Portable device

A portable device according to the present invention includes a first unit including a guide member extending in a sliding direction, and a second unit including a sliding member that slides in a groove of the guide member. The first unit includes a protruding section in a second unit side, the protruding section extending in the sliding direction, and the second unit includes a hollow section in a place corresponding to the protruding section of the first unit. Further, at least part of the guide member is formed in the protruding section and formed in such a manner that the part of the guide member gets into the hollow section formed in the second unit. As a result, the thickness of the portable device can be reduced even when the portable device includes a sliding mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable device such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, and an electronic personal organizer, in particular a sliding mechanism for these portable devices.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, the intended purpose of portable devices is not limited to simple telephone calls, but includes wide range of other purposes including transmission/reception of electronic mails, connection to the Internet, and video game functions. Therefore, the development of portable devices having various mechanisms for satisfying both the portability and the operability such as large screen display and a character input function has been in progress.

For example, there is a folding-type portable device, which is usually carried in a folded state. Then, when it is used for a telephone call or mail transmission/reception, it is extended so that the display unit and the operation unit are exposed and various operations can be thereby performed. The folding-type portable device can prevent incorrect operations from being performed when it is carried. However, when it is in the folded state, the display unit is not exposed. Therefore, it is impossible to perform almost all the functions. Therefore, it is necessary to separately provide another display unit that can be viewed in the folded state.

In contrast to this, as for a slide-type portable device, the display unit is always exposed irrespective of whether the portable device is in a retracted state or in an extended state. Therefore, the display unit can be viewed in any state. By providing a minimum key operation unit at the bottom of the display unit, certain operations such as reading an electronic mail and performing an operation on the Internet can be performed, even when it is in the retracted state, i.e., when it is being carried, without changing the portable device from the retracted state. Therefore, the usability is improved. Further, when a user performs an operation such as creating a mail document, the display unit and the key operation unit are slid in parallel so that another key operation unit disposed below the liquid crystal unit is exposed and the user can operate that key operation unit (see Patent literature 1).

In contrast to this, since the full length of the folding-type portable device in the extended state becomes almost twice as long as the length in the folded state, it is possible to secure a large key operation surface. Further, it is possible to dispose the display unit at a certain angle with respect to the operation unit. Therefore, the folding-type portable device has excellent usability both when an operation is performed and when a telephone call is carried out. Further, as a technique in which this feature of the folding-type portable device is incorporated into the slide-type portable device, there are a technique that enables the display unit to be completely detached from the key operation unit (see Patent literature 2) and a technique that enables the display unit to be disposed at a certain angle with respect to the key operation unit (see Patent literatures 3 and 4). Further, Patent literature 5 discloses a technique that enables a portable device to have a large inclination angle after a sliding action is performed.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-286994Patent literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-234809Patent literature 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-269566Patent literature 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-005564Patent literature 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-113067

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In a portable device equipped with a sliding mechanism, it is necessary to provide, for example, a guide member in the upper unit in such a manner that the guide member extends in the sliding direction and provide a sliding member that slides through this guide member in the lower unit. Note that it is necessary to provide a groove(s) as a mechanism for enabling the sliding member to slide in the guide member. As a result, the thickness of the guide member itself increases, and thus increasing the overall thickness of the portable device.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of reducing the thickness of the portable device even when the portable device includes a sliding mechanism.

Solution to Problem

A portable device according to the present invention includes: a first unit including a guide member extending in a sliding direction; and a second unit including a sliding member that slides in a groove of the guide member, in which the first unit includes a protruding section on a second unit side, the protruding section extending in the sliding direction, the second unit includes a hollow section in a place corresponding to the protruding section of the first unit, and at least part of the guide member is formed in the protruding section and formed in such a manner that the part of the guide member gets into the hollow section formed in the second unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable device capable of reducing the thickness of the portable device even when the portable device includes a sliding mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention are explained hereinafter with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a portable device in a retracted state according to this exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a perspective view showing a portable device in an extended state according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a portable device according to this exemplary embodiment includes an upper unit (first unit)100and a lower unit (second unit)200. The upper unit100includes an upper case110and an upper cover115that covers this upper case110. A receiver sound hole111, a display-unit cover116, and a key operation unit113are provided in the upper cover115. Further, a circuit board (not shown) on which electronic components for transmission/reception and for display are mounted is provided inside the upper unit100.

The lower unit200includes a lower case210and a lower cover230that covers this lower case210. As shown inFIG. 2, a key operation unit211is provided in the lower case210. Further, a battery(s), semiconductor components necessary for communication and software operations, a circuit board on which those components are mounted, an antenna, a connector(s) for external connection, a vibration motor, and the like (all of which are not shown) are provided inside the lower unit200.

As shown inFIG. 1, the upper unit100and the lower unit200are positioned on top of each other as viewed from the top (as viewed from a position opposed to the upper cover115) in a retracted state. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the upper unit100and the lower unit200are slid from each other to the positions where they are displaced from each other in an extended state as viewed from the top. Further, the upper unit100is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the lower unit200in the extended state.

FIG. 3is a perspective view showing the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment in a disassembled state, andFIG. 4shows its side view. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the upper unit100includes an upper cover115, an upper case110, a display unit120, guide members131aand131b, and a connecting plate132. The display unit120is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The guide members131aand131bare attached to both sides of the connecting plate132in such a manner that they extend in the sliding direction, and these components form a guide member unit130.

Further, the lower unit200includes a lower cover230, a lower case210, a sliding member220, and a torsion spring240. Further, the sliding member220of the lower unit200is attached in such a manner that the sliding member220slides in the guide members131aand131bof the guide member unit130of the upper unit100. In this way, the upper unit100and the lower unit200are slidably attached to each other. The torsion spring240is disposed in such a manner that one end of the torsion spring240is fixed to the upper unit100and the other end is fixed to the lower unit200, and assists user's manual operation when the user extends or retracts the upper unit100and the lower unit200. Further, a connection cable(s) (not shown) is provided between the upper unit100and the lower unit200to transmit their electric signals.

FIG. 5is a perspective view showing the portable device with a disassembled upper unit according to this exemplary embodiment, andFIG. 6shows its side view. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, a display unit120is attached to the upper case110and the upper cover115is attached so as to cover this display unit120and the upper part of the upper case110. By attaching the upper cover115so as to cover the display unit120in this manner, it is possible to protect the display unit120from external impacts. Further, the guide member unit130is attached to the lower part of the upper case110.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the guide member unit of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment. Further,FIG. 8is a perspective view showing the portable device with a disassembled guide member unit according to this exemplary embodiment. The guide member unit130includes guide members131aand131b, and a connecting plate132. The connecting plate132has such a configuration that it can be attached to the upper case110. Preferable material for both the connecting plate132and the guide members131aand131bis stainless steel. However, they can be formed of metal material other than stainless steel. For example, they can be formed of metal material containing at least one of steel, an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, and a titanium alloy. The thickness of the connecting plate132directly influences the thickness of the assembled apparatus. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the thickness of the connecting plate132in order to reduce the thickness of the portable device. Further, the guide members131aand131bcan be fabricated by, for example, cutting, forging, or molding.

When the connecting plate132and the guide members131aand131bare both made of stainless steel, they can be fixed by welding. By fixing them using welding, it is possible to withstand a large load even when the bonding area is small. Needless to say, if it is possible to secure a sufficient bonding area, they can be fixed by using an adhesive, adhesion, calking, or the like. A groove133is formed in each of the guide members131aand131b. The grooves133are formed on the inner sides of the guide members131aand131b, i.e., on the sides of the guide members131aand131bthat face each other in such a manner that the grooves133extend in the longitudinal direction. A gently-curved curved section134is formed near one end of each of the grooves133.

Further, as shown inFIG. 8, the parts to which the guide members131aand131bare attached are formed by bending both ends of the connecting plate132upward and then further bending them outward. As a result, the guide members131aand131bcan be fixed to the connecting plate132more firmly. Note that by engaging protrusions136formed at both ends on the upper surfaces of the guide members131aand131bwith cutouts137formed at both ends of the respective bent parts of the connecting plate132, the guide members131aand131bcan be attached to the connecting plate132. Further, by forming the bent parts at both ends of the connecting plate132in this manner, it is possible to increase the strength of the connecting plate132.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare perspective views of the lower unit200of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment.FIG. 9Ashows a state in which the sliding member220is detached from the lower case210, andFIG. 9Bshows a state in which the sliding member220is attached to the lower case210. The lower case210can be formed, for example, as a hybrid unit of a stainless-steel metal plate and an exterior resin in order to receive the load of the key operation unit. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the lower unit200. Needless to say, if the reduction of the thickness is not important in terms of the design, the lower case210can be formed by using a plastic resin, a magnesium alloy, or an aluminum alloy.

Further, as shown inFIG. 9A, mounting holes228(six mounting holes inFIG. 9A) for fixing the sliding member220to the lower case210are formed in the sliding member220. Further, mounting parts212for fixing the sliding member220are provided in the places corresponding to the mounting holes228in the lower case210. Further, the sliding member220can be fixed to the lower case210by providing fixing members such as screws in the mounting holes228of the sliding member220and the mounting parts212of the lower case210.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the sliding member220of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment. The sliding member220includes engaging sections227that slidably engage with the grooves133of the guide members131aand131bof the upper unit100, a base221that comes into contact with the lower case210when the sliding member220is attached to the lower case210, and mounting holes228. Since the sliding member220needs to be robust, the sliding member220is preferably made of steel-based material typified by stainless steel. The engaging section227of the sliding member220can be formed, for example, by engaging a resin member223with a protrusion222of the sliding member220as shown inFIG. 10.

Note that it is possible to improve the strength of the engaging section227by integrally forming the protrusion222with the sliding member220by using, for example, metal material such as stainless steel. In this way, it is possible to prevent the engaging sections227from being broken even if a stress is exerted in a different direction from the sliding direction when the engaging sections227engage with the guide member131aor131b. Further, the resin member223has a lubricating property. Therefore, by engaging the resin members223with the protrusions222, the resistance that occurs when the engaging sections227slide in the grooves133of the guide members131aand131bcan be reduced.

The resin member223needs to have a lubricating property and a withstanding property against a load caused by compression. Therefore, for example, an ordinary POM (polyacetal) resin can be used for the resin member223. Alternatively, nylon resins, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) resins, stronger PEEK (polyether ether ketone) resins, polyamide-based resins, PPS (poly(phenylene sulfide)) resins, ABS resins, and PC (polycarbonate) resins can be also used. By using these materials, it is possible to obtain an abrasion-resistance property, an excellent sliding property, and the like. In particular, PEEK resins are preferable material because of its load-withstanding property, abrasion-resistance property, and excellent sliding property.

Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the sliding member220may include a shield member224. By providing the shield member224, it is possible to shield the mechanical section such as connection cables connected between the upper unit100and the lower unit200and the torsion spring240from the outside even when the portable device is in the extended state and the upper unit100is thereby inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the lower unit200. One end of the shield member224is rotatably supported by a rotation pin226, and a shield member sliding pin225that slidably engages with the groove133of the guide member131aor131bis disposed at the other end of the shield member224. The rotation pin226and the shield member sliding pin225are provided on each of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the shield member224in such a manner that they protrude from the wall surface. Note that the pair of the shield member sliding pin225and the rotation pin226is formed in such a manner that they are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the wall surface on each of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the shield member224. The rotation pins226are disposed so as to engage with holes formed in the wall surfaces that are formed by bending both sides of the base221. Further, the shield member sliding pins225are disposed so as to slidably engage with the grooves133of the guide members131aand131b.

FIG. 11is a cross-section of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, taken along the line XI-XI inFIG. 1. Further,FIG. 12is an enlarged view of a section near the guide member131ain the cross-section shown inFIG. 11. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the upper case110is disposed on the sides of the upper unit100and the upper cover115is disposed on the top of the upper unit100. The display unit120is disposed below the upper cover115in such a manner that display unit120is in contact with the upper cover115. Further, the connecting plate132is disposed below the display unit120with a spacer(s)121interposed therebetween. The guide members131aand131bare respectively disposed on both sides of the connecting plate132. Note that by bending both ends of the connecting plate132upwardly and then bending them outwardly, the mounting positions of the guide members131aand131bcan be shifted to the upper cover115side.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the lower cover230is attached to the lower case210of the lower unit200. The base221of the sliding member220is attached above the lower case210. Further, the engaging sections227each composed of the protrusion222and the resin member223are disposed so as to engage with the grooves133of the guide members131aand131b. That is, the resin member223is disposed in such a manner that the support section223a(and support section223b) of the resin member223is in contact with the upper wall surface133aof the groove133of the guide member131aor131band the flat section223cof the resin member223is in contact with the lower wall surface133bof the groove133of the guide member131aor131b. In this case, a small space may be formed at least one of between the support section223a(and support section223b) of the resin member223and the upper wall surface133aof the groove133and between the flat section223cof the resin member223and the lower wall surface133bof the groove133. By forming a space in this manner, the resin member223can slide in the groove133more smoothly.

As shown inFIG. 12, the upper unit100of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment includes a convex section102(indicated by a broken line) at each of both ends of the upper unit100, and at least part of the guide member131aor131bis formed in this convex section102. That is, inFIG. 12, the area containing the upper cover115, the display unit120, the spacer121, and the connecting plate132is an upper unit main body101(indicated by a broken line), and the convex section102(indicated by a broken line) is disposed on the lower unit200side of this upper unit main body101. Further, the guide member131ais disposed in part of the convex section102. In the example shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the convex section102includes part of the side wall of the upper case110that is located below the lower surface of the protrusion222, and part of the side wall and the inwardly-protruding bottom section of the guide member131aor131b. The lower surface of the upper unit main body101includes the same surface as the lower surface of the protrusion222, and the upper surface of the lower unit200is disposed immediately below the lower surface of the upper unit main body101. Note that a predetermined gap may be formed between the lower surface of the upper unit main body101and the upper surface of the lower unit200.

The sizes of the main components are mentioned hereinafter. Note that the below-mentioned numerical values are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to those numerical values. For example, the thickness of the engaging section227including the protrusion222and the resin members223disposed on the top and the bottom respectively of the protrusion222is 1.4 mm. In this case, in order to enable the engaging section227having a thickness of 1.4 mm to slide in the groove of the guide member131a, the width of the groove is, for example, 1.5 mm. Further, the overall height of the guide member131ais, for example, 2.3 mm.

Further, the curved section134is provided in each of the guide members131aand131bso that the upper unit100is inclined with respect to the lower unit200when the portable device is in the extended state in this exemplary embodiment.FIG. 14is a figure for explaining the overall height of the guide member including the curved section134. Note thatFIG. 14is a side view of the upper unit of the portable device. As shown inFIG. 14, assuming that the curved section of the guide member131bis inclined at 8°, for example, the height of the highest point of the guide member131bis higher than the height of the other part of the guide member131b, which is 2.3 mm, by 2 mm. Therefore, the overall height of the guide member131bbecomes 4.3 mm, and the upper unit100needs to have enough space to accommodate the guide members131aand131bhaving a height of 4.3 mm.

FIGS. 15A and 15Bare cross-sections showing an example of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment. In the portable device shown inFIG. 15A, convex sections (protruding sections)102are formed at both ends of the upper unit100, and guide members131aand131bwhose overall height is 4.3 mm are formed in at least part of the respective convex sections102. InFIG. 15A, the height of the convex sections102is 2 mm and the width is 4 mm. Further, the broken lines above the guide members131aand131bindicate the parts of the guide members131aand131bthat are formed by bending the guide members at curved sections134(seeFIG. 14). In the example shown inFIG. 15A, a space of 7 mm (value obtained by adding the height of the convex section102, i.e., 2 mm to the thickness of the upper unit main body101, i.e., 5 mm) is secured in the vertical direction in order to accommodate the guide members131aand131bhaving a height of 4.3 mm.

Meanwhile,FIG. 16shows a case (comparative example) where the convex section102is not provided in the upper unit100. In this case, a space of 7 mm is also secured in the vertical direction in order to accommodate the guide members131aand131bhaving a height of 4.3 mm as in the cases shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B, and the thickness of the upper unit100is thereby 7 mm. Further, in this case, the thickness of the lower unit200is also 7 mm. Therefore, the overall thickness of the portable device shown inFIG. 16is 14 mm (thickness obtained by adding the thickness of the upper unit100, i.e., 7 mm and the thickness of the lower unit200, i.e., 7 mm).

In the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, since the guide members131aand131bare formed in at least part of the convex sections102as shown inFIG. 15A, the positions of the guide members131aand131bcan be shifted away from the upper surface of the upper unit100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the upper unit main body101, for example, to 5 mm in the portable device shown inFIG. 15A. Note that recessed sections (hollow sections)202are formed in the lower unit200in places corresponding to the convex sections102of the upper unit100. In other words, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, by disposing the guide members131aand131bin such a manner that they get into part of the lower unit200, the positions of the guide members131aand131bcan be shifted away from the upper surface of the upper unit100. In this case, assuming that the thickness of the lower unit200is 7 mm, the overall thickness of the portable device can be reduced to 12 mm in the example shown inFIG. 15A. Therefore, in the portable device shown inFIG. 15A, by disposing part of the guide members131aand131bin the convex sections102of the upper unit100and forming these guide members131aand131bin such a manner that they get into part of the recessed sections202of the lower unit, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the portable device in comparison to that of the comparative example shown inFIG. 16in which the convex sections102are not provided in the upper unit100.

Further, for example, by constructing the portable device in such a manner that the convex sections of the upper unit100and the recessed sections of the lower unit200move away from each other when the portable device is brought into the retracted state, the upper unit100can be smoothly slid with respect to the lower unit200. In the example shown inFIG. 15A, the depth of the recessed section202is, for example, 2.5 mm, which is larger than the height of the convex section102, i.e., large than 2.0 mm.

Further, as shown inFIG. 15B, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, by forming the guide members131aand131bin at least part of the convex sections102of the upper unit100and thereby disposing the guide members131aand131bin places away from the upper surface of the upper unit100, it is possible to increase the space for disposing the display unit120. As a result, it is possible to increase the width of the display unit120. In the example shown inFIG. 15B, when the width of the upper unit100is 50 mm, the width of the display unit120can be increased to 46 mm. That is, it is possible to dispose the display unit120in such a manner that the display unit120is placed over at least part of the area in which the convex sections102are formed as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the display unit120(i.e., as viewed from the top). Note that in the portable device shown inFIG. 16, which is the comparative example, it is impossible to secure any space for increasing the width of the display unit120above the guide members131aand131b. Therefore, it is impossible to increase the width of the display unit120.

Note thatFIG. 15Ashows an example in which the thickness of the upper unit main body101is reduced, andFIG. 15Bshows an example in which the width of the display unit120is increased. However, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, the space that is generated by forming the guide members131aand131bin at least part of the convex sections102of the upper unit100may be used for purposes other than the above-mentioned purpose.

Further, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, since the convex sections102are disposed in the upper unit100, the upper unit100has a U-shaped cross section, i.e., has such a cross section that the side walls extend from both ends of the upper unit main body101. Therefore, the geometrical moment of inertia of the upper unit100increases. As a result, it is possible to increase the strength of the upper unit. For example, as shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B, assuming that the width of the upper unit100is 50 mm and the thickness of the upper unit main body is 5 mm and that convex sections102each having a width of 4 mm and a height of 2 mm are disposed on both sides of the upper unit main body, the flexural rigidity is increased by a factor of 2.8 under the condition that the elastic modulus of the whole device is constant.

Next, an action of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment is explained.FIGS. 17A and 17Bare figures for explaining an action of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment.FIG. 17Ashows the portable device in the retracted state, andFIG. 17Bshows the portable device in the extended state.FIGS. 17A and 17Bshow a positional relation between the upper unit100and the lower unit200of the portable device and a positional relation of the engaging section227of the sliding member in the groove133of the guide member as viewed from the side. Note that as shown inFIG. 17B, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, the curved section134is provided in the middle of the groove133of the guide member so that the upper unit100is inclined with respect to the lower unit200in the extended state.

In the retracted state shown inFIG. 17A, the upper unit100and the lower unit200are positioned on top of each other as viewed from the top. In this state, the engaging section227is located on the right side of the groove133in the drawing. Then, when the upper unit100is moved to the right in the drawing, the engaging section227moves in the groove133and passes through the curved section134. As a result, the upper unit100is inclined as shown inFIG. 17B. In this state, the engaging section227is located on the left side of the groove133in the drawing.

FIG. 18Ais a side view of the upper unit100of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG. 18A, the convex section102(indicated by hatch lines) of the upper unit100of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment includes an inclined section103.FIG. 18Bis a side view of the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment in the extended state. As shown inFIG. 18B, by providing the inclined section103that is bent at the curved section134of the guide member131blocated in the convex section102of the upper unit100, it is possible to prevent the convex section102from interfering with the lower unit200in the extended state. Further, the upper unit100is constructed so that the components of the upper unit100do not interfere with the lower unit200in this state.

As explained so far, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, the convex sections102are formed on the lower unit200side of the upper unit100and the guide members131aand131bare formed in at least part of these convex sections102. As a result, a space can be formed in the upper section of the upper unit100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the upper unit main body101and thereby reduce the overall thickness of the portable device. Further, it is also possible to increase the width of the display unit120.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the convex section102of the upper unit100may be formed as a protruding section102having an inclined surface as shown inFIG. 19instead of being formed in the shape shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B. In this case, the hollow section202of the lower unit200may be also formed as a hollow section202having an inclined surface so as to conform to the protruding section102of the upper unit100.

That is, as shown inFIG. 19, the protruding section102can be formed in such a shape that the protruding section protrudes to a larger extent toward the lower unit200side as it gets closer to the edge of the upper unit100from the inner part of the upper unit100. Further, the hollow section202of the lower unit200can be formed in such a shape that the recess sinks deeper away from the upper unit100as it gets closer to the edge of the lower unit200from the inner part of the lower unit200. By forming them in such shapes, it is possible to make the lower unit200has a shape that conforms to the shape of a human hand. Further, even in the portable device shown inFIG. 19, the protruding sections102are formed at both ends of the upper unit100, and the guide members131aand131bwhose overall height is 4.3 mm are formed in at least part of the respective convex sections102. InFIG. 19, the height of the protruding sections102is 2 mm and the width is 3 mm. Further, a broken line above each of the guide members131aand131bindicates the part of the respective guide members131aor131bthat is formed by bending the guide member at the curved section134(seeFIG. 14). In the example shown inFIG. 19A, a space of 7 mm (value obtained by adding the height of the protruding section102, i.e., 2 mm to the thickness of the upper unit main body101, i.e., 5 mm) is secured in the vertical direction in order to accommodate the guide members131aand131bhaving a height of 4.3 mm.

In the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, since the guide members131aand131bare formed in at least part of the protruding sections102as shown inFIG. 19, the positions of the guide members131aand131bcan be shifted away from the upper surface of the upper unit100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the upper unit main body101, for example, to 5 mm in the portable device shown inFIG. 19. Note that hollow sections202are formed in the lower unit200in places corresponding to the protruding sections102of the upper unit100. In other words, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, by disposing the guide members131aand131bin such a manner that they get into part of the lower unit200, the positions of the guide members131aand131bcan be shifted away from the upper surface of the upper unit100. In this case, assuming that the thickness of the lower unit200is 7 mm, the overall thickness of the portable device can be reduced to 12 mm in the example shown inFIG. 19. Therefore, in the portable device shown inFIG. 19, by disposing part of the guide members131aand131bin the protruding sections102of the upper unit100and forming these guide members131aand131bin such a manner that they get into part of the hollow sections202of the lower unit, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the portable device in comparison to the comparative example shown inFIG. 16in which the convex sections102are not provided in the upper unit100. Note that even in the portable device shown inFIG. 19, the width of the display unit120can be increased by adopting a similar configuration to that shown inFIG. 15B.

Further, in the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 20, for example, the guide members131aand131bof the upper unit100may be disposed so as to incline at an angle α with respect to the main surface (horizontal surface) of the upper unit100. By inclining the guide members131aand131bat a predetermined angle in this manner, it is possible to prevent the upper unit100from coming into contact with the lower unit200when the upper unit100is slid, and thereby improve the operability. Note that a similar advantageous effect to the above-described advantageous effect can be also achieved without inclining the guide members131aand131bthemselves, i.e., by disposing the sections of the guide members131aand131bbetween the right sides in the drawing and the curved sections134in parallel with the main surface (horizontal surface) of the upper unit100and inclining the grooves133of the guide members131aand131bin the range between the right sides in the drawing and the curved sections134at a predetermined angle.

Further, in this exemplary embodiment, a case where the curved sections134are disposed in the grooves133of the guide members131aand131bis explained. However, the present invention can be also applied to a portable device that includes guide members131aand131bincluding no curved section134. That is, the present invention is applied to a portable device in which the upper unit100does not incline with respect to the lower unit200(the upper unit100slides roughly in parallel with the lower unit200).

Further, the portable device according to this exemplary embodiment can be also applied to portable devices in which the display-unit cover116itself functions as a touch panel as shown inFIG. 21. In this case, as shown inFIG. 21, the key operation unit113, which is provided in the portable device shown inFIG. 1, can be omitted.

So far, the present invention has been explained with the above-described exemplary embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and needless to say, various modifications, corrections, and combinations that can be made by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention specified in the claims of the present application.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2010-116123, filed on May 20, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to portable devices having a sliding mechanism.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST