U.S. patent application number 14/141302 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to HIRONARI HOSHINO.
Application Number | 20140104765 14/141302 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44674350 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140104765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOSHINO; HIRONARI |
April 17, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
An electronic apparatus includes: a first casing; a second
casing; a hinge section which includes a first turning shaft
provided at one end portion of the first casing and a second
turning shaft provided at one end portion of the second casing and
connects the first and second casings so as to be able to be opened
or closed in a range from a folded state to a back-to-back state
through the first and second turning shafts; a display section
provided on one face of the second casing; and a displacement
section which displaces the display section to the other end side
of the second casing in the folded state and the back-to-back state
of the first and second casings and displaces the display section
to one end side of the second casing in a spread state of the first
and second casings.
Inventors: |
HOSHINO; HIRONARI; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44674350 |
Appl. No.: |
14/141302 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13190851 |
Jul 26, 2011 |
8638546 |
|
|
14141302 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1681 20130101;
H05K 5/0017 20130101; H05K 5/0226 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/02 20060101
H05K005/02; H05K 5/00 20060101 H05K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2010 |
JP |
2010-199346 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first casing; a second
casing; a hinge section comprising a first turning shaft provided
at one end of the first casing and a second turning shaft provided
at one end of the second casing, wherein the hinge section connects
the first casing and the second casing, wherein the first casing
and the second casing are capable of being opened or closed in a
range from a folded state to a spread state through the first
turning shaft and the second turning shaft; and a display section
provided on one face of the second casing, wherein the first casing
and the second casing have approximately the same thickness such
that the first casing and the second casing are arranged as a
single plate-like casing in the spread state.
13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
hinge section comprises the first turning shaft provided close to a
first casing side face, and the second turning shaft provided close
to a second casing side face, and wherein the display section is
provided at a central portion of the one face of the second
casing.
14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
hinge section has the same thickness as the thicknesses of the
first casing and the second casing, wherein the hinge section
changes a position in accordance with opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing, and is provided so as not to
protrude from a first face and a second face of the first casing
and a first face and a second face of the second casing in the
spread state of the first casing and the second casing.
15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the
hinge section comprises a hinge case which has the same thickness
as the thicknesses of the first casing and the second casing and
houses the first turning shaft and the second turning shaft.
16. The electronic apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising a displacement section operable to: displace the display
section on the second casing along a plane in a first direction
when the first casing and the second casing are in the folded state
or in the back-back state; and displace the display section along
the plane in a second direction opposite to the first direction
when the first casing and the second casing are in the spread
state.
17. The electronic apparatus according to claim 16, further
comprising a spring operable to bias the display section; and
wherein the displacement section comprises a cam portion at the
hinge case of the hinge section so as to displace the display
section biased in the second direction by the spring, in accordance
with opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
18. The electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
hinge section comprises a first pulley housed in the hinge case and
fixed to the first turning shaft, a second pulley housed in the
hinge case and fixed to the second turning shaft, and a wire housed
in the hinge case and wound in a figure of eight from a side face
of the first pulley to a side face of the second pulley.
19. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an
angle between the first casing and the display section of the
second casing is about 180 degrees in the spread state.
20. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a display section provided at a central portion of the
one face of the first casing.
21. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
first casing and the second casing are capable of being opened or
closed in a range from a folded state to a back-to-back state
through the first turning shaft and the second turning shaft via
the spread state.
22. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
angle between the first casing and the second casing is about zero
degrees in the folded state, wherein the angle between the first
casing and the second casing is about 360 degrees in the
back-to-back state, and wherein the angle between the first casing
and the second casing is about 180 degrees in the spread state.
23. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
display section of the second casing is hidden inside when the
first casing and the second casing are in the folded state, and the
display section of the second casing is exposed when the first
casing and the second casing are in the back-to-back state.
24. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a
transparent touch panel covers the display section on the second
casing.
25. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a display section disposed on the first casing.
26. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
display section on the first casing is covered by a transparent
touch panel.
27. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a holding section contacting one face of the first
casing in a state when the holding section is biased to one end
side of the second casing.
28. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first casing; a second
casing; a hinge section comprising a first turning shaft provided
at one end of the first casing and a second turning shaft provided
at one end of the second casing, wherein the hinge section connects
the first casing and the second casing, wherein the first casing
and the second casing are capable of being opened or closed in a
range from a folded state to a spread state through the first
turning shaft and the second turning shaft; a first display section
provided on one face of the first casing; and a second display
section provided on one face of the second casing, wherein the
first casing and the second casing have substantially the same
thickness such that the one face of the first casing and the one
face of the second casing are configured to align in the spread
state.
29. The electronic apparatus according to claim 28, wherein an
angle between the first display section of the first casing and the
second display section of the second casing is about 180 degrees in
the spread state.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus
and is suitably applied to, for example, a folding-type electronic
apparatus formed by connecting a first casing and a second casing
so as to be able to be opened and closed.
[0002] In a folding-type electronic apparatus in the related art, a
first member provided with operation keys and a second member
provided with a display are connected to each other through a hinge
device. A first turning shaft section and a second turning shaft
section are provided in parallel with each other in the hinge
device, the first member is pivotally mounted on the first turning
shaft section so as to be able to turn, and also the second member
is pivotally mounted on the second turning shaft section so as to
be able to turn.
[0003] Further, in the hinge device, a first turning section and a
second turning section which turn relative to each other are
respectively provided at the first turning shaft section and the
second turning shaft section. Further, in the hinge device, the
first turning section and the second turning section are connected
to each other by an interlocking link.
[0004] Accordingly, in the hinge device, turning of the first
turning section is transmitted to the second turning section by the
interlocking link, whereby the first turning section and the second
turning section are turned in conjunction with each other. In this
way, the electronic apparatus is made such that the first member
and the second member can turn through 360 degrees relative to each
other through the hinge device (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication 2008-75747 (Pages 8 to 10 and FIGS. 7 to
13), for example).
SUMMARY
[0005] In the folding-type electronic apparatus having such a
configuration, if the first member and the second member are opened
and, for example, the operation key is then operated, a variety of
processes are executed in accordance with the operation, whereby
information indicating the execution status of the process is
displayed on the display.
[0006] Accordingly, in the folding-type electronic apparatus, in a
case where the first member and the second member are opened and
the operation key is then operated, the execution status of a
process according to the operation is appropriately ascertained
through the display.
[0007] Incidentally, in general, in the folding-type electronic
apparatus, when the first member and the second member are opened
and the operation key is then operated, the closer the operation
key and the display are, the smaller the amount of eye movement
between the operation key and the display becomes, so that
eyestrain is reduced, whereby usability can be improved.
[0008] However, in the folding-type electronic apparatus in the
related art, since the hinge device is interposed between the first
member and the second member, the operation key and the display are
correspondingly far away from each other. For this reason, in the
folding-type electronic apparatus, it may not be said that it is
possible to make the amount of eye movement between the operation
key and the display small in order to reduce eyestrain when the
first member and the second member are opened and the operation key
is then operated, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to
improve usability.
[0009] It is desirable to propose an electronic apparatus in which
usability can be improved.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is provided an electronic apparatus in which a first casing and a
second casing are connected to each other by a hinge section which
includes a first turning shaft provided at a first casing one end
portion of the first casing and a second turning shaft provided at
a second casing one end portion of the second casing, so as to be
able to be opened and closed in a range from a folded state to a
back-to-back state through the first turning shaft and the second
turning shaft, and by a displacement section, a display section
provided on a second casing one face of the second casing is
displaced to a second casing other end side in the folded state and
the back-to-back state of the first casing and the second casing
and displaced to a second casing one end side in a spread state of
the first casing and the second casing.
[0011] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure, in a case where a display surface or operation keys in
a first casing one face and a display surface in the second casing
one face is visually observed in the spread state of the first
casing and the second casing, the amount of eye movement between
the display surface or the operation keys in the first casing one
face and the display surface in the second casing one face is
reduced, so that eyestrain can be reduced.
[0012] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in
the electronic apparatus, by a configuration made such that the
first casing and the second casing are connected to each other by
the hinge section which includes the first turning shaft provided
at the first casing one end portion of the first casing and the
second turning shaft provided at the second casing one end portion
of the second casing, so as to be able to be opened and closed in a
range from the folded state to the back-to-back state through the
first turning shaft and the second turning shaft, and such that by
the displacement section, the display section provided on the
second casing one face of the second casing is displaced to the
second casing other end side in the folded state and the
back-to-back state of the first casing and the second casing and
displaced to the second casing one end side in the spread state of
the first casing and the second casing, in a case where the display
surface or the operation keys in the first casing one face and the
display surface in the second casing one face is visually observed
in the spread state of the first casing and the second casing, the
amount of eye movement between the display surface or the operation
keys in the first casing one face and the display surface in the
second casing one face is reduced, so that eyestrain can be
reduced, whereby it is possible to realize an electronic apparatus
in which usability can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating one
embodiment of the appearance configuration of a folding-type
electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the
configuration of a cutout portion for a hinge of a first
casing.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the configuration of a shaft formation portion of the first
casing.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the
configurations of a cutout portion for a hinge and a cutout portion
for displacement of a second casing.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the configuration of a shaft formation portion of the second
casing.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the
appearance configuration of a first hinge section.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the internal configuration (1) of the first hinge section.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the internal configuration (2) of the first hinge section.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view for explanation of
connection of the first casing and the second casing by the first
hinge section.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the
appearance configuration of a second hinge section.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the internal configuration (1) of the second hinge section.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating
the internal configuration (2) of the second hinge section.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view for explanation
of connection of the first casing and the second casing by the
second hinge section.
[0026] FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrammatic diagrams for explanation
of changes (1) in the positions of the first hinge section and the
second hinge section at the time of opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing.
[0027] FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrammatic diagrams for explanation
of changes (2) in the positions of the first hinge section and the
second hinge section at the time of opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing.
[0028] FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrammatic diagrams for explanation
of changes (3) in the positions of the first hinge section and the
second hinge section at the time of opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing.
[0029] FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrammatic diagrams for explanation
of changes (4) in the positions of the first hinge section and the
second hinge section at the time of opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing.
[0030] FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrammatic diagrams for explanation
of changes (5) in the positions of the first hinge section and the
second hinge section at the time of opening and closing of the
first casing and the second casing.
[0031] FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of opening and closing (1) of the first casing and the
second casing.
[0032] FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of opening and closing (2) of the first casing and the
second casing.
[0033] FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of opening and closing (3) of the first casing and the
second casing.
[0034] FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of opening and closing (4) of the first casing and the
second casing.
[0035] FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of opening and closing (5) of the first casing and the
second casing.
[0036] FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (1) of a second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0037] FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (2) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0038] FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (3) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0039] FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (4) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0040] FIGS. 28A and 28B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (5) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0041] FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (6) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0042] FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrammatic perspective views for
explanation of displacement (7) of the second display section
according to opening and closing of the first casing and the second
casing.
[0043] FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrammatic perspective views
illustrating the shapes of first and second cam end faces and the
bottom faces of left and right cutout portions of a holding section
according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Hereinafter, the best mode (hereinafter this is also
referred to as an embodiment) for carrying out the present
disclosure will be described using the drawings. In addition, a
description will be made in the following order.
[0045] 1. Embodiment
[0046] 2. Modified Examples
1. Embodiment
1-1. Appearance Configuration of Folding-Type Electronic
Apparatus
[0047] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a
folding-type electronic apparatus according to the present
disclosure. In such an electronic apparatus 1, one end portion of a
first casing 2 of an approximately flat rectangular shape and one
end portion of a second casing 3 of an approximately flat
rectangular shape are connected to each other through first and
second hinge sections 4 and 5 each having a two-shaft
configuration.
[0048] Accordingly, the electronic apparatus 1 is formed such that
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 can be opened or closed
in a range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees from a folded state where
each of one faces 2A and 3A are matched to each other to a
back-to-back state where each of other faces 2B and 3B are matched
to each other.
[0049] Incidentally, in the following explanation, one end of the
first casing 2 is also referred to as a first casing one end and
the other end on the opposite side to the first casing one end in
the first casing 2 is also referred to as a first casing other
end.
[0050] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
first casing one end toward the first casing other end in the first
casing 2 and a direction from the first casing other end toward the
first casing one end, which is opposite to the above direction, are
also collectively referred to as a first casing depth
direction.
[0051] Further, in the following explanation, one face 2A of the
first casing 2 is also referred to as a first casing one face 2A
and the other face 2B of the first casing 2 is also referred to as
a first casing other face 2B.
[0052] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
first casing one face 2A toward the first casing other face 2B in
the first casing 2 and a direction from the first casing other face
2B toward the first casing one face 2A, which is opposite to the
above direction, are also collectively referred to as a first
casing thickness direction.
[0053] Further, in the following explanation, a side face 2C on one
side of the first casing 2 is also referred to as a first casing
left side face 2C and a side face 2D on the other side of the first
casing 2 is also referred to as a first casing right side face
2D.
[0054] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
first casing left side face 2C toward the first casing right side
face 2D in the first casing 2 and a direction from the first casing
right side face 2D toward the first casing left side face 2C, which
is opposite to the above direction, are also collectively referred
to as a first casing width direction.
[0055] Further, in the following explanation, one end of the second
casing 3 is also referred to as a second casing one end and the
other end on the opposite side to the second casing one end in the
second casing 3 is also referred to as a second casing other
end.
[0056] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
second casing one end toward the second casing other end in the
second casing 3 and a direction from the second casing other end
toward the second casing one end, which is opposite to the above
direction, are also collectively referred to as a second casing
depth direction.
[0057] Further, in the following explanation, one face 3A of the
second casing 3 is also referred to as a second casing one face 3A
and the other face 3B of the second casing 3 is also referred to as
a second casing other face 3B.
[0058] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
second casing one face 3A toward the second casing other face 3B in
the second casing 3 and a direction from the second casing other
face 3B toward the second casing one face 3A, which is opposite to
the above direction, are also collectively referred to as a second
casing thickness direction.
[0059] Further, in the following explanation, a side face 3C on one
side of the second casing 3 is also referred to as a second casing
left side face 3C and a side face 3D on the other side of the
second casing 3 is also referred to as a second casing right side
face 3D.
[0060] Further, in the following explanation, a direction from the
second casing left side face 3C toward the second casing right side
face 3D in the second casing 3 and a direction from the second
casing right side face 3D toward the second casing left side face
3C, which is opposite to the above direction, are also collectively
referred to as a second casing width direction.
[0061] In this case, the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are
selected so as to be equal in shape, size, and thickness to each
other. Incidentally, in the flowing explanation, all the
thicknesses of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are also
referred to as a casing thickness.
[0062] Further, at a central portion of the first casing one face
2A of the first casing 2, a first display section 6 of an
approximately flat rectangular shape is disposed over an area from
the vicinity (for example, a position several mm away from the
first casing one end toward the first casing other end) of the
first casing one end to a given position on the first casing other
end side in a state where a first display surface 6A is
exposed.
[0063] Incidentally, in the following explanation, in the first
display surface 6A of the first display section 6, one end on the
first casing one end side is also referred to as a first display
surface one end and the other end on the first casing other end
side is also referred to as a first display surface other end.
[0064] That is, in the first casing 2, the distance from the first
casing one end to the first display surface one end in the central
portion of the first casing one face 2A is selected so as to be the
above-mentioned several mm, so that the first display section 6 is
disposed in a state where the first display surface one end is
close to the first casing one end.
[0065] Further, a first transparent touch panel 7 is provided on
the first display surface 6A of the first display section 6 so as
to cover the first display surface 6A. Incidentally, the first
display section 6 provided on the first casing one face 2A of the
first casing 2 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro
Luminescence) display, or the like.
[0066] On the other hand, in the second casing one face 3A of the
second casing 3, an approximately rectangular cutout portion for
display section displacement (hereinafter, this is also referred to
as a cutout portion for displacement) 3E is formed over an area
from the second casing one end to a given position on the second
casing other end side.
[0067] Further, in the cutout portion for displacement 3E in the
second casing one face 3A of the second casing 3, a holding section
8 formed into an approximately rectangular frame shape is provided
so as to be able to slide in the second casing depth direction.
[0068] Further, the holding section 8 holds a second display
section 9 of an approximately flat rectangular shape so as to
surround the side face thereof over the entire periphery, thereby
exposing a second display surface 9A of the second display section
9 in the second casing one face 3A.
[0069] Incidentally, in the following explanation, in the second
display surface 9A of the second display section 9, one end on the
second casing one end side is also referred to as a second display
surface one end and the other end on the second casing other end
side is also referred to as a second display surface other end.
[0070] Then, in the holding section 8, the depth of a frame portion
8A on the second casing one end side (that is, contacting the
second display surface one end) among four frame portions 8A to 8D
surrounding the side face of the second display section 9 over the
entire periphery is selected so as to be several mm that is equal
to the distance from the first casing one end to the first display
surface one end. Incidentally, in the following explanation, the
frame portion 8A on the second casing one end side among the four
frame portions 8A to 8D of the holding section 8 is also referred
to as a one end-side frame portion 8A.
[0071] Accordingly, for example, when the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3 are opened at an angle of 180 degrees such that the
first casing one face 2A and the second casing one face 3A line up,
the holding section 8 slides to the second casing one end side,
thereby being able to bring the second display surface one end
close to the first display surface one end.
[0072] That is, for example, when the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 are opened at an angle of 180 degrees, the holding section
8 brings the second display surface 9A close to the first display
surface 6A, thereby allowing these display surfaces to be disposed
as if they were one display surface.
[0073] Further, on the second display surface 9A of the second
display section 9, a second transparent touch panel 10 is provided
so as to cover the second display surface 9A. Incidentally, the
second display section 9 provided on one face 3A of the second
casing 3 is also a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display,
or the like.
[0074] Then, in the inside of at least one of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3, various circuit sections (not shown) such
as a control section, a storage section, or the like are housed,
and the control section is electrically connected to other circuit
sections.
[0075] Further, the control section is also appropriately
electrically connected to the first display section 6, the second
display section 9, the first touch panel 7, and the second touch
panel 10. Accordingly, for example, the control section can
individually display different types of images on the first display
surface 6A of the first display section 6 and the second display
surface 9A of the second display section 9.
[0076] Further, for example, the control section can also divide a
single image into two and display the two divided images on the
first display surface 6A of the first display section 6 and the
second display surface 9A of the second display section 9.
[0077] That is, for example, when the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 have been opened up to about 180 degrees, the control
section can display a single image over the first and second
display surfaces 6A and 9A by using the first and second display
surfaces 6A and 9A as if they were one display surface.
[0078] Further, if the surfaces of the first and second touch
panels 7 and 10 are subjected to a touch operation in a state where
images are displayed on the first display surface 6A of the first
display section 6 and the second display surface 9A of the second
display section 9, the control section executes processing
according to the touch operation.
[0079] In fact, the control section can display an image with
various operation keys arranged as icons (hereinafter, this is also
referred to as a keyboard image) on the first display surface 6A of
the first display section 6.
[0080] Then, if in a state where the keyboard image is displayed on
the first display surface 6A of the first display section 6, the
surface of the first touch panel 7 is subjected to a touch
operation, thereby indicating an icon, the control section executes
processing assigned in advance to the icon indicated by the touch
operation.
[0081] That is, the control section makes the first display surface
6A function along with the first touch panel 7 as if it were a
hardware keyboard, thereby switching an image that is displayed on
the second display surface 9A, in accordance to an operation on the
keyboard (keyboard image), and updating the contents of the
image.
1-2. Detailed Configuration of Folding-Type Electronic
Apparatus
[0082] Next, the configuration of the folding-type electronic
apparatus 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
in a first casing one end portion of the first casing 2, a cutout
portion for a hinge 2E which has a width approximately equal to the
width of a first hinge section 4 and in which the depth thereof
from the first casing one end to the first casing other end side is
approximately equal to the casing thickness is formed at a given
position near the first casing left side face 2C.
[0083] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the cutout
portion for a hinge 2E formed at a given position near the first
casing left side face 2C in the first casing one end portion is
also referred to as a first casing left cutout portion 2E.
[0084] Further, in the first casing one end portion of the first
casing 2, a cutout portion for a hinge 2F which has a width
approximately equal to the width of a second hinge section 5 and in
which the depth thereof from the first casing one end to the first
casing other end side is approximately equal to the casing
thickness is also formed at a given position near the first casing
right side face 2D.
[0085] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the cutout
portion for a hinge 2F formed at a given position near the first
casing right side face 2D in the first casing one end portion is
also referred to as a first casing right cutout portion 2F.
[0086] Then, the portion between the first casing left cutout
portion 2E and the first casing right cutout portion 2F in the
first casing one end is formed into a planar shape in which an end
face (that is, an end face of the first casing one end) 2G contacts
the first casing one face 2A and the first casing other face 2B at
right angles.
[0087] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the portion
between the first casing left cutout portion 2E and the first
casing right cutout portion 2F in the first casing one end is also
referred to as a first casing one end central portion and the end
face 2G of the first casing one end central portion is also
referred to as a first casing one end face 2G.
[0088] Further, a portion 2H further on the first casing left side
face 2C side than the first casing left cutout portion 2E in the
first casing one end portion becomes a shaft formation portion in
which a turning shaft when turning the first casing 2 with respect
to the second casing 3 is formed as will be described later.
[0089] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the portion 2H,
that is, the shaft formation portion, further on the first casing
left side face 2C side than the first casing left cutout portion 2E
in the first casing one end portion is also referred to as a first
left shaft formation portion 2H.
[0090] In the first left shaft formation portion 2H, an end face
thereof on the first casing one end side is formed into an arc
shape which follows a side face corresponding to the semicircle of
a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness, centering around a virtual line VL1 that is located in
parallel with the first casing width direction and at a distance of
1/2 of the casing thickness from the center of the end face.
[0091] Further, a portion 2J further on the first casing right side
face 2D side than the first casing right cutout portion 2F in the
first casing one end portion also becomes a shaft formation portion
in which a turning shaft when turning the first casing 2 with
respect to the second casing 3 is formed as will be described
later.
[0092] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the portion 2J,
that is, the shaft formation portion, further on the first casing
right side face 2D side than the first casing right cutout portion
2F in the first casing one end portion is also referred to as a
first right shaft formation portion 2J.
[0093] Also in the first right shaft formation portion 2J, an end
face thereof on the first casing one end side is formed into an arc
shape which follows a side face corresponding to the semicircle of
a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness, centering around the above-mentioned virtual line VL1,
similarly to the first left shaft formation portion 2H.
[0094] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the second
casing one face 3A of the second casing 3, the cutout portion for
displacement 3E wider than the second display surface 9A is formed,
as described above.
[0095] However, at the second casing other end side, the cutout
portion for displacement 3E is formed so as to leave a bottom plate
3K of the second casing 3. Further, at the second casing one end
side, the cutout portion for displacement 3E is formed such that
the bottom plate 3K of the second casing 3 is removed in an
approximately U shape from the second casing one end to the second
casing other end side.
[0096] In a second casing one end portion of the second casing 3, a
cutout portion for a hinge 3F which has a width approximately equal
to the width of the first hinge section 4 and in which the depth
thereof from the second casing one end to the second casing other
end side is approximately equal to the casing thickness is formed
at a given position near the second casing left side face 3C, which
faces the first casing left cutout portion 2E.
[0097] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the cutout
portion for a hinge 3F formed at a given position near the second
casing left side face 3C in the second casing one end portion is
also referred to as a second casing left cutout portion 3F.
[0098] In this case, the second casing left cutout portion 3F is
formed so as to face the above-mentioned first casing left cutout
portion 2E at a portion actually cut out in the second casing one
end portion and a portion related to the left side of the cutout
portion for displacement 3E.
[0099] Further, in the second casing one end portion of the second
casing 3, a cutout portion for a hinge 3G in which the depth
thereof from the second casing one end to the second casing other
end side is approximately equal to the casing thickness is also
formed facing the above-mentioned first casing right cutout portion
2F at a given position near the second casing right side face
3D.
[0100] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the cutout
portion for a hinge 3G formed at a given position near the second
casing right side face 3D in the second casing one end portion is
also referred to as a second casing right cutout portion 3G.
[0101] In this case, the second casing right cutout portion 3G is
formed so as to face the above-mentioned first casing right cutout
portion 2F at a portion actually cut out in the second casing one
end portion and a portion related to the right side of the cutout
portion for displacement 3E.
[0102] Then, a portion 3H further on the second casing left side
face 3C side than the second casing left cutout portion 3F in the
second casing one end portion becomes a shaft formation portion in
which a turning shaft when turning the second casing 3 with respect
to the first casing 2 is formed as will be described later.
[0103] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the portion 3H,
that is, the shaft formation portion, further on the second casing
left side face 3C side than the second casing left cutout portion
3F in the second casing one end portion is also referred to as a
second left shaft formation portion 3H.
[0104] In the second left shaft formation portion 3H, an end face
thereof on the second casing one end side is formed into an arc
shape which follows a side face corresponding to the semicircle of
a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness, centering around a virtual line VL2 that is located in
parallel with the second casing width direction and at a distance
of 1/2 of the casing thickness from the center of the end face.
[0105] Further, a portion 3J further on the second casing right
side face 3D side than the second casing right cutout portion 3G in
the second casing one end portion also becomes a shaft formation
portion in which a turning shaft when turning the second casing 3
with respect to the first casing 2 is formed as will be described
later.
[0106] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the portion 3J,
that is, the shaft formation portion, further on the second casing
right side face 3D side than the second casing right cutout portion
3G in the second casing one end portion is also referred to as a
second right shaft formation portion 3J.
[0107] Also in the second right shaft formation portion 3J, an end
face thereof on the second casing one end side is formed into an
arc shape which follows a side face corresponding to the semicircle
of a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of 1/2 of the
casing thickness, centering around the above-mentioned virtual line
VL2, similarly to the second left shaft formation portion 3H.
[0108] Further, in the holding section 8, a cutout portion
(hereinafter, this is also referred to as a left cutout portion)
8AX having a depth equal to 1/2 of the casing thickness is formed
in a left end portion facing the above-mentioned first casing left
cutout portion 2E in the one end-side frame portion 8A.
[0109] Further, in the holding section 8, a cutout portion
(hereinafter, this is also referred to as a right cutout portion)
8AY having a depth equal to 1/2 of the casing thickness is also
formed in a right end portion facing the above-mentioned first
casing right cutout portion 2F in the one end-side frame portion
8A.
[0110] Further, in the holding section 8, an end face (that is, an
end face on the first casing one end side and hereinafter, this is
also referred to as a holding section one end face) 8AZ of the one
end-side frame portion 8A is formed into a planar shape contacting
the upper and lower surfaces of the one end-side frame portion 8A
at right angles.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 6, the first hinge section 4 has a first
hinge case 15 in which the thickness from one face 15A to the other
face 15B is equal to the casing thickness and the distance from a
side face 15C on one side to a side face 15D on the other side
becomes the width of the above-mentioned first hinge section 4.
[0112] Incidentally, in the following explanation, one face 15A in
the first hinge case 15 is also referred to as a first hinge one
face 15A and the other face 15B in the first hinge case 15 is also
referred to as a first hinge other face 15B.
[0113] Further, in the following explanation, the thickness from
the first hinge one face 15A to the first hinge other face 15B in
the first hinge case 15 of the first hinge section 4 is also
referred to as a first hinge thickness.
[0114] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the
first hinge one face 15A toward the first hinge other face 15B in
the first hinge section 4 and a direction from the first hinge
other face 15B toward the first hinge one face 15A, which is
opposite to the above direction, are also collectively referred to
as a first hinge section thickness direction.
[0115] Further, in the following explanation, the side face 15C on
one side in the first hinge case 15 is also referred to as a first
hinge left side face 15C and the side face 15D on the other side in
the first hinge case 15 is also referred to as a first hinge right
side face 15D.
[0116] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the
first hinge left side face 15C toward the first hinge right side
face 15D in the first hinge section 4 and a direction from the
first hinge right side face 15D toward the first hinge left side
face 15C, which is opposite to the above direction, are also
collectively referred to as a first hinge section width
direction.
[0117] In the first hinge case 15, an end face 15E of one end is
formed into an arc shape which follows a side face corresponding to
the semicircle of a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of
1/2 of the casing thickness, centering around a virtual line VL3
that is located in parallel with the first hinge section width
direction at a distance of 1/2 of the casing thickness from the
center of the end face 15E.
[0118] Further, in the first hinge case 15, an end face 15F of the
other end is formed into an arc shape which follows a side face
corresponding to the semicircle of a cylinder, the radius of which
is a distance of 1/2 of the casing thickness, centering around a
virtual line VL4 that is located in parallel with the first hinge
section width direction at a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness from the center of the end face 15F.
[0119] Incidentally, in the following explanation, one end of the
first hinge case 15 is also referred to as a first hinge one end
and the other end of the first hinge case 15 is also referred to as
a first hinge other end.
[0120] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the top
of the end face 15E of the first hinge one end in the first hinge
section 4 toward the top of the end face 15F of the first hinge
other end and a direction opposite to the direction are also
collectively referred to as a first hinge section longitudinal
direction.
[0121] Then, in the first hinge case 15, the length from the top of
the arc-shaped end face 15E of the first hinge one end to the top
of the arc-shaped end face 15F of the first hinge other end is
selected so as to be approximately equal to a length of two times
the casing thickness.
[0122] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the length from
the top of the arc-shaped end face 15E of the first hinge one end
in the first hinge case 15 to the top of the arc-shaped end face
15F of the first hinge other end is also referred to as a first
hinge length.
[0123] Further, in the first hinge case 15, a cutout portion in
which the depth thereof from the first hinge other end to the first
hinge one end side is equal to 1/2 of the casing thickness is
formed at the first hinge right side face 15D side in a first hinge
other end portion.
[0124] In this case, a portion on the first hinge right side face
15D side in the first hinge case 15 becomes a cam portion
(hereinafter, this is also referred to as a first cam portion) 15G
for displacing the holding section 8 in accordance with opening and
closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0125] That is, a portion having a length of about 1.5 times the
casing thickness, from the top of the arc-shaped end face 15E of
the first hinge one end in the first hinge case 15 to a bottom face
(hereinafter, this is also referred to as a first cam end face)
15GX of the cutout portion, becomes the first cam portion 15G.
Then, the width of the first cam portion 15G (the width of the
first cam end face 15GX) is selected so as to be equal to the width
of the left cutout portion 8AX of the holding section 8.
[0126] Further, in the first hinge case 15, the width of the
portion further on the left side than the first cam portion 15G is
selected so as to be approximately equal to the width of the
portion actually cut out as the second casing left cutout portion
3F in the second casing one end portion of the second casing 3.
[0127] Further, in the first hinge left side face 15C in the first
hinge case 15, a circular one end-side hole portion 15CX centering
on the virtual line VL3 and having a given radius is perforated at
the first hinge one end side.
[0128] Further, in the first hinge left side face 15C in the first
hinge case 15, a circular other end-side hole portion 15CY
centering on the virtual line VL4 and having the same radius as the
one end-side hole portion 15CX is perforated at the first hinge
other end side.
[0129] Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the first hinge section 4
has two first and second cylindrical turning shafts 16 and 17 each
having a radius approximately equal to that of the one end-side
hole portion 15CX. Further, the first hinge section 4 also has two
first and second disc-shaped pulleys 18 and 19 housed in the first
hinge case 15.
[0130] Incidentally, FIG. 7 shows a state where the first casing 2
and the second casing 3 are opened at an angle of 180 degrees such
that the first casing one face 2A and the second casing one face 3A
line up (hereinafter, this is also referred to as a spread state).
Further, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state where the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3 are opened at an angle of about 120
degrees.
[0131] In the first hinge case 15, the first turning shaft 16 is
inserted into the one end-side hole portion 15CX of the first hinge
case 15 so as to be able to turn around the virtual line VL3.
[0132] Then, one end protruding to the outside of the first hinge
case 15 in the first turning shaft 16 is fixed to an inner wall of
the first left shaft formation portion 2H of the first casing 2 in
a state where the virtual line VL3 which becomes the center of
turning of the first turning shaft 16 corresponds with the virtual
line VL1.
[0133] Further, the other end entered into the first hinge case 15
in the first turning shaft 16 is fixed to a central portion of one
face of the first pulley 18 in a state where the virtual line VL3
corresponds with the central axis of the first pulley 18.
[0134] Further, in the first hinge case 15, the second turning
shaft 17 is inserted into the other end-side hole portion 15CY of
the first hinge case 15 in parallel with the first turning shaft 16
so as to be able to turn around the virtual line VL4.
[0135] One end protruding to the outside of the first hinge case 15
in the second turning shaft 17 is fixed to an inner wall of the
second left shaft formation portion 3H of the second casing 3 in a
state where the virtual line VL4 which becomes the center of
turning of the second turning shaft 17 corresponds with the virtual
line VL2.
[0136] Further, the other end entered into the first hinge case 15
in the second turning shaft 17 is fixed to a central portion of one
face of the second pulley 19 in a state where the virtual line VL4
corresponds with the central axis of the second pulley 19.
[0137] In this way, in the first hinge section 4, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
in conjunction with the opening and closing, the first pulley 18
turns along with the first turning shaft 16 in the first hinge case
15 and the second pulley 19 also turns along with the second
turning shaft 17.
[0138] Further, in the first hinge section 4, a wire 20 is wound in
a figure of eight from a side face of the first pulley 18 to a side
face of the second pulley 19. Then, one portion of the wire 20 is
led and fixed to the other face of the first pulley 18 and the
other portion is led and fixed to the other face of the second
pulley 19.
[0139] Incidentally, at the time of assembly of the electronic
apparatus 1, the wire 20 is wound around and fixed to the first
pulley 18 and the second pulley 19, for example, in a state where
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are opened at an angle
of 180 degrees, whereby an end face of the first left shaft
formation portion 2H and an end face of the second left shaft
formation portion 3H come into contact with each other.
[0140] In this way, in the first hinge section 4, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 turn relative to each
other in the opposite directions in synchronization with each other
without sliding of the wire 20 on the side faces of the first and
second pulleys 18 and 19.
[0141] That is, in the first hinge section 4, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
turning only of the second turning shaft 17 and the second pulley
19 with respect to the first turning shaft 16 and the first pulley
18 is prevented.
[0142] Further, in the first hinge section 4, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
turning only of the first turning shaft 16 and the first pulley 18
with respect to the second turning shaft 17 and the second pulley
19 is also prevented.
[0143] In this way, the first hinge section 4 connects the left
side of the first casing one end portion of the first casing 2 and
the left side of the second casing one end portion of the second
casing 3, thereby allowing the first casing 2 and the second casing
3 to be opened and closed.
[0144] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the second hinge
section 5 has a second hinge case 25 having a plane-symmetrical
shape to the first hinge case 15 of the first hinge section 4. That
is, in the second hinge case 25, the thickness from one face 25A to
the other face 25B is selected so as to be equal to the casing
thickness and the distance from a side face 25C on one side to a
side face 25D on the other side becomes the width of the
above-mentioned second hinge section 5.
[0145] Incidentally, in the following explanation, one face 25A in
the second hinge case 25 is also referred to as a second hinge one
face 25A and the other face 25B in the second hinge case 25 is also
referred to as a second hinge other face 25B.
[0146] Further, in the following explanation, the thickness from
the second hinge one face 25A to the second hinge other face 25B in
the second hinge case 25 of the second hinge section 5 is also
referred to as a second hinge thickness.
[0147] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the
second hinge one face 25A toward the second hinge other face 25B in
the second hinge section 5 and a direction from the second hinge
other face 25B toward the second hinge one face 25A, which is
opposite to the above direction, are also collectively referred to
as a second hinge section thickness direction.
[0148] Further, in the following explanation, the side face 25C on
one side in the second hinge case 25 is also referred to as a
second hinge left side face 25C and the side face 25D on the other
side in the second hinge case 25 is also referred to as a second
hinge right side face 25D.
[0149] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the
second hinge left side face 25C toward the second hinge right side
face 25D in the second hinge section 5 and a direction from the
second hinge right side face 25D toward the second hinge left side
face 25C, which is opposite to the above direction, are also
collectively referred to as a second hinge section width
direction.
[0150] In the second hinge case 25, an end face 25E of one end is
formed into an arc shape which follows a side face corresponding to
the semicircle of a cylinder, the radius of which is a distance of
1/2 of the casing thickness, centering around a virtual line VL5
that is located in parallel with the second hinge section width
direction at a distance of 1/2 of the casing thickness from the
center of the end face 25E.
[0151] Further, in the second hinge case 25, an end face 25F of the
other end is formed into an arc shape which follows a side face
corresponding to the semicircle of a cylinder, the radius of which
is a distance of 1/2 of the casing thickness, centering around a
virtual line VL6 that is located in parallel with the second hinge
section width direction at a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness from the center of the end face 25F.
[0152] Incidentally, in the following explanation, one end of the
second hinge case 25 is also referred to as a second hinge one end
and the other end of the second hinge case 25 is also referred to
as a second hinge other end.
[0153] Then, in the following explanation, a direction from the top
of the end face 25E of the second hinge one end in the second hinge
section 5 toward the top of the end face 25F of the second hinge
other end and a direction opposite to the direction are also
collectively referred to as a second hinge section longitudinal
direction.
[0154] Then, in the second hinge case 25, the length from the top
of the arc-shaped end face 25E of the second hinge one end to the
top of the arc-shaped end face 25F of the second hinge other end is
selected so as to be approximately equal to a length of two times
the casing thickness.
[0155] Incidentally, in the following explanation, the length from
the top of the arc-shaped end face 25E of the second hinge one end
in the second hinge case 25 to the top of the arc-shaped end face
25F of the second hinge other end is also referred to as a second
hinge length.
[0156] Further, in the second hinge case 25, a cutout portion in
which the depth thereof from the second hinge other end to the
second hinge one end side is equal to 1/2 of the casing thickness
is formed at the second hinge left side face 25C side in a second
hinge other end portion.
[0157] In this case, the portion on the second hinge left side face
25C side in the second hinge case 25 becomes a cam portion
(hereinafter, this is also referred to as a second cam portion) 25G
for displacing the holding section 8 in accordance with opening and
closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0158] That is, the portion having a length of about 1.5 times the
casing thickness, from the top of the arc-shaped end face 25E of
the second hinge one end in the second hinge case 25 to a bottom
face (hereinafter, this is also referred to as a second cam end
face) 25GX of the cutout portion, becomes the second cam portion
25G. Then, the width of the second cam portion 25G (the width of
the second cam end face 25GX) is selected so as to be equal to the
width of the right cutout portion 8AY of the holding section 8.
[0159] Further, in the second hinge case 25, the width of the
portion further on the right side than the second cam portion 25G
is selected so as to be approximately equal to the width of a
portion actually cut out as the second casing right cutout portion
3G in the second casing one end portion of the second casing 3.
[0160] Further, in the second hinge right side face 25D in the
second hinge case 25, a circular one end-side hole portion 25DX
centering on the virtual line VL5 and having the same radius as the
above-mentioned one end-side hole portion 15CX is perforated at the
second hinge one end side.
[0161] Further, in the second hinge right side face 25D in the
second hinge case 25, a circular other end-side hole portion 25DY
centering on the virtual line VL6 and having the same radius as the
above-mentioned one end-side hole portion 15CX is perforated at the
second hinge other end side.
[0162] Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the second hinge section 5
has two first and second cylindrical turning shafts 26 and 27 each
having a radius approximately equal to that of the above-mentioned
one end-side hole portion 15CX. Further, the second hinge section 5
also has two first and second disc-shaped pulleys 28 and 29 housed
in the second hinge case 25.
[0163] Incidentally, FIG. 11 shows a spread state of the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3, and FIGS. 12 and 13 show a state
where the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are opened at an
angle of about 120 degrees.
[0164] In the second hinge case 25, the first turning shaft 26 is
inserted into the one end-side hole portion 25DX of the second
hinge case 25 so as to be able to turn around the virtual line
VL5.
[0165] Then, one end protruding to the outside of the second hinge
case 25 in the first turning shaft 26 is fixed to an inner wall of
the first right shaft formation portion 2J of the first casing 2 in
a state where the virtual line VL5 which becomes the center of
turning of the first turning shaft 26 corresponds with the virtual
line VL1.
[0166] Further, the other end entered into the second hinge case 25
in the first turning shaft 26 is fixed to a central portion of one
face of the first pulley 28 in a state where the virtual line VL5
corresponds with the central axis of the first pulley 28.
[0167] Further, in the second hinge case 25, the second turning
shaft 27 is inserted into the other end-side hole portion 25DY of
the second hinge case 25 in parallel with the first turning shaft
26 so as to be able to turn around the virtual line VL6.
[0168] One end protruding to the outside of the second hinge case
25 in the second turning shaft 27 is fixed to an inner wall of the
second right shaft formation portion 3J of the second casing 3 in a
state where the virtual line VL6 which becomes the center of
turning of the second turning shaft 27 corresponds with the virtual
line VL2.
[0169] Further, the other end entered into the second hinge case 25
in the second turning shaft 27 is fixed to a central portion of one
face of the second pulley 29 in a state where the virtual line VL6
corresponds with the central axis of the second pulley 29.
[0170] In this way, in the second hinge section 5, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
in conjunction with the opening and closing, the first pulley 28
turns along with the first turning shaft 26 in the second hinge
case 25 and the second pulley 29 also turns along with the second
turning shaft 27.
[0171] Further, in the second hinge section 5, a wire 30 is wound
in a figure of eight from a side face of the first pulley 28 to a
side face of the second pulley 29. Further, one portion of the wire
30 is led and fixed to the other face of the first pulley 28 and
the other portion is led and fixed to the other face of the second
pulley 29.
[0172] Incidentally, at the time of assembly of the electronic
apparatus 1, the wire 30 is wound around and fixed to the first
pulley 28 and the second pulley 29, for example, in a state where
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are opened at an angle
of 180 degrees, whereby an end face of the first right shaft
formation portion 2J and an end face of the second right shaft
formation portion 3J come into contact with each other.
[0173] In this way, in the second hinge section 5, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
the first pulley 28 and the second pulley 29 turn relative to each
other in the opposite directions in synchronization with each other
without sliding of the wire 30 on the side faces of the first and
second pulleys 28 and 29.
[0174] That is, in the second hinge section 5, similarly to the
case of the above-mentioned first hinge section 4, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
turning only of the second turning shaft 27 and the second pulley
29 with respect to the first turning shaft 26 and the first pulley
28 is prevented.
[0175] Further, in the second hinge section 5, at the time of
opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3,
turning only of the first turning shaft 26 and the first pulley 28
with respect to the second turning shaft 27 and the second pulley
29 is also prevented.
[0176] In this way, the second hinge section 5 connects the right
side of the first casing one end portion of the first casing 2 and
the right side of the second casing one end portion of the second
casing 3, thereby allowing the first casing 2 and the second casing
3 to be opened and closed.
[0177] In fact, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 18B, in the first casing
2, each of the end face of the first left shaft formation portion
2H and the end face of the first right shaft formation portion 2J
is formed into an arc shape so as to describe a semicircle, as
described above.
[0178] Further, in the second casing 3, each of the end face of the
second left shaft formation portion 3H and the end face of the
second right shaft formation portion 3J is formed into an arc shape
so as to describe a semicircle, as described above.
[0179] Then, in the first hinge section 4, as described above, at
the time of assembly of the electronic apparatus 1, the wire 20 is
wound around and fixed to the first and second pulleys 18 and 19 in
a state where the end face of the first left shaft formation
portion 2H and the end face of the second left shaft formation
portion 3H come into contact with each other.
[0180] Further, in the second hinge section 5, as described above,
at the time of assembly of the electronic apparatus 1, the wire 30
is wound around and fixed to the first and second pulleys 28 and 29
in a state where the end face of the first right shaft formation
portion 2J and the end face of the second right shaft formation
portion 3J come into contact with each other.
[0181] Further, in the first casing 2, the left and right sides of
the first casing one end portion are formed plane-symmetrically and
also in the second casing 3, the left and right sides of the second
casing one end portion are formed plane-symmetrically. Further, the
first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 are also
formed plane-symmetrically.
[0182] Accordingly, if the first casing 2 and the second casing 3
are operated for opening or closing from the outside at the time of
use of the electronic apparatus 1, the first hinge section 4 and
the second hinge section 5 change positions in synchronization with
each other in a state where the first left shaft formation portion
2H and the second left shaft formation portion 3H come into contact
with each other and the first right shaft formation portion 2J and
the second right shaft formation portion 3J also come into contact
with each other.
[0183] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 allow the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 to be
freely opened or closed in a range from an angle of 0 degrees to an
angle of 360 degrees.
[0184] That is, at the time of use of the electronic apparatus 1,
the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 allow the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3 to be freely opened or
closed without any catching of the first casing one end portion on
the second casing one end portion.
[0185] Further, in the first hinge section 4, the wire 20 which is
wound over the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 intersects
between the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 in a state
where it is away from these pulleys.
[0186] Then, in a case where the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 are opened or closed, the first hinge section 4 displaces
an intersection portion of the wires 20 between the first pulley 18
and the second pulley 19 without sliding of the wire 20 with
respect to the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19.
[0187] Further, also in the second hinge section 5, the wire 30
which is wound over the first pulley 28 and the second pulley 29
intersects between the first pulley 28 and the second pulley 29 in
a state where it is away from these pulleys.
[0188] Then, in a case where the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 are opened or closed, the second hinge section 5 displaces
an intersection portion of the wires 30 between the first pulley 28
and the second pulley 29 without sliding of the wire 30 with
respect to the first pulley 28 and the second pulley 29.
[0189] In this way, at the time of opening or closing of the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 and the
second hinge section 5 can relatively turn the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3 in the opposite directions in synchronization
with each other around the first turning shafts 16 and 26 and the
second turning shafts 17 and 27.
[0190] That is, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 prevent occurrence of a step in a connection portion of
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 due to turning of either
one only, thereby allowing the first casing 2 and the second casing
3 to be opened or closed as if they were connected to each other by
one shaft.
[0191] Then, in the first hinge section 4, the first turning shaft
16 and the second turning shaft 17 respectively turn in the one
end-side hole portion 15CX and the other end-side hole portion 15CY
of the first hinge case 15.
[0192] Further, in the first hinge section 4, as described above,
the first hinge length is selected so as to be approximately equal
to a length of two times the casing thickness and also the first
hinge thickness is selected so as to be approximately equal to the
casing thickness.
[0193] Accordingly, at the time of opening or closing of the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 changes
a position in a state where the first hinge section longitudinal
direction is in parallel with a virtual line VL7 orthogonal to the
two virtual lines VL1 and VL2, in the first casing left cutout
portion 2E and the second casing left cutout portion 3F.
[0194] Further, also in the second hinge section 5, the first
turning shaft 26 and the second turning shaft 27 respectively turn
in the one end-side hole portion 25DX and the other end-side hole
portion 25DY of the second hinge case 25.
[0195] Further, also in the second hinge section 5, as described
above, the second hinge length is selected so as to be
approximately equal to a length of two times the casing thickness
and also the second hinge thickness is selected so as to be
approximately equal to the casing thickness.
[0196] Accordingly, at the time of opening or closing of the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3, the second hinge section 5 also
changes a position in a state where the second hinge section
longitudinal direction is in parallel with the virtual line VL7
orthogonal to the two virtual lines VL1 and VL2, in the first
casing right cutout portion 2F and the second casing right cutout
portion 3G.
[0197] Especially, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 avoid protrusion of the first casing one end portion and
the second casing one end portion or the first casing other end
portion and the second casing other end portion from the first
casing other face 2B or the second casing other face 3B in the
folded state (FIG. 14A) of the first casing 2 and the second casing
3.
[0198] Further, also in the back-to-back state (FIG. 18B) of the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4
and the second hinge section 5 avoid protrusion of the first casing
one end portion and the second casing one end portion or the first
casing other end portion and the second casing other end portion
from the first casing one face 2A or the second casing one face
3A.
[0199] That is, in the folded state or the back-to-back state of
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section
4 and the second hinge section 5 are integrated with the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3 so as to form a single rectangular
parallelepiped having a thickness of two times the casing thickness
along with the first and second casings 2 and 3 which are
superposed.
[0200] In addition, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 avoid protrusion of the first hinge one face 15A and the
second hinge one face 25A from the first casing one face 2A and the
second casing one face 3A in the spread state (FIG. 16B) of the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0201] Further, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 also avoid protrusion of the first hinge other face 15B
and the second hinge other face 25B from the first casing other
face 2B and the second casing other face 3B in the spread state
(FIG. 16B) of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0202] That is, in the spread state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 are integrated with the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 so as to form a single rectangular parallelepiped having
the casing thickness along with the first and second casings 2 and
3 which are lined up.
[0203] In this way, as shown in FIGS. 19A to 23B, in the electronic
apparatus 1, the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 can be
freely opened and closed in a range from 0 degrees (the folded
state shown in FIG. 19A) to 360 degrees (the back-to-back state
shown in FIG. 23B).
[0204] Incidentally, in the second casing 3, one or a plurality of
springs (a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like) is provided at
the second casing other end side in the cutout portion for
displacement 3E. In this way, in the second casing 3, the second
display section 9 is biased along with the holding section 8 to the
second casing one end side by the spring in the cutout portion for
displacement 3E.
[0205] Then, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, in a case where the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3 have been closed at an angle
of 0 degrees (the case of the folded state), the first hinge
section 4 makes the portion near the first hinge right side face
15D of the first hinge one face 15A strike the bottom face of the
left cutout portion 8AX of the holding section 8.
[0206] Further, at this time, the second hinge section 5 makes the
portion near the second hinge left side face 25C of the second
hinge one face 25A strike the bottom face of the right cutout
portion 8AY of the holding section 8.
[0207] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 align the positions of the bottom faces of the left
cutout portion 8AX and the right cutout portion 8AY with the
positions of the bottom faces of the second casing left cutout
portion 3F and the second casing right cutout portion 3G of the
second casing 3 and displace the second display section 9 along
with the holding section 8 to the second casing other end side.
[0208] That is, in the holding section 8, as described above, the
depth from the holding section one end face 8AZ to the bottom face
of each of the left cutout portion 8AX and the right cutout portion
8AY is selected so as to be about 1/2 of the casing thickness.
[0209] Further, in the first casing 2, as described above, the
depth from the first casing one end face 2G of the first casing one
end central portion to the bottom face of each of the first casing
left cutout portion 2E and the first casing right cutout portion 2F
is selected so as to be approximately equal to the casing
thickness. Further, in the first hinge section 4 and the second
hinge section 5, as described above, the first hinge thickness and
the second hinge thickness are selected so as to be approximately
equal to the casing thickness.
[0210] Then, in the folded state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the first hinge longitudinal direction is made to
be in parallel with the first casing thickness direction (and the
second casing thickness direction), whereby the first hinge section
4 is located over an area from the inside of the first casing left
cutout portion 2E of the first casing 2 to the inside of the second
casing left cutout portion 3F of the second casing 3.
[0211] Accordingly, at this time, the first hinge section 4 makes
the portion (that is, the portion near the first hinge right side
face 15D from the center to an edge of the first cam end face 15GX)
of the first cam portion 15G in the first hinge one face 15A strike
the bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX of the holding
section 8.
[0212] Further, in the folded state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the second hinge longitudinal direction is made to
be in parallel with the first casing thickness direction (and the
second casing thickness direction), whereby the second hinge
section 5 is located over an area from the inside of the first
casing right cutout portion 2F of the first casing 2 to the inside
of the second casing right cutout portion 3G of the second casing
3.
[0213] Accordingly, at this time, in the second hinge section 5
makes the portion (that is, the portion near the second hinge left
side face 25C from the center to an edge of the second cam end face
25GX) of the second cam portion 25G in the second hinge one face
25A strike the bottom face of the right cutout portion 8AY of the
holding section 8.
[0214] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 displace the second display section 9 along with the
holding section 8 to the second casing other end side in the cutout
portion for displacement 3E so as to make the holding section one
end face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be located at the second
casing other end side by a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness.
[0215] That is, in the folded state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, while the first casing one end face 2G and the
holding section one end face 8AZ are formed into a planar shape,
the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 make the
first casing one end face 2G and the holding section one end face
8AZ be located away from each other.
[0216] Accordingly, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 allow the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 to be
opened from the folded state without any catching of an edge of the
first casing one end face 2G on an edge of the holding section one
end face 8AZ.
[0217] As shown in FIGS. 25A to 29B, if the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3 actually start to be opened from the folded state,
the first hinge section 4 changes a position such that the first
hinge section longitudinal direction gradually tilts with respect
to the first casing thickness direction.
[0218] Accordingly, the first hinge section 4 makes the portion
(the central portion near the first hinge right side face 15D) of
the first cam portion 15G in the first hinge one face 15A be
gradually separated from the bottom face of the left cutout portion
8AX of the holding section 8, thereby making an edge of the first
cam end face 15GX strike the bottom face of the left cutout portion
8AX.
[0219] Then, the first hinge section 4 changes the contact position
of an edge of the first cam end face 15GX with respect to the
bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX of the holding section 8
from the center of the bottom face to the second casing one face 3A
side while changing a position in accordance with an increase in an
open angle of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0220] Further, at this time, the second hinge section 5 changes a
position such that the second hinge section longitudinal direction
gradually tilts with respect to the first casing thickness
direction. Accordingly, the second hinge section 5 makes the
portion (the central portion near the second hinge left side face
25C) of the second cam portion 25G in the second hinge one face 25A
be gradually separated from the bottom face of the right cutout
portion 8AY of the holding section 8, thereby making an edge of the
second cam end face 25GX strike the bottom face of the right cutout
portion 8AY.
[0221] Then, the second hinge section 5 changes the contact
position of an edge of the second cam end face 25GX with respect to
the bottom face of the right cutout portion 8AY of the holding
section 8 from the center of the bottom face to the second casing
one face 3A side while changing a position in accordance with an
increase in an open angle of the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3.
[0222] In this way, the larger the open angle of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3 become, the more the first hinge section 4
and the second hinge section 5 displace the second display section
9 along with the holding section 8 to the second casing one end
side in the cutout portion for displacement 3E, thereby bringing
the holding section one end face 8AZ close to the first casing one
face 2A.
[0223] Then, when the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 have
been opened, for example, at an angle of 90 degrees (FIGS. 27A and
27B), the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 make
the holding section one end face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be in
a state where it is slightly away from a position near the first
casing one end of the first casing one face 2A.
[0224] However, if the open angle of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3 becomes larger than, for example, an angle of 120
degrees (FIGS. 28A and 29B), the first hinge section 4 and the
second hinge section 5 make the holding section one end face 8AZ
strike a corner portion between the first casing one face 2A and
the first casing one end face 2G.
[0225] That is, while the first casing 2 and the second casing 3
are further opened beyond 120 degrees, the holding section 8 is in
a state where it is slightly away from the first cam end face 15GX
and the second cam end face 25GX.
[0226] At this time, the holding section 8 is further displaced
along with the second display section 9 to the second casing one
end side while changing the contact position of the holding section
one end face 8AZ with respect to an edge near the first casing one
end of the first casing one face 2A to the second casing one face
3A side.
[0227] Then, as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, in the spread state of
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section
4 changes a position such that the first hinge section longitudinal
direction is in parallel with the first casing depth direction and
the second casing depth direction.
[0228] Accordingly, at this time, the first hinge section 4 is
located over an area from the inside of the first casing left
cutout portion 2E of the first casing 2 to the inside of the second
casing left cutout portion 3F of the second casing 3, thereby
making the first cam end face 15GX strike the bottom face of the
left cutout portion 8AX of the holding section 8.
[0229] Further, in the spread state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the second hinge section 5 changes a position such
that the second hinge section longitudinal direction is in parallel
with the first casing depth direction and the second casing depth
direction.
[0230] Accordingly, at this time, the second hinge section 5 is
located over an area from the inside of the first casing right
cutout portion 2F of the first casing 2 to the inside of the second
casing right cutout portion 3G of the second casing 3, thereby
making the second cam end face 25GX strike the bottom face of the
right cutout portion 8AY of the holding section 8.
[0231] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 displace the second display section 9 along with the
holding section 8 to the second casing other end side to the
fullest extent in the cutout portion for displacement 3E, thereby
making the holding section one end face 8AZ of the holding section
8 strike the first casing one end face 2G of the first casing one
end central portion.
[0232] That is, if the first casing one face 2A and the second
casing one face 3A line up in the spread state of the first casing
2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 and the second
hinge section 5 bring the second display surface 9A close to the
first display surface 6A.
[0233] Therefore, in this manner, in the spread state (FIG. 21B) of
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section
4 and the second hinge section 5 can arrange the first display
surface 6A of the first display section 6 and the second display
surface 9A of the second display section 9 as if they were a single
display surface.
[0234] Then, at this time, the holding section 8 makes the planar
holding section one end face 8AZ strike the planar first casing one
end face 2G of the first casing 2 in a state where the holding
section 8 is biased to the second casing one end side.
[0235] Further, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 make the planar first cam end face 15GX strike the planar
bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX of the holding section 8
and also make the planar second cam end face 25GX strike the planar
bottom face of the right cutout portion 8AY of the holding section
8, as described above.
[0236] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 lock (fix) the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 in
the spread state. Accordingly, the first hinge section 4 and the
second hinge section 5 can keep the spread state such that the open
angle of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 does not easily
change even if the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are
lifted up, for example, in the spread state.
[0237] Further, if the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are
further opened from the spread state, the holding section one end
face 8AZ is placed on a corner portion between the first casing
other face 2B and the first casing one end face 2G, so that the
holding section 8 enters a state where it is away from the first
cam end face 15GX and the second cam end face 25GX.
[0238] Then, at this time, the holding section 8 is displaced again
along with the second display section 9 to the second casing other
end side in the cutout portion for displacement 3E while changing
the contact position of the holding section one end face 8AZ with
respect to the corner portion between the first casing other face
2B and the first casing one end face 2G to the second casing one
face 3A side.
[0239] At this time, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 change positions such that the first hinge section
longitudinal direction and the second hinge section longitudinal
direction gradually tilt with respect to the first casing depth
direction, thereby being brought close to the first casing
thickness direction.
[0240] As a result, if the first casing 2 and the second casing 3
are opened up to, for example, 240 degrees, the first hinge section
4 makes an edge of the first cam end face 15GX in the first hinge
other face 15B strike a portion near the second casing other face
3B in the bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX of the holding
section 8.
[0241] Then, the first hinge section 4 changes a position in
accordance with an increase in an open angle of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3. Accordingly, the first hinge section 4
changes the contact position of an edge of the first cam end face
15GX with respect to the bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX
of the holding section 8 from the second casing other face 3B side
in the bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX to the center
side.
[0242] Further, if the second casing 3 is opened up to, for
example, 240 degrees with respect to the first casing 2, the second
hinge section 5 makes an edge of the second cam end face 25GX in
the second hinge other face 25B strike a portion near the second
casing other face 3B in the bottom face of the right cutout portion
8AY of the holding section 8.
[0243] Then, the second hinge section 5 also changes a position in
accordance with an increase in an open angle of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3. Accordingly, the second hinge section 5
changes the contact position of an edge of the second cam end face
25GX with respect to the bottom face of the right cutout portion
8AY of the holding section 8 from the second casing other face 3B
side in the bottom face of the right cutout portion 8AY to the
center side.
[0244] In this way, when the first casing 2 and the second casing 3
have been opened at an angle of, for example, 270 degrees, the
first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 make the
holding section one end face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be in a
state where it is slightly away from a position near the first
casing one end of the first casing other face 2B.
[0245] Then, if the first hinge section 4 further changes a
position in accordance with an increase in an open angle of the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4
further changes the contact position of an edge of the first cam
end face 15GX with respect to the bottom face of the left cutout
portion 8AX of the holding section 8 to the center side of the
bottom face.
[0246] Further, at this time, the second hinge section 5 further
changes the contact position of an edge of the second cam end face
25GX with respect to the bottom face of the right cutout portion
8AY of the holding section 8 to the center side of the bottom face
while further changing a position in accordance with an increase in
an open angle of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0247] In this way, the larger the open angle of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3 becomes, the more the first hinge section 4
and the second hinge section 5 displace the second display section
9 along with the holding section 8 to the second casing other end
side in the cutout portion for displacement 3E, thereby making the
holding section one end face 8AZ be separated from the first casing
other face 2B.
[0248] In this way, the first hinge section 4 gradually brings the
portion (that is, the central portion near the first hinge right
side face 15D) of the first cam portion 15G in the first hinge
other face 15B close to the bottom face of the left cutout portion
8AX of the holding section 8 in accordance with an increase in an
open angle of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0249] Further, the second hinge section 5 gradually brings the
portion (that is, the central portion near the second hinge left
side face 25C) of the second cam portion 25G in the second hinge
other face 25B close to the bottom face of the right cutout portion
8AY of the holding section 8 in accordance with an increase in an
open angle of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3.
[0250] Then, in the back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 makes the first
hinge section longitudinal direction be in parallel with the first
casing thickness direction (and the second casing thickness
direction), thereby being located over an area from the inside of
the first casing left cutout portion 2E of the first casing 2 to
the inside of the second casing left cutout portion 3F of the
second casing 3.
[0251] Accordingly, at this time, the first hinge section 4 makes
the portion (that is, the portion from the center near the first
hinge right side face 15D to an edge of the first cam end face
15GX) of the first cam portion 15G in the first hinge other face
15B strike the bottom face of the left cutout portion 8AX of the
holding section 8.
[0252] Further, in the back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the second hinge section 5 makes the second
hinge section longitudinal direction be in parallel with the first
casing thickness direction (and the second casing thickness
direction), thereby being located over an area from the inside of
the first casing right cutout portion 2F of the first casing 2 to
the inside of the second casing right cutout portion 3G of the
second casing 3.
[0253] Accordingly, at this time, the second hinge section 5 makes
the portion (that is, the portion from the center near the second
hinge left side face 25C to an edge of the second cam end face
25GX) of the second cam portion 25G in the second hinge other face
25B strike the bottom face of the right cutout portion 8AY of the
holding section 8.
[0254] In this way, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 displace the second display section 9 along with the
holding section 8 to the second casing other face side in the
cutout portion for displacement 3E so as to make the holding
section one end face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be located at the
second casing other end side by a distance of 1/2 of the casing
thickness.
[0255] That is, in the back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 make the first casing one end face 2G of a planar shape
and the holding section one end face 8AZ of a planar shape be
located away from each other.
[0256] Accordingly, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 can make the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 be
closed from the back-to-back state without any catching of an edge
of the first casing one end face 2G on an edge of the holding
section one end face 8AZ.
[0257] That is, if an operation is performed such that the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3 are closed from the back-to-back
state, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5
displace the holding section 8 along with the second display
section 9 while changing positions in a reverse procedure to the
above procedure and can finally return to the folded state.
1-3. Operation and Effects of Embodiment
[0258] In the above-described configuration, in the electronic
apparatus 1, the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are
connected to each other through the first and second hinge sections
4 and 5 having the first turning shafts 16 and 26 provided at the
first casing one end portion and the second turning shafts 17 and
27 provided at the second casing one end portion, so as to be able
to be opened and closed.
[0259] Then, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the folded state and
the back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and the second casing
3, the second display section 9 provided on the second casing one
face 3A of the second casing 3 is displaced to the second casing
other end side, and in the spread state of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the second display section 9 is displaced to
the second casing one end side.
[0260] Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1, in a case where
the first display surface 6A in the first casing one face 2A and
the second display surface 9A in the second casing one face 3A are
visually observed in the spread state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the amount of eye movement between the first
display surface 6A and the second display surface 9A can be
reduced.
[0261] Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1, in a case where
the first display surface 6A in the first casing one face 2A and
the second display surface 9A in the second casing one face 3A are
visually observed in the spread state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, eyestrain can be reduced.
[0262] According to the above-described configuration, the
electronic apparatus 1 is made such that the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3 are connected to each other through the first and
second hinge sections 4 and 5 having the first turning shafts 16
and 26 provided at the first casing one end portion and the second
turning shafts 17 and 27 provided at the second casing one end
portion, so as to be able to be opened and closed in a range from
the folded state to the back-to-back state, and such that in the
folded state and the back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the second display section 9 provided on the
second casing one face 3A is displaced to the second casing other
end side and in the spread state of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, the second display section 9 is displaced to the
second casing one end side. Accordingly, in the electronic
apparatus 1, in a case where the first display surface 6A in the
first casing one face 2A and the second display surface 9A in the
second casing one face 3A are visually observed in the spread state
of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the amount of eye
movement between the first display surface 6A and the second
display surface 9A can be reduced, so that eyestrain can be
reduced. Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1, usability can be
improved.
[0263] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, the first hinge
section 4 and the second hinge section 5 are provided close to the
first and second casing left side faces 2C and 3C and the first and
second casing right side faces 2D and 3D in the first casing one
end portion of the first casing 2 and the second casing one end
portion of the second casing 3. In addition, in the electronic
apparatus 1, the second display section 9 is provided at the
central portion of the second casing one face 3A of the second
casing 3.
[0264] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the spread
state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, it is possible
to displace the second display section 9 to the second casing one
end side without being interrupted by the first hinge section 4 and
the second hinge section 5.
[0265] For this reason, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the
spread state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, it is
possible to bring the second display surface one end of the second
display section 9 close to the first display surface one end of the
first display section 6 provided on the first casing one face
2A.
[0266] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the spread
state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, it is possible
to drastically reduce the amount of eye movement between the first
display surface 6A and the second display surface 9A, thereby
significantly reducing eyestrain.
[0267] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, the thicknesses of
the first and second casings 2 and 3 and the thicknesses of the
first and second hinge sections 4 and 5 are selected so as to be
the same. Then, in the electronic apparatus 1, the first hinge
section 4 and the second hinge section 5 are provided with respect
to the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 such that the first
hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5 do not protrude from
the first and second casing one faces 2A and 3A and the first and
second casing other faces 2B and 3B in the spread state.
[0268] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, in a case where
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 are opened to be in the
spread state, the first and second casings 2 and 3 as a whole can
be made to be a single plate-like casing.
[0269] Then, in the electronic apparatus 1, at this time, the first
display surface 6A and the second display surface 9A can be
disposed and used at the central portion of one large display
surface made of the first casing one face 2A and the second casing
one face 3A in the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 as if
they were one large display surface.
[0270] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the first hinge
section 4 and the second hinge section 5, the first turning shafts
16 and 26 and the second turning shafts 17 and 27 are made to be
housed along with the first pulleys 18 and 28, the second pulleys
19 and 29, and the like in the first hinge case 15 and the second
hinge case 25.
[0271] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the first
hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5, it is possible to
protect the first turning shafts 16 and 26, the second turning
shafts 17 and 27, the first pulleys 18 and 28, the second pulleys
19 and 29, and the like from dust or the like, thereby allowing
them to function in an optimal state at all times.
[0272] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, the second display
section 9 provided on the second casing one face 3A of the second
casing 3 is made so as to be biased to the second casing one end
side by the spring. Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, the
first cam portion 15G and the second cam portion 25G are made so as
to be provided at the first hinge case 15 and the second hinge case
25 of the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5.
[0273] Then, in the electronic apparatus 1, by changing the
positions of the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section
5 in accordance with opening and closing of the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3, the second display section 9 is displaced to
the second casing other end side and also to the second casing one
end side by the first cam portion 15G and the second cam portion
25G.
[0274] Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1, by a simple
operation of only opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3, it is possible to easily displace the second
display section 9 to the second casing other end side in the folded
state and the back-to-back state and to easily displace the second
display section 9 to the second casing one end side in the spread
state.
[0275] However, in the electronic apparatus 1, when starting to
close the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 in order to fold
them from the spread state, by making the holding section one end
face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be placed on a corner portion
between the first casing one face 2A and the first casing one end
face 2G, the second display section 9 is displaced to the second
casing other end side.
[0276] That is, in the electronic apparatus 1, when closing the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the spread state, the
second display section 9 is displaced along with the holding
section 8 to the second casing other end side by using the corner
portion between the first casing one face 2A and the first casing
one end face 2G without using the first cam portion 15G and the
second cam portion 25G.
[0277] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, when starting to
further open the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the
spread state in order to make them back-to-back, by making the
holding section one end face 8AZ of the holding section 8 be placed
on a corner portion between the first casing other face 2B and the
first casing one end face 2G, the second display section 9 is
displaced to the second casing other end side.
[0278] That is, in the electronic apparatus 1, when further opening
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the spread state,
the second display section 9 is displaced along with the holding
section 8 to the second casing other end side by using the corner
portion between the first casing other face 2B and the first casing
one end face 2G without using the first cam portion 15G and the
second cam portion 25G.
[0279] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, even in a case
where coefficients of friction between the planar first and second
cam end faces 15GX and 25GX and the planar bottom faces of the left
and right cutout portions 8AX and 8AY of the holding section 8 are
large, it is possible to reliably displace the second display
section 9.
[0280] That is, in the electronic apparatus 1, when starting to
close or open the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the
spread state, engagement of the first and second cam end faces 15GX
and 25GX with the bottom faces of the left and right cutout
portions 8AX and 8AY of the holding section 8 is avoided, so that
it is possible to reliably displace the second display section 9
along with the holding section 8 to the second casing other end
side.
[0281] Accordingly, in the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible
to easily and reliably displace the second display section 9 to the
second casing one end side and the second casing other end side in
accordance with opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3,
[0282] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, the wires 20 and 30
are respectively wound in a figure of eight on the first pulleys 18
and 28 and the second pulleys 19 and 29 fixed to one ends of the
first turning shafts 16 and 26 and one ends of the second turning
shafts 17 and 27 in the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5.
[0283] Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1, the first hinge
section 4 and the second hinge section 5 can be reduced in size as
much as possible. As a result, in the electronic apparatus 1, it is
possible to freely open and close the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3 between the folded state and the back-to-back state in a
state where the first left shaft formation portion 2H and the
second left shaft formation portion 3H are brought close to each
other and the first right shaft formation portion 2J and the second
right shaft formation portion 3J are also brought close to each
other.
[0284] In this manner, in the folded state of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3, the electronic apparatus 1 is reduced in
size as a whole, thereby being capable of being easily carried.
Then, at this time, in the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible
to hide and protect the first display surface 6A and the second
display surface 9A from the outside and also prevent erroneous
operations of the first touch panel 7 and the second touch panel
10.
[0285] Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, in the spread state
of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the first display
surface 6A and the second display surface 9A are flush with each
other and brought close to each other, thereby being made as if
they were one large display surface, and it is then possible to
display one or a plurality of images thereon. Further, at this
time, in the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible to perform a
touch operation on a display surface made as if it were one large
display surface.
[0286] Further, even in the back-to-back state of the first casing
2 and the second casing 3, the electronic apparatus 1 is reduced in
size as a whole, thereby being capable of being easily carried.
Then, in the electronic apparatus 1, at this time, for example,
even during carrying, it is possible to expose the first display
surface 6A and the second display surface 9A and then display
various images and it is also possible to perform a touch operation
on the first display surface 6A and the second display surface
9A.
[0287] In this way, in the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible
to easily realize a state transition from the folded state to the
back-to-back state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3
and close arrangement of the first display surface 6A and the
second display surface 9A in the spread state by a single operation
of opening or closing the first casing 2 and the second casing
3.
2. Modified Examples
2-1. Modified Example 1
[0288] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a
description has been made with regard to a case where the first and
second cam end faces 15GX and 25GX of the first and second hinge
sections 4 and 5 and the bottom faces of the left and right cutout
portions 8AX and 8AY of the holding section 8 have a planar
form.
[0289] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
each of a first cam end face 40A of a first hinge section 40 and a
second cam end face 41A of a second hinge section 41 may be formed
into a convex shape, as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B.
[0290] Further, in the present disclosure, each of the bottom faces
of a left cutout portion 42A and a right cutout portion 42B of a
holding section 42 may be formed into a concave shape being matched
with the shape of each of the first cam end face 40A and the second
cam end face 41A.
[0291] In the present disclosure, according to such a
configuration, when starting to close the first casing 2 and the
second casing 3 from the spread state, it is possible to make
convex portions of the centers of the first cam end face 40A and
the second cam end face 41A strike convex portions of the ends of
the bottom faces of the left cutout portion 42A and the right
cutout portion 42B of the holding section 42.
[0292] That is, in the present disclosure, when closing the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the spread state, it is
possible to displace the second display section 9 along with the
holding section 42 to the second casing other end side by using
only the first cam end face 40A and the second cam end face 41A
without making a holding section one end face 42C of the holding
section 42 be placed on the corner portion between the first casing
one face 2A and the first casing one end face 2G.
[0293] Further, in the present disclosure, also when starting to
further open the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the
spread state, it is possible to make the convex portions of the
centers of the first cam end face 40A and the second cam end face
41A strike the convex portions of the ends of the bottom faces of
the left cutout portion 42A and the right cutout portion 42B of the
holding section 42.
[0294] That is, in the present disclosure, also when further
opening the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 from the spread
state, it is possible to displace the second display section 9
along with the holding section 42 to the second casing other end
side by using only the first cam end face 40A and the second cam
end face 41A without making the holding section one end face 42C of
the holding section 42 be placed on the corner portion between the
first casing one face 2A and the first casing one end face 2G.
[0295] In other words, in the present disclosure, by such a
configuration, it is possible to easily and reliably displace the
second display section 9 to the second casing one end side and the
second casing other end side in accordance with opening and closing
of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 by using the first
cam end face 40A and the second cam end face 41A without using the
corner portion between the first casing other face 2B and the first
casing one end face 2G.
2-2. Modified Example 2
[0296] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where the first display section
6 is provided on the first casing one face 2A of the first casing
2. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the
first casing 2 may be made to function as a keyboard by arranging a
plurality of operation keys on the first casing one face 2A of the
first casing 2.
[0297] In the present disclosure, also by such a configuration,
similarly to the cases of the above-described embodiments, in a
case where the plurality of operation keys in the first casing one
face 2A and the second display surface 9A in the second casing one
face 3A are visually observed in the spread state of the first
casing 2 and the second casing 3, the amount of eye movement can be
reduced.
[0298] Therefore, in the present disclosure, also by such a
configuration, eyestrain in a case where the plurality of operation
keys in the first casing one face 2A and the second display surface
9A in the second casing one face 3A are visually observed in the
spread state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 is
reduced, whereby usability can be improved.
2-3. Modified Example 3
[0299] Further, in the above-described embodiment, a description
has been made with regard to a case where the first casing 2 and
the second casing 3 are connected to each other through the two
first and second hinge sections 4 and 5 so as to be able to be
opened and closed.
[0300] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
the first casing 2 and the second casing 3 may be connected to each
other through a single hinge section so as to be able to be opened
and closed. Then, in the present disclosure, in the case of such a
configuration, for example the hinge section may be provided close
to one side of the first and second casing left side faces 2C and
3C and the first and second right side faces 2D and 3D of the first
and second casing one end portions.
2-4. Modified Example 4
[0301] Further, in the above-described embodiments, for disposition
of the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5, the
first casing left cutout portion 2E is formed close to the first
casing left side face 2C in the first casing one end portion and
also the first casing right cutout portion 2F is formed close to
the first casing right side face 2D.
[0302] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where for disposition of the
first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5, the second
casing left cutout portion 3F is formed close to the second casing
left side face 3C in the second casing one end portion and also the
second casing right cutout portion 3G is formed close to the second
casing right side face 3D.
[0303] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
for disposition of the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5, in the first casing, the left cutout portion is formed
in the first casing one end portion of the first casing left side
face and also the right cutout portion is formed in the first
casing one end portion of the first casing right side face.
[0304] Further, in the present disclosure, for disposition of the
first hinge section 4 and the second hinge section 5, in the second
casing, the left cutout portion is formed in the second casing one
end portion of the second casing left side face and also the right
cutout portion is formed in the second casing one end portion of
the second casing right side face.
[0305] Then, in the present disclosure, in the first casing, the
first turning shaft is provided in parallel with the first casing
width direction at an inner wall of the left cutout portion of the
first casing left side face and also the second turning shaft is
provided in parallel with the first casing width direction at an
inner wall of the right cutout portion of the first casing right
side face.
[0306] Further, in the present disclosure, in the second casing,
the first turning shaft is provided in parallel with the second
casing width direction at an inner wall of the left cutout portion
of the second casing left side face and also the second turning
shaft is provided in parallel with the second casing width
direction at an inner wall of the right cutout portion of the
second casing right side face.
[0307] Accordingly, in the present disclosure, the first hinge
section having the first turning shaft and the second turning shaft
is disposed over the left cutout portion of the first casing left
side face and the left cutout portion of the second casing left
side face.
[0308] Further, in the present disclosure, the second hinge section
having the first turning shaft and the second turning shaft is
disposed over the right cutout portion of the first casing right
side face and the right cutout portion of the second casing right
side face. In this way, in the present disclosure, the first casing
and the second casing may be connected to each other through the
first hinge section and the second hinge section so as to be able
to be opened and closed.
[0309] In the present disclosure, in the case of such a
configuration, a first cam portion and a second cam portion can
also be provided at the first hinge section and the second hinge
section, similarly to the above description. Then, in the present
disclosure, in the case of such a configuration, by narrowing the
widths of the first casing and the second casing or widening the
width of the holding section compared to the above-described
embodiments, it is possible to displace the second display section
along with the holding section by using the first cam portion and
the second cam portion.
2-5. Modified Example 5
[0310] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where the electronic apparatus
according to the present disclosure is applied to the electronic
apparatus 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B.
[0311] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
the electronic apparatus can be applied to a folding-type PDA
(Personal Digital Assistance), a folding-type personal computer
(that is, a notebook computer), a folding-type mobile telephone, or
a folding-type portable game machine.
[0312] That is, the present disclosure can be widely applied to
folding-type electronic apparatuses having various other
configurations, like an electronic apparatus which is formed by
pivotally connecting a first casing provided with a display section
or an operation section and a second casing provided with a display
section through a hinge section.
2-6. Modified Example 6
[0313] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a first casing, the
first casing 2 of an approximately flat rectangular shape described
above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B is applied.
[0314] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to widely apply first casings having various other
configurations, like a first casing in which each of one face and
the other face is formed into a racetrack shape, an elliptical
shape, or a trapezoidal shape, a first casing having a different
thickness from that of a second casing, or the like.
2-7. Modified Example 7
[0315] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a second casing, the
second casing 3 of an approximately flat rectangular shape
described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B is applied.
[0316] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to widely apply second casings having various other
configurations, like a second casing in which each of one face and
the other face is formed into a racetrack shape, an elliptical
shape, or a trapezoidal shape, a second casing having a different
thickness from that of a first casing, or the like.
2-8. Modified Example 8
[0317] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as hinge sections, each
of which has a first turning shaft provided at the first casing one
end portion of the first casing and a second turning shaft provided
at the second casing one end portion of the second casing and
connects the first casing and the second casing so as to be able to
be opened and closed in a range from the folded state to the
back-to-back state through the first turning shaft and the second
turning shaft, the first hinge section 4 and the second hinge
section 5 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B are
applied.
[0318] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and a
hinge section provided only at the side face side of one of the
first casing 2 and the second casing 3 or hinge sections which have
no hinge case and expose the first turning shafts 16 and 26 and the
second turning shafts 17 and 27 along with the first pulleys 18 and
28 and the second pulleys 19 and 29 may be applied.
[0319] Further, in the present disclosure, it is possible to widely
apply hinge sections having various other configurations, like a
hinge section which has at least two gears respectively fixed to
one end of a first turning shaft and one end of a second turning
shaft and turns the first and second turning shafts in the opposite
directions by making at least two gears be directly engaged with
each other or be engaged with each other through an even number of
gears, or the like.
2-9. Modified Example 9
[0320] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a display section
provided on the second casing one face of the second casing, the
second display 9 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B
is applied.
[0321] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to widely apply display sections having various
other configurations, like a display panel integrated with a touch
panel, a sheet-like display section, or the like.
2-10. Modified Example 10
[0322] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a displacement section
which displaces the display section to the second casing other end
side of the second casing in the folded state and the back-to-back
state of the first casing and the second casing and displaces the
display section to the second casing one end side in the spread
state of the first casing and the second casing, the first and
second cam portions 15G and 25G provided at the first and second
hinge cases 15 and 25 of the first and second hinge sections 4 and
5 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 31B are applied.
[0323] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to apply displacement sections having various other
configurations, like a displacement section which is constituted by
a spring biasing the second display section 9 provided at the
second casing 2 to the second casing one end side and a wire
connecting one side of the first pulleys 18 and 28 and the second
pulleys 19 and 29 to an end portion on the second casing other end
side in the second display section 9, or the like.
[0324] Incidentally, in the present disclosure, in a case where the
displacement section is constituted by the spring and the wire, in
the spread state of the first casing 2 and the second casing 3, the
second display section 9 is biased and displaced to the second
casing one end side by the spring by bending the wire.
[0325] Further, in the present disclosure, in a case where the
displacement section is constituted by the spring and the wire, in
the folded state and the back-to-back state of the first casing 2
and the second casing 3, the second display section 9 is displaced
to the second casing other end side by winding the wire by a given
amount by one side of the first pulleys 18 and 28 and the second
pulleys 19 and 29.
[0326] That is, in the present disclosure, in this manner, even in
a case where the displacement section is constituted by the spring
and the wire, similarly to the above-described embodiments, it is
possible to displace the second display section 9 in accordance
with opening and closing of the first casing 2 and the second
casing 3.
2-11. Modified Example 11
[0327] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a hinge case having a
thickness equal to the thicknesses of the first and second casings
and housing the first and second turning shafts, the first and
second hinge cases 15 and 25 described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 31B are applied.
[0328] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to widely apply hinge cases having various other
configurations, like a hinge case formed exclusively of a cam
portion, or the like.
2-12. Modified Example 12
[0329] Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description
has been made with regard to a case where as a display section
provided at the central portion of the first casing one face of the
first casing, the first display section 6 described above with
respect to FIGS. 1 to 31B is applied.
[0330] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
it is possible to widely apply display sections having various
other configurations, like a display panel integrated with a touch
panel, a sheet-like display section, or the like.
[0331] The present disclosure contains subject matter related to
that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP
2010-199346 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 6, 2010, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0332] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *