U.S. patent application number 09/739626 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for electric apparatus with cover for opening/closing receptacle containing module.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Hisano, Kenji, Nakajima, Yuji, Wada, Kohei.
Application Number | 20010015885 09/739626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17392267 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakajima, Yuji ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Electric apparatus with cover for opening/closing receptacle
containing module
Abstract
A portable apparatus comprises a box-shaped housing body. The
housing body includes a lower housing and an upper housing coupled
to the lower housing. The upper housing includes a component
attachment portion opened upward. A functional component such as a
speaker is removably supported on the component attachment portion
of the upper housing. A top cover is removably supported on the
housing body. The top cover covers the component attachment portion
and the functional component supported on the component attachment
portion.
Inventors: |
Nakajima, Yuji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Wada, Kohei; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hisano,
Kenji; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP LLP
1600 TYSONS BOULEVARD
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|
Family ID: |
17392267 |
Appl. No.: |
09/739626 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09739626 |
Dec 20, 2000 |
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09105177 |
Jun 26, 1998 |
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6198626 |
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09105177 |
Jun 26, 1998 |
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08688846 |
Jul 31, 1996 |
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5808861 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.08 ;
361/679.23; 361/679.27; 361/679.55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1679 20130101;
G06F 1/1656 20130101; G06F 1/1635 20130101; G06F 1/184 20130101;
B60G 17/052 20130101; B60G 17/0528 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101;
B60G 2202/152 20130101; B60G 2500/204 20130101; G06F 1/187
20130101; G06F 1/1658 20130101; B60G 2600/02 20130101; G06F 1/1688
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/686 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 1995 |
JP |
7-263637 |
Feb 18, 2000 |
DE |
100 07 382.4 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable apparatus comprising: a box-shaped housing body
including a lower housing and an upper housing coupled to said
lower housing, said upper housing including a component attachment
portion opened upward; a functional component removably supported
on said component attachment portion of said upper housing; and a
top cover removably supported on said housing body, said top cover
covering the component attachment portion and the functional
component supported on said component attachment portion.
2. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
component attachment portion extends in the width direction of the
housing body, and the length of the component attachment portion in
the width direction is equal to the length of the housing body in
the width direction.
3. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said top
cover has a panel facing said component attachment portion, and
said panel cooperates with said component attachment portion in
clamping and holding said functional component.
4. The portable apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
functional component is a switch including a rotatable shaft and a
disk-shaped operation dial removably coupled to said rotatable
shaft, said operation dial of the switch includes an outer
peripheral surface having a relatively-large-diameter flange
portion, and said panel of the top cover includes a circular
through-hole through which the operation dial is passed and a guide
wall situated around said through-hole and surrounding the flange
portion.
5. The portable apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a keyboard support section formed in said upper housing and being
continuous with said component attachment portion, and a keyboard
supported on said keyboard support section.
6. The portable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said
keyboard comprises a number of keys and a support panel for
supporting said keys, said keyboard support section includes a
bottom wall for supporting said support panel and a peripheral wall
surrounding the support panel, and said top cover includes a wall
to be interposed between said keyboard support section and said
component attachment portion when said top cover is attached to the
housing body, said wall cooperating with the bottom wall of the
keyboard support section in clamping the support panel and holding
the keyboard in the keyboard support section.
7. A portable apparatus comprising: a box-shaped housing body
including a lower housing having a bottom wall and a rear wall
continuous with the bottom wall, and an upper housing coupled to
the lower housing, said upper housing including a component
attachment portion opened upward; a functional component removably
supported on said component attachment portion of said housing
body; a display unit having a support portion extending toward the
component attachment portion of said housing body; hinge means for
rotatably supporting the display unit on said housing body, said
hinge means being situated adjacent to said component attachment
portion; and a top cover removably attached to said housing body,
said top cover covering the component attachment portion and the
functional component supported on said component attachment
portion, wherein said component attachment portion of the housing
body includes a cover portion covering the support portion of the
display unit from below, and being continuous with the rear wall of
the lower housing, and said top cover includes a hinge cover
portion covering the hinge means, said hinge cover portion being
continuous with said cover portion when said top cover is attached
to said housing body.
8. The portable apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said
component attachment portion extends in the width direction of the
housing body, and the length of the component attachment portion in
the width direction is equal to the length of the housing body in
the width direction.
9. The portable apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said top
cover has a panel facing said component attachment portion, and
said panel cooperates with said component attachment portion in
clamping and holding said functional component.
10. The portable apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said hinge
means includes a first hinge metal fixing and a second hinge metal
fixing, said first and second hinge metal fixings are spaced apart
in the width direction of the component attachment portion, and
said functional component is situated between the first and second
hinge metal fixings.
11. The portable apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said
housing body including the component attachment portion is formed
of a synthetic resin, each of said first and second hinge metal
fixings includes a metallic bracket extending in the depth
direction of the housing body, said bracket of the first hinge
metal fixing is fixed to the component attachment portion, and said
bracket of the second hinge metal fixing is fixed to the upper
housing.
12. The portable apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising a metallic frame contained within said housing body, and
a circuit board supported on said frame, said circuit board facing
said component attachment portion, and said functional component
being electrically connected to said circuit board.
13. The portable apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said
frame includes a first receiving portion for receiving the bracket
of said first hinge metal fixing and a second receiving portion for
receiving the bracket of said second hinge metal fixing, said first
and second receiving portions are fixed to the bracket by
screws.
14. The portable apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising
a keyboard support section formed in said upper housing, said
keyboard support section being continuous with said component
attachment portion in front of said component attachment portion,
and a keyboard supported on said keyboard support section.
15. The portable apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said
keyboard comprises a number of keys and a support panel for
supporting said keys, said keyboard support section includes a
bottom wall for supporting said support panel and a peripheral wall
surrounding the support panel, and said top cover includes a wall
to be interposed between said keyboard support section and said
component attachment portion when said top cover is attached to the
housing body, said wall cooperating with the bottom wall of the
keyboard support section in clamping the support panel and holding
the keyboard in the keyboard support section.
16. The portable apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
functional component is a speaker, and said panel of the top cover
has a cover attachment portion having a hole facing said speaker, a
net-like speaker cover attached to the cover attachment portion and
covering said hole, and a blind member formed of felt and
interposed between said speaker cover and said cover attachment
portion, said blind member being attached to the cover attachment
portion.
17. The portable apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said
functional component is a switch including a shaft rotatably
supported on said circuit board and a disk-shaped operation dial
removably coupled to said shaft, said operation dial of the switch
includes an outer peripheral surface having a
relatively-large-diameter flange portion, and said panel of the top
cover includes a circular through-hole through which the operation
dial is passed and a guide wall situated around said through-hole
and surrounding the flange portion, said shaft and said operation
dial being coupled movably in the radial direction of said
shaft.
18. A portable apparatus comprising: a box-shaped housing body
having an upper wall, said upper wall of the housing body having a
component attachment portion opened upward; first and second
speakers removably supported on said component attachment portion
of the housing body, said speakers being arranged on both sides of
a center line extending in the depth direction of the housing body
through the center of the housing body in the width direction, and
a distance between said first speaker and said center line being
different from a distance between said second speaker and said
center line; and a top cover removably supported on said housing
body, said top cover covering the component attachment portion and
the first and second speakers; wherein said top cover includes a
panel having a pair of holes facing said first and second speakers,
and first and second speaker covers attached to the panel and
covering said holes, each of said first and second speaker covers
having a shape greater than an opening shape of each of said holes
and extending in the width direction of said housing body, and a
distance between said first speaker cover and said center line
being equal to a distance between said second speaker cover and
said center line.
19. The portable apparatus according to claim 18, further
comprising: a blind member interposed between said panel and each
of said speaker covers, said blind member being formed of felt and
attached to said panel.
20. A portable apparatus comprising: a box-shaped housing body
including a lower housing and an upper housing coupled to said
lower housing, said upper housing including a component attachment
portion opened upward and a keyboard attachment portion; a keyboard
mounted on said keyboard attachment portion; a functional component
removably supported on said component attachment portion; and a top
cover removably supported on said housing body, said top cover
covering the component attachment portion and the functional
component supported on said component attachment portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable apparatus such
as a book-type portable computer, and more particularly to a
structure having a housing containing a functional component such
as a speaker.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the field of conventional portable computers dealing
mainly with character information and graphic information, there is
a tendency that such portable computers should be applied to
multimedia wherein moving pictures, sounds, etc. are integrated.
The amount of data processed in multimedia is much greater than
that of data processed when character information alone is used. It
is thus necessary to record data by using a large-capacity optical
disk. To meet the demand, portable computers have been marketed,
which comprise CD-ROM drives for reading out data from optical
disks.
[0005] This type of portable computer includes a box-shaped housing
body and a display unit supported by the housing body. The CD-ROM
driver is contained within the housing body. The portable computer
including the CD-ROM drive is provided with various functional
parts, e.g. a loudspeaker outputting a sound and a volume switch
for controlling the volume of sound. These functional parts are
contained within the housing body.
[0006] In the conventional portable computer, the housing body
comprises a lower housing and an upper housing coupled to the lower
housing. The lower housing supports the CD-ROM drive and functional
parts. Thus, after the CD-ROM drive and functional parts are built
in the lower housing, the upper housing is removably coupled to the
lower housing. The CD-ROM drive and functional parts are covered by
the upper housing.
[0007] In the field of computers having CD-ROM drives, there is a
demand that the built-in loudspeaker be replaced with one having
higher quality. Besides, the contact of the volume switch for
controlling the sound volume may be deteriorated with the passing
of use time of the computer. Thus, the frequency of replacement of
functional parts such as the loudspeaker and volume switch is
relatively higher than that of the CD-ROM drive or other circuit
elements contained within the housing body.
[0008] In the conventional computer, however, the functional parts
such as a loudspeaker and a volume switch are contained within the
housing body along with the CD-ROM drive and other circuit
elements. When such functional parts need to be replaced or
maintained, it is necessary to disassembling the entire housing
body by removing the upper housing from the lower housing.
Consequently, a great deal of time and labor is needed for
replacement and maintenance of the functional parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a portable
apparatus with high workability capable of easily replacing or
maintaining a functional component, without disassembling a housing
body.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable
apparatus capable of having such an external appearance that first
and second speakers are arranged symmetrically with respect to a
center line of a housing body.
[0011] In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided a
portable apparatus comprising:
[0012] a box-shaped housing body including a lower housing and an
upper housing coupled to said lower housing, said upper housing
including a component attachment portion opened upward;
[0013] a functional component removably supported on said component
attachment portion of said upper housing; and
[0014] a top cover removably supported on said housing body, said
top cover covering the component attachment portion and the
functional component supported on said component attachment
portion.
[0015] According to this structure, the functional component is
supported on the component attachment portion of the upper housing.
The functional component is situated on an upper part of the
housing body and not in a deep region of the housing body. Since
the functional component supported on the component attachment
portion is covered by the removable top cover, the top cover is
removed from the housing body and the functional component is
exposed to the upper part of the housing body when the functional
component is replaced or maintained. Thereby, there is no need to
perform time-consuming works such as disassembling the housing body
at each time of replacing or maintaining the functional
component.
[0016] According to this invention, there is also provided a
portable apparatus comprising:
[0017] a box-shaped housing body including a lower housing having a
bottom wall and a rear wall continuous with the bottom wall, and an
upper housing coupled to the lower housing, said upper housing
including a component attachment portion opened upward;
[0018] a functional component removably supported on said component
attachment portion of said housing body;
[0019] a display unit having a support portion extending toward the
component attachment portion of said housing body;
[0020] hinge means for rotatably supporting the display unit on
said housing body, said hinge means being situated adjacent to said
component attachment portion; and
[0021] a top cover removably attached to said housing body, said
top cover covering the component attachment portion and the
functional component supported on said component attachment
portion,
[0022] wherein said component attachment portion of the housing
body includes a cover portion covering the support portion of the
display unit from below, and being continuous with the rear wall of
the lower housing, and
[0023] said top cover includes a hinge cover portion covering the
hinge means, said hinge cover portion being continuous with said
cover portion when said top cover is attached to said housing
body.
[0024] According to this structure, the functional component is
supported on the component attachment portion of the upper housing.
The functional component is situated on an upper part of the
housing body and not in a deep region of the housing body. Since
the functional component supported on the component attachment
portion is covered by the removable top cover, the top cover is
removed from the housing body and the functional component is
exposed to the upper part of the housing body when the functional
component is replaced or maintained. Thereby, there is no need to
perform time-consuming works such as disassembling the housing body
at each time of replacing or maintaining the functional
component.
[0025] In addition, the cover portion of the component attachment
portion extends below the leg portion of the display unit and is
continuous with the rear wall of the lower housing. In the state in
which the component attachment portion is covered by the top cover,
the hinge means can be covered by the hinge cover portion of the
top cover and the cover portion. Thus, there is no need to provide
an exclusive-use cover for covering the hinge means, and the number
of structural parts can be reduced. In addition, since the cover
portion is integrated with the component attachment portion, the
cover portion can be exactly positioned in relation to the support
portion and top cover.
[0026] According to this invention, there is also provided a
portable apparatus comprising:
[0027] a box-shaped housing body having an upper wall, said upper
wall of the housing body having a component attachment portion
opened upward;
[0028] first and second speakers removably supported on said
component attachment portion of the housing body, said speakers
being arranged on both sides of a center line extending in the
depth direction of the housing body through the center of the
housing body in the width direction, and a distance between said
first speaker and said center line being different from a distance
between said second speaker and said center line; and
[0029] a top cover removably supported on said housing body, said
top cover covering the component attachment portion and the first
and second speakers;
[0030] wherein said top cover includes a panel having a pair of
holes facing said first and second speakers, and first and second
speaker covers attached to the panel and covering said holes, each
of said first and second speaker covers having a shape greater than
an opening shape of each of said holes and extending in the width
direction of said housing body, and a distance between said first
speaker cover and said center line being equal to a distance
between said second speaker cover and said center line.
[0031] According to this structure, if the top cover is removed
from the housing body, the first and second speakers are exposed to
the upper side of the housing body. Thus, there is no need to
disassemble the entire housing at each time of replacing or
maintaining the speakers, and the workability is enhanced.
[0032] In addition, since the speaker covers covering the first and
second speakers are arranged symmetrical with respect to the center
line of the housing body, the speakers may be apparently viewed to
be arranged symmetrical with respect to the center line although
the speakers are actually arranged asymmetrical.
[0033] According to this invention, there is also provided a
portable apparatus comprising:
[0034] a box-shaped housing body including a lower housing and an
upper housing coupled to said lower housing, said upper housing
including a component attachment portion opened upward and a
keyboard attachment portion;
[0035] a keyboard mounted on said keyboard attachment portion;
[0036] a functional component removably supported on said component
attachment portion; and
[0037] a top cover removably supported on said housing body, said
top cover covering the component attachment portion and the
functional component supported on said component attachment
portion.
[0038] According to this structure, the functional component is
situated on the upper part of the housing body, and not in a deep
region of the housing body. The top cover is removed and the
functional component is exposed to the upper side of the housing
body when the functional component is replaced or maintained.
Thereby, there is no need to disassemble the housing body at each
time of replacing or maintaining the functional component, and the
workability is enhanced.
[0039] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the
general description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable computer
according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer,
showing the bottom side of a housing body thereof;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable computer,
showing the state in which a front cover is rotated to a second
position and a battery pack is drawn out of a battery storage
section;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a front view of the housing body, showing the
state in which the front cover is rotated to a first position;
[0045] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the battery storage
section of the housing body;
[0046] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a region A in FIG.
5A;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a side view of the battery pack;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which a
frame is mounted on a lower housing;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower housing, showing the
state in which the front cover is rotated to the first
position;
[0051] FIG. 10 is a front view of the lower housing, showing the
state in which the front cover is rotated to the second
position;
[0052] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the battery storage section
in which an auxiliary battery and a clock battery are mounted;
[0053] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the relationship
between the battery storage section and a reinforcement portion of
the frame in an exploded manner;
[0054] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the portable computer;
[0055] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer,
showing a loudspeaker attachment portion;
[0056] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship
between a second connector cover and a stopper;
[0057] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the portable computer
showing the state in which the second connector cover is
opened;
[0058] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer,
showing a TCP mounting portion and a second icon attachment
portion;
[0059] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer,
showing an extension area of the housing body and the loudspeaker
attachment portion;
[0060] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of the portable computer,
showing an attachment portion for a cover unit;
[0061] FIG. 19B is a perspective view of the portable computer,
showing in an exploded manner the state in which the cover unit is
removed from the housing body;
[0062] FIG. 20 is a side view of the portable computer, showing an
attachment portion for a connector cover;
[0063] FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view of the housing body,
showing the attachment portion for the connector cover;
[0064] FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view of the housing body,
showing the state in which the connector cover is slid to a closed
position;
[0065] FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional view of the housing body,
showing the state in which the connector cover is slid to an open
position;
[0066] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing in an exploded manner
the state in which first and second relay connectors are removed
from the frame;
[0067] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the state in which a
CD-ROM drive and a floppy disk drive are removed from a pack
storage section of the housing body;
[0068] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the CD-ROM drive;
[0069] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing in an exploded manner
the state in which a connector hold frame, a connector holder and
an outer cover are removed from a cabinet of the CD-ROM drive;
[0070] FIG. 26 is a plan view of the CD-ROM drive, showing an
attachment portion for an interface connector in cross section;
[0071] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the floppy disk drive;
[0072] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the floppy disk drive,
showing the attachment portion for the interface connector in an
exploded manner;
[0073] FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view of the floppy disk
drive;
[0074] FIG. 29B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the
attachment portion of the interface connector;
[0075] FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view of a front half portion
of the portable computer;
[0076] FIG. 30B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an
attachment portion for a first icon;
[0077] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which
the front cover is rotated to the second position and a hard disk
drive is drawn out;
[0078] FIG. 32 is a front view of the lower housing, showing the
state in which the front cover is rotated to the second
position;
[0079] FIG. 33A is a front view of the lower housing, showing the
state in which the front cover is slid to a locked position;
[0080] FIG. 33B is a front view of the lower housing, showing the
state in which the front cover is slid to an unlocked position;
[0081] FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which a first engaging projection is hooked on the lower
housing;
[0082] FIG. 34B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the first engaging projection is unhooked from the lower
housing;
[0083] FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which a second engaging projection is hooked in an engaging hole in
the frame;
[0084] FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the second engaging projection is unhooked from the engaging
hole in the frame;
[0085] FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which a third engaging projection is hooked in an engaging hole in
the frame;
[0086] FIG. 36B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the third engaging projection is unhooked from the engaging
hole in the frame;
[0087] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the relationship
between a pushing projection of the front cover and a stopper;
[0088] FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the front cover is rotated to the second position and the
pushing projection is disengaged from the stopper;
[0089] FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the front cover is rotated to the first position and the
pushing projection pushes up the stopper;
[0090] FIG. 38C is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the front cover is slid to the locked position;
[0091] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which
an ejector is covered by the front cover rotated to the first
position;
[0092] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which
the front cover is rotated to the second position and the CD-ROM
drive is pulled out by the ejector;
[0093] FIG. 41 is a plan view showing the positional relationship
between the CD-ROM drive and the ejector;
[0094] FIG. 42 is a rear view showing the state in which a display
unit is attached to a component attachment portion of the upper
housing;
[0095] FIG. 43A is a left-hand side view showing the state in which
the display unit is attached to the component attachment portion of
the upper housing;
[0096] FIG. 43B is a right-hand side view showing the state in
which the display unit is attached to the component attachment
portion of the upper housing;
[0097] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the portable computer,
showing the state in which a top cover is removed from the
component attachment portion of the upper housing;
[0098] FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a coupling portion
between a first leg portion of the display unit and the component
attachment portion;
[0099] FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing a coupling portion
between a second leg portion of the display unit and the component
attachment portion;
[0100] FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer,
showing the state in which the top cover is removed from the
component attachment portion of the upper housing;
[0101] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of a region corresponding
to the component attachment portion of the housing body;
[0102] FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of a region corresponding
to the component attachment portion of the housing body;
[0103] FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing in an exploded manner
the state in which a volume dial is removed from a volume
switch;
[0104] FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the volume dial;
[0105] FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship
between the volume dial and a panel of the top cover;
[0106] FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 53-53 in
FIG. 52;
[0107] FIG. 54A is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship
between the panel of the top cover and a loudspeaker cover; and
[0108] FIG. 54B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
which the loudspeaker cover is attached to the panel of the top
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0109] An embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to
a portable computer, will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0110] FIG. 1 shows a book-type portable computer 1 of "A4" size.
The computer 1 comprises a housing body 2 of a synthetic resin and
a display unit 3 supported on the housing body 2. The housing body
2 comprises a lower housing 5 opening upward and an upper housing 6
detachably coupled to an upper end portion of the lower housing 5.
As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the lower housing 5 has a flat bottom
wall 5a, side walls 5b and 5c, and a rear wall 5d. The side walls
5b and 5c and rear wall 5d extend upward from a peripheral portion
of the bottom wall 5a.
[0111] The upper housing 6 has a plate shape and includes a
substantially flat upper wall 6a. The upper wall 6a faces the
bottom wall 5a of the lower housing 5. Side edge portions of the
upper wall 6a are continuous with the upper end portions of the
side walls 5b and 5c of lower housing 5. Thus, the housing body 2
has a flat rectangular box-like shape with an opening on the front
side.
[0112] As is shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5A, the lower housing 5 has a
battery storage section 8. The battery storage section 8 is formed
as a recess opening to the bottom wall 5a. The battery storage
section 8 extends in the depth direction of the lower housing 5 in
a left-hand region of the lower housing 5. The battery storage
section 8 has an insertion hole 9 opening to the front side of the
lower housing 5.
[0113] The battery storage section 8, as shown in FIG. 5A, is
defined by a pair of upright walls 10a and 10b extending in the
depth direction of the lower housing 5, and a ceiling wall 11
connecting the upper end portions of the upright walls 10a and 10b.
The upright walls 10a and 10b are spaced apart from each other in
the width direction of the housing body 2. The upright walls 10a
and 10b extend upward from the bottom wall 5a and project within
the lower housing 5. The ceiling wall 11 is horizontally situated
at an upwardly opening end of the lower housing 5 in parallel to
the bottom wall 5a. The upright walls 10a and 10b have mutually
facing inner surfaces. A guide recess 12 is formed in the inner
surface of one of the upright walls, i.e. upright wall 10a. A guide
rail 13 is formed on a lower part of the inner surface of the other
upright wall 10b. The guide recess 12 and guide rail 13 extend in
the depth direction of the lower housing 5. In addition, as shown
in FIG. 14, a connector lead-out port 14 opens at a terminal end
portion of the battery storage section 8. The connector lead-out
port 14 communicates with the inside of the lower housing 5.
[0114] As is shown in FIG. 3, a battery pack 16 is removably
mounted in the battery storage section 8. The battery pack 16
serves as a drive power supply for the computer 1 when the computer
1 is used at a place where no commercial power supply is available.
As is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery pack 16 comprises a
battery case 17 of a synthetic resin and a plurality of secondary
batteries 18 contained in the battery case 17.
[0115] The battery case 17 has a rectangular box shape having a
longitudinal axis X1 extending in the depth direction of the lower
housing 5 and a transverse axis X2 extending in the width direction
of the lower housing 5. The battery case 17 is removably inserted
into the battery storage section 8 via the insertion hole 9. The
battery case 17 has such a size that it can be fitted in the
battery storage section 8. Each secondary battery 18 has a
cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the transverse axis
X2 of the battery case 17. The secondary batteries 18 are arranged
in the direction of the longitudinal axis X1 of the battery case
17. Each secondary battery 18 has a first end provided with a
positive terminal 18a and a second end provided with a negative
terminal 18b. The secondary batteries 18 are contained within the
battery case 17 such that their positive terminals 18a and negative
terminals 18b are alternately arranged in opposite directions.
[0116] The battery case 17 has a pair of side surfaces opposed to
each other with the secondary batteries 18 interposed. The side
surfaces of the battery case 17 extend along the longitudinal axis
X1, and are provided with laterally protruding projections 20a and
20b. The projections 20a and 20b serve as guides when the battery
case 17 is inserted into the battery storage section 8. One of the
projections, i.e. projection 20a, is slidably engageable in the
guide recess 12 in the upright wall 10a. The other projection 20b
is engageable with the guide rail 13 on the upright wall 10b. Thus,
the battery case 17 is held in the battery storage section 8 by the
engagement between the projection 20a and guide recess 12 and the
engagement between the projection 20b and guide rail 13. When the
battery case 17 is held in the battery storage section 8, the
bottom surface of the battery case 17 is situated in the same plane
as the bottom wall 5a of the lower housing 5.
[0117] As is shown in FIG. 7, the insides of the projections 20a
and 20b are open to the inside of the battery case 17. The insides
of the projections 20a and 20b define terminal storage sections 21a
and 21b extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis X1. The
terminal storage sections 21a and 21b face the positive terminals
18a and negative terminals 18b of the secondary batteries 18. A
plurality of connection terminals 22 are disposed in the terminal
storage sections 21a and 21b. The connection terminals 22 function
to electrically connect the positive terminal 18a and negative
terminal 18b of two adjacent secondary batteries 18. The secondary
batteries 18 are connected in series via the connection terminals
22. The secondary batteries 18 are connected to a positive (+)
electrode 23 and a negative (-) electrode 24. These electrodes 23
and 24 are disposed on one end face of the battery case 17 in the
direction of the longitudinal axis X1. When the battery case 17 is
inserted in the battery storage section 8, the electrodes 23 and 24
face the connector lead-out port 14.
[0118] As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a recess portion 26 is
formed at a corner defined by the right-hand upright wall 10b and
the ceiling wall 11 of the battery storage section 8. The recess
portion 26 extends in the depth direction of the lower housing 5.
The recess portion 26 has a projection 26a protruding to the inside
of the battery storage section 8. The projection 26a is engaged in
a stepped portion 17a defined by the right-hand side surface and
right-hand projection 20b of the battery case 17.
[0119] As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a cover attachment portion 17b
is formed on an end face of the battery case 17, which is opposed
to the end face thereof on which the electrodes 23 and 24 are
disposed. A battery cover 27 is detachably attached to the cover
attachment portion 17b. When the battery pack 16 is completely
inserted in the battery storage section 8, the battery cover 27 is
located on the front end portion of the lower housing 5. The
battery cover 27 is slidable between an engaged position where it
is engaged with the front end portion of the lower housing 5 and a
disengaged position where it is disengaged from the front end
portion of the lower housing 5. Thus, when the battery cover 27 is
slid to the engaged position, the battery pack 16 is held in the
battery storage section 8 in a locked manner. In the state in which
the battery cover 27 is slid to the engaged position, the battery
cover 27 is continuous with the bottom wall 5a and left-hand side
wall 5b of the lower housing 5 and the insertion hole 9 of the
battery storage section 8 is hidden from the front.
[0120] As is shown in FIG. 8, a frame 30 is contained within the
lower housing 5. The frame 30 is formed of a light-weight,
heat-conductive metallic material such as a magnesium alloy. The
frame 30 has such a size that it is fitted in the lower housing 5.
The frame 30 integrally comprises a pack storage section 31 and a
board support portion 32. The pack storage section 31 is situated
adjacent to the battery storage section 8 in front half part of the
frame 30. As is shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the pack storage section
31 includes a bottom wall 33, a pair of side walls 34a and 34b
continuous with the bottom wall 33, and a rear wall 35 continuous
with the bottom wall 33 and side walls 34a and 34b. The pack
storage section 31 has a box shape, opening upward and forward of
the lower housing 5.
[0121] The pack storage section 31 is divided into a first section
38 and a second section 39 by means of a partition wall 37. The
first section 38 and second section 39 are arranged in the width
direction of the lower housing 5. The first section 38 is adjacent
to the battery storage section 8. The first and second sections 38
and 39 have insertion holes 40 and 41 opening to the front side, as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 23. The insertion holes 40 and 41 are located
at the front end of the lower housing 5.
[0122] As is shown in FIGS. 8 and 22, the board support portion 32
of the frame 30 extends in the width direction of the lower housing
5 in rear of the battery storage section 8 and pack storage section
31. As is clear from FIG. 17, the board support portion 32 has a
bottom wall 44 and a support wall 45 continuous with the bottom
wall 44. The bottom wall 44 is continuous with the bottom wall 33
of pack storage section 31, and the support wall 45 is continuous
with the rear wall 35 of pack storage section 31.
[0123] The frame 30, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 12, has a
reinforcement wall 46 integrally. The reinforcement wall 46
comprises a first wall portion 47 extending horizontal and
continuous with the left-hand side wall 34a of the pack storage
section 31, and a second wall portion 48 extending downward from a
distal end of the first wall portion 47. The first wall portion 47
is superposed on the ceiling wall 11 of the battery storage section
8. The second wall portion 48 extends in the depth direction of the
lower housing 5 and a rear end portion thereof is continuous with
the support wall 45 of the board support portion 32. The second
wall portion 48 is fitted between the upright wall 10a of the
battery storage section 8 and the side wall 5b of the lower housing
5. Thus, the reinforcement wall 46 surrounds the battery storage
section 8 within the lower housing 5.
[0124] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the left-hand side wall 34a of
the pack storage section 31 is adjacent to the upright wall 10b of
the battery storage section 8. An inwardly protruding projection 50
is formed at a corner portion defined by the side wall 34a and the
first wall portion 47 of reinforcement wall 46. The projection 50
extends in the depth direction of the lower housing 5. The
projection 50 enters the recess portion 26 of the battery storage
section 8. The projection 50 has a groove-like wiring passage 51
opening to the upper surface of the first wall portion 47. The
wiring passage 51 extends in the depth direction of the lower
housing 5, and a rear end portion thereof is continuous with the
board support portion 32.
[0125] As is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, a battery hold section 53
is formed on the upper surface of the ceiling wall 11 of the
battery storage section 8. The battery hold section 53 is
continuous with the wiring passage 51. An auxiliary battery 54 and
a clock battery 55 are held by the battery hold section 53. The
auxiliary battery 54 and clock battery 55 have lead lines 54a and
55a respectively. The lead lines 54a and 55a are led to the board
support portion 32 via the wiring passage 51. An opening end
portion of the wiring passage 51 is covered with a synthetic-resin
insulating sheet 56. The insulating sheet 56 is attached on the
upper surface of the first wall portion 47. The presence of the
insulating sheet 56 prevents the lead lines 54a and 55a from being
removed from the wiring passage 51.
[0126] As is shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, a first circuit board 60 is
supported at a lower end of the frame 30. The first circuit board
60 has such a size that it covers the bottom side of the pack
storage section 31 and board support portion 32. The first circuit
board 60 is contained within the lower housing 5 in parallel to the
bottom wall 5a of the lower housing 5. A rear end portion of the
first circuit board 60 is adjacent to the rear wall 5d of the lower
housing 5. As is shown in FIG. 13, the rear end portion of the
first circuit board 60 is provided with an RGB connector 62 for
connection with an external CRT display 61; a COMMS connector 64
for connection with a peripheral device 63 of RS-232C Standard; an
extension connector 66 for connection with an extension station 65;
a parallel connector 68 for connection with a printer 67; and a
power supply connector 70 for connection with a power supply plug
69. The connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are arranged substantially
linearly in the width direction of the lower housing 5.
[0127] A metallic shield plate 73 is provided on the rear end
portion of the first circuit board 60. The shield plate 73 covers,
from the rear side, the connection portion between the connectors
62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 and the first circuit board 60. The
connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are exposed to the rear wall 5d of
lower housing 5. A first connector cover 74 and a second connector
cover 75 are attached to the rear wall 5d. The first connector
cover 74 is situated in a position corresponding to the RGB
connector 62 and COMMS connector 64. The second connector cover 75
is situated in a position corresponding to the parallel connector
68. The first and second connector covers 74 and 75 are formed of a
synthetic resin and have rectangular plate-like shapes. The
connector covers 74 and 75 are supported on the lower housing 5 so
as to be rotatable between a closed position where they cover, from
the rear side, the connectors 62, 64 and 68 and an open position
where they turn rearward of the lower housing 5 and expose the
connectors 62, 64 and 68. A third connector cover 76 is disposed
between the first connector cover 74 and second connector cover 75.
The third connector cover 76 is associated with the extension
connector 66 and is openably supported on the shield plate 73.
[0128] As is shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the rear wall 5d of lower
housing 5 is provided with a pair of rearwardly projecting stoppers
77a and 77b. The stoppers 77a and 77b are disposed in positions
corresponding to the first and second connector covers 74 and 75
respectively. When the first and second connector covers 74 and 75
are rotated about 90.degree. from the closed position to the open
position, the stoppers 77a and 77b abut upon the lower end portions
of the connector covers 74 and 75, thereby limiting further
rotation of the first and second connector covers 74 and 75.
[0129] Thus, when the first and second connector covers 74 and 75
are rotated to the open position and situated substantially
horizontal, the rotation thereof is stopped. For example, when the
computer 1 is placed on the top plate of the desk, the first and
second connector covers 74 and 75 are not caught between the
computer 1 and the top plate of the desk, thus preventing breakage
of the connector covers 74 and 75.
[0130] According to this structure, what is required is only to
form the stoppers 77a and 77b integral with the rear wall 5d of the
lower housing 5, and there is no need to provide special parts for
limiting the rotation of the connector covers 74 and 75. The
structure of the housing body 2 is not complicated.
[0131] As is shown in FIGS. 8, 14 and 17, second to fourth circuit
boards 81, 82 and 83 are screwed down to the board support portion
32 of the frame 30. The second circuit board 81 and third circuit
board 82 are situated behind the battery storage section 8 and the
first section 38 of the pack storage section 31. The second and
third circuit boards 81 and 82 are arranged above the first circuit
board 60 substantially in parallel to the first circuit board 60.
The second circuit board 81 is disposed substantially in the same
plane as the ceiling wall 11 of battery storage section 8 and the
reinforcement wall 46 of frame 30. The lead lines 54a and 55a
passed through the wiring passage 51 are connected to the second
circuit board 81 via a connector 84.
[0132] As is shown in FIG. 17, the third circuit board 82 is a
power supply board and interposed between the second circuit board
81 and the bottom wall 44 of the frame 30. A power supply circuit
component 85, which generates heat in operation, and a battery
connector 86 are mounted on the bottom surface of the third circuit
board 82. The battery connector 86 is exposed to the inside of the
battery storage section 8 via the connector lead-out port 14. The
battery connector 86 is put in contact with the positive (+)
electrode 23 and negative (-) electrode 24 of the battery pack
16.
[0133] As is shown in FIG. 8, the fourth circuit board 83 is
disposed behind the second section 39 of the pack storage section
31. The fourth circuit board 83 is situated above the first circuit
board 60 substantially in parallel to the first circuit board
60.
[0134] A TCP (Tape Carrier Package) 90 functioning as CPU is
mounted on the lower surface of the first circuit board 60, as
shown in FIG. 17. The amount of heat generated by the TCP 90 in
operation is very great because of high-speed, large-capacity
processing of the computer 1. A rectangular through-hole 91 is
formed in the first circuit board 60 in a region facing the TCP 90.
A cold plate 92 for enhancing the heat radiation performance of the
TCP 90 is attached to the first circuit board 60. The cold plate 92
is formed of a copper alloy with high heat conductivity and is
screwed down to the upper surface of the first circuit board 60.
The cold plate 92 has a heat receiving portion 93 fitted in the
through-hole 91. The lower surface of the heat receiving portion 93
is located substantially in the same plane as the lower surface of
the first circuit board 60. The TCP 90 is attached to the lower
surface of the heat receiving portion 93 by means of a
heat-conductive adhesive.
[0135] A TCP cover 95 is attached to the lower surface of the first
circuit board 60. The TCP cover 95 has a metallic cover panel 96
with excellent heat conductivity. The cover panel 96 is put in
contact with the TCP 90 with a heat-conductive, elastic sheet 97
interposed therebetween. If the TCP 90 generates heat, the heat of
the TCP 90 is escaped to the cold plate 92 and TCP cover 95.
[0136] The cold plate 92 faces the bottom wall 44 of the board
support portion 32. A heat radiation plate 99 is attached to the
bottom wall 44. The radiation plate 99 is formed of an aluminum
alloy with excellent heat conductivity. The radiation plate 99 is
in contact with the cold plate 92 without gap. The radiation plate
99 is put in contact with the bottom wall 44 with a
heat-conductive, elastic sheet 100 interposed. Thus, the heat of
the TCP 90 transmitted to the cold plate 92 is escaped to the
radiation plate 99 and then diffused to the frame 30 via the
radiation plate 99.
[0137] As is shown in FIG. 17, the radiation plate 99 integrally
includes a fan support portion 101. The fan support portion 101 is
a rear extension of the radiation plate 99 traveling in a
substantially inclined upward direction. The distal end portion of
the fan support portion 101 is located substantially on the same
level as the third circuit board 82. A motor fan 102 is attached to
the fan support portion 101. The motor fan 102 forcibly cools the
radiation plate 99. The motor fan 102 has a fan casing 103 formed
of an aluminum alloy. The fan casing 103 is in contact with the fan
support portion 101 and serves also as heat sink.
[0138] If the motor fan 102 is driven, the fan casing 103 and
radiation plate 99 are forcibly cooled by air by means of the motor
fan 102, and the heat radiation of the radiation plate 99 is
facilitated. As a result, the heat of the TCP 90 transmitted to the
cold plate 92 can be efficiently dissipated to the outside via the
radiation plate 99. Since the radiation plate 99 is in contact with
the metallic frame 30, the heat of the TCP 90 transmitted to the
radiation plate 99 is dissipated to the frame 30 and naturally
radiated via the housing body 2. Thus, in combination with the
forcible air-cooling function of the motor fan 102, the heat of the
TCP 90 can be efficiently radiated.
[0139] As is shown in FIG. 17, a cooling air passage 105 is defined
between the bottom wall 44 of board support portion 32 and the
third circuit board 82. The cooling air passage 105 extends from a
central region toward a left-hand end of the board support portion
32. The aforementioned power supply circuit component 85 is
contained within the cooling air passage 105. The cooling air
passage 105 has one end portion communicating with the installation
portion of the motor fan 102 and the other end portion reaching the
left-hand side wall 5b of the lower housing 5. The side wall 5b of
the lower housing 5 has a plurality of air holes 106, as shown in
FIG. 16. The air holes 106 communicate with the cooling air passage
105.
[0140] As is shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of cooling fins 107 are
formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 44 facing the
cooling air passage 105. The cooling fins 107 extend in the
direction of extension of the cooling air passage 105.
[0141] In the above structure, if the motor fan 102 is driven, the
cooling air passage 105 is set at a negative pressure level and
thus the air outside the housing body 2 is sucked into the cooling
air passage 105 via the air holes 106. The air flows as cooling
wind through the cooling air passage 105, while forcibly cooling
the power supply circuit component 85. The cooling wind flows along
the bottom wall 44 receiving heat of the radiation plate 99, thus
facilitating the heat radiation of the bottom wall 44. In addition,
since the bottom wall 44 has the cooling fins 107, the heat
radiation area of the bottom wall 44 increases and the heat of the
TCP 90 transmitted from the radiation plate 99 is efficiently
radiated.
[0142] As is shown in FIG. 18, an extension area 110 is provided
within the housing body 2. The extension area 110 is located on the
right-hand part of the board support portion 32. The extension area
110 is divided into a MODEM storage section 111 and a card storage
section 112. The MODEM storage section 111 and card storage section
112 are arranged such that they are stacked on each other in the
thickness direction of the housing body 2. The MODEM storage
section 111 stores a MODEM pack (not shown) constructed as a module
unit. The MODEM storage section 111 is located above the fourth
circuit board 83. The card storage section 112 removably contains
an extension card such as a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association) or an interface card. The card storage
section 112 is located between the first circuit board 60 and the
fourth circuit board 83. The card storage section 112 has a card
connector 113 for connection with the extension card and a card
guide 114 for guiding the extension card to the card connector 113.
The card connector 113 and card guide 114 are mounted on the first
circuit board 60.
[0143] As is shown in FIG. 19B, an opening portion 118
communicating with the extension area 110 is formed in the
right-hand side wall 5c of the lower housing 5. The opening portion
118 includes a MODEM insertion port 118a associated with the MODEM
storage section 111 and a card insertion port 118b associated with
the card storage section 112. The lower housing 5 is provided with
a cover unit 119 of a synthetic resin covering the opening portion
118.
[0144] The cover unit 119 has a MODEM cover 120 and a card cover
121. The MODEM cover 120 has a rectangular plate-like shape with a
size corresponding to the MODEM insertion port 118a. The MODEM
cover 120 comprises a pair of stays 122a and 122b extending
downward, and a bracket portion 123 coupling lower end portions of
the stays 122a and 122b. The bracket portion 123 of MODEM cover 120
is supported on the bottom wall 5a of lower housing 5.
[0145] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19B, the bottom wall 5a of
lower housing 5, which faces the opening portion 118, is provided
with a cover attachment portion 125 having a pair of boss portions
124a and 124b. The cover attachment portion 125 faces the card
insertion portion 118b. The bracket portion 123 of MODEM cover 120
is abutted upon the cover attachment portion 125. Screw holes 126a
and 126b associated with the boss portions 124a and 124b are formed
in the bracket portion 123. Screws 127 are inserted into the screw
holes 126a and 126b. The screws 127 are turned and driven into the
boss portions 124a and 124b. Thereby, the MODEM cover 120 is fixed
on the lower housing 5, and the MODEM insertion port 118a is
covered by the MODEM cover 120.
[0146] The card cover 121 has a rectangular plate-like shape with a
size corresponding to the card insertion port 118b. The card cover
121 is supported on the bracket portion 123 of the MODEM cover 120.
The bracket portion 123 has a pair of cover support portions 130a
and 130b which are spaced apart from each other in the depth
direction of the lower housing 5. The card cover 121 is rotatably
supported between the cover support portions 130a and 130b. Thus,
the card cover 121 is rotatably supported on the bracket portion
123 between a closed position where the card cover 121 is turned up
to be substantially flush with the side wall 5c, and an open
position where the card cover 121 is turned down to the right side
of the lower housing 5 to expose the card insertion port 118b. In
the state in which the card cover 121 is rotated to the closed
position, the card cover 121 is continuous with the MODEM cover 120
and covers the bracket portion 123 of MODEM cover 120 and screws
127 in the lateral direction.
[0147] According to the cover unit 119 having the above structure,
since the card cover 121 is rotatably supported on the MODEM cover
120, there is no need to provide the lower housing 5 with a support
member for supporting the card cover 121. Thus, the structure of
the lower housing 5 is simplified and the number of parts is
reduced, as compared to the case where the MODEM cover 120 and card
cover 121 are individually attached to the lower housing 5.
[0148] Furthermore, the fixing portion of the MODEM cover 120 and
lower housing 5 can be covered by using the card cover 121, and
there is no need to provide special parts for covering the bracket
portion 123 or screws 127.
[0149] As is shown in FIG. 20, an FDD connector 136 is mounted on
the lower surface of the first circuit board 60. The FDD connector
136 is used for connection with an external floppy disk drive 135.
The FDD connector 136 is located in a lower region of the second
section 39 of pack storage section 31 and is adjacent to a corner
portion defined by the bottom wall 5a and right-hand side wall 5c
of lower housing 5. The lower housing 5 has a connector lead-out
port 137 facing the FDD connector 136. As shown in FIG. 21A, the
connector lead-out port 137 is open in a space from the bottom wall
5a to side wall 5c of the lower housing 5. A cover storage section
138 having a recess shape is formed in the bottom wall 5a and side
wall 5c of the lower housing 5. The cover storage section 138 is
continuous with the front end of the connector lead-out port
137.
[0150] The connector lead-out port 137 has a first opening edge
portion 140 and a second opening edge portion 141. The first
opening edge portion 140 extends in the depth direction of the
lower housing 5 on the bottom wall 5a. The second opening edge
portion 141 extends in the depth direction of the lower housing 5
on the side wall 5c. A guide groove 142 is formed in the side wall
5c along the second opening edge portion 141. The opening edge
portions 140 and 141 and guide groove 142 extend to the region of
the cover storage section 138.
[0151] A connector cover 145 for opening/closing the connector
lead-out port 137 is attached to the lower housing 5. The connector
cover 145 comprises a bottom plate portion 146 continuous with the
bottom wall 5a and a side plate portion 147 continuous with the
side wall 5c. The bottom plate portion 146 has an engaging portion
148 slidably engaged with the first opening edge portion 140. An
inwardly projecting engaging portion 149 is formed on an upper end
portion of the side plate portion 147. The engaging portion 149 is
slidably engaged with the guide groove 142 in the side wall 5c.
[0152] A plate-like cover holder 150 is fixed on the inner surface
of the bottom wall 5a, as shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C. The cover
holder 150 is disposed along the first opening edge portion 140 of
the connector lead-out port 137, and one side portion of the cover
holder 150 projects inside the connector lead-out port 137. A guide
groove 152 is formed in the lower surface of said one side portion
of the cover holder 150. The guide groove 152 extends along the
first opening edge portion 140, and the engaging portion 148 of the
bottom plate portion 146 is slidably engaged in the guide groove
152. By this engagement, the engaging portion 148 is irremovably
held on the first opening edge portion 140 and the connector cover
145 is not displaced to the laterial side.
[0153] The connector cover 145 is slidably held on the lower
housing 5 by guide means comprising engagement portions between the
engaging portion 148 and guide groove 152 and between the engaging
portion 149 and guide groove 142. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 21B and
21C, the connector cover 145 is slidable between a closed position
where the connector lead-out port 137 is closed and an open
position where the connector lead-out port 137 is opened. In the
state in which the connector cover 145 is slid to the opening
position, the connector cover 145 is stored in the cover storage
portion 138.
[0154] As is shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C, a pair of positioning
projections 153a and 153b are provided on one side portion of the
guide groove 152. The positioning projections 153a and 153b are
spaced apart from each other in the direction of sliding movement
of the connector cover 145. One of the position projections, i.e.
projection 153a, is disposed in a position associated with the
closed position of the connector cover 145, and the other
positioning projection 153b is disposed in a position associated
with the open position of the connector cover 145. An engaging
projection 154 is provided on one end portion of the engaging
portion 148 of connector cover 145. The engaging projection 154 is
put in slidable contact with said one side portion of the guide
groove 152.
[0155] When the connector cover 145 is slid from the open position
to the closed position, the engaging projection 154 moves beyond
the positioning projection 153a just before the connector cover 145
reaches the closed position. At this time, the operator feels a
click. Similarly, when the connector cover 145 is slid from the
closed position to the open position, the engaging projection 154
moves beyond the the other positioning projection 153b just before
the connector cover 145 reaches the open position. At this time,
the operator feels a click. Accordingly, the operator can recognize
that the connector cover 145 has reached the closed position or
open position, and the sliding operation of the connector cover 145
is ensured.
[0156] As is shown in FIGS. 8 and 22, a first relay connector 160
is disposed in the first section 38 of the pack storage section 31.
The first relay connector 160 is located at the terminal end
portion of the first section 38 and opposed to the insertion hole
40 of the first section 38. The terminal end portion of the first
section 38 is constituted by the rear wall 35 of the pack storage
section 31. A connector attachment portion 161 is formed on the
rear wall 35. The connector attachment portion 161 has a groove
shape and is opened upward of the pack storage section 31.
[0157] A second relay connector 164 is disposed in the second
section 39 of the pack storage section 31. The second relay
connector 164 is located at the terminal end portion of the second
section 39 and opposed to the insertion hole 41 of the second
section 39. The terminal end portion of the second section 39 is
constituted by the rear wall 35 of the pack storage section 31. A
connector attachment portion 165 is formed on the rear wall 35. The
connector attachment portion 165 has a groove shape and is opened
upward of the pack storage section 31.
[0158] The first relay connector 160 and second relay connector 164
are mounted on a flexible wiring board 170 with reinforcement
plates 168 and 169 interposed. A first stacking connector 172 is
mounted on a middle portion of the wiring board 170 with use of a
reinforcement plate 171. The wiring board 170 has an extension part
173 continuous with the mounting portion of the first relay
connector 160. A second stacking connector 175 is mounted on a
distal end portion of the extension part 173 with use of a
reinforcement plate 174. Thus, the first relay connector 160,
second relay connector 174, first stacking connector 172 and second
stacking connector 175 are integrated by the wiring board 170.
[0159] The wiring board 170 is disposed on the upper surface of the
bottom wall 33 of the pack storage section 31. The bottom wall 33
has an opening portion 177 facing the stacking connector 172. The
stacking connector 172 is connected to the first circuit board 60
via the opening portion 177.
[0160] As is shown in FIGS. 17 and 22, a first connector holder 180
of a synthetic resin is attached to the reinforcement plate 168 of
first relay connector 160. The first connector holder 180, along
with the reinforcement plate 168, is tightly fitted in the
connector attachment portion 161 from the above region of the frame
30. Thereby, the first relay connector 160 is held on the terminal
end portion of the first section 38.
[0161] As is shown in FIGS. 22 and 30A, the second relay connector
164 is mounted in the connector attachment portion 165 with use of
a second connector holder 181 of a synthetic resin. Specifically,
the second connector holder 181 is superposed on the reinforcement
plate 169 and, in this state, tightly fitted into the connector
attachment portion 165 from the above region of the frame 30.
Thereby, the second relay connector 164 is held on the terminal end
portion of the second section 39.
[0162] The extension part 173 of the wiring board 170 is led to the
upper region of the board support portion 32 from the terminal end
portion of the first section 38, and the second stacking connector
175 is connected to the second circuit board 81.
[0163] According to the above structure, the first and second relay
connectors 160 and 164 are held in the pack storage section 31 of
frame 30 by the tight-fitting method. There is no need to perform
time-consuming works such as fixing the relay connectors 160 and
164 on the first circuit board 60 by means of screws or soldering.
The assembling work of the computer 1 is improved.
[0164] As is shown in FIG. 23, one of a CD-ROM drive 190 and a
floppy disk drive (FDD) 191 is detachably mounted, as a pack-type
device, in the first section 38 of pack storage section 31 in a
selective manner. The CD-ROM drive 190 and FDD 191 are constructed
as module packs having individual functions and have the same
size.
[0165] The CD-ROM drive 190, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, comprises
a tray 192 for receiving an optical disk, and a metallic cabinet
193 for holding the tray 192 such that the tray 192 can be pulled
out. The cabinet 193 has a flat box-like shape. An interface
connector 194 is disposed on an end portion of the cabinet 193,
which is located opposite to the tray 192. The interface connector
194 is mounted on one end portion of a flexible wiring board 196
with a reinforcement plate 195 interposed. The other end portion of
the wiring board 196 is detachably connected to a control circuit
unit provided inside the cabinet 193 via a connector (not shown).
The reinforcement plate 195 has first and second end portions
projecting outward of the interface connector 194. The end portions
of the reinforcement plate 195 have through-holes 197
respectively.
[0166] A connector hold frame 198 formed of a metallic plate is
attached to the cabinet 193. The connector hold frame 198
integrally comprises a pair of support stays 199a and 199b attached
by screws on the side faces of the cabinet 193, and a hold plate
200 for coupling the support stays 199a and 199b to each other. The
hold plate 200 includes an opening portion 201, through which the
interface connector 194 is passed, a pair of through-holes 202a and
202b communicating with the through-holes 197a and 197b in the
reinforcement plate 196, and a pair of engaging holes 203a and 203b
located outside of the through-holes 202a and 202b. The hold plate
200 is superposed on the reinforcement plate 195.
[0167] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, a connector holder 205 of a
synthetic resin is interposed between the reinforcement plate 195
and cabinet 193. The connector holder 205 integrally comprises a
flat support face 206 overlapping the reinforcement plate 195, and
a pair of flat seat portions 207a and 207b continuous with the
support face 206. A pair of nuts 209 are buried in the support face
206. The nuts 209 face the through-holes 197 in the reinforcement
plate 196. The seat portions 207a and 207b have engaging
projections 210 respectively. The engaging projections 210 are
engaged in the associated engaging holes 203a and 203b in the hold
plate 200, thereby positioning the connector holder 205 and hold
plate 200.
[0168] The hold plate 200 and connector holder 205 are covered by
an outer cover 211 of a synthetic resin. The outer cover 211 has a
panel portion 211a overlapping the hold plate 200. The panel
portion 211a has a connector lead-out port 212 for leading out the
interface connector 194, and a pair of screw holes 213a and 213b
communicating with the through-holes 202a and 202b in the hold
plate 200. Screws 215 are inserted into the screw holes 213a and
213b. The screws 215 are driven into the nuts 209 through the
through-holes 202a and 202b and the through-holes 197. Thereby, the
connector holder 205 and reinforcement plate 195 are clamped
between the hold plate 200 of the connector hold frame 198 and the
cabinet 193 and the interface connector 194 is irremovably held on
the cabinet 193.
[0169] As is shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the support stays 199a and
199b of connector hold frame 198 have engaging portions 216a and
216b. The engaging portions 216a and 216b protrude laterally from
side surfaces of the cabinet 193 at a draw-out-side end portion of
the tray 192 of cabinet 193.
[0170] The CD-ROM drive 190 is inserted into the first section 38
through the front-end insertion hole 40 of the lower housing 5.
While the CD-ROM drive 190 is being inserted into the first section
38, the outer cover 211 and cabinet 193 are guided by the inner
faces of the first section 38, thus aligning the interface
connector 194 and first relay connector 160. In the state in which
the interface connector 194 is connected to the first relay
connector 160, the front face of the tray 192 is located at the
opening portion of the insertion hole 40 so as to be continuous
with battery cover 27.
[0171] The FDD 191, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, comprises a flat
box-shaped floppy disk drive (FDD) body 220 having a floppy disk
insertion hole 219, and an outer cover 221 of a synthetic resin
covering the FDD body 220. The outer cover 221 has substantially
the same shape and size as the cabinet 193 of the CD-ROM drive 190.
The outer cover 221 has a connector attachment portion 222 at an
end portion thereof opposed to the floppy disk insertion hole 219.
An interface connector 223 is disposed on the connector attachment
portion 222.
[0172] As is shown in FIG. 28, the outer cover 221 comprises an
upper cover 225 and a lower cover 226. The connector attachment
portion 222 has an outer wall 227 extending downward from the upper
cover 225 and an inner wall 228 extending upward from the lower
cover 226. The outer wall 227 and inner wall 228 face each other at
a predetermined distance therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 29A and
29B. The outer wall 227 and inner wall 228 have elongated notches
229 and 230 facing each other. The notches 229 and 230 define a
connector lead-out port 231 in an end face of the connector
attachment portion 222.
[0173] As is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29B, the interface connector 223
is mounted on an elongated circuit board 233. The circuit board 233
is connected to the internal control circuit section in the FDD
body 220 via a flexible wiring board 234. The circuit board 233 has
first and second end portions projecting outward of the interface
connector 223. The end portions of the circuit board 233 have
through-holes 235 and engaging holes 236 respectively.
[0174] The first and second end portions of the circuit board 233
are clamped between the outer wall 227 and inner wall 228. Portions
of the inner wall 228, which face the first and second end
portions, have nuts 238 and engaging projections 239 respectively.
The nuts 238 are buried in the inner wall 228 and face the
through-holes 235 in the circuit board 233. The engaging
projections 239 are located near the nuts 238. The engaging
projections 239 are fitted in the engaging holes 236 in the circuit
board 233, and thereby the circuit board 233 and lower cover 226
are positioned. An engaging groove 240 opening to the connector
lead-out port 231 is formed in the lower cover 226, and a lower
edge portion of the circuit board 233 is fitted in the engaging
groove 240.
[0175] As is shown in FIG. 28, a pair of screw holes 241 are formed
in the outer wall 227 of the upper cover 225. The screw holes 241
communicate with the through-holes 235 in the circuit board 233.
Screws 242 are passed through the screw holes 241. The screws 242
are driven into the nuts 238 through the through-holes 235 in the
circuit board 233, as shown in FIG. 29B. Thereby, the circuit board
233 are clamped between the outer wall 227 and inner wall 228 and
the interface connector 223 is irremovably held on the connector
attachment portion 222.
[0176] The lower cover 226 has a pair of engaging portions 243a and
243b, as shown in FIG. 27. The engaging portions 243a and 243b
protrude laterally from side surfaces of the FDD body 220 at the
floppy disk insertion hole (219) side end portion of the body
220.
[0177] The floppy disk drive (FDD) 191 is inserted into the first
section 38 through the front-end insertion hole 40 of the lower
housing 5. While the FDD 191 is being inserted into the first
section 38, the outer cover 221 is guided by the inner faces of the
first section 38, thus aligning the interface connector 223 and
first relay connector 160. In the state in which the interface
connector 223 is connected to the first relay connector 160, the
floppy disk insertion hole 219 is located at the opening portion of
the insertion hole 40.
[0178] As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 30A, a hard disk drive (HDD) 250
is removably mounted in the second section 39 of the pack storage
section 31. The HDD 250 has a flat housing 251 containing a
magnetic head, a disk-shaped magnetic recording medium, etc.,
though these are not shown. An HDD connector 252 is disposed at one
end portion of the housing 251. The HDD 250 is inserted into the
second section 39 from the insertion hole 41 in the front end
portion of the lower housing 5. Thereby, the HDD connector 252 is
connected to the second relay connector 164.
[0179] As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 30A, a front cover 255 of a
synthetic resin is attached to the front end portion of the lower
housing 5. The front cover 255 comprises a bottom wall portion 256,
a front wall portion 257 continuous with the bottom wall portion
256, and a side wall portion 258 continuous with the bottom wall
portion 256 and front wall portion 257. The bottom wall portion 256
and front wall portion 257 extend in the width direction of the
lower housing 5. The side wall portion 258 is located at the
right-hand end portions of the bottom wall portion 256 and front
wall portion 257.
[0180] As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the bottom wall portion 256
of front cover 255 has three boss portions 260. The boss portions
260 project from an edge of the bottom wall portion 256 and are
arranged at intervals in the width direction of the lower housing
5. Three recess portions 261 are formed in a front end portion of
the bottom wall 5a of the lower housing 5. The recess portions 261
are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the lower
housing 5. The boss portions 260 are put in the recess portions
261. The boss portions 260 are rotatably coupled to the recess
portions 261 by means of pins 262 extending in the width direction
of the lower housing 5.
[0181] Thus, the front cover 255 is supported on the lower housing
5 rotatably between a first position where the front wall portion
257 thereof faces the insertion holes 40 and 41 of the pack storage
section 31 and a second position where the front wall portion 257
is turned down in front of the insertion holes 40 and 41. When the
front cover 255 is rotated to the first position, the bottom wall
portion 256 is continuous with the bottom wall 5a of lower housing
5 and the side wall portion 258 is continuous with the right-hand
side wall 5c of lower housing 5.
[0182] As is shown in FIG. 3, the front wall portion 257 of the
front cover 255 has a rectangular notched opening portion 263. The
opening portion 263 extends in the width direction of lower housing
5. The opening portion 263 has a size corresponding to the front
face of each of the CD-ROM drive 190 and FDD 191. Even in the state
in which the front cover 255 is rotated to the first position, the
tray 192 of the CD-ROM drive 190 or the floppy disk insertion hole
219 of the FDD 191 is exposed to the front of the housing body 2
through the opening portion 263.
[0183] As is shown in FIG. 10, gaps S extending in the width
direction of the lower housing 5 are defined between the boss
portions 260 of front cover 255 and the recess portions 261 of
lower housing 5. By virtue of the gaps S, when the front cover 255
is rotated to the first position, the front cover 255 is supported
on the lower housing 5 slidably between a locked position where the
side wall portion 258 is continuous with the right-hand side wall
5c of lower housing 5 and an unlocked position where the side wall
portion 258 is displaced to the right side from the side wall
5c.
[0184] As is shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 23, a first engaging
projection 265a and a second engaging projection 265b are formed on
the inner surface of the front wall portion 257 of front cover 255.
The first and second engaging projections 265a and 265b are spaced
apart in the width direction of the lower housing 5 in a position
adjacent to the opening edge of the opening portion 263. In
addition, a third engaging projection 265c is formed on an edge
portion of the side wall portion 258.
[0185] When the front cover 255 is slid to the locked position, the
first engaging projection 265a is disengageably engaged with the
front end portion of the bottom wall 5a, as shown in FIG. 34A. When
the front cover 255 is slid to the locked position, the second and
third engaging projections 265b and 265c advance to the front end
portion of the partition wall 37 of pack storage section 31 and the
front end portion of the right-hand side wall 34b, as shown in
FIGS. 35A and 36A. The front end portions of the partition wall 37
and side wall 34b have engaging holes 266a and 266b in which the
second and third engaging projections 265b and 265c are
disengageably engaged.
[0186] As is clear from FIG. 33A, if the front cover 255 is rotated
to the first position and then slid to the locked position, the
first to third engaging projections 265a to 265c engage the front
edge portion of the bottom wall 5a and engaging holes 266a and
266b. Thus, the front cover 255 is held in the first position. When
the front cover 255 is held in the first position, the HDD 250
stored in the second section 39 is covered by the front wall
portion 257 of front cover 255.
[0187] As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a first icon 270 is provided
on the front wall portion 257 of front cover 255. The first icon
270 has a light-transmissive icon board 271. The icon board 271 has
a rectangular shape, extending in the width direction of the lower
housing 5. The icon board 271 is attached to the front face of the
front wall portion 257 of front cover 255. Four display marks 272
relating to the power supply of computer 1 are arranged linearly on
the icon board 271.
[0188] As is shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, the front wall portion 257
of front cover 255 has four holes 273 (only one shown) facing the
display marks 272. These holes 273 are located near the front edge
portion of the first circuit board 60. Four light emitting diodes
(LEDs) 275 (only one shown) functioning as light source of the
first icon 270 are mounted on the lower surface of the front edge
portion of the first circuit board 60. When the front cover 255 is
held in the first position, the LEDs 275 face the bottom wall
portion 256 of front cover 255. The LEDs 275 radiate light downward
of the first circuit board 60.
[0189] As is shown in FIGS. 3, 30B and 32, four optical waveguides
276 are attached to the inner surface of the front cover 255. The
optical waveguides 276 guide light from the LEDs 275 to the display
marks 272 and are formed of transparent synthetic resin material.
Each of the optical waveguides 276 comprises a first waveguide
portion 277 extending in the height direction of lower housing 5
along the front wall portion 257 of front cover 255, and a second
waveguide portion 278 extending in the depth direction of lower
housing 5 along the bottom wall portion 256 of front cover 255. The
first and second waveguide portions 277 and 278 are formed as one
piece.
[0190] A forwardly bent lens portion 279 is formed at an upper end
portion of the first waveguide portion 277. A distal end portion of
the lens portion 279 enters the hole 273 and comes into contact
with the rear face of the icon board 271. As is clear from FIG.
30B, a corner portion defined by the first waveguide portion 277
and lens portion 279 has a first light guide face 280 which is
downwardly inclined as it extends rearward.
[0191] A rear end portion of the second waveguide portion 278 is
located below the first circuit board 60. A light receiving portion
281 is formed on the rear end portion of second waveguide portion
278. The light receiving portion 281 has a flat light receiving
surface 282 opposed to the LED 275, and a second light guide face
283 opposed to the light receiving surface 282. The second light
guide face 283 is forwardly inclined as it extends away from the
light receiving surface 282. Accordingly, when light is made
incident on the light receiving surface 282 from the LED 275, the
light is reflected by the second light guide face 283 and then
guided through the second waveguide portion 277.
[0192] A third light guide face 284 is formed on a corner portion
defined by the first and second waveguide portions 277 and 278. The
third light guide face 284 is downwardly inclined as it extends
rearwards. The third light guide face 284 is located in front of
the second light guide face 283. The third light guide face 284
reflects the light, which has been guided from the second light
guide face 283, upward to the first light guide face 280. Thus, as
is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 30B, light radiated downward from
the LED 275 is made incident on the light receiving surface 282 of
optical waveguide 276 and it is reflected successively by the
second light guide face 283, third light guide face 284, and first
light guide face 280. The light reflected by the first light guide
face 280 reaches the lens portion 279. Accordingly, the display
mark 272 associated with the LED 275 which is emitting light is
lighted up to effect display relating to the power supply.
[0193] As is shown in FIGS. 23 and 31, when the front cover 255 is
rotated to the second position, the optical waveguide 276 is
rotated forwardly along with the front cover 255 and is exposed to
the front side of the lower housing 5. At this time, the light
receiving portion 281 of optical waveguide 276 moves downward away
from the LED 275.
[0194] The first section 38 has a stopper 290, as shown in FIGS.
10, 23 and 39, which is engaged with the CD-ROM drive 190 or floppy
disk drive (FDD) 191. As is clear from FIGS. 37 and 41, the stopper
290 is disposed on a front end portion of the bottom wall 5a of
lower housing 5. When the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 is mounted in
the first section 38, the stopper 290 is located immediately in
front of the engaging portion 216a or 243a thereof.
[0195] As is shown in FIGS. 38A to 38C, the stopper 290 is
supported on the bottom wall 5a so as to be vertically movable
between a locked position where the stopper 290 projects into the
first section 38 and engages the front face of the engaging portion
216a or 243a, and an unlocked position where the stopper is pulled
down from the first section 38 and disengaged from the front face
of the engaging portion 216a or 243a. The stopper 290 is always
urged by a spring 291 toward the unlocked position.
[0196] As is shown in FIG. 37, the stopper 290 has a pressing
surface 292 exposed downward of the bottom wall 5a of lower housing
5. When the front cover 255 is rotated to the first position, the
pressing surface 292 is opposed to the bottom wall portion 256 of
front cover 255. The bottom wall portion 256 has a pressing
projection 293. When the front cover 255 is rotated from the second
position to the first position, the pressing projection 293
contacts the pressing surface 292 of stopper 290 and pushes up the
stopper 290 from the unlocked position to the locked position.
Accordingly, in the state in which the front cover 255 is held in
the first position, the stopper 290 engages the engaging portion
216a of CD-ROM drive 190 or the engaging portion 243a of FDD 191,
thereby locking the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 in the first
section 38.
[0197] As is shown in FIGS. 37 and 38A to 38C, a slider 295 for
pushing the front cover 255 to the locked position is attached to
the front end portion of the bottom wall 5a of lower housing 5. The
slider 295 is supported on the bottom wall 5a slidably between a
first position where the slider 295 adjoins the stopper 290 on the
right side of the stopper 290, and a second position where the
slider 295 is located away from the stopper 290. The slider 295 is
always urged to the first position by a return spring 296, and a
distal end portion thereof is always adjoins or contacts the side
face of the stopper 290.
[0198] The slider 295 has an inclined surface 297 at a lower
portion of its distal end portion facing the stopper 290. The
inclined surface 297 is gradually inclined upward as it extends
towards the stopper 290. When the front cover 255 is rotated to the
first position, the inclined surface 297 contacts a corner portion
of the pressing projection 293. The corner portion of pressing
projection 293 has a beveled surface 298. The beveled surface 298
is inclined in the same direction as the inclined surface 297 of
slider 295. The beveled surface 298 slidably contacts the inclined
surface 297.
[0199] When the front cover 255 is rotated from the second position
to the first position, as shown in FIG. 38B, the beveled surface
298 of pressing projection 293 is put in contact with the inclined
surface 297 of the slider 295. Thereby, the slider 295 is slid from
the first position to the second position against the urging force
of the return spring 296. When the front cover 255 has reached the
first position, the first to third engaging projections 265a to
265c face the front end portion of the bottom wall 5a and engaging
holes 266a and 266b, and the beveled surface 298 of pressing
projection 293 passes over the inclined surface 297 of slider 295.
Since the slider 295 is urged toward the first position by the
return spring 296, the urging force is transmitted to the front
cover 255 via the pressing projection 293, and the front cover 255
is forcibly slid from the unlocked position to the locked position.
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 34A, 35A and 36A, the first engaging
projection 265a engages the front end portion of the bottom wall
5a, and the second and third engaging projections 265b and 265c
engage the engaging holes 266a and 266b in the frame 30. Thus, the
front cover 255 is held in the first position.
[0200] As is shown in FIG. 23, an ejector 300 is disposed in the
insertion hole 40 of the first section 38. The ejector 300 is used
to discharge the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 from the first section
38. The ejector 300 has a slider 301 and an operation lever 302, as
shown in FIGS. 39 to 41. The slider 301 has a flat plate shape,
extending in the width direction of the first section 38. The
slider 301 is supported on the bottom wall 33 of frame 30 by means
of a pair of pins 303 and is slidable in the depth direction of the
first section 38. The slider 301 has a pair of upwardly extending
pushing portions 304a and 304b. When the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD
191 is inserted into the first section 38, the pushing portions
304a and 304b face the rear faces of the engaging portions 216a and
216b of CD-ROM drive 190 or the engaging portions 243a and 243b of
FDD 191.
[0201] The operation lever 302 is supported on the upper surface of
the slider 301 by means of a pair of pins 305 and is slidable in
the depth direction of the first section 38. A front end portion of
the operation lever 302 projects forward of the slider 301. The
front end portion of the operation lever 302 is provided with a
downwardly bent finder hook portion 306. The finger hook portion
306 is located at the opening end of the insertion hole 40. In the
state in which the front cover 255 is held in the first position,
the front side of the finger hook portion 306 is covered by the
front wall portion 257 of front cover 255.
[0202] Accordingly, if the front cover 255 is rotated to the second
position, as shown in FIG. 40, the finger hook portion 306 of
ejector 300 is exposed to the insertion hole 40 of first section
38. If the finger hook portion 306 is hooked by the finger and the
operation lever 302 is pulled out, the slider 301 is drawn out
accordingly. The pushing portions 304a and 304b of slider 301 push
the engaging portions 216a and 216b of CD-ROM drive 190 or the
engaging portions 243a and 243b of FDD 191 towards the insertion
hole 40. Thereby, the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 is pushed out of
the insertion hole 40, and the first relay connector 160 is
disconnected from the interface connector 194 or 223.
[0203] As is shown in FIGS. 30A and 44, the upper housing 6 of
housing body 2 covers the upper side of the frame 30. A keyboard
support section 310 is formed in a central region of the upper wall
6a of upper housing 6. The keyboard support section 310 comprises a
rectangular recess extending over substantially the entire central
region of the upper wall 6a. The keyboard support section 310, as
shown in FIGS. 30A and 47, has a peripheral wall 311 extending
downward from the upper wall 6a and a bottom wall 311a continuous
with the lower end of the peripheral wall 311. The bottom wall 311a
is formed at corner portions of the keyboard support section 310.
Most part of the keyboard support section 310 is open to the inside
of the lower housing 5. A metallic shield plate 312 is attached to
the inner surface of the upper wall 6a of upper housing 6, as shown
in FIG. 30A. The shield plate 312 covers the bottom side of the
keyboard support section 310.
[0204] A keyboard 313 serving as information input means is
removably attached to the keyboard support section 310. The
keyboard 313 comprises a support panel 314 of a synthetic resin, a
number of keys 315, and a joystick 316 or a kind of pointing
device. The support panel 314 has a rectangular plate shape with
such a size as to be fittable in the keyboard support section 310.
The keys 315 and joystick 316 are disposed on the upper surface of
the support panel 314. The lower surface of the support panel 314
is covered by a metallic reinforcement plate 317.
[0205] The support panel 314 of keyboard 313 has a front edge
portion and a rear edge portion both extending in the width
direction of the housing body 2. The front edge portion and rear
edge portion of support panel 314 are detachably hooked on the
peripheral wall 311 of keyboard support section 310. Thus, the
keyboard 313 is supported on the keyboard support section 310. In
the state in which the keyboard 313 is attached to the keyboard
support section 310, the reinforcement plate 317 is in contact with
the shield plate 312. The contact between the reinforcement plate
317 and shield plate 312 prevents switching noise due to key
operations from entering the inside of the housing body 2.
[0206] A front half portion of the upper wall 6a of upper housing 6
constitutes an armrest 320. Click switch buttons 321a and 321b for
executing and canceling commands are disposed on a central portion
of the armrest 320.
[0207] As is shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, a component attachment
portion 323 is formed integral with the rear part of the upper
housing 6 continuous with the keyboard support section 310. The
component attachment portion 323 has a plate shape, extending in
the width direction of upper housing 6. The width of the component
attachment portion 323 is substantially equal to that of the upper
housing 6. The component attachment portion 323 is situated above
the board support portion 32 of frame 30. The first circuit board
81 and fourth circuit board 83 are located just below the component
attachment portion 323. As is shown in FIGS. 17 and 44, a notch
323a formed at a rear end portion of the component attachment
portion 323. The notch 323a is provided to avoid the motor fan 102.
The motor fan 102 projects from the notch 323a.
[0208] Referring to FIGS. 42, 43A and 43B, the display unit 3 is
supported by the upper housing 6. The display unit 3 comprises a
display housing 325 of a flat box shape, and a color liquid crystal
display (LCD) 326 contained in the display housing 325. The display
housing 325 includes first and second leg portions 327a and 327b
functioning as support portions. The leg portions 327a and 327b, as
shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, are supported on the component attachment
portion 323 by means of first and second hinge metal fixings 328
and 329. The first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329 are
spaced apart in the width direction of the component attachment
portion 323. The first hinge metal fixing 328, as shown in FIGS. 42
and 43A, comprises a hinge shaft 330, a first bracket 331 fixed to
a first end portion of the hinge shaft 330, and a second bracket
332 rotatably coupled to a second end portion of the hinge shaft
330. The first end portion of the hinge shaft 330 penetrates a
left-hand side face of the first leg portion 327a and enters the
inside of the leg portion 327a. The first bracket 331 provided at
the first end portion of the hinge shaft 330 is screwed down on the
inner surface of leg portion 327a. The second bracket 332 provided
at the second end portion of hinge shaft 330 is located at the
left-hand end portion of the component attachment portion 323.
[0209] The second bracket 332 has a support stay 333 as integral
portion. The support stay 333 extends below the component
attachment portion 323 in the depth direction of the component
attachment portion 323. The component attachment portion 323 has a
pair of downwardly projecting boss portions 334a and 334b. The boss
portions 334a and 334b face the support stay 333. The support stay
333 is fixed by means of screws 335 to the boss portions 334a and
334b. Thus, the left-hand end portion of the component attachment
portion 323 is reinforced by the support stay 333.
[0210] As is shown in FIG. 48, the support stay 333 is placed on
the second circuit board 81. The board support portion 32 of frame
30, which supports the second circuit board 81, has a first hinge
receiving portion 336 for receiving the second circuit board 81 and
support stay 333. The first hinge receiving portion 336 faces the
bottom wall 5a of lower housing 5. The bottom wall 5a has a pair of
boss portions 337a and 337b for supporting the first hinge
receiving portion 336. One of the boss portions, 337a, is a hollow
cylindrical shape opening to the bottom wall 5a. A screw 338 is
passed upward through the boss portion 337a. The screw 338 is
passed through the first hinge receiving portion 336 and second
circuit board 81 and is driven in the support stay 333. A screw 339
is driven into the other boss portion 337b from above the component
attachment portion 323. Specifically, the screw 339 is driven into
the boss portion 337b through the component attachment portion 323,
support stay 333 and second circuit board 81. Thus, the component
attachment portion 323, first hinge receiving portion 336 of frame
30, support stay 333 and lower housing 5 are stacked and coupled
integrally, and the first hinge metal fixing 328 is received by the
rigid frame 30.
[0211] As is shown in FIGS. 42 and 43B, the second hinge metal
fixing 329 comprises a hinge shaft 340, a first bracket 341 fixed
to a first end portion of the hinge shaft 340, and a second bracket
342 rotatably coupled to a second end portion of the hinge shaft
340. The first end portion of the hinge shaft 340 penetrates a
right-hand side face of the second leg portion 327b and enters the
inside of the leg portion 327b. The first bracket 341 provided at
the first end portion of the hinge shaft 340 is screwed down on the
inner surface of leg portion 327b. The second bracket 342 provided
at the second end portion of hinge shaft 340 is screwed down on the
right-hand end portion of the component attachment portion 323.
[0212] As is shown in FIG. 49, the second bracket 342 has a support
stay 343 as integral portion. The support stay 343 extends below
the right-hand end portion of component attachment portion 323
towards the keyboard support section 310. A distal end portion of
the support stay 343 is located below the right-hand end portion of
the keyboard support section 310. A boss portion 344 is provided on
the lower surface of the keyboard support section 310. The boss
portion 344 receives the distal end portion of support stay 343.
The distal end portion of the support stay 343 is fixed to the boss
portion 344 by means of a screw 345. Thus, the right-hand end
portion of the component attachment portion 323 and the right-hand
end portion of the keyboard support section 310 are reinforced by
the support stay 343.
[0213] The support stay 343 is located at the right-hand end
portion of the board support portion 32 of frame 30. The board
support portion 32 has a second hinge receiving portion 380 for
receiving the support stay 343. The second hinge receiving portion
380 faces the bottom wall 5a of lower housing 5. The bottom wall 5a
has a pair of boss portions 381a and 381b for supporting the second
hinge receiving portion 380. Each of the boss portions 381a and
381b has a hollow cylindrical shape, opening to the bottom wall 5a
of lower housing 5 near the card insertion hole 118b. Screws 382
are inserted into the boss portions 381a and 381b from below. The
screws 382 are penetrated through the second hinge receiving
portion 380 and driven into the support stay 343. Accordingly, the
second hinge metal fixing 329 is received by the rigid metal frame
30.
[0214] Thus, the display unit 3 is supported on the housing body 2
so as to be rotatable about the hinge shafts 330 and 340 among a
first position where the display unit 3 covers the upper housing 6
and keyboard 313, a second position where the display unit 3 is
erected in rear of the keyboard 313, and a third position where the
display unit 3 is turned down substantially horizontal towards the
rear of the housing body 2.
[0215] As is shown in FIGS. 42 to 47, the component attachment
portion 323 has first and second cover portions 346a and 346b. The
cover portions 346a and 346b are disposed on the rear end portion
of the component attachment portion 323 at a distance from each
other in the width direction of the upper housing 6. As is shown in
FIGS. 45 and 47, the first cover portion 346a is situated below the
first leg portion 327a of display housing 325. A downwardly
extending extension wall 347 is integrally formed at a rear end
portion of the first cover portion 346a. As is shown in FIG. 2, the
extension wall 347 is continuous with the second connector cover 75
of lower housing 5. The second cover portion 346b is situated below
the second leg portion 327b of display housing 325. A downwardly
extending extension wall 348 is integrally formed at a rear end
portion of the second cover portion 346b. The extension wall 348 is
continuous with the first connector cover 74 of lower housing
5.
[0216] As is shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, first and second speaker
attachment holes 350a and 350b and a dial attachment hole 351 are
formed in the component attachment portion 323. The speaker
attachment holes 350a and 350b are located near the first and
second cover portions 346a and 346b and are spaced apart in the
width direction of the component attachment portion 323. As is
shown in FIG. 44, the speaker attachment holes 350a and 350b are
arranged on both sides of a center line C extending in the depth
direction of the housing body 2 through the center of the housing
body 2 in the width direction. The first speaker attachment hole
350a is located on the left side of the center line C, and the
second speaker attachment hole 350b is located on the right side of
the center line C. The distance L1 between the first speaker
attachment hole 350a and the center line C differs from the
distance L2 between the second speaker attachment hole 350b and the
center line C. In this embodiment, L1 is greater than L2. The dial
attachment hole 351 is located between the speaker attachment holes
350a and 350b.
[0217] First and second speakers 353a and 353b are disposed as
functional parts in the first and second speaker attachment holes
350a and 350b. As is clear from FIGS. 18 and 47, each of the
speakers 353a and 353b has a disk-shaped speaker frame 354 for
supporting a vibration plate (not shown), and a cover 355 for
covering the vibration plate. An outer peripheral portion of the
speaker frame 354 is detachably fitted in the speaker attachment
hole 350a (350b) from the above side of the component attachment
portion 323. Thus, the first and second speakers 353a and 353b are
arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center line C of the
housing body 2. The first speaker 353a located on the left side is
farther from the center line C than the second speaker 353b located
on the right side.
[0218] The first and second speakers 353a and 353b have lead lines
356, respectively. The lead lines 356 are led from the component
attachment portion 323 into the housing body 2 and are connected to
the second circuit board 81 via connectors (not shown)
respectively.
[0219] As is shown in FIGS. 18 and 52, the dial attachment hole 351
faces the fourth circuit board 83. A rotary type volume switch 360
is mounted on the fourth circuit board 83. The volume switch 360
comprises a switch body 360b having a rotational shaft 360a, and a
volume dial 361 coupled as functional element to the rotational
shaft 360a. The rotational shaft 360a is erected in the thickness
direction of the housing body 2 on the fourth circuit board 83. The
rotational shaft 360a has an end face opposed to the dial
attachment hole 351. An engaging groove 360c is formed in the end
face. The engaging groove 360c has a T shape, as clearly shown in
FIGS. 50 and 53, and includes a first groove portion 360d extending
in the radial direction of the rotational shaft 360a through the
center of the rotational shaft 360a, and a second groove portion
360e extending in a direction perpendicular to the first groove
portion 360d. The first and second groove portions 360d and 360e
are open to the peripheral surface of the rotational shaft
360a.
[0220] The volume dial 361 comprises a disk-like body 361a and a
shaft portion 361b continuous with the body 361a. The body 361a has
a greater outside diameter than the dial attachment hole 351. A
flange portion 361c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of
the body 361a so as to project radially outward. The shaft portion
361b has an engaging projection 361d to be removably engaged in the
engaging groove 360c. The engaging projection 361d comprises a
first projection portion 361e extending in the radial direction of
the shaft portion 361b through the center of the shaft portion
361b, and a second projection portion 361f extending in a direction
perpendicular to the first projection portion 361e. The first
projection portion 361e is engaged in the first groove portion
360d, as shown in FIGS. 50 and 53. The width W1 of the first
projection portion 361e is less than the width W2 of the first
groove portion 360d. The second projection portion 361f is engaged
in the second groove portion 360e. The width W3 of the second
projection portion 361f is less than the width W4 of the second
groove portion 360e. Accordingly, when the engaging projection 361d
is engaged in the engaging groove 360c, a first gap 362 is created
between the first projection portion 361e and the first groove
portion 360d and a second gap 363 is created between the second
projection portion 361f and the second groove portion 360e. The
volume dial 361 is thus movable relative to the rotational shaft
360a in a range defined by the gaps 362 and 363. The volume dial
361 is situated on the component attachment portion 323.
[0221] As is shown in FIG. 44, the component attachment portion 323
is covered by a removable top cover 365 of a synthetic resin. The
top cover 365 has a panel 366 facing the component attachment
portion 323. The panel 366 has a flat, rectangular plate shape
extending in the width direction of the upper housing 6. The panel
366 integrally comprises first and second hinge cover portions 367a
and 367b and a central cover portion 368. The cover portions 367a,
367b and 368 are located at the rear end of the panel 366.
[0222] The first and second hinge cover portions 367a and 367b
cover the hinge shafts 330 and 340 and second brackets 332 and 342
of the first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329. The hinge
cover portions 367a and 367b are spaced apart in the width
direction of the panel 366 and are projected upward of the panel
366. As is shown in FIGS. 13, 48 and 49, the first and second hinge
cover portions 367a and 367b are fixed to the second brackets 332
and 342 of the first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329 by
means of screws 364.
[0223] The central cover portion 368 covers a cable (not shown) for
connecting the housing body 2 and display unit 3, and covers the
motor fan 102. The central cover portion 368 is located between the
first and second hinge cover portions 367a and 367b. The central
cover portion 368 projects upward of the panel 366 and extends in
the width direction of the panel 366. As is shown in FIG. 13, the
central cover portion 368 is fixed to the board support portion 32
of frame 30 by means of a screw 364.
[0224] As is shown in FIG. 44, a first insertion hole 370a is
defined between the first hinge cover portion 367a and the
left-hand end portion of the central cover portion 368. A second
insertion hole 370b is defined between the second hinge cover
portion 367b and the right-hand end portion of the central cover
portion 368. The first insertion hole 370a is associated with the
first leg portion 327a of display unit 3. The first leg portion
327a is guided into the first insertion hole 370a. The first
insertion hole 370a faces the first cover portion 346a of component
attachment portion 323. The first cover portion 346a defines the
bottom of the first insertion hole 370a.
[0225] The second insertion hole 370b is associated with the second
leg portion 327b of display unit 3. The second leg portion 327b is
guided into the second insertion hole 370b. The second insertion
hole 370b faces the second cover portion 346b of component
attachment portion 323. The second cover portion 346b defines the
bottom of the second insertion hole 370b.
[0226] As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 17, the central cover portion 368
of top cover 365 has a rear wall 371 exposed to the rear side of
the housing body 2. The rear wall 371 is continuous with the first
to third connector covers 74 to 76 of the lower housing 5. Air
exhaust ports 372 are formed in a central portion of the rear wall
371. The exhaust ports 372 face the motor fan 102. A cool air wind,
which has cooled the TCP 90, is exhausted through the exhaust ports
372 to the outside of the housing body 2.
[0227] As is shown in FIGS. 44, 47 and 48, the panel 366 has a
front edge portion continuous with the keyboard support section
310. The front edge portion of panel 366 extends in the width
direction of the panel 366. This front edge portion is integrally
provided with a downwardly extending engaging wall 375. The
engaging wall 375 is located between the keyboard support section
310 and component attachment portion 323 and placed on the
peripheral wall 311 of keyboard support section 310. A lower end
portion of the engaging wall 375 is engaged with a rear edge
portion of the support panel 314 of keyboard 313 and cooperates
with the bottom wall 311a of keyboard support section 310, thereby
clamping the support panel 314. Thus, the keyboard 313 is held on
the keyboard support section 310.
[0228] As is shown in FIGS. 18 and 47, the panel 366 of top cover
365 includes first and second cover attachment portions 400 and 401
having sound producing holes 377a and 377b. The cover attachment
portions 400 and 401 are spaced apart in the width direction of the
panel 366. The holes 377a and 377b of the cover attachment portions
400 and 401 face the speakers 353a and 353b. First and second
net-like speaker covers 379a and 379b are attached to the cover
attachment portions 400 and 401. The speaker covers 379a and 379b
cover the holes 377a and 377b and first and second speakers 353a
and 353b. The speaker covers 379a and 379b have rectangular plate
shapes greater than the opening shapes of the holes 377a and 377b,
and extend in the width direction of the top cover 365.
Accordingly, the speaker covers 379a and 379b cover not only the
holes 377a and 377b but also the cover attachment portions 400 and
401 continuous with the holes 377a and 377b.
[0229] FIGS. 54A and 54B show the second speaker cover 379b
representatively. The speaker cover 379b has one end provided with
a first engaging portion 393a and the other end provided with a
second engaging portion 393b. The first engaging portion 393a
extends in parallel to the speaker cover 379b. The second engaging
portion 393b extends downward from the speaker cover 379b. FIG. 54A
shows the second cover attachment portion 401 representatively. The
cover attachment portion 401 (400) has first and second engaging
holes 401a and 401b spaced apart in the width direction of the
panel 366. The hole 377b is located between the engaging holes 401a
and 401b.
[0230] When the speaker cover 379b (379a) is attached to the cover
attachment portion 401 (400), the first engaging portion 393a of
the speaker cover 379b (379a) is inserted in the first engaging
hole 401a from the upper side of the cover attachment portion 401
(400). Then, the second engaging portion 393b is inserted in the
second engaging hole 401b from the upper side of the cover
attachment portion 401 (400) and a distal end portion of the second
engaging portion 393b is projected downward from the cover
attachment portion 401 (400). The distal end portion of the second
engaging portion 393b is then bent along the shape of the cover
attachment portion 401 (400), as shown in FIG. 54B, and the second
engaging portion 393b is hooked in the second engaging hole 401b.
Thereby, the speaker covers 379a and 379b are supported on the
panel 366, while covering the cover attachment portions 400 and
401.
[0231] As is shown in FIGS. 54A and 54B, a blind member 403 is
interposed between the cover attachment portion 401 (400) and the
speaker cover 379b (379a). The blind member 403 prevents the
speaker 353b (353a) from being viewed through the speaker cover
379b (379a). The blind member 403 is formed of black felt in a
rectangular shape with a size corresponding to the speaker cover
379b (379a). The blind member 403 is attached to the cover
attachment portion 401 (400) by means of a double-sided adhesive
tape 404.
[0232] As is shown in FIG. 1, the first and second speaker covers
379a and 379b are arranged on both sides of the center line C of
the housing body 2. A distance L3 between the first speaker cover
379a and the center line C is equal to a distance L4 between the
second speaker cover 379b and the center line C. The first and
second speaker covers 379a and 379b are arranged symmetrical with
respect to the center line C. As a result, although the first and
second speakers 353a and 353b are actually arranged asymmetrical
with respect to the center line C of the housing body 2, as
described above, the first and second speakers 353a and 353b may be
apparently viewed as being symmetrical with respect to the center
line C.
[0233] The panel 366 of top cover 365, as shown in FIG. 44, has a
circular dial lead-out hole 378. The dial lead-out hole 378 is
located between the first and second cover attachment portions 400
and 401. As is shown in FIGS. 18 and 52, the dial lead-out hole 378
faces the dial attachment hole 351 in the component attachment
portion 323. The dial lead-out hole 378 has a greater diameter
greater than the body 361a of volume dial 361. Thus, the body 361a
of volume dial 361 is exposed upward of the housing body 2 through
the dial lead-out hole 378 so that the volume dial 361 may be
operated by the fingertip. An annular gap 405 is provided between
the body 361a and the opening edge portion of the dial lead-out
hole 378.
[0234] The diameter of the flange portion 361c of volume dial 361
is greater than that of the dial lead-out hole 378. The flange
portion 361c cover, from the inside of the top cover 365, the gap
405 between the body 361a and dial lead-out hole 378. The panel 366
of top cover 365 and the flange portion 361c overlap each other.
The panel 366 cooperates with the component attachment portion 323
to clamp the flange portion 361c. Thereby, the volume switch 360 is
prevented from being pulled out of the switch body 360b. As is
shown in FIG. 52, the panel 366 of top cover 365 has a guide wall
406. The guide wall 406 has an annular shape and is coaxial with
the dial lead-out hole 378. The guide wall 406 surrounds the flange
portion 361c of volume dial 361. Thus, the guide wall 406 positions
the volume dial 361 in its radial direction and rotational
direction.
[0235] The volume dial 361 and the rotational shaft 360a of switch
body 360b are coupled so as to be movable in the radial direction
of the rotational shaft 360a, as described above. Thus, an
alignment error between the volume dial 361 and rotational shaft
360a can be canceled by a coupling portion between the volume dial
361 and rotational shaft 360a. When the volume dial 361 is held by
using the top cover 365, even if the dial lead-out hole 378 and
switch body 360b are displaced relative to each other, no damaging
force acts on the attachment portion of the switch body 360b on the
fourth circuit board 83. Thus, destruction of the switch body 360b
can be prevented.
[0236] As is shown in FIGS. 17 and 44, the panel 366 of top cover
365 has an icon attachment portion 384. The icon attachment portion
384 is formed of a rectangular recess extending in the width
direction of the top cover 365. A second icon 385 is disposed in
the icon attachment portion 384. The second icon 385 has a
light-transmissive icon board 386 of a synthetic resin. The icon
board 386 is adhered to the icon attachment portion 384. Three
display marks 387 are linearly arranged on the icon board 386. The
display marks 387 indicate the key control content by means of the
keyboard 313.
[0237] The icon attachment portion 384 has through-holes 388 (only
one shown) at positions associated with the display marks 387. The
through-holes 388 face the component attachment portion 323 of
upper housing 6. A light guide member 390 is supported on the
component attachment portion 323. The light guide member 390 is
formed of a transparent synthetic resin material and comprises
three light guide portions 391 (only one shown) associated with the
display marks 387. Each of the light guide portions 391 has a
columnar shape. Each light guide portion 391 has an upper end
portion engaged in the through-hole 388 and a lower end portion
facing the second circuit board 81 located below the component
attachment portion 323.
[0238] As is shown in FIGS. 8 and 17, three light emitting diodes
(LEDs) 392 are mounted on the second circuit board 81. The LEDs 392
serve as light source for the second icon 385 and face the lower
end portions of the light guide portions 391. Light radiated from
the LEDs 392 is guided to the display marks 387 through the light
guide portions 391, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 17. Thus, the
display mark 387 associated with the turned-on LED 392 is lighted
to display the key control content by means of the keyboard
313.
[0239] In the state in which the display unit 3 is rotated to the
third position, as shown in FIG. 44, the top cover 365 is put on
the component attachment portion 323 of upper housing 6 from the
upper side of the housing body 2. At this time, the first and
second leg portions 327a and 327b of display unit 3 enter the first
and second insertion holes 370a and 370b in the top cover 365,
thereby covering the component attachment portion 323 of upper
housing 6 and first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329. At
the same time, the engaging wall 375 formed at the front end of the
panel 366 enters the rear end region of the keyboard support
section 310 and holds the rear end portion of the support panel 314
of keyboard 313. The top cover 165 is coupled to the board support
portion 32 of frame 30 and the second brackets 332 and 342 of first
and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329 by means of the screws
364. Thus, the top cover 165 is held on the housing body 2 while
covering the component attachment portion 322.
[0240] A description will now be given of the procedure for
replacing the CD-ROM drive 190 with the floppy disk drive (FDD)
191, in the case where the CD-ROM drive 190 is mounted in the first
section 38 of pack storage section 31 in the computer 1 having the
above structure.
[0241] At first, as shown in FIG. 33B, the front cover 255 of
housing body 2 is slid from the locked position to the unlocked
position, and the first to third engaging projections 265a to 265c
are disengaged from the bottom wall 5a of lower housing 5 and the
engaging holes 266a and 266b in the frame 30.
[0242] Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the front cover
255 is rotated downward from the first position to the second
position. Thereby, the insertion holes 40 and 41 of the pack
storage section 31 are opened to the front side of the housing body
2, and the ejector 300 is exposed to the opening portion of
insertion hole 40 of first section 38, as shown in FIG. 40. If the
front cover 255 is rotated from the first position to the second
position, the pressing projection 293 of front cover 255 is
disengaged from the pressing surface 292 of the stopper 290, as
shown in FIG. 38A. Thus, the raising of the stopper 290 is released
and the stopper 290 is forcibly lowered to the unlocked position by
the urging force of the return spring 291. The stopper 290 is
pulled out of the first section 38 and disengaged from the engaging
portion 216a of CD-ROM drive 190. Accordingly, the stopper 290
releases the CD-ROM drive 190.
[0243] The operation lever 302 of ejector 300 exposed to the
insertion hole 40 is then pulled out, as shown in FIG. 40. In
accordance with the movement of the operation lever 302, the slider
301 is drawn out and the pushing portions 304a and 304b of slider
301 push the engaging portions 216a and 216b of CD-ROM drive 190
toward the insertion hole 40. Consequently, the CD-ROM drive 190 is
pushed out of the insertion hole 40 and the interface connector 194
is disconnected from the first relay connector 160. At last, the
front end portion of the CD-ROM drive 190, which is projected from
the insertion hole 40, is held by the fingertip and the CD-ROM
drive 190 is pulled out of the first section 38.
[0244] After the CD-ROM drive 190 has been drawn out of the first
section 38, the FDD 191 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 of
first section 38 and the interface connector 223 of FDD 191 is
connected to the first relay connector 160.
[0245] Then, the front cover 255 is rotated upward from the second
position to the first position. The pressing projection 293 of
front cover 255 contacts the pressing surface 292 of stopper 290
from below, as shown in FIG. 38B. The pressing projection 293 then
pushes up the stopper 290 from the unlocked position to the locked
position against the urging force of the return spring 291. As a
result, the stopper 290 advances into the first section 38 and
engages the engaging portion 243a of FDD 191.
[0246] When the pressing projection 293 of front cover 255 has
contacted the stopper 290, the beveled surface 298 of the pressing
projection 293 is simultaneously put in slidable contact with the
inclined surface 297 of slider 295. Thereby, the slider 295 is
forcibly slid from the first position to the second position
against the urging force of the return spring 296. When the front
cover 255 has reached the first position, the beveled surface 298
of pressing projection 293 has passed over the inclined surface 297
of slider 295 and comes into contact with the front end face of
slider 295. Since the slider 295 is constantly urged to the first
position by the return spring 296, the urging force of return
spring 296 is transmitted to the front cover 255 via the pressing
projection 293 and the front cover 255 is forcibly slid from the
unlocked position to the locked position. By this sliding movement,
the first engaging projection 265a is engaged with the front edge
portion of the bottom wall 5a and the second and third engaging
projections 265b and 265c are engaged in the engaging holes 266a
and 266b in the frame 30. Thus, the front cover 255 is held in the
first position. As a result, the front wall portion 257 of front
cover 255 covers the hard disk drive (HDD) 250 contained in the
second section 39. In addition, the opening portion 263 of front
cover 255 faces the front side of the FDD 191. The floppy disk
insertion hole 219 is exposed to the front side of the housing body
2 through the opening portion 263.
[0247] According to the computer 1 with the above structure, the
CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 is locked in and unlocked from the
first section 38 in interlock with the rotational operation of the
front cover 255. There is no need to perform a special operation
for locking and unlocking the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 91. Thus, the
CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 can be easily replaced.
[0248] In order to rotate the front cover 255 from the first
position to the second position, it is necessary to slide, in
advance, the front cover 255 from the locked position to the
unlocked position. Thus, the front cover 255 is opened by the
two-stage operation, and the front cover 255 is prevented from
being opened carelessly. Although the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191
is locked and unlocked by using the front cover 255, the CD-ROM
drive 190 or FDD 191 is prevented from being removed from the first
section 38.
[0249] When the front cover 255 is rotated from the second position
to the first position, the front cover 255 is automatically slid to
the locked position by the slider 295. Accordingly, when the front
cover 255 is closed, it should suffice to rotate the front cover
255. The operation of closing the front cover 255 is thus
simplified.
[0250] According to the above structure, the ejector 300 for
pushing out the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191 from the first section
38 is not exposed to the insertion hole 40 of the first section 38
until the front cover 255 has been rotated to the second position.
As long as the front cover 255 is closed, the ejector 300 cannot be
operated. An intentional operation to rotate the front cover 255 to
the second position is required to pull out the CD-ROM drive 190 or
FDD 191 from the first section 38, and an erroneous operation of
the ejector 300 can be prevented.
[0251] As has been described above, when the front cover 255 is
rotated to the second position and the ejector 300 is exposed to
the insertion hole 40, the stopper 290 has already released the
locking of the CD-ROM drive 190 or FDD 191. Thus, the CD-ROM drive
190 or FDD 191 can easily be pushed out of the first section 38 by
operating the ejector 300. In addition, when the ejector 300 is
operated, the stopper 290 has already been disengaged from the
engaging portion 216a of CD-ROM drive 190 or the engaging portion
243a of FDD 191. Accordingly, the stopper 290 does not interfere
with the engaging portion 216a or 243a. No damaging force acts on
the stopper 290, and destruction of the stopper 290 is
prevented.
[0252] In the computer 1 having the above structure, the component
attachment portion 323 extending in the width direction of upper
housing 6 is formed at the rear portion of the upper housing 6. The
first and second speakers 353a and 353b and the volume dial 361 of
volume switch 360, which are replaced with relatively high
frequency, are supported on the component attachment portion 323.
The component attachment portion 323 is covered by the removable
top cover 365.
[0253] If a need arises to replace at least one of the first and
second speakers 353a and 353b, the screws 364 are loosened to unfix
the top cover 365. The display unit 3 is then rotated to the third
position, and the housing 325 of display unit 3 is turned to the
rear side. In this state, the top cover 365 is pulled up and
removed from the component attachment portion 323. Thereby, the
component attachment portion 323 is widely opened to the upper side
of the housing body 2, and the first and second speakers 353a and
353b as well as volume dial 361 are exposed to the outside of the
housing body 2.
[0254] As has been described above, when at least one of the first
and second speakers 353a and 353b is replaced, it suffices to
remove the top cover 365. There is no need to separate the upper
housing 6 from the lower housing 5. Thus, a time-consuming work
such as disassembling the housing body 2 is not required. The work
for replacing the speakers 353a and 353b is simplified.
[0255] If the top cover 365 is removed from the component
attachment portion 323, the flange portion 361c of volume dial 361
is opened upward. The volume dial 361 can thus be pulled off upward
from the shaft portion 360a of volume switch 360. Thus, the work
for maintaining the switch body 360b can be easily performed.
[0256] The top cover 365 has the engaging wall 375 which cooperates
with the bottom wall 311a of keyboard support section 310 in
clamping the support panel 314 of keyboard 313, the keyboard 313
can be held by using the top cover 365. Accordingly, there is no
need to provide a special member for holding the keyboard 313, and
the number of parts of the computer 1 can be reduced. Moreover, if
the top cover 365 is removed, the keyboard 313 is released. Thus,
the keyboard 313 can be removed from the keyboard support section
310. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform not only the work
for replacing the first and second speakers 353a and 353b, but also
the work for replacing or maintaining the keyboard 313.
[0257] The component attachment portion 323 of upper housing 6 has
first and second cover portions 346a and 346b for covering the leg
portions 327a and 327b of display unit 3 from below. In the state
in which the component attachment portion 323 is covered by the top
cover 365, the first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329 can
be covered by the first and second cover portions 346a and 346b and
the hinge cover portions 367a and 367b of top cover 365. Thus,
there is no need to provide an exclusive-use cover for covering the
first and second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329 or a structure for
supporting such an exclusive-use cover. Therefore, the structure of
the housing body 2 can be simplified. Furthermore, since the first
and second cover portions 346a and 346b are formed integral with
the component attachment portion 323, the first and second cover
portions 346a and 346b can be exactly positioned in relation to the
first and second leg portions 327a and 327b and the top cover 365,
and the external appearance of the housing body 2 is improved.
[0258] Besides, according to the above structure, the display unit
3 is supported on the upper housing 6 by means of the first and
second hinge metal fixings 328 and 329. Thus, the display unit 3
along with the upper housing 6 can be removed from the lower
housing 5. The housing body 2 can be disassembled, simultaneously
with the removal of the display unit 3. The works for replacing and
maintaining the display unit 3 are facilitated.
[0259] In the above embodiment, the component attachment portion is
situated behind the keyboard. However, in the present invention,
the component attachment portion may be situated in front of the
keyboard, and the top cover covering the component attachment
portion may be used as armrest.
[0260] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and
representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *