4 and 5, a through-hole is provided in the side wall 51A of the support portion 51. Therefore, the three parts of the internal space 4M are interconnected.

[0043] When viewed along the Z direction, a space 5A is formed between the support portion 51 and the first opposing surface 4H. The space 5A penetrates the support portion 51 in the Z direction. The movable member 6 is located in the space 5A.

[0044] The support portion 51 has a step portion 511. The step portion 511 is located higher than other portions of the support portion 51. It is to be noted that the support portion 51 does not necessarily have to have the step portion 511.

[0045] The protrusion 52 has an end portion on the bottom surface 4J side supported by the support portion 51. That is, the protrusion 52 has a lower end portion supported by the support portion 51. In other words, the support portion 51 supports the protrusion 52 from the bottom surface 4J side. In this embodiment, the protrusion 52 is supported by a step portion 511 of the support portion 51. Note that the protrusion 52 may be supported by a portion of the support portion 51 other than the step portion 511.

[0046] 2, 4, and 5, the convex portion 52 protrudes upward relative to the bottom surface 4J. Both side surfaces 52A of the convex portion 52 in the Y direction, which intersects with the X direction (orthogonal in this embodiment) and is aligned with the bottom surface 4J, have boundary surfaces 52Aa. The boundary surfaces 52Aa are located at the boundary between the side surfaces 52A and the support portion 51 (step portions 511 in this embodiment). The boundary surfaces 52Aa are inclined relative to the bottom surface 4J so that the length of the convex portion 52 in the Y direction increases as it approaches the step portions 511 in the Z direction.

[0047] 2 and 3, the protrusion 52 is spaced apart from the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction. That is, a gap 52B is present between the protrusion 52 and the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the movable member 6 includes a main body 61 and a pair of protrusions 62 and 63 .

[0049] 3 and 4, a portion of the main body 61 is located in the space 5A. A portion of the main body 61 is located in a portion of the internal space 4M that is surrounded by the support portion 51. The portion of the main body 61 that is not located in the space 5A protrudes upward from the space 5A. In other words, the portion of the main body 61 that is not located in the space 5A is located above the bottom surface 4J.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 4, the main body 61 is supported by a second spring 82 and a third spring 83. The second spring 82 and the third spring 83 are arranged so as to be able to expand and contract along the Z direction. The lower ends of the second spring 82 and the third spring 83 are connected to the bottom member 8. The upper ends of the second spring 82 and the third spring 83 are connected to the main body 61. This allows the movable member 6 to move along the Z direction. In this embodiment, the second spring 82 and the third spring 83 are cylindrical coil springs.

[0051] 3 to 5, a through-hole 61B is formed in an upper surface 61A of the main body 61. The through-hole 61B passes through the main body 61 in the Z direction. A second connector 71 is located in the through-hole 61B.

[0052] The pair of protrusions 62, 63 protrude upward from the upper surface 61A of the main body 61. The pair of protrusions 62, 63 protrude upward from the bottom surface 4J.

[0053] The pair of protrusions 62 and 63 are provided at positions sandwiching the through hole 61B in the Y direction. That is, the pair of protrusions 62 and 63 are provided at positions sandwiching the second connector 71 in the Y direction.

[0054] Each of the pair of protrusions 62, 63 has two inclined surfaces facing the other of the pair of protrusions 62, 63 in the Y direction. In detail, the protrusion 62 has a first inclined surface 62A and a second inclined surface 62B facing the protrusion 63 in the Y direction, and the protrusion 63 has a first inclined surface 63A and a second inclined surface 63B facing the protrusion 62 in the Y direction.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the first inclined surface 62A is located on the base end side of the protrusion 62. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 4. In other words, the first inclined surface 62A is located below the protrusion 62. The first inclined surface 62A is inclined at an obtuse angle θ1 with respect to the bottom surface 4J. Similarly, the first inclined surface 63A is located on the base end side of the protrusion 63 (below the protrusion 63). The first inclined surface 63A is inclined at an obtuse angle θ2 with respect to the bottom surface 4J. Note that in this embodiment, the bottom surface 4J is parallel to the top surface 61A of the main body 61. Therefore, in FIG. 6, the obtuse angles θ1 to θ4 are illustrated as angles with respect to the top surface 61A.

[0056] The second inclined surface 62B is located on the tip end side of the protrusion 62 and is continuous with the first inclined surface 62A. In other words, the second inclined surface 62B is located on the upper end side of the protrusion 62 and is connected to the first inclined surface 62A. The second inclined surface 62B is inclined at an obtuse angle θ3 with respect to the bottom surface 4J. The obtuse angle θ3 of the second inclined surface 62B with respect to the bottom surface 4J is greater than the obtuse angle θ1 of the first inclined surface 62A with respect to the bottom surface 4J. In other words, the second inclined surface 62B is inclined more gently than the first inclined surface 62A.

[0057] Similarly, the second inclined surface 63B is located on the tip end side of the protrusion 63 and is continuous with the first inclined surface 63A. In other words, the second inclined surface 63B is located on the upper end side of the protrusion 63 and is connected to the first inclined surface 63A. The second inclined surface 63B is inclined at an obtuse angle θ4 with respect to the bottom surface 4J. The obtuse angle θ4 of the second inclined surface 63B with respect to the bottom surface 4J is greater than the obtuse angle θ2 of the first inclined surface 63A with respect to the bottom surface 4J. In other words, the second inclined surface 63B is inclined more gently than the first inclined surface 63A.

[0058] 3 to 5 , the second connector 71 passes through the through-hole 61B of the main body 61 of the movable member 6. The portion of the second connector 71 located below the through-hole 61B is located in a portion of the internal space 4M that is surrounded by the support portion 51 of the fixed member 5. The portion of the second connector 71 located above the through-hole 61B protrudes upward relative to the main body 61 of the movable member 6.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second connector 71 is mounted on a substrate 72 provided in the internal space 4M. The substrate 72 is supported by a support member 73 provided in the internal space 4M. The support member 73 is supported on the housing 4 via a first spring 81 provided in the internal space 4M and the bottom member 8. In this embodiment, the first spring 81 is a conical spring. The lower end of the first spring 81 is connected to the bottom member 8. The upper end of the first spring 81 is connected to the support member 73. This allows the second connector 71, the substrate 72, and the support member 73 to move along the Z direction. The length of the first spring 81 in the Z direction is shorter than the lengths of the second spring 82 and the third spring 83 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the first spring 81 is a conical spring. This allows the Z-direction length of the spring to be shortened while maintaining the Z-direction stroke amount and spring strength of the second connector 71, compared to a configuration in which a cylindrical spring supports the second connector 71. This allows a larger internal space 4M to be secured in the Z direction. The Z-direction length of the first spring 81 may be equal to or greater than the Z-direction lengths of the second spring 82 and the third spring 83. The first spring 81 is not limited to a conical spring, and the second spring 82 and the third spring 83 are not limited to cylindrical coil springs. For example, the first spring 81, the second spring 82, and the third spring 83 may be leaf springs.

[0060] The length of the second connector 71 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the protrusion 52 of the fixing member 5 in the Y direction. In other words, the length of the protrusion 52 in the Y direction is longer than the length of the second connector 71 in the Y direction. The second connector 71 is located between one end and the other end of the protrusion 52 in the Y direction. Note that at least a portion of the second connector 71 does not have to be located between one end and the other end of the protrusion 52 in the Y direction.

[0061] The following describes the configuration of the electronic device 3. In the following description of the configuration of the electronic device 3, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined in a state in which the electronic device 3 is supported by the housing 4 of the cradle 2 (the state shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0062] Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the electronic device with a stand removed from Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a side view schematically illustrating the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1, 7, 8, and 9, the electronic device 3 includes a main body 31, a display unit 32 (see Figure 1), a first connector 33 (see Figures 7 and 8), a stand member 34 (see Figures 7 and 9), and a controller 35 (see Figure 1).

[0064] 7 and 8, the main body 31 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape in this embodiment. However, the outer shape of the main body 31 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in Fig. 9, the main body 31 has an internal space 31G.

[0065] 7 and 8, the main body 31 has a front surface 31A, a back surface 31B, and four side surfaces 31C, 31D, 31E, and 31F. The front surface 31A, the back surface 31B, and the four side surfaces 31C, 31D, 31E, and 31F form the rectangular outline of the main body 31. An internal space 31G is surrounded by the front surface 31A, the back surface 31B, and the four side surfaces 31C, 31D, 31E, and 31F.

[0066] The front surface 31A and the back surface 31B are surfaces that extend in the Y direction and the Z direction. The front surface 31A and the back surface 31B are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The front surface 31A and the back surface 31B face in opposite directions in the X direction.

[0067] The side surfaces 31C and 31D extend in the X and Y directions. The side surfaces 31C and 31D connect the front surface 31A and the back surface 31B. The side surfaces 31C and 31D are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. The side surfaces 31C and 31D face opposite each other in the Z direction.

[0068] The side surfaces 31E and 31F are surfaces that extend in the X direction and the Z direction. The side surfaces 31E and 31F connect the front surface 31A and the back surface 31B. The side surfaces 31E and 31F connect the side surfaces 31C and 31D. The side surfaces 31E and 31F are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The side surfaces 31E and 31F face opposite each other in the Y direction.

[0069] The main body 31 has a recess 3A, two recesses 3Ba and 3Bb, two air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb, and a recess 3D.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 8, the back surface 31B is provided with a recess 3D recessed in the X direction. The stand member 34 can be accommodated in the recess 3D. Therefore, the recess 3D has a shape corresponding to the stand member 34. The recess 3D is open in the Z direction at a boundary 31H with the side surface 31C. A part of the recess 3D (the part of the recess 3D that is open in the Z direction) is where a pivot tip 343 of the stand member 34 is located when the stand member 34 is accommodated.

[0071] The recess 3D has a recess 3A recessed in the X direction. The recess 3A is provided at a boundary 31H of the side surface 31C of the recess 3D. The recess 3A is open to the back surface 31B and the side surface 31C. Specifically, the recess 3A is open to the back surface 31B side in the X direction and to the side surface 31C side in the Z direction. In other words, the recess 3A is recessed from the back surface 31B in the X direction and from the side surface 31C in the Z direction.

[0072] The inner edge of the recess 3A is chamfered, as described in detail below. In this embodiment, the recess 3A has a pair of side surfaces 3Aa facing each other in the Y direction and a bottom surface 3Ab connecting the pair of side surfaces 3Aa. Each of the pair of side surfaces 3Aa has an inclined surface 3Ac. Each inclined surface 3Ac is located at the end of the pair of side surfaces 3Aa in the Z direction of the recess 3A. Each inclined surface 3Ac is inclined with respect to the Z direction so that the recess 3A widens in the Y direction as it approaches the side surface 31C in the Z direction. Each inclined surface 3Ac connects the side surface 31C extending along the Y direction to the side surface 3Aa extending along the Z direction. As described above, in this embodiment, the inner edge of the recess 3A is chamfered by the inclined surface 3Ac. Note that the inner edge of the recess 3A does not have to be chamfered.

[0073] In this embodiment, the recess 3A is not open to any side other than the back surface 31B and the side surface 31C. In other words, no through holes or the like are provided in the pair of side surfaces 3Aa and the bottom surface 3Ab, and therefore the recess 3A does not communicate with the internal space 31G of the main body 31. However, the recess 3A may communicate with the internal space 31G.

[0074] The two recessed portions 3Ba, 3Bb are provided on the side surface 31C. The two recessed portions 3Ba, 3Bb are recessed from the side surface 31C in the Z direction. The two recessed portions 3Ba, 3Bb are provided at positions sandwiching the first connector 33 in the Y direction. In the X direction, the recessed portion 3A and the first connector 33 are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap. In other words, the position of at least a portion of the recessed portion 3A in the X direction and the position of at least a portion of the first connector 33 in the X direction are the same. In this embodiment, the entire first connector 33 overlaps a portion of the recessed portion 3A in the X direction.

[0075] The two air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb are provided on the side surface 31C. The two air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb penetrate the outer wall of the main body 31, including the side surface 31C, in the Z direction. As a result, the internal space 31G of the main body 31 is in communication with the outside of the main body 31 via the two air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb. The two air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb are provided at positions sandwiching the two recessed portions 3Ba and 3Bb in the Y direction. More specifically, in the Y direction, the recessed portion 3Ba is sandwiched between the air intake 3Ca and the first connector 33, and the recessed portion 3Bb is sandwiched between the air intake 3Cb and the first connector 33.

[0076] 1 displays images, videos, etc. by means of liquid crystal, organic EL (organic electro-luminescence), etc. The display unit 32 is provided on the front surface 31A. An opening is formed on the front surface 31A except for the outer edge portion. The display unit 32 is exposed to the outside of the main body 31 through this opening. This allows the images, videos, etc. displayed by the display unit 32 to be visible from outside the electronic device 3.

[0077] 7 and 8, the first connector 33 is provided on the side surface 31C. The first connector 33 is recessed from the side surface 31C in the Z direction. The first connector 33 is provided between the two recesses 3Ba and 3Bb in the Y direction.

[0078] The length of the first connector 33 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the recess 3A in the Y direction. In other words, the length of the recess 3A in the Y direction is longer than the length of the first connector 33 in the Y direction. The first connector 33 is located between one end and the other end of the recess 3A in the Y direction. Note that at least a portion of the first connector 33 does not have to be located between one end and the other end of the recess 3A in the Y direction.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the stand member 34 is provided on the back surface 31B of the main body 31. In this embodiment, the stand member 34 is supported by the back surface 31B of the main body 31 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 34A. In FIGS. 7 and 9 , the rotation axis 34A is shown as an imaginary line. Note that the structure by which the main body 31 rotatably supports the stand member 34 may employ a known structure such as a hinge. Note that the stand member 34 may be rotatably supported by a portion other than the back surface 31B of the main body 31. For example, both ends of the stand member 34 in the Y direction may be rotatably supported by the side surfaces 31E and 31F of the main body 31. Furthermore, the stand member 34 may be movable between a first position and a second position, which will be described later, by means other than rotation, such as by being attached to or detached from the main body 31.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7 , the stand member 34 includes a pair of pivot base ends 341, 342 and a pivot tip end 343. Each of the pair of pivot base ends 341, 342 extends along the Z direction. The pivot base end 341 is located on one side in the Y direction relative to the first connector 33 (the side on which the recessed portion 3Ba and the air intake 3Ca are provided relative to the first connector 33). The pivot base end 342 is located on the other side in the Y direction relative to the first connector 33 (the side on which the recessed portion 3Bb and the air intake 3Cb are provided relative to the first connector 33). The ends of the pivot base ends 341, 342 on the side of the side surface 31D in the Z direction are supported by the main body 31 to be pivotable about a pivot shaft 34A.

[0081] The pivot tip 343 extends along the Y direction. One end of the pivot tip 343 in the Y direction is connected to the end of the pivot base 341 on the side surface 31C in the Z direction. The other end of the pivot tip 343 in the Y direction is connected to the end of the pivot base 342 on the side surface 31C in the Z direction.

[0082] The stand member 34 is rotatable between a first position shown in FIG. 7 and a second position shown in FIG. 9. In the first position, the stand member 34 is close to the back surface 31B. In the second position, the stand member 34 is farther from the back surface 31B than in the first position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the stand member 34 is in the first position, the stand member 34 is housed in a recess 3D (see FIG. 8) provided in the back surface 31B. When the stand member 34 is in the first position, the rotation tip 343 of the stand member 34 is close to the back surface 31B. Note that when the stand member 34 is in the first position, the rotation tip 343 may be in contact with the back surface 31B or may be in contact with a surface other than the back surface 31B (for example, the side surface 31C). Furthermore, when the stand member 34 is in the first position, it does not have to be in contact with other surfaces such as the back surface 31B or the side surface 31C. 9 , when the stand member 34 is in the second position, the pivot tip 343 of the stand member 34 is farther from the back surface 31B than when the stand member 34 is in the first position. When the stand member 34 is in the second position, the electronic device 3 stands independently on the placing surface 101 with the side surface 31C and the pivot tip 343 of the stand member 34 in contact with the placing surface 101.

[0083] 7, the pivoting tip 343 of the stand member 34 has a covering portion 343A. The covering portion 343A is a portion of the pivoting tip 343 of the stand member 34 that is at the same position as the recessed portion 3A in the Y direction. In other words, the covering portion 343A is provided on the pivoting tip 343. When the stand member 34 is in the first position, the covering portion 343A covers at least a portion of the recessed portion 3A.

[0084] In this embodiment, the covering portion 343A has a notch 343B cut out in the Z direction toward the pivot base ends 341, 342 at the pivot tip of the pivot tip portion 343. The notch 343B is cut out to fit along the chamfered portion of the recess 3A. As a result, the covering portion 343A covers the portion of the recess 3A that is open to the back surface 31B, excluding the chamfered portion (the portion where the inclined surface 3Ac is provided). Note that the covering portion 343A may cover the chamfered portion of the recess 3A. Alternatively, the covering portion 343A may not have the notch 343B.

[0085] The two controllers 35 shown in Fig. 1 are used to operate the electronic device 3. Each of the two controllers 35 includes, for example, a stick 351 and an operation button 352 for performing operations. Each of the two controllers 35 can be attached to and detached from the main body 31. One of the two controllers 35 can be attached to and detached from a side surface 31F of the main body 31. The other of the two controllers 35 can be attached to and detached from a side surface 31E of the main body 31. Known means such as fitting or sliding can be used to attach and detach the two controllers 35 to and from the main body 31.

[0086] The support of the electronic device 3 by the cradle 2 will now be described.

[0087] Fig. 10 is a schematic side view illustrating the insertion of an electronic device into a cradle. Note that in Fig. 10 and Figs. 11 and 12 described below, the cradle 2 and electronic device 3 are depicted in a simplified form. For example, in Figs. 10 and 11, the housing 4 and fixing member 5 of the cradle 2 are depicted as a single unit.

[0088] 10 , the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3 by inserting the electronic device 3 into the groove 4A of the housing 4 of the cradle 2. When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the front surface 31A of the electronic device 3 faces the first opposing surface 4H of the housing 4 in the X direction. When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the back surface 31B of the electronic device 3 faces the second opposing surface 4I of the housing 4 in the X direction.

[0089] When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the side surface 31C of the electronic device 3 faces the bottom surface 4J of the housing 4 in the Z direction. At this time, the air intake 3Ca of the electronic device 3 and the air exhaust 4La of the cradle 2 face each other in the Z direction, and the air intake 3Cb of the electronic device 3 and the air exhaust 4Lb of the cradle 2 face each other in the Z direction. As a result, air circulating from the air intake 4K of the cradle 2 into the internal space 4M of the cradle 2 can circulate into the internal space 4M of the electronic device 3 via the air exhaust ports 4La and 4Lb of the cradle 2 and the air intakes 3Ca and 3Cb of the electronic device 3.

[0090] When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the display unit 32 (see FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device 3 faces the first opposing surface 4H of the housing 4. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 3 is supported by the housing 4 of the cradle 2, no image, video, or the like is displayed on the display unit 32.

[0091] When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the second connector 71 of the cradle 2 is inserted into the first connector 33 of the electronic device 3, thereby connecting the first connector 33 and the second connector 71. When the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the protrusion 52 of the cradle 2 is inserted into the recess 3A of the electronic device 3. At this time, the covering portion 343A of the stand member 34 of the electronic device 3 is located in the gap 52B between the protrusion 52 of the housing 4 and the second opposing surface 4I.

[0092] The connection between the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 and the insertion of the convex portion 52 into the concave portion 3A when the electronic device 3 is inserted into the cradle 2 will be described below.

[0093] When the electronic device 3 is inserted into the groove 4A of the housing 4 of the cradle 2, the stand member 34 is in the first position. In this embodiment, when the stand member 34 is in the second position, the stand member 34 comes into contact with the upper surface 4B of the housing 4 of the cradle 2, and therefore the electronic device 3 cannot be inserted all the way into the groove 4A.

[0094] When the electronic device 3 is inserted into the groove 4A of the housing 4 of the cradle 2, the convex portion 52 is inserted into the concave portion 3A, the protrusion 62 is inserted into the recessed portion 3Ba, and the protrusion 63 is inserted into the recessed portion 3Bb. This aligns the first connector 33 of the electronic device 3 and the second connector 71 of the cradle 2 in the X and Y directions. As a result, the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 can be guided and connected to each other.

[0095] When the protrusion 52 is inserted into the recess 3A, the covering portion 343A of the stand member 34 of the electronic device 3 is inserted into the gap 52B between the protrusion 52 and the second opposing surface 4I of the housing 4 of the cradle 2. When the protrusion 52 is inserted into the recess 3A, the protrusion 52 is positioned between the covering portion 343A and the bottom surface 3Ab of the recess 3A in the X direction.

[0096] Because the pair of protrusions 62, 63 have a tapered shape, even if there is a slight misalignment in the Y direction of the electronic device 3 relative to the cradle 2, the first inclined surfaces 62A, 63A and the second inclined surfaces 62B, 63B of the pair of protrusions 62, 63 guide the recessed portions 3Ba, 3Bb, thereby correcting the misalignment. Because the movable member 6 on which the pair of protrusions 62, 63 are provided is not fixed to the housing 4, the misalignment can be easily corrected.

[0097] When the electronic device 3 is further inserted into the groove 4A, the movable member 6 is pushed downward by the electronic device 3, and moves downward against the biasing forces of the second spring 82 and the third spring 83. This increases the upward protrusion length of the second connector 71 relative to the movable member 6, and the second connector 71 is inserted into the first connector 33. At this time, due to the alignment performed earlier, the positional deviation of the second connector 71 relative to the first connector 33 is kept small, so the second connector 71 is smoothly inserted into the first connector 33.

[0098] When the electronic device 3 is further inserted into the groove 4A, the second connector 71 is pushed downward by the electronic device 3, and moves downward against the biasing force of the first spring 81. As a result, the second connector 71 is biased upward, and the connection of the second connector 71 to the first connector 33 is strengthened.

[0099] As described above, the electronic device 3 is inserted into the groove 4 A of the housing 4 of the cradle 2 , and the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3 .

[0100] At this time, the protrusion 52 is located within the recess 3A, and the covering portion 343A of the stand member 34 in the first posture is located in the gap 52B between the protrusion 52 and the second opposing surface 4I of the housing 4. Also, at this time, the protrusion 52 is located between the covering portion 343A and the bottom surface 3Ab of the recess 3A in the X direction.

[0101] At this time, the protrusion 62 is located in the recess 3Ba, and the protrusion 63 is located in the recess 3Bb.

[0102] At this time, the first connector 33 is connected to the second connector 71. As a result, the electronic device 3 and the cradle 2 are electrically connected to each other.

[0103] 10 , in the proper state, the electronic device 3 can be inserted into the cradle 2, and the cradle 2 can support the electronic device 3. Here, the proper state refers to a state in which the convex portion 52 is located in the concave portion 3A, the protrusions 62 and 63 are located in the recesses 3Ba and 3Bb, and the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 are connected.

[0104] 11 is a schematic side view for explaining the insertion of an electronic device into a cradle. In FIG. 11, an electronic device 13 having a different configuration from the electronic device 3 is about to be inserted into the cradle 2.

[0105] The electronic device 13 differs from the electronic device 3 in that it has a recess 13A instead of the recess 3A and that the stand member does not cover the recess 13A. Since the recess 13A is not covered by the stand member, it is located closer to the back surface 31B than the recess 3A in the X direction.

[0106] Due to the above-mentioned differences, the electronic device 13 cannot be inserted into the cradle 2 in the correct state. Because the position of the recess 13A of the electronic device 13 and the position of the protrusion 52 of the cradle 2 differ in the X direction, when the electronic device 13 is inserted into the cradle 2, the side surface 31C of the electronic device 13 abuts the protrusion 52. This prevents the electronic device 13 from being further inserted into the groove 4A of the cradle 2. As a result, the protrusion 52 cannot be inserted into the recess 13A, and the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 cannot be connected. Although not shown in FIG. 11 , the protrusions 62 and 63 cannot be inserted into the recesses 3Ba and 3Bb.

[0107] 12 is a schematic side view for explaining the insertion of an electronic device into a cradle. In FIG. 12, electronic device 3 is about to be inserted into cradle 12, which has a different configuration from cradle 2.

[0108] The cradle 12 differs from the cradle 2 in that the cradle 12 includes a protrusion 152 instead of the protrusion 52. There is no gap between the protrusion 152 and the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction. This differs from the protrusion 52 of the cradle 2, which is located away from the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction (in other words, located with a gap 52B between it and the second opposing surface 4I).

[0109] Due to the above-described differences, the electronic device 3 cannot be inserted into the cradle 12 in the correct state. Because there is no gap 52B between the convex portion 152 and the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction, when the electronic device 3 is inserted into the cradle 12, the covering portion 343A of the stand member 34 of the electronic device 3 abuts the convex portion 152. This prevents the electronic device 3 from being further inserted into the groove portion 4A of the cradle 12. As a result, the convex portion 152 cannot be inserted into the recessed portion 3A, and the first connector 33 and the second connector 71 cannot be connected. Although not shown in FIG. 12 , the protrusions 62 and 63 cannot be inserted into the recessed portions 3Ba and 3Bb.

[0110] The cradle 2 can provide the following effects.

[0111] In the equipment holding system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an equipment holding device (corresponding to a cradle 2) holds an electronic device, a guide protrusion (corresponding to a convex portion 52) provided on the equipment holding device fits into a notch (corresponding to a concave portion 3A) provided on the electronic device (corresponding to an electronic device 3). This allows the electronic device to be positioned in the left-right direction (corresponding to the Y direction) relative to the equipment holding device, while connecting a male connector (corresponding to a second connector 71) provided on the equipment holding device and a female connector (corresponding to a first connector 33) provided on the electronic device.

[0112] However, in the equipment holding system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the notch provided in the electronic device is open to the rear, so when the guide protrusion provided on the equipment holding device is fitted into the notch, there is a risk that the electronic device may be misaligned in the front-to-rear direction (corresponding to the X direction) relative to the equipment holding device.

[0113] According to this embodiment, when the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3 , the convex portion 52 provided on the cradle 2 is positioned within the concave portion 3A provided on the electronic device 3 .

[0114] At this time, the covering portion 343A of the pivoting tip portion 343 of the stand member 34 in the first posture of the electronic device 3 is positioned in the gap 52B between the convex portion 52 of the cradle 2 and the second opposing surface 4I in the X direction. In other words, the convex portion 52 of the cradle 2 is sandwiched in the X direction between the covering portion 343A and the bottom surface 3Ab of the recessed portion 3A of the electronic device 3. This prevents the position of the convex portion 52 located within the recessed portion 3A from shifting in the X direction.

[0115] At this time, the protrusion 52 of the cradle 2 is sandwiched between a pair of side surfaces 3Aa facing the Y direction among the surfaces constituting the recess 3A of the electronic device 3. This prevents the position of the protrusion 52 located within the recess 3A from shifting in the Y direction.

[0116] According to this embodiment, when the cradle 2 supports the electronic device 3, the pair of protrusions 62, 63 of the cradle 2 are inserted into the two recesses 3Ba, 3Bb of the electronic device 3. This positions the electronic device 3 relative to the cradle 2. As a result, it is possible to reduce misalignment when the second connector 71 located between the pair of protrusions 62, 63 is connected to the first connector 33 of the electronic device 3.

[0117] If the side surface 31C of the main body 31 of the electronic device 3 has unevenness (e.g., air intakes 3Ca, 3Cb), when the pair of protrusions 62, 63 of the cradle 2 are inserted into the two recesses 3Ba, 3Bb of the electronic device 3, the pair of protrusions 62, 63 may get caught on the unevenness of the side surface 31C, which may hinder the pair of protrusions 62, 63 from being inserted into the two recesses 3Ba, 3Bb.

[0118] According to this embodiment, the pair of protrusions 62, 63 have first inclined surfaces 62A, 63A on the base end side and second inclined surfaces 62B, 63B on the tip end side. If the irregularities on the side surface 31C contact the pair of protrusions 62, 63, the irregularities on the side surface 31C contact the second inclined surfaces 62B, 63B before the first inclined surfaces 62A, 63A. The angle of the second inclined surfaces 62B, 63B relative to the bottom surface 4J is greater than the angle of the first inclined surfaces 62A, 63A relative to the bottom surface 4J. Therefore, when the irregularities on the side surface 31C contact the pair of protrusions 62, 63, the irregularities tend to move along the second inclined surfaces 62B, 63B. This reduces the likelihood that the pair of protrusions 62, 63 will get caught on the irregularities on the side surface 31C.

[0119] According to this embodiment, the boundary surface 52Aa can increase the strength of the boundary between the protrusion 52 and the support portion 51.

[0120] During the process of inserting the electronic device 3 into the cradle 2, if the electronic device 3 is moved with the protrusion 52 in contact with the main body 31 of the electronic device 3, one of the protrusion 52 and the main body 31 may receive force from the other, which may result in wear, paint peeling, damage, etc. According to the present embodiment, the protrusion 52 is a separate member from the housing 4, and the friction coefficient of the material of the protrusion 52 is lower than the friction coefficient of the material of the housing 4. Therefore, even if the electronic device 3 is moved with the protrusion 52 in contact with the main body 31 of the electronic device 3, the protrusion 52 easily slides relative to the main body 31, thereby reducing the possibility of wear, paint peeling, damage, etc. of the protrusion 52 and the main body 31.

[0121] According to this embodiment, in the cradle 2, the length of the convex portion 52 in the Y direction is longer than the length of the second connector 71 in the Y direction. Here, the second connector 71 is connected to the first connector 33 of the electronic device 3. Therefore, the length of the convex portion 52 in the Y direction is usually longer than the length of the first connector 33 in the Y direction. This reduces the possibility that the convex portion 52 will be erroneously connected to the first connector 33 when the electronic device 3 is supported by the cradle 2.

[0122] The electronic device 3 can achieve the following effects.

[0123] According to this embodiment, when the stand member 34 is in the first position, the covering portion 343A covers at least a part of the portion of the recess 3A that is open to the back surface 31B. This allows the user to easily rotate the stand member 34 from the first position to the second position by inserting a finger or the like into the recess 3A and pulling it toward themselves.

[0124] According to this embodiment, when the electronic device 3 is supported by the cradle 2, the convex portion 52 provided on the cradle 2 is located within the concave portion 3A provided on the electronic device 3. At this time, the covering portion 343A of the pivoting tip portion 343 of the stand member 34 in the first posture covers at least a portion of the convex portion 52 located within the concave portion 3A. This allows the covering portion 343A to restrict positional deviation in the X direction of the convex portion 52 located within the concave portion 3A.

[0125] According to this embodiment, since no through holes or the like are provided in the recess 3A to communicate with the internal space 31G, the protrusion 52 inserted into the recess 3A can be prevented from getting caught on the through holes or the like.

[0126] According to this embodiment, in the electronic device 3, the length of the recess 3A in the Y direction is longer than the length of the first connector 33 in the Y direction. Here, the protrusion 52 of the cradle 2 is inserted into the recess 3A. Therefore, the length of the protrusion 52 in the Y direction is usually longer than the length of the first connector 33 in the Y direction. This reduces the possibility of the protrusion 52 being erroneously connected to the first connector 33 when the electronic device 3 is supported by the cradle 2.

[0127] According to this embodiment, when the protrusion 52 provided on the cradle 2 is inserted into the recess 3A, the protrusion 52 is guided into the recess 3A along the inclined surface 3Ac, which is the chamfered portion of the inner edge of the recess 3A. This reduces the possibility that the protrusion 52 will get caught on the recess 3A when inserted into the recess 3A.

[0128] (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other aspects. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, a boundary portion 31H of a main body 31 of an electronic device 3 may be curved. Also, for example, the electronic device 3 may include a stand member 36 instead of the stand member 34. Fig. 13 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a modification of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] The rotation shaft 36A, rotation base ends 361 and 362, rotation tip end 363, covering portion 363A, and notch 363B of the stand member 36 correspond to the rotation shaft 34A, rotation base ends 341 and 342, rotation tip end 343, covering portion 343A, and notch 343B of the stand member 34, respectively. For example, the notch 363B, like the notch 343B, is cut out in the Z direction toward the rotation base ends 361 and 362. Like the stand member 34, the stand member 36 rotates about the rotation shaft 36A between a first position and a second position.

[0130] In the configuration shown in Fig. 13, when the stand member 36 is in the first position, a portion of the pivot tip 363 covers the side surface 31C of the main body 31. In this case, when the stand member 36 is in the first position, the pivot tip 363 is close to the side surface 31C in addition to the back surface 31B. In the configuration shown in Fig. 13, when viewed along the Z direction perpendicular to the side surface 31C, the notch 363B of the pivot tip 363 overlaps with the recess 3A. This prevents a portion of the opening of the recess 3A from being covered by the pivot tip 363. As a result, the opening of the recess 3A is prevented from becoming smaller.

[0131] If the pivot tip 363 does not have the notch 363B, the pivot tip 363 will overlap the recess 3A when viewed along the Z direction. Therefore, in this case, the thickness of the side surface 31C of the electronic device 3 (in other words, the length in the X direction) needs to be increased by the amount of overlap between the pivot tip 363 and the recess 3A.

[0132] According to this modification, when viewed along the Z direction perpendicular to the side surface 31C, the notch 363B of the pivot tip 363 overlaps with the recess 3A. In other words, the notch 363B of the pivot tip 363 forms part of the recess 3A. Therefore, there is no need to increase the thickness of the side surface 31C of the electronic device 3, as in a configuration in which the pivot tip 363 does not have the notch 363B. In other words, an increase in the thickness of the electronic device 3 can be suppressed.

[0133] 2 Cradle 3 Electronic device 3A Recess 3Ac Inclined surface 3Ba Depression portion 3Bb Depression portion 31 Main body 31A Front surface 31B Back surface 31C Side surface 31G Internal space 31H Boundary portion 32 Display portion 33 First connector 34 Stand member 343 Rotation tip portion 343A Covering portion 343B Notch 4 Housing 4I Second opposing surface (opposing surface) 4J Bottom surface 51 Support portion 52 Convex portion 52A Side surface 52Aa Boundary surface 52B Gap 62 Protrusion 62A First inclined surface 62B Second inclined surface 63 Protrusion 63A First inclined surface 63B Second inclined surface 71 Second connector

Claims

1. A cradle capable of supporting an electronic device comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface spaced from the front surface and facing away from the front surface, a side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a recessed portion provided at the boundary between the back surface and the side surface and opening to the back surface and the side surface, a display portion provided on the front surface, a first connector provided on the side surface, and a stand member provided on the back surface and movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and having a covering portion that covers at least a part of the recessed portion when in the first position, the cradle comprising: a second connector that connects to the first connector of the electronic device when the electronic device is supported; a housing having an opposing surface that faces the back surface of the main body of the electronic device in the depth direction when the electronic device is supported, and a bottom surface that faces the side surface of the electronic device when the electronic device is supported; and a convex portion that protrudes from the bottom surface and is spaced from the opposing surface in the depth direction, A cradle in which, when supporting the electronic device, the convex portion is positioned within the concave portion of the main body of the electronic device, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first posture of the electronic device is positioned in the depth direction gap between the convex portion and the opposing surface.

2. The cradle described in claim 1, further comprising a pair of protrusions that protrude from the bottom surface and are inserted into each of two recesses provided on the side of the main body of the electronic device when the electronic device is supported, wherein in a width direction that intersects with the depth direction and along the bottom surface, the pair of protrusions are provided at a position that sandwiches the second connector, and each of the pair of protrusions has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that face the other of the pair of protrusions in the width direction, wherein the first inclined surface is located on the base end side of the pair of protrusions and is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the bottom surface, and the second inclined surface is located on the tip end side of the pair of protrusions, is continuous with the first inclined surface and is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the bottom surface, and the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the bottom surface is greater than the angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the bottom surface.

3. A cradle as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a support portion which supports the convex portion from the bottom surface side, and both side surfaces of the convex portion in a width direction which intersects with the depth direction and follows the bottom surface have an interface surface at the boundary with the support portion which is inclined with respect to the bottom surface so that the length of the convex portion in the width direction increases toward the support portion.

4. A cradle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion is a separate member from the housing, and the friction coefficient of the material of the protrusion is lower than the friction coefficient of the material of the housing adjacent to the protrusion.

5. A cradle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of said convex portion in a width direction intersecting said depth direction and along said bottom surface is longer than the length of said second connector in said width direction.

6. An electronic device capable of being supported by a cradle, comprising: a main body having a front surface, a back surface spaced apart from the front surface and facing away from the front surface, a side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a recess provided at the boundary between the back surface and the side surface and opening to the back surface and the side surface; a display unit provided on the front surface; a first connector provided on the side surface; and a stand member provided on the back surface and movable to a first position close to the back surface and a second position farther from the back surface than the first position, and having a covering portion that covers at least a portion of the recess when in the first position, wherein when supported by the cradle, the first connector connects to a second connector provided on the cradle, a convex portion provided on the cradle is located within the recess, and the covering portion of the stand member in the first position covers at least a portion of the convex portion located within the recess.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the main body has an internal space, and the recess does not communicate with the internal space.

8. The electronic device described in claim 6 or 7, wherein when the stand member is in the first position, a pivoting tip of the stand member is close to the side surface, the pivoting tip has a notch cut toward the pivoting base end, and when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the side surface, the notch overlaps with the recess.

9. The electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a length of the recess in a width direction intersecting the front surface and along the side surface is longer than a length of the first connector in the width direction.

10. The electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inner edge of the recess is chamfered.

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