Portable information device

A portable information device is capable of stably supporting a foldable display. The portable information device has a support plate which is fixed to the inner surface sides of a first chassis member and a second chassis member and supports the rear surface of a display. The support plate has a first plate member disposed on the inner surface side of the first chassis member, a second plate member disposed on the inner surface side of the second chassis member, and a flexible sheet-like member connecting the first plate member and the second plate member so as to be foldable into a double-folded state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable information device in which a foldable display is provided inside a pair of foldable chassis members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, portable information devices, such as a tablet PC and a smartphone having a touch panel type liquid crystal display and not having a physical keyboard, have rapidly spread. The display of this kind of portable information device has been desired to be large in use but has been desired to be miniaturized in carrying. Then, a portable information device has been proposed in which not only a chassis but a display is configured so as to be foldable by the use of a flexible display, such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) (for example, see Patent Document 1).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The flexible display described above is very thin and vulnerable to impact or the like. Therefore, the display needs to be stably supported on the inner surface side of the chassis member which is movable to be double-folded.

The present invention has been made considering the above-described problems of the former technique. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information device capable of stably supporting a foldable display.

A portable information device according to the present invention has a first chassis member, a second chassis member foldably connected with the first chassis member, a display which is provided over the inner surfaces of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and which is foldable into a double-folded state, and a support plate which is fixed to the inner surface sides of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and supports the rear surface of the display, in which the support plate has a first plate member disposed on the inner surface side of the first chassis member, a second plate member disposed on the inner surface side of the second chassis member, and a flexible sheet-like member connecting the first plate member and the second plate member so as to be foldable into a double-folded state.

The flexible sheet-like member may be configured so as to be provided on the entire surfaces of the first plate member and the second plate member, and may be configured so that the display is fixed to the surface thereof.

A configuration may be acceptable in which, while a gap is formed between one end surface of the first plate member and one end surface of the second plate member facing the one end surface of the first plate member, in a state where the first chassis member and the second chassis member are folded into a double-folded state, a gap is not formed in a state where the first chassis member and the second chassis member are opened into a flat plate shape.

A configuration may be acceptable in which the first plate member and the second plate member are formed of a fiber reinforced resin plate and the flexible sheet-like member is formed of metallic foil.

A configuration may be acceptable in which at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member has an attachment piece projecting outwardly from a part of the outer peripheral end surface and is fixed to the first chassis member or the second chassis member through the attachment piece.

A configuration may be acceptable in which at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member has an attachment portion projecting from the rear surface of an outer peripheral edge portion thereof and is fixed to the first chassis member or the second chassis member through the attachment portion.

A configuration may be acceptable in which a cushion member is placed between the rear surface of the support plate and the inner surface of at least one of the first chassis member and the second chassis member.

A configuration may be acceptable in which a damping member is provided on the rear surface side of the support plate.

A configuration may be acceptable in which, while a main substrate on which an arithmetic unit is mounted is provided on the inner surface of the first chassis member, a sub-substrate controlling the display state of the display is provided on the inner surface of the second chassis member, the main substrate and the sub-substrate are electrically connected by a main wiring line crossing the first chassis member and the second chassis member, and the display is electrically connected with the sub-substrate by a sub-wiring line drawn out from a portion located on the inner surface side of the second chassis member.

A configuration may be acceptable in which the first chassis member and the second chassis member are electrically connected, one end portion of the display and the second chassis member are electrically connected, and the other end portion opposite to the one end portion of the display and the first chassis member are electrically connected.

A configuration may be acceptable in which, while the first chassis member is electrically connected with the first plate member, the second chassis member is electrically connected with the second plate member, and the portable information device has a first conductive member electrically connecting the first chassis member and the second chassis member by electrically connecting the first plate member and the second plate member, and a second conductive member electrically connecting the other end portion of the display and the first chassis member by electrically connecting the other end portion of the display and the first plate member.

A portable information device according to the present invention has a first chassis member, a second chassis member foldably connected with the first chassis member, a display which is provided over the inner surfaces of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and which is foldable into a double-folded state, a main substrate on which an arithmetic unit is mounted is provided on the inner surface of the first chassis member, and a sub-substrate controlling the display state of the display is provided on the inner surface of the second chassis member, in which the main substrate and the sub-substrate are electrically connected by a main wiring line crossing the first chassis member and the second chassis member, and the display is electrically connected with the sub-substrate by a sub-wiring line drawn out from a portion located on the inner surface side of the second chassis member.

A portable information device according to the present invention has a first chassis member, a second chassis member foldably connected with the first chassis member, a rectangular display which is provided over the inner surfaces of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and which is foldable into a double-folded state, in which the first chassis member and the second chassis member are electrically connected, one end portion of the display and the second chassis member are electrically connected, and the other end portion opposite to the one end portion of the display is electrically connected with the first chassis member.

According to the present invention, the foldable display can be stably supported by the support plate on the inner surface sides of the foldable chassis members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferable embodiment of a portable information device according to the present invention is described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1. Description of Entire Configuration of Portable Information Device

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a state where a portable information device10according to one embodiment of the present invention is closed into a storage form.FIG. 2is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state where the portable information device10illustrated inFIG. 1is opened into a usage form.FIG. 3is a side cross-sectional view of the portable information device10illustrated inFIG. 2.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the portable information device10has a first chassis member12A, a second chassis member12B, a backbone portion14, and a display16. This embodiment describes a tablet PC which is foldable into a double-folded state like a book as an example of the portable information device10. The portable information device10may be a cellular phone, a smartphone, an electronic notebook, or the like.

The chassis members12A and12B each are rectangular plate-like members in which the side walls are formed so as to be raised on three sides other than the side corresponding to the backbone portion14. The chassis members12A and12B each contain metal plates of stainless steel, magnesium, and aluminum, fiber reinforced resin plates containing reinforced fibers, such as carbon fibers, and the like, for example. To the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B, a display16is fixed through a support plate18(seeFIG. 3). The chassis members12A and12B are connected through a pair of hinge mechanisms19and19provided on both end portions of the backbone portion14. The hinge mechanisms19connect the chassis members12A and12B so as to be foldable into the storage form illustrated inFIG. 1and the usage form illustrated inFIG. 2.

In the chassis members12A and12B, inner end surfaces12Aa and12Ba on the backbone portion14side serve as hinge sides, and outer end surfaces12Ab and12Bb on the side opposite to the backbone portion14serve as open end portion sides.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, a main substrate20is fixed to the inner surface of the first chassis member12A using conductive screws22. The main substrate20is an electronic substrate for performing the overall control of the portable information device10. On the main substrate20, various kinds of electronic components, such as a central processing unit (CPU)20aand a memory which are not illustrated, are mounted. The conductive screw22is a screw formed of metal, resin, and the like having conductivity.

A sub-substrate24is fixed to the inner surface of the second chassis member12B using the conductive screws22. The sub-substrate24is an electronic substrate functioning as a controller controlling the display state of the display16. A battery device26is fixed to the inner surface of the second chassis member12B in parallel to the sub-substrate24. The battery device26is a power source of the portable information device10and can be charged from an external power source through a power cable which is not illustrated.

The backbone portion14is a thin plate-like member having flexibility serving as the backbone in folding the portable information device10as illustrated inFIG. 1. In the case of this embodiment, the backbone portion14is provided throughout between the chassis members12A and12B so as to cover the inner end surfaces12Aa and12Ba from the inner side. The backbone portion14is slidable along the direction in which the chassis members12A and12B are arranged on the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B. In the usage form illustrated inFIG. 3, the backbone portion14is disposed in a flat plate shape along the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B, the inner end surfaces12Aa and12Ba of which are caused to abut on each other. In the storage form illustrated inFIG. 1, the backbone portion14is disposed in an arc shape so as to cover the gap between the inner end surfaces12Aa and12Ba of the chassis members12A and12B which are separated from each other.

The display16is a touch panel type liquid crystal display, for example. The display16is configured so as to be foldable together with the chassis members12A and12B when the chassis members12A and12B are folded. The display16is a flexible display, such as an organic EL having a paper structure with high flexibility, for example and is opened/closed with an opening/closing operation of the chassis members12A and12B. The display16is attached and fixed to the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B through the support plate18. A rear surface16aof the display surface (front surface) of the display16is pasted and fixed to a surface18aof the support plate18using an adhesive or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, a bezel member27is disposed on an outer peripheral edge portion of the surface of the display16in the state of being attached and fixed to the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B through the support plate18. The bezel member27is provided so as to cover a non-displaying region (inactive region) R2of the outer peripheral edge portion excluding a display region (active region) R1of the surface of the display16.

2. Description of Support Plate

The support plate18is described. The display16is very thin, and therefore, when fixed alone to the chassis members12A and12B, the display16has a concern of causing a breakage or a defect. Then, in the portable information device10, an assembly component in which the support plate18is stuck to the rear surface16aof the display16is attached and fixed to the chassis members12A and12B.

FIG. 4is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the support plate18.FIG. 5Ais a cross-sectional view along the VA-VA line inFIG. 4.FIG. 5Bis a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the support plate18illustrated inFIG. 5Ais folded into a double-folded state.

As illustrated inFIG. 4toFIG. 5B, the support plate18has a first plate member28A, a second plate member28B, and a sheet-like member (flexible sheet-like member)30.

The first plate member28A is a rectangular plate-like member to be disposed on the inner surface side of the first chassis member12A. The outer shape, as viewed in plane of the first plate member28A, is slightly smaller than the first chassis member12A (seeFIG. 3). The second plate member28B is a rectangular plate-like member to be disposed on the inner surface side of the second chassis member12B. The outer shape, as viewed in plane of the second plate member28B, is slightly smaller than the second chassis member12B (seeFIG. 3). The support plates28A and28B contain metal plates of stainless steel, magnesium, and aluminum, fiber reinforced resin plates in which a matrix resin containing a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin is impregnated with reinforced fibers, such as carbon fibers, and the like, for example. In this embodiment, a carbon fiber reinforced resin plate containing carbon fibers as a reinforced resin is used.

The first plate member28A and the second plate member28B are connected so as to be foldable into a double-folded state by the sheet-like member30stuck to the entire surfaces18aand18athereof. In the plate members28A and28B, inner end surfaces (one end surface)28Aa and28Ba facing each other serve as the hinge sides, and the outer end surfaces (other end surface)28Ab and28Bb opposite to the hinge side serve as the open end portion sides.

The sheet-like member30is a thin film containing a material having flexibility, such as a thin resin film or metallic foil. The sheet-like member30is stuck to the entire surfaces18aof the plate members28A and28B. In this embodiment, a metallic foil containing stainless steel is used as the sheet-like member30. The sheet-like member30is bonded to the surfaces18aof the plate members28A and28B using an adhesive or the like. The display16is stuck to the surface of the sheet-like member30using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like. In the sheet-like member30, a portion covering the inner end surfaces28Aa and28Ba which are adjacent end portions of the plate members28A and28B functions as a bending portion (flexible hinge)32of the support plate18.

In the bending portion32, the inner end surface28Aa of the first plate member28A and the inner end surface28Ba of the second plate member28B abut on each other in the usage form in which the chassis members12A and12B are opened into a flat plate shape (seeFIG. 5A). More specifically, no gap is formed between the inner end surfaces28Aa and28Ba. Therefore, the support plate18can support the entire region of the rear surface16aof the display16in the usage form with the hard plate members28A and28B. As a result, the impact resistance of the display16is improved.

On the other hand, in the storage form in which the chassis members12A and12B are folded, the inner end surfaces28Aa and28Ba are separated from each other, so that a gap34is formed (seeFIG. 5B). Therefore, in the sheet-like member30, a portion (portion exposed to the gap34inFIG. 5B) corresponding to the bending portion32is not bonded to the plate members28A and28B.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, in the first plate member28A, one or two or more of attachment pieces38each are formed so as to project on the outer peripheral end surfaces of the three sides other than the inner end surface28Aa. The attachment piece38is a projection piece having an arc-shaped tip and having a plate thickness which is the same as or slightly smaller than the plate thickness of the first plate member28A. In the attachment piece38, an attachment hole38apenetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed. In the second plate member28B, one or two or more of attachment portions40each are fixed to the rear surface18bof outer peripheral end portions of three sides other than the inner end surface28Ba. The attachment portion40is a boss member in which a cylindrical pin40ais protrusively provided in the undersurface of a rectangular thin substrate. In the pin40a,a female screw opened in the top end surface is formed in the axial direction. In each of the attachment portions40, the upper surface of the thin substrate is stuck to the rear surface18bof the second plate member28B using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like. The second plate member28B is also provided with the attachment piece38on one of the outer peripheral end surfaces. The attachment portion40may also be provided in the first plate member28A.

FIG. 6is a perspective view schematically illustrating the fixing structure to the chassis members12A and12B of the support plate18using the attachment piece38.FIG. 7is a perspective view schematically illustrating the fixing structure to the chassis members12A and12B of the support plate18using the attachment portion40.

As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 6, each attachment piece38is attached and fixed to the first plate member28A through the conductive screw22to be inserted into the attachment hole38a.As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 7, each attachment portion40is attached and fixed to the second plate member28B through the conductive screw22to be inserted into a countersunk hole portion39formed in the outer surface of the second plate member28B.

By the use of the attachment pieces38and the attachment portions40, the support plate18(display16) is attached and fixed in a support state like a trampoline in which the outer peripheral edge portion thereof is held on the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B. Thus, the support plate18is supported with a cushion structure in upper portions of the chassis members12A and12B. In the case of this embodiment, since the display16is a thin flexible display and the surface cannot be protected with a hard glass plate or the like, the display16also has a problem of low impact resistance. Then, by supporting the support plate18with the cushion structure, impact or a load caused by a substance falling on the display16or falling of the portable information device10can be absorbed.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, cushion members41may be provided between the rear surface18bof the support plate18and the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B. By providing the cushion members41, a portion around a central portion of the support plate18(display16), only the outer peripheral edge portion of which is supported, can be supported without impairing the impact resistance. The cushion member41is a flexible member formed of a silicone-based gel material, a foamed rubber, or the like, for example. In this embodiment, Alpha GEL (®) which is the silicone-based gel material is used as the cushion members41.

3. Description of Modification of Impact Absorbing Structure to Display

As described above, the display16is vulnerable to impact, and therefore, a structure for absorbing the impact may be provided.FIG. 8is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a principal portion illustrating an example of the configuration of providing a damping sheet48as a damping member.FIG. 9is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a principal portion illustrating an example of the configuration of providing a damping spring49as a damping member.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the damping sheet48is stuck to the rear surface18bof the support plate18using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like. The damping sheet48is a sheet containing a material which hardly repulses external force when received and can absorb impact or vibration, for example. In this embodiment, Hanenaito (®) and VBRAN (®) which are rubber-based damping materials are used as the damping sheet48. By providing the damping sheet48on the rear surface18bof the support plate18, impact or vibration applied to the surface of the display16is absorbed by the damping sheet48, so that the impact resistance of the display16can be improved.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the damping spring49is a spring member obtained by forming a plate spring member with a predetermined width into an arch shape, for example. In the damping spring49, leg portions are landed and fixed to the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B, and a top portion is caused to abut on or disposed near the rear surface18bof the support plate18. By placing the damping spring49between the support plate18and the chassis members12A and12B, impact or vibration applied to the surface of the display16is absorbed, so that the impact resistance of the display16can be improved. The damping spring49may not have the arch shape and may contain a damper, a coil spring, and the like.

4. Description of Wiring Line Structure and Wiring Method

The wiring line structure and a wiring method of the portable information device10are described. The portable information device10adopts the configuration in which the portable information device10is foldable into a double-folded state. Therefore, an electronic substrate or electronic components are disposed as appropriate on the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B on the right side and the left side, and wiring lines connecting the same need to be provided crossing the backbone portion14to be bent. Moreover, the electronic substrate and the wiring lines are hidden on the rear surface side of the display16, and therefore it is preferable to appropriately build the attachment structure of the display16and the wiring line structure and a wiring method thereof.

4.1 Description of Wiring Structure

First, the wiring line structure is described.FIG. 10is a block diagram schematically illustrating a main wiring line structure of the portable information device10and illustrates the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B brought into the usage form in plan view in which the display16is omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the main substrate20, a communication module50, a cooling fan52, and the like are attached and fixed to the inner surface of the first chassis member12A. The communication module50is a device performing information processing of various wireless communications of wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and the like performing transmission and receiving with an antenna54. The cooling fan52is a fan for cooling heat generated in the central processing unit20aand the like mounted on the main substrate20. To the inner surface of the second chassis member12B, the sub-substrate24, the battery device26, the antenna54, and the like are attached and fixed.

The main substrate20and the sub-substrate24are electrically connected by a main wiring line56crossing the backbone portion14. The main substrate20and the battery device26are electrically connected by a battery wiring line58crossing the backbone portion14. The main wiring line56and the battery wiring line58contain a plurality of wiring line bundles, a flexible substrate, and the like, for example. The communication module50and the antenna54are electrically connected by a wiring line60crossing the backbone portion14. The portable information device10has a plurality of wiring lines, which are not illustrated, crossing the backbone portion14besides the wiring lines described above.

The sub-substrate24is electrically connected with the display16by a sub-wiring line62. The sub-wiring line62contains a plurality of wiring line bundles, a flexible substrate, and the like, for example. The sub-wiring line62connects the sub-substrate24disposed on the second chassis member12B and one end portion16bin the longitudinal direction of the display16is disposed on the second chassis member12B side (see alsoFIG. 11B). More specifically, the sub-wiring line62does not cross the backbone portion14.

4.2 Description of Wiring Method

Next, a wiring method is described. The wiring method is a method including first connecting the main wiring line56and the like to be hidden by the display16, and then turning back the wiring by the sub-wiring line62to thereby dispose the display16.FIG. 11Ais a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where the display16is disposed outside in a reversed state and the main wiring line56is connected.FIG. 11Bis a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where the display16is attached and fixed to the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B from the state illustrated inFIG. 11A.FIG. 11AandFIG. 11Billustrate the states omitting the attachment piece38, the attachment portion40, and the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 10andFIG. 11A, the wiring lines crossing the backbone portion14, such as the main wiring line56, the battery wiring line58, and the wiring line60, are connected first. For example, the main wiring line56is connected with the sub-substrate24through a connector56a,and the connector56ais firmly fixed to the sub-substrate24using a screw64. Furthermore, the sub-wiring line62is connected between the sub-substrate24and the one end portion16bof the display16, and then the display16is disposed outside the second chassis member12B in the reversed state through the sub-wiring line62. The sub-wiring line62may be connected before connecting the main wiring line56and the like. Therefore, the main wiring line56and the like can be wired and connected preventing the display16from being an obstacle.

Herein, the main wiring line56and the like crossing the backbone portion14are certainly disposed or fixed at positions where the main wiring line56and the like can cope with a folding operation of the chassis members12A and12B. This can avoid the application of an unintended load or the occurrence of bending in the wiring lines crossing the backbone portion14, such as the main wiring line56, in an opening/closing operation of the chassis members12A and12B. Herein, the inner surfaces of the chassis members12A and12B are not covered with the display16, and therefore the main wiring line56and the like crossing the backbone portion14can be easily and certainly wired at desired designed positions.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 11B, the sub-wiring line62is turned back, and the display16is disposed on the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B. Thus, the one end portion16bof the display16is disposed on the outer end surface12Bb side of the second chassis member12B, and another end portion16con the opposite side in the longitudinal direction is disposed on the outer end surface12Ab side of the first chassis member12A. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the support plate18is fixed to the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B through the attachment pieces38and the attachment portions40, and then the bezel member27is attached. Thus, the wiring of the portable information device10and the attachment and fixation of the display16are completed. The sub-wiring line62does not cross the backbone portion14. Therefore, even when a positional shift occurs when disposing the display16on the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B, no problems occur.

5. Description of Ground Structure

The ground structure of the portable information device10is described. The portable information device10adopts the configuration in which the portable information device10is foldable into a double-folded state. Therefore, the electronic components are disposed as appropriate on the chassis members12A and12B on the right side and the left side, and the display16is provided over the chassis members12A and12B on the right side and the left side. In particular, when a self-light emitting element, such as organic electroluminescence, is used for the display16, a relatively large current gradient is generated from an anode side on one end side of the display16toward a cathode side on the other end side thereof. Therefore, it is desired to build an appropriate frame ground between the chassis members12A and12B of this folding structure.

FIG. 12Ais a side view schematically illustrating the main ground structure of the portable information device10.FIG. 12Bis a block diagram schematically illustrating the main ground structure of the portable information device10. InFIG. 12AandFIG. 12B, the elements, such as the sheet-like member30of the support plate18, are omitted.

In the case of this embodiment, the chassis members12A and12B and the plate members28A and28B are formed of a conductor. As illustrated inFIG. 12AandFIG. 12B, the main substrate20and the first plate member28A each are attached and fixed to the first chassis member12A using the conductive screws22(see alsoFIG. 3). The sub-substrate24and the second plate member28B each are attached and fixed to the second chassis member12B using the conductive screws22(see alsoFIG. 3). As a result, the main substrate20and the first chassis member12A are electrically connected, and the first plate member28A and the first chassis member12A are electrically connected. The sub-substrate24and the second chassis member12B are electrically connected, and the second plate member28B and the second chassis member12B are electrically connected.

Then, between an engagement portion of the conductive screw22to the first chassis member12A of the first plate member28A and an engagement portion of the conductive screw22to the second chassis member12B of the second plate member28B, a ground wiring line (first conductive member)66crossing the backbone portion14is connected by co-fastening by the conductive screws22(see alsoFIG. 4). Thus, the first plate member28A and the second plate member28B are electrically connected. As a result, the first chassis member12A and the second chassis member12B are also electrically connected.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 12AandFIG. 12B, the main substrate20on the first chassis member12A side and the sub-substrate24on the second chassis member12B side are electrically connected with the main wiring line56and a return path67crossing the backbone portion14. On the second chassis member12B side, the sub-substrate24and the one end portion16bof the display16are electrically connected by the sub-wiring line62. As a result, the one end portion16bof the display16and the chassis members12A and12B are electrically connected. Therefore, in the display16, the one end portion16bside in the longitudinal direction serves as the anode side, and the other end portion16cside thereof serves as the cathode side, and an electrical resistance value therebetween increases to generate a current gradient from the one end portion16bto the other end portion16c.

Then, in the portable information device10, the other end portion16cof the display16and the first plate member28A are connected with a ground tape (second conductive member)68on the second chassis member12B side. The ground tape68is an adhesive tape having conductivity. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the ground tape68is pasted and fixed through the end surface of the support plate18so as to connect a conductive pad portion16dexposed to the other end portion16cof the display16and the first plate member28A. A common ground wiring line may be used in place of the ground tape68. Thus, the other end portion16cof the display16and the first plate members28A are electrically connected. Therefore, the other end portion16cof the display16and the chassis members12A and12B are also electrically connected. As a result, the ground level between the one end portion16band the other end portion16cin the longitudinal direction serving as the current driving direction of the display16is fixed. Thus, the ground structure in the portable information device10is built and a measure against a noise (EMC) is also achieved.

6. Description of Operational Effects of Portable Information Device

As described above, the portable information device10according to this embodiment has the support plate18which is fixed to the inner surface sides of the first chassis member12A and the second chassis member12B and supports the rear surface16aof the display16. The support plate18has the first plate member28A disposed on the inner surface side of the first chassis member12A, the second plate member28B disposed on the inner surface side of the second chassis member12B, and the sheet-like member30connecting the first plate member28A and the second plate member28B so as to be foldable into a double-folded state.

Thus, the portable information device10supports the rear surface16aof the display16which is a foldable flexible display with the foldable support plate18. Therefore, the display16can be stably supported by the support plate18on the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B. As a result, impact or a load to the display16can be received by the support plate18, so that the generation of a defect of the display16can be prevented.

The sheet-like member30is provided on the entire surfaces18aof the first plate member28A and the second plate member28B, and the display16is fixed to the surface thereof. Therefore, a uniform plane can be formed by the sheet-like member30provided on the entire surface of the support plate18having the two plate members28A and28B connected with each other. Thus, the display16can be further stably supported and the generation of a defect can be further certainly prevented.

Between the inner end surface28Aa which is one end surface of the first plate member28A and the inner end surface28Ba which is one end surface of the second plate member28B facing the inner end surface28Aa, a gap is formed in the state where the first chassis member12A and the second chassis member12B are folded into a double-folded state (seeFIG. 5B). On the other hand, no gap is formed in the state where the first chassis member12A and the second chassis member12B are opened into a flat plate shape (seeFIG. 5A). Thus, when the portable information device10is in the usage form, not only the flexible sheet-like member30but the hard plate members28A and28B are disposed at a portion corresponding to the bending portion32of the display16. As a result, the impact resistance of the display16can be prevented from lowering in the portion corresponding to the bending portion32, so that high impact resistance can be secured in the entire region.

In the portable information device10, a fiber reinforced resin plate, particularly a carbon fiber reinforced resin plate, is used for the first plate member28A and the second plate member28B, and metallic foil, particularly a stainless steel sheet, is used for the sheet-like member30. In the support plate18containing this combination, higher effects are obtained in the impact absorbability, the bending durability, the surface flatness, and the like. The thickness of the stainless steel sheet forming the sheet-like member30varies depending on the type of the stainless material, the bending curvature, and the like, and is preferably about 40 μm, for example.

The plate members28A and28B have the attachment pieces38projecting outwardly from a part of the outer peripheral end surfaces thereof and are fixed to the chassis members12A and12B through the attachment pieces38. Thus, the support plate18supporting the display16is attached and fixed with the cushion structure like a trampoline on the inner surface sides of the chassis members12A and12B. As a result, the impact resistance of the display16is improved. The attachment pieces38may be provided only in either the plate member28A or28B.

Such an attachment piece38projects outwardly from the outer peripheral end surfaces of the plate members28A and28B. Therefore, the engagement portions to the chassis members12A and12B of the attachment pieces38serving as hard supporting points can be separated as soon as possible from the display region R1of the display16, so that impact to the display region R1can be effectively reduced.

However, the display region R1of the display16is not necessarily disposed on the center of the outside of the display16as illustrated inFIG. 3. More specifically, in the display16, the sub-wiring line62is connected with the one end surface (one end portion16b) side in the longitudinal direction, for example (seeFIG. 12A), and therefore the wiring lines from the elements forming the display region R1to the sub-wiring line62gather on the one end portion16bside. Then, in the case of this embodiment, the non-displaying region R2on the one end portion16bside of the display16is configured so as to be broader than the non-displaying region R2on the other end portion16cside (seeFIG. 3). On the other hand, it is desirable that the display region R1of the display16is disposed on the center of the outer shape with respect to the chassis members12A and12B brought into the usage form. Then, in the case of this embodiment, the gap between the one end portion16bof the display16and the outer wall (outer end surface12Bb) of the second chassis member12B is set so as to be narrower than the gap between the other end portion16cand the outer wall (outer end surface12Ab) of the first chassis member12A, so that the display region R1is set at the center of the chassis members12A and12B.

For such reasons, the support plate18supporting the entire region of the rear surface16aof the display16is structured so as to hardly project the attachment pieces38from the end surface supporting the one end portion16bof the display16. Then, in the portable information device10, the attachment portion40configured so as not to project outwardly is used for the outer peripheral edge portion of the second plate member28B corresponding to the one end portion16bof the display16. As a result, the portable information device10can achieve both the suppression of the enlargement of the chassis structure and the certain support of the display16by the support plate18.

It is a matter of course that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be freely altered without deviating from the scope of the present invention.