Electronic apparatus

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, an engagement portion, a module, and a member. The engagement portion is on an inner surface of the housing. The module is in the housing. The member is configured to slide substantially in parallel with the inner surface of the housing in order to engage the engagement portion and to support the module from a side opposite to the inner surface of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-115947, filed May 21, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to electronic apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Electronic apparatuses with a keyboard have been provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a housing, an engagement portion, a module, and a member. The engagement portion is on an inner surface of the housing. The module is in the housing. The member is configured to slide substantially in parallel with the inner surface of the housing in order to engage the engagement portion and to support the module from a side opposite to the inner surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein, some components are expressed by two or more terms. Those terms are just examples. Those components may be further expressed by another or other terms. And the other components which are not expressed by two or more terms may be expressed by another or other terms.

First Embodiment

An electronic apparatus1according to a first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 10. The electronic apparatus1according to the present embodiment is a notebook-type portable computer (a note PC), for example. The electronic apparatus to which all embodiments described herein is not limited to the above example. All embodiments described herein can be broadly applied to various electronic apparatuses such as, for example, a slate-type portable computer (a slate PC or a tablet), a television, a mobile phone (including a smart phone), or a game machine.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the electronic apparatus1includes a first unit2, a second unit3, and hinges4aand4b. The first unit2is a main unit in which a main board, for example, is mounted. The first unit2includes a first housing5. A circuit board6as a main board, for example, is accommodated in the first housing5.

The first housing5includes an upper wall7(i.e., a first wall), a lower wall8(i.e., a bottom wall or a second wall), and a circumferential wall9(i.e., side walls or a third wall), and has a flat box-like shape. Herein, the directions up, down, left, and right are defined as seen from the user. Moreover, the side closer to the user is defined as “front,” and the side further from the user is defined as “rear.”

The lower wall8faces an upper surface (i.e., an outer mounting surface, a mounting surface, or an outer surface) of a table when the electronic apparatus1is placed on the table. A plurality of legs10(i.e., supporters) that makes contact with the upper surface of the table, for example, are provided on the lower wall8. The upper wall7is positioned on a side opposite to the lower wall8and is configured to extend (i.e., expand) substantially in parallel with the lower wall8.

A keyboard11is provided on the upper wall7. The keyboard11is an example of an input portion (i.e., input receiving unit). The input portion provided to the first housing5is not limited to the keyboard and may be a touch panel (i.e., a touch sensor) or other input devices. The circumferential wall9extends in a direction crossing the upper wall7and the lower wall8and connects a peripheral portion of the lower wall8and a peripheral portion of the upper wall7.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the first housing5includes a first cover12(e.g., an upper cover) and a second cover13(e.g., a lower cover or a base). An example of the first cover12includes the upper wall7. An example of the second cover13includes the lower wall8and the circumferential wall9. The first cover12and the second cover13are combined to form the first housing5.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the second unit3is a display unit. The second unit3includes a second housing15and a display device16(i.e., a display portion, a display, or a display module) accommodated in the second housing15. The display device16includes a display screen16a. The display device16is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display, for example, but the display device16is not limited to these examples. A front wall of the second housing15has an opening15athrough which the display screen16ais exposed.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the hinges4aand4bare fixed to the first housing5and the second housing15, respectively, and are configured to rotatably (i.e., openably) connect the first housing5and the second housing15. In this way, the second housing15can be rotated between a first position where the first housing5and the second housing15overlap each other and a second position where the first housing5and the second housing15are away from each other. At the first position, the keyboard11and the display screen16aare exposed to the outside. At the second position, the keyboard11and the display screen16aare concealed from the outside.

Next, an attachment structure of the keyboard11in the present embodiment will be described. The keyboard11(or a keyboard base21described below) is an example of a “module.” The attachment structure described herein is not limited to the keyboard and can be broadly applied to a display and other modules (i.e., units).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the keyboard11according to the present embodiment is a tile keyboard. The keyboard11includes the keyboard base21(i.e., a base, seeFIG. 4) and a plurality of keys22(i.e., key tops) provided on the keyboard base21.

The keyboard base21is a sheet having substantially the same size as that of the outer shape of the keyboard11. The keyboard base21includes a membrane (i.e., a membrane sheet). The membrane includes a plurality of contacts corresponding to the respective keys22and a wiring pattern that connects these contacts. Moreover, a flexible wiring board that is connected to the circuit board6is connected to the keyboard base21.

The keyboard base21is accommodated in the first housing5(hereinafter referred to as a housing5). The keyboard base21includes a first surface21aand a second surface21b. The first surface21afaces the inner surface7aof the upper wall7. The second surface21bis positioned on a side opposite to the first surface21aand faces the inside of the housing5. The second surface21bfaces a support plate23described below. The keys22are mounted on the first surface21aof the keyboard base21.

In general, a keyboard unit has a configuration in which a keyboard base, a plurality of keys, and a metal plate that covers the lower surface of the keyboard base are integrated. On the other hand, in the keyboard11according to the present embodiment, the metal plate is separated as the support plate23described below. Thus, the keyboard11according to the present embodiment is not provided with the metal plate and has bendability (i.e., flexibility). Moreover, since the metal plate is separated as the support plate23, the keyboard11according to the present embodiment can be made thinner than general keyboards.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the first cover12. The first cover12is a one-piece component, for example, and is configured as a single connected part. The upper wall7includes a plurality of first openings25and a plurality of closed portions26(e.g., beams) that are formed between the first openings25. The closed portions26face the first surface21aof the keyboard base21. The closed portions26are formed in a grid form, for example.

The respective keys22of the keyboard11are exposed to the outside through the respective first openings25. Specifically, as described above, the keyboard base21is accommodated in the housing5. The respective keys22protrude from the inner side of the housing5and pass through the first openings25to be exposed to the outside through the first openings25. On the other hand, a larger part of the keyboard base21is concealed from the outside by the closed portions26of the upper wall7. In this way, the electronic apparatus1having a slim appearance is provided.

Here, the housing5includes a first inner surface7aand a second inner surface. The first inner surface7ais the inner surface of the upper wall7. The second inner surface is the inner surface of the lower wall8. The expression “inner surface” used herein denotes the first inner surface7a. The first inner surface7ais the inner surface of a wall in which openings are formed so that a module is exposed to the outside through the openings, for example. In the present embodiment, the first inner surface7ais the inner surface of the wall7in which the openings25are formed so that the keyboard11is exposed to the outside through the openings25.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of engagement portions27is provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5. The engagement portions27are projections that project from the inner surface7aof the housing5toward the inner side of the housing5. The inner surface7aof the housing5includes a keyboard attachment region28. The keyboard attachment region28is a region that faces the keyboard base21. The respective engagement portions27are positioned to be separated substantially over the entire area of the keyboard attachment region28.

At least one engagement portion27is positioned between the respective first openings25and is provided on the closed portion26. In the present embodiment, several engagement portions27are provided on the closed portion26. Further, the other several engagement portions27are provided on a peripheral portion (i.e., an end portion, a peripheral edge, or an edge) of the keyboard attachment region28.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8, an example of the engagement portion27is a projection that includes a first portion31(i.e., a first engagement portion, a supporting portion, or a positioning portion) and a second portion32(i.e., a second engagement portion, an engagement portion, or a fixing portion). The first portion31and the second portion32are arranged each other in the projecting direction (i.e., the thickness direction of the housing5) of the engagement portion27. The first portion31constitutes a proximal end of the projection and is connected (i.e., adjacent) to the inner surface7aof the housing5. The second portion32constitutes a distal end of the projection and projects toward the inner side of the housing5. That is, the second portion32is provided at the distal end of the first portion31. In other words, the first portion31is positioned between the inner surface7aof the housing5and the second portion32.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8, the first portion31has a cylindrical shape, for example. The first portion31is a portion that positions the keyboard11(e.g., the keyboard base21). The first portion31has substantially the same thickness as that of the keyboard base21, for example.

The second portion32is a portion that projects further from the first portion31. The second portion32is a portion that is attached and fixed to the support plate23described below. The second portion32has a cylindrical shape that is continuous to the first portion31, for example. The outer shape of the second portion32is substantially the same as the outer shape of the first portion31, for example, or is smaller than the outer shape of the first portion31.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the keyboard base21includes a plurality of second openings34which are formed at the positions corresponding to the respective engagement portions27. The second opening34has an opening shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first portion31of the engagement portion27, for example. The second opening34is a circular hole through which the first portion31passes.

Here, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are defined. The first direction X and the second direction Y extend along the inner surface7aof the housing5. The first direction X is a front-rear direction of the housing5and is a lateral direction of the housing5, for example.

The second direction Y is a direction crossing (e.g., substantially orthogonal to) the first direction X. The second direction Y is a left-right direction of the housing5and is a longitudinal direction of the housing5, for example. The third direction Z is a direction crossing (e.g., substantially orthogonal to) the first direction X and the second direction Y. The third direction Z is a direction extending from the lower wall8to the upper wall7and is the thickness direction of the housing5.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the keyboard11is placed on the inner surface7aof the housing5from the third direction Z. The first portion31and the second portion32of the engagement portion27pass through the second opening34. In this way, the keyboard11makes contact with the inner surface7aof the housing5. The keyboard11(e.g., the keyboard base21) is positioned by the first portion31when the first portion31of the engagement portion27passes through the second opening34. That is, the position of the keyboard11is regulated by the first portion31of the engagement portion27, and the movement in the first direction X and the second direction Y is regulated.

Specifically, the second openings34include two first holes34aand a plurality of second holes34b, for example. The second holes34bcorrespond to all of the remaining holes of the respective second openings34, which do not correspond to the first holes34a, for example. The second hole34bis relatively large in relation to the outer shape of the engagement portion27. That is, a gap (e.g., a backlash) is provided between the second hole34band the engagement portion27. In this way, the second hole34bcan be offset to some extent in relation to the engagement portion27.

On the other hand, the first hole34ais a positioning opening. The first gap between the first hole34aand the engagement portion27which is inserted in the first hole34ais smaller than the second gap between the second hole34band the engagement portion27which is inserted in the second hole34b. The keyboard11is positioned when the first hole34aengages with the engagement portion27. For example, the two first hole34aare positioned to be separated at both ends of the keyboard11.

In the present embodiment, the keyboard11has a rectangular shape that includes four corners. The two first holes34aare positioned to be separated at two corners which are the opposing corners of the keyboard11. The number of second holes34bis not limited to 2 and may be 3 or more. Moreover, the second holes34bmay not be disposed to be separated at both ends of the keyboard11.

Next, the support plate23(i.e., a reinforcing portion, a reinforcing plate, a metal plate, a metal portion, a supporter, a holder, a metal sheet, a plate portion, or a plate) will be described. The support plate23is an example of a “member (i.e., component).”

The support plate23is a metallic plate member, for example. The support plate23has higher rigidity than the keyboard11. The support plate23faces the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. The support plate23faces the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7a(e.g., the first opening25) of the housing5.

The support plate23is substantially the same as the outer shape of the keyboard11or is further larger than the outer shape of the keyboard11. The support plate23covers the entire keyboard11, for example. The support plate23makes contact with the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7a(e.g., the first opening25) of the housing5and supports the keyboard11. The support plate23presses the keyboard11toward the inner surface7aof the housing5.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the support plate23includes a plurality of third openings36at positions corresponding to the respective engagement portions27. The third opening36has an opening shape such that the second portion32of the engagement portion27can be inserted into the third opening36. An example of the third opening36is a long hole that extends in the first direction X. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the third opening36overlaps the second opening34and communicates with the second opening34. The second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the third opening36.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard base21from the third direction Z. The second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the third opening36. In this way, the support plate23makes contact with the second surface21bof the keyboard base21.

The support plate23is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5in a state where the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31of the engagement portion27, the second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the third opening36, and the support plate23makes contact with the keyboard11.

Specifically, the support plate23is slid in the first direction X in a state where the support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. In this way, the edge of the third opening36engages with the second portion32of the engagement portion27. As a result, the support plate23is engaged with the second portion32of the engagement portion27and is supported by the engagement portion27. Therefore, the support plate23supports the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7a(e.g., the first opening25) of the housing5.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8, the second portion32of the engagement portion27is a hook, and a receiver37(i.e., a groove, an attachment portion, or a fitting portion) is formed in the engagement portion27. The receiver37is a groove that extends substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5, for example. The receiver37faces the edge (i.e., inner surface) of the third opening36of the support plate23from a direction opposite to the first direction X. The support plate23that is slid in the first direction X is inserted into the receiver37. And the receiver37receives the support plate23.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the support plate23includes a first surface23aand a second surface23b. The first surface23afaces the keyboard11. The second surface23bis positioned on a side opposite to the first surface23aand is exposed to the inside of the housing5.

On the other hand, the receiver37includes a first surface37aand a second surface37b. The first surface37afaces the support plate23from a side opposite to the inner surface7a(e.g., the first opening25) of the housing5. That is, the first surface37aof the receiver37faces the second surface23bof the support plate23. The first surface37aof the receiver37makes contact with the second surface23bof the support plate23and supports the second surface23b.

The second surface37bof the receiver37extends in a direction crossing (e.g., substantially orthogonal to) the first surface37a. The second surface37bextends in the thickness direction of the housing5, for example. The second surface37bfaces the support plate23from a direction opposite to the first direction X. The second surface37bfaces the inner circumferential surface of the third opening36. The second surface37bregulates the movement of the support plate23in the first direction X. The edge of the third opening36includes a linear portion36athat extends substantially in parallel with the second surface37b. The linear portion36amakes contact with the second surface37b, whereby the movement of the support plate23is regulated.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the first portion31of the engagement portion27includes a slope portion41(e.g., a sloped surface). The slope portion41is formed at the boundary between the first portion31and the second portion32. The slope portion41is inclined away from the second surface21bof the keyboard base21so that the edge of the third opening36does not make contact with the first portion31.

Specifically, the slope portion41includes a first end portion41aand a second end portion41b. The first end portion41ais connected to the end of the second surface37bof the second portion32. The second end portion41bis positioned on a side opposite to the first end portion41a. The second end portion41bis positioned closer to the inner surface7aof the housing5as compared to the first end portion41a.

That is, the slope portion41is inclined away from the support plate23as the slope portion41advances from the first end portion41ato the second end portion41b. The second end portion41bis positioned on the inner side of the second opening34of the keyboard11. The second end portion41bis positioned closer to the inner surface7aof the housing5than the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. Thus, the support plate23is hardly caught on the first portion31of the slope portion41when the support plate23is slid. Therefore, the support plate23moves smoothly toward the inner side of the receiver37.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the support plate23includes a plurality of cutouts43at positions corresponding to several engagement portions27. The support plate23is slid in the first direction X in a state where the support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. In this way, similarly to the edge of the third opening36, the edge of the cutout43engages with the receiver37of the second portion32of the engagement portion27. As a result, the support plate23is fixed to the second portion32of the engagement portion27and is supported by the engagement portion27.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a plurality of fourth openings45is formed in the end portion of the support plate23. As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of supporters46(i.e., second engagement portions, fixing portions, attachment portions, removal preventing portions, or claws) are provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5at positions corresponding to the respective fourth openings45. The fourth opening45has an opening shape such that the supporter46can be inserted into the fourth opening45.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the supporter46is a projection that projects from the inner surface7aof the housing5toward the inner side of the housing5. The supporter46includes a first surface46a, a second surface46b, and a third surface46c. The first surface46aextends in the thickness direction of the housing5. The first surface46afaces the inner circumferential surface of the fourth opening45in the first direction X. The first surface46ais a latching surface (i.e., a position regulating surface). The first surface46amakes contact with the inner surface of the fourth opening45and regulates the movement of the support plate23in the direction opposite to the first direction X.

The second surface46bis positioned on a side opposite to the first surface46a. The second surface46bfaces the support plate23from a direction opposite to the first direction X. The second surface46bis a slope portion (e.g., a sloped surface). The third surface46cextends between the first surface46aand the second surface46b.

The second surface46bis inclined away from the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. Specifically, the second surface46bincludes a first end portion46baand a second end portion46bb. The first end portion46bais connected to an end of the third surface46c. The second end portion46bbis positioned on a side opposite to the first end portion46ba. The second end portion46bbis positioned closer to the inner surface7aof the housing5as compared to the first end portion46ba.

That is, the second surface46bis inclined away from the support plate23as the second surface46badvances from the first end portion46bato the second end portion46bb. The second end portion46bbis positioned on the inner side of the fourth opening45of the keyboard11. The second end portion46bbis positioned closer to the inner surface7aof the housing5than the second surface21bof the keyboard base21. Thus, the support plate23makes contact with the second surface46bof the supporter46when the support plate23is slid. The edge of the fourth opening45is guided to the second surface46bto climb over the supporter46. In this way, the supporter46is inserted into the fourth opening45, and the supporter46engages with the fourth opening45. As a result, the movement of the support plate23to a direction opposite to the first direction X is regulated.

Next, a method of fixing the keyboard11will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, first, the keyboard11is placed on the inner surface7aof the upper wall7. Specifically, the first portion31and the second portion32of the engagement portion27pass through the second opening34of the keyboard base21. In this way, the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31of the engagement portion27.

Subsequently, the support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard11. Specifically, the second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the third opening36of the support plate23. In this way, the support plate23makes contact with the second surface21bof the keyboard11.

Subsequently, the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31of the engagement portion27, and the support plate23is slid in the first direction X in a state where the support plate23is in contact with the keyboard11. At this time, since the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31of the engagement portion27, the keyboard11is not moved toward the support plate23.

The slid support plate23engages with the second portion32of the engagement portion27and is supported on a side opposite to the inner surface7aof the housing5. In this way, the support plate23supports the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7aof the housing5.

The fourth opening45of the slid support plate23engages with the supporter46. In this way, the movement of the support plate23in a direction opposite to the first direction X is regulated, whereby the support plate23is not removed from the engagement portion27. In this manner, the keyboard11and the support plate23are attached. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to attach the keyboard11with one metal sheet member. In the present embodiment, a fixing member such as a screw is not used in attaching the keyboard11and the support plate23.

On the other hand, when the keyboard11and the support plate23are disassembled, the end portion of the support plate23is raised slightly so that the fourth opening45is removed from the supporter46, and the support plate23is slid in a direction opposite to the first direction X. In this way, it is possible to disassemble the keyboard11and the support plate23from the housing5. In the present embodiment, no tools are required for disassembling the keyboard11and the support plate23.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

For comparison,FIGS. 11 and 12illustrate an example of an electronic apparatus. In this electronic apparatus, a keyboard unit has a configuration in which a keyboard base, a plurality of keys, and a metal plate that reinforces the keyboard unit are integrated. The keyboard unit is fixed to the inner surface of a housing by a plurality of screws. Thus, the number of components increases, and an operation of fixing a number of screws in an assembling step is required. These make it difficult to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the electronic apparatus1includes the engagement portion27that is provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5and the support plate23that is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5and is configured to engage with the engagement portion27and supports the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7aof the housing5. According to such a configuration, it is possible to fix the keyboard11by sliding the support plate23so as to engage with the engagement portion27.

Thus, it is possible to decrease the number of fixing members such as a screw, for example. In this way, it is possible to decrease the number of components and simplify an assembling step. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

In the present embodiment, the engagement portion27includes the first portion31and the second portion32. The keyboard11engages with the first portion31, whereby the keyboard11is positioned. The support plate23is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5to engage with the second portion32and support the keyboard11in a state where the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31. According to such a configuration, since the position of the keyboard11is stabilized by the engagement portion27, it is not necessary to support the position of the keyboard11with another member. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

In the present embodiment, the housing5includes the plurality of first openings25. The keyboard11includes the plurality of keys22which are exposed through the respective first openings25. According to such a configuration, it is possible to decrease the number of fixing members of a tile keyboard. In this way, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

In the present embodiment, the engagement portion27is provided with the receiver37that receives the support plate23. The receiver37includes the surface37athat supports the keyboard11from a side opposite to the inner surface7aof the housing5. According to such a configuration, it is possible to stably support the keyboard11even when the number of fixing members is decreased.

In the present embodiment, the size of the support plate23is substantially the same as that of the keyboard11or is greater than that of the keyboard11. The support plate23covers the entire lower surface of the keyboard11. Thus, the keyboard11is supported by the support plate23more stably.

In the present embodiment, the first portion31of the engagement portion27is positioned between the inner surface7aof the housing5and the second portion32of the engagement portion27. According to such a configuration, it is possible to decrease the space required for providing the engagement portion27as compared to a case where the first portion31and the second portion32are arranged separately. This contributes to reducing the size and the packaging density of the electronic apparatus1.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to position the keyboard11using the second opening34of the keyboard11through which the second portion32of the engagement portion27passes. In this way, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the keyboard11or the housing5. This contributes to reducing the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

In the present embodiment, the supporter46is provided so that the slid support plate23engages with the supporter46, and the movement of the support plate23in a direction opposite to the sliding direction of the support plate23is regulated. According to such a configuration, it is possible to stably support the slid support plate23.

In the present embodiment, the housing5includes the closed portions26between the respective first openings25. At least one of the respective engagement portions27is provided on the closed portion26. According to such a configuration, it is possible to support the central region of the keyboard11as well as the end portion of the keyboard11. Thus, it is possible to support the keyboard11more stably.

In the present embodiment, the first portion31has a cylindrical shape. The second opening34is a circular hole through which the first portion31passes. According to such a configuration, stress is hardly concentrated on a specific position of the second opening34. Thus, it is possible to support the keyboard11more stably.

In the present embodiment, the third opening36of the support plate23is a long hole that extends in the sliding direction of the support plate23. According to such a configuration, it is possible to allow the third opening36to reliably engage with the engagement portion27with a relatively simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, the first portion31of the engagement portion27includes the slope portion41that is inclined away from the second surface21bof the keyboard base21so that the edge of the third opening36does not make contact with the first portion31. According to such a configuration, the slid support plate23is hardly caught on the first portion31, and the movement of the support plate23is stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the second openings34of the keyboard11include two first holes34aand a plurality of second holes34b. The gap between the first hole34aand the first portion31inserted in the first hole34ais smaller than the gap between the second hole34band the first portion31inserted in the second hole34b. According to such a configuration, it is possible to position the keyboard11using the two first positioning holes34awith high accuracy. Further, in the present embodiment, the two first holes34aare positioned to be separated at both ends of the keyboard base21. According to such a configuration, it is possible to position the keyboard11with higher accuracy.

Second Embodiment

Next, an electronic apparatus1according to a second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13. In the second embodiment, components having the same or similar functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, configurations other than the following configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of engagement portions27is provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5. The engagement portion27is separated from the keyboard attachment region28and is provided on the outer side of the keyboard28(e.g., around the keyboard). In the present embodiment, the keyboard11is not provided with the second opening34.

The engagement portion27includes a first portion31and a second portion32. In the present embodiment, the first portion31and the second portion32are positioned to be separated from each other. The first portion31and the second portion32are provided around the keyboard attachment region28. The first portion31makes contact with an end portion of the keyboard11, for example. The keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31. The first portion31has substantially the same thickness as the keyboard base21or has a smaller thickness than the keyboard base21.

In the present embodiment, the support plate23is formed to be further larger than the keyboard11and the keyboard attachment region28. The support plate23includes a first region51(i.e., a first portion) that faces the keyboard11and a second region52(i.e., a second portion) that is separated from the keyboard11.

A second opening36is formed in the second region52of the keyboard11. The second opening36corresponds to the third opening36of the first embodiment. The second opening36has an opening shape such that the second portion32of the engagement portion27can be inserted into the second opening36. An example of the second opening36is a long hole that extends in the first direction X.

The support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard11from the third direction Z. The second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the second opening36. In this way, the support plate23makes contact with the second surface21bof the keyboard11. The support plate23is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5in a state where the keyboard11is positioned by the first portion31, the engagement portion27passes through the second opening36, and the support plate23makes contact with the keyboard11. In this way, the edge of the second opening36engages with the receiver37of the engagement portion27. As a result, the support plate23is fixed to the engagement portion27and is supported by the engagement portion27.

According to such a configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

Third Embodiment

Next, an electronic apparatus1according to a third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 14. In the third embodiment, components having the same or similar functions as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, configurations other than the following configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the keyboard attachment region28is configured to be removed from other portions of the housing5. That is, the first cover12includes a first member55and a second member56. The first member55is a member that is combined with the second cover13, and includes a part of the upper wall7including a palm rest. The second member56is attached to the first member55. The second member56includes the keyboard attachment region28. The second member56includes a plurality of first openings25and closed portions26.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of engagement portions27is provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5. The engagement portion27is separated from the keyboard attachment region28and is provided on the outer side of the keyboard28(e.g., around the keyboard). In the present embodiment, the keyboard11is not provided with the second opening34. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the engagement portion27does not have the first portion31.

In the present embodiment, the support plate23is formed to be further larger than the keyboard11and the keyboard attachment region28. The keyboard11is attached to the support plate23and is integrated with the support plate23. The keyboard11is attached to the support plate23by an adhesive member such as, for example, an adhesive agent or a double-side adhesive tape. The support plate23includes a first region51(i.e., a first portion) that faces the keyboard11and a second region52(i.e., a second portion) that is separated from the keyboard11.

A second opening36is formed in the second region52of the keyboard11. The second opening36corresponds to the third opening36of the first embodiment. The second opening36has an opening shape such that the engagement portion27can be inserted into the second opening36. An example of the second opening36is a long hole that extends in the first direction X.

The support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the keyboard11from the third direction Z. The engagement portion27passes through the second opening36. The support plate23is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5. In the present embodiment, the keyboard11is slid with the movement of the support plate23. The second member56is attached to the first member55after the keyboard11is slid.

According to such a configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, an electronic apparatus1according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 15 and 16. In the fourth embodiment, components having the same or similar functions as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, configurations other than the following configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, the electronic apparatus1according to the present embodiment is a slate-type portable computer (a slate PC or a tablet), for example. The electronic apparatus1includes a flat box-like housing5. The housing5includes an upper wall7(i.e., a first wall), a lower wall8(i.e., a bottom wall or a second wall), and a circumferential wall9(i.e., a side wall or a third wall). The upper wall7has an opening7bthrough which the display screen16ais exposed.

As illustrated inFIG. 16, the housing5includes a display device16(a display portion, a display, or a display module). In the present embodiment, the display device16is an example of a “module.” The display device16according to the present embodiment is a thin sheet display and has bendability (i.e., flexibility).

In the present embodiment, a plurality of engagement portions27is provided on the inner surface7aof the housing5. The engagement portions27are separated from the opening7band provided on the outer side of the opening7b. The inner surface7ais an inner surface of a wall on which the opening is formed so that a module, for example, is exposed to the outside through the opening. In the present embodiment, the inner surface7ais an inner surface of a wall7on which the opening7bis formed so that the display device16is exposed to the outside through the opening7b.

The engagement portion27includes a first portion31and a second portion32. In the present embodiment, the first portion31and the second portion32are positioned to be separated from each other. The first portion31and the second portion32are provided around the opening7b. The first portion31makes contact with an end portion of the display device16, for example. The display device16is positioned by the first portion31. The first portion31has substantially the same thickness as the display device16or has a smaller thickness than the display device16.

In the present embodiment, the support plate23is formed to be further larger than the display device16. The support plate23includes a first region61(i.e., a first portion) that faces the display device16and a second region62(i.e., a second portion) that is separated from the display device16.

A second opening36is formed in the second region62of the display device16. The second opening36corresponds to the third opening36of the first embodiment. The second opening36has an opening shape such that the second portion32of the engagement portion27can be inserted into the second opening36. An example of the second opening36is a long hole that extends in the first direction X.

The support plate23is placed on the second surface21bof the display device16from the third direction Z. The second portion32of the engagement portion27passes through the second opening36. In this way, the support plate23makes contact with the second surface21bof the display device16. The support plate23is slid substantially in parallel with the inner surface7aof the housing5in a state where the display device16is positioned by the first portion31, the engagement portion27passes through the second opening36, and the support plate23makes contact with the display device16. In this way, the edge of the second opening36engages with the receiver37of the engagement portion27. As a result, the support plate23is fixed to the engagement portion27and is supported by the engagement portion27.

According to such a configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electronic apparatus1.

The embodiments are not limited to the embodiments described above and may be realized by modifying constituent elements in the implementing step within a range without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, various embodiments can be made by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, some constituent elements may be removed from all constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. Furthermore, constituent elements in different embodiments may be combined appropriately.

For example, the shape of the engagement portion27is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be another shape. The engagement portion27may have a quadrangular pillar shape or a triangular pillar shape, for example. Moreover, the shape of the second opening34or the third opening36is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, the sliding direction of the support plate23is not limited to the front-rear direction and may be a left-right direction. The module supported by the support plate23is not limited to the keyboard11or the display device16, and may be another module or unit.