U.S. patent application number 15/620911 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.. Invention is credited to BEPPU HIROKUNI, NOBUYUKI SUGAWARA, FURUBO TAKAYUKI, SHINICHI TAKEYAMA.
Application Number | 20170280574 15/620911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52667805 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170280574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAYUKI; FURUBO ; et
al. |
September 28, 2017 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
A button member for disposing within a housing includes: at
least one pressed part that is exposed through an opening formed
through the inner and outer surfaces of the housing, where the at
least one pressed part is for being pressed by a user in a first
direction; at least one elastic arm part extending from the at
least one pressed part such that a reaction force is generated when
the at least one pressed part is pressed in the first direction,
and such that the at least one elastic arm part biases the at least
one pressed part in a direction opposite to the first direction to
a position of rest; a base part located at an end part of the at
least one elastic arm part, at least a portion of the base part
extending in the first direction, and where the at least one
pressed part, the at least one elastic arm part, and the base part
are monolithically molded. A support part is located within the
housing to receive and engage at least a portion of the base part
and to provide a counter support to the base part in the direction
opposite to the first direction when the at least one pressed part
is pressed in the first direction.
Inventors: |
TAKAYUKI; FURUBO; (Chiba,
JP) ; TAKEYAMA; SHINICHI; (Chiba, JP) ;
HIROKUNI; BEPPU; (Chiba, JP) ; SUGAWARA;
NOBUYUKI; (Chiba, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
52667805 |
Appl. No.: |
15/620911 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14477947 |
Sep 5, 2014 |
9713274 |
|
|
15620911 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2221/044 20130101;
H01H 13/14 20130101; H05K 7/142 20130101; G06F 1/1658 20130101;
H05K 5/0217 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/02 20060101
H05K005/02; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16; H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 18, 2013 |
JP |
2013-192810 |
Sep 18, 2013 |
JP |
2013-192811 |
Sep 18, 2013 |
JP |
2013-192812 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a housing an inner surface
and an outer surface; a button member configured to have at least
one pressed part that is exposed through an opening formed through
the inner and outer surfaces of the housing, where the at least one
pressed part is for being pressed by a user in a first direction;
at least one elastic arm part extending from the at least one
pressed part such that a reaction force is generated when the at
least one pressed part is pressed in the first direction, and such
that the at least one elastic arm part biases the at least one
pressed part in a direction opposite to the first direction to a
position of rest; a base part located at an end part of the at
least one elastic arm part, at least a portion of the base part
extending in the first direction, and where the at least one
pressed part, the at least one elastic arm part, and the base part
are monolithically molded; and a support part located within the
housing to receive and engage at least a portion of the base part
and to provide a counter support to the base part in the direction
opposite to the first direction when the at least one pressed part
is pressed in the first direction.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
support part includes a recess formed in the inner surface of the
housing, which receives and engages the at least a portion of the
base part.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one elastic arm part includes a first elastic arm part and a
second elastic arm part, each extending from respective first ends
at the at least one pressed part to respective second ends at the
base part.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of
the first elastic arm part and the second elastic arm part includes
a respective curved portion providing respective regions of
flexibility that produce the reaction force and the biasing of the
at least one pressed part to the position of rest.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of
the respective curved portions provide the respective regions of
flexibility through cantilever action.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at
least one pressed part includes a first pressed part connected to
the first end of the first elastic arm part, and a second pressed
part connected to the first end of the second elastic arm part.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one pressed part defines a central axis extending in the
first direction, and the at least one at least one elastic arm part
extends from a location on the at least one pressed part that is
spaced radially away from the central axis toward a periphery
thereof.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one pressed part extends forward from at least one flange
member such that the at least one pressed part extends through the
opening but the flange member abuts the inside surface of the
housing when at rest.
9. A button member for disposing within a housing of an apparatus,
the housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, the
button member comprising: at least one pressed part that is exposed
through an opening formed through the inner and outer surfaces of
the housing, where the at least one pressed part is for being
pressed by a user in a first direction; at least one elastic arm
part extending from the at least one pressed part such that a
reaction force is generated when the at least one pressed part is
pressed in the first direction, and such that the at least one
elastic arm part biases the at least one pressed part in a
direction opposite to the first direction to a position of rest;
and a base part located at an end part of the at least one elastic
arm part, at least a portion of the base part extending in the
first direction, and where the at least one pressed part, the at
least one elastic arm part, and the base part are monolithically
molded, wherein a support part is located within the housing to
receive and engage at least a portion of the base part and to
provide a counter support to the base part in the direction
opposite to the first direction when the at least one pressed part
is pressed in the first direction.
10. The button member according to claim 9, wherein the support
part includes a recess formed in the inner surface of the housing,
which receives and engages the at least a portion of the base
part.
11. The button member according to claim 9, wherein the at least
one elastic arm part includes a first elastic arm part and a second
elastic arm part, each extending from respective first ends at the
at least one pressed part to respective second ends at the base
part.
12. The button member according to claim 11, wherein each of the
first elastic arm part and the second elastic arm part includes a
respective curved portion providing respective regions of
flexibility that produce the reaction force and the biasing of the
at least one pressed part to the position of rest.
13. The button member according to claim 12, wherein each of the
respective curved portions provide the respective regions of
flexibility through cantilever action.
14. The button member according to claim 11, wherein the at least
one pressed part includes a first pressed part connected to the
first end of the first elastic arm part, and a second pressed part
connected to the first end of the second elastic arm part.
15. The button member according to claim 9, wherein the at least
one pressed part defines a central axis extending in the first
direction, and the at least one at least one elastic arm part
extends from a location on the at least one pressed part that is
spaced radially away from the central axis toward a periphery
thereof.
16. The button member according to claim 9, wherein the at least
one pressed part extends forward from at least one flange member
such that the at least one pressed part extends through the opening
but the flange member abuts the inside surface of the housing when
at rest.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No.: 14/477,947, accorded a filing date of Sep. 5,
2014; claims priority to JP2013-192810, JP2013-192811, and
JP2013-192812, all of which were filed on Sep. 18, 2013, the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a structure of a housing
and a support structure of a button in electronic apparatus.
[0003] On a circuit board included in electronic apparatus, a
component having a comparatively large height in the thickness
direction of the circuit board, such as a connector for cable
connecting, a battery, and a slot of a memory card, is often
mounted (refer to e.g. U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2012/188694).
SUMMARY
[0004] In attempting size reduction of electronic apparatus, the
height of a component such as a connector, a battery, and a slot of
a memory card often becomes an obstacle. When the housing of
electronic apparatus is molded by resin, reducing the thickness of
the housing is effective for size reduction of the electronic
apparatus in some cases. However, wholly reducing the thickness of
the housing lowers the rigidity of the housing. If the thickness of
part of the housing is reduced, slight concavities and convexities
are generated in the outer surface of the housing due to sink marks
of the resin and they impair the appearance of the electronic
apparatus in some cases.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is provided electronic apparatus including a housing configured to
have an inner layer portion forming an inner surface and an outer
layer portion forming an outer surface. The inner layer portion and
the outer layer portion are formed by two-color molding. The
electronic apparatus includes one of a region in which the inner
layer portion is not formed and a region in which the inner layer
portion is thin. The one region is set in the inner surface of the
housing. The electronic apparatus further includes a component
configured to be housed in the housing and be disposed in the one
region. According to this electronic apparatus, size reduction of
electronic apparatus can be achieved with the appearance of the
electronic apparatus and the rigidity of the housing kept
favorable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of electronic
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electronic apparatus;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III shown in FIG.
2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the inner surface of a first
exterior member;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line V-V shown in FIG.
4;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
obtained at a cut plane shown by line VI-VI in FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
obtained at a cut plane shown by line VII-VII in FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
obtained at a cut plane shown by line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of a
second exterior member;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line X-X shown in FIG.
9;
[0016] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the first
exterior member;
[0017] FIGS. 12A to 12C are schematic diagrams for explaining a
manufacturing method of the second exterior member;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a button member;
[0019] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a region shown by XIV in FIG.
4;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
along line XV-XV shown in FIG. 14;
[0021] FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing an attachment step of
the button member;
[0022] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a region shown by XVII in
FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
along line XVIII-XVIII shown in FIG. 17; and
[0024] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus
along line XIX-XIX shown in FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded
perspective view of electronic apparatus 1 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the
electronic apparatus 1. In the following description, X1 and X2
shown in FIG. 1 are defined as the right direction and the left
direction, respectively. Furthermore, Y1 and Y2 are defined as the
forward direction and the rearward direction, respectively, and Z1
and Z2 are defined as the upward direction and the downward
direction, respectively. Directions mentioned in the following
description indicate the relative positional relationships among
the respective members and parts and do not indicate absolute
directions.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 has a housing
2 and a circuit board 3 housed in the housing 2. On the circuit
board 3, one or plural integral circuits that function as
arithmetic device, storage device, image processing device,
wireless communication module, etc. are mounted (in FIG. 1, one
integrated circuit 32 is shown as an example).
[0027] The electronic apparatus 1 is apparatus that functions as
e.g. a game device. To the electronic apparatus 1 of the example
described here, a display device such as a television and an
operation device operated by a user are each connected in a wired
or wireless manner. The electronic apparatus 1 executes a program
recorded in a portable recording medium such as a memory card or a
program received via a network and outputs an image signal
according to operation by the user to the display device. The
electronic apparatus 1 is not limited to the game device. For
example, the electronic apparatus 1 may be a mobile phone, tablet
terminal, camera, portable personal computer, or the like.
[0028] Besides the integrated circuit, various components are
mounted on the circuit board 3.
[0029] Connectors for connecting cables to link external devices to
the electronic apparatus 1 are mounted on the circuit board 3. As
shown in FIG. 3, plural connectors 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D are
mounted on the circuit board 3 of the example described here. For
example, the connector 31A is a connector for connecting an
Ethernet (registered trademark) cable. The connector 31B is a
connector for connecting e.g. an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia
Interface) (registered trademark) cable and is used for a
connection of a display device such as a television and the
electronic apparatus 1. The connector 31C is a USB connector and
the connector 31D is a connector for a power cable. The kinds of
connectors 31A to 31D are not limited thereto and may be
arbitrarily changed depending on functions desired for the
electronic apparatus 1. Furthermore, a slot for accepting a memory
card is mounted on the circuit board 3. On the circuit board 3 of
the example described here, plural (specifically, two) slots 31E
and 31F for each accepting a respective one of different kinds of
cards are mounted. If the electronic apparatus 1 is a game machine,
in the slots 31E and 31F, e.g. a memory card in which a game
program is stored and a memory card for holding various data
acquired via a network are inserted. In the example described here,
the connectors 31A to 31D and the slot 31E are lined along the
front edge of the circuit board 3. The slot 31F is provided at the
left edge of the circuit board 3.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 has a first exterior
member 10 and a second exterior member 20. In the example described
here, the first exterior member 10 has a box shape whose lower side
is opened and the second exterior member 20 has a substantially
plate shape. The second exterior member 20 is attached to the first
exterior member 10 in such a manner as to close the lower side of
the first exterior member 10, and forms the housing 2 together with
the first exterior member 10 through this. The first exterior
member 10 covers the upper side of the circuit board 3 and the
second exterior member 20 covers the lower side of the circuit
board 3.
[0031] [Double-Layer Structure of Housing]
[0032] FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III shown in FIG.
2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the inner surface of the first
exterior member 10. FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line V-V shown
in FIG. 4. FIGS. 6 to 8 are sectional views of the electronic
apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a sectional view obtained at a cut plane
shown by line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a sectional view obtained
at a cut plane shown by line VII-VII in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a
sectional view obtained at a cut plane shown by line VIII-VIII in
FIG. 4.
[0033] The first exterior member 10 has a double-layer structure.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first exterior member 10 has
an inner layer portion 11 forming the inner surface of the housing
2 and an outer layer portion 12 forming the outer surface of the
housing 2. In the example described here, the inner layer portion
11 and the outer layer portion 12 are formed by two-color molding
(double molding) of resin. In the two-color molding, for example,
one layer portion (in the example described here, the inner layer
portion 11) is molded by using a primary mold. Thereafter, the
layer portion formed first is disposed on a secondary mold and the
other layer portion (in the example described here, the outer layer
portion 12) is so molded as to overlap with the one layer portion.
The outer layer portion 12 does not necessarily have to form the
outer surface of the electronic apparatus 1. That is, a panel,
film, sheet, etc. for ornament may be further attached to the outer
surface of the outer layer portion 12.
[0034] The inner surface of the first exterior member 10, i.e. the
inner surface of the housing 2, has a region in which the inner
layer portion 11 is not formed or the thickness of the inner layer
portion 11 is smaller than in the other region, and a component is
disposed in this region. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
inner surface of the first exterior member 10 has a region Al in
which the inner layer portion 11 is not formed. The thickness of
the outer layer portion 12 is even between the region A1 and the
periphery thereof. The first exterior member 10 of the example
described here has a box shape whose lower side is opened as
described above, and has an upper wall part 10a and peripheral wall
parts (a front wall part 10b, a rear wall part 10c, a left wall
part 10d, and a right wall part 10e) surrounding the upper wall
part 10a. The region A1 is set on the lower surface of the upper
wall part 10a.
[0035] The component disposed in the region A1 is a component
thicker than the integrated circuit in one example. Specifically,
the component disposed in the region A1 is the thickest component
among the components attached to the circuit board 3. That is, the
component disposed in the region A1 is a component having the
largest height in the thickness direction of the circuit board 3
(vertical direction). As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 31A is
disposed in the region A1 in the example described here. The region
A1 has a size corresponding to the connector 31A in plan view (see
FIG. 4). The number of such regions is not limited to one. As such
a region in which a component is disposed, plural regions may be
set on the inner surface of the housing 2. In this case, both of a
region in which the inner layer portion 11 is not formed and a
region in which the inner layer portion 11 is thin may be set on
the inner surface of the housing 2.
[0036] This structure of the first exterior member 10 allows size
reduction of the electronic apparatus 1. Specifically, the width of
the electronic apparatus 1 in the vertical direction can be
reduced. Furthermore, the thickness of the outer layer portion 12
can be made even, which can suppress generation of irregularities
in the outer surface of the housing 2 attributed to sink marks of
resin in the molding. Moreover, because the thickness of the first
exterior member 10 is not wholly reduced, the rigidity of the first
exterior member 10 can be ensured. In the example described here,
the first exterior member 10 has the inner layer portion 11 at its
large part. Specifically, the first exterior member 10 has the
inner layer portion 11 at the part other than the region A1, a
region A2 to be described later, and the front wall part 10b.
[0037] The material of the outer layer portion 12 and the material
of the inner layer portion 11 are different from each other. By
forming the first exterior member 10 from two materials having
different natures, advantages of the two materials can be utilized.
For example, the inner layer portion 11 is formed by a resin that
has lower hardness (that is softer) than the outer layer portion
12. This can increase the strength against an external force acting
on the first exterior member 10 (e.g. force pressing the upper side
of the first exterior member 10) with suppression of formation of
scratches and so forth on the surface of the first exterior member
10. The outer layer portion 12 is formed of e.g. ABS
(Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin and the inner layer portion
11 is formed of polycarbonate. The outer layer portion 12 and the
inner layer portion 11 may be formed of the same material.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, in the example described here, the
distance CL between the upper surface of the connector 31A (surface
on the side of the first exterior member 10) and the outer layer
portion 12 is smaller than the thickness of the inner layer portion
11. In other words, the upper part of the connector 31A is disposed
in a recess of the first exterior member 10 generated due to that
the inner layer portion 11 is not formed. This can achieve further
size reduction of the electronic apparatus 1. The position of the
component disposed in the region A1 is not necessarily limited
thereto. For example, if it is preferable that the component
disposed in the region A1 has a comparatively long distance from
the outer layer portion 12, the distance between this component and
the outer layer portion 12 may be larger than the thickness of the
inner layer portion 11.
[0039] The component disposed in the region A1 does not have to be
a connector. For example, if the electronic apparatus 1 includes a
battery and the battery is thicker than the other components, the
region A1 may be set at a position corresponding to the battery.
Furthermore, the component disposed in the region A1 does not
necessarily have to be a component mounted on the circuit board 3
or a component electrically connected to the circuit board 3.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, a chassis 39 that is a metal plate is
attached to one surface of the circuit board 3 (surface on the side
of the first exterior member 10). The chassis 39 covers components
(e.g. integrated circuit) mounted on the circuit board 3. The
chassis 39 is so formed as to keep away from the connector 31A.
Specifically, the chassis 39 has an opening 39a at the position of
the connector 31A. The upper part of the connector 31A is located
on the upper side relative to the chassis 39 and its upper surface
is opposed to the outer layer portion 12. Due to such a shape of
the chassis 39, the distance between the upper surface of the
connector 31A and the outer layer portion 12 can be set smaller
than the thickness of the inner layer portion 11.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner surface of the first
exterior member 10 of the example described here, specifically the
lower surface of the upper wall part 10a, has a region A2 in
addition to the region A1. The region A2 is a region in which the
inner layer portion 11 is not formed or the inner layer portion 11
is thinner than at the other part as with the region A1. The inner
layer portion 11 is not formed in the region A2 of the example
described here. The connector 31C is disposed in the region A2. The
connector 31C is thicker than the connectors other than the
connector 31A, i.e. the two connectors 31B and 31D, and the slots
31E and 31F. That is, the connector 31C has a larger height in the
thickness direction of the circuit board 3 than the components 31B,
31D, 31E, and 31F.
[0042] The distance between the upper surface of the connector 31C
(surface on the side of the first exterior member 10) and the outer
layer portion 12 is smaller than the thickness of the inner layer
portion 11 similarly to the connector 31A for example. This can
achieve further size reduction of the electronic apparatus 1.
Furthermore, a force in the vertical direction often acts on the
connector 31C when a user connects a cable to the connector 31C.
The upward movement of the connector 31C due to this force can be
suppressed by the outer layer portion 12. The position of the
component disposed in the region A2 is not necessarily limited
thereto. For example, if it is preferable that the component
disposed in the region A2 has a comparatively long distance from
the outer layer portion 12, the distance between this component and
the outer layer portion 12 may be larger than the thickness of the
inner layer portion 11.
[0043] Between the two components disposed in the two regions A1
and A2, another component having a lower height than these two
components is disposed. Furthermore, the inner layer portion 11 is
formed at the position corresponding to this another component
differently from the regions A1 and A2. This makes it easier to
keep the rigidity of the first exterior member 10 compared with a
case in which the regions A1 and A2 are continuous for example. In
the example described here, as shown in FIG. 4, the connector 31B
having a lower height than the connectors 31A and 31C is disposed
between them. The component disposed between the connectors 31A and
31C does not necessarily have to be a connector.
[0044] As described above, the first exterior member 10 has the
upper wall part 10a and the rear wall part 10c connected to the
rear edge of the upper wall part 10a. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper
wall part 10a and the rear wall part 10c each have the
above-described outer layer portion 12 and inner layer portion 11.
Specifically, in the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper
wall part 10a, the part except the regions A1 and A2 is formed of
the two layer portions 11 and 12. The rear wall part 10c has the
inner layer portion 11 and the outer layer portion 12 over its
whole region. That is, in the rear wall part 10c, the inner layer
portion 11 is formed over the region from the left end part of the
rear wall part 10c to the right end part. Because two wall parts
have the double-layer structure in this manner, the strength of the
first exterior member 10 can be increased.
[0045] The first exterior member 10 has the front wall part 10b
connected to the front edge of the upper wall part 10a as described
above. In the front wall part 10b, openings 13a to 13d into which
to insert cables connected to the connectors 31A to 31D are formed
(see FIG. 1). Furthermore, an opening 13e for exposing the slot 31E
is formed in the front wall part 10b.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the front wall part 10b has the outer
layer portion 12. The inner surface (rear surface) of the front
wall part 10b does not have the inner layer portion 11 at the part
opposed to the connector 31A. Therefore, the outer layer portion 12
is exposed at this part and the front end of the connector 31A and
the outer layer portion 12 of the front wall part 10b directly face
each other. This brings the position of the connector 31A close to
the opening 13a, which makes it easy for a user to connect a cable
to the connector 31A. Furthermore, the space occupied by the
connector 31A in the space inside the housing 2 can be decreased
and thus the layout of components other than the connector 31A can
be made easy.
[0047] In the example described here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a
rib 11d formed monolithically with the inner layer portion 11 is
formed at the front wall part 10b, whereas the inner layer portion
11 is not formed on the inner surface of the front wall part 10b.
Therefore, not only the connector 31A but also the connectors 31B
to 31D are directly opposed to the outer layer portion 12 of the
front wall part 10b. This makes it easy to connect a cable to these
connectors 31B to 31D. Similarly, the slot 31E is also directly
opposed to the outer layer portion 12 of the front wall part 10b.
This makes it easy to insert a memory card into the slot 31E.
Furthermore, the space occupied by the connectors 31B to 31D in the
space inside the housing 2 can be decreased and thus the layout of
components other than these components can be made easy.
[0048] The first exterior member 10 further has the right wall part
10e and the left wall part 10d connected to the right edge and left
edge, respectively, of the upper wall part 10a as described above.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the right wall part 10e and the
left wall part 10d has the above-described outer layer portion 12
and inner layer portion 11. Because the right wall part 10e and the
left wall part 10d also have the double-layer structure in this
manner, the strength of the first exterior member 10 can be further
increased.
[0049] In the example described here, the outer surface of the left
wall part 10d (side surface of the first exterior member 10) is
curved in a circular arc manner. As shown in FIG. 5, an inner
surface 11m of the inner layer portion 11 of the left wall part 10d
is a substantially vertical surface. Therefore, in molding of the
inner layer portion 11, the inner surface 11m of the inner layer
portion 11 of the left wall part 10d can be formed by moving a mold
in the vertical direction. This facilitates molding of the left
wall part 10d. The outside surface of the inner layer portion 11 of
the left wall part 10d (surface in contact with the outer layer
portion 12) is curved in matching with the outer surface of the
left wall part 10d (outer surface of the outer layer portion 12).
The outer layer portion 12 is curved in a circular arc manner along
the outside surface of the inner layer portion 11. In other words,
the outer layer portion 12 is curved in a circular arc manner and
the inner layer portion 11 is so formed as to fill the inside of
the outer layer portion 12. Therefore, the thickness of the outer
layer portion 12 of the left wall part 10d can be made even. This
can suppress generation of sink marks of resin at the left wall
part 10d.
[0050] These points are the same also in the right wall part 10e.
Specifically, the inner surface of the inner layer portion 11 of
the right wall part 10e is also a substantially vertical surface.
Therefore, molding of the right wall part 10e is also easy.
Furthermore, the outside surface of the inner layer portion 11 of
the right wall part 10e (surface in contact with the outer layer
portion 12) is curved in matching with the outer surface of the
right wall part 10e (outer surface of the outer layer portion 12).
Therefore, the thickness of the outer layer portion 12 of the right
wall part 10e can be made even.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the circuit board 3 is attached to the
first exterior member 10 by plural screws 19. The first exterior
member 10 has plural cylindrical attachment protrusions 11c to each
of which a respective one of the plural screws 19 is attached. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment protrusion 11c is molded
monolithically with the inner layer portion 11. This can suppress
generation of sink marks of resin in the outer surface of the first
exterior member 10 attributed to the attachment protrusions
11c.
[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the inner surface of the
inner layer portion 11 of the right wall part 10e is vertical and
can be formed by moving a mold in the vertical direction. This
allows the attachment protrusion 11c to be formed near the right
wall part 10e as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, if the inner
surface of the inner layer portion 11 of the right wall part 10e is
curved, the mold needs to be slid toward the inside of the first
exterior member 10 to form the inner surface of the inner layer
portion 11 of the right wall part 10e. In this case, a space for
permitting the slide of the mold is necessary between the
attachment protrusion 11c and the inner layer portion 11 of the
right wall part 10e and therefore it is difficult to form the
attachment protrusion 11c near the right wall part 10e. In the
example described here, because the inner surface of the inner
layer portion 11 of the right wall part 10e can be formed by moving
the mold in the vertical direction, such a space is unnecessary and
the distance between the attachment protrusion 11c and the inner
surface of the inner layer portion 11 of the right wall part 10e
can be decreased.
[Assembling Structure of First Exterior Member and Second Exterior
Member]
[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inner surface
(upper surface) of the second exterior member 20. FIG. 10 is a
sectional view along line X-X shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an
enlarged perspective view of the first exterior member 10.
[0054] The second exterior member 20 of the example described here
has a substantially plate shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the second
exterior member 20 has a metal plate 21. By using the metal plate
21 for the second exterior member 20, the thickness of the second
exterior member 20 can be reduced with ensuring of the rigidity of
the second exterior member 20. As a result, size reduction of the
electronic apparatus 1 can be achieved. In the example described
here, as shown in FIG. 3, the metal plate 21 is thinner than the
first exterior member 10. Specifically, the metal plate 21 is
thinner than the inner layer portion 11 of the first exterior
member 10. Furthermore, the metal plate 21 is thinner than the
outer layer portion 12 of the first exterior member 10. An
insulating film 23 is stuck to a surface (lower surface) of the
metal plate 21. The film 23 does not necessarily have to be
provided.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the second exterior member 20 has a
resin portion 22 formed at a peripheral part 21d of the metal plate
21. As described in detail later, the resin portion 22 is formed at
the peripheral part 21d of the metal plate 21 by insert molding.
Specifically, the peripheral part 21d of the metal plate 21 is
buried in the resin portion 22. The resin portion 22 is fixed to
the peripheral part 21d without using a fixing component such as a
screw. In the example described here, the resin portion 22 is
formed only at the peripheral part 21d of the metal plate 21 and
the part inside the peripheral part 21d (plate main body 21e) is
not covered by the resin portion 22. This allows the reduction in
the thickness of the second exterior member 20. The material of the
resin portion 22 is e.g. ABS resin or polycarbonate as with the
first exterior member 10.
[0056] Plural engaged parts 14 and 15 are formed on the inner
surface of the first exterior member 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 11). The
engaged parts 14 and 15 of the example described here are
protrusions that protrude inward. The engaged parts 14 are formed
on the inner surface of the front wall part 10b of the first
exterior member 10. The engaged parts 15 are formed at the rear
wall part 10c, the left wall part 10d, and the right wall part 10e
of the first exterior member 10. As shown in FIG. 9, engagement
parts 21a and 22a are formed in the second exterior member 20. The
engagement parts 21a and 22a engage with the engaged parts 14 and
15, respectively, of the first exterior member 10 to assemble the
second exterior member 20 to the first exterior member 10. The
engagement parts 21a are formed monolithically with the metal plate
21. Therefore, the engagement parts 21a are formed of a metal. The
engagement parts 22a are molded monolithically with the resin
portion 22. Therefore, the engagement parts 22a are formed of a
resin. The engagement parts 22a are elastically deformable and are
elastically deformed in the process of assembling the second
exterior member 20 to the first exterior member 10, i.e. in the
process of engaging the engagement parts 22a with the engaged parts
15.
[0057] By providing the resin portion 22 at the peripheral part 21d
of the metal plate 21 and forming the engagement parts 22a on this
resin portion 22 in this manner, easy assembling of the second
exterior member 20 to the first exterior member 10 is enabled.
Specifically, to assemble the second exterior member 20 to the
first exterior member 10 without using a fixing component such as a
screw, an engagement part that engages with the first exterior
member 10 should be formed in the second exterior member 20. If the
second exterior member 20 is formed only of the metal plate 21
having high rigidity in the structure in which the two exterior
members 10 and 20 are assembled by using the engagement part, it is
difficult to assemble the second exterior member 20 to the first
exterior member 10 because the engagement parts 21a formed on the
metal plate 21 are difficult to deform. In the electronic apparatus
1, because the resin portion 22 is formed at the peripheral part
21d of the metal plate 21 and the elastically deformable engagement
parts 22a are molded monolithically with this resin portion 22, the
second exterior member 20 can be easily assembled to the first
exterior member 10.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, the resin portion 22 is so formed as to
surround the outer edge of the metal plate 21. The resin portion 22
of the example described here is formed at the rear edge and left
and right edges of the metal plate 21. The part formed at the rear
edge of the metal plate 21 and the parts formed at the left and
right edges are connected to each other. This strongly fixes the
resin portion 22 to the metal plate 21. The resin portion 22 is not
provided at a front edge 21b of the metal plate 21 and the front
edge 21b is exposed. The shape of the resin portion 22 is not
limited thereto. For example, the resin portion 22 may be formed
only at a position at which the engagement part 22a should be
formed. That is, the resin portion 22 may be formed only at part of
the rear edge of the metal plate 21 or part of the left and right
edges. The resin portion 22 may be formed also at the front edge
21b of the metal plate 21.
[0059] As described above, in the front wall part 10b, the openings
13a to 13e for exposing the connectors 31A to 31D and the slot 31E
are formed. Therefore, an external force readily acts on the front
wall part 10b when a user connects a cable or inserts a memory card
for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the second exterior member 20 is
fitted to the inside of the peripheral wall parts of the first
exterior member 10 (front wall part 10b, rear wall part 10c, left
wall part 10d, and right wall part 10e). The front edge 21b of the
metal plate 21 abuts against the inside of the front wall part 10b
of the first exterior member 10. Because the metal plate 21 abuts
against the inside of the front wall part 10b, on which an external
force readily acts, in this manner, the strength of the front wall
part 10b against the external force can be enhanced.
[0060] The front edge 21b of the metal plate 21 is bent upward as
shown in FIG. 9. This can further enhance the rigidity of the metal
plate 21 and increase the strength of the front edge 21b against a
force acting on the front wall part 10b. Plural (in this example,
two) protrusions 21c are formed on the front edge 21b. The
protrusions 21c protrude from the front edge 21b further upward and
are disposed along the front wall part 10b of the first exterior
member 10. The protrusions 21c are disposed corresponding to the
position of the connector 31C (see FIG. 1). This can suppress
acting of a large burden on the connector 31C when a cable is
connected to the connector 31C.
[0061] The resin portion 22 has the engagement parts 22a located on
the opposite side to the engagement parts 21a of the metal plate 21
in the direction perpendicular to the assembling direction of the
first exterior member 10 and the second exterior member 20. The
first exterior member 10 and the second exterior member 20 of the
example described here are assembled in the vertical direction. The
resin portion 22 has the engagement parts 22a located on the
opposite side to the engagement parts 21a in the front-rear
direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the engagement parts
21a are provided at the front edge of the metal plate 21 and the
resin portion 22 has the engagement parts 22a located at the rear
edge of the second exterior member 20. Therefore, in assembling the
first exterior member 10 to the second exterior member 20, first
the engagement parts 21a are engaged with the engaged parts 14 of
the first exterior member 10 in a state in which the second
exterior member 20 is inclined relative to the first exterior
member 10. Then, the engagement parts 22a are engaged with the
engaged parts 15. At this time, the engagement parts 22a are
temporarily elastically deformed to engage with the engaged parts
15.
[0062] The engagement parts 22a are formed also at the right edge
and left edge of the second exterior member 20. That is, the
engagement parts 21a of the metal plate 21 are provided only at one
of the four edges of the second exterior member 20 (front edge,
rear edge, right edge, and left edge) and the engagement parts 22a
monolithic with the resin portion 22 are formed at the remaining
three edges. This allows increase in the number of engagement parts
without causing difficulty in assembling of the second exterior
member 20 and the first exterior member 10.
[0063] In the example described here, the engaged parts 14 and 15
of the first exterior member 10 are protrusions that protrude
toward the inside of the first exterior member 10. Holes are formed
in the engagement parts 21a and 22a of the second exterior member
20 (see FIG. 9) and the engaged parts 14 and 15 are fitted to these
holes (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Slopes 15a are formed in the engaged
parts 15 formed at the rear wall part 10c, the left wall part 10d,
and the right wall part 10e of the first exterior member 10 (see
FIGS. 8 and 11). In assembling the first exterior member 10 to the
second exterior member 20, the engagement parts 22a of the second
exterior member 20 are pushed by the slopes 15a to be inclined
inward, which can facilitate the assembling work. The structure of
the engaged parts 14 and 15 and the engagement parts 21a and 22a is
not limited thereto. For example, the engagement part 22a may have
a hook shape.
[0064] The second exterior member 20 is fitted to the inside of the
peripheral wall parts of the first exterior member 10 (front wall
part 10b, rear wall part 10c, left wall part 10d, and right wall
part 10e). On the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall parts,
support parts for supporting the second exterior member 20, i.e.
for preventing the sinking of the second exterior member 20, are
formed. In the example described here, the support parts are molded
monolithically with the inner layer portion 11 included in the
first exterior member 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, plural
support ribs 11a are formed monolithically with the inner layer
portion 11 at the rear wall part 10c. The lower ends of the
supports ribs 11a are located at positions higher than the lower
end of the outer layer portion 12. The rear edge of the second
exterior member 20 is supported by the lower ends of the support
ribs 11a. That is, the sinking of the second exterior member 20 is
suppressed. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plural
support ribs 11a are formed monolithically with the inner layer
portion 11 at the front wall part 10b, the left wall part 10d, and
the right wall part 10e. The lower ends of the support ribs 11a are
located at positions higher than the lower end of the outer layer
portion 12. The front edge, left edge, and right edge of the second
exterior member 20 are each supported by the lower ends of the
support ribs 11a.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, ribs 22b extending along the left-right
direction are formed at the rear edge of the second exterior member
20 (rear edge of the resin portion 22). As shown in FIG. 11,
protrusions 11b are formed at the rear wall part 10c of the first
exterior member 10. The rib 22b of the second exterior member 20 is
disposed between the protrusion 11b and the rear wall part 10c of
the first exterior member 10. This can suppress generation of a gap
between the rear edge of the second exterior member 20 and the rear
wall part 10c of the first exterior member 10. In the example
described here, the protrusions 11b are molded monolithically with
the inner layer portion 11. The rib 22b of the second exterior
member 20 is sandwiched between the protrusion 11b of the inner
layer portion 11 and the outer layer portion 12. By forming the
protrusions 11b on the inner layer portion 11 in this manner,
generation of subtle irregularities (sink marks of resin) in the
outer surface of the first exterior member 10 attributed to the
protrusions 11b can be suppressed.
[0066] In the example described here, in assembling the second
exterior member 20 to the first exterior member 10, the engagement
parts 21a at the front edge of the metal plate 21 are engaged with
the engaged parts 14 of the first exterior member 10 in a state in
which the second exterior member 20 is inclined. Thereafter, the
engagement parts 22a of the resin portion 22 are engaged with the
engaged parts 15 of the first exterior member 10. Therefore, at the
front wall part 10b of the first exterior member 10, a part
equivalent to the protrusion 11b of the rear wall part 10c is not
formed. Specifically, if a part equivalent to the protrusion 11b is
formed at the front wall part 10b, there is a fear that the
engagement parts 21a of the metal plate 21 interfere with the
protrusion 11b of the front wall part 10b and the assembling work
of the second exterior member 20 and the first exterior member 10
is not smoothly performed. Therefore, in the example described
here, a part equivalent to the protrusion 11b of the rear wall part
10c is not formed at the front wall part 10b of the first exterior
member 10.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, at the front wall part 10b of the first
exterior member 10, the inner layer portion 11 has a rib 11d
extending from the support rib 11a, which supports the second
exterior member 20, toward the attachment protrusion 11c. The
circuit board 3 is attached to the attachment protrusion 11c and
the attachment protrusion 11c is connected to the outer layer
portion 12 of the front wall part 10b via the ribs 11d and 11a.
This can suppress the forward expansion of the front wall part 10b,
i.e. generation of a gap between the front wall part 10b and the
front edge of the second exterior member 20. The attachment
protrusion 11c shown in FIG. 6 is located between the connector 31C
(in the example described here, USB connector) and the connector
31B (in the example described here, connector for HDMI (registered
trademark) cable). This can suppress the bending of the circuit
board 3 near the connectors 31C and 31B. As a result, the stability
of the electrical connection between the connectors 31C and 31B and
the circuit board 3 can be enhanced.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, a shield 4 is provided on the lower
surface of the circuit board 3. The shield 4 is a metal plate and
functions as a component for a countermeasure against
electromagnetic radiation and/or for heat release. The metal plate
21 of the second exterior member 20 is electrically connected to
this shield 4. For example, a plate spring is formed for the shield
4 and the metal plate 21 is electrically connected to the shield 4
via this plate spring.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 10, the resin portion 22 is so formed as to
clamp the edge of the metal plate 21. In other words, the resin
portion 22 covers the front side and back side of the peripheral
part 21d of the metal plate 21. The metal plate 21 has the
peripheral part 21d and the plate main body 21e as the part inside
the peripheral part 21d. A step 21f is formed between the
peripheral part 21d and the plate main body 21e. The peripheral
part 21d and the step 21f are located inside the resin portion 22.
Because the step 21f is also located inside the resin portion 22 in
addition to the peripheral part 21d in this manner, the fixing
between the resin portion 22 and the metal plate 21 is made
stronger. The structure of the resin portion 22 is not limited
thereto. For example, the resin portion 22 may be so formed as to
cover only one of the front side and back side of the peripheral
part 21d of the metal plate 21.
[0070] FIGS. 12A to 12C are schematic diagrams for explaining a
manufacturing method of the electronic apparatus 1, specifically a
manufacturing method of the second exterior member 20. As shown in
FIG. 12A, the metal plate 21 for which sheet-metal processing has
been executed is prepared. Specifically, the above-described step
21f and peripheral part 21d are formed by cut processing and
bending processing. Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, the metal plate 21
is disposed in molds B1 and B2 and a molten resin is injected and
poured into the inside of the molds B1 and B2 (insert molding).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12C, the resin portion 22 is molded at
the peripheral part 21d of the metal plate 21. At this time, the
above-described engagement parts 22a (not shown in FIGS. 12A to
12C) are also molded, so that the second exterior member 20 is
obtained. The above-described engagement parts 21a of the metal
plate 21 and the front edge 21b bent upward may be formed by
bending processing and so forth before the insert molding or may be
formed after the insert molding. After the forming of the second
exterior member 20, the second exterior member 20 is assembled to
the first exterior member 10 to which the circuit board 3 is fixed.
Specifically, first the engagement parts 21a of the metal plate 21
are engaged with the engaged parts 14 of the first exterior member
10 in a state in which the second exterior member 20 is inclined.
Thereafter, the engagement parts 22a of the resin portion 22 are
engaged with the engaged parts 15 of the first exterior member 10.
In this engagement process, the engagement parts 22a are
temporarily elastically deformed.
[Structure of Button Member]
[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 has a button
member 40. The button member 40 is used as e.g. a power button of
the electronic apparatus 1. The use form of the button member 40 is
not limited thereto and may be arbitrarily changed.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the button member 40. FIG.
14 is an enlarged view of a region shown by XIV in FIG. 4. FIG. 15
is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus 1 along line XV-XV
shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 15, a side face of the button member 40
is shown.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, the button member 40 has a pressed part
41 for being pressed by a user, elastic arm parts 42, and a base
part 43. They are monolithically formed by resin.
[0074] In the example described here, an opening is formed in the
front surface of the housing 2 (front wall part 10b of the first
exterior member 10). The button member 40 is housed in the housing
2 and the front surface of the pressed part 41 is exposed through
the opening of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.
15, a switch 33 mounted on the circuit board 3 is disposed on the
rear side of the pressed part 41. Through rearward pressing of the
pressed part 41 by a user, the switch 33 enters the on-state or
off-state. The opening for exposing the button member 40 may be
formed in the second exterior member 20.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 13, the button member 40 of the example
described here has the two elastic arm parts 42. The pressed part
41 is disposed between the two elastic arm parts 42. One end part
of each of the elastic arm parts 42 is connected to the pressed
part 41. The elastic arm parts 42 extend in a direction
intersecting the direction in which a user presses the pressed part
41 (hereinafter, the direction in which the pressed part 41 is
pressed will be referred to as the "button pressing direction"). In
the example described here, the button pressing direction is the
rearward direction and the elastic arm part 42 extend upward from
the pressed part 41. When the pressed part 41 is pressed by a user,
the elastic arm parts 42 generate a reaction force against the
pressing. When the pressing by the user is released, the pressed
part 41 reverts to the initial position. Specifically, the pressed
part 41 returns to a position at which, as shown in FIG. 15, a
flange part 41a formed at the periphery of the pressed part 41
abuts against an edge formed at the front wall part 10b of the
housing 2.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 13, the base part 43 is formed at the other
end parts (in the example described here, upper ends) of the
elastic arm parts 42. The base part 43 extends from the elastic arm
parts 42 in the button pressing direction. That is, the base part
43 extends rearward. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a support part 16
is provided inside the housing 2. The support part 16 is located on
the rear side (in the button pressing direction) relative to the
base part 43. When the pressed part 41 is pressed, the support part
16 supports the base part 43 in the opposite direction to the
pressing direction. Such button member 40 and attachment structure
can reduce the number of components and can also simplify
attachment work of the button member 40.
[0077] In the example described here, the opening for exposing the
pressed part 41 is formed in the front wall part 10b of the housing
2. The housing 2 has another wall part intersecting the front wall
part 10b. The support part 16 is formed on this another wall part.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the support part 16 is formed on
the inner surface of the upper wall part 10a. In this manner, the
opening for exposing the pressed part 41 is formed in one of two
wall parts intersecting each other and the support part 16 is
formed on the other wall part. According to this structure, there
is no need to provide a dedicated component as the support part 16.
Thus, the number of components can be reduced and attachment work
of the button member 40 can also be simplified.
[0078] A recess is formed in the upper wall part 10a and the base
part 43 is disposed in this recess. This facilitates ensuring of
the length of the elastic arm parts 42. As a result, adjustment of
the force necessary for the user to press the pressed part 41 is
made easy and the elastic deformation of the elastic arm parts 42
is facilitated. The first exterior member 10 of the example
described here has the inner layer portion 11 and the outer layer
portion 12 as described above. As shown in FIG. 15, the inner layer
portion 11 is not formed in the region in which the base part 43 is
disposed similarly to the above-described regions A1 and A2. That
is, the recess is formed in the inner surface of the upper wall
part 10a by utilizing that the inner layer portion 11 is not
formed.
[0079] The first exterior member 10 does not necessarily need to
have the double-layer structure in the region in which the base
part 43 is disposed. In this case, the recess may be formed in the
upper wall part 10a formed of one layer and the base part 43 may be
disposed in this recess.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 14, the support part 16 protrudes from the
upper wall part 10a and surrounds the rear part of the base part
43. Specifically, the support part 16 has a left part 16a and a
right part 16b between which the base part 43 is disposed.
Furthermore, the support part 16 has a rear part 16c located on the
rear side of the base part 43. When the pressed part 41 is pressed
in the button pressing direction, the rear part 16c supports the
base part 43 in the opposite direction to the button pressing
direction. This structure can stabilize the position of the base
part 43 of the button member 40. As shown in FIG. 15, the support
part 16 is molded monolithically with the inner layer portion 11.
This can suppress generation of sink marks of resin in the outer
surface of the housing 2 (outer surface of the first exterior
member 10) attributed to the support part 16.
[0081] In the housing 2, a component opposed to the upper wall part
10a with the intermediary of the base part 43 is disposed. In the
example shown in FIG. 15, the chassis 39 covering the circuit board
3 is opposed to the upper wall part 10a in the vertical direction
with the intermediary of the base part 43. This can suppress
separation of the base part 43 from the upper wall part 10a more
surely. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the chassis 39 has a
switch cover part 39c that covers the switch 33. A protrusion 39b
extending toward the base part 43 is formed at the edge of the
switch cover part 39c. By this protrusion 39b, separation of the
base part 43 from the upper wall part 10a can be suppressed more
surely. Distance L1 between the protrusion 39b and the base part 43
is smaller than width L2 of the part overlapping with the rear part
16c of the support part 16 in the base part 43.
[0082] The elastic arm parts 42 bias the pressed part 41 forward
also in the initial state (state in which the pressed part 41 is
not pressed by a user). Furthermore, the size of the opening formed
in the front wall part 10b of the housing 2 corresponds to the size
of the pressed part 41. Therefore, the positional deviation of the
button member 40 is restricted also by the biasing force (elastic
force) of the elastic arm parts 42. Specifically, by the elastic
force of the elastic arm parts 42, the pressed part 41 is pressed
against the edge of the opening in the front wall part 10b and the
base part 43 is pressed against the rear part 16c of the support
part 16. Therefore, the positional deviation of the button member
40 is restricted.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 13, the connection parts between the
elastic arm parts 42 and the pressed part 41 (end parts of the
elastic arm parts 42) are located on the lower side relative to the
center of the pressed part 41. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15,
distance L3 from the base part 43 to the connection part between
the elastic arm part 42 and the pressed part 41 is longer than
distance L4 from the base part 43 to the center of the pressed part
41. This allows ensuring of the length of the elastic arm parts 42
and facilitates the elastic deformation of the elastic arm parts
42. The position of the switch 33 is offset from the center of the
pressed part 41 in such a direction as to get away from the base
part 43, specifically in the downward direction. A protrusion 41b
for pressing the switch 33 is formed on the rear surface of the
pressed part 41 (surface on the side of the switch 33).
[0084] The button member 40 has the two elastic arm parts 42. The
pressed part 41 is disposed between the two elastic arm parts 42.
The elastic arm parts 42 are connected to the outer circumferential
part of the pressed part 41. The two elastic arm parts 42 extend
upward and get close to each other with bending to be connected to
the tip of the common base part 43. The base part 43 extends
rearward from the connection part of the two elastic arm parts 42.
By connecting the two elastic arm parts 42 to the one base part 43
in this manner, the placement region of the base part 43 in the
upper wall part 10a can be reduced. In the example described here,
the base part 43 is disposed in the recess in the upper wall part
10a. Thus, the region of the recess (region in which the inner
layer portion 11 is not formed) can be narrowed by connecting the
two elastic arm parts 42 to the one base part 43 in this
manner.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 15, thickness W1 of the base part 43 is
larger than thickness W2 of the elastic arm part 42. This can
increase the stability of the support by the left part 16a and the
right part 16b of the support part 16. That is, suppression of the
positional deviation of the support part 16 in the right direction
and the left direction is facilitated. The rear part 16c of the
support part 16 is lower than the left part 16a and the right part
16b in height.
[0086] The base part 43 of the example described here is formed
comparatively long. Specifically, length L5 of the base part 43 in
the button pressing direction is larger than the width (thickness)
W1 of the base part 43 in the extension direction of the elastic
arm parts 42. Due to this, work of attaching the button member 40
to the housing 2 can be smoothly performed. In the example
described here, the length L5 is longer than the distance L3 from
the base part 43 to the connection part between the elastic arm
part 42 and the pressed part 41. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams
showing the attachment step of the button member 40. FIG. 16A shows
an attachment process when the base part 43 is set short. FIG. 16B
shows an attachment process when the base part 43 is set long.
[0087] In attaching the button member 40 to the housing 2, first
the pressed part 41 is fitted into the opening formed in the
housing 2 as shown in these diagrams. At this time, the pressed
part 41 is disposed right with respect to the opening because the
size of the opening substantially corresponds with the size of the
pressed part 41. That is, the pressed part 41 is disposed in
substantially parallel to the wall part in which the opening is
formed (in the above description, front wall part 10b). On the
other hand, the rear end of the base part 43 is not fitted to the
inside of the support part 16 but located on the support part 16.
Therefore, the base part 43 and the elastic arm parts 42 are
inclined. As shown in FIG. 16A, when the base part 43 is set short,
an angle .alpha.1 of the elastic arm part 42 from the pressed part
41 is large and an angle .alpha.2 of the base part 43 from the
elastic arm part 42 is small. That is, a large burden acts on the
button member 40. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the base
part 43 is set long, an angle .alpha.3 of the elastic arm part 42
from the pressed part 41 is smaller than the angle .alpha.1 and an
angle .alpha.4 of the base part 43 from the elastic arm part 42 is
larger than the angle .alpha.2. That is, the burden acting on the
button member 40 is smaller. Thus, work of attaching the button
member 40 to the housing 2 can be smoothly performed.
[Light Leakage Prevention Structure]
[0088] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a region shown by XVII in
FIG. 4. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the electronic apparatus 1
along line XVIII-XVIII shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a sectional
view of the electronic apparatus 1 along line XIX-XIX shown in FIG.
17. In FIG. 17, a light blocking member 35 to be described later is
hatched.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 19, an LED 34 is mounted on the circuit
board 3. The LED 34 is lit according to the operating state of the
electronic apparatus 1 for example. As described above, the first
exterior member 10 has the double-layer structure. The inner layer
portion 11 is formed of an optically transparent material. For
example, the material of the inner layer portion 11 is
polycarbonate as described above. The inner layer portion 11 of the
rear wall part 10c has a light receiving part 11h that protrudes
toward the inside of the first exterior member 10 and is opposed to
the LED 34 in the vertical direction. Light of the LED 34 is
incident on the light receiving part 11h. A hole is formed in the
outer layer portion 12 of the rear wall part 10c and a light
emitting part 11i of the inner layer portion 11 is formed inside
this hole. The light emitting part 11i extends rearward from the
position at which the light receiving part 11h is formed. In the
light receiving part 11h, a slope 11k to reflect light incident
from the LED 34 toward the light emitting part 11i is formed. Due
to this, when the LED 34 is lit, light thereof goes out to the
outside from the light emitting part 11i.
[0090] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the light receiving part 11h is
disposed inside the light blocking member 35 formed of an elastic
material such as rubber. Specifically, a slit 35a is formed in the
light blocking member 35 and the light receiving part 11h is
disposed in this slit 35a. The slit 35a is opened toward the LED 34
and toward the rear wall part 10c. By this light blocking member
35, the incidence of light of the LED 34 on the part other than the
light receiving part 11h in the inner layer portion 11 can be
suppressed. As a result, for example even when the outer layer
portion 12 is formed with a material or color that allows
transmission of light comparatively easily, the leakage of light
from the part other than the light emitting part 11i can be
suppressed.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 18, the light blocking member 35 has a part
35b that blocks light traveling from the LED 34 toward the left
wall part 10d. The light blocking member 35 of the example
described here is formed of an elastic material. Furthermore, the
left wall part 10d is curved. Therefore, the light blocking member
35 also bends in conformity with this curve. This forms the part
35b between the LED 34 and the left wall part 10d.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 19, a sheet 36 is attached to the circuit
board 3. A rear part 36a of the sheet 36 is bent to be disposed
along the rear wall part 10c. The rear part 36a closes the gap
between the rear edge of the circuit board 3 and the light blocking
member 35. This rear part 36a blocks light emitted rearward from
the LED 34 toward the rear wall part 10c. As shown in FIG. 18, a
left part 36b of the sheet 36 is also bent to be disposed along the
left wall part 10d. Even when a gap is formed between the part 35b
of the light blocking member 35 and the circuit board 3 due to e.g.
the positional deviation of the light blocking member 35, light
that goes out from this gap toward the left wall part 10d can be
blocked by the left part 36b.
[0093] According to the electronic apparatus 1 described above, the
following advantages are obtained.
[0094] The first exterior member 10 of the electronic apparatus 1
has the inner layer portion 11 forming the inner surface thereof
and the outer layer portion 12 forming the outer surface, and the
inner layer portion 11 and the outer layer portion 12 are formed by
two-color molding. Furthermore, in the inner surface of the first
exterior member 10, the regions A1 and A2, in which the inner layer
portion 11 is not formed or the inner layer portion 11 is thin, are
set and components (specifically, connectors 31A and 31C) are
disposed in these regions. This can reduce the width of the
electronic apparatus 1 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the
thickness of the outer layer portion 12 can be made even, which can
suppress generation of concavities and convexities in the outer
surface attributed to sink marks of resin in the molding. Moreover,
because the thickness of the first exterior member 10 is not wholly
reduced, the rigidity of the first exterior member 10 can be
ensured.
[0095] The attachment protrusions 11c to which the screws 19 that
fix the circuit board 3 to the first exterior member 10 are
attached are molded monolithically with the inner layer portion 11.
This can suppress generation of sink marks of resin in the outer
surface of the first exterior member 10 attributed to the
attachment protrusions 11c.
[0096] The first exterior member 10 has the upper wall part 10a,
and the rear wall part 10c, the left wall part 10d and the right
wall part 10e, which are connected to edges of the upper wall part
10a. These wall parts have the inner layer portion 11 and the outer
layer portion 12. This can further increase the strength of the
first exterior member 10.
[0097] The first exterior member 10 has the front wall part 10b in
which the openings 13a to 13d for insertion of cables connected to
the connectors 31A to 31D are formed. The front wall part 10b has
the outer layer portion 12 and the inner surface of the front wall
part 10b does not have the inner layer portion 11 at the parts
opposed to the connectors 31A to 31D. This reduces the distances
between the connectors 31A to 31D and the openings 13a to 13d and
thus makes it easy for a user to connect cables. Furthermore, the
space occupied by the connectors 31A to 31D in the space inside the
housing 2 can be decreased and thus the layout of components in the
housing 2 can be made easy.
[0098] The inner layer portion 11 is formed of a material having
lower hardness than the outer layer portion 12. This can realize
the first exterior member 10 having high strength against the
external force.
[0099] In the field of electronic apparatus disclosed in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2012/188694, a housing has two
exterior members opposed to each other and is formed by combining
them in some cases. In one example, an upper exterior member has a
box shape whose lower surface is opened and a lower exterior member
has a box shape whose upper surface is opened. The upper exterior
member and the lower exterior member are combined with each other
in the vertical direction to form a box-shaped housing. However, in
terms of favorable appearance of electronic apparatus, it is not
preferable to fix the two exterior members to each other by a
component such as a screw exposed at the outer surface of the
electronic apparatus. Reducing the thickness of the exterior member
is effective for size reduction of electronic apparatus. However,
reducing the thickness of the exterior member lowers the rigidity
of the exterior member.
[0100] The electronic apparatus 1 has the first exterior member 10
and the second exterior member 20. The electronic apparatus 1 has
the housing 2 formed by combining them, the engaged parts 15 formed
in the first exterior member 10, and the engagement parts 22a,
which are formed in the second exterior member 20 and get caught on
the engaged parts 15 of the first exterior member 10 to combine the
second exterior member 20 with the first exterior member 10. The
second exterior member 20 has the metal plate 21 and the resin
portion 22 provided at at least part of the periphery of the metal
plate 21. The engagement parts 22a of the second exterior member 20
are molded monolithically with the resin portion 22 and are
elastically deformable. According to this, the rigidity of the
second exterior member 20 can be ensured because the metal plate 21
is used. Furthermore, because the elastically deformable engagement
parts 22a are formed on the resin portion 22, the first exterior
member 10 and the second exterior member 20 can be easily assembled
with suppression of the exposure of the attachment structure at the
outer surface of the electronic apparatus 1.
[0101] The manufacturing method of the electronic apparatus 1
includes: preparing the metal plate 21; forming, by insert molding,
the resin portion 22 having the engagement parts 22a for being
engaged with the engaged parts 15 of the first exterior member 10
at at least part of the peripheral part of the metal plate 21 and
employing the resulting object as the second exterior member 20;
and elastically deforming the engagement parts 22a of the second
exterior member 20 and engaging the engagement parts 22a with the
engaged parts 15 of the first exterior member 10 to combine the
first exterior member 10 with the second exterior member 20.
According to this, the rigidity of the second exterior member 20
can be ensured because the metal plate 21 is used. Furthermore,
because the engagement parts 22a are formed on the resin portion
22, the elastic deformation of the engagement parts 22a is
facilitated. Because the engagement parts 22a of the second
exterior member 20 are engaged with the engaged parts 15 of the
first exterior member 10 to combine the first exterior member 10
with the second exterior member 20, the exposure of the attachment
structure at the outer surface of the electronic apparatus 1 can be
suppressed. Furthermore, because the engagement parts 22a are
formed on the resin portion 22 and thus the elastic deformation of
the engagement parts 22a is facilitated, the first exterior member
10 and the second exterior member 20 can be easily assembled.
[0102] The engagement parts 21a of the second exterior member 20
are formed on the metal plate 21. The resin portion 22 has the
engagement parts 22a. If the assembling direction of the first
exterior member 10 and the second exterior member 20 is defined as
a first direction, the engagement parts 22a are located on the
opposite side to the engagement parts 21a in a second direction
perpendicular to the first direction. According to this, the
engagement parts 21a can be engaged with the engaged parts 14 of
the first exterior member 10 in a state in which the second
exterior member 20 is inclined relative to the first exterior
member 10 and then the engagement parts 22a can be engaged with the
engaged parts 15. Thus, work of assembling the two exterior members
10 and 20 can be made easy.
[0103] The second exterior member 20 is fitted to the inside of the
first exterior member 10. The metal plate 21 has the front edge 21b
abutting against the inside of the first exterior member 10.
[0104] According to this, the strength of the first exterior member
10 can be increased by the metal plate 21.
[0105] The metal plate 21 and the resin portion 22 of the second
exterior member 20 are formed by insert molding. This can strongly
fix the metal plate 21 and the resin portion 22 without increasing
the thickness of the whole of the second exterior member 20.
[0106] In small-size electronic apparatus like one disclosed in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/188694, buttons having
comparatively small sizes are used as various buttons such as a
power button. The button should generate a reaction force when
being pressed by a user. As a structure to generate the reaction
force, there is e.g. a structure in which an elastically deformable
arm is formed for the button and an end part of the arm is fixed to
the inner surface of the housing by heat welding. When the heat
welding is used to fix the arm of the button, the manufacturing
step of the electronic apparatus becomes complicated. When the size
of the button becomes smaller, work of the heat welding becomes
further complicated.
[0107] In the electronic apparatus 1, the button member 40 has the
pressed part 41 for being pressed by a user, the elastic arm parts
42 extending from the pressed part 41 in a direction intersecting
the button pressing direction, and the base part 43, which is
formed at end parts of the elastic arm parts 42 and extends along
the button pressing direction. Inside the housing 2, the support
part 16 is provided, which is located in the button pressing
direction relative to the base part 43 and supports the base part
43 in the opposite direction to the button pressing direction when
the pressed part 41 is pressed. This can simplify work of attaching
the button member compared with the related-art structure in which
the button member is attached by heat welding.
[0108] The opening for exposing the pressed part 41 is formed in
the front wall part 10b and the support part 16 is formed on the
inner surface of the upper wall part 10a. This eliminates the need
for a dedicated member functioning as the support part 16. Thus,
reduction in the number of components can be achieved and the
structure can be simplified.
[0109] A recess is formed in the inner surface of the upper wall
part 10a and the base part 43 is disposed in this recess. According
to this, ensuring of the length of the elastic arm parts 42 is
facilitated and adjustment of the force necessary for the user to
press the pressed part 41 is made easy.
[0110] Inside the housing 2, the chassis 39 opposed to the upper
wall part 10a with the intermediary of the base part 43 is
disposed, and separation of the base part 43 from the inner surface
of the upper wall part 10a is suppressed by this chassis 39. This
can suppress separation of the button member 40 from the upper wall
part 10a more surely.
[0111] The button member 40 has the two elastic arm parts 42 and
end parts of the two elastic arm parts 42 are connected to the
common base part 43. This can reduce the region for disposing the
base part 43.
[0112] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the
electronic apparatus described above and various changes may be
made. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be
applied to electrode apparatus having a display and an operation
member.
* * * * *