Electronic apparatus

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a main body deformable in a flat state and a bent state, and a spring structure which is provided on the main body and keeps the main body in the flat state or the bent state. The main body includes an elastic member, and first and second rigid members. The spring structure includes a plate spring which extends in a direction of crossing the elastic member, and is supported by the first and the second rigid members on both ends of the plate spring.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

As an electronic apparatus, a tablet terminal (a tablet-type portable computer) provided with a sheet-like flexible display (sheet display) whose display screen is flexibly deformable, for example, is known.

Such a tablet terminal is required to have both sufficient rigidity to keep the sheet display in a flat state, and optimal flexibility to bend the sheet display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a main body deformable in a flat state and a bent state, and a spring structure provided on the main body and configured to keep the main body in the flat state or the bent state. The main body comprises an elastic member, and first and second rigid members. The spring structure comprises a plate spring which extends in a direction of crossing the elastic member, and is supported by the first and the second rigid members on both sides of the plate spring.

The embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As an example of the electronic apparatus,FIGS. 1 to 5andFIGS. 8 and 9show a tablet terminal1(a tablet-type portable computer). The tablet terminal1comprises a main body2deformable in a flat state and a bent state, a sheet display3(a sheet-like flexible display), electronic components4for controlling the sheet display3and the tablet terminal1, and a protective cover5.

The sheet display3is supported by a front surface (first surface)6of the main body2. As the sheet display3, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display having flexibility as a whole, for example, can be used. As a touch operation function, an on-cell-type touch operation function for which a touch sensor that is not shown is mounted outside the sheet display3, or an in-cell-type touch operation function for which the touch sensor is incorporated into the sheet display3can be applied. By adopting the in-cell-type technique, the sheet display3can be made thinner.

The electronic components4are supported on a back surface (second surface)7of the main body2. As the electronic components4, a main substrate8, batteries9, a battery control substrate10, a sheet display control substrate11, etc., can be applied. The main substrate8controls the electronic components4provided in the tablet terminal1. The batteries9are a power source for the electronic components4, and are controlled by the battery control substrate10. The sheet display control substrate11is connected to the sheet display3via a flexible printed-circuit board12(FIGS. 8 and 9), and controls the sheet display3and the touch sensor.

The electronic components4are protected by the protective cover5such that they are isolated from the outside. The protective cover5is attached to a rear surface (third surface)13of the main body2. Likewise the main body2, the protective cover5can be deformed in the flat state and the bent state.

The main body2comprises an elastic member14which can be elastically deformed, and a first rigid member15and a second rigid member16arranged on both sides of the elastic member14. The elastic member14is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and an elastomer. The elastic member14is structured such that it is elastically stretchable and extendibly bendable as a whole. The first and the second rigid members15and16are formed of an inelastic material such as metal and resin. Each of the rigid members15and16is configured to have certain rigidity as a whole.

As a method of fixing the elastic member14and the first and the second rigid members15and16, the existing fixing technique, such as insert molding, compression molding, and adhesive bonding, can be applied. The first and the second rigid members15and16can be pivoted about the elastic member14. Accordingly, the main body2can be deformed from the flat state (FIG. 1) to the bent state (FIG. 2) at the elastic member14, and vice versa, from the bent state to the flat state. Consequently, the state of the tablet terminal1comprising the main body2can be switched between a folded state and an open state.

As the shape of the main body2, the drawings illustrate the main body2having a rectangular shape. However, the shape is not limited to this, and the main body2may be shaped into any form, such as circular or elliptical. Further, as regards the size and the shape of the first and the second rigid members15and16, while the drawings illustrate the first and the second rigid members15and16which are identical in size and shape, they are not limited to the illustration. That is, the first and the second rigid members15and16may have sizes and shapes different from each other.

In the main body2, in a range extending over the elastic member14and the first and the second rigid members15and16, the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2, and the back and rear surfaces (second surface and third surface)7and13on the opposite side are formed.

On the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2, the sheet display3is supported in a deformable way. The first surface6becomes a flat surface as the elastic member14and the first and the second rigid members15and16are positioned on the same plane when the main body2is brought into the flat state. Further, the first surface6becomes a deformed (bent) surface as the first and the second rigid members15and16are folded at the elastic member14when the main body2is brought into the bent state. The way of supporting the sheet display3on the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2will be described later in detail.

On the back surface of the main body2, the electronic components4are supported on the second surface7, and the protective cover5is supported on the third surface13. The third surface13is formed as a cover-supporting surface13having a frame-like structure which is continuous along a periphery (edge) on the back surface of the main body2. The second surface7is formed as a component-supporting surface7obtained by making the entire surface of an inner area of the cover-supporting surface13more depressed than the cover-supporting surface13and flat. In other words, the component-supporting surface (second surface)7is formed by depressing the inner area to be flat over the whole of the elastic member14and the first and the second rigid members15and16. The cover-supporting surface (third surface)13is formed on a portion remaining around the component-supporting surface (second surface)7.

In the component-supporting surface (second surface)7, the electronic components4are supported in such a way that the components are distributed into the first rigid member15and the second rigid member16. The drawing shows as an example (FIG. 8) that the main substrate8and the sheet display control substrate11are supported on the first rigid member15, and the batteries9and the battery control substrate10are supported on the second rigid member16. As the way of supporting the electronic components4, the existing supporting method such as screwing and adhesive bonding can be applied. Note that the main substrate8and the battery9are connected to each other by a connection cable17such as a flexible harness and a flexible substrate.

Further, the flexible printed-circuit board12which connects the sheet display control substrate11and the sheet display3is passed into an oblong path18penetrating the first rigid member15(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The sheet display control substrate11can be arranged on the back surface of the main body2that is offset from the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2, that is, the component-supporting surface (second surface)7. In this way, the entire front surface (first surface)6of the main body2can be formed as a continuous surface without projections and depressions. Consequently, the sheet display3can be supported stably.

Also, by arranging the protective cover5on the cover-supporting surface (third surface)13after the electronic components4are supported on the component-supporting surface (the second surface7), the electronic components4can be protected in such a way that they are isolated from the outside. The protective cover5comprises an elastic protective member19which can be elastically deformed, and a first rigid protective member20and a second rigid protective member21arranged on both sides of the elastic protective member19. The protective cover5is configured such that it is deformable in a flat state and a bent state following the main body2.

The elastic protective member19is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and an elastomer. The elastic protective member19is configured to have flexibility as a whole. The first and the second rigid protective members20and21are formed of an inelastic material such as metal and resin. Each of the rigid protective members20and21is configured to have certain rigidity as a whole.

As a method of fixing the elastic protective member19and the first and the second rigid protective members20and21, the existing fixing technique, such as insert molding, compression molding, and adhesive bonding, can be applied. The first and the second rigid protective members20and21can be pivoted about the elastic protective member19. Accordingly, the protective cover5can be deformed from the flat state (FIG. 1) to the bent state (FIG. 2) at the elastic protective member19, and vice versa, from the bent state to the flat state, following the main body2. Note that the shape of the protective cover5is set in accordance with the shape of the main body2.

According to such tablet terminal1, for example, when the table terminal1is opened (FIG. 1) to bring the main body2into the flat state, a touch operation of the sheet display3is enabled. In contrast, when the tablet terminal1is folded (FIG. 2) to bring the main body2into the bent state, the sheet display3can be accommodated within the main body2and protected. In this state, since the exterior of the main body2is covered by the protective cover5, the whole tablet terminal1can be protected.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 5 to 8, and 10 to 13, the tablet terminal1described above comprises the spring structure which keeps the tablet terminal1in the open state or the folded state. The spring structure is provided on the component-supporting surface (second surface)7on the back surface of the main body2. The spring structure comprises a plate spring22which keeps the main body2in the flat state or the bent state. The plate spring22is configured such that it is elastically deformable in a linearly extended state (FIG. 10) and a bent and extended state (FIG. 12). The plate spring22is arranged to extend in a direction of crossing the elastic member14of the main body2.

More specifically, when the main body2is deformed in the flat state and the bent state to switch the state of the tablet terminal1to the open state and the folded state, the elastic member14is elastically deformed at a straight folding line (not shown). The plate spring22is arranged to extend in a direction of crossing the folding line, that is, along a direction orthogonal thereto.

The plate spring22is supported by the first and the second rigid members15and16at both sides (ends) of the plate spring22. As a method of supporting the plate spring22, the first rigid member15and the second rigid member16are provided with a first holder23and a second holder24, respectively, such that the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22are embraced from their outer sides.

The first holder23is arranged on the first rigid member15, and the second holder24is arranged on the second rigid member16. The first and the second holders23and24are positioned to face each other such that the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22can be inserted therein. The first and the second holders23and24are configured to project from the component-supporting surface (second surface)7.

The amount of a rise (height) of each of the holders23and24should preferably be set within the range of a difference in height between the component-supporting surface (second surface)7and the cover-supporting surface (third surface)13. Accordingly, it is possible to arrange the protective cover5on the cover-supporting surface (third surface)13without causing interference between each of the holders23and24and the protective cover5.

The first and the second holders23and24are provided with reception portions25, respectively, in which the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22can be inserted and positioned. In the linearly extended state (FIG. 10), the plate spring22has an arch structure (FIG. 11) which is convexly curved in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. Further, in the bent and extended state (FIG. 12), the plate spring22becomes flat along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction (FIG. 13).

Accordingly, the reception portions25of the first and the second holders23and24are configured such that the above-mentioned change in the state is allowed, and also the plate spring22can be supported. That is, each of the reception portions25has gap G (FIG. 7) allowing elastic deformation (i.e., a difference in height) in both cases where the plate spring22is elastically deformed from a curved shape to a flat shape (FIG. 18), and where the same is elastically deformed from the flat shape to the curved shape (FIG. 17).

Further, in order to prevent the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22from falling out of the holders23and24when the plate spring22is elastically deformed, both sides (ends) of the plate spring22are positioned on the first and the second rigid members15and16by means of fall-out prevention mechanisms26. The drawings show as an example the fall-out prevention mechanism26comprising a bolt27and a nut28.

In the fall-out prevention mechanisms26, when the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22are inserted and positioned in the holders23and24, two through-holes29formed on the plate spring22, and two through-holes30formed on the first and the second rigid members15and16(the main body2) face each other. In such a state, the bolt27is inserted into each of the facing holes29and30from the side of the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2. Further, the nuts28are fastened with the bolts27, respectively, from the side of the back surface (second surface)7of the main body2.

In this way, when the main body2is deformed in the flat state and the bent state at the elastic member14, the both sides (ends) of the plate spring22are always positioned at the holders23and24, respectively, and they will not fall out of their respective holders23and24. Consequently, the state of the tablet terminal1can be stably switched between the folded state and the open state.

AlthoughFIGS. 7, 17, and 18show only the internal structure of the first holder23, the internal structure of the second holder24is similar. Thus, illustration of the second holder24is omitted.

Further, when the main body2is brought into the flat state, the plate spring22is supported by the first and the second holders23and24such that a convex surface31on a convexly curved side faces the elastic member14. In this case, when the main body2is deformed into the bent state, the plate spring22is folded back such that the convex surface31is at an inner side (FIG. 12). Meanwhile, when the main body2is deformed into the flat state, the plate spring22is developed such that the convex surface31is at an outer side (FIG. 10).

According to such a supporting structure, when the state of the tablet terminal1is switched from the open state to the folded state, for example, the main body2is deformed from the flat state to the bent state at the elastic member14. When the main body2is brought into the bent state, the plate spring22is bent and extended (FIG. 12). At the same time, the plate spring22becomes flat along a direction which is orthogonal to the extending direction (FIG. 13). Here, the plate spring22is annularly maintained by its own elasticity. As a result, the main body2is kept in the bent state.

Further, according to such a supporting structure, when the state of the tablet terminal1is switched from the folded state to the open state, for example, the main body2is deformed from the bent state to the flat state at the elastic member14. When the main body2is brought into the flat state, the plate spring22extends linearly (FIG. 10). At the same time, the plate spring22is convexly curved in a direction which is orthogonal to the extending direction (FIG. 11). Here, the plate spring22has the arch structure which is convexly curved, and its linearly extending form is maintained due to the constant curvature of the plate spring22. Consequently, the main body2is kept in the flat state.

In the meanwhile, the elastic member14of the main body2is structured such that it is elastically stretchable and extendibly bendable as a whole. Accordingly, when the main body2is deformed in the bent state and the flat state at the elastic member14, the elastic member14will not have creases over the front surface and the back surface of the elastic member14.

In contrast, although the sheet display3has flexibility, elasticity of the sheet display3is inferior to the elastic member14. Accordingly, when the sheet display3is deformed together with the main body2, creases33are formed in a bent portion32of the sheet display3(FIG. 15).

In order to prevent the creases33from being formed, it is sufficient if the sheet display3can be deformed with a curvature which will not form the creases33in the bent portion32. That is, the sheet display3is deformed in such a way that the curvature of the bent portion32is small, i.e., the radius of curvature of the bent portion32becomes large.

In order to reduce the curvature (i.e., increase the radius of curvature) of the bent portion32, in deforming the sheet display3, a space (not shown) needs to be secured outside the bent portion32, that is, between the bent portion32and the elastic member14.

In order to secure the space, when the state of the tablet terminal1is switched from the open state to the folded state, that is, when the main body2is deformed from the flat state to the bent state, it is sufficient if the elastic member14can be elastically deformed in a direction of separating the elastic member14from the sheet display3. In this case, if the elastic member14can be drawn to the outer side, the elastic member14can be elastically deformed in the direction of separating the elastic member14from the sheet display3.

Hence, as a structure of drawing the elastic member14to the outer side, the plate spring22and the elastic member14are connected to each other. More specifically, the convex surface31of the plate spring22is connected to the elastic member14. As a method of connection, a method of connecting the two by an adhesive or a rivet, or a method of connecting the two by a laser can be applied.

In the connection method using the laser, the plate spring22and the elastic member14are disposed to overlap each other. The laser is irradiated along the overlapping portion. The elastic member14is melted. Here, the elastic member14which has been melted is bonded to the plate spring22. In this way, the plate spring22(the convex surface31) and the elastic member14can be connected.

Further, in the connection method using the laser, the laser may be irradiated entirely along the portion where the plate spring22and the elastic member14are overlapped, or irradiated partially.FIG. 6shows as an example a structure in which the elastic member14is partially melted by the laser, and the plate spring22(the convex surface31) and the elastic member14are connected by melted portions34.

In this structure, when the main body2is deformed from the flat state to the bent state, the plate spring22is elastically deformed from the curved shape (FIG. 17) to the flat shape (FIG. 18). Here, the convex surface31of the plate spring22is distanced from the elastic member14by an amount of change from the curved shape to the flat shape. Since the convex surface31is connected to the elastic member14, a tensile force works on the elastic member14from the plate spring22by an amount the convex surface31is distanced from the elastic member14.

The elastic member14is structured such that it is elastically stretchable and extendibly bendable as a whole. Accordingly, the elastic member14is elastically deformed by the tensile force from the plate spring22. That is, the elastic member14is drawn in an outer direction35(FIG. 16). The elastic member14is thereby elastically deformed in the direction of separating from the sheet display3.

At this time, a space (not shown) is formed between the elastic member14and the sheet display3by an amount the elastic member14is elastically deformed. The space is located outside the bent portion32when the sheet display3is deformed.

As the space is formed outside the bent portion32, the curvature of the bent portion32can be reduced when the sheet display3is deformed. In other words, the radius of curvature of the bent portion32can be increased. As a result, the sheet display3can be deformed without having the creases33(FIG. 15) in the bent portion32(seeFIG. 16).

From the standpoint of preventing occurrence of the creases33(FIG. 15), in supporting the sheet display3on the front surface (first surface)6of the main body2, a portion facing the elastic member14of the sheet display3should preferably be formed as a non-bonded portion which is not bonded to the first surface6, and other portions should preferably be bonded to the first surface6.

That is, the sheet display3is bonded to the portions excluding the elastic member14of the first surface6(seeFIG. 14). In other words, the sheet display3is bonded to only the first and the second rigid members15and16. As a method of bonding, the sheet display3may be adhered to the first and the second rigid members15and16by an adhesive, for example.

In this case, the portion facing the elastic member14(non-bonding portion) serves as the bent portion32of the sheet display3. Accordingly, by preventing the bent portion32and the elastic member14from being bonded (adhered) to each other, when the main body2is deformed, the bent portion32can be deformed freely. In this way, occurrence of the creases33(FIG. 15) in the bent portion32can be more reliably prevented (seeFIG. 16).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using the plate spring22which has the arch structure in the linearly extended state, the electronic apparatus (the tablet terminal1) having both the rigidity sufficient to keep the sheet display3in the flat state, and the flexibility optimal to bend the sheet display3can be realized.

According to the present embodiment, together with the spring structure comprising the above-described plate spring22, the electronic components4for controlling the sheet display3can be supported on the back surface (second surface)7of the main body2of the tablet terminal1collectively. In this way, the entire front surface (first surface)6of the main body2can be formed as a continuous surface without projections and depressions. Consequently, the sheet display3can be supported stably.

According to the present embodiment, the main constituent elements of the spring structure are only the plate spring22and the two holders23and24which support the plate spring22. Accordingly, the number of components of the tablet terminal1can be significantly reduced as compared to conventional products. As a result, lightness and reduction in cost of the tablet terminal1can be realized.

According to the present embodiment, the spring structure and the electronic components4can be arranged collectively on the component-supporting surface (second surface)7constituted by depressing the back surface of the main body2. By virtue of the above feature, the tablet terminal1can be made considerably slim as compared to the conventional products.

According to the present embodiment, the curvature of the bent portion32of the sheet display3can be reduced by elastically deforming the elastic member14outwardly by the tensile force from the plate spring22which is changed from the curved shape to the flat shape when the tablet terminal1is folded. By virtue of the above feature, the sheet display3can be deformed without causing the creases. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet display3from being degraded in a short time.

According to the present embodiment, in a state where the tablet terminal1is folded, the sheet display3is accommodated within the main body2, and protected by the protective cover5outside the main body2. Accordingly, when the tablet terminal1is to be carried in a bag, for example, the sheet display3will not be damaged and can be prevented from becoming dirty, etc.

According to the present embodiment, by merely folding the tablet terminal1, the entire tablet terminal1can be protected by the protective cover5outside the main body2. For this reason, there is no need to separately purchase a protective cover as has been required in the past. As a result, it is possible to cut out unnecessary expenses.

The embodiment described above is merely an example, and modifications which will be described below are also included in the technical scope of the invention defined by the accompanying claims.

In the above embodiment, the spring structure comprising a single plate spring22is assumed. However, the spring structure may comprise a plurality of plate springs22. The plurality of plate springs22can be arranged at predetermined intervals (for example, at even intervals) along the elastic member14. By increasing the number of plate springs22, the main body2can be kept in the flat state or the bent state more accurately. Consequently, the state of the tablet terminal1can be more stably switched between the open state and the folded state.

In the above embodiment, while the bent portion32(non-bonded portion) of the sheet display3is not bonded to the elastic member14, the bent portion32and the elastic member14may be temporarily joined. As a structure for achieving a temporary joint, in addition to providing a magnetic body on the bent portion32, for example, a permanent magnet is provided on the component-supporting surface (second surface)7at the back of the main body2facing the bent portion32. Alternatively, in addition to providing a permanent magnet on the bent portion32, a magnetic body is provided on the component-supporting surface (second surface)7at the back of the main body2facing the bent portion32. Note that the permanent magnet may be provided on both.

In such a structure, the bent portion32can be adsorbed to the elastic member14by magnetic force. In this way, when the tablet terminal1is open, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the bent portion32of the sheet display3and the elastic member14.

It should be noted that the magnetic body or the permanent magnet to be provided on the bent portion32should preferably have flexibility equivalent to that of the sheet display3. For example, a flexible sheet (not shown) containing a metal material having a magnetic property is applied. The flexible sheet may be adhered to a back surface of the sheet display3corresponding to the bent portion32(non-bonded portion).

Meanwhile, the magnetic body or the permanent magnet to be provided on the component-supporting surface (second surface)7may be newly added separately, or the magnetized plate spring22may be applied.

In the above embodiment, a retention mechanism for retaining the bent state when the main body2is brought into the bent state may be provided. As the retention mechanism, a band, a fastener, or the like, for example, can be assumed. As an example,FIGS. 19 and 20show the retention mechanism for retaining the bent state by the magnetic force.

The retention mechanism comprises a magnetic body36provided on the first rigid member15, and a permanent magnet37provided on the second rigid member16. The magnetic body36and the permanent magnet37are arranged at portions where the two face each other in proximity of the first and the second rigid members15and16when the main body2is brought into the bent state.

According to such a retention mechanism, when the main body2is brought into the bent state, the magnetic body36and the permanent magnet37are attracted to each other by magnetic force. Thus, the bent state is retained. Consequently, it is possible to keep the tablet terminal1in the folded state more reliably.

In the above embodiment, the electronic components4are arranged such that the components are distributed into the first rigid member15and the second rigid member16. However, they may be arranged on either of the rigid members collectively. As an example,FIG. 21shows a structure in which the electronic components4are supported on only the first rigid member15. That is, the electronic components4are arranged to be concentrated on the first rigid member15.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 22, a thickness of the second rigid member16can be made smaller than a thickness of the first rigid member15. As a result, by reduction of the thickness of the second rigid member16, it is possible to realize slimness and downsizing of the tablet terminal1as a whole when it is in the folded state, for example. Further, by the amount the second rigid member16is thinned, the tablet terminal1as a whole can be made lighter.