Information processing apparatus and base member

An information processing apparatus includes: a touchpad module; a cover including a touch operation portion configured to cover a face of the touchpad module and a button opening formed along a horizontal side portion of the touch operation portion; an operation button arranged in the button opening; and a base member, arranged on an opposite side of the cover with respect to the touchpad module and the operation button, configured to support the touchpad module and the operation button, an end portion of the base member on the touchpad module side being arranged closer to the operation button than a central portion in a vertical side direction of the touchpad module when viewed from a thickness direction of the touchpad module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-162188, filed on Aug. 19, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiment discussed herein is related to an information processing apparatus and a base member.

BACKGROUND

There is provided a notebook-size personal computer including a touchpad module.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, an information processing apparatus includes: a touchpad module; a cover including a touch operation portion configured to cover a face of the touchpad module and a button opening formed along a horizontal side portion of the touch operation portion; an operation button arranged in the button opening; and a base member, arranged on an opposite side of the cover with respect to the touchpad module and the operation button, configured to support the touchpad module and the operation button, an end portion of the base member on the touchpad module side being arranged closer to the operation button than a central portion in a vertical side direction of the touchpad module when viewed from a thickness direction of the touchpad module.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An information processing apparatus, such as a notebook-size personal computer, includes, for example, a touchpad module, a cover having a touch operation portion which covers an obverse face of the touchpad module, and operation buttons which are formed along horizontal side portions of the touch operation portion. In the information processing apparatus of this type, the operation buttons are attached to the cover, for example, via a base member.

For example, a button opening is formed in the cover to expose the operation buttons. The button opening is formed along the horizontal side portions of the touch operation portion. For this reason, the amount of flexure (the amount of sinking) of the horizontal side portion on the button opening side in the touch operation portion may increase, for example, if the touch operation portion is pressed by an operator.

To cope with this, a reverse face of the touchpad module may be entirely covered by, for example, the base member that supports the operation buttons. If the touch operation portion is pressed by an operator in this case, the touch operation portion is supported by the base member via the touchpad module. This reduces the amount of flexure of the horizontal side portion on the button opening side of the touch operation portion.

The above-described measures, however, may reduce a mounting region for an electronic component relative to the reverse face of the touchpad module.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, an information processing apparatus10may be, for example, a notebook-size personal computer. The information processing apparatus10includes a main body device (fixed device)12and a display device (movable device)14which is pivotably coupled to the main body device12. The display device14is provided with a display16, such as a liquid crystal display. The display device14transits between a state in which the display device14is closed to the main body device12side and a state in which the display device14is opened away from the main body device12.

FIG. 1illustrates the state, in which the display device14is opened away from the main body device12. Arrows U, F, and W in the drawings indicate an upper side in a height direction, a front side in a front-back direction (near side in a depth direction), and a width direction, respectively, of the information processing apparatus10.

The main body device12has a case20. The case20is a low-profile housing and is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. The case20has an upper cover22and a lower cover24, into which the case20is divided in a thickness direction of the main body device12(the height direction of the information processing apparatus10).

As illustrated inFIG. 2, for example, a printed board (main board)26, an optical disk drive unit28, and a hard disk drive unit30are provided inside the case20. The case20is also provided with a keyboard32, a touchpad module34, a button unit40, and the like.

The keyboard32is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view and is arranged to extend from a central portion to a rear side in a front-back direction of the upper cover22. The keyboard32has a plurality of keytops32A which are exposed from an upper surface22U of the upper cover22.

For example, the upper cover22has a cover main body23and a cover frame25which is arranged on the reverse face23L side of the cover main body23(the lower cover24side). The cover main body23may be made of metal and is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. A plurality of openings which expose the plurality of keytops32A are formed in the cover main body23. The cover main body23does not have to be made of metal and may be made of resin. The upper cover22may be an example of a cover.

A part on a front side (a side pointed to by the arrow F) in the keyboard32in the cover main body23is a palm rest portion23P. In the palm rest portion23P, an opening18for a touch operation portion29and the button unit40is formed. The opening18is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

The cover frame25may be made of resin. The cover frame25is formed in the form of a frame along an outer peripheral portion of the cover main body23and is joined to the reverse face23L of the cover main body23. The keyboard32is arranged inside the cover frame25. The cover frame25has a panel-like portion27which is arranged along the palm rest portion23P of the cover main body23. The panel-like portion27is formed in an oblong shape with a width direction of the upper cover22(a direction of the arrow W) as a longitudinal direction in plan view and forms a front-side frame portion of the cover frame25.

A central portion in a longitudinal direction of the panel-like portion27is the touch operation portion29in the form of a flat plate. The touch operation portion29is formed in a rectangular shape with the width direction of the upper cover22as a longitudinal direction when viewed from a thickness direction of the touch operation portion29(a direction of the arrow U). As illustrated inFIG. 3, the touch operation portion29illustrated inFIG. 2has one pair of horizontal side portions29F and29R on two sides in the front-back direction of the upper cover22and one pair of vertical side portions29S on two sides in the width direction of the upper cover22. For example, the width direction of the upper cover22(the direction of the arrow W) may coincide with a horizontal side direction of the touch operation portion29, and the front-back direction of the upper cover22(a direction of the arrow F) may coincide with a vertical side direction of the touch operation portion29.

A notch27A is formed on a front side of the touch operation portion29in the panel-like portion27. The notch27A is formed along the horizontal side portion29F on the front side of the touch operation portion29(a side pointed to by the arrow F). One pair of click buttons74(to be described later) is arranged in the notch27A.

The touch operation portion29is arranged so as to cover a rear side (on a side opposite to the side pointed to by the arrow F) of the opening18in the cover main body23. For example, the touch operation portion29is arranged so as to cover the opening18in the cover main body23except a button opening18A. For this reason, the button opening18A is formed along the horizontal side portion29F on the front side of the touch operation portion29.

An obverse face of the touch operation portion29may be a touch operation surface29A (seeFIG. 2) which is exposed from the opening18and is touched and operated by an operator. A rib portion31which protrudes toward a click base42is provided at the horizontal side portion29F on the button opening18A side in the touch operation portion29. A distal end portion31A in a protruding direction of the rib portion31is brought into contact with a base main body portion44of the click base42when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the touchpad module34is arranged on the reverse face29B side of the touch operation portion29. For example, an electrical capacitance sensor which detects a touch operation of the touch operation portion29(the touch operation surface29A) by an operator is mounted on the touchpad module34. The touchpad module34is electrically connected to, for example, the printed board26described earlier and outputs a piece of information on a detected touch operation by an operator to the printed board26.

The touchpad module34is, for example, formed in a rectangular shape with the width direction of the upper cover22as a longitudinal direction when viewed from a thickness direction of the touchpad module34(the direction of the arrow U). An obverse face34A on the touch operation portion29side in the touchpad module34may be a sensor surface which detects a touch operation of the touch operation portion29by an operator. The obverse face34A (seeFIG. 3) of the touchpad module34is joined to the reverse face29B of the touch operation portion29while the obverse face34A is in close contact with the reverse face29B of the touch operation portion29. The obverse face34A of the touchpad module34is bonded to the reverse face29B of the touch operation portion29with adhesive, such as double-faced tape. A plurality of electronic components82are mounted on a reverse face34B on the click base42side in the touchpad module34.

The touch operation portion29made of resin may be used to inhibit a reduction in the sensor sensitivity of the touchpad module34. A horizontal side direction and a vertical side direction of the touchpad module34may coincide with the horizontal side direction (the direction of the arrow W) and the vertical side direction (the direction of the arrow U) of the touch operation portion29.

The button unit40is arranged along a front-side end portion of the upper cover22. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the button unit40illustrated inFIG. 3has the click base42, a switch unit54, and a button member70. The click base42may be an example of a base member.

The click base42is fixed to the upper cover22with screws50(seeFIG. 4) while the switch unit54and the button member70are assembled thereto. For example, the switch unit54and the button member70are fixed to the case20via the click base42.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the click base42is made of, for example, metal and is formed in an oblong shape with the width direction of the upper cover22(the direction of the arrow W) as a longitudinal direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34(the direction of the arrow U). The click base42is arranged to extend across the touchpad module34and the button opening18A when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the click base42has the base main body portion44, one pair of front-side fixed portions46A, and one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B. The base main body portion44is formed in the form of a flat plate. The one pair of front-side fixed portions46A and the one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B are provided at end portions on two sides in a longitudinal direction of the base main body portion44. Through-holes48, through which the screws50penetrate, are respectively formed in the one pair of front-side fixed portions46A and the one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B. The one pair of front-side fixed portions46A may be an example of first fixed portions while the one pair of the rear-side fixed portions46B may be an example of second fixed portions.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the upper cover22illustrated inFIG. 3is provided with one pair of front-side boss portions52A and one pair of rear-side boss portions52B. The one pair of front-side boss portions52A is arranged on two sides in a longitudinal direction of the button opening18A. The one pair of rear-side boss portions52B is arranged on two sides in a longitudinal direction of the touchpad module34. The one pair of front-side fixed portions46A and the one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B are fixed to the one pair of front-side boss portions52A and the one pair of rear-side boss portions52B, respectively, with the screws50. By way of example, the one pair of front-side fixed portions46A, together with the lower cover24(seeFIG. 2), may be fixed to the one pair of front-side boss portions52A with the screws50.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, a switch-fixed region44T1where the switch unit54is fixed and a button-fixed region44T2where a button base72is fixed are provided on an obverse face on the button member70side in the base main body portion44. Wall portions45F and45R which extend toward the click button74are respectively formed at end portions on two sides in a lateral direction of the base main body portion44(the direction of the arrow F) and, more specifically, end portions42F and42R on two sides in a lateral direction of the click base42.

The switch unit54has a switch board56and one pair of switches58. The switch board56is formed in an oblong shape extending in a longitudinal direction of the click base42. The switch board56is arranged along the switch-fixed region44T1of the base main body portion44. A fixing hole60, through which a screw68penetrates, is formed on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the switch board56. A protruding portion62is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the switch board56.

A screw hole64is formed on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the switch-fixed region44T1. A hook portion66is formed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the switch-fixed region44T1. The switch board56is laid on the click base42while the protruding portion62of the switch board56is hooked on to the hook portion66. In this state, the screw68is inserted into the screw hole64through the fixing hole60of the switch board56. In the above-described manner, the switch board56is fixed to the switch-fixed region44T1.

The one pair of switches58is mounted on a mounting surface56U on a side opposite to the click base42side (the upper cover22side) in the switch board56. The one pair of switches58is spaced in the longitudinal direction of the switch board56and is arranged to face push portions78of the one pair of click buttons74.

Each switch58may be, for example, a tactile switch, such as a dome switch. For example, each switch58has a contact spring, a stationary contact, and a movable contact. The contact spring bends the other way upon a press operation by an operator to give a tactile feel to the operator. The contact spring is provided with the movable contact. The movable contact is brought into contact with the stationary contact upon a press operation by an operator. This puts the switch58into an on state (an energized state). When the movable contact separates from the stationary contact, the switch58is put into an off state (a non-energized state). The one pair of switches58may be electrically connected to, for example, the printed board26via a cable (not illustrated) connected to the switch board56.

The button member70has the button base72, the one pair of click buttons74, and a plurality of support arms79A and79B. The button base72, the one pair of click buttons74, and the plurality of support arms79A and79B may be integrally formed using, for example, a resin having elasticity (a rubbery property). The button base72is formed in an oblong shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the click base42and is fixed to the button-fixed region44T2of the click base42.

For example, the button base72and the switch board56are assembled together while the button base72and the switch board56are laid on top of each other. One pair of first lug members80which extend toward the click base42is provided at end portions on two sides in a longitudinal direction of the button base72. The one pair of first lug members80is inserted into first mounting holes86which are formed on two sides in the longitudinal direction of the click base42. The one pair of first lug members80is made to engage with edge portions of the first mounting holes86, thereby fixing the end portions on the two sides in the longitudinal direction of the button base72to the click base42.

A second lug member100which extends toward the click base42is provided at an end portion on a side opposite to a side with the one pair of click buttons74in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the button base72. The second lug member100is inserted into a second mounting hole106which is formed in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the click base42. The second lug member100is made to engage with an edge portion of the second mounting hole106, thereby fixing the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the button base72to the click base42.

One pair of first locating protruding portions88and a second locating protruding portion108which locate the button member70with respect to the click base42are provided at the button base72. The one pair of first locating protruding portions88and the second locating protruding portion108are inserted into one pair of first locating holes90and a second locating hole110, respectively, which are formed in the click base42, thereby locating the button base72with respect to the click base42.

The one pair of click buttons74is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the click base42and are each formed in an oblong shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the click base42. The one pair of click buttons74is made to face the switch-fixed region44T1of the click base42across the switch unit54. The one pair of click buttons74is arranged in the button opening18A (seeFIG. 4) of the upper cover22and is exposed from the upper surface22U of the upper cover22.

A recessed portion76which faces the switch58is formed in a central portion of a reverse face (a surface on the switch unit54side) of each click button74. The push portion78that faces a central portion of the switch58is formed at a central portion of the recessed portion76. The push portion78protrudes as a protrusion from a bottom wall portion of the recessed portion76.

Each click button74is connected to the button base72via one pair of support arms79A and79B. The one pair of support arms79A and79B extends from the button base72toward the click button74and is connected to one end side (a rear side) in a lateral direction of the click button74. With one pair of support arms79A and79B, each click button74is supported by the button base72in a cantilever fashion. The one pair of support arms79A and79B may be an example of elastic support portions.

The one pair of support arms79A and79B is elastically deformed in a direction in which the one pair of click buttons74and the click base42face each other (the height direction of the information processing apparatus10). With the elastic deformation of the one pair of support arms79A and79B, the push portion78of each click button74comes into and out of contact with the switch58. At this time, the push portion78of the click button74presses the central portion of the switch58, and the switch58is temporarily switched from an off state to an on state.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the click base42is arranged to extend across the touchpad module34and the one pair of click buttons74when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34(the direction of the arrow U inFIG. 4). The end portion42R on the touchpad module34side of the click base42is arranged closer to the one pair of click buttons74than a central portion34M in the vertical side direction of the touchpad module34(the direction of the arrow F) when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34.

For example, the touchpad module34is equally divided into two regions L1and L2using, for example, a center line C along the horizontal side direction of the touchpad module34as a boundary when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34. In this case, the end portion42R on the touchpad module34side of the click base42is arranged in the region L2on the click button74side in the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34.

For example, L3may denote a region which extends from an end portion34F on the click button74side of the touchpad module34toward the central portion34M and has a length one-quarter of an entire length L (=L1+L2) in the vertical side direction of the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34. In this case, the end portion42R of the click base42is arranged in the region L3of the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34.

For this reason, when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator, as indicated by an arrow P inFIG. 7, the front-side horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29is supported by the click base42via the touchpad module34and the button base72.

The printed board26described earlier is arranged on the opposite side of the click base42from the touchpad module34. The click base42is attached to the upper cover22while the click base42is separate from the printed board26. In this state, the click base42supports the button member70and the touch operation portion29.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the upper cover22has the cover main body23and the cover frame25. The cover frame25is arranged on the reverse face23L side of the cover main body23. The cover frame25has the touch operation portion29made of resin that is touched and operated by an operator. The touch operation portion29is arranged so as to cover the opening18in the cover main body23except the button opening18A. For example, the button opening18A is formed along the front-side horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the horizontal side portion29F on the button opening18A side in the touch operation portion29crosses the opening18in the width direction of the upper cover22(the direction of the arrow W). For this reason, when the touch operation portion29is pressed toward the click base42(touched and operated) by an operator, the amount of flexure (the amount of sinking) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29is likely to be larger than that of any other part of the touch operation portion29, as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

For this reason, for example, an operation portion opening for the touch operation portion29and a button opening for the click buttons74may be separately formed in the cover main body23, and the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be supported by a partition portion between the operation portion opening and the button opening.

For example, if two openings, the operation portion opening and the button opening, are formed in the cover main body23, the palm rest portion23P of the upper cover22may increase in size in the front-back direction. Due to design constraints, it may be difficult to form two openings, the operation portion opening and the button opening, in the cover main body23.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34may be entirely covered by a click base120. When the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator in this case, the entire reverse face29B of the touch operation portion29is supported by the click base120via the touchpad module34. This may reduce the amount of flexure (an arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29.

For example, since the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34is entirely covered by the click base120inFIG. 8, a mounting region for an electronic component relative to the reverse face34B may be reduced. A plurality of openings122are formed in the click base120.

InFIG. 8, when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator, the click base120is supported by an obverse face26A of the printed board26. Thus, the amount of flexure (the arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be further reduced.

For example, the click base120comes into contact with the obverse face26A of the printed board26inFIG. 8. A mounting region for an electronic component relative to the obverse face26A of the printed board26may be reduced.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the end portion42R on the touchpad module34side of the click base42is arranged in the region L3on the click button74side in the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34. The region L3is set to be a region which extends from the front-side end portion34F of the touchpad module34toward the central portion34M and has a length one-quarter of the entire length L in the vertical side direction of the touchpad module34.

For this reason, when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator, as indicated by, for example, the arrow P inFIG. 7, the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29is supported by the click base42via the touchpad module34and the button base72. Thus, the amount of flexure (the arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be reduced.

A region except the region L3of the touchpad module34is not covered by the click base42. Thus, an electronic component may be mounted on the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34in this region.

The mounting region for an electronic component relative to the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34may be increased while the amount of flexure (the amount of sinking) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29is reduced.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the click base42is attached to the upper cover22while the click base42is separate from the printed board26. Thus, the mounting region for an electronic component relative to the obverse face26A of the printed board26may be large, as compared toFIG. 8.

The rib portion31protruding toward the click base42is provided at the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29. The rib portion31enhances the rigidity (flexural rigidity) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29. Thus, the amount of flexure (the arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be further reduced.

The distal end portion31A in the protruding direction of the rib portion31is brought into contact with the click base42when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator. With this contact, the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29is supported by the click base42via the rib portion31. Thus, the amount of flexure (the arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be further reduced.

The one pair of front-side fixed portions46A of the click base42is fixed to the one pair of front-side boss portions52A arranged on two sides, in the horizontal side direction of the touch operation portion29, of the button opening18A. The one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B of the click base42is fixed to the one pair of rear-side boss portions52B arranged on two sides in the horizontal side direction of the touch operation portion29.

As described above, the one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B of the click base42is fixed to the upper cover22on the two sides in the horizontal side direction of the touch operation portion29. With this configuration, the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be efficiently supported by the click base42. Thus, the amount of flexure of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be further reduced.

As compared toFIG. 8, the click base42is smaller. The information processing apparatus10is thus downsized. Since the mounting region for the electronic component82relative to the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34is larger, for example, the degree of freedom of the layout of connectors to be mounted on the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34may be improved. For example, a connector may be laid out on the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34in view of the work efficiency of the work of connecting a cable to a connector. Thus, the ease of assembly of the touchpad module34may be improved. Since the degree of freedom of the layout of connectors on the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34improves, the length of a cable to be connected to a connector may be shortened. Thus, the cost of cables may be reduced.

The end portion42R on the touchpad module34side of the click base42may be arranged in the region L3on the click button74side of the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34. The end portion42R on the touchpad module34side of the click base42may be arranged closer to the one pair of click buttons74than the central portion34M in the vertical side direction of the touchpad module34when viewed from the thickness direction of the touchpad module34. In this case, for example, a range of support (a support region) of the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34by the click base42may increase while the mounting region for an electronic component relative to the reverse face34B of the touchpad module34decreases. Thus, the amount of flexure (the arrow Q) of the horizontal side portion29F of the touch operation portion29may be more effectively reduced.

By way of example, end portions along a longitudinal direction of the touch operation portion29may be horizontal side portions29F and29R, and end portions along a lateral direction of the touch operation portion29may be vertical side portions29S. For example, end portions along the lateral direction of the touch operation portion29may be horizontal side portions, and end portions along the longitudinal direction of the touch operation portion29may be vertical side portions.

Although the click base42is attached to the upper cover22while the click base42is separate from the printed board26, the click base42may be attached to the upper cover22while the click base42is in contact with the printed board26. For example, the click base42may be supported by the printed board26.

The distal end portion31A of the rib portion31may come into contact with the click base42. For example, a gap may be created between the distal end portion31A of the rib portion31and the click base42, and the distal end portion31A of the rib portion31may come into contact with the click base42when the touch operation portion29is pressed by an operator. The rib portion31may be appropriately omitted.

The click base42may be fixed to the upper cover22with the screws50at the one pair of front-side fixed portions46A and the one pair of rear-side fixed portions46B. The click base42may be fixed to the upper cover22through, for example, bonding or welding. A position where the click base42is fixed to the upper cover22may be appropriately changed. The click base42may be attached to the lower cover24instead of being attached to the upper cover22.

The click base42may be made of metal or may be made of, for example, resin. The switch58is not limited to a tactile switch, and any other switch may be used. An operation button is not limited to the click button74, and any other operation button may be used.

The touch operation portion29and the touchpad module34are applied to the information processing apparatus10that is a notebook-size personal computer. The touch operation portion29and the touchpad module34may be applied to any other information processing apparatus.