Wireless communication terminal, shield case, and method of manufacturing case body

There are provided a first circuit substrate 22 on which an antenna 32 and electronic components are arranged, a case body 24 that is molded of a non-conductive material and that is attached to the first circuit substrate 22 so that the case body 24 overlaps the first circuit substrate 22 in the thickness direction of the first circuit substrate 22, and a housing 8 including the first circuit substrate 22 and the case body 24 in the housing 8. The case body 24 comprises a conductive layer formed on the surface of the case body 24, except for an antenna opposing area S where the case body 24 overlaps the antenna 32 in the thickness direction of the first circuit substrate 22.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national stage application of international application serial number PCT/JP2006/319194, filed 27 Sep. 2006, which claims priority to Japanese patent application no. 2005-279423, filed 27 Sep. 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal having an antenna provided in the housing thereof, a shield case housed within the housing of the wireless communication terminal, and a method of manufacturing a case body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Background Art

Some wireless communication terminals, such as mobile phones, are configured in such a manner that communication, such as a phone call, is performed after a user extends a telescopic antenna installed in the wireless communication terminal toward the outside in the direction of its length.

However, in such a telescopic antenna, since the length of the wireless communication terminal is increased by a length corresponding to the extension thereof toward the outside, this is an obstacle to realizing compactness of the wireless communication terminal. For this reason, there is a wireless communication terminal (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-101623; Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-312912; and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-163748) in which, in place of such an antenna that extends toward the outside, a built-in antenna is provided inside the housing, so that a compact state can be maintained also during communication.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in a wireless communication terminal in which a built-in antenna as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-101623; Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-312912; and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-163748 is disposed, this antenna is arranged in the vicinity of a ground (metal part to which a reference potential is applied) in a circuit substrate inside the housing. As a result, a problem arises in that the gain of an antenna is deteriorated in comparison with that of a wireless communication terminal in which the telescopic antenna is installed.

Accordingly, in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication terminal capable of preventing the deterioration of the gain of a built-in antenna, a shield case, and a method of manufacturing a case body.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, a wireless communication terminal comprises a first circuit substrate on which an antenna and an electronic component are arranged; a case body molded of a non-conductive material, the case body attached to the first circuit substrate so that the case body overlaps the first circuit substrate in the thickness direction of the first circuit substrate; and a housing including the first circuit substrate and the case body therein, wherein the case body comprises a conductive layer formed on the surface thereof, the surface being except for an antenna opposing area where the case body overlaps the antenna in the thickness direction of the first circuit substrate.

In the wireless communication terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the case body further comprises a flat plate part parallel to the first circuit substrate in a state in which the case body is attached to the first circuit substrate, the flat plate part containing the antenna opposing area, and a rib formed to have a height in a direction from the flat plate part to the first circuit substrate side, wherein the rib is not formed in at least a section in the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area or is formed intermittently.

The wireless communication terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, further comprises a key sheet having a key top, disposed at a position opposite to the first circuit substrate side of the flat plate part. The wireless communication terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, further comprises a second circuit substrate having a metal dome pressed by the key top, the second substrate being arranged between the key sheet and the flat plate part, wherein the metal dome is positioned so that the metal dome does not overlap the antenna in the thickness direction of the first circuit substrate.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a shield case comprises a flat plate part; and a rib formed to have a height in a direction from the flat plate part to one of the surface sides, the rib comprising a non-conductive material, wherein the flat plate part and the rib have a conductive layer formed thereon except for at least a predetermined area.

According to the shield case of the present invention, the flat plate part and the rib are integrally formed. In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a case body mounted on a circuit substrate on which an antenna and an electronic component are arranged, the method including a step of forming a case body from a non-conductive material, the case body having a flat plate part and a rib having a height at a place excluding at least a portion of a peripheral edge portion of a predetermined area on a first surface of the flat plate part; a step of masking both the first surface and a second surface on the reverse side of the first surface by using a non-rib portion of the peripheral edge portion in the predetermined area; a step of forming a conductive layer on the case body; and a step of removing the mask.

Advantages

According to aspects of the present invention, the wireless communication terminal, the shield case, and the method of manufacturing a case body, described above, make it possible to prevent the gain of a built-in antenna from being deteriorated.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a wireless communication terminal, a shield case, and a method of manufacturing a case body according to the present invention will be described below specifically with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 6are views for reference used to illustrate a folding-type mobile phone2(corresponding to a wireless communication terminal), a case body24(corresponding to a shield case), and a method of manufacturing the case body24according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, the folding-type mobile phone2according to this embodiment comprises a first housing6and a second housing8that are rotatably connected to each other via a hinge4. The first housing6has a display unit10and a speaker12, and the speaker12is arranged at a position near the end portion on a side opposite to the hinge4in the length direction of the first housing6. Furthermore, the second housing8has an operation unit14and a microphone16, and the microphone16is arranged at a position near the end portion on a side opposite to the hinge4in the length direction of the second housing8.

The second housing8comprises an upper case18having an operation unit14and a lower case20on the reverse side thereof. as shown inFIG. 2, in the internal space formed between the upper case18and the lower case20, starting in sequence from the lower case20, a rigid substrate22(corresponding to a first circuit substrate or a circuit substrate), a case body24, a key FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)28(corresponding to a second circuit substrate), and a key sheet30are housed.

On a first surface22aon the lower case20side of the rigid substrate22and on a second surface22bon a side opposite to the first surface22a, various kinds of electronic components (not shown) are arranged. Furthermore, on the first surface22aof the rigid substrate22, a built-in antenna32is fixed.

This antenna32, as shown inFIG. 3, is arranged in an end portion on the hinge4side along the length direction in the rigid substrate22(in the direction in which the hinge4side and the microphone16side are connected), the end portion being one of the end portions in the width direction. The rigid substrate22is positioned so that a reference potential pattern36on the first surface22ato which the reference potential is applied does not overlap the antenna32. The antenna32is circuit-connected with a conductive pattern (not shown) formed on the first surface22aand is supplied with power through the conductive pattern.

As shown inFIG. 4, also, the rigid substrate22is positioned so that the reference potential pattern38on the second surface22bto which the reference potential is applied does not overlap the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22.

Furthermore, if the rigid substrate22is a multilayered substrate, although not shown in the figures, a reference potential pattern is positioned so that the reference potential pattern does not overlap the antenna32in the internal layers thereof. Furthermore, a conductive pattern, in addition to a reference potential pattern, is positioned so that the conductive pattern including the surface layer and the internal layer of the rigid substrate22does not overlap the antenna32except for a power feeding portion to the antenna32.

Next, as shown inFIG. 5, the case body24comprises a flat plate part25having an almost flat surface whose planar shape is substantially a rectangle, and a rib26formed to have a height from the flat plate part25toward the rigid substrate22side (inFIG. 5, the front side at right angles to the paper surface). The rib26is formed over substantially the entire circumference of the edge portion of the flat plate part25and at a predetermined position in the inside of the plane shape.

As shown inFIG. 2, the case body24is attached to the rigid substrate22so that the flat plate part25is arranged in parallel with the rigid substrate22, and the end surface in the height direction of the rib26is brought into contact with the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22. The case body24covers electronic components, such as a high-frequency circuit (not shown), on the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22to form a closed space between the second surface22band the case body24.

The flat plate part25of the case body24has an antenna opposing area S shown inFIG. 5(in the figure, a rectangular shaded area) facing the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22. That is, the antenna opposing area S overlaps the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22. In the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S, a rib26aformed in the edge portion of the flat plate part25in parallel with the length direction of the flat plate part25, and a rib26bformed in parallel with the width direction of the flat plate part25inside the planar flat plate part25and a rib26cformed in parallel with the length direction of the flat plate part25inside the planar flat plate part25are arranged. The rib26is not formed in a section of the flat plate part25. The section corresponds to the side other than the three sides corresponding to the ribs26a,26b, and26camong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S.

Furthermore, as the core material of the case body24, a hard and non-conductive synthetic resin material is used, and a metallic conductive layer is formed by a vapor deposition method over almost the entire area of the obverse and reverse surfaces of the core material. When the case body24is inserted between the upper case18and the lower case20, the conductive layer on the obverse surface contacts a contact point provided in the reference potential pattern38(seeFIG. 4) on the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22to be electrically connected to the reference potential pattern38, thereby having the same potential as that of the reference potential pattern38. Therefore, the case body24functions as a shield case except for the antenna opposing area S.

That is, the case body24serving as a shield case prevents external noise from affecting a plurality of electronic components (not shown) on the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22, and also prevents noise generated from each of electronic components (not shown) from affecting each other and sneaking into the antenna32.

For example, the case body24absorbs noise from a high-frequency circuit, such as an RF (Radio Frequency) module (not shown) that generates a wireless frequency, arranged on the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22shown inFIG. 2, so as to prevent noise from affecting a baseband chip set (not shown) or the like arranged on the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22.

Furthermore, in the case body24, a conductive layer is not formed on each of the obverse and reverse surfaces in the antenna opposing area S (seeFIG. 5) in the flat plate part25. in order that a conductive layer is not formed on each of the obverse and reverse surfaces of the antenna opposing area S in the manner described above, when a conductive layer is formed by a vapor deposition method or the like on the entire surface of the core material of the case body24, masking is performed in advance on the obverse and reverse surfaces of the antenna opposing area S. After the conductive layer is formed on the area of the entire surface, the mask is removed together with the conductive layer on the mask. As a result, the conductive layer can be made to remain in places where masking has not been performed.

Such masking can be performed, for example, by attaching a tape having an adherent layer on one of the surfaces or by applying a paint which is in a liquid state at first and can be easily peeled off after being solidified.

As another masking method in which a tape or a paint for masking is not used, although not shown in the figure, a method of using a masking member that has slits of approximately the same clearance width as the thickness of the flat plate part25and that is approximately U-shaped in cross section may be used. that is, this masking member (not shown) is mounted so that the obverse and reverse surfaces of the antenna opposing area S are pinched toward the inside of the slit from the non-rib side in the antenna opposing area S, then, a conductive layer is formed on the area of the entire surface of the case body24. If the masking member is removed after the conductive layer is formed, it is possible to prevent a conductive layer from being formed on both the obverse and reverse surfaces in the antenna opposing area S, and it is possible to make the conductive layer function as a shield case with the other area having conductivity.

Next, as shown inFIG. 2, at a position opposite to the rigid substrate22side with respect to the case body24, the key sheet30is arranged in parallel with the flat plate part25of the case body24with the key FPC28(to be described later) between the key sheet30and the case body24. The key sheet30is configured in such a manner that a plurality of key tops80are bonded on a sheet78made of silicone rubber.

As shown inFIG. 1, in the upper case18of the second housing8, a plurality of key holes82are formed on an operation surface81opposing the display screen of the display unit10when both the first housing6and the second housing8are folded. A surface to be pressed in each of the key tops80of the key sheet30for allowing a finger of a hand, or the like to contact is exposed to the outside from each key hole82. Then, when the surface in the key top80is pressed by a finger of a hand, or the like, the reverse side of the pushed surface presses a corresponding key switch48(to be described later).

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 2, the key FPC28is arranged in such a manner as to be sandwiched between the flat plate part25of the case body24and the key sheet30. In the key FPC28, a first surface28aon the upper case18side is provided with a plurality of key switches48, and a second surface28bopposite to the first surface28ais placed on the flat plate part25of the case body24.

The key switch48of the key FPC28has a structure including a metal dome62of a metal plate curved in a bowl shape in three dimensions. When the apex in the form of a bowl of the metal dome62is pressed, the metal dome62contacts a switch terminal of an electric circuit (not shown) printed on the key FPC28to be electrically connected to each other. as shown inFIG. 6, the metal dome62is positioned so that the metal dome62does not overlap the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22.

According to the folding-type mobile phone2, the case body24, and the method of manufacturing the case body24, described above, in accordance with this embodiment, since a conductive layer is not formed in the antenna opposing area S of the flat plate part25of the case body24, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

Furthermore, even if the metal dome62having conductivity is arranged in the antenna opposing area S, an adverse influence on radio-wave radiation characteristics of the antenna32is reduced except for the position overlapping just above the antenna32. As a consequence, it becomes possible to arrange the key switch48over approximately the entire area of the case body24, and it is possible to improve the ease of operation of the folding-type mobile phone2.

Furthermore, in the case body24, the rib26is not formed in the section of the flat plate part25. The section corresponds to the side other than the three sides corresponding to the ribs26a,26b, and26camong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S. As a consequence, a masking operation for preventing a conductive layer from being formed in the antenna opposing area S can be facilitated.

That is, the rib26is not formed in the section, which is in the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S and which is parallel to the width direction of the case body24. as a consequence, when a tape for masking is attached along the length direction of the case body24or when a paint for masking is applied on the surface on the rigid substrate22side (inFIG. 5, the front side at right angles to the paper surface) of the antenna opposing area S, obstacles to operations for taping or applying a paint are reduced, and these operations can be easily performed.

For example, as such a tape for masking, a planar tape formed such that the length corresponding to the thickness of the flat plate part25is added to become integrally continuous in a direction connecting two planar shapes corresponding to the respective surfaces of the obverse and reverse surfaces of the antenna opposing area S is provided in advance. By using the non-rib side of the antenna opposing area S, this tape can be attached from the obverse surface to the reverse surface through the side surface of the case body24. That is, according to the case body24in accordance with this embodiment, it is possible to easily perform masking by using such the single tape. Furthermore, when the mask is removed after the conductive layer is formed, this single tape need only to be peeled off, thereby improving the ease of operation.

According to the folding-type mobile phone2, the case body24, and the method of manufacturing the case body24in accordance with this embodiment, the antenna opposing area S has ribs26a,26b, and26cprovided at a place other than one non-rib side of the peripheral edge portion, which is used during masking. As a consequence, even if, in the key sheet30, the key top80arranged on the antenna opposing area S is pressed, and then the metal dome62is pressed, the case body24can obtain the strength to make the ribs prop to the substrate and (can obtain) the strength to keep a clearance.

Furthermore, the case body24of the folding-type mobile phone2has the flat plate part25whose entire surface on the upper case18side (inFIG. 5, the inner part at right angles to the paper surface) is almost flat. As a consequence, when the key top80is to be laid out within the planar area of the key sheet30arranged on the flat plate part25, there is no need to pay attention to obstacles, such as a step difference. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the layout of the key top80.

Furthermore, since the folding-type mobile phone2has the key FPC28whose the metal dome62is positioned so that the metal dome62does not overlap the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 1,2, and7, a folding-type mobile phone90(corresponding to a wireless communication terminal), a case body92, and a method of manufacturing the case body92according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown inFIG. 1, the folding-type mobile phone90according to this embodiment includes a first housing6and a second housing8similarly to the folding-type mobile phone2according to the first embodiment. In the space between an upper case18and a lower case20of the second housing8, as shown inFIG. 2, also, a rigid substrate22, a key FPC28, and a key sheet30, which are identical to those of the folding-type mobile phone2according to the first embodiment, are housed.

In the folding-type mobile phone90according to this embodiment, the case body92shown inFIG. 7is provided in place of the case body24of the folding-type mobile phone2according to the first embodiment.

In the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S in the flat plate part25of the case body92, a rib26dformed in the edge portion of the flat plate part25in parallel with the width direction of the flat plate part25, and a rib26bformed in parallel with the width direction of the flat plate part25and a rib26cformed in parallel with the length direction of the flat plate part25inside the planar flat plate part25are arranged. The rib26is not formed in a section of the flat plate part25. The section corresponds to the side other than the three sides corresponding to the ribs26b,26c, and26damong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S.

According to the folding-type mobile phone90, the case body92and the method of manufacturing the case body92, described above, in accordance with this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a conductive layer is not formed in the antenna opposing area S of the flat plate part25of the case body92, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

Furthermore, as long as the position overlapping just above the antenna32is excluded, even if the metal dome62having conductivity is arranged in the antenna opposing area S, it is difficult to exert an adverse influence on radio-wave radiation characteristics of the antenna32. As a consequence, it becomes possible to arrange the key switch48over approximately the entire area of the case body92, and it is possible to improve the ease of operation of the folding-type mobile phone90.

Furthermore, the rib26is not formed in the section of the flat plate part25. The section corresponds to the side other than the three sides corresponding to the ribs26b,26c, and26damong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S. As a consequence, it is possible to easily perform a masking operation for preventing a conductive layer from being formed in the antenna opposing area S.

According to the folding-type mobile phone90, the case body92, and the method of manufacturing the case body92in accordance with this embodiment, the antenna opposing area S has the ribs26b,26c, and26dprovided at a place other than the non-rib side of the peripheral edge portion, which is used during masking. As a consequence, even if, in the key sheet30, the key top80arranged in the antenna opposing area S is pressed and the metal dome62is depressed, in the case body92just below, the ribs26b,26c, and26dprop up the rigid substrate22, and sufficient strength to continue to maintain a constant clearance between the flat plate part25of the case body92and the rigid substrate22can be obtained.

Furthermore, the case body92of the folding-type mobile phone90, similarly to the first embodiment, has the flat plate part25whose entire surface on the upper case18side (inFIG. 7, the inner part at right angles to the paper surface) is almost flat. As a consequence, when the key top80is to be laid out within the planar area of the key sheet30arranged on the flat plate part25, there is no need to pay attention to obstacles, such as a step difference. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the layout of the key top80.

Furthermore, similarly to the first embodiment, since the folding-type mobile phone90has the key FPC28whose the metal dome62is positioned so that the metal dome62does not overlap the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 1,2, and8, a folding-type mobile phone95(corresponding to a wireless communication terminal), a case body97, and a method of manufacturing the case body97according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The folding-type mobile phone95according to this embodiment includes the case body97shown inFIG. 8in place of the case body24of the folding-type mobile phone2according to the first embodiment.

In the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S in the flat plate part25of the case body97, a rib26ethat is intermittently formed in the edge portion of the flat plate part25in parallel with the length of the flat plate part25, and a rib26bformed in parallel with the width of the flat plate part25inside the planar flat plate part25and a rib26cformed in parallel with the length of the flat plate part25inside the planar flat plate part25are arranged. Then, the rib26is not formed in a section of the flat plate part25. The section corresponds to the side other than the three sides corresponding to the rib26b,26c,26eamong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S.

According to the folding-type mobile phone95, the case body97, and the method of manufacturing the case body97, described above, in accordance with this embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, a conductive layer is not formed in the antenna opposing area S of the flat plate part25of the case body97, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

Furthermore, as long as the position overlapping just above the antenna32is excluded, even if the metal dome62having conductivity is arranged in the antenna opposing area S, it is difficult to exert an adverse influence on radio-wave radiation characteristics of the antenna32. As a consequence, it becomes possible to arrange the key switch48over approximately the entire area of the case body97, and it is possible to improve the ease of operation of the folding-type mobile phone95.

Furthermore, the case body97has an intermittent rib26eat a region which is in a first section parallel to the length of the flat plate part25, which is in the peripheral edge of the flat plate part25, and which is in the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S. In addition, the case body97has no rib26in second section in parallel with the width direction. As a result, similarly to the first and second embodiments, a masking operation for preventing a conductive layer from being formed in the antenna opposing area S can be facilitated.

According to the folding-type mobile phone95, the case body97, and the method of manufacturing the case body97in accordance with this embodiment, the antenna opposing area S has the ribs26b,26c, and26eprovided at a place other than non-rib side of the peripheral edge portion, which is used during masking. As a consequence, even if, in the key sheet30, the key top80arranged on the antenna opposing area S is pressed and then the metal dome62is pressed, the case body97just below can obtain the sufficient strength to make the ribs26b,26c, and26eprop up the rigid substrate22, and the sufficient strength to continue to maintain a constant clearance between the flat plate part25of the case body97and the rigid substrate22can be obtained.

According to the folding-type mobile phone95, the case body97, and the method of manufacturing the case body97in accordance with this embodiment, the intermittent rib26eis formed in the peripheral edge portion of the antenna opposing area S. Therefore, when masking is to be performed in the antenna opposing area S by using a paint for masking, the paint for masking can be consecutively applied on the obverse and reverse surfaces through the intermittent space portions of the rib26e, or the mask of the obverse and reverse surfaces can be peeled off consecutively. While the ease of operation of masking is increased, the prop force of the rib26ewith respect to the rigid substrate22can be ensured. Therefore, in the key sheet30, it is possible to prevent the strength against pressing the key top80arranged on the antenna opposing area S from being decreased.

Furthermore, the case body97of the folding-type mobile phone95, similarly to the first and second embodiments, has the flat plate part25whose entire surface on the upper case18side (inFIG. 8, the inner part at right angles to the paper surface) is almost flat. As a consequence, when the key top80is to be laid out within the planar area of the key sheet30arranged on the flat plate part25, there is no need to pay attention to obstacles, such as a step difference. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the layout of the key top80.

Furthermore, similarly to the first and second embodiments, since the folding-type mobile phone95has the key FPC28whose the metal dome62is positioned so that metal dome62does not overlap the antenna32in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate22, it is possible to prevent the gain of the antenna32from being deteriorated.

In the first to third embodiments, as shown inFIG. 3, the antenna32is arranged in an end portion on the hinge4side in the length direction of the rigid substrate22(in the direction connecting the hinge4side to the microphone16side) and is arranged in one of the end portions in the width of the rigid substrate22. Alternatively, the antenna32may be arranged in an end portion on the hinge4side or the microphone16side in the length direction of the rigid substrate22and at any position in the width direction. Furthermore, the antenna32may be arranged in one of the end portions in the width direction of the rigid substrate22and at any position in the length direction.

In such a case, also, in the antenna opposing area S of the flat plate part25of the case bodies24,92, and97, which corresponds to the position of the antenna32, similarly to the first to third embodiments, of course, a conductive layer is not formed, and the rib26is not formed in the second section of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8, the rib26is not formed in the second section of the flat plate part25corresponding to the non-rib side other than the three sides corresponding to the rib26b,26c,26eamong the four sides of the peripheral edge of the antenna opposing area S. Alternatively, in the second section, a rib26didentical to the case body92(seeFIG. 7) of the folding-type mobile phone90according to the second embodiment may be provided.

Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the rigid substrate22and the case bodies24,92, and97are housed inside the second housing8. Alternatively, these may be housed inside the first housing6.

Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the case bodies24,92, and97have a structure comprising the flat plate part25and the rib26. However, the case bodies24,92, and97are not limited to the structure as above. For example, the case bodies24,92, and97may have a plate part having a curvature, a step difference, or the like in place of the flat plate part25. Furthermore, the case bodies24,92, and97may have, in place of the rib26, a plurality of struts having the same height as the rib26, and the tip end surface of the strut may be mounted on the rigid substrate22in such a manner as to be in abutment with the second surface22bof the rigid substrate22.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case in which the present invention is applied to the folding-type mobile phone2has been described. Of course, the present invention can be applied to other wireless communication terminals, such as a mobile phone other than the folding-type mobile phone2. The present invention can be applied to other wireless communication terminals such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a portable navigation apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes many more changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-279423 filed on Sep. 27, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.