Television apparatus, electronic device, and slide support mechanism

According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a panel unit, a support base, and a plurality of slide support mechanisms. The panel unit includes a front panel arranged in front of a display panel. The support base supports the display panel. The slide support mechanisms are attached to the support base to slidably support the panel unit. The slide support mechanisms includes an elastic bush and a combined member. A through portion is formed in the elastic bush. The elastic bush has a circumference portion attached to one of the support base and the panel unit. The combined member is combined with the other of the panel unit and the support base via a combining portion passing through the through portion, and holds the elastic bush with the other of the panel unit and the support base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-105777, filed Apr. 30, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a television apparatus, an electronic device, and a slide support mechanism.

BACKGROUND

There have been known electronic devices in which a screen protector in front of the display panel is supported by the housing through a ring-like insulator arranged along the periphery of the screen protector.

In such an electronic device, the screen protector is supported by the housing through the ring-like insulator arranged along the entire periphery of the screen protector, and therefore hardly slides (vibrates).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment, a television apparatus comprises a panel unit, a support base, and a plurality of slide support mechanisms. The panel unit comprises a front panel configured to be arranged in front of a display panel. The support base is configured to support the display panel. The slide support mechanisms are configured to be attached to the support base to slidably support the panel unit. The slide support mechanisms comprise an elastic bush and a combined member. A through portion is formed in the elastic bush. The elastic bush has a circumference portion attached to either the support base or the panel unit. The combined member is configured to be combined with either the panel unit or the support base via a combining portion passing through the through portion, and hold the elastic bush with either the panel unit or the support base.

According to still another embodiment, an electronic device comprises a panel unit, a support base, a plurality of slide support mechanisms. The panel unit comprises a front panel configured to be arranged in front of a display panel. The support base is configured to support the display panel. The slide support mechanisms are configured to be attached to the support base to slidably support the panel unit. The slide support mechanisms comprise an elastic bush and a combined member. A through portion is formed in the elastic bush. The elastic bush has a circumference portion fitted in either the support base or the panel unit. The combined member is configured to be combined with either the panel unit or the support base via a combining portion passing through the through portion, and hold the elastic bush with either the panel unit or the support base.

According to still another embodiment, an electronic device comprises a supporting member, a display module, a panel unit, a combining mechanism, and a preventing member. The display module is provided to the supporting member and comprises a display screen. The panel unit comprises a panel configured to cover the display screen. The combining mechanism is configured to combine the supporting member with the panel unit such that the panel unit is supported displacably with respect to the supporting member. The preventing member is located between the panel unit and the supporting member and is configured to suppress displacement of the panel unit with respect to the supporting member.

According to still another embodiment, a slide support mechanism comprises a base, a supported member, an elastic bush, a combining portion, and a combined member. The base is provided to a support base. The supported member is provided to a side of a supported body. A through portion is formed in the elastic bush. The elastic bush is configured to be supported by the base on a side of the through portion. The combining portion is configured to protrude from the supported member and pass through the through portion. The combined member comprises a head and a male screw portion threadedly engaged with a female screw portion provided to the combining portion. The base is located between the head and the supported member. The elastic bush is configured to be held between the head and the supported member. The supported member is slidably supported.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a television apparatus1according to a first embodiment has a rectangular appearance in a front view (a plan view viewed from the front). The television apparatus1comprises a housing2and a touch panel3aslidably supported by the housing2. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the touch panel3ahas a back surface3b. On the side of the back surface3b(lower side inFIG. 2), a display panel4such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is located as a display device. The display panel4has a back surface4a. On the side of the back surface4a, the housing2is located. The display panel4is fixed to the housing2by a screw (not illustrated) or the like. In the first embodiment, the touch panel3acorresponds to a front panel (a panel unit), while the housing2corresponds to a support base (supporting member).

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, a rectangular frame3care arranged along the periphery of the rectangular sheet-like touch panel3a. The frame3cis made of a synthetic resin material, a metal material, or the like. The touch panel3aand the frame3care attached to a transparent cover3dby double-sided tape (not illustrated), adhesive, or the like. The cover3dis made of a thin sheet-like, film-like, or plate-like synthetic resin material or the like. Through the cover3d, the touch panel3ais integrated with the frame3c. A periphery3nof the touch panel3ais located between the frame3cand the cover3d. The periphery of the cover3dis painted black or the like, and prevents the periphery3nof the touch panel3aand the frame3cfrom being exposed on the side of a front surface3eof a touch panel unit3(upper side inFIG. 2). In the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3, as a panel unit, comprises the touch panel3a, the frame3c, and the cover3d.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the housing2comprises a rectangular plate-like bottom wall2aand a plurality of vertical walls2b. The display panel4is mounted on the bottom wall2a. The vertical walls2bextend from the bottom wall2atoward the front side (upper side inFIG. 2) and face a side surface4cof the display panel4. In the first embodiment, the vertical walls2bare arranged partly spaced apart along the periphery (the side surface4c) of the display panel4. The vertical walls2bfunction as a positioning member to attach the display panel9to the housing2or a shock or energy absorbing member for a shock load acting in the horizontal direction (the left-right direction inFIG. 2) on the display panel4and the like. An elastic member5such as elastomer, sponge, or the like is located between the side surface4cof the display panel4and the vertical walls2b. The elastic member5prevents the shaky movement of the display panel4as well as increasing energy absorbing performance.

The display panel4is formed into a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The display panel4receives a video signal from a video signal processing circuit in a control circuit comprising an electronic component or the like mounted on a circuit board (all not illustrated), thereby displaying video including a still image and a moving image. The light representing video displayed on a front surface4bof the display panel4as a display screen passes through the clear and colorless touch panel3aand is emitted forward. The control circuit of the television apparatus1comprises, in addition to the video signal processing circuit, a tuner, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a signal processor, an audio/video (AV) input terminal, a remote control signal receiver, a controller, a selector, an on-screen display interface, a storage module such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD), and an audio signal processing circuit (all not illustrated). The television apparatus1further comprises a built-in amplifier, speaker, and the like (all not illustrated) for outputting audio.

The touch panel3acomprises two transparent conductive film adhering each other (not illustrated). The touch panel3ais conducted at a position pressed by a finger or a stylus, thereby detecting the pressed position. A signal indicating the position pressed on the touch panel3ais sent to the controller described above. The controller operates according to the signal.

The television apparatus1of the first embodiment comprising an excitation mechanism (not illustrated). The excitation mechanism comprises, for example, a motor and an eccentric weight rotated by the motor. The excitation mechanism is attached to a back surface3fof a rectangular plate-like front wall3pof the frame3c. The controller of the television apparatus1activates the excitation mechanism when the touch panel3ais pressed and, for example, vibrates the touch panel unit3. Accordingly, the operator (user) feels the vibration through his/her finger or a stylus pressing the touch panel3a, which allows him/her to recognize that the pressing operation has been received.

A strip-like sealing member6is arranged along the periphery of the front surface4bof the display panel4between the front surface4bof the display panel4and the back surface3fof the frame3c. The sealing member6is made of a soft flexible material such as sponge, and prevents foreign matter from getting from the outside into a space S between the front surface4bof the display panel4and the back surface3bof the touch panel3a. A repulsive force of the sealing member6is set to low to hardly affect the slide or vibration of the touch panel unit3. That is, the sealing member6hardly contributes to the support of the touch panel unit3by the housing2.

The touch panel unit3as a front panel is, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, slidably supported by the housing2as a support base through a plurality of slide support mechanisms (combining mechanisms)7. Relative to the housing2, the touch panel unit3can slide in the front-back direction (a direction perpendicular to the front surface3e, the vertical direction inFIG. 2) and the horizontal direction (a direction along the front surface3e, the left-right direction inFIG. 2and a direction perpendicular to the paper surface). The slide support mechanisms7are arranged along the periphery of the touch panel unit3, preferably, in symmetry with respect to at least one of the two center lines parallel to the four sides of the rectangular touch panel3ain a front view. The slide support mechanisms7are arranged at at least four positions, and supports the frame3cof the touch panel unit3.

In the first embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the slide support mechanisms7each comprise a support bracket2cprovided to the housing2, an elastic bush8attached to the support bracket2c, a through hole8aformed in the elastic bush8, a combining portion7athat passes through the through hole8a, and a screw9configured to be combined with the combining portion7aas a combined member. In the first embodiment, the support bracket2ccorresponds to a base. The frame3ccorresponds to a periphery member, while the front wall3pof the frame3ccorresponds to a supported member.

The support bracket2cis provided as a boss that cylindrically protrudes forward, i.e., toward the front wall3pas a supported member at the periphery of the bottom wall2aof the housing2. A circular through hole2eis formed in the center of a top wall2dof the support bracket2c. An inward-looking flange2fis formed around the through hole2e.

The elastic bush8is made of an elastic material such as elastomer (for example, synthetic rubber) or the like softer and more flexible than the housing2and the frame3c(the combining portion7a), and formed in a cylindrical shape. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, an outer circumference groove8cis formed in the center of an outer circumference surface8bin the axial direction (the vertical direction inFIGS. 2 and 3). The outer circumference groove8cextends all over the outer circumference. The flange2fof the support bracket2cis fitted in the outer circumference groove8c, and thereby the elastic bush8is attached to the support bracket2c.

The elastic bush8is elastically deformed. Accordingly, the operator can relatively easily attach the elastic bush8to the support bracket2cby inserting the elastic bush8into the through hole2efrom the front side. One side of the elastic bush8is asymmetric with the other in the axial direction. This prevents the operator from erroneously assembling the elastic bush8with the support bracket2c. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a tapered surface8dthat tapers outward is formed at the periphery of the end of the elastic bush8on the side of a head9aof the screw9. The tapered surface8dfunctions as a guide for inserting the elastic bush8into the through hole2e. Further, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a tapered surface8ethat tapers inward is formed at the end of the through hole8aon the support bracket2cside. The tapered surface8efunctions as a guide for inserting the combining portion7ainto the through hole8a. The tapered surface8eprevents the elastic bush8, which is pushed when the combining portion7ais inserted into the through hole8a, from being wrongly assembled.

The combining portion7ais formed as a boss cylindrically protruding backward from the frame3c. As illustrated inFIG. 2, when assembled, the combining portion7apasses through the through hole2eof the support bracket2cand protrudes on the back side (back surface side) of the support bracket2c. A female screw hole7bis formed in the combining portion7aas a female screw portion. The female screw hole7bopens backward. While, in the first embodiment, the female screw hole7bis formed as a through hole passing through from the front to the back of the front wall3pof the frame3c, it may be formed as a bottomed hole that opens only backward.

The screw9comprises the head9aand a male screw portion9bthreadedly engaged with the female screw hole7b. The screw9is inserted until the head9acomes in contact with an end7cof the combining portion7a.

The operator assembles the elastic bush8with the support bracket2cfrom the front side, and brings the touch panel unit3close to the housing2from the front side to insert the combining portion7ainto the through hole8aof the elastic bush8. Then, the operator screws the screw9into the female screw hole7bof the combining portion7aas a boss from the back side, and thereby the slide support mechanisms7as illustrated in FIG.2are formed. That is, the elastic bush8is configured to be fitted with the support bracket2c. Thus, the operator can perform the assembly work easily and smoothly compared to the case where an elastic member is adhered or screwed.

In the first embodiment, the combining portion7apasses through the through hole8aof the elastic bush8in the front-back direction of the display panel4. Accordingly, the operator can insert the combining portion7ainto the through hole8aby stacking or overlapping the display panel4and the touch panel unit3. Thus, the operator can perform the assembly work more easily and smoothly.

In the first embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, when the slide support mechanisms7are assembled, a front-side extension portion8fof the elastic bush8is located between the support bracket2cas part of the housing2and the frame3cof the touch panel unit3in front thereof, and also a back-side extension portion8gof the elastic bush8is located between the support bracket2cand the screw9in the back thereof. That is, the repulsive force of the elastic bush8can easily be equally acted with respect to both force (external force, inertial force, etc.) acting from the front to the back of the touch panel unit3and force acting from the back to the front. This facilitates to prevent the variation in forward and backward slide (vibration) of the touch panel unit3. In addition, the elastic bush8is arranged to surround the combining portion7a, which prevents the variation in the horizontal slide characteristic (vibration characteristic) of the touch panel unit3. From the view of easy slide (vibration), the initial load (the load when no external force except the own weight is acting) on the front-side extension portion8fand the back-side extension portion8gby holding the members is preferably set to relatively low.

In the first embodiment, the support bracket2cis formed as a boss that protrudes forward (i.e., toward the front wall3pof the frame3c) from the bottom wall2aof the housing2. This prevents the slide support mechanisms7from protruding backward from the bottom wall2aand facilitates to house the slide support mechanisms7in the housing2. Besides, the held elastic bush8comes in contact with the front wall3pof the frame3cas a base. This eliminates the need to provide the frame3cwith a portion where the elastic bush8comes in contact separately from the front wall3p, and simplifies the structure of the slide support mechanisms7.

In the slide support mechanisms7configured as above, as the contact area between the touch panel unit3and the elastic bush8increases, the touch panel unit3is less likely to vibrate. Thus, the first embodiment provides a structure that reduces the contact area between the touch panel unit3and the elastic bush8when assembled. For example, a ring-like protrusion8his provided on the inner surface of the through hole8aof the elastic bush8. The protrusion8hreduces the contact area between the inner surface of the through hole8aand the outer surface of the combining portion7a. For another example, a plurality of protrusions3gare arranged in a circle at a portion where the back surface3fof the frame3cfaces the elastic bush8. The protrusions3greduce the contact area between the back surface3fof the frame3cand the front surface of the elastic bush8. These are described by way of example only, and a protrusion may be provided to the combining portion7aor the front surface of the elastic bush8. Such a protrusion may be formed in a ring shape, or a plurality of protrusions may be arranged in a circle.

In the first embodiment, the outer diameter Dh of the head9ais larger than the inner diameter Dp of the through hole2eof the support bracket2c. Accordingly, even if the elastic bush8cannot be assembled by error or comes off from the support bracket2cby time degradation or the like, the screw9is prevented from coming off from the through hole2eof the support bracket2c. This prevents the touch panel unit3from coming off from the housing2. A washer (not illustrated) may be arranged between the head9aand the elastic bush8. The washer prevents the elastic bush8from twisting upon screwing the screw9. In this case, the washer is provided with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter Dp of the through hole2e.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3comprising the touch panel3ais slidably supported by the housing2via the plurality of slide support mechanisms7having the elastic bush8. If the panel unit is supported by the housing via insulators arranged in a ring, this results in a large contact area between the panel unit and the insulators as elastic members. Consequently, the panel unit poorly slides (vibrates). In the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3is supported by the housing2via the slide support mechanisms7having the elastic bush8. Accordingly, the contact area between the elastic member and the panel unit is relatively small. This allows the touch panel unit3to easily slide (vibrate). That is, according to the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3can be flexibly supported by the slide support mechanisms7. Thus, the touch panel unit3can be effectively vibrated by the excitation mechanism, and also, if an external force is applied to the touch panel unit3toward the back side (the display panel4side) when, for example, pressed with a finger or the like, the touch panel unit3and the touch panel3ais not likely to be damaged.

According to the first embodiment, the slide support mechanisms7comprise the elastic bush8having the through hole8aand the periphery is fitted in one of the housing2and the touch panel unit3(in the first embodiment, as an example, the housing2), and the screw9connected to the other one of the housing2and the touch panel unit3(in the first embodiment, as an example, the touch panel unit3) via the combining portion7apassing through the through hole8aand holding the elastic bush8with the other one. Accordingly, the elastic bush8can be attached to the one of the housing2and the touch panel unit3(in the first embodiment, the housing2) by fit connection. Thus, compared to the case where the elastic member is attached by adhesion or screwing, the operator can perform assembly work more easily and smoothly. Besides, the elastic bush8is arranged to surround the combining portion7a. This prevents the variation in the slide characteristic (vibration characteristic) of the touch panel unit3in each direction perpendicular to the through hole8a. Further, the elastic bush8supported by the one of the housing2and the touch panel unit3(in the first embodiment, the housing2) at the periphery is held by the other one of the housing2and the touch panel unit3(in the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3) and the screw9connected to the other one. Thus, the repulsive force of the elastic bush8can easily be equally acted with respect to both axial directions of the through hole8a. This prevents the variation in the slide characteristic (vibration characteristic) in both the directions.

According to the first embodiment, the elastic bush8of the slide support mechanisms (combining mechanism)7has the function of preventing the touch panel unit3from sliding in the in-plane direction of a front surface23e(the direction along the XY plane) and the out-of-plane direction (the direction crossing the XY plane, at least the Z direction, the front-back direction). That is, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the elastic bush8is arranged to cover the periphery of the flange2fas an example of a portion integrated with the housing2, and portions integrated with the touch panel unit3(for example, the front wall3p, the combining portion7a, and the head9a) are arranged to cover the periphery of the elastic bush8. Accordingly, if the touch panel unit3is displaced in any direction, the elastic bush8is present between the housing2and the touch panel unit3. Thus, with the elastic bush8as a preventing member, it is possible to prevent the over displacement of the touch panel unit3or suppress the displacement within a predetermined range.

According to the first embodiment, the touch panel unit3comprises the frame3clocated at the periphery of the touch panel3a. The elastic bush8is located on the side of the display panel4and on the back of the frame3c. The combining portion7apasses through the through hole8ain the front-back direction of the display panel4. With this, the elastic bush8can be effectively arranged using a space on the back of the frame3cand on the side of the display panel4. Besides, by only stacking or overlapping the display panel4and the touch panel unit3in the front-back direction, the operator can achieve the state where the combining portion7apasses through the through hole8aof the elastic bush8. Thus, the operator can perform the assembly work more easily and smoothly.

According to the first embodiment, the elastic bush8is supported by the housing2. The screw9comprises the head9aand the male screw portion9b. The combining portion7acomprises the boss having the female screw hole7bprotruding from the front wall3pof the frame3ctoward the back surface3f, which is threadedly engaged with the male screw portion9b. The elastic bush8is held between the head9aand the frame3c. That is, the combining portion7apassing through the through hole8aof the elastic bush8can be used as a boss for screwing the screw9, which downsizes the portion for screwing the screw9. Further, a relatively simple and small structure, in which members (the frame3cand the combining portion7a) fixed to the touch panel unit3holds the elastic bush8supported by the housing2in the axial direction of the through hole8a, can be achieved.

According to the first embodiment, in at least one of the contact portion between the elastic bush8and the frame3cand that between the elastic bush8and the combining portion7a(in the first embodiment, both of them), at least one of members in contact with each other (in the first embodiment, the elastic bush8and the frame3c) has the protrusion8hor3g. This reduces the contact area between the touch panel unit3and the elastic bush8and allows the touch panel unit3to vibrate easily.

A description will be given of an electronic device10according to a second embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the electronic device10of the second embodiment is, for example, a notebook personal computer. The electronic device10comprises a flat rectangular first body11and a flat rectangular second body12. The first body11and the second body12are connected by a hinge mechanism13to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis Ax between an open position as illustrated inFIG. 4and a closed position (not illustrated). Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, directions (X, Y, and Z directions) are defined. The X and Y directions are the directions substantially along the front surface of the first body11. The X direction refers to the width direction of the first body11(the longitudinal direction of the front surface), the Y direction refers to the depth direction of the first body11(the short-side direction of the front surface), and the Z direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the first body11. The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to one another.

The first body11is provided with a display panel24such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel as a display device provided with a touch panel23a, a push button14, and the like, which are exposed on a front surface21aas the outer surface of a housing22. On the other hand, the second body12is provided with a display panel15such as LCD panel as a display device, a pointing device16, and the like, which are exposed on a front surface12bas the outer surface of a housing12a. When the first body11and the second body12are in the open position as illustrated inFIG. 4, the display panel15, the display panel24with the touch panel23a, the push button14, the pointing device16, and the like are exposed to allow the user to use them. On the other hand, in the closed position, the front surface21aclosely faces the front surface12b, and the display panels15and24, the push button14, the pointing device16, and the like are covered between the housings22and12a. While, in the second embodiment, the touch panel23awill be described by way of example as being provided to only the first body11, a touch panel may be provided to the second body12. In the second embodiment, the touch panel23acorresponds to a front panel, and the housing22corresponds to a support base.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, in the second embodiment, the display panel24is located on a bottom wall22aof the housing22of the first body11. A touch panel unit23is arranged on the display panel24. In the second embodiment, the front-back direction based on the display panel24corresponds to the Z direction. The upper side ofFIGS. 9 and 5corresponds to the front side, and the lower side corresponds to the back side. The touch panel23acorresponds to the panel unit.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the housing22is provided with an opening21bthat opens forward (upward in the Z direction). The opening21bis covered with the touch panel unit23. The first body11has no front wall as a wall on the front side of the housing22except at the periphery on the second body12side where part of the hinge mechanism13is housed. The front surface of the first body11is almost formed of the front surface23eof the touch panel unit23. Substantially a constant clearance21c(seeFIG. 8) is provided along the entire circumference of the touch panel unit23between the touch panel unit23and the opening21b.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, on the back of the housing22of the first body11, a recessed portion21d, in which a flat rectangular parallelepiped battery pack17(seeFIGS. 4,5, and8) is fitted, is formed. The recessed portion21dis formed on the side separate from the hinge mechanism13, i.e., near the back in the depth direction (the Y direction). The bottom surface of the recessed portion21dis a back surface22gof the bottom wall22a. That is, in the second embodiment, the bottom wall22aof the housing22functions as a partition wall between an inner space of the housing22that houses the display panel24and the touch panel unit23and the recessed portion21dthat houses the battery pack17. The display panel24is, as illustrated inFIG. 8, fixed to the bottom wall22afacing a back surface24awith a screw (not illustrated) or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, in the bottom wall22a, the display panel29is mounted on the front surface22h. Besides, a portion where the battery pack17is located on the back surface22gas illustrated inFIG. 6protrudes more forward than a portion on the hinge mechanism13side as illustrated inFIG. 5. A plurality of (in the second embodiment, four) vertical walls22bare provided to the protruding portion. The vertical walls22bare formed as ribs having a rectangular appearance in a side view. The vertical walls22bextend from the bottom wall22atoward the front side (upper side inFIG. 5) and faces a side surface24ccorresponding to the short side of the display panel24. In the second embodiment also, the vertical walls22bfunction as a positioning member to attach the display panel24to the housing22or a shock or energy absorbing member for a shock load acting in the horizontal direction on the display panel24and the like. In the second embodiment, two of the vertical walls22bare arranged to face the one side surface24ccorresponding to the short side, and a total of the four vertical walls22bare provided on the bottom wall22a.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, in the bottom wall22a, the display panel24is mounted on the front surface22h. Besides, on the front surface22hin the portion where the battery pack17is located on the back surface22gas illustrated inFIG. 6, a plurality of cylindrical bottomed support brackets22cthat constitute a slide support mechanisms27protrude as illustrated inFIG. 5. In the second embodiment, the support brackets22c(in the second embodiment, four support brackets) are located outside the vertical walls22bin the width direction. The elastic bush28is attached to each of the support brackets22c.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the display panel24is formed into a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The display panel24receives a display signal from a control circuit comprising an electronic component or the like mounted on a circuit board (all not illustrated), thereby displaying video including a still image and a moving image. In the second embodiment also, the light representing video displayed on a front surface24bof the display panel24as a display screen passes through the clear and colorless touch panel23aand is emitted forward. The control circuit of the electronic device10comprises a control module, a storage module such as ROM, RAM, and HDD, an interface circuit, and various controllers (all not illustrated). The electronic device10further comprises a built-in speaker (not illustrated) and the like for outputting audio.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the touch panel unit23comprises the rectangular sheet-like touch panel23aand the rectangular frame23carranged along the periphery of the touch panel23a. The frame23cis made of a synthetic resin material, a metal material, or the like. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the touch panel23aand the frame23care attached to a transparent cover23dby double-sided tape (not illustrated), adhesive, or the like. The cover23dis mace of a thin sheet-like, film-like, or plate-like synthetic resin material or the like. Through the cover23d, the touch panel23ais integrated with the frame23c. A periphery23nof the touch panel23ais located between the frame23cand the cover23d. The periphery of the cover23dis painted black or the like, and prevents the periphery23nof the touch panel23aand the frame23cfrom being exposed on the side of the front surface23eof the touch panel unit23(upper side inFIG. 8). In the second embodiment also, as illustrated inFIG. 8, there are provided an elastic member25having the same function as the elastic member5and a sealing member26having the same function as the sealing member6.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the frame23chas a rectangular plate-like front wall23p. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the frame23ccomprises horizontal portions23hon both sides in the depth direction and vertical portions23ion both sides in the width direction as a strip-like portion arranged along the periphery of the touch panel3a. In the second embodiment, a combining portion27athat constitutes the slide support mechanisms27is provided on a back surface23fof the front wall23pof the vertical portions23iwider than the horizontal portions23h. In the second embodiment, the combining portion27ais provided to two positions of each of the two vertical portions23i, i.e., a total of four positions. In other words, in the second embodiment, the four slide support mechanisms27support the touch panel unit23.

An excitation mechanism18is provided on the back surface23fof the front wall23pof one of the vertical portions23i(the vertical portion23ion the right side inFIG. 7). In the second embodiment, the excitation mechanism18comprises a motor18aand an eccentric weight18brotated by the motor18a. The rotation of the eccentric weight18brotated by the motor18avibrates (rotates) the gravity center of the excitation mechanism18. This vibrates the touch panel unit23as well as the frame23c.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the rotation axis Ar of the eccentric weight18bof the excitation mechanism18extends along a short side23jof the rectangular touch panel23ain a front view. Accordingly, the excitation direction of the excitation mechanism18is perpendicular to the short side23j, and the excitation mechanism18is capable of vibrating the touch panel unit23in the direction along a long side23k. If the excitation mechanism18vibrates the touch panel unit23in the direction along the short side23j, i.e., the Y direction, this increases the distance (i.e., moment arm) between the excitation mechanism18and each of the combining portions27aas a support point of the touch panel unit23in the X direction and the variation thereof. Consequently, the touch panel unit23is likely to slide in the in-plane direction (i.e., in the XY plane). In this case, the vibration is likely to vary substantially depending on the position of the touch panel23a. According to the second embodiment, the excitation mechanism18vibrates the touch panel unit23in the direction perpendicular to the short side23j, i.e., the direction along the long side23k. This reduces the distance (i.e., moment arm) between the excitation mechanism18and each of the combining portions27ain the Y direction and the variation thereof. Thus, the touch panel unit23is not likely to slide in the in-plane direction (i.e., in the XY plane). In other words, it is possible to easily achieve the vibration of the touch panel23aalong the longitudinal direction (i.e., the X direction) in which slide components are less.

The eccentric weight18bof the excitation mechanism18is located closer to the center of the short side23jthan the motor18a. This makes the excitation point of the excitation mechanism18closer to the gravity center of the touch panel unit23. Thus, the touch panel unit23can be effectively vibrated. Besides, compared to the case where the eccentric weight18bis located more distant from the center of the short side23jthan the motor18a, the touch panel unit23is not likely to slide in the in-plane direction (i.e., in the XY plane). In other words, it is possible to easily achieve the vibration along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the X direction) in which slide components are less.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the battery pack17is located on the side distant from the hinge mechanism13(i.e., on the back side in the depth direction). On the other hand, the excitation mechanism18is located close to the hinge mechanism13(i.e., on the front side in the depth direction). That is, in the second embodiment, the battery pack17and the excitation mechanism18are effectively arranged in the housing22of the first body11without interference with each other.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the push button14is located on the back surface23fof the front wall23pof the vertical portions23iof the frame23c. In the second embodiment, the push button14is located in the center of the vertical portions23iin the longitudinal direction (the Y direction), and the combining portions27a, i.e., the slide support mechanisms27, are located on both sides of the vertical portions23iin the longitudinal direction with the push button14between them. The push button14and the combining portions27a(i.e., the slide support mechanisms27) are arranged symmetrical with respect to a center line C passing through the center of the touch panel unit23in the X direction along the Y direction. A circuit board23mmounted with an electronic component for the processing of the touch panel23ais attached on the back surface23fof the front wall23pof the horizontal portions23hon the hinge mechanism13side of the touch panel23a. The circuit board23mis located on the vertical portion23iopposite (the left side inFIG. 7) the vertical portion23iprovided with the excitation mechanism18(the vertical portion23ion the right side inFIG. 7).

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the electronic device10of the second embodiment comprises the slide support mechanisms27having the same function as the slide support mechanisms7of the first embodiment. That is, the slide support mechanisms27each comprise the support bracket22cprovided to the housing22, the elastic bush28attached to the support bracket22c, a through hole28aformed in the elastic bush28, the combining portion27athat passes through the through hole28a, and a screw29configured to be combined with the combining portion27aas a combined member. In the second embodiment, the support bracket22ccorresponds to a base. The frame23ccorresponds to a periphery member, while the front wall23pof the frame23ccorresponds to a supported member.

The support bracket22cis provided as a boss that cylindrically protrudes forward, i.e., toward the front wall23p, as a supported member at the periphery of the bottom wall22aof the housing22. A circular through hole22eis formed in the center of a top wall22dof the support bracket22c. An inward-looking flange22fis formed around the through hole22e.

The elastic bush28is made of an elastic material such as elastomer (for example, synthetic rubber) or the like, and formed in a cylindrical shape. An outer circumference groove28cis formed in the center of an outer circumference surface28bof the elastic bush28in the axial direction (the vertical direction inFIG. 8). The outer circumference groove28cextends all over the outer circumference. The flange22fof the support bracket22cis fitted in the outer circumference groove28c, and thereby the elastic bush28is attached to the support bracket22c.

The elastic bush28is elastically deformed. Accordingly, the operator can relatively easily attach the elastic bush28to the support bracket22cby inserting the elastic bush28into the through hole22efrom the front side. One side of the elastic bush28is asymmetric with the other in the axial direction. This prevents the operator from erroneously assembling the elastic bush28with the support bracket22c. As illustrated inFIG. 8, as with the elastic bush8of the first embodiment, the tapered surfaces28dand28eare formed in the elastic bush28. Besides, as with the elastic bush8of the first embodiment, the elastic bush28comprises a front-side extension portion28flocated between the frame23cand the flange22f, and a back-side extension portion28glocated between a head29aof the screw29and the flange22f.

The combining portion27ais formed as a boss cylindrically protruding backward from the frame23c. As illustrated inFIG. 8, when assembled, the combining portion27apasses through the through hole22eof the support bracket22cand protrudes on the back side (back surface side) of the support bracket22c. A female screw hole27bopening backward is formed in the combining portion27aas a female screw portion.

The screw29comprises the head29aand a male screw portion29bconfigured to be threaded into the female screw hole27b. The screw29is inserted into the combining portion27auntil the head29acomes in contact with an end27cof the combining portion27a.

The operator assembles the elastic bush28with the support bracket22cfrom the front side, and brings the touch panel unit23close to the housing22from the front side to inset the combining portion27ainto the through hole28aof the elastic bush28. Then, the operator screws the screw29into the female screw hole27bof the combining portion27aas a boss from the back side, and thereby the slide support mechanisms27as illustrated inFIG. 8are formed. That is, the elastic bush28is configured to be fitted with the support bracket22c. Thus, the operator can perform the assembly work easily and smoothly compared to the case where an elastic member is adhered or screwed.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the combining portion27apasses through the through hole28aof the elastic bush28in the front-back direction of the display panel24. Besides, in the second embodiment also, when the slide support mechanisms27are assembled, the front-side extension portion28fof the elastic bush28is located between the support brackets2cas part of the housing22and the frame23cof the touch panel unit23in front thereof, and also the back-side extension portion28gof the elastic bush28is located between the support bracket22cand the screw29in the back thereof. In addition, the elastic bush28is arranged to surround the combining portion27a. In the second embodiment also, the support bracket22cis formed as a boss that protrudes forward (i.e., toward the front wall23pof the frame23c) from the bottom wall22aof the housing22.

The second embodiment also provides a structure that reduces the contact area between the touch panel unit23and the elastic bush28when assembled. In the structure, a ring-like protrusion28his provided on the inner surface of the through hole28aof the elastic bush28, and a plurality of protrusions23gare arranged in a circle at a portion of the back surface23fof the frame23cfaces the elastic bush28. These are described by way of example only, and a protrusion may be provided to the combining portion27aor the front surface of the elastic bush8, such a protrusion may be formed in a ring shape, or a plurality of protrusions may be arranged in a circle.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the screw29that constitutes the slide support mechanisms27is exposed on the back surface22gside of the bottom wall22a. That is, before screwing the screw29, the end27c(seeFIG. 8) of the combining portion27athat constitutes the slide support mechanisms27is exposed on the back surface22gside of the bottom wall22a. Accordingly, by screwing the screw29when the battery pack17is not fitted in the recessed portion21d, the slide support mechanisms27can be easily and smoothly obtained, and the touch panel unit23can be attached to the housing22. Further, by covering the screw29with the battery pack17, it is possible to prevent the touch panel unit23from being detached from the housing22caused by the user erroneously unscrewing the screw29. With this, compared to the case where the cover is separately provided to cover the screw29, the structure can be simplified. As illustrated inFIG. 8, a seal22imay be attached to the back surface22gas an example of a cover to cover the screw29therewith. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the housing22can be made thinner by using the battery pack17as the cover of the recessed portion21d.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the electronic device10comprises the slide support mechanisms27having the same function as the slide support mechanisms7of the first embodiment although with different specifications such as the size, number, location, and the like. That is, the electronic device10of the second embodiment provided with the slide support mechanisms27can achieve the same effect as the television apparatus1of the first embodiment provided with the slide support mechanisms7. Besides, the elastic bush28of the slide support mechanisms27functions as a preventing member in the same manner as the elastic bush8of the slide support mechanisms7of the first embodiment functioning as a preventing member.

According to the second embodiment, the excitation mechanism18is provided to the back surface side of the front wall23pof the frame23c. Accordingly, compared to the case where the excitation mechanism18is provided to the housing22or the like, the touch panel unit23can be effectively vibrated.

In the second embodiment, the excitation mechanism18comprises the eccentric weight18band the motor18athat rotates the eccentric weight18b. Thus, the excitation mechanism18can be simplified and formed with less cost.

According to the second embodiment, the touch panel23ais rectangular in a front view (viewed from the front). The excitation direction of the excitation mechanism18is perpendicular to the short side23jof the touch panel23a. More specifically, the rotation axis Ar of the eccentric weight18bor the motor18aextends along the short side23jof the rectangular touch panel23a. Accordingly, compared to the case where the excitation direction of the excitation mechanism18is along the short side23jor the rotation axis Ar of the motor18ais along the long side23k, the touch panel unit23is not likely to slide in the in-plane direction (i.e., in. the XY plane). In other words, it is possible to easily achieve the vibration along the longitudinal direction in which slide components are less.

According to the second embodiment, the eccentric weight18bis located closer to the center of the short side23jthan the motor18a. This makes the excitation point closer to the gravity center of the touch panel unit23. Thus, the touch panel unit23can be effectively vibrated. Besides, compared to the case where the eccentric weight18bis located more distant from the center of the short side23jthan the motor18a, the touch panel unit23is not likely to slide in the in-plane direction (i.e., in the XY plane). In other words, it is possible to easily achieve the vibration along the longitudinal direction in which slide components are less.

The foregoing embodiments are susceptible to considerable variation in their practice. For example, the embodiments are described above as being applied to the television apparatus or the notebook personal computer provided with two display screens, the embodiments may be applied to any other electronic device having a display panel and a front panel in front of the display panel such as a notebook or desktop computer with one display screen, a personal digital assistant (ETA), a smartbook, a smartphone, a mobile phone, and the like.

Besides, the specifications (motion system, structure, form, material, size, number, arrangement, etc.) can be changed as required for the display device, the electronic device, the display panel, the front panel, the panel unit, the support base, the periphery member, the slide support mechanism, the through portion, the elastic bush, the combining portion, the combined member, the frame, the excitation mechanism, the protrusion, and the like. For example, the front panel need not necessarily be a touch panel. In addition, the support base may be a member other than the housing such as, for example, a member that constitutes the basis of the device main body. The periphery member may be provided to part of the periphery of the front panel, and need not necessarily surround the periphery in a frame-like manner. The excitation mechanism may be a mechanism with a linear motor. An element other than the screw, such as a rivet or the like, may be used as the combining portion. Further, using a nut as the combined member, the male screw portion may be provided to the end of the combining portion so that the nut is tightened thereon.

Although not illustrated, preferably, the excitation mechanism is provided between a plurality of slide support mechanisms. With this, the excitation mechanism can be arranged closer to the gravity center of the touch panel unit, and the touch panel unit can be effectively swung (vibrated). Moreover, it can be made easier to suppress the variation in slide (vibration) depending on the location of the touch panel unit and to suppress the slide (vibration) of the touch panel unit in the in-plane direction.

Although not illustrated, a portion where the elastic bush extends in the outer diameter direction (in the above embodiments, for example, the front-side extension portions8fand28f, and the back-side extension portions8gand28g, etc.) may be brought into contact with the housing (for example, the side wall) to obtain a structure that ensures or adjusts the clearance between the touch panel unit and the surrounding housing (opening periphery). In this case, it is suitable to arrange the slide support mechanisms close to the periphery of the touch panel unit. Moreover, using the contact structure, the touch panel unit can be centered. Besides, a portion where the elastic bush extends toward the side as being held between the support bas and the touch panel unit may be brought into contact with the housing (for example, the side wall).

One of the supporting member and the supported member may comprise an inward-looking flange that extends from the outer circumference of the elastic bush toward the inner circumference, and the elastic bush may be located on the inner circumference side of the inward-looking flange and on both sides in the axial direction (for example, cover while surrounding). Each element integrated with the other of the supporting member and the supported member may be located on the inner circumference side of the elastic bush and on both sides in the axial direction (for example, cover while surrounding). In this case, the elastic bush functions as a preventing member.

Although not illustrated, a portion integrated with one of the supporting member and the supported member may comprise an outward-looking flange that extends toward the outer circumference, and the elastic bush may be located on the outer circumference side of the outward-looking flange and on both sides in the axial direction (for example, cover while surrounding). Each element integrated with the other of the supporting member and the supported member may be located on the outer circumference side of the elastic bush and on both sides in the axial direction (for example, cover while surrounding). In this case also, the elastic bush functions as a preventing member. In addition, the elastic bush may comprise a plurality of divisional bodies.

The sealing member (in the above embodiments, for example, the sealing members6and26, etc.) may be made of an elastic material such as elastomer, sponge, or the like to suppress the slide of the touch panel unit.