U.S. patent application number 12/882635 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Tomohiro Hamada, Tomoko Kitamura, Toshio Konno, Ryosuke Saito, Toshikazu Shiroishi, Kohei Wada.
Application Number | 20110156563 12/882635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44186630 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110156563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamada; Tomohiro ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a
first housing, a second housing, a mounting portion, and a hinge.
The mounting portion is provided in the first housing. The mounting
portion includes a mounting surface, a first pin protruding from
the mounting surface, and a receiver including an insertion groove.
The hinge is attached to the second housing and includes a fixing
portion. The fixing portion includes a main portion mounted on the
mounting surface, an elongated hole provided in the main portion
and configured to engage with the first pin, and an inserting
portion configured to be inserted into the insertion groove and
supported by the receiver from a side opposite to the mounting
surface.
Inventors: |
Hamada; Tomohiro;
(Tachikawa-shi, JP) ; Shiroishi; Toshikazu;
(Hamura-shi, JP) ; Kitamura; Tomoko; (Ome-shi,
JP) ; Konno; Toshio; (Akiruno-shi, JP) ; Wada;
Kohei; (Tachikawa-shi, JP) ; Saito; Ryosuke;
(Koganei-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44186630 |
Appl. No.: |
12/882635 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0226 20130101;
G06F 1/1681 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; Y10T 16/554
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/326 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/02 20060101
H05K005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 25, 2009 |
JP |
2009-295633 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first housing; a second
housing; a mounting portion in the first housing, the mounting
portion comprising a mounting surface, a first pin protruding from
the mounting surface, and a receiver comprising an insertion
groove; and a hinge attached to the second housing and comprising a
fixing portion, the fixing portion comprising a main portion
mounted on the mounting surface, an elongated hole provided in the
main portion and configured to engage with the first pin, and an
inserting portion configured to be inserted into the insertion
groove and supported by the receiver from a side opposite to the
mounting surface.
2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting
portion comprises a screw hole, the fixing portion comprises an
insertion hole, and the fixing portion is fixed to the mounting
portion by a screw which passes through the insertion hole and
engages with the screw hole.
3. The electronic apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongated hole
is elongated in an inserting direction of the inserting
portion.
4. The electronic apparatus of claim 3, wherein the receiver
deviates from an upper area of the mounting surface, and a space is
provided below the receiver, in which the inserting portion
obliquely inserted into the insertion groove enters.
5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a metal
reinforcing member attached to the first housing, the reinforcing
member comprising the receiver.
6. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing
member comprises the screw hole.
7. The electronic apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mounting
portion comprises a second pin protruding from the mounting
surface, and the main portion of the fixing portion comprises a
circular hole configured to engage with the second pin.
8. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second pin is
arranged on a rear side of the first pin in the inserting direction
of the inserting portion.
9. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first housing
forms at least a part of the mounting surface and comprises a wall
portion interposed between the reinforcing member and the main
portion of the fixing portion.
10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing
member comprises a supporting portion supporting the wall portion
from below, and a convex portion deviating from the wall portion in
the mounting portion, the convex portion being higher than the
supporting portion and forming a part of the mounting surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-295633, filed
Dec. 25, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an
electronic apparatus comprising a hinge.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic apparatuses, such as notebook PCs, comprise
hinges that connect a display unit to a main unit. Jpn. Pat. Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 2002-132174 discloses an electronic apparatus
comprising hinges. In the electronic apparatus, an extending
portion is provided in the hinge that supports the display unit.
The main unit includes a hook-shaped temporary fixing portion. The
extending portion of the hinge is inserted into the lower side of
the temporary fixing portion, and the display unit is maintained in
a rising state during screwing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] A general architecture that implements the various feature
of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate embodiments and not to limit the scope of the
invention.
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an
electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a hinge
fixing portion and a mounting portion of the electronic apparatus
shown in FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating the
hinge fixing portion and the mounting portion shown in FIG. 2 which
are disassembled from each other;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exemplary plan view illustrating the inside of
a display unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating the
mounting portion shown in FIG. 3, as viewed from another angle;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an exemplary plan view illustrating the inner
surface of a main cover of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a
portion of a reinforcing member shown in FIG. 6;
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating the
mounting portion taken along the line F8-F8 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating the
hinge fixing portion that is being attached to the mounting portion
shown in FIG. 8;
[0014] FIG. 10 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating
the hinge fixing portion attached to the mounting portion shown in
FIG. 8; and
[0015] FIG. 11 is an exemplary plan view illustrating the inner
surface of a main cover of an electronic apparatus according to a
second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to
one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a first housing,
a second housing, a mounting portion, and a hinge. The mounting
portion is provided in the first housing. The mounting portion
comprises a mounting surface, a first pin protruding from the
mounting surface, and a receiver including an insertion groove. The
hinge is attached to the second housing and includes a fixing
portion. The fixing portion comprises a main portion mounted on the
mounting surface, an elongated hole provided in the main portion
and configured to engage with the first pin, and an inserting
portion configured to be inserted into the insertion groove and
supported by the receiver from a side opposite to the mounting
surface.
[0017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments applied to a notebook
personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook PC) will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0018] FIGS. 1 to 10 show an electronic apparatus 1 according to a
first embodiment. The electronic apparatus 1 is, for example, a
notebook PC. However, electronic apparatuses to which the
embodiment can be applied are not limited thereto. The embodiment
can be widely applied to various kinds of electronic apparatuses,
such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a game machine.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 comprises a
main unit 2, a display unit 3, and first and second hinges 4 and 5.
The main unit 2 is an example of a "first unit". The display unit 3
is an example of a "second unit".
[0020] The main unit 2 is an electronic apparatus main body
provided with a main board. The main unit 2 comprises a main
housing 6. The main housing 6 is an example of a "first housing".
The main housing 6 has a flat box shape comprising an upper wall 7,
a lower wall 8, and a circumferential wall 9.
[0021] The lower wall 8 faces a desk surface when the electronic
apparatus 1 is placed on a desk. The lower wall 8 is substantially
parallel to the desk surface. The upper wall 7 is opposite to the
lower wall 8 with a space therebetween and extends substantially in
parallel (that is, substantially in a horizontal direction) to the
lower wall 8. A keyboard mounting portion 12 to which a keyboard 11
is attached is provided on the upper wall 7. The keyboard 1 does
not include a numerical keypad, for example. Only some of the keys
of the keyboard 11 are shown in FIG. 1. The circumferential wall 9
rises with respect to the lower wall 8, and connects the edge
portion of the lower wall 8 and the edge portion of the upper wall
7.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the circumferential wall 9 includes a
front wall 13, a rear wall 14, a left wall 15, and a right wall 16.
The front wall 13 extends in the left-right direction in a front
end portion 17 of the main unit 2, and faces the user of the
electronic apparatus 1. The rear wall 14 extends substantially in
parallel to the front wall 13 in the left-right direction in a rear
end portion 18 of the main unit 2.
[0023] Each of the left wall 15 and the right wall 16 extends in
the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the main housing 6.
The left wall 15 connects a left end portion of the front wall 13
and a left end portion of the rear wall 14. The right wall 16
connects a right end portion of the front wall 13 and a right end
portion of the rear wall 14. In the specification, the side closer
to the user is defined as the front side and the side away from the
user is defined as the rear side. In addition, the left and right
sides are defined in the user's viewing direction.
[0024] The main housing 6 comprises a main base 21 and a main cover
22. The main base 21 comprises the lower wall 8 and a part of the
circumferential wall 9. The main cover 22 comprises the upper wall
7 and a part of the circumferential wall 9. The main cover 22 is
combined with the main base 21 to form the main housing 6.
[0025] As described above, the main unit 2 comprises the rear end
portion 18, which is a first end portion, and the front end portion
17, which is a second end portion. The display unit 3 is rotatably
(openably) connected to the rear end portion 18 by, for example,
the first and second hinges 4 and 5. The display unit 3 can be
pivoted between a closed position where the display unit 3 falls
and covers the main unit 2 from the upper side and an opened
position where the display unit 3 rises with respect to the main
unit 2.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 3 comprises a display
housing 23 and a display device 24 accommodated in the display
housing 23. The display housing 23 is an example of a "second
housing". The display housing 23 has a flat box shape comprising a
front wall 25, a rear wall 26, and a circumferential wall 27. In
the specification, the front and rear sides are defined with
respect to the raised position of the display unit 3.
[0027] When the display unit 3 falls (is closed), the front wall 25
faces the upper wall 7 of the main unit 2. When the display unit 3
rises (is opened), the front wall 25 faces the user. The front wall
25 comprises a relatively large opening 25a through which a display
screen 24a of the display device 24 is exposed to the outside.
[0028] The rear wall 26 is disposed opposite to the front wall 25
in the display housing 23. A space is provided between the rear
wall 26 and the front wall 25, and the rear wall 26 extends
substantially in parallel to the front wall 25. The circumferential
wall 27 rises with respect to the rear wall 26, and connects the
edge portion of the front wall 25 and the edge portion of the rear
wall 26.
[0029] Next, the first and second hinges 4 and 5 will be described.
The structure of the second hinge 5 is substantially the same as
that of the first hinge 4. Therefore, the structure of the first
hinge 4 will be described in detail as a representative
example.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first hinge 4 comprises a
hinge rotating portion 31, a hinge bracket 32, and a hinge fixing
portion 33. The hinge rotating portion 31 is provided between the
main unit 2 and the display unit 3. The hinge rotating portion 31
comprises a hinge shaft, a cam, and a disc spring attached to the
hinge shaft. The hinge rotating portion 31 connects the hinge
bracket 32 and the hinge fixing portion 33 such that they can be
rotated relative to each other.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge bracket 32 is connected to the
hinge rotating portion 31 and extends into the display housing 23.
The hinge bracket 32 is, for example, a metal sheet. The hinge
bracket 32 extends between the side wall of the display housing 23
and the side surface of the display device 24. The hinge bracket 32
is fixed to the display housing 23 by, for example, screws. In this
way, the first hinge 4 is connected to the display housing 23.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge fixing portion 33 fixes the
first hinge 4 to the main unit 2. The hinge fixing portion 33 is an
example of a "fixing portion". The hinge fixing portion 33 is
connected to the hinge rotating portion 31. The hinge fixing
portion 33 is a so-called hinge metal plate made of, for example,
metal sheet.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge fixing portion 33 comprises a
main portion 35, a rising portion 36, and an inserting portion 37.
The main portion 35 is a horizontally flat plate. The rising
portion 36 rises from the side end portion of the main portion 35
and connects the main portion 35 to the hinge rotating portion 31.
The inserting portion 37 protrudes from the front end portion of
the main portion 35 in the horizontal direction. The inserting
portion 37 according to this embodiment protrudes in a convex shape
from a part of the front end portion of the main portion 35. The
insertion porting 37 may be provided in the entire front end
portion of the main portion 35. For example, the insertion porting
37 has the same thickness as the main portion 35.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting portion 40 to which the hinge
fixing portion 33 is attached is provided in the main housing 6.
For example, the mounting portion 40 is formed in a concave shape
in the upper wall 7. The mounting portion 40 comprises a mounting
surface 41, a receiver 42, first and second pins 43 and 44, a
through hole 45, and first and second screw holes 46 and 47. The
mounting portion 40 is formed by a wall portion 51 of the main
housing 6 made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and a metal
reinforcing members 52.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the wall portion 51 of the main housing
6 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a wall portion 51) forming
the mounting portion 40 is formed integrally with the upper wall 7.
As shown in FIG. 8, the wall portion 51 is positioned on the
reinforcing member 52. As shown in FIG. 10, the wall portion 51 is
interposed between the reinforcing member 52 and the main portion
35 of the hinge fixing portion 33.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the wall portion 51 comprises a
horizontal wall portion 54 that extends in the horizontal direction
at a position lower than the upper wall 7 and a rising wall portion
55 that rises from the edge portion of the horizontal wall portion
54 and is connected to the upper wall 7. The horizontal wall
portion 54 according to this embodiment is provided in a region
equal to or larger than half the mounting portion 40 and forms a
part of the mounting surface 41. The hinge fixing portion 33 is
mounted on the horizontal wall portion 54. The horizontal wall
portion 54 may be provided in the entire region of the mounting
portion 40 and form the entire mounting surface 41.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal wall portion 54 has a
substantially rectangular shape. The rising wall portion 55 rises
from three edge portions, that is, the front edge portion, the left
edge portion, and the right edge potion of the horizontal wall
portion 54 and connects the three edge portions of the horizontal
wall portion 54 to the upper wall 7. In this way, the horizontal
wall portion 54 is relatively fixedly connected to the upper wall
7. The horizontal wall portion 54 comprises a through hole 56
through which the first pin 43 is exposed, a through hole 57
through which the through hole 45 is exposed, through holes 58 and
59 through which the first and second screw holes 46 and 47 are
respectively exposed, and an opening 60 through which the receiver
42 is exposed.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing members 52 are attached
to the inner surface (rear surface) of the main cover 22. For
example, the reinforcing members 52 are provided at the left and
right end portions of the main cover 22. The reinforcing member 52
is a member corresponding to the hinge bracket (so-called hinge
lower) of the main unit 2. However, the reinforcing member 52
according to this embodiment is formed so as to be disassembled
from the hinge rotating portion 31 and may have a size, a shape,
and a function different from those in the related art. The
reinforcing member 52 is, for example, an aluminum die-cast
part.
[0039] The reinforcing member 52 has relatively large width and
thickness, and extends in an L shape from the lower side of the
mounting portion 40 to the side of the keyboard mounting portion
12. The reinforcing member 52 is fixed to the main cover 22 by a
screwing portion 62 for positioning and temporary fixation and a
plurality of welding and fixing portions 63. The welding and fixing
portions 63 are formed by inserting synthetic resin protrusions
provided on the main cover 22 into the through holes of the
reinforcing member 52 and heating, pressing and crushing the tips
of the protrusions.
[0040] In this embodiment, for example, one screwing portion 62 is
fixed by a screw 64 to position and temporarily fix the reinforcing
member 52. In addition, the plurality of welding and fixing
portions 63 (for example, three or more welding and fixing
portions) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing
member 52 is welded to fix the reinforcing member 52 to the main
cover 22. The reinforcing members 52 are fixed to the main cover 22
as strongly as the reinforcing members 52 are regarded to be
completely integrated with the main cover 22. In this way, the main
cover 22 is reinforced.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reinforcing member 52
overlaps the wall portion 51 of the main housing 6 from below and
forms a part of the mounting portion 40. The reinforcing member 52
comprises a supporting portion 66 and a convex portion 67. The
supporting portion 66 overlaps the wall portion 51 of the main
housing 6 and supports the wall portion 51 from below. As shown in
FIG. 3, the convex portion 67 is provided in a region of the
mounting portion 40 deviating from the wall portion 51, that is, a
region in which the wall portion 51 is not provided. The convex
portion 67 protrudes from the supporting portion 66 and is
substantially flush with the upper surface of the horizontal wall
portion 54 of the wall portion 51. The convex portion 67 forms a
part of the mounting surface 41. That is, the main portion 35 of
the hinge fixing portion 33 is also provided on the convex portion
67. The convex portion 67 supports the hinge fixing portion 33 from
below.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the receiver 42, the first and
second pins 43 and 44, the through hole 45, and the first and
second screw holes 46 and 47 are provided in the reinforcing member
52 and are made of a metal material. The receiver 42 comprises an
insertion groove 70 provided between the mounting surface 41 and
the receiver 42, and the inserting portion 37 of the hinge fixing
portion 33 is inserted into the insertion groove 70. The receiver
42 deviates from the upper area of the mounting surface 41 and is
provided on the front side of the mounting surface 41. The receiver
42 has a bowl shape with an opened lower side and an opened rear
side.
[0043] The receiver 42 comprises a ceiling portion 71, a rear
portion 72, and left and right portions 73 and 74. The ceiling
portion 71 extends in the substantially horizontal direction. The
lower surface of the ceiling portion 71 comprises a receiving
surface 75 that extends in the substantially horizontal direction
so as to be substantially parallel to the mounting surface 41. The
gap (space) between the receiving surface 75 and the mounting
surface 41 is substantially equal to the thickness of the inserting
portion 37 or the main portion 35. In this way, when the main
portion 35 is substantially parallel to the mounting surface 41,
there is substantially no gap between the inserting portion 37 and
the receiving surface 75.
[0044] The rear portion 72 extends downward from the end portion of
the ceiling portion 71. The left and right portions 73 and 74
extend downward from the left and right side portions of the
ceiling portion 71. That is, a region surrounded by the mounting
surface 41, the receiving surface 75, and the left and right
portions 73 and 74 is the insertion groove 70. The gap between the
left and right portions 73 and 74 is larger than the width of the
inserting portion 37. The position of the inserting portion 37 in
the receiver 42 can be adjusted in the left-right direction.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, the wall portion 51 and the reinforcing
member 52 are not provided below the receiver 42 and the lower
surface of the receiver 42 is opened to the main housing 6. As
shown in FIG. 9, a space S to which the inserting portion 37
obliquely inserted into the insertion groove 70 escapes (that is,
retreats) is provided below the receiver 42.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the first and second pins 43 and
44 protrude upward from the mounting surface 41. The first pin 43
passes through the through hole 56 of the wall portion 51 and
protrudes upward from the mounting surface 41. The second pin 44 is
provided in a region deviating from the wall portion 51 and
protrudes upward from the mounting surface 41. The first and second
pins 43 and 44 are positioning pins for determining the position of
the hinge fixing portion 33. The first and second pins 43 and 44
have conical tops.
[0047] The second pin 44 is disposed on the rear side of the first
pin 43 in the inserting direction (the direction from the rear wall
14 to the front wall 13) of the inserting portion 37. That is, the
receiver 42, the first pin 43, and the second pin 44 are arranged
in this order in the direction opposite to the inserting
direction.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the through hole 45 and the first and
second screw holes 46 and 47 are formed in the mounting surface 41.
Specifically, the through hole 45 and the first and second screw
holes 46 and 47 are formed in the reinforcing member 52 and are
exposed to the outside of the mounting portion 40 through the
through holes 57, 58, and 59 formed in the wall portion 51.
[0049] The layout of the through hole 45 and the screw holes 46 and
47 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, for example,
the second screw hole 47 is provided between the first and second
pins 43 and 44. All of the through hole 45 and the first and second
screw holes 46 and 47 may be provided on the front side or the rear
side of the first and second pins 43 and 44. The through hole 45
communicates with a screw hole (not shown) of a boss provided on
the main base 21.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the main portion 35 of the hinge
fixing portion 33 is mounted on the mounting surface 41 of the
mounting portion 40. The main portion 35 is supported by the
mounting surface 41 from below. The inserting portion 37 is
inserted into the insertion groove 70 and comes into contact with
the receiving surface 75 from below. The inserting portion 37 is
supported by the receiver 42 from the side opposite to the mounting
surface 41 (that is, from above). In this way, the first hinge 4
connected to the display unit 3 does not fall backward before it is
screwed.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the main portion 35 comprises an
elongated hole 81, a circular hole 82, and first to third insertion
holes 83, 84, and 85. The elongated hole 81 is provided at a
position corresponding to the first pin 43, and the first pin 43
engages with the elongated hole 81. For example, the elongated hole
81 includes a pair of arc portions that are away from each other
and a substantially straight portion that connects the pair of arc
portions. The arc portion may be a semicircle or an arc shorter
than the semicircle. The substantially straight portion may be a
strict straight line or a line with a small curvature. The
elongated hole 81 is formed such that the width thereof in a
specific direction (longitudinal direction) is larger than the
width thereof in other directions.
[0052] The elongated hole 81 is elongated in the inserting
direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the inserting
portion 37. When the first pin 43 engages with the elongated hole
81, the position of the hinge fixing portion 33 in the front-rear
direction is adjastable, and the movement of the hinge fixing
portion 33 in a direction (that is, the left-right direction)
orthogonal to the inserting direction of the inserting portion 37
is regulated.
[0053] The circular hole 82 is provided at a position corresponding
to the second pin 44, and the second pin 44 engages with the
circular hole 82. The circular hole 82 has an inside diameter
corresponding to the diameter of the second pin 44. When the second
pin 44 engages with the circular hole 82, the movement of the hinge
fixing portion 33 in the front-rear direction and the left-right
direction is regulated.
[0054] The first to third insertion holes 83, 84, and 85 are
provided so as to correspond to the through hole 45 and the first
and second screw holes 46 and 47 and communicate with the through
hole 45 and the first and second screw holes 46 and 47,
respectively. A first screw 87 passes through the first insertion
hole 83 and the through hole 45 and is then engaged with a screw
hole (not shown) of the main base 21. First and second screws 88
and 89 pass through the second and third insertion holes 84 and 85
and are then engaged with the first and second screw holes 46 and
47, respectively. In this way, the hinge fixing portion 33 is
firmly fixed to the mounting portion 40.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge fixing portion 33
comprises a pressing portion 91. The pressing portion 91 faces a
cable 92 that extends between the display unit 3 and the main unit
2 from above and suppresses the cable 92 from coming off.
[0056] Next, the assembly of the electronic apparatus 1 will be
described.
[0057] The reinforcing members 52 are fixed to the main cover 22
before the first and second hinges 4 and 5 are attached.
Specifically, the screw portions 62 are fixed by the screws 64 to
position and temporarily fix the reinforcing members 52 to the main
cover 22. Then, a jig for welding is used to weld and fix the
plurality of welding and fixing portions 63 at the same time. In
this way, the reinforcing members 52 are firmly fixed to the main
cover 22.
[0058] Meanwhile, the hinge bracket 32 is fixed to the display unit
3 to connect the hinge rotating portion 31 and the hinge fixing
portion 33 to the display unit 3. Then, the hinge fixing portion 33
is fixed to the mounting portion 40 to connect the display unit 3
to the main unit 2.
[0059] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the inserting portion 37
is obliquely inserted into the insertion groove 70 from the upper
side. Then, the main portion 35 is put down so as to be
substantially parallel to the mounting surface 41 using the
inserted inserting portion 37 as a pivot, while rotating the hinge
fixing portion 33 (in FIG. 9, movement in the direction of an arrow
A). In this process, first, the first pin 43 engages with the
elongated hole 81 to temporarily determine the position of the
hinge fixing portion 33 in the left-right direction.
[0060] Then, the second pin 44 engages with the circular hole 82 to
determine the position of the hinge fixing portion 33 in the
front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In this case,
the inserting portion 37 comes into contact with the receiving
surface 75 at the same time as the main portion 35 is mounted on
the mounting surface 41, and the inserting portion 37 is supported
by the receiver 42 from above.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, moment M that allows the display unit 3
to fall backward due to the weight of the display unit 3 is applied
to the hinge fixing portion 33. However, since the main portion 35
comes into contact with the mounting surface 41 and the inserting
portion 37 is supported by the receiver 42 from the upper side, the
display unit 3 does not fall. That is, the mounting portion 40
supports the display unit 3 such that the display unit 3 does not
fall, without using screws.
[0062] For example, the assembler tightens the first screw 87 into
the screw hole of the main base 21 through the insertion hole 83
and the through hole 45, without holding the display unit 3 with
hands. Then, the assembler tightens the second and third screws 88
and 89 into the screw holes 46 and 47 through the insertion holes
84 and 85, respectively. In this way, the hinge fixing portion 33
is fixed to the mounting portion 40. Then, the hinge cover 94 is
attached to the main unit 2.
[0063] According to this structure, it is possible to improve the
assemblability of the electronic apparatus 1. That is, the
inserting portion 37 inserted into the insertion groove 70 and
supported by the receiver 42 from the side opposite to the mounting
surface 41 makes it possible to support the display unit 3 so as
not to fall, without being screwed. Therefore, the assembler can
perform a screwing operation without holding the display unit 3
with hands. This structure improves the assemblability of the
electronic apparatus 1. In addition, since the first and second
pins 43 and 44, the elongated hole 81, and the circular hole 82 are
used to perform positioning, the assemblability of the electronic
apparatus 1 is further improved.
[0064] According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible
to perform an assembly process capable of absorbing the tolerance
of each component. That is, the main cover, the hinge, and the
display unit each have a dimension error (component tolerance) and
an assembly error (assembly tolerance) related to manufacturing.
For comparison, an electronic apparatus is considered in which a
first hinge bracket extending in the display unit, a second hinge
bracket extending in the main unit, and a hinge rotating portion
are integrated into a hinge assembly.
[0065] In this case, the hinge assembly includes the dimension
errors of the first and second hinge brackets and the hinge
rotating portion. In addition, the hinge assembly includes assembly
errors when the hinge assembly is assembled. When the hinge
assembly is connected to the display unit, the dimension error of
the hinge assembly is added to the dimension error of the display
unit, and an assembly error is additionally involved in the
connection. Therefore, a large amount of error is included.
[0066] In addition, the main unit has a dimension error. Therefore,
when the hinge assembly connected to the display unit is connected
to the main unit, the dimension errors of the display unit and the
hinge assembly are added to the dimension error of the main unit,
and an assembly error is involved in the connection. Therefore,
there is a large amount of error in the electronic apparatus.
[0067] In order to enclose the errors, the hinge assembly is
forcibly fixed to the main unit. In this case, stress is likely to
be applied to the fixing portion for fixing the hinge assembly.
When the display unit is repeatedly opened and closed, the stress
applied to the fixing portion may damage the hinge fixing
portion.
[0068] Meanwhile, in the structure according to this embodiment,
there are the dimension and assembly errors (hereinafter, referred
to as the errors of the display unit 3) of the display unit 3 and
the hinge bracket 32 between the display unit 3 and the hinges 4
and 5. In addition, there are the dimension and assembly errors
(hereinafter, referred to as the errors of the main unit 2) of the
main cover 22 and the reinforcing member 52 between the main cover
22 and the reinforcing member 52.
[0069] However, in the structure according to this embodiment, one
of two positioning holes is the circular hole 82, and the other
positioning hole is the elongated hole 81. Therefore, the second
pin 44 engaged with the circular hole 82 is a standard for
positioning, and the first pin 43 is naturally engaged with the
elongated hole 81 at the position to which the errors are
reflected. Therefore, the error of the hinge fixing portion 33 in
the front-rear direction is reduced.
[0070] It is possible to reduce the error of the hinge fixing
portion 33 in the left-right direction by rotating the hinge fixing
portion 33 on the mounting surface 41 in the left-right direction
and utilizing the shape of the elongated hole 81. That is, before
the second pin 44 engages with to the circular hole 82, the hinge
fixing portion 33 can be slightly inclined in the left-right
direction to adjust the position of the hinge fixing portion 33
with respect to the first pin 43 according to the shape of the
elongated hole 81. In this way, it is possible to adjust the
position of the circular hole 82 with respect to the second pin 44
without applying a load to the elongated hole 81 and the first pin
43. Therefore, it is possible to naturally fit the second pin 44 to
the circular hole 82. As a result, the error of the hinge fixing
portion 33 in the left-right direction is reduced.
[0071] That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to absorb the
error of the display unit 3 and the error of the main unit 2
between the hinge fixing portion 33 and the mounting portion 40.
Therefore, the error which is to be enclosed in the hinge fixing
portion 33 is reduced. As a result, little stress is applied to the
hinge fixing portion 33, and the reliability of the electronic
apparatus 1 is improved.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 9, when the inclined hinge fixing portion
33 is rotated toward the mounting surface 41, the elongated hole 81
elongated in the inserting direction of the inserting portion 37 is
less likely to come into contact with the first pin 43 than the
circular hole. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly attach the
hinge fixing portion 33.
[0073] When the receiver 42 deviates from the upper area of the
mounting surface 41 and the space S to which the inserting portion
37 escapes is provided below the receiver 42, it is possible to
obliquely insert the inserting portion 37 into the insertion groove
70 and rotate the inserted hinge fixing portion 33 to the mounting
surface 41. This structure improves the attachment of the hinge
fixing portion 33.
[0074] According to the structure in which the first and second
pins 43 and 44 have conic tips, when the inclined hinge fixing
portion 33 is rotated to the mounting surface 41, the hinge fixing
portion 33 is less likely to come into contact with the first and
second pins 43 and 44. Therefore, the attachment of the hinge
fixing portion 33 is improved.
[0075] The receiver 42 may be provided in the main housing 6 made
of a synthetic resin. When the receiver 42 is provided in the metal
reinforcing member 52, it is possible to form the receiver 42 with
a relatively small size to which a relatively strong force or
moment is applied, while maintaining the strength. This contributes
to reducing the size and thickness of the electronic apparatus
1.
[0076] The screw holes 46 and 47 may be provided in the main
housing 6 made of a synthetic resin. When the screw holes 46 and 47
are provided in the metal reinforcing member, it is easy to ensure
the strength of the screw holes 46 and 47 to which a relatively
strong force is applied.
[0077] The second pin 44 is not an indispensable component. When
the second pin 44 engaged with the circular hole 82 is provided, it
is possible to more accurately position the hinge fixing portion
33, as compared to when only the first pin 43 engaged with the
elongated hole 81 is provided.
[0078] The second pin 44 is arranged on the rear side of the first
pin 43 in the inserting direction of the inserting portion 37. In
this case, when the hinge fixing portion 33 is rotated and
attached, it is possible to make the elongated hole 81 correspond
to the first pin 43 engaged at a relatively large angle and to make
the circular hole 82 correspond to the second pin 44 engaged at a
relatively small angle. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly fit
the second pin 44 to the circular hole 82.
[0079] When the main housing 6 forms at least a part of the
mounting surface 41 and comprises the wall portion 51 interposed
between the reinforcing member 52 and the main portion 35, the main
housing 6 is reinforced by the wall portion 51. Therefore, it is
not necessary to provide an additional reinforcing portion in the
main housing 6. When the reinforcing member 52 comprises the
supporting portion 66 that supports the wall portion 51 from below
and the convex portion 67 that is higher than the supporting
portion 66 and forms a part of the mounting surface 41, the convex
portion 67 functions as a beam. Therefore, it is possible to
increase the strength of the reinforcing member 52.
[0080] For comparison, an electronic apparatus is considered in
which a hinge bracket, which is a portion of the hinge assembly, is
attached to the main unit. In the electronic apparatus, the hinge
bracket connected to the display unit 3 is inserted into the
opening of the main housing and is fixed. Therefore, the display
unit is an obstacle to welding and fixation and makes it difficult
to weld and fix the hinge bracket. In addition, the size or shape
of the hinge bracket is limited by the size of the opening of the
main housing.
[0081] In the structure according to this embodiment, the first and
second hinges 4 and 5 can be disassembled from the main unit 2.
Therefore, it is possible to fix the reinforcing member 52 to the
inner surface of the main cover 22 independently from the
attachment of the first and second hinges 4 and 5. Therefore, it is
possible to weld and fix the reinforcing member 52 and the size or
shape thereof is hardly limited. The welding and fixation process
makes it easy to reduce costs and the number of processes, as
compared to a screwing process.
Second Embodiment
[0082] Next, an electronic apparatus 1 according to a second
embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In the
second embodiment, components having the same or similar functions
as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference
numerals and a description thereof will be omitted. The second
embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the
following structure.
[0083] The electronic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment
comprises a relatively large keyboard 11 including a ten-key (i.e.,
a numerical keypad). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the electronic
apparatus 1 comprises a keyboard mounting portion 12 with a width
close to the overall width of the main cover 22. The size of the
reinforcing member 52 is smaller than that in the first embodiment,
and is provided on the rear side of the keyboard mounting portion
12.
[0084] A metal sheet 101 for reinforcement is connected to the
reinforcing member 52. The keyboard mounting portion 12 is recessed
to the main housing 6. The metal sheet 101 is formed with a
thickness smaller than that of the reinforcing member 52 so as to
correspond to the recess of the keyboard mounting portion 12. The
metal sheet 101 is attached to the lower side of the keyboard
mounting portion 12 along the side end portion of the main cover
22. The metal sheet 101 reinforces the keyboard mounting portion
12.
[0085] According to the above-mentioned structure, similar to the
first embodiment, it is possible to improve the assemblability of
the electronic apparatus 1. According to the above-mentioned
structure, the shapes of the reinforcing member 52 and the main
cover 22 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment
are different from those of the electronic apparatus 1 according to
the first embodiment, but the electronic apparatuses 1 according to
the first and second embodiments have other common parts. According
to the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible to relatively
simplify customization such as of the type of the keyboard 11.
[0086] The electronic apparatuses 1 according to the first and
second embodiments have been described above, but the invention is
not limited thereto. The components according to the first and
second embodiments may be appropriately combined with each other.
The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,
but various modifications and changes of the invention can be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0087] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
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