JP2000068659A - Hinge rotation control mechanism for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device capable of fixing a position of a rotation case only when necessary, and to place a rotation case on an upper surface of the position fixed rotation case. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge rotation restricting mechanism capable of fixing a pivot case and a hinge rotation restricting mechanism capable of fixing a position of a rotation case at a plurality of positions during rotation. The electronic device includes a PDA main body (1) and a hard cover (4) attached to the PDA main body (1) via a hinge plate (5) and a hinge shaft, and fixes the position of the hard cover (4) during rotation. In the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the electronic device, the hard cover 4 is provided with plates 8, 8 'movable by a user's operation.
The plate 8, 8 ′ is inserted into the insertion hole 141 of the PDA main body 1 by moving 8 ′.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge rotation restricting mechanism provided in an electronic device such as an electronic organizer having a hinge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The configuration of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-17279 will be described as a prior art in a hinge rotation restricting mechanism of an electronic device. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view when the hinge rotation restricting mechanism is used for a portable information terminal device (hereinafter, referred to as “PDA”) such as an electronic organizer. 101 is a main body case, 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a hinge shaft having both ends fixed to the main body case.

[0003] A rotating case 103 is attached to the main body case 101 by a hinge shaft 102.
It turns in the direction of arrow D. This PDA is the main body case 101
Is provided with a key input unit (not shown), and the rotating case 103 is provided with a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal.

[0004] The storage unit 10 formed in the main body case 101
An elastic locking plate 105 is accommodated in 4, and a side edge portion 105 a protrudes from the accommodation portion 104. The elastic locking plate 105 is provided with elasticity on the side edge portion 105a by a hole 105b formed in the center thereof. The rotating case 10
3 is provided with a projection 103a.

[0005] FIG. 11 shows that the protrusion 103 a is moved to the side edge 105 a of the elastic locking plate 105 during the rotation of the rotation case 103.
Shows a state in which it is in contact with. Due to the locking of the elastic locking plate 105, the rotating case 103 does not further rotate. Therefore, since the rotating case 103 is held in a state of being inclined with respect to the main body case 101, the display unit is easy to see. When the rotating case 103 is rotated against the elastic force of the elastic locking plate 105, the protrusion 103a can get over the side edge portion 105a of the elastic locking plate 105.

[0006]

However, in the above-described hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the prior art, the projection 103a of the rotation case 103 must be elastically locked regardless of whether the rotation case 103 is opened or not. There is a problem that the rotating case 103 is fixed in position by contacting the plate 105.

[0007] Further, a structure different from the above-mentioned PDA, for example, a dot matrix type liquid crystal display unit and a transparent analog resistive film type tablet unit capable of inputting / outputting information with a touch pen or the like are provided in the main body case 101. In the case of a PDA serving as a hard cover, the opened rotating case 103 is fixed in position, and a peripheral device such as a mobile phone is fixed on the upper surface of the PDA using means such as a velcro tape. In such a case, the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the related art cannot fix the position of the rotation case 103 due to the weight of the device placed on the upper surface of the rotation case 103.

Further, depending on the form and use of the PDA, there are cases where it is desired to fix the position of the rotating case 103 at several points during the rotation.
The position of the rotating case 103 can be fixed only at the location.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device capable of fixing the position of a rotating case only when necessary, and an upper surface of the fixed rotating case. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge rotation restricting mechanism capable of placing an object on the same and a hinge rotation restricting mechanism capable of fixing the position of the rotation case at a plurality of positions during the rotation.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device comprises a main body case and a rotation case attached to the main body case via a hinge. In the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the electronic device provided in the electronic device for fixing the position of the rotating case during the rotation, a position fixing member movable by a user is provided in the rotating case. When the position of the rotating case is fixed, the position fixing member is moved to lock the position fixing member to the main body case.

In the hinge rotation restricting mechanism having the above structure, the rotation case can normally be freely rotated. Then, only when necessary, the user moves the position fixing member and locks it to the main body case. Therefore, the rotating case is fixed in position with respect to the main body case and does not rotate any further.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the position fixing member has an elongated flat plate shape, and the position fixing member is provided on the rotating case. Is formed, and when the user slides the position fixing member in the slide hole to fix the position of the rotating case, the end of the position fixing member protrudes from the rotating case. It is characterized in that it is inserted into an insertion hole provided in the main body case.

In the hinge rotation restricting mechanism having the above structure, the rotation case can be freely rotated when the position fixing member is completely housed in the slide hole. To fix the position of the rotating case, the position fixing member is moved. As a result, the end of the position fixing member protrudes from the turning case and is inserted into the insertion hole of the main case, so that the position fixing member is locked by the main case and the turning case does not turn any more. When the position fixing member is returned to the original position, the locking of the position fixing member is released, and the rotating case can rotate again.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the first or second aspect, wherein a spring member having a convex portion is provided on a side surface of the position fixing member. In the slide hole, the position of the protrusion when the end of the position fixing member is inserted into the insertion hole of the main body case and the position of the protrusion when the end is stored in the slide hole. It is characterized in that a concave portion in which the portion is fitted is formed.

According to the hinge rotation restricting mechanism having the above structure,
A state in which the end of the position fixing member is inserted into the insertion hole of the main body case to fix the position of the rotating case, and a state in which the end of the position fixing member is stored in the slide hole and the case is freely rotated. At this time, the convex portion of the spring member fits into the concave portion in the slide hole, and the position fixing member is fixed. Further, since the spring member has an elastic force, when the user applies a force to slide the position fixing member, the convex portion can easily be separated from the concave portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the insertion hole of the main body case is inserted in a direction in which the position fixing member is inserted. It is characterized in that a plurality is provided in accordance with this. Therefore, in this hinge rotation restricting mechanism, the position of the rotation case can be fixed at a plurality of positions during the rotation.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A specific embodiment of a hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a P having the hinge rotation restricting mechanism.
It is an external appearance perspective view of DA. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating case and a hinge of the PDA, and FIG.
2 shows a part of the cross section taken along the line AA.

First, the configuration of the PDA and its hinge will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a PDA serving as a main body case.
An input / output unit 2 which is a main body and includes a liquid crystal display unit and a tablet unit is provided on an upper surface. PD shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 in the A body 1 denotes a circuit board provided with an LSI for controlling the input / output unit 2 and the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a hard cover serving as a turning case, which can be turned in the direction of arrow C by a hinge.

The hinge comprises a hinge plate 5 and a hinge shaft 6,
7 As shown in FIG. 2, a hinge shaft 6 is fitted to the hinge plate 5 along one of two lateral edges in the horizontal direction, and a hinge shaft 7 (not shown)
See). Both ends of the hinge shafts 6 and 7 project from the hinge plate 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PDA main body 1 and the hard cover 4 have recesses 11 and 41 at one corresponding side edge.
Are formed. One side edge of the hinge plate 5 in which the hinge shaft 6 is fitted is fitted in the concave portion 11 of the PDA main body 1, and both ends of the hinge shaft 6 are fixed to the PDA main body 1. One side edge of the hinge plate 5 in which the hinge shaft 7 is fitted is fitted in the concave portion 41 of the hard cover 4, and both ends of the hinge shaft 7 are fixed to the hard cover 4. by this,
The hinge plate 5 rotates with respect to the PDA main body 1 by a hinge shaft 6, and the hard cover 4 rotates with respect to the hinge plate 5 by a hinge shaft 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show PDs similar to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of A, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the hard cover 4 is closed, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the hard cover 4 is opened by 360 °. In this way, the hinge opens the hard cover 4 from the closed state to 180 °,
Further opening makes it possible to save space by contacting the lower surface of the PDA main body 1.

Next, the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, two slide holes 12 and 12 ′ extend inside the hard cover 4, and open on the side surface of the hard cover 4 where the hinge plate 5 is attached. Plates 8, 8 'serving as position fixing members are inserted into these slide holes 12, 12'. One end of each of the plates 8, 8 ′ is an operation unit 81, 81 ′ formed with irregularities for the user to put his / her finger on.
Counterbore 13, with slide holes 12, 12 'opening at the top of the
It is exposed from 13 '.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which will be described later, only the hinge rotation restricting mechanism on the plate 8 side will be described. However, the plate 8 'side is also the same except that the configuration is left-right symmetric. As shown in FIG. 6, the operating portion 81 of the plate 8 is located at one end 13 a of the counterbore 13, and the other end and the end 82 of the plate 8 are accommodated in the slide hole 12 (of the plate 8 ′). The other end is an end 82 '(see FIG. 2). From this state, a finger is put on the operation unit 81 to slide the plate 8, and the operation unit 81 is moved to the other end 13 b of the counterbore 13.

FIG. 7 shows that the operating portion 81 of the plate 8 has a counterbore 1
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the third end located on the other end side 13b. Since the operation portion 81 is formed slightly higher on the upper surface of the plate 8, the side surface thereof is in contact with the side wall of the counterbore 13, and is regulated so that the plate 8 does not come out any more.

An insertion hole 141 is formed in the PDA main body 1 near the bottom of the side surface to which the hinge plate 5 is attached, and the plate 8 protruding from the hard cover 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 141. And the end 82 is a PDA
It fits into a recess 15 formed in the main body 1.

Therefore, in the PDA provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the present embodiment, the operating portions 81, 8 of the plates 8, 8 'are provided.
When the 1 'is located at one end 13a, 13a' of the counterbore 13, 13 ', the hard cover 4 can be freely opened up to 360 °. Then, put the hard cover 4 on 180
If it is desired to fix the position when the opening is opened, the operating portions 81, 81 'of the plates 8, 8' are moved by fingers to be positioned at the other end 13b, 13b 'of the counterbore 13, 13'.

As a result, the plates 8, 8 'are inserted into the insertion holes 141 of the PDA main body 1 (only the insertion holes 141 of the plate 8 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), and the ends 82, 82' (Only the concave portion 15 of the plate 8 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7)
Fits. Therefore, the hard cover 4 does not rotate any more. Further, in order to rotate the hard cover 4 again, the operating portions 81, 81 'are again seated on one end 13a of the counterbore 13, 13'.
It is good to return to 13a '.

As described above, in the PDA provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the present embodiment, the hard cover 4 can normally be freely rotated, and the plates 8, 8 'are operated only when necessary. Thus, the position of the hard cover 4 can be fixed. Therefore, unlike the related art, the unnecessary fixing of the position of the hard cover 4 is eliminated and the hard cover 4 becomes easy to use.

When it is desired to use the hard cover 4 opened at 180 ° and fixed in position as an installation base for a mobile phone or the like, a material and a cross-sectional shape sufficient to withstand the weight of the mobile phone are used in advance. Should be kept. In addition, as a method of fixing the mobile phone to the hard cover 4, a known magic tape or the like may be used.

In the above-mentioned PDA, the hard cover 4 is set at 18
The insertion hole 141 is formed so that the plates 8 and 8 'can be inserted when the plate is opened at 0 °, but is not limited to this, and the insertion holes are formed so that the plates 8 and 8' can be inserted when the plate is opened at another angle. 141 may be formed.

Next, the hinge rotation restricting mechanisms of the second and third embodiments will be described. In each case, a PDA provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the present invention will be described. However, this PDA has the same configuration as the PDA provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the first embodiment. In FIGS. 8 to 10 described later, the same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a hard cover and a hinge in a PDA provided with a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one of the two plates 8, 8 'shown in FIG.
The other plate 8 'has the same configuration. In FIG. 9, an arcuate spring portion 9 made of an elastic material such as resin is provided on one side surface of the plate 8 (a spring portion 9 '(see FIG. 8) on the plate 8'). The spring portion 9 has a protrusion 9 projecting outward.
1 (a convex portion 91 '(see FIG. 8) is formed on the spring portion 9').

As shown in FIG. 8, each slide hole 12, 1
The recesses 121a, 121b, 121 are formed on the inner wall outside 2 '.
a ′ and 121b ′ are formed two by two. Plate 8,
8 ′ operating portion 81, 81 ′ is located at one end 1 of counterbore 13, 13 ′
When located at 3a, 13a ', the convex portions 91, 91' fit into the concave portions 121a, 121a ', respectively.

Then, when the user applies a force to the plates 8, 8 'by placing his / her fingers on the operation portions 81, 81', the spring portions 9, 9 'are formed.
The convex portions 91, 91 'can be easily converted into the concave portions 121 by the elastic force of
a, 121a ', and the plates 8, 8' slide.
Then, when the operating portions 81, 81 'reach the other end 13b, 13b' of the counterbore 13, 13 ', the convex portions 91, 91' are fitted into the concave portions 121b, 121b ', respectively.

That is, in the PDA provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the present embodiment, the operating portions 81, 81 'have the counterbore 13,
13 ', one end 13a, 13a' or the other end 13b, 13
When at b ', the plates 8, 8' are fixed. Therefore,
When the hard cover 4 is rotated, the plates 8, 8 '
Are protruded from the slide holes 12 and 12 ', and when the hard cover 4 is fixed in position, the plates 8, 8' move and P
The insertion hole of the DA body 1 (the insertion hole 141 of the plate 8 is
(See Reference) does not occur.

Next, a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a PDA provided with a hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. The PDA body 1 has two insertion holes. The insertion hole 141 located near the bottom of the PDA main body 1 is bored horizontally as in the first embodiment, but the insertion hole 142 located above it is
It is formed obliquely with respect to the side surface of the DA main body 1. Note that a plate 8 '(see FIG. 1) not shown here is also provided with two insertion holes and locking portions.

Therefore, when the hard cover 4 is opened at 180 °, the plate 8 is inserted into the insertion hole 141 by moving the plate 8 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the end 82 is fitted into the recess 15. The position of the hard cover 4 is fixed. When the hard cover 4 is at the position shown in FIG. 10 inclined with respect to the PDA main body 1 during the rotation, when the plate 8 is moved, it is inserted into the insertion hole 142, and the end 82 is fitted into the recess 15. Then, the position of the hard cover 4 is fixed.
Therefore, in this PDA, the position of the hard cover 4 can be fixed at two places according to the use of the user, which is convenient.

The positions and the number of the insertion holes are not limited to those in the present embodiment, but may be appropriately provided according to the form and use of the PDA. In addition, it goes without saying that a plurality of insertion holes can also be provided in the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the second embodiment. Further, the electronic device provided with the hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to the PDA having the above configuration, but may be any device having a hinge.

[0039]

As described above, the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the electronic device according to the first and second aspects fixes the position of the rotary case by moving the position fixing member only when the user needs it. Things. Therefore, usually, the rotating case can be freely rotated, and it is easier to use as compared with the prior art in which the rotating case is always fixed in the middle of the rotation.

The rotating case is securely fixed by the position fixing member, and does not rotate again when further force is applied from the position fixed state as in the prior art. Therefore, if the strength of the position fixing member is considered in advance, it becomes possible to place the object on the upper surface of the rotating case whose position is fixed. Therefore, this hinge rotation restricting mechanism is not limited in form and application of a device used, for example, an electronic device, as compared with the conventional technology, and can be applied to various types.

In particular, in the hinge rotation restricting mechanism of the electronic device according to the third aspect, the position fixing member is fixed in the slide hole when the rotation case is freely rotated and when the rotation case is fixed. Therefore, problems such as the position fixing member protruding from the rotating case and the position fixing member locked to the main body case falling out of the insertion hole do not occur. Therefore, an apparatus such as an electronic device having the hinge rotation restricting mechanism is easy to use.

Further, in the hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device according to the fourth aspect, since a plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the opening angle of the rotation case are provided, the rotation case can be adjusted according to the form and use of the electronic device. Can be fixed at a desired opening angle, which is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a PDA provided with a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a P having a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to the first embodiment;
The perspective view which showed the hard cover and hinge of DA.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the hard cover is closed.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where the hard cover is opened by 360 °.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state where the hard cover is opened by 180 ° and the position is fixed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a hard cover and a hinge of a PDA provided with a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plate in a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a hard cover is fixed in a PDA provided with a hinge rotation restricting mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a PDA provided with a conventional hinge rotation restricting mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 PDA main body 2 I / O part 3 Circuit board 4 Hard cover 5 Hinge plate 6 Hinge axis 7 Hinge axis 8,8 'Plate 12,12' Slide hole 12a, 12b, 12a ', 12b' Concave part 82,82 'Plate end Part 9, 9 'Spring part 91, 91' Convex part of spring member 141 Insertion hole 142 Insertion hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device, comprising: a body case; and a rotating case attached to the body case via a hinge, the electronic device being provided for fixing the position of the rotating case during the rotation. In the hinge rotation restriction mechanism, a position fixing member movable by a user's operation is provided on the rotation case, and when the position of the rotation case is fixed, the position fixing member is moved to fix the position. A hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device, wherein a member is locked to the main body case. 2. The position fixing member is in the shape of an elongated flat plate, and the rotating case is provided with a slide hole for completely accommodating the position fixing member. When a user slides the position fixing member in the slide hole, an end of the position fixing member protrudes from a rotating case and is inserted into an insertion hole provided in the main body case. 2. The hinge rotation restricting mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 1. 3. A spring member having a convex portion is provided on a side surface of the position fixing member, and an end of the position fixing member is inserted into the slide hole in the insertion hole of the main body case. The concave portion in which the convex portion fits is formed at the position of the convex portion and the position of the convex portion when the end portion is housed in the slide hole. 3. The mechanism for restricting hinge rotation of an electronic device according to item 2. 4. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of insertion holes are provided in the main body case in accordance with an insertion direction of the position fixing member. Motion regulation mechanism.