Chassis and electronic device

A first inner cover includes a plate portion that includes a first surface that is opposed to the back surface of a liquid crystal unit; and a second surface that is the surface at the opposite side of the first surface. The plate portion includes a boss that extends from the second surface in the thickness direction of the plate portion. Furthermore, the plate portion includes a recessed portion that has a predetermined area of the first surface recessed, including an area at the opposite side of the boss.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-028876, filed on Feb. 17, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiment discussed herein is directed to a chassis and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, portable electronic devices have become widely used, typically, notebook personal computers (PCs), tablet PCs, mobile phones, and smartphones. With regard to the portable electronic devices, there are high market demands for thin and lightweight products. For this reason, there are also high demands for electronic device chassis, which constitute a portable electronic device, to have thinness and lightweight properties and to have satisfying high rigidity in terms of protection for internal electronic components.

Typically, the chassis of a portable electronic device is formed by injection molding of synthetic resin. Furthermore, to provide the portable electronic device with rigidity, a structure component, such as a boss or rib, is formed within the chassis.

Furthermore, in portable electronic devices, a liquid crystal unit is often used as a display mechanism. Moreover, in portable electronic devices, to make the device thin, a boss is sometimes provided for screw fastening to fix a substrate or a unit on the back surface of the liquid crystal unit.

It is considered that, when an external force is applied to the chassis due to drop impact, pressing, or the like, a structure component, such as a boss, is brought into contact with the back surface of the liquid crystal unit. Display control mechanisms, such as an array substrate or a light guide plate, are provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal unit, and there is a possibility that the contact between the structure component and the back surface of the liquid crystal unit causes display failure or damage to the liquid crystal unit.

Conventionally, to prevent the occurrence of the above failure, a buffer material, such as rubber, is provided between the liquid crystal unit and the boss so that the force is distributed. Furthermore, there is a conventional technology in which, to change the view angle while the liquid crystal unit is held, a spherical member is fixed to the back surface of the liquid crystal unit, and the spherical member is fixed to a shaft screw via a tension spring. Moreover, there is a conventional technology in which the chassis, which houses a backlight unit in a liquid crystal layer, is provided with concavity and convexity so that the liquid crystal layer is sandwiched.

However, according to the conventional technology for providing the buffer material, there is a possibility that, if the existing gap is filled with the buffer material, the impact is easily transmitted due to the pressure that is applied to the boss, and it is difficult to prevent the occurrence of failure of the liquid crystal unit. Furthermore, according to the conventional technology for using the spherical member, the spherical member is a mechanism that holds the liquid crystal unit in a movable state, and it is large-sized as it includes various components; therefore, in thin portable electronic devices, it is difficult to reduce the pressure that is applied to the boss. Moreover, according to the conventional technology for providing the chassis, which houses the backlight unit, with concavity and convexity, it is difficult to reduce the pressure to the structure component that is provided on the cover that spreads over the liquid crystal unit, and it is difficult to prevent the occurrence of failure of the liquid crystal unit.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a chassis includes a plate portion. The plate portion includes: a first surface that is opposed to a back surface of a liquid crystal unit; a second surface that is a surface at an opposite side of the first surface; a protruding portion that extends from the second surface in a direction away from the back surface of the liquid crystal unit and in a thickness direction of the plate portion; and a recessed portion that has a predetermined area of the first surface recessed, including an area of the first surface at an opposite side of the protruding portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. Here, the chassis and the electronic device, disclosed in the present application, are not limited to the following embodiment.

FIG. 1Ais a perspective view of a tablet-type PC when seen from the side of the liquid crystal screen according to an embodiment.FIG. 1Bis a perspective view of the tablet-type PC when seen from the side of the external cover according to the embodiment. Furthermore,FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of the tablet-type PC in an exploded state according to the embodiment. Furthermore,FIG. 2Bis a perspective view where, in the exploded state, a liquid crystal unit, a first inner cover, a substrate, and a second inner cover are removed. Furthermore,FIG. 3Ais a perspective view of the first inner cover when seen from the side of the liquid crystal unit.FIG. 3Bis a perspective view of the first inner cover when seen from the side of the substrate.

With reference toFIG. 1AtoFIG. 3B, an explanation is given of the schematic configuration of a tablet-type PC1in entirety. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the tablet-type PC1includes a surface at the side of a touch panel11and a surface at the side of an external cover16, which is at the opposite side of the touch panel11. Hereafter, the surface at the side of the touch panel11is sometimes referred to as the “front surface”, and the surface at the side of the external cover16as the “back surface”.

Furthermore, if the tablet-type PC1is disassembled, the state is obtained as illustrated inFIGS. 2A to 3B. As illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the tablet-type PC1includes the touch panel11, a liquid crystal unit12, a first inner cover13, a substrate14, a second inner cover15, and an external cover16.

The touch panel11is provided on the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal unit12. In the following explanation, the display screen of the liquid crystal unit12is referred to as the liquid crystal screen.

The liquid crystal unit12includes a display control mechanism, such as a polarization plate, an array substrate, or a light guide plate, or the like, in addition to a liquid crystal layer.

As illustrated inFIG. 2B, the first inner cover13, the substrate14, and the second inner cover are provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal unit12, i.e., on the surface at the opposite side of the display screen.

The first inner cover13includes a frame into which the liquid crystal unit12is fitted, and it nips the liquid crystal unit12that is fitted in the frame. Furthermore, the substrate14is provided on the back surface of the first inner cover13, i.e., on the surface at the opposite side of the liquid crystal unit12. Moreover, the second inner cover15is provided on the back surface of the substrate14, i.e., on the surface at the opposite side of the first inner cover13.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the first inner cover13includes recessed portions131and132. Furthermore, the first inner cover13includes a boss133at the opposite side of the recessed portion131, i.e., at the side of the substrate14, and includes a boss134at the opposite side of the recessed portion132. A plate portion130is a plate-like portion that is provided with the recessed portions131and132and the bosses133and134on the first inner cover13and that is opposed to the liquid crystal unit12and the substrate14. The details of the structure of the first inner cover13are explained later.

The substrate14includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an interface for a hard disk and an external device. Furthermore, the CPU on the substrate14is connected to the touch panel11and the liquid crystal unit12. The CPU receives operation information that is input from the touch panel11and performs an operation in accordance with the received operation information. Then, on the basis of the details of the operation, the CPU causes the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal unit12to display the information.

The substrate14is sandwiched between the first inner cover13and the second inner cover15so that it is secured. Here, the substrate14is fastened by a screw that is inserted from the side of the second inner cover15.

More specifically, the first inner cover13and the second inner cover15are fastened with screws at the positions of the bosses133and134. The screws are engaged with screw holes103that are provided in the bosses133and134so that the first inner cover13and the second inner cover15are fastened and the substrate14is fixed. Furthermore, the first inner cover13and the second inner cover15are fastened with multiple screws at the areas along the vicinity of the edge portions of the liquid crystal unit12. For the screw fastening areas, bosses may be provided on the back surface of the first inner cover13.

The external cover16is provided on the back surface of the second inner cover15, i.e., at the opposite side of the substrate14. The external cover16and the second inner cover15are fastened due to the engagement between a claw and a claw hole, or the like.

The external cover16is a cover that spreads over the surface at the opposite side of the liquid crystal screen of the tablet-type PC1to improve the external appearance and to protect the internal mechanisms, such as the liquid crystal unit12or the substrate14.

The first inner cover or the combination of the first inner cover, the second inner cover, and the external cover is an example of the “chassis”.

Next, a more detailed explanation is given of the structure of the first inner cover13.FIG. 4Ais a plan view of the recessed portion. Furthermore,FIG. 4Bis a perspective view of the recessed portion. The recessed portion131is the portion that corresponds to the inner side of the area which is indicated inFIG. 4A. Here, the recessed portion131and the boss133have the same structure as the recessed portion132and the boss134; therefore, an explanation is given by using the recessed portion131and the boss133as an example.

As illustrated inFIG. 4A, the recessed portion131includes a slope face101, represented by multiple circles, a bottom face102, the screw hole103, and a cutout104. For easy understanding, the recessed portion131is illustrated by indicating the area of the recessed portion131inFIG. 4. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the slope face101has a slope that is recessed toward the back surface, i.e., that is recessed deeply in a direction away from the liquid crystal unit12. Furthermore, the recessed portion131does not have any slope when it reaches the bottom face102so that it becomes a plain face. Moreover, the screw hole103is provided in the center of the bottom face102. The screw hole103is a through-hole, and it is the screw hole that is provided on the boss133.

Furthermore, in the recessed portion131according to the present embodiment, the cutout104is provided at the position where the slope face101is included. Here, as described later, the recessed portion131receives a pressing force from the boss133. At that time, the slope face101is bent, whereby the recessed portion131acts to reduce the pressing force. Therefore, it is preferable that the slope face101has a more flexible structure. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the cutout104is provided at the position where the slope face101is included so that the area of the slope face101is easily bent. According to the present embodiment, the cutout104is a through-hole.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the boss. The boss133, illustrated inFIG. 5, is provided on the back surface of the recessed portion131in the plate portion130. The boss133protrudes toward the substrate14. Specifically, the boss133protrudes in the thickness direction of the first inner cover13at the position where the boss133is provided. Furthermore, the boss133includes the screw hole103. As described above, the screw hole103is a through-hole that passes through the recessed portion131. Furthermore, the periphery of the boss133is raised toward the substrate14due to a slope face105. The slope face105is at the opposite side of the slope face101of the recessed portion131. Moreover, the cutout104is provided at the position where the slope face105is included. The boss133is an example of a “protruding portion”.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, an explanation is given of an operation in a case where the pressing force is applied to the tablet-type PC according to the present embodiment.FIG. 6is an enlarged view of the boss section, taken along the line A-A′ inFIG. 1A. Furthermore,FIG. 7is an enlarged view of the boss section, taken along the line A-A′ inFIG. 1Ain a state where the pressing force is applied. For easy understanding, the recessed portion131is illustrated by indicating the area of the recessed portion131inFIGS. 6 and 7.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a screw200passes through the second inner cover15and the substrate14from the side of the external cover16so as to be engaged with the screw hole103that is provided in the boss133of the first inner cover13. Here, for easy illustration, the screw200and the screw hole103are depicted with their screw threads omitted fromFIG. 6. In actuality, a state is such that the screw threads of the screw200and the screw hole103are engaged and are in contact with one another. Furthermore, asFIG. 6is an enlarged view, the first inner cover13and the plate portion130become one; however, for easy understanding, the reference numeral of each of them is depicted.

The first inner cover13and the second inner cover15are fastened due to the engagement between the screw200and the screw hole103. Furthermore, the substrate14is fixed such that it is sandwiched between the boss133and the second inner cover15.

In the above state, on the front surface of the plate portion130of the first inner cover13, i.e., the surface that is opposed to the liquid crystal unit12, the recessed portion131is recessed in a direction toward the back surface. Specifically, the plane that is on the same level as the front surface of the first inner cover13is indicated by a two-dot chain line S, and the recessed portion131is recessed toward the substrate14from the two-dot chain line S as illustrated inFIG. 6. Furthermore, the entire front surface of the plate portion130has a gap with the liquid crystal unit12, and the gap with the liquid crystal unit12is increased as the recessed portion131is recessed.

In the above state, for example, if a pressing force P is applied to the area of the external cover16, which corresponds to the screw200, toward the liquid crystal unit12, the area of the slope face101of the recessed portion131is largely bent and is moved closer to the liquid crystal unit12, as it is more flexible due to the cutout104than the other areas. In addition, the plate portion130of the first inner cover13is pressed toward the liquid crystal unit12, and the front surface of the plate portion130is moved toward the liquid crystal unit12, whereby the state is obtained as inFIG. 7.

In this state, the plate portion130of the first inner cover13abuts the liquid crystal unit12at positions Q1and Q2that are the edge portions of the recessed portion131. Here, asFIG. 7is a cross-sectional view, only the two contact areas, i.e., the positions Q1and Q2, are illustrated; however, in actuality, the entire outer edge of the recessed portion131abuts the liquid crystal unit12.

In this way, if the pressing force P is applied, the force is distributed to the outer edge of the recessed portion131; therefore, the force for pressing the liquid crystal unit12is reduced. Thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of failure of the liquid crystal unit12.

Here, according to the present embodiment, the mechanism is provided to release the applied force by bending the slope face101of the recessed portion131; however, if the applied force is sufficiently released by receiving it at the outer edge of the recessed portion131, the slope face101may be less bent.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, to release the force effectively, the boss133and the recessed portion131are provided such that the position at the opposite side of the boss133is in the center of the recessed portion131. However, in a case where the efficiency of releasing the force may be low, e.g., the liquid crystal unit12is unlikely to be damaged, it is appropriate as long as the position at the opposite side of the boss133is included in the recessed portion131. In this case, it is preferable that the positional relationship between the boss133and the recessed portion131is determined in consideration of how the force applied to the boss133is applied to the outer edge of the recessed portion131and the strength of the liquid crystal unit12.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the size of the recessed portion131is larger in consideration of more distribution of the force; however, if the size of the recessed portion131is larger, there is a high possibility that the opposite side of the boss133is brought into contact with the liquid crystal unit12due to the bend of the recessed portion131. Furthermore, as the recessed portion131is bent to release the applied force, it is preferable that the recessed portion131is easily bent; however, if it has a structure to be largely bent, there is a high possibility that the opposite side of the boss133is brought into contact with the liquid crystal unit12due to the bend. Moreover, the deepness of the recess of the recessed portion131is limited by the size of the tablet-type PC1. Therefore, it is preferable that the size and the flexibility of the recessed portion131are determined on the basis of the deepness of the recess of the recessed portion131, the degree of force that may be tolerated by the liquid crystal unit12, or the like.

Furthermore, the first inner cover13according to the present embodiment uses the cutout104that extends in the slope direction of the slope face101; however, the cutout may have any shape as long as it makes the slope face101easily bend. For example, as inFIG. 8A, it is possible to provide the cutout104that extends in a direction perpendicular to the slope direction of the slope face101. Furthermore, it is possible that the cutout104has a different shape of a through-hole. For example, as inFIG. 8B, it is possible to provide, as the cutout104, a groove141that extends in a direction perpendicular to the slope direction of the slope face101.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare diagrams that illustrate other examples of the cutout.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the slope face101is easily bent by using the cutout104; however, another structure may be used as long as it is a structure that makes the slope face101easily bend. For example, an area of the slope face101is made thin so that it is easily bent.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the slope face101is easily bent; however, it is appropriate as long as the force is released by bending the recessed portion131and, for example, the bottom face102may be easily bent.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an explanation is given of a case where the outer edge of the recessed portion131is circular to improve the force distribution efficiency; however, the shape of the recess may be a different shape and it may be, for example, a triangle or a square. Furthermore, it is preferable that a vertex is curved so as to prevent a strong force from being applied to a specific area.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an explanation is given by using, as the protruding portion, the boss133that is engaged with the screw200that includes the screw hole. However, there is no limitation on the boss133as long as it is a protruding portion with which, if the force is applied in a direction from the external cover16toward the liquid crystal unit12at a position other than the vicinity of the outer edge of the liquid crystal unit12, the force is applied in a concentrated manner and the opposite side is likely to be in contact with the liquid crystal unit12. For instance, it may be a support rod that supports between the first inner cover13and the second inner cover15. In such a case, a recessed portion may be provided on the surface of the first inner cover13, opposing to the liquid crystal unit12, in the area that includes the position at the opposite side of the support rod.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an explanation is given by using, for example, the tablet-type PC1; however, this is not a limitation on the target to be used. If a product is structured such that there is a possibility that, if it is provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal unit12and if force is applied, it is brought into contact with the back surface of the liquid crystal unit12, the cover that includes the protruding portion and the recessed portion, described in the present embodiment, is used for the product, whereby the same advantage may be obtained.

As described above, in the chassis according to the present embodiment, if the force toward the back surface of the liquid crystal unit is applied to the boss section, the force applied to the boss is distributed to the outer edge of the recessed portion, whereby it is possible to reduce the force that is applied to the liquid crystal unit, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of failure of the liquid crystal unit due to the contact with the protruding portion.

According to an aspect of the chassis and the electronic device that are disclosed in the present application, an advantage is produced such that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of failure of the liquid crystal unit due to the contact with the boss.