Open-close type compact electronic device

An open-close type compact electronic device includes a first housing and a second housing connected so that they can move relative to each other. The first housing is provided with a first display on its front surface while the second housing is provided with a second display on its front surface. The first and second housings can move relative to each other between a closed state where a front surface of the first display is covered by the second housing while a front surface of the second display is exposed and an open state where the front surfaces of the first and second displays are arranged on generally the same plane to be exposed. The first and second housings include respective contact surfaces, which are pressed against each other in the open state, thereby maintaining a posture of the second housing relative to the first housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to compact electronic devices such as a portable telephone, and particularly to an open-close type compact electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing which are connected to each other openably and closably.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, portable telephones have been multi-functionalized more and more, and along with this, information to be displayed on a display has become various. Therefore, the size of a screen of the display has been increased. However, since the size of the screen of the display is limited by the size of the housing, the increase in the size of the display has a limitation.

It has been proposed that in a display apparatus for a mobile, two housings are foldably connected to each other, and each of the housings includes a display arranged on an inner face thereof so as to display more information with the two screens.

Therefore, considered is a foldable portable telephone comprising a first housing and a second housing foldably connected to each other, having a configuration in which a display is arranged on an inner face of each of the first housing and the second housing, or a sliding portable telephone comprising a first housing and a second housing slidably connected to each other, having a configuration in which a display is arranged on a front face of each of the first housing and the second housing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the foldable portable telephone comprising the first housing and the second housing each provided with the display on the inner face thereof, the two displays are hidden when the housings are closed. Therefore, in order to enable information display at the time of telephone communication when the housings are closed, it is necessary to further arrange a third display on the face exposed with the housings closed. Thus, there is a problem of a complicated configuration.

In contrast, in the sliding portable telephone comprising the first housing and the second housing each provided with the display on the front face thereof, there is a difference in level between the two displays when the housings are open. Therefore, when an image is displayed over the two display screens, since the image is greatly divided into two, it could bring a feeling of strangeness particularly in the case of a continuous image.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an open-close type compact electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing front surfaces of which can be flush with each other on generally the same plane with the housings open.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an open-close type compact electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing which can display information without using a third display with the housings closed, and can keep continuousness of an image displayed over two displays with the housings open.

Means for Solving the Problem

An open-close type compact electronic device according to the present invention comprises a first housing1and a second housing2connected to each other by a connecting mechanism so that they can move relative to each other. The first housing1and the second housing2can move relative to each other between a closed state where a part or all of a front surface of the first housing1is covered by the second housing2and an open state where front surfaces of both the housings1,2are arranged on generally the same plane to be exposed.

Also, the first housing1and the second housing2include respective contact surfaces12,22to be in contact with each other by being urged by urging means in the open state. Both the contact surfaces come into contact with each other in the open state, thereby maintaining a posture of the second housing2relative to the first housing1.

The open state where the front surfaces of both the housings1,2are arranged on generally the same plane to be exposed is a state where the front surfaces of the housings1,2are flush with each other on the same plane, or the front surfaces of the housings1,2are arranged with a difference in level within a predetermined tolerable range.

It is desirable that the contact surface12of the first housing1and the contact surface22of the second housing2are in contact with each other by being urged by the urging means with a surface pressure of a certain value or higher.

With the open-close type compact electronic device described above, in a state where the second housing2is closed with respect to the first housing1, a rear surface of the second housing2is arranged over the front surface of the first housing1to hide a part or all of the front surface of the first housing1.

When the second housing2is opened from the closed state to the open state, the front surface of the first housing1and the front surface of the second housing2are both exposed. In this open state, the contact surface22of the second housing2comes into contact with the contact surface12of the first housing1, and the housings1,2are held at relative positions where the front surfaces thereof are flush with each other on generally the same plane.

Also, the open-close type compact electronic device in accordance with the present invention comprises the first housing1and the second housing2connected to each other by a connecting mechanism so that they can move relative to each other, and the first housing1is provided with a first display11on its front surface while the second housing2is provided with a second display21on its front surface.

In this open-close type compact electronic device, the first housing1and the second housing2can move relative to each other between a closed state where a front surface of the first display11is covered by the second housing2while a front surface of the second display21is exposed and an open state where the front surfaces of the first display11and the second display21are arranged on generally the same plane to be exposed.

Also, the first housing1and the second housing2include the respective contact surfaces12,22to be in contact with each other by being urged by the urging means in the open state. Both the contact surfaces12,22come into contact with each other in the open state, thereby maintaining a posture of the second housing2relative to the first housing1.

The open state where the front surfaces of the first display11and the second display21are arranged on generally the same plane to be exposed is a state where the front surfaces of both the displays11,21are flush with each other on the same plane, or the front surfaces of both the displays11,21are arranged with a difference in level within a predetermined tolerable range.

It is desirable that the contact surface12of the first housing1and the contact surface22of the second housing2are in contact with each other by being urged by the urging means with a surface pressure of a certain value or higher.

With the open-close type compact electronic device described above, in a state where the second housing2is closed with respect to the first housing1, a rear surface of the second housing2is arranged over the front surface of the first housing1to hide the first display11.

In this state, the second display21provided on the front surface of the second housing2is exposed, and therefore, information can be displayed using the second display21.

When the second housing2is opened from the closed state to the open state, the first display11is exposed, and the front surfaces of the first display11and the second display21are flush with each other on generally the same plane. In this open state, the contact surface22of the second housing2comes into contact with the contact surface12of the first housing1, thereby maintaining a posture of the second housing2relative to the first housing1. This ensures a constant positional relationship between screens of the displays11,12.

In this state, the screens of the first display11and the second display21are flush with each other on generally the same plane. Therefore, when an image is displayed over the screens of the two displays, it is possible to keep continuousness of the image.

In a particular embodiment, the relative movement from the closed state to the open state includes a sliding step in which the second housing2slides from the closed state along the front surface of the first housing1to reach an intermediate state, and a rotating step in which the second housing2rotates from the intermediate state to reach the open state.

The connecting mechanism includes a hinge mechanism3which guides the slide of the second housing2with respect to the first housing1in the sliding step and rotates the second housing2with respect to the first housing1in the rotating step. The hinge mechanism3includes therein a spring35urging the second housing2toward the closed state with respect to the first housing1in at least a final step of the rotating step. The spring35forms the urging means.

The hinge mechanism3comprises: a first cam piece31which is linked to the first housing1and slidable in a sliding direction of the second housing2; an arm37which includes a tip end part linked to the second housing2so as to be rotatable relative thereto and a base end part around which the arm37can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second housing2; and a second cam piece32which is linked to the base end part of the arm37so as not to be rotatable relative thereto. A cam face of the first cam piece31and a cam face of the second cam piece32are in sliding contact so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The cam pieces31,32are urged by the spring35in such a direction that the cam faces are pressed to each other, and camming action of the cam faces drives the second housing2toward the closed state.

Alternatively, the hinge mechanism3comprises: a first cam piece31which is linked to the first housing1so as not to be rotatable relative thereto; an arm37which includes a tip end part linked to the second housing2so as to be rotatable relative thereto and slidable along the sliding direction of the second housing2and a base end part around which the arm37can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second housing2; and a second cam piece32which is linked to the base end part of the arm37so as not to be rotatable relative thereto. A cam face of the first cam piece31and a cam face of the second cam piece32are in sliding contact so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The cam pieces31,32are urged by the spring in such a direction that the cam faces are pressed to each other, and camming action of the cam faces drives the second housing2toward the closed state.

In another particular embodiment, the contact surfaces12,22of the first housing1and the second housing2are formed so as to be parallel to the respective front surfaces of the first display11and the second display21.

It is thereby possible to form the contact surfaces12,22of the first housing1and the second housing2so as to be as large as possible, thereby more stabilizing the postures of the displays11,21with the contact surfaces12,22of the housings1,2.

Effect of the Invention

With the open-close type compact electronic device in accordance with the present invention, maintained is a constant relative position where the front surfaces of both housings are flush with each other on generally the same plane in a state where the housings are open.

Also, with the open-close type compact electronic device in accordance with the present invention, information can be displayed on the second display with the housings closed, and furthermore, with the housings open, information can be displayed on both the first and second displays, and continuousness of an image can be kept when the image is displayed over the displays.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention is to be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

An open-close type compact electronic device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a flat rectangular parallelepiped first housing1with a step and a flat rectangular parallelepiped second housing2with a step as shown inFIG. 6. The housings1,2are connected so as to be movable relative to each other while they are arranged on one another.

As shown inFIG. 16, a first display11is arranged on a front surface of the first housing1, and a second display21is arranged on a front surface of the second housing2.

Also, a contact surface12parallel to a front surface of the first display11is formed on the front surface of the first housing1behind an area where the first display11is located, and a contact surface22parallel to a front surface of the second display21is formed on a rear surface of the second housing2at a position overlapping an area where the second display21is located.

Thus, the first housing1and the second housing2can reciprocate among a closed state where the second housing2overlaps the first housing1so that the second housing2covers the first display11as shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, an intermediate state to which the second housing2slides along the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1to expose the first display11as shown inFIGS. 6 to 9, and an open state to which the second housing2rotates with respect to the first housing1so that the first display11and the second display21are flush with each other on the same plane as shown inFIGS. 11 to 14.

As shown inFIG. 3, the first housing1and the second housing2are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism3on the right side, while, as shown inFIG. 4, the first housing1and the second housing2are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism4on the left side.

As shown inFIGS. 17 to 19, the right hinge mechanism3comprises a first cam piece31, a parallelepiped inner engaging piece33connected to the first cam piece31so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, a second cam piece32to be in sliding contact with the first cam piece31, an arm37connected to the second cam piece32through a shaft36with an upright posture so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, a parallelepiped outer engaging piece38connected to a tip end part of the arm37so as to be rotatable relative thereto, a coil spring35pressing the second cam piece32against the first cam piece31, and a cylindrical member34for accommodating the coil spring35.

As shown inFIG. 5, a groove13extending in a sliding direction of the second housing2is formed in a right end part of the first housing1. The right hinge mechanism3slidably engages with the groove13, and the inner engaging piece33is connected to the first housing1so as not to be rotatable relative thereto and as to be slidable along the groove13.

In contrast, the outer engaging piece38of the right hinge mechanism3is connected to the second housing2so as not to be rotatable relative thereto.

As shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, the left hinge mechanism4comprises an arm43provided integrally with a pair of cylindrical parts44,44, and a cover41for accommodating the arm43. A U-shaped cable8to be described later penetrates the hinge mechanism4from one of the cylindrical parts44of the arm43to the other.

As shown inFIG. 5, a groove14extending in the sliding direction of the second housing2is formed in a left end part of the first housing1. The left hinge mechanism4slidably engages with the groove14, and a lower cylindrical part44of the pair of cylindrical parts44,44is connected to the first housing1so as to be rotatable relative thereto and to be slidable along the groove14.

In contrast, an upper cylindrical part44of the left hinge mechanism4is connected to the second housing2so as to be rotatable relative thereto.

Also, as shown inFIG. 7, the first display11and the second display21are electrically connected to each other through the cable8. One end of the cable8is connected to a connector5on the first housing1, and the other end of the cable8is connected to a connector6on the second housing2.

The cable8extending from the connector5on the first housing1passes through the inside of the left hinge mechanism4to reach the connector6on the second housing2.

A relative position between the left hinge mechanism4and the connector6on the second housing2does not change, but a relative position between the left hinge mechanism4and the connector5on the first housing1changes as the second housing2slides. Therefore, the length of the cable8extending between the hinge mechanism4and the connector5has an allowance, and a tension lever7is provided on the first housing1to absorb a slack due to the allowance.

The tension lever7includes a base end part pivoted on the first housing1and a tip end part guided along a guiding groove (not shown) extending to right and left on the first housing1, and swings in association with the slide of the first housing1as to be described below.

In the closed state shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, the second housing2overlaps the first housing1so that the first display11is covered by the second housing2while the second display21is exposed.

Both hinge mechanisms3,4are located at starting points of the respective grooves13,14of the first housing1in an upright posture as shown inFIG. 5.

In this state, the first cam piece31and the second cam piece32of the right hinge mechanism3are in sliding contact with each other on respective cam faces31a,32aas shown in state S1ofFIGS. 20aand20b.

The camming action of the cam faces31a,32agenerates clockwise rotation torque on the second cam piece32. This rotation torque is transmitted as driving force to the second housing2through the arm37of the hinge mechanism3. However, this driving force is received by the front surface of the first housing1, and the second housing2does not move.

Also, the tension lever7absorbs the slack of the cable8with such a posture that the tension lever7extends from a position adjacent to the hinge mechanism4to a position above the connector5as shown inFIG. 2.

When the second housing2is pressed from the closed state in the sliding direction, the second housing2slides along the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1, to reach the intermediate state shown inFIGS. 6 to 9. In this sliding process, both the hinge mechanisms3, move along the respective grooves13,14of the first housing1while maintaining the upright posture to reach terminal positions of the grooves13,14of the first housing1as shown inFIG. 10.

As shown inFIGS. 6 to 9, when the second housing2reaches the intermediate state, the first display11of the first housing1is exposed, with the first display11and the second display21having a difference in level therebetween.

Also, when the second housing2reaches the intermediate state, the second housing2is released from being received on the front surface of the first housing1as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.

At this point, the first cam piece31and the second cam piece32of the right hinge mechanism3are in sliding contact with each other on the respective cam faces31a,32aas shown in state S1ofFIGS. 20aand20b, and the camming action of the cam faces31a,32agenerates clockwise rotation torque on the second cam piece32. This rotation torque is transmitted as driving force to the second housing2through the arm37of the hinge mechanism3.

Therefore, the second housing2receives the driving force and rotates to reach the open state shown inFIGS. 11 to 14.

In the rotating step from the intermediate state to the open state, in the right hinge mechanism3, the cam face31aof the first cam piece31and the cam face32aof the second cam piece32further slide relatively as shown in step S2ofFIGS. 20aand20b. In this process also, the camming action of the cam faces31a,32agenerates clockwise rotation torque on the second cam piece32, and this rotation torque maintains the driving force for the second housing2.

Thereafter, when the second housing2reaches the open state, both hinge mechanisms3,4rotate at the terminal positions of the grooves13,14of the first housing1so as to have a predetermined inclined posture as shown inFIG. 15. In the right hinge mechanism3, the cam face31aof the first cam piece31and the cam face32aof the second cam piece32are in sliding contact with each other immediately before reaching a terminal of a cam curve as shown in state S3ofFIGS. 20aand20b. Therefore, the camming action still works, and clockwise rotation torque on the second cam piece32is maintained.

Therefore, the driving force for the second housing2is maintained, and the contact surface22formed on the rear surface of the second housing2is thereby pressed against the contact surface12formed on the front surface of the first housing1, and this press contact state is maintained.

As a result, in the open state of the second housing2, the front surface of the second display21of the second housing2is flush with the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1on the same plane, and this state is held.

Also, the tension lever7absorbs the slack of the cable8with such a posture that the tension lever7extends from the position adjacent to the hinge mechanism4to the position above the connector5as shown inFIG. 12.

When the second housing2is closed from the open state to the closed state, a reverse force is applied to the second housing2. The second housing2thereby returns from the open state shown inFIG. 11via the intermediate state shown inFIG. 6to the closed state shown inFIG. 1.

An open-close type compact electronic device of a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a flat rectangular parallelepiped first housing1with a step and a flat rectangular parallelepiped second housing2with a step as shown inFIG. 31. The housings1,2are connected so as to be movable relative to each other while they are arranged on one another.

A first display11is arranged on a front surface of the first housing1, and a second display21is arranged on a front surface of the second housing2.

Also, as shown inFIG. 27, a contact surface12parallel to a front surface of the first display11is formed on the front surface of the first housing1behind an area where the first display11is located, and a contact surface22parallel to a front surface of the second display21is formed on a rear surface of the second housing2at a position overlapping with an area where the second display21is located.

Thus, the first housing1and the second housing2can reciprocate among a closed state where the second housing2overlaps the first housing1so that the second housing2covers the first display11as shown inFIGS. 23 to 26, an intermediate state to which the second housing2slides along the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1to expose a part or all of the first display11as shown inFIGS. 27 to 30, and an open state to which the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing1so that the first display11and the second display21are flush with each other on the same plane as shown inFIGS. 31 to 34.

As shown inFIG. 25, the first housing1and the second housing2are connected to each other by a first hinge mechanism301and a second hinge mechanism302on the right side, while, as shown inFIG. 26, the first housing1and the second housing2are connected to each other by a first hinge mechanism301and a second hinge mechanism302on the left side.

The right and left pair of first hinge mechanisms301,301and the right and left pair of second hinge mechanisms302,302arranged on either side of the first housing1and the second housing2each has a symmetric structure.

The first hinge mechanism301has a similar structure to the hinge mechanism3shown inFIGS. 17 to 19, and comprises a first cam piece31, a parallelepiped inner engaging piece300connected to the first cam piece31so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, a second cam piece32to be in sliding contact with the first cam piece31, an arm37connected to the second cam piece32through a shaft36with an upright posture so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, a parallelepiped outer engaging piece303connected to a tip end part of the arm37through a shaft304so as to be rotatable relative thereto, a coil spring (not shown) pressing the second cam piece32against the first cam piece31, and a cylindrical member34for accommodating the coil spring as shown inFIG. 36.

In contrast, the second hinge mechanism302comprises a shaft304, a parallelepiped inner engaging piece306connected to an end part of the shaft304so as to be rotatable relative thereto, an arm307connected to the other end part of the shaft304with an upright posture so as not to be rotatable relative thereto, and a parallelepiped outer engaging piece308connected to a tip end part of the arm307through a shaft309so as to be rotatable relative thereto as shown inFIGS. 37 and 38.

As shown inFIGS. 39 and 40, an inner surface of a side wall of the second housing2is provided with a pair of projections23,23extending along the sliding direction of the second housing2. The outer engaging piece303of the first hinge mechanism301is slidably engaged with a groove24defined between the projections23,23.

Also, the inner engaging piece300of the first hinge mechanism301shown inFIG. 36is engaged with the first housing1so as not to be slidable or rotatable relative thereto.

Similarly in the second hinging assembly302shown inFIGS. 37 and 38, the outer engaging piece308is slidably engaged with a groove (not shown) formed in the second housing2, and the inner engaging piece306is engaged with the first housing1so as not to be slidable or rotatable relative thereto.

In the closed state shown inFIGS. 23 to 26, the second housing2overlaps the first housing1so that the first display11is covered by the second housing2while the second display21is exposed.

In this state, the first cam piece31and the second cam piece32of the first hinge mechanism301shown inFIG. 36are in sliding contact with each other in an inclined area of the cam curve. The camming action generates counterclockwise rotation torque T1as shown inFIG. 35a. This rotation torque is transmitted as driving force to the second housing2shown inFIG. 25, thereby pressing the rear surface of the second housing2against the front surface of the first housing1to maintain the second housing2in the closed state.

When the second housing2is pressed from the closed state in the sliding direction, the second housing2slides along the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1, to reach the intermediate state shown inFIGS. 27 to 30. In this sliding step, the outer engaging pieces303,308of the first and second hinge mechanisms301,302slide relative to the groove24of the second housing2, with the hinge mechanisms301,302maintaining the same posture. Thus, the second housing2moves horizontally from the closed state toward the intermediate state.

In this process, the position of the sliding contact between the first cam piece31and the second cam piece32of the first hinge mechanism301moves from an inclined area via a flat area to the opposite inclined area of the cam curve, thereby reversing the urging direction by the coil spring.

As shown inFIG. 27, when the second housing2reaches the intermediate state, a part or all of the first display11of the first housing1is exposed, with the first display11and the second display21having a difference in level therebetween.

Also, when the second housing2reaches the intermediate state, the first cam piece31and the second cam piece32of the first hinge mechanism301are in sliding contact with each other in an inclined area of the cam curve, and the camming action generates clockwise rotation torque T2as shown inFIG. 35c. This rotation torque is transmitted as driving force to the second housing2shown inFIG. 33, and the second housing2thereby rotates to reach the open state shown inFIGS. 31 to 34. Then finally, the contact surface22of the second housing2is pressed against the contact surface of the first housing1, thereby maintaining the second housing2in the open state.

As a result, in the open state of the second housing2, the front surface of the second display21of the second housing2is flush with the front surface of the first display11of the first housing1on the same plane, and this state is held.

As described above, with the open-close type compact electronic device in accordance with the present invention, information can be displayed on the second display21with both the first and second housings1,2closed, and furthermore, with both housings1,2open, information can be displayed on both the first display11and the second display21, and continuousness of an image can be kept when the image is displayed over the displays11,21.

Also, because the contact surfaces12,22of the first housing1and the second housing2are widely formed in a direction parallel to the front surfaces of the first display11and the second display21, the postures of both displays11,21in a state where both the contact surfaces12,22are pressed against each other are more stable.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 23 to 40, the first hinge mechanism301and the second hinge mechanism302which rotate simultaneously are provided on both sides of the first and second housings1,2to form a four-joint link mechanism. Therefore, the posture of the second housing2relative to the first housing1is stable in the sliding and rotating steps, thereby ensuring the position and posture of the second housing2in both the closed state and open state.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment in construction but can be modified variously within the technical scope as set forth in the appended claims.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 41aand41b, engagement surfaces15,25which should face each other when the first housing1and the second housing2are closed can be formed so as to be inclined surfaces with respect to a display surface.

Also, as shown inFIGS. 42aand42b, contact surfaces16,26which should be pressed against each other when the first housing1and the second housing2are open can be formed so as to be inclined surfaces with respect to the display surface.

Also, in the embodiment described above, explained is the structure in which the displays11,21are arranged on the respective front surfaces of the first housing1and the second housing2. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, other function parts such as a key operation part for input may be provided on the front surfaces of the first housing1and the second housing2, instead of the displays11,21, or additionally to the displays11,21.

Further, one of or both the displays11,21may include a touch panel function for inputting information for device control by touching with input operation means such as a finger, pen or the like. In such a case, example of the touch panel which can be used includes Surface Capacitive Type, Projected Capacitive Type, Electromagnetic Induction Type, Infrared Type, Resistive Type, Surface Acoustic Type and the like.