U.S. patent application number 11/362413 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for folding electric apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Takao Shinoda.
Application Number | 20070123064 11/362413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38088099 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070123064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shinoda; Takao |
May 31, 2007 |
FOLDING ELECTRIC APPARATUS
Abstract
A folding electronic apparatus is proposed, the rigidity of the
hinge of which is sufficiently high, in which signal wires for
connecting a movable portion with a stationary portion can be
easily incorporated. The apparatus includes: a stationary portion
(2) and a movable portion (3) which are connected to each other by
a hinge (4), capable of being opened and closed, the hinge
includes: a pipe portion (32) having a first slit (35) on a side
wall, the pipe portion being attached to one of the movable portion
and the stationary portion; and a hollow shaft (24) having a second
slit (25) on the side wall, the hollow shaft (24) being attached to
the other of the movable portion and the stationary portion, the
hollow shaft (24) being engaged inside the pipe portion, wherein
the first and second slits extend to positions shifted from an
engaging portion of the pipe portion with the hollow portion in the
axial direction and define opening portions (25a, 35a) of the first
and second slits.
Inventors: |
Shinoda; Takao; (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
38088099 |
Appl. No.: |
11/362413 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 35/02 20130101;
H04M 1/0216 20130101; H01R 2201/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/031 |
International
Class: |
H01R 39/00 20060101
H01R039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2005 |
JP |
2005-346355 |
Claims
1. A folding electronic apparatus in which a first housing and a
second housing are connected to each other by a hinge having an
axis and are capable of being opened and closed with respect to
each other by rotation about the hinge axis, the hinge including: a
pipe portion having a first slit on a side wall, the pipe portion
being attached to one of the first housing and the second housing;
and a hollow shaft having a second slit on the side wall, the
hollow shaft being attached to the other of the first housing and
the second housing, the hollow shaft being engaged inside the pipe
portion, wherein the first and second slits extend to positions
shifted from an engaging portion of the pipe portion with the
hollow shaft in the axial direction and define opening portions of
the first and second slits.
2. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first slit provided on the side wall of the pipe portion extends in
the axial direction, the second slit provided on the side wall of
the hollow shaft also extends in the axial direction, and when the
first and second housings are located at a predetermined angular
position about the hinge axis, the first and second slits are
aligned and continuous with each other in the axial direction.
3. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first printed circuit board attached inside one of
the housings; a second printed circuit board attached inside the
other of the housings; and signal wires electrically connecting the
first printed circuit board with the second printed circuit board,
wherein one end portion of the signal wires connects to the first
printed circuit board, enters the first slit opening portion of the
pipe portion, passes inside the pipe portion and the hollow shaft
portion, comes out from the second slit opening portion of the
hollow shaft portion and connects to the second printed circuit
board.
4. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
signal wires are formed into a flexible printed circuit.
5. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 4, the
flexible circuit plate including: a first base portion connected to
the first printed circuit board; a first portion extended from the
first base portion in the direction perpendicular to the hinge
axis; a portion bent from the first portion in the direction
parallel with the hinge axis; a second portion bent from a portion
which extends in the direction parallel with the hinge axis,
extending again in the direction perpendicular to the hinge axis;
and the second base portion connected to the second portion and
connected to the second printed circuit board, wherein the flexible
circuit plate is formed into a plane shape.
6. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
plane shape of the flexible printed circuit is folded in two.
7. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
portion of the flexible printed circuit, which is parallel with the
hinge axis, passes inside the pipe portion and the hollow shaft
portion.
8. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an
end portion of the hollow shaft in the axial direction on the side
opposite to the side engaged with the pipe portion is closed with a
wall, an end portion of the pipe portion in the axial direction on
the side opposite to the side engaged with the hollow shaft is
closed with a wall, and a space portion for accommodating the
flexible printed circuit is defined by the inside of the pipe
portion and the inside of the hollow shaft and by the respective
walls closing the corresponding end portions of the pipe portion
and the hollow shaft portion.
9. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, the pipe
portion including: a pipe formed portion integrally formed on the
first chassis, structural reinforcing member comprising one of the
housings; and a pipe member engaged inside the pipe formed portion,
wherein slit portions are respectively formed in the pipe formed
portion and the pipe member at positions corresponding to each
other, and are aligned with each other to form the first slit.
10. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the pipe member is formed of resin, the pipe member has rising
walls on both sides of the slit, the first chassis is integrally
formed of magnesium by means of die casting, and when the rising
walls on both sides of the pipe member are engaged with the slit of
the pipe formed portion, the pipe member is engaged non-rotatably
with the pipe formed portion of the first chassis.
11. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the other of the housings has a second chassis which is a
structural reinforcing member, integrally formed of magnesium by
means of die casting, and the hollow shaft has a flange portion
fixed to the second chassis by means of screwing.
12. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the hollow shaft has a protrusion or a step, which regulates a
position of the hollow shaft in the axial direction when the hollow
shaft is pivotally engaged with the pipe portion, on the outer
circumference thereof.
13. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
both sides of the pipe portion of one of the housings are open, the
hollow shaft is engaged with the first opening portion, and a hinge
module is inserted into the second opening portion and the bearing
portion of the other of the housings.
14. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the other of the housings has a second chassis which is a
structural reinforcing members integrally formed of magnesium by
means of die casting, the bearing portion of the other of the
housings is formed as a portion of the second chassis and, further,
the second chassis has a semi-cylindrical portion to cover the
hollow shaft.
15. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the hinge module is engaged with the second opening portion of the
pipe portion of one of the housings and the bearing portion of the
other of the housings, and regulates a rotary position between the
first housing and the second housing.
16. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the folding electronic apparatus is a folding mobile phone.
17. A folding electronic apparatus in which a first housing and a
second housing are connected to each other by a hinge being capable
of being opened and closed, the hinge including: a pipe portion
integrally formed with a structural reinforcing member of the first
housing; a bearing portion integrally formed with a structural
reinforcing member of the second housing; and a hollow shaft fixed
to the structural reinforcing member of the second housing, wherein
the hollow shaft is pivotally inserted into and engaged with one of
the opening portions of the pipe portion, and a hinge module
penetrates the other side of the pipe portion and the bearing
portion.
18. A folding electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the first slit is provided on the side wall of the pipe portion,
the second slit is provided on the side wall of the hollow shaft,
and the first and the second slits extend to a position shifted in
the axial direction from the engaging portion of the pipe portion
with the hollow shaft portion and define the first and the second
slit opening portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a folding electric
apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
folding electric apparatus having a hinge (an opening and closing
mechanism). The present invention can be applied to various folding
electronic apparatus having a hinge, such as a stationary
communication terminal and a portable electronic apparatus, for
example, a mobile phone, a portable communication terminal, a
portable electronic note, a portable electronic book, a portable
electronic dictionary and so forth.
[0003] The folding electronic apparatus includes: a first housing,
for example, a stationary portion, in which an operation portion is
mainly provided; and a second housing, a movable portion, in which
a display portion such as a liquid crystal display is mainly
provided, wherein the first housing and the second housing are
connected with each other by a hinge, and the movable portion can
be opened and closed with respect to the stationary portion being
turned round the hinge. Since the folding electronic apparatus can
be operated so as to be opened and closed, as described above, it
has been conveniently used. Therefore, the number of the folding
electronic apparatus to be used tends to remarkably increase every
year. Especially according to the increase in the use of the
folding electronic apparatus, there is a request for enhancing the
mechanical strength of the hinge which is frequently opened and
closed. Further, when the first housing and the second housing are
electrically connected to each other by signal wires, the wiring
must be devised so that the apparatus can endure opening and
closing motions, which are frequently conducted, irrespective of a
state of the apparatus to be opened and closed.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the conventional folding electronic apparatus in which
the movable portion and the stationary portion are connected to
each other by the hinge, the holding mechanism for holding the
hinge is composed separately from the structure reinforcing member
composing the movable portion and the stationary portion, that is,
the holding mechanism for holding the hinge is composed separately
from the chassis of the movable portion and the stationary portion.
Therefore, the following problems may be encountered in the
conventional folding electronic apparatus. In the conventional
folding electronic apparatus, the hinge is not composed integrally
with the chassis as described above. Therefore, the rigidity of the
hinge is not sufficiently high compared with the rigidity of the
structural members of the chassis. Accordingly, it is difficult to
maintain the accuracy of a rotary shaft to be high. Further, when a
shock is given to the apparatus, the hinge is independently
deformed, and the rigidity of the hinge is lowered.
[0006] Further, the following problem may be encountered. In the
conventional folding electronic apparatus, when the movable portion
and the stationary portion are connected to each other by the
signal wires at the time of assembling, the assembling work is
complicated.
[0007] Concerning the structure of the conventional folding
electronic apparatus, JP-A-2002-134938 discloses a folding housing
structure having a water-proofing structure. According to this
Patent Document, rising walls are formed round the hinge and on the
side, and ribs for water-proofing are formed inside. When water
absorption sheets are arranged inside an upper and a lower rear
case, water can be prevented from entering from a gap of the hinge
into a space.
[0008] According to the folding electronic apparatus disclosed in
JP-A-2003-304310, when a hinge cover is divided into a plurality of
pieces, a main body portion can be classified. Further, the
generation of rattling in the hinge can be prevented.
[0009] As described above, in the conventional folding electronic
apparatus, the hinge is not integrated with the chassis which is a
structural reinforcing member composing the apparatus housing.
Therefore, the rigidity of the hinge is not sufficiently high.
Accordingly, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of the rotary
shaft to be sufficiently high. Further, there is a possibility that
the hinge is independently deformed when a shock is given to the
apparatus. Furthermore, in the conventional folding electronic
apparatus, it is difficult to incorporate the signal wires
extending between the movable portion and the stationary
portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
propose a folding electronic apparatus characterized in that: the
rigidity of the hinge is sufficiently high; and it is easy to
incorporate into the apparatus the signal wires extending between
the movable portion and the stationary portion.
[0011] In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, the
present invention provides a folding electronic apparatus in which
a first housing and a second housing are connected to each other by
a hinge, capable of being opened and closed with respect to each
other, the hinge including: a pipe portion having a first slit on a
side wall, the pipe portion being attached to one of the first
housing and the second housing; and a hollow shaft having a second
slit on the side wall, the hollow shaft being attached to the other
of the first housing and the second housing, the hollow shaft being
engaged inside the pipe portion, wherein the first and second slits
extend to positions shifted from an engaging portion of the pipe
portion with the hollow portion in the axial direction and define
opening portions of the first and second slits.
[0012] According to the above structure, in the case where the
first housing and the second housing are electrically connected to
each other by signal wires, the signal wires are laid in the pipe
portion and the hollow shaft of the hinge, the signal wires are
drawn out from the first and second slits opening portion and both
end portions of the signal wires can be connected to the first and
second housings. Therefore, the signal wires can be easily laid and
incorporated. Further, even when the folding electronic apparatus
is repeatedly opened and closed, the durability can be
maintained.
[0013] According to the present invention, a folding electronic
apparatus further comprises: a first printed circuit board attached
inside one of the housings; a second printed circuit board attached
inside the other of the housings; and signal wires for electrically
connecting the first printed circuit board with the second printed
circuit board, wherein one end portion of the signal wires connects
to the first printed circuit board, enters the first slit opening
portion of the pipe portion, passes inside the pipe portion and the
hollow shaft portion, comes out from the second slit opening
portion of the hollow shaft portion and connects to the second
printed circuit board.
[0014] Due to the above structure, the signal wires can be smoothly
connect the first printed circuit board with the second printed
circuit board. Further, it is easy to lay and assemble the signal
wires. Furthermore, even when the folding electronic apparatus is
repeatedly opened and closed, the durability can be maintained.
[0015] In a folding electronic apparatus of the present invention,
the signal wires are formed into a flexible printed circuit. The
flexible circuit plate includes: a first base portion connected to
the first printed circuit board; a first portion extended from the
first base portion in the direction perpendicular to the hinge
axis; a portion bent from the first portion in the direction
parallel with the hinge axis; a second portion bent from a portion
which extends in the direction parallel with the hinge axis,
extending again in the direction perpendicular to the hinge axis;
and the second base portion connected to the second portion and
connected to the second printed circuit board, wherein the flexible
circuit plate is formed into a plane shape.
[0016] Due to the above structure, while the slit of the pipe
portion and the slit of the hollow shaft are being aligned with
each other, a portion of the flexible circuit plate, which
functions as signal wires and is parallel with the hinge shaft, is
inserted into the slit, the first portion and the second portion
are respectively drawn out from the slit opening portion of the
pipe portion and the slit opening portion of the hollow shaft, and
base portions at both end portions can be respectively connected to
the first housing and the second housing. Accordingly, the flexible
circuit plate can be easily incorporated.
[0017] The pipe portion includes: a pipe formed portion integrally
formed on the first chassis which is a structural reinforcing
member composing one of the housings; and a pipe member engaged
inside the pipe formed portion, wherein slit portions are
respectively formed in the pipe formed portion and the pipe member
at positions corresponding to each other, and these slits are
aligned with each other to form the first slit.
[0018] Due to the above structure, the hinge includes members which
are portions of the first and second chassis which are the
structural reinforcing members of the first housing and the second
housing. Alternatively, the hinge includes members fixed to the
first and the second chassis. Therefore, the rigidity of the hinge
can be maintained high. Further, even when the folding electronic
apparatus is repeatedly used over a long period of time, the
accuracy of the hinge shaft can be maintained high.
[0019] In the folding electronic apparatus of the invention, both
sides of the pipe portion of one of the housings are open, the
hollow shaft is engaged with the first opening portion, and a hinge
module is inserted into the second opening portion and the bearing
portion of the other of the housings.
[0020] The present invention provides a folding electronic
apparatus in which a first housing and a second housing are
connected to each other by a hinge being capable of being opened
and closed, the hinge including: a pipe portion integrally formed
with a structural reinforcing member of the first housing; a
bearing portion integrally formed with a structural reinforcing
member of the second housing; and a hollow shaft fixed to the
structural reinforcing member of the second housing, wherein the
hollow shaft is pivotally inserted into and engaged with one of the
opening portions of the pipe portion, and a hinge module penetrates
the other side of the pipe portion and the bearing portion.
[0021] Due to the above structure, the rigidity of the hinge can be
maintained sufficiently high, and the signal wires for connecting
the first housing with the second housing can be easily
incorporated and laid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a folding mobile
phone of the present invention in an open state, wherein the view
is taken from the liquid crystal display face side;
[0023] FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing a folding mobile
phone of the present invention in an open state, wherein the view
is taken from the back face side;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a folding mobile phone
of the present invention, especially showing a hinge of the folding
mobile phone, wherein the view is taken from the back face side
after the outside cover has been removed;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge of
the folding mobile phone shown in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a hinge of the folding
mobile phone shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a chassis portion and a
hinge of a folding mobile phone to which the present invention is
applied, wherein the view is taken from the front side of the
hinge;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hinge, wherein the view is
taken from the front side; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in
which a chassis portion and a hinge of a folding mobile phone are
connected to each other, wherein the view is taken from the front
side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the
present invention will be explained in detail below.
[0031] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are views showing a folding mobile phone
to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 1(a) is a
perspective view showing a folding mobile phone of the present
invention in an open state, wherein the view is taken from the
liquid crystal display face side. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view
showing a folding mobile phone of the present invention in an open
state, wherein the view is taken from the reverse face side.
[0032] The folding mobile phone 1 is composed as follows. The first
housing (the stationary portion) 2, in which the input operating
portion such as various keys and buttons and the telephone
microphone are provided, and the second housing (the movable
portion) 3, in which the liquid crystal display portion and the
telephone ear phone are provided, are connected to each other by
the hinge 4 so that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3
can be opened from and closed to each other as shown by arrow P.
Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 can be opened and closed.
[0033] When the folding mobile phone 1 is used, the apparatus 1 is
opened as shown in the drawing, and various inputting operation,
the sending and receiving work and the conversation are conducted
in this open state. When the apparatus 1 is opened, the first
housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened in such a manner that
an angle of about 165.degree. is formed between the first housing 2
and the second housing 3. In order to temporarily fix the first
housing 2 and the second housing 3 at this open position, motions
of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are regulated by a
stopper not shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] When the folding mobile phone 1 is not used, the apparatus 1
is put into a closed state, so that it can be conveniently put
away. When the mobile phone 1 is closed, an angle formed between
the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is approximately
0.degree.. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are
regulated by a stopper (not shown) so that they can be temporarily
fixed at this position.
[0035] The hinge 4 basically includes a shaft and a bearing
mechanism. That is, the hinge 4 includes: a pair of bearings which
are provided on the same axis in one end portion of the first
housing 2 on the second housing 3 side; and a bearing provided in
one end portion of the second housing 3 on the first housing 2 side
in such a manner that the bearing is opposed to the pair of
bearings arranged on the first housing 2 side; and a shaft portion
penetrating these bearings.
[0036] As described before, in the hinge 4, the stopper mechanism
not shown in FIG. 1 is provided. Due to the stopper mechanism, when
the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are closed to each
other, the closed state can be maintained. When the first housing 2
and the second housing 3 are opened from each other by a
predetermined angle, the open state can be maintained.
[0037] In this connection, the shaft and the bearing mechanism
composing the hinge 4 may be composed as follows. On the contrary
to the arrangement described above, a pair of bearings are provided
on the same axis at an interval at one end portion of the second
housing 3 on the first housing 2 side, and one bearing to be
engaged with the pair of bearings is provided at one end of the
first housing 2 on the second housing 3 side, and a shaft portion
penetrating these bearings is provided.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a folding mobile phone
of the present invention in an open state, wherein the view is
taken from the back face side after the outside cover has been
removed. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge of
the folding mobile phone shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective
view showing a hinge of the folding mobile phone shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a chassis portion and a hinge of a
folding mobile phone to which the present invention is applied,
wherein the view is taken from the front side of the hinge. FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a hinge, wherein the view is taken from
the front side. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a
state in which a chassis portion and a hinge of a folding mobile
phone are connected to each other, wherein the view is taken from
the front side.
[0039] The first housing (the stationary portion) 2 includes: a key
side case (not shown) arranged outside the first housing; a first
(key side) chassis 20 arranged inside which is a structural
reinforcing member of the electronic apparatus integrally formed
out of magnesium by means of die casting; and a first (key side)
printed circuit board 21 arranged inside which is attached to the
first chassis 20.
[0040] The second housing (the movable portion) 3 includes: a
liquid crystal display (LCD) side case (not shown); a second (LCD
side) chassis 30 arranged inside which is a structural reinforcing
member of the electronic apparatus integrally formed out of
magnesium by means of die casting; and a second (LCD side) printed
circuit board 31 provided in a space between LCD and the second
chassis 30.
[0041] As described later, the first housing 2 and the second
housing 3 are connected with each other by the flexible printed
wiring plate (FPC) 60, which is the signal wiring, via the hinge 4.
One end of FPC 60 is connected to the printed circuit board 20 of
the first housing 2, and the other end of FPC 60 is connected to
the printed circuit board 30 of the second housing 3. Therefore,
irrespective of the open state or the closed state of the
apparatus, FPC 60 electrically connects the first printed circuit
board 21 of the first housing 2 with the second printed circuit
board 30 of the second housing 3.
[0042] According to the present invention, the hinge 4, which
connects the first housing (the stationary portion) 2 with the
second housing (the stationary portion) 3 in such a manner that the
first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can be opened and closed,
is composed as follows.
[0043] At the end portion of the chassis 20 of the first housing 2
on the second housing 3 side, the cylindrical bearing portion 22
and the semi-cylindrical portion 23 are arranged in the axial
direction at a predetermined interval. The cylindrical bearing
portion 22 and the semi-cylindrical portion 23 are integrally
formed out of magnesium by means of die casting.
[0044] On the other hand, the pipe formed portion 32 is provided at
an end portion of the chassis 30 of the second housing 3 on the
first housing 2 side. The pipe formed portion 32 is a portion of
the chassis 30 and integrally formed out of magnesium by means of
die casting. On the side wall of this pipe formed portion 32, the
slit 33 is formed which extends in the axial direction to the
opening portion on one side.
[0045] Concerning the pipe member 34 made resin by means of
molding, one end portion 34a of the pipe member 34 is open, and the
other end 34b of the pipe member 34 is closed. On the side wall,
the slit 35 corresponding to the slit 33 of the pipe formed portion
32 extends in the axial direction to the opening end 34a. On both
sides of the slit 35, the rising wall 36 is integrally formed in
the axial direction. The closed end portion 34b of the pipe member
34 is inserted in the axial direction into the pipe formed portion
32 from one side, so that the pipe member 34 can be engaged with
the pipe formed portion 32. At this time, the rising walls 36
provided on both sides of the slit 35 are engaged with both sides
of the slit 33 of the pipe formed portion 32. Due to the foregoing,
the pipe member 34 is engaged with and fixed to the pipe formed
portion 32 being not capable of rotating.
[0046] One end portion 24a of the hollow shaft 24 is opened, and
the other end 24d of the hollow shaft 24 is closed. On the side
wall of the hollow shaft 24, the slit 25 is formed which extends in
the axial direction to the opening end 24a. The hollow shaft 24 has
a flange portion 26 by which the hollow shaft 24 is fixed to the
chassis 20 of the first housing 2. For example, when a screw (not
shown) is screwed into the screw hole 20a of the chassis 20 via the
attaching hole 26a formed in the flange portion 26, the hollow
shaft 24 is fixed to the chassis 20.
[0047] The hollow shaft 24 is pivotally engaged with the pipe
member 34 when the hollow shaft 24 is inserted from the opening end
24a side into the pipe member 34. In order to regulate a position
of the hollow shaft 24 in the axial direction when the hollow shaft
24 is engaged with the pipe member 34 in the axial direction, the
protrusion or the step portion 27 is provided in the
circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the hollow
shaft 24.
[0048] When the hollow shaft 24 is inserted into and engaged with
the pipe member 34 until the protrusion or the step portion 27
comes into contact with the opening end of the pipe member 34, the
slit 25 of the hollow shaft 24 extends and exists in the axial
direction exceeding the engaging portion in which the hollow shaft
24 and the pipe member 34 are overlapped on each other, so that the
slit opening portion 25a (shown in FIG. 2) can be defined. On the
other hand, under the condition that the hollow shaft 24 is
pivotally engaged with the pipe member 34, the slit 35 of the pipe
member 34 extends and exist in the axial direction exceeding the
engaging portion in which the hollow shaft 24 and the pipe member
34 are overlapped on each other, so that the slit opening portion
35a (shown in FIG. 2) can be defined.
[0049] Accordingly, under the condition that the hollow shaft 24
and the pipe member 34 are engaged with each other, a space portion
for accommodating signal wires such as a flexible printed circuit
60 can be defined inside the hollow shaft 24 and the pipe member 34
and between the closed end 24b of the hollow shaft 24 and the
closed end 34b of the pipe member 34.
[0050] The length of the pipe formed portion 32 of the chassis 30
in the axial direction corresponds to an interval between the
bearing portion 22 and the semi-cylindrical portion 23, which are
formed in the chassis 20 of the first housing 2, in the axial
direction.
[0051] The hinge structure on one side of the hinge 4 in the axial
direction is described as follows. Into the end portion of the pipe
formed portion 32 of the chassis 30 on the side opposite to the
insertion of the pipe member 34, the bearing ring 36 is inserted
and fixed. When the pipe formed portion 32 is aligned in the axial
direction with the cylindrical bearing portion 22 of the chassis 20
on the first housing 2 side, the hinge module 50 is inserted into
the bearing portion 22 and the bearing ring member 36. This hinge
module 50 pivotally connects the first housing 2 with the second
housing 3 and regulates a rotary position between them.
[0052] As described before, the printed wiring board 21 of the
first housing 2 and the printed wiring board 31 of the second
housing 3 are electrically connected to each other by the flexible
printed circuit 60 which functions as signal wires. As shown in
FIG. 3, under the condition that this flexible printed circuit 60
is bent in two, the plane shape of the flexible printed circuit 60
includes: a first base portion 60a which is connected to the
printed circuit board 21 of the first housing 2; a first portion
60b extending from the first base portion 60a in the direction
perpendicular to the hinge shaft; a portion 60c which is bent from
the first portion by a substantially right angle and extended in
parallel with the hinge shaft; a second portion 60d which is bent
from the portion 60c, which is parallel with the hinge shaft, at a
substantially right angle and extended in the direction
perpendicular to the hinge shaft; and a second base portion 60e
which is connected with the second portion 60d and connected to the
printed circuit board 31 of the second housing 3. In this way, the
plane shape of the flexible printed circuit 60 is continuous.
[0053] On the other hand, even when a relative rotary position
between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is located
anywhere, when the slit opening portions 25a, 35a (shown in FIG. 2)
located at both end portions are open by a predetermined slit width
and when the first portion 60b of the flexible printed circuit 60
enters the slit opening portion 25a (shown in FIG. 2) of the hollow
shaft 24 and when the portion 60c parallel with the hinge shaft is
accommodated in this space and the second portion 60d comes out
from the slit opening portion 36a (shown in FIG. 2) of the pipe
member 34, the flexible printed circuit plate 60 can be stably
transferred from the first housing 2 to the second housing 3.
[0054] The flexible printed circuit 60 is incorporated as follows.
Under the condition that the first base portion 60a and the second
base portion 60e are respectively connected to the printed wiring
board 21 of the first housing 2 and the printed wiring board 31 of
the second housing 3, the rotary positions of both housings are
adjusted at a position where the slit 25 of the hollow pipe 24 and
the slit 35 of the pipe member 34 are aligned to each other. Then,
the portion 60c parallel with the hinge shaft is inserted into
these slits 25, 35, and the first portion 60b and the second
portion 60d are respectively drawn out from the slit opening
portions 25a, 35a (shown in FIG. 2) of the hollow shaft 24 and the
pipe member 34. In this way, the flexible printed circuit 60 can be
easily incorporated into the hinge.
[0055] Explanations are made into the embodiment of the present
invention referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be
noted that the present invention is not limited to the above
specific embodiment. Variations or modifications may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0056] As described above, according to the present invention, the
hinge includes a pipe portion and a bearing portion which are
formed integrally with the structural reinforcing member composing
the first housing and the second housing and further includes a
hollow shaft attached to them. Therefore, the rigidity of the hinge
is sufficiently high. Even when the apparatus is repeatedly opened
and closed, the mechanical strength can be maintained high and the
accuracy of the hinge shaft can be also maintained high.
[0057] Slits are provided in the pipe portion and the hollow shaft.
These slits extend to positions shifted from the engaging portion
of the pipe portion with the hollow shaft in the axial direction
and define the slit opening portion. Therefore, when signal wires
such as a flexible printed circuit plate are inserted from the slit
or the slit opening portion, assembling can be easily
performed.
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