Movable panel support structure, movable panel assembling method, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

With this invention, a movable panel can be attached to a panel frame with ease. The present invention includes a roller 4C that protrudes at both lateral ends of a panel part (movable panel) 3, long grooves 4B into which a roller 4C is insertable and which are provided on both inner wall surfaces of a panel frame 22 arranged with the panel part 3, a shaft 4D that is fixed to the panel part 3 and slidably supports the roller 4C so as to freely rotate and to advance and retreat along the long grooves 4B, an elastic member 4E that pushes out the roller 4C in the direction to enter the long grooves 4B, and an engagement mechanism (a second protruding part 4Db and a claw part 4Cb) that restricts sliding movement of the roller 4C at a retreat position from the long grooves 4B and at a first rotation position of the roller 4C and allows sliding movement of the roller 4C at a second rotation position of the roller 4C.

Description

Movable panel support structure, movable panel assembly method, and electronic device

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a movable panel, a method for assembling a movable panel, and an electronic device.

[0002] Known examples of electronic devices installed in vehicles include car navigation systems and car audio systems that are equipped with a display panel. In such electronic devices, the display is disposed as a movable panel on the front surface of the device body and is tilted relative to the device body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-174910

[0004] As shown in Patent Document 1, to move the movable panel, rollers are provided on both upper ends of the movable panel, grooves that support the rollers are provided continuously in the vertical direction on both inner wall surfaces of the panel frame, and the lower end of the movable panel is moved by a drive unit that moves in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the movable panel moves and tilts while being supported by the rollers that move along the grooves.

[0005] When assembling such a movable panel to a panel frame, it is necessary to fit each roller into each groove. However, because the outer dimensions between the tips of the rollers on the movable panel are larger than the inner dimensions between the inner wall surfaces of the panel frame in which the grooves are formed, the fitting and installation work is not easy and is a difficult task that depends on the skilled technique of the worker.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a support structure for a movable panel, a method for assembling a movable panel, and an electronic device that enable a movable panel to be easily attached to a panel frame.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a support structure for a movable panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes rollers protruding from both side ends of the movable panel, long grooves provided on both inner wall surfaces of a panel frame in which the movable panel is arranged and into which the rollers can be inserted, a shaft fixed to the movable panel and supporting the rollers so that they can rotate freely and slide back and forth in the long grooves, an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves, and a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are retracted from the long grooves and at a first rotation position, while allowing the rollers to slide at a second rotation position.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for assembling a movable panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support structure including rollers protruding from both side ends of the movable panel, long grooves provided on both inner wall surfaces of a panel frame in which the movable panel is placed and into which the rollers can be inserted, a shaft fixed to the movable panel and supporting the rollers so that they can rotate freely and slide forward and backward into the long grooves, an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves, and a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding movement of the rollers at a retracted position from the long groove and a first rotation position, while allowing the sliding movement of the rollers at a second rotation position, and includes the steps of: restricting the sliding movement of the rollers at the retracted position and the first rotation position; placing the movable panel in the panel frame; and rotating the rollers to the second rotation position to allow the sliding movement of the rollers.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is an electronic device comprising a movable panel, a panel frame in which the movable panel is arranged, and a support structure that supports the movable panel against the panel frame, wherein the support structure includes rollers protruding from both side ends of the movable panel, long grooves provided on both inner wall surfaces of the panel frame in which the movable panel is arranged and into which the rollers can be inserted, an axis fixed to the movable panel and supporting the rollers so that they can rotate freely and slide freely back and forth in the long grooves, an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves, and a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are retracted from the long grooves and at a first rotation position, while allowing the rollers to slide at a second rotation position.

[0010] The present disclosure allows a movable panel to be easily attached to a panel frame.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the operation of a movable panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the movable panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged rear perspective view (enlarged view of area P in FIG. 3 ) of a support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged rear perspective view of an exploded support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view of a roller of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a roller of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a roller shaft of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a roller shaft of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of a roller of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of a roller of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of a roller of the support structure for a movable panel according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling a movable panel according to an embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0013] 1 is a front perspective view showing an electronic device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the operation of a movable panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the movable panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0014] In the following description, directions are defined when the vehicle electronic device (device) 1 is mounted in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. Here, the surface parallel to the direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling straight and facing the driver's seat is referred to as the "front surface," and the surface facing the windshield in front of the vehicle is referred to as the "back surface (also referred to as the rear surface)." The direction in which the front and back surfaces face each other is referred to as the front-to-rear direction and is the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the surface facing the left hand as viewed from the driver's seat, which is in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, is referred to as the "left surface," and the surface facing the right hand is referred to as the "right surface." The direction in which the left and right surfaces face each other is referred to as the width direction and is the Y-axis direction. The surface facing upward, which is in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and the left-to-right direction, is referred to as the "top surface," and the surface facing downward is referred to as the "bottom surface." The direction in which the top surface and bottom surface face each other is referred to as the up-down direction and is referred to as the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the front-to-rear direction, width direction, and up-to-down direction are orthogonal in three dimensions.

[0015] The electronic device 1 is, for example, an AV-integrated car navigation system or car audio, etc. As shown in FIG.

[0016] The main body 2 includes a housing 21 and a panel frame 22 .

[0017] Housing 21 is a box-shaped body whose top, bottom, right, left, and back surfaces are sealed with metal sheets, and whose front surface is open. Therefore, housing 21 has top plate 21A, bottom plate 21B, right plate 21C, left plate 21D, and back plate 21E, all of which are metal sheets. Housing 21 accommodates electronic components and the like for operating electronic device 1.

[0018] The panel frame 22 is a frame attached to the front of the housing 21. The panel frame 22 is formed along the top plate 21A, bottom plate 21B, right plate 21C, and left plate 21D in the open portion of the front of the housing 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the panel frame 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having an upper surface piece 22A, a lower surface piece 22B, a right surface piece 22C, and a left surface piece 22D along the top plate 21A, bottom plate 21B, right surface piece 21C, and left surface piece 21D of the housing 21. The panel frame 22 has a storage recess 22E that opens toward the front on the inside of the top surface piece 22A, bottom surface piece 22B, right surface piece 22C, and left surface piece 22D. The panel frame 22 is formed from synthetic resin.

[0019] The panel unit 3 has a display unit 31 and a peripheral unit 32 .

[0020] The display unit 31 is a so-called display device and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The display unit 31 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate and has a display surface 31a on its front surface.

[0021] The peripheral portion 32 surrounds the display unit 31 and has an upper surface 32A, a lower surface 32B, a right surface 32C, and a left surface 32D so as to expose the front display surface 31a. The peripheral portion 32 is made of synthetic resin. Although not shown in the drawings, operation buttons for performing various operations on the electronic device 1 are provided at the front end of the peripheral portion 32.

[0022] The panel unit 3 is assembled so as to be fitted inside the panel frame 22. The panel unit 3 is provided so as to be movable between a configuration in which the display surface 31a of the display unit 31 faces forward as shown in Fig. 1 and a configuration in which the display surface 31a of the display unit 31 faces upward as shown in Fig. 2. For this reason, the panel unit 3 is also referred to as a movable panel.

[0023] During normal use of the electronic device 1, the panel unit 3 serving as a movable panel is housed and positioned inside the panel frame 22 in the width direction Y and the vertical direction Z so that the display surface 31 a of the display unit 31 faces forward, as shown in FIG. 1 . The panel unit 3 is housed in a storage recess 22E within the panel frame 22. Although not shown in the figure, the storage recess 22E has a card slot for inserting a storage medium such as a memory card and a disc slot for inserting a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc) on the front side of the recess. To enable access to the card slot and disc slot, the panel unit 3 tilts from its normal use configuration so that the display surface 31 a of the display unit 31 faces upward.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the support structure 4 for tilting the panel section 3 includes a slide section 4A, a long groove 4B, and a roller 4C.

[0025] The slide portion 4A is formed in a rod shape and is provided so as to move in the front-to-rear direction while passing through the storage recess 22E of the panel frame 22. A pair of slide portions 4A are provided on the left and right sides below the housing 21, and each is connected via a link 4Aa to support portions 33 (see FIG. 3) located below the right and left side portions 32C and 32D of the peripheral portion 32 of the panel portion 3. The slide portions 4A are driven by a drive unit (not shown) stored in the housing 21 of the main body 2.

[0026] The long grooves 4B are formed on the inner wall surfaces 22Ca, 22Da of the right and left side pieces 22C, 22D inside the storage recess 22E of the panel frame 22. The long grooves 4B open on the inner wall surfaces 22Ca, 22Da in opposing left-right directions toward the inside of the storage recess 22E and are continuously provided in the up-down direction.

[0027] 3, the rollers 4C are provided so as to protrude to the left and right at positions above the right surface portion 32C and the left surface portion 32D of the peripheral portion 32 of the panel portion 3. Each roller 4C is inserted into each long groove 4B.

[0028] Therefore, the panel unit 3 is supported by the main body 2 by inserting the rollers 4C into the long grooves 4B and connecting the slide portion 4A. When the slide portion 4A moves rearward (toward the back), the panel unit 3 is supported at its upper end by the long grooves 4B via the rollers 4C while its lower end is pulled into the storage recess 22E, causing the rollers 4C to move toward the upper end of the long grooves 4B, resulting in the panel being stored in the storage recess 22E with the display surface 31a of the display unit 31 facing forward (normal use). Meanwhile, when the slide portion 4A moves forward (toward the front), the panel unit 3 is supported at its upper end by the long grooves 4B via the rollers 4C while its lower end is pushed out of the storage recess 22E, causing the rollers 4C to move toward the lower end of the long grooves 4B, resulting in the panel being tilted with the display surface 31a of the display unit 31 facing upward (tilting).

[0029] The support structure 4 for the movable panel will be described in detail below. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment, as viewed from behind. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment, as viewed from behind, in which the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment is exploded. FIG. 6 is a front view of a roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment (cross-sectional view A-A in FIG. 6). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the roller of the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 , the roller 4C is formed in a cylindrical shape. A disk-shaped flange portion 4Ca is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the roller 4C. The flange portion 4Ca is provided around the entire circumference of the roller 4C. The flange portion 4Ca has a mark 4Caa formed at one location on the disk-shaped plate surface. In the embodiment, the mark 4Caa is formed as a recess, but it may also be a protrusion. The mark 4Caa is provided at opposite positions on both disk-shaped plate surfaces of the flange portion 4Ca. The mark 4Caa may also be a recess or protrusion formed at one location on the periphery of the disk-shaped flange portion 4Ca. In addition, the roller 4C has a claw portion 4Cb integrally formed on the inner periphery. The claw portion 4Cb is provided on a portion of the roller 4C in the circumferential direction. In the support structure 4 of the embodiment, the claw portions 4Cb are provided at two locations equally spaced 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the roller 4C. The claw portions 4Cb may be provided at a plurality of locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the roller 4C.

[0031] The rollers 4C are disposed with the shaft 4D inserted therethrough. The rollers 4C are rotatable relative to the shaft 4D and slidable in the direction of extension of the shaft 4D. The shaft 4D extends in the left-right direction Y and is fixed above the right surface portion 32C and the left surface portion 32D of the peripheral portion 32 of the panel portion 3. The shaft 4D is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft 4D has first and second protrusions 4Da and 4Db that protrude radially from the cylindrical shape. The first protrusion 4Da is provided at the tip of the shaft 4D protruding from the panel portion 3. The first protrusion 4Da protrudes radially around the entire circumference of the shaft 4D. The second protrusion 4Db is provided midway along the shaft 4D protruding from the panel portion 3. The second protrusions 4Db are provided at two locations circumferentially of the shaft 4D, equally spaced 180° apart, to align with the claw portions 4Cb. The two locations where no second protrusion 4Db is present are formed as notches 4Dba by cutting out the second protrusion 4Db. The second protrusions 4Db may be provided at a plurality of locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft 4D in accordance with the claws 4Cb.

[0032] The roller 4C is provided so as to be pushed toward the tip of the shaft 4D by an elastic member 4E. The elastic member 4E is configured as a compression coil spring, is wound around the shaft 4D, and is disposed in a compressed state between the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C and the panel portion 3.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, when the shaft 4D is inserted through the roller 4C, the claw portion 4Cb engages with the first convex portion 4Da or the second convex portion 4Db.

[0034] FIG. 10A shows the state in which the claw portion 4Cb is engaged with the second protrusion 4Db. As described above, the claw portion 4Cb and the second protrusion 4Db are provided at two locations, equally spaced 180° apart. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the claw portion 4Cb and the second protrusion 4Db are engaged with each other by rotating the roller 4C relative to the shaft 4D so that they face each other in the sliding direction (first rotation position). This restricts sliding movement even when the roller 4C is pushed toward the tip of the shaft 4D by the elastic force of the elastic member 4E. As a result, both rollers 4C are positioned in a retracted position where the dimension D1 in the left-right direction Y is smaller than the dimension D between the inner wall surfaces of the right and left side pieces 22C and 22D of the panel frame 22 having the long groove 4B, and they do not fit into the long groove 4B.

[0035] 10B shows the state immediately after the claw portion 4Cb has been disengaged from the second protrusion 4Db. As shown in FIG. 10B, the claw portion 4Cb and the second protrusion 4Db are disengaged from each other by adjusting the rotational position of the roller 4C relative to the shaft 4D so that they do not face each other in the sliding direction (second rotational position), and the elastic force of the elastic member 4E pushes the roller 4C toward the tip of the shaft 4D, allowing it to slide.

[0036] 10(c) shows the state in which the claw portion 4Cb is engaged with the first protrusion 4Da. As shown in FIG. 10(c), when the mutual engagement between the claw portion 4Cb and the second protrusion 4Db is released and the roller 4C is pushed toward the tip of the shaft 4D by the elastic force of the elastic member 4E, the claw portion 4Cb engages with the first protrusion 4Da. Because the first protrusion 4Da is formed to protrude around the entire circumference of the shaft 4D, the claw portion 4Cb always engages. As a result, both rollers 4C are positioned such that the dimension D2 in the left-right direction Y is greater than the dimension D between the inner wall surfaces of the right and left side pieces 22C and 22D of the panel frame 22 having the long groove 4B, and are positioned to fit into the long groove 4B.

[0037] The support structure 4 restricts the sliding movement of the roller 4C when the roller 4C is in a first rotation position and in a retracted position where the roller 4C retracts from the long groove 4B as shown in FIG. 10( a). Meanwhile, the support structure 4 allows the roller 4C to slide when the roller 4C is in a second rotation position as shown in FIG. 10( b), thereby displacing the roller 4C to an advanced position where the roller 4C fits into the long groove 4B as shown in FIG. 10( c). In this way, the support structure 4 forms a locking mechanism with the first and second protrusions 4Da and 4Db of the shaft 4D and the claws 4Cb of the roller 4C. The mark 4Caa on the flange 4Ca allows the rotational positions of the roller 4C to be visually confirmed.

[0038] 11 and 12, the support structure 4 has a guide portion 4F. The guide portion 4F is formed as a protrusion disposed on the inner wall surface of the storage recess 22E of the panel frame 22.

[0039] The guide portion 4F is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the disk-shaped peripheral edge of the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C. When the roller 4C is in the retracted position as shown in Figure 10(a) and the panel portion 3 is assembled into the storage recess 22E of the panel frame 22, the disk-shaped peripheral edge of the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C comes into contact with the guide portion 4F as shown in Figures 11(a) and 12(a).

[0040] 12(a), the disk-shaped peripheral edge of the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C abuts against a tip surface 4Fa of the guide portion 4F that protrudes from the inner wall surface of the storage recess 22E of the panel frame 22. With the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C abutting against the tip surface 4Fa, the guide portion 4F positions the roller 4C in a position where the roller 4C faces the long groove 4B and can enter the long groove 4B. Specifically, with the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C abutting against the tip surface 4Fa, the guide portion 4F aligns the center line L1 of the cylindrical shape of the roller 4C with the center line L2 of the groove width of the long groove 4B.

[0041] Furthermore, a protrusion 4Fb is formed on the tip surface 4Fa of the guide portion 4F. As shown in FIG. 12( a), this protrusion 4Fb is provided in a position away from the long groove 4B so as to face the disk-shaped plate surface of the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C that abuts against the tip surface 4Fa of the guide portion 4F. Therefore, the protrusion 4Fb restricts the roller 4C from moving in a direction away from the long groove 4B. As a result, the protrusion 4Fb prevents the panel portion 3 from moving out of a position where the left and right rollers 4C can enter the long groove 4B.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11( a), the guide portion 4F is formed as a ridge extending along the long groove 4B. Therefore, the roller 4C, whose flange portion 4Ca abuts against the tip surface 4Fa of the guide portion 4F, moves along the guide portion 4F, causing the flange portion 4Ca to roll and rotate about the shaft 4D. When the roller 4C reaches a predetermined rotation position, it is permitted to slide, and as shown in FIGS. 11( b) and 12( b), the elastic force of the elastic member 4E causes the roller 4C to slide to an insertion position where it fits into the long groove 4B, and the roller 4C disengages from contact with the guide portion 4F.

[0043] A method for assembling the movable panel will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 13, which illustrates the method for assembling the movable panel according to the embodiment.

[0044] 13, in step S1, the sliding movement of each of the left and right rollers 4C is restricted at the retracted position and the first rotation position. That is, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the rollers 4C are slid relative to the shaft 4D and rotated from the retracted position to the first rotation position, thereby engaging the claws 4Cb and the second protrusions 4Db.

[0045] Next, in step S2, the panel unit 3 is placed in the panel frame 22. That is, as shown in Figures 11(a) and 12(a), the flange portion 4Ca of the roller 4C is brought into contact with the tip surface 4Fa of the guide portion 4F, and the roller 4C is placed in a position (retracted position) facing the long groove 4B and able to enter the long groove 4B.

[0046] Next, in step S3, each roller 4C is rotated to a second rotation position to allow sliding movement. That is, by moving the panel unit 3 in the vertical direction Z, the flange portion 4Ca moves along the guide portion 4F as shown in Fig. 11(b), and the rollers 4C are set to a predetermined rotation position (second rotation position) as shown in Fig. 10(b), allowing sliding movement of the rollers 4C. The rollers 4C allowed to slide fit into the long grooves 4B as shown in Figs. 10(c) and 12(b).

[0047] Next, in step S4, the panel unit 3 is connected to the slide unit 4A by the link 4Aa, as shown in Figure 2. In this way, the panel unit 3 is attached to the panel frame 22.

[0048] The support structure of the movable panel of the embodiment is characterized by including rollers 4C protruding from both side ends of the panel portion (movable panel) 3, long grooves 4B provided on both inner wall surfaces of the panel frame 22 in which the panel portion 3 is arranged and into which the rollers 4C can be inserted, a shaft 4D fixed to the panel portion 3 and supporting the rollers 4C so that they can rotate freely and slide forward and backward into the long groove 4B, an elastic member 4E that pushes the rollers 4C in the direction of entering the long groove 4B, and a locking mechanism (second convex portion 4Db and claw portion 4Cb) that restricts the sliding movement of the rollers 4C when the rollers 4C are in a retreated position from the long groove 4B and in a first rotation position, while allowing the rollers 4C to slide forward and backward in a second rotation position.

[0049] According to this support structure for a movable panel, by restricting the sliding movement of the rollers 4C at the retracted position when the rollers 4C are in the first rotation position, the panel unit 3 can be positioned within the panel frame 22 without the rollers 4C interfering with the panel frame 22. Furthermore, according to this support structure for a movable panel, by allowing the rollers 4C to slide when the rollers 4C are in the second rotation position, the rollers 4C fit into the long grooves 4B. Therefore, this support structure for a movable panel makes it easy to attach the panel unit 3 to the panel frame 22. Furthermore, because this support structure for a movable panel makes it easy to attach the panel unit 3 to the panel frame 22, the attachment of the panel unit 3 to the panel frame 22 can be shifted from manual work to automation using a manipulator.

[0050] In the past, the outer dimensions between the tips of the rollers on the movable panel were larger than the inner dimensions between the inner wall surfaces of the panel frames where the long grooves were formed. This required a difficult process that relied on the skilled techniques of a worker, such as tilting the rollers to fit one roller into one long groove and then fitting the other roller into the other long groove. Furthermore, in the past, the outer dimensions between the tips of the rollers on the movable panel were larger than the inner dimensions between the inner wall surfaces of the panel frames where the long grooves were formed. This required a detachable panel frame portion with at least one long groove, and then installing the panel portion before attaching the panel frame portion, which required a large number of parts and made the fitting process difficult. In contrast, the support structure for the movable panel of the present embodiment allows the panel portion 3 to be easily attached to the panel frame 22 due to the above configuration.

[0051] In addition, in the support structure for the movable panel of the embodiment, the roller 4C is provided with a disk-shaped flange portion 4Ca, and the locking mechanism has a guide portion 4F that is provided along the long groove 4B in the panel frame 22 and abuts against the flange portion 4Ca to guide the rotation of the roller 4C.

[0052] According to this support structure for the movable panel, the guide portion 4F abuts against the disk-shaped flange portion 4Ca to guide the rotation of the roller 4C, causing the roller 4C to move from the first rotation position to the second rotation position and fit into the long groove 4B. Therefore, this support structure for the movable panel makes it even easier to attach the panel portion 3 to the panel frame 22.

[0053] In the support structure for the movable panel according to the embodiment, the guide portion 4F is arranged so that the roller 4C can enter the long groove 4B when the flange portion 4Ca abuts against the guide portion 4F.

[0054] According to this support structure for the movable panel, the guide portion 4F can position the roller 4C at a position where it can enter the long groove 4B. Therefore, this support structure for the movable panel makes it even easier to attach the panel portion 3 to the panel frame 22.

[0055] In addition, the assembly method of the movable panel of the embodiment includes the steps of using the above-mentioned support structure to restrict the sliding movement of the roller 4C at a first rotation position in a retracted position, placing the panel portion 3 on the panel frame 22, and rotating the roller 4C to a second rotation position to allow the sliding movement of the roller 4C.

[0056] According to this method of assembling the movable panel, the panel portion 3 can be easily attached to the panel frame 22.

[0057] Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 of the embodiment, by applying the support structure described above, the panel section 3 can be easily attached to the panel frame 22, thereby improving productivity and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0058] The present disclosure allows a movable panel to be easily attached to a panel frame.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electronic device 3 Panel portion (movable panel) 4 Support structure 4B Long groove 4C Roller 4Ca Flange portion 4Cb Claw portion (locking mechanism) 4D Shaft 4Db Second convex portion (locking mechanism) 4E Elastic member 4F Guide portion 22 Panel frame

Claims

1. A support structure for a movable panel comprising: rollers protruding from both side ends of a movable panel; long grooves provided on both inner wall surfaces of a panel frame in which the movable panel is placed, into which the rollers can be inserted; a shaft fixed to the movable panel and supporting the rollers rotatably and slidably so as to advance and retreat into the long grooves; an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves; and a locking mechanism that restricts sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are retracted from the long grooves and at a first rotation position, while allowing sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are at a second rotation position.

2. A support structure for a movable panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the roller is provided with a disk-shaped flange portion, and the locking mechanism has a guide portion that is provided along the long groove in the panel frame and abuts against the flange portion to guide the rotation of the roller.

3. A support structure for a movable panel according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is positioned so that the roller can enter the long groove when the flange portion abuts against the guide portion.

4. A method for assembling a movable panel using a support structure including: rollers protruding from both side ends of a movable panel; long grooves provided on both inner wall surfaces of a panel frame in which the movable panel is placed, and into which the rollers can be inserted; a shaft fixed to the movable panel and supporting the rollers rotatably and slidably so as to advance and retreat into the long grooves; an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves; and a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding movement of the rollers at a retracted position from the long groove and a first rotation position, while allowing the sliding movement of the rollers at a second rotation position, the method comprising: restricting the sliding movement of the rollers at the retracted position and the first rotation position; placing the movable panel in the panel frame; and rotating the rollers to the second rotation position to allow the sliding movement of the rollers.

5. An electronic device comprising: a movable panel; a panel frame in which the movable panel is placed; and a support structure that supports the movable panel relative to the panel frame, wherein the support structure includes: rollers that protrude from both side ends of the movable panel; long grooves that are provided on both inner wall surfaces of the panel frame in which the movable panel is placed and into which the rollers can be inserted; a shaft that is fixed to the movable panel and supports the rollers rotatably and slidably so as to advance and retreat into the long grooves; an elastic member that pushes the rollers in the direction of entering the long grooves; and a locking mechanism that restricts sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are retracted from the long grooves and at a first rotation position, while allowing sliding movement of the rollers when the rollers are at a second rotation position.

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