Electronic apparatus

A portable computer includes a speaker device and a first casing. The speaker device includes a speaker main body and a speaker housing for housing the speaker main body. The first casing has a bottom wall. The bottom wall has swelling portion which swells outward and contains at least part of the speaker housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-133603, filed Apr. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a casing for housing a speaker device.

2. Description of the Related Art

As an example of an electronic apparatus, there exists a portable computer in which a speaker device that reproduces sound, such as video or music, is housed in a casing.

A speaker device of this type has a speaker main body and a speaker housing for housing the speaker main body.

In a speaker device of this type, it is thought that the speaker housing is increased in size in order to improve sound quality.

On the other hand, for easy carrying of a portable computer, it is desirable that the portable computer be formed in compact form.

Therefore, if the speaker housing is increased in size in a height direction for sound quality improvement, the thickness of the portable computer increases, resulting in an increase in the size of the portable computer.

If the speaker housing is increased in size in a width direction, the area occupied by the speaker housing within the casing of the portable computer increases. In this case, in order to prevent interference between other components, such as a PCB (printed circuit board), housed in the casing of the portable computer and the speaker housing, the other components such as the PCB need to be reduced in size. It is not desirable to reduce the size of the other components such as the PCB.

In view of this, a speaker device is proposed which achieves sound quality improvement by changing the capacity of a speaker housing when a portable computer is in use. For example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-56185 discloses such a speaker device.

In the speaker device disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-56185, however, part of the speaker housing projects over a plane where a keyboard is provided, because the capacity of the speaker housing is changed. Accordingly, the user may find the usability of the portable computer to be poor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic apparatus includes a speaker device and a casing. The speaker device includes a speaker main body and a speaker housing which houses the speaker main body. The casing has a bottom wall. The bottom wall has a swelling portion which swells outward and contains at least part of the speaker housing.

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 5, an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing the portable computer10. As shown inFIG. 1, the portable computer10includes a computer main body20and a display unit30.

The computer main body20includes a first casing21, a keyboard22, speaker devices50and the like. The speaker device50is shown inFIG. 2. The first casing21is, as referred to in the present invention, an example of the casing. The first casing21has a flat box shape. Inside the first casing21houses components such as a hard disk drive and a PCB (printed circuit board)60.

The first casing21has a cover portion23, a base portion24, and a keyboard retaining member25.

The cover portion23forms a top portion of the first casing21. The base portion24forms a bottom portion of the first casing21.

The cover portion23opens downward. The cover portion23has a top wall23a, a cover portion front wall23b, a cover portion left wall23c, a cover portion right wall23d, and a cover portion rear wall23e. The cover portion right wall23dand the cover portion rear wall23eare shown inFIG. 3.

On a top side of the top wall23ais provided the keyboard22. The keyboard22is provided substantially at the center of the top wall23a. At a rear end portion of the top wall23ais provided the keyboard retaining member25. The keyboard retaining member25is overlaid on the rear end portion of the top wall23afrom above.

The cover portion front wall23bis formed at a front rim of the top wall23aand extends downward. The cover portion left wall23cis formed at a left rim of the top wall23aand extends downward. The cover portion right wall23dis formed at a right rim of the top wall23aand extends downward. The cover portion rear wall23eis formed at a rear rim of the top wall23aand extends downward.

The base portion24opens upward. The base portion24has a bottom wall24a, a base portion front wall24b, a base portion left wall24c, a base portion right wall24d, and a base portion rear wall24e. The bottom wall24aand the base portion rear wall24eare shown inFIG. 2. The base portion front wall24bis shown inFIG. 3.

The base portion front wall24bis formed at a front rim of the bottom wall24aand extends upward. The base portion left wall24cis formed at a left rim of the bottom wall24aand extends upward. The base portion right wall24dis formed at a right rim of the bottom wall24aand extends upward. The base portion rear wall24eis formed at a rear rim of the bottom wall24aand extends upward.

The first casing21is formed by the cover portion23and the base portion24stacking on top of each other. The cover portion front wall23band the base portion front wall24bstack on top of each other in an up-down direction, to form a front wall21bof the first casing21.

The cover portion left wall23cand the base portion left wall24cstack on top of each other in the up-down direction, to form a left wall21cof the first casing21. The cover portion right wall23dand the base portion right wall24dstack on top of each other in the up-down direction, to form a right wall21dof the first casing21. The cover portion rear wall23eand the base portion rear wall24estack on top of each other in the up-down direction, to form a rear wall21eof the first casing21.

The second casing31is supported on a rear end portion of the first casing21via a hinge40. A part of the hinge40is shown inFIG. 2. The display unit30is rotatable between a closed position and an opened position. The closed position is such that the display unit30lies on the computer main body20so as to cover the keyboard22from above. The opened position is such that the display unit30rises from the computer main body20such that the keyboard22and the screen32aare exposed.

The speaker devices50are housed in the first casing21. For example, the speaker devices50are provided in a pair. The top wall23ais provided with through holes51through which sound emitted from the speaker devices50passes.

The speaker devices50are disposed on both sides of the rear end portion of the first casing21, respectively, so as to avoid interference with the keyboard22provided on the top wall23a.

Thus, the speaker devices50are disposed at a rear-left side portion52and a rear-right side portion53of the first casing21, respectively. The through holes51are provided in locations of the top wall23acorresponding to the rear-left side portion52and the rear-right side portion53, respectively.

The keyboard retaining member25is provided at the rear end portion of the top wall23a. Hence, the keyboard retaining member25also is provided with through holes26through which sound emitted from the speaker devices50passes.

The speaker device50provided at the rear-left side portion52of the first casing21may be the same as the speaker device50provided at the rear-right side portion53of the first casing21. In addition, the retaining structure of the speaker device50provided at the rear-left side portion52of the first casing21may be the same as that of the speaker device50provided at the rear-right side portion53of the first casing21. Thus, the retaining structure of the speaker device50provided at the rear-right side portion53will be described as a representative example.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer10taken along a line extending through the speaker device50from the front to the rear of the portable computer10.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a part of the bottom wall24aof the portable computer10where the speaker device50provided at the rear-right side portion53is present, as viewed from the outside.

As shown inFIG. 2, the speaker device50has a speaker housing54and a speaker main body55. The speaker main body55is housed in the speaker housing54.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a swelling portion71is formed at a location70of the bottom wall24awhere the speaker device50is to be disposed. The swelling portion71is formed by part of the bottom wall24aswelling outward. Thus, the swelling portion71has a depression shape which opens upward.

Note that although in the present embodiment the locations70where the speaker devices50are to be disposed are present at part of the first casing21, i.e., the rear-left side portion52and the rear-right end portion53, the present invention is not limited thereto. The locations where the speaker devices50are to be disposed can be arbitrarily set.

As shown inFIG. 3, the swelling portion71has a swelling portion main body72and a projection portion73that projects from the swelling portion main body72toward, for example, the right side.

As shown inFIG. 2, the swelling portion main body72has a size which allows part of a bottom portion54aof the speaker housing54to be housed in the swelling portion main body72. A bottom of the speaker housing54refers to an underside54bof the speaker housing54which is the opposite side of where sound is emitted.

A cushioning material80is provided between an inner surface of the swelling portion main body72and the speaker housing54. The cushioning material80absorbs vibration of the speaker device50.

The speaker housing54is disposed in the first casing21such that part of the bottom portion54aof the speaker housing54is housed in an inner space74of the swelling portion main body72.FIG. 4is a plan view, in which the top wall23aand the keyboard retaining member25are partially cut away, showing a state in which part of the bottom portion54aof the speaker device50is housed in the inner space74of the swelling portion main body72. Note that althoughFIG. 4shows the vicinity of the speaker device50disposed at the rear-left side portion52, the vicinity of the speaker device50disposed at the rear-right side portion53may be substantially the same.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, the PCB60is large in size such that the PCB60reaches the vicinity of the speaker device50.

As shown inFIG. 4, in the vicinity of the swelling portion71of the first casing21, there are provided boss portions75through which bolts, for example, that engage the cover portion23and the base portion24pass, a vertical wall portion76used to house other components, such as the PCB60, in the first casing21, and the like. The boss portions75and the vertical wall portion76can be provided to either the base portion24or the cover portion23.

A cushioning material80is provided between the boss portion75and the speaker housing54and between the vertical wall portion76and the speaker housing54. As shown inFIG. 2, the hinge40is located above the speaker housing54. The hinge40has provided therein a through hole41so as to accommodate the speaker housing54.

Now, the through holes51and26provided in the top wall23aand the keyboard retaining member25will be described. The through hole51provided in the top wall23ais smaller than a top side54cof the speaker housing54. Thus, a rim portion51aof the through hole51provided in the top wall23aoverlaps part of the top side54cof the speaker housing54in the up-down direction.

FIG. 5is a plan view showing the inside of the cover portion23. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, cushioning materials80are provided at the rim portion51aof the through hole51provided in the top wall23a. The top wall23aretains the position of the speaker housing54by holding down, through the cushioning materials80, the speaker housing54from the above.

As shown inFIG. 2, a covering member61for covering the through hole51is provided at the rim portion51aof the through hole51provided in the top wall23a. The covering member61has a frame portion62and a mesh portion63. The frame portion62overlies the rim portion51aof the through hole51from above. The frame portion62has a hole64on an inner side thereof. The hole64faces the top side54cof the speaker housing54. The mesh portion63covers the hole64provided on the inner side of the frame portion62. The mesh portion63is mesh-like.

The covering member61thus formed is overlaid, from above, on the rim portion51aof the through hole51provided in the top wall23a. By this, the through hole51is covered by the covering member61.

The through hole26provided in the keyboard retaining member25has a size which allows a rim portion26aof the through hole26to overlie part of an exterior of the frame portion62of the covering member61in the up-down direction. Accordingly, when the keyboard retaining member25is overlaid on the top wall23a, the keyboard retaining member25holds down the frame portion62of the covering member61. By this, the covering member61is retained between the top wall23aand the keyboard retaining member25.

The top wall23ahas a two-step-down shape so as to accommodate the keyboard retaining member25and the covering member61. The covering member61is provided on a first step surface81of the top wall23a. The keyboard retaining member25is provided on a second step surface82of the top wall23a. The depth of the second step of the top wall23ais substantially the same as the thickness of the keyboard retaining member25. Thus, a top side of the top wall23ais substantially flush with a top side of the keyboard retaining member25.

As shown inFIG. 3, an underside73aof the projection portion73and an underside72aof the swelling portion main body72are, for example, substantially in the same plane. A rubber foot83is provided on the underside73aof the projection portion73. The rubber foot83also covers a part200of the underside72aof the swelling portion main body72.

InFIG. 2, the rubber foot83is shown by a dash-double-dotted line. As shown inFIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the portable computer10is placed on a top side91of a table90, and a tip83aof the rubber foot83facing the top side91projects most significantly toward the top side91of the table90.

Therefore, when the portable computer10is placed on the top side91of the table90, the rubber foot83abuts on the top side91. That is, the swelling portion71functions as a foot portion of the portable computer10. The rubber foot83has an anti-slip function. The table90is, as referred to in the present invention, an example of the mounting portion.

Note that the rubber foot83should project most significantly toward the top side91of the table90. Hence, the underside73aof the projection portion73, for example, does not need to project most significantly toward the top side91.

In this case, with the height of the rubber foot83being added to the underside73a, the tip83aof the rubber foot83projects most significantly toward the top side91.

The retaining structure of the speaker device50provided at the rear-left side portion52is also substantially the same as the retaining structure of the speaker device50provided at the rear-right side portion53.

In the portable computer10thus configured, part of the speaker housing54is housed in the inner space74of the swelling portion main body72. Therefore, the height of the speaker housing54can be increased by an amount equal to the depth of the inner space74of the swelling portion main body72. That is, the capacity of the speaker housing54can be increased. Accordingly, sound quality is improved.

Furthermore, portions of the first casing21, other than the swelling portion71, are not increased in size. Hence, without increasing the overall size of the first casing21, the first casing21can house the speaker housing54with a large capacity.

The swelling portion71swells outward from the bottom wall24a. Thus, even when the first casing21houses the speaker housing54with a large capacity, the top wall23adoes not swell upward. Hence, the usability of the portable computer10is not impaired.

Accordingly, the portable computer10achieves sound quality improvement and good usability while suppressing an increase in the size of the first casing21.

Since the swelling portion71is formed using part of the bottom wall24a, the swelling portion71can be easily formed.

The swelling portion71functions as a foot portion of the portable computer10. Since a foot portion does not need to be additionally provided to the bottom wall24a, the configuration of the portable computer10is simplified.

The cushioning material80is provided between the speaker housing54and an inner surface72bof the swelling portion main body72. The cushioning material80is provided between the speaker housing54and the vertical wall portion76. The cushioning material80is provided between the speaker housing54and the boss portions75.

These cushioning materials80absorb vibration of the speaker housing54. By providing the cushioning materials80between the first casing21and the speaker housing54in this manner, the vibration of the speaker housing54is inhibited from being transmitted to the first casing21.

Now, with reference toFIG. 6, an electronic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example. Note that the configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is not repeated.

In the present embodiment, the height of a speaker housing54is different from that in the first embodiment. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The difference will be described in detail.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer10of the second embodiment taken along a line extending through a speaker device50from the front to the rear of the portable computer10. As shown inFIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the height of the speaker housing54is not increased according to the depth of an inner space74of a swelling portion main body72. When the height of the speaker housing54is not increased according to the depth of the inner space74of the swelling portion main body72, i.e., when the capacity of the speaker housing54is not increased, the length of the speaker housing54above an inner surface of a bottom wall24ais shortened. Accordingly, the height of a first casing21can be reduced.

Therefore, when the height of the speaker housing54is not increased, the height of the first casing21can be reduced. That is, the portable computer10can be reduced in size.

Now, with reference toFIG. 7, an electronic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example. Note that the configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is not repeated.

In the present embodiment, the height of a speaker housing54is different from that in the first embodiment. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The difference will be described in detail.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer10of the third embodiment taken along a line extending through a speaker device50from the front to the rear of the portable computer10. As shown inFIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the height of the speaker housing54is not increased according to the depth of an inner space74of a swelling portion main body72. When the height of the speaker housing54is not increased, a clearance S is provided between the speaker housing54and a top wall23a. Thus, the size of a PCB60can be increased to the point that part of the PCB60enters into the clearance S.

In such a case, boss portions92extending to a top side54cof the speaker housing54are formed on the top wall23a. Then, a cushioning material80is provided between each of the boss portions92and the speaker housing54.

In addition, a cushioning material80is provided between the PCB60and the speaker housing54. Note that the component to enter the clearance S is not limited to the PCB60.

Now, with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, an electronic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example. Note that the configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is not repeated.

In the present embodiment, the location where a rubber foot83is provided is different from that in the first embodiment. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The difference will be described in detail.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the portable computer10of, showing a part of the bottom wall24aof the portable computer10, where a speaker device50is provided at a rear-right portion53.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer10of the fourth embodiment taken along a line extending through the speaker device50from the front to the rear of the portable computer10. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, the rubber foot83is provided over substantially the entire area of an outer peripheral surface78of a swelling portion71. In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to form a projection portion73.

In the present embodiment, the same advantageous effects as those obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, with the rubber foot83being provided over substantially the entire area of the outer peripheral surface78of the swelling portion71, the rubber foot83also effectively absorbs vibration of the speaker device50.

Now, with reference toFIG. 10, an electronic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example. Note that the configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is not repeated.

In the present embodiment, the structure of a swelling portion71is different from that in the first embodiment. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The difference will be described in detail.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view of the portable computer10of the fifth embodiment taken along a line of extending through a speaker device50from the front to the rear of the portable computer10. As shown inFIG. 10, a through hole93is provided at a location70of a bottom wall24awhere the speaker device50is to be formed.

A swelling member94is provided at a rim portion93aof the through hole93. The swelling member94has a depression shape which opens upward. The swelling member94is made of a rubber and has a size which covers the through hole93. The swelling member94swells outward from the bottom wall24a.

The swelling portion71of the present embodiment is formed by providing the swelling member94at the rim portion93aof the through hole93provided in the bottom wall24a. Part of a speaker housing54is housed in an inner side of the swelling member94. Note that the inner side of the swelling member94refers to an inner space74.

When the portable computer10is placed on a top side91of a table90, an underside94aof the swelling member94projects most significantly toward the top side91. Note that the underside94aof the swelling member94refers to an underside of the swelling portion71.

When the portable computer10is placed on the top side91, the underside94aof the swelling member94abuts on the top side91of the table90. That is, the swelling member94functions as a foot portion of the portable computer10.

In addition, since the swelling member94is made of a rubber, the swelling member94has a function as a cushioning material.

In the present embodiment, since the swelling member94is made of a rubber, a cushioning material is not required between the speaker housing54and the swelling portion71, resulting in a reduction in the number of components.

Furthermore, since the swelling portion71functions as a foot portion, a foot portion does not need to be additionally formed on the bottom wall24a. Accordingly, the structure of the portable computer10is simplified.

Now, with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12, an electronic apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described using a portable computer10as an example. Note that the configurations having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is not repeated.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a foot portion95is formed separately from a swelling portion71. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The difference will be described in detail.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of a bottom wall24ain the sixth embodiment, as viewed from the outside. As shown inFIG. 11, the foot portion95is formed, for example, between a right rim of the bottom wall24aand the swelling portion71.FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of a computer main body20through the swelling portion71and the foot portion95, as viewed along a width direction.

As shown inFIG. 12, the foot portion95is formed by, for example, part of the bottom wall24aswelling downward. A rubber foot83is provided on an underside95aof the foot portion95. When the portable computer10is placed on a top side91of a table90, a tip83aof the rubber foot83projects most significantly toward the top side91.

The present embodiment can also provides the same advantageous effects as those provided by the first embodiment.

In that the first to sixth embodiments, the cushioning materials80are provided between the first casing11and the speaker housing54. However cushioning materials80may be provided between the speaker housing54and a member fixed on the first casing11.