Abstract:
A mobile terminal device with a first case including a rotation base portion having a first axis of rotation parallel to a side of the first case, a second case openable and closable relative to the first case by rotating the second case about the first axis of rotation, and a supporting portion attached to the second case, wherein the supporting portion includes a rotation portion integral therewith and rotatable relative to the rotation base portion about the first axis of rotation and covers at least a part of the rotation base portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-200296 filed on Sep. 7, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiment discussed herein relates to a mobile terminal device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In recent years, mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones have adopted folding structure or the like to improve their portability. Dividing a case of a mobile terminal device into two and connecting the resulting two cases with a hinge openable and closable relative to each other gives the mobile terminal device both convenience when in use and portability when not in use. 
         [0004]    Nowadays, mobile terminal devices have many functions, and mobile terminal devices with a camera function and a broadcast single receiver function for receiving 1Seg, ATSC-M/H or similar broadcast signals are increasing. Some of such mobile terminal devices have, in view of user-friendliness, a display-side case having a display portion and are rotatable to various angles. For example, a mobile terminal device illustrated in  FIG. 5  has a rotation biaxial hinge structure. 
         [0005]      FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a case and a hinge portion of a mobile terminal device. In the mobile terminal device illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a display-side case  10  is openably and closably connected to an operation-side case having operation portions such as keys (not illustrated) by a hinge portion  20 . Rotation base portions  21  forming the hinge portion  20  are fixed to the operation-side case (not illustrated). A rotation portion  22  forming the hinge portion  20  rotates relative to the rotation base portions  21  about an axis of rotation parallel to the lateral direction of the display-side case  10 . With this rotation, the display-side case  10  supported by the rotation portion  22  opens and closes relative to the operation-side case (not illustrated). 
         [0006]    The hinge portion  20  has a rotation biaxial hinge, and therefore the display-side case  10  is supported by the rotation portion  22  rotatably about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction. By rotating the display-side case  10  about the axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction, the display portion provided on the back of the outer panel  11  illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be exposed on the outside. Reversing the display-side case  10  with the display-side case  10  and the operation-side case (not illustrated) in the open state and then bringing the display-side case  10  and the operation-side case into the closed state enables the user to look at a screen displayed on the display portion in the closed state. 
         [0007]    There are other mobile terminal devices that have a structure of a cycloid type, a swing type, or the like and in which a case divided into two are openable and closable and the display-side case is rotatable. For example, in a mobile terminal device disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-153861, the display-side case is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the thickness direction of the mobile terminal device. Therefore, the operation in a state where the display-side case and the operation-side case are open may be facilitated, and the visibility of the display portion may be improved. 
         [0008]    However, in a mobile terminal device wherein one of the cases is rotatable, the mechanism for rotating the case is complex, and therefore the improvement of aesthetic properties is sometimes limited. For example, the mobile terminal device having a rotation biaxial hinge structure illustrated in  FIG. 5  has such an appearance that the display-side case  10  and the hinge portion  20  are completely separated. For this reason, the gap between the display-side case  10  and the hinge portion  20  is noticeable, and the aesthetic properties of the mobile terminal device are marred. 
         [0009]    Specifically, the rotation base portions  21  are fixed to the operation-side case (not illustrated), whereas the display-side case  10  is attached rotatably about two axes, and therefore the gap between the rotation base portions  21  and the display-side case  10  tends to be large. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    According to an aspect of the invention, a mobile terminal device with a first case including a rotation base portion having a first axis of rotation parallel to a side of the first case, a second case openable and closable relative to the first case by rotating the second case about the first axis of rotation, and a supporting portion attached to the second case, wherein the supporting portion includes a rotation portion integral therewith and rotatable relative to the rotation base portion about the first axis of rotation and covers at least a part of the rotation base portion. 
         [0011]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by at least the features, elements, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a mobile terminal device according to an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating the appearance of the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the configuration of the vicinity of the hinge portion according to the embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a part of the display-side case attached to the supporting portion; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a case and a hinge portion of a mobile terminal device. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    An embodiment of a mobile terminal device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a mobile terminal device according to an embodiment. The mobile terminal device illustrated in  FIG. 1  has an operation-side case  100  and a display-side case  200 . The operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  are connected by a hinge portion  300  and are thereby openable and closable relative to each other.  FIG. 1  illustrates a state where the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  are closed relative to each other. 
         [0020]    The operation-side case  100  has side keys  110  for operating the mobile terminal device. The operation-side case  100  has numerical keys (not illustrated) on the surface thereof facing the display-side case  200  in the closed state. The user may use various functions of the mobile terminal device by pressing the side keys  110  and the numerical keys. For example, the user may make a call by entering a desired telephone number and may display a broadcast screen on the display-side case  200  by pressing keys for watching broadcast signals such as 1Seg, ATSC-M/H or similar. 
         [0021]    The display-side case  200  has a back liquid crystal panel  210  that displays various screens. The display-side case  200  has a main liquid crystal panel (not illustrated) and so forth on the surface thereof facing the operation-side case  100  in the closed state. Various screens are displayed on the back liquid crystal panel  210  and the main liquid crystal panel by operating the operation-side case  100 . For example, when a call is received, a call alert message is displayed on the back liquid crystal panel  210 , and when an operation for watching broadcast signals is performed, a broadcast signal screen is displayed on the main liquid crystal panel. 
         [0022]    The hinge portion  300  has a rotation biaxial hinge and connects the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  so as to be openable and closable relative to each other and allows the display-side case  200  to be rotated about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation at the time of opening and closing. Specifically, the hinge portion  300  has a rotation base portion  310  and a rotation portion  320 . 
         [0023]    The rotation base portions  310 , being spaced apart from each other, are fixed to both ends of a short side of the operation-side case  100  and each have a substantially cylindrical shape. The substantially cylindrical shape of the rotation base portions  310  is formed so as to surround an axis of rotation parallel to the lateral direction of the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200 . 
         [0024]    The rotation portion  320  is interposed between the rotation base portions  310  and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The rotation portion  320  surrounds the axis of rotation parallel to the lateral direction of the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  and is rotatable about this axis of rotation relative to the rotation base portions  310 . The rotation portion  320  is formed integrally with a supporting portion  400  supporting the display-side case  200 , and therefore rotates together with the display-side case  200 , thereby causing the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  to open and close relative to each other. 
         [0025]    The supporting portion  400  formed integrally with the rotation portion  320  supports the display-side case  200  rotatably about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display-side case  200 . The supporting portion  400  allows the display-side case  200  to rotate about the axis of rotation penetrating the display-side case  200  in the longitudinal direction so that the back liquid crystal panel  210  may be exposed on the outside and the main liquid crystal panel (not illustrated) may be exposed on the outside. 
         [0026]    The operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  are openable and closable relative each other. The display-side case  200  is rotatable about the axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation at the time of opening and closing. 
         [0027]    The supporting portion  400  is formed integrally with the rotation portion  320  and rotates together with the rotation portion  320  about the axis of rotation parallel to the lateral direction of the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200 . The supporting portion  400  is connected to the display-side case  200  by the axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display-side case  200  and supports the display-side case  200  rotatably about the axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the supporting portion  400  supports the display-side case  200  at an end thereof having substantially the same width as the width in the lateral direction of the display-side case  200 . The appearance of the supporting portion  400  and the display-side case  200  gives a totally uninterrupted impression. 
         [0028]    The supporting portion  400  covers the border between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200 . By making the width of the supporting portion  400  substantially the same as the width in the lateral direction of the display-side case  200  and by forming the supporting portion  400  integrally with the rotation portion  320  such that the supporting portion  400  overlaps the rotation portion  320 , the supporting portion  400  hides the border between the hinge portion  300  and the display-side case  200 . For this reason, the gap formed between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200  is invisible, and the aesthetic properties of the mobile terminal device improve. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating the appearance of the mobile terminal device according to this embodiment. The hinge portion  300  makes the display-side case  200  openable and closable relative to the operation-side case  100  about an axis A 1  of rotation parallel to the lateral direction of the display-side case  200 . The display-side case  200  is supported by the supporting portion  400  formed integrally with the rotation portion  320 , and is rotatable about an axis A 2  of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display-side case  200 . By rotating the display-side case  200  about the axis A 2  of rotation, the back liquid crystal panel  210  is exposed on the outside, or the main liquid crystal panel (not illustrated) is exposed on the outside. 
         [0030]    An end  410  of the supporting portion  400  has substantially the same width as an end  220  having a short side of the display-side case  200 . The end  410  of the supporting portion  400  is connected to the end  220  of the display-side case  200  by the axis A 2  of rotation. Supporting pads  230  provided at the end  220  of the display-side case  200  are in contact with the end  410  of the supporting portion  400 , and backlash of the display-side case  200  is prevented. In this embodiment, when the display-side case  200  is rotated about the axis A 1  of rotation to be opened and closed, the positional relationship between the display-side case  200  and the supporting portion  400  does not change, and therefore the supporting pads  230  are always in contact with the supporting portion  400 . As a result, backlash of the display-side case  200  may be prevented with a small number of components, and an increase in cost may be prevented. 
         [0031]    The supporting portion  400  has oblique sides  420 , and the width thereof becomes gradually narrower from the end  410  toward the hinge portion  300 . The supporting portion  400  has a substantially trapezoidal shape adjoining the display-side case  200  in planar view. This substantially trapezoidal shape covers the border between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200 . The supporting portion  400  overhangs the hinge portion  300  from the end  220  of the display-side case  200  and covers the gap formed between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200 . In this embodiment, the display-side case  200  and the supporting portion  400  have an uninterrupted appearance, and the supporting portion  400  covers the border between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200 . Therefore, the aesthetic properties of the mobile terminal device in planar view may be improved. 
         [0032]    The supporting portion  400  is formed integrally with the rotation portion  320  forming the hinge portion  300  such that the supporting portion  400  overlaps the rotation portion  320  in planar view. The supporting portion  400  is formed by integrating the substantially trapezoidal shape wider than the rotation portion  320  with the rotation portion  320 . A gap is not formed between the rotation portion  320  and the supporting portion  400 , and the border between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200  may be covered with the part of the supporting portion  400  wider than the rotation portion  320 . 
         [0033]    Since the supporting portion  400  is formed integrally with the rotation portion  320 , the display-side case  200  and the supporting portion  400  and the rotation portion  320  are integrally rotated about the axis A 1  of rotation. The supporting portion  400  moves along the surface of the rotation base portions  310  and does not interfere with the rotation. Therefore, the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200  may be smoothly opened and closed. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates the configuration of the vicinity of the hinge portion according to the embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the supporting portion  400  has outer wall surfaces  430  having shapes conforming to the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310 . The outer wall surfaces  430  of the supporting portion  400  facing the rotation base portions  310  have shapes conforming to the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310  each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In  FIG. 3 , when the supporting portion  400  rotates about the axis A 1  of rotation that is substantially the center of the rotation base portions  310 , the outer wall surfaces  430  moves along the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310 . In  FIG. 3 , the arc-shaped outer wall surface  430  moves along the circumference illustrating the surface of the rotation base portion  310 . 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the border between the rotation base portions  310  and the display-side case  200  is covered by the supporting portion  400 , and the supporting portion  400  is moved along the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310 . Therefore, the axis A 1  of rotation and the axis A 2  of rotation are not located in the same plane. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the axis A 1  of rotation that is substantially the center of the rotation base portions  310  is located at a position on the operation-side case  100  side of the axis A 2  of rotation that is near the middle in the thickness direction of the display-side case  200 . Locating the axis A 1  of rotation on the operation-side case  100  side of the axis A 2  of rotation makes it possible to make the thickness of the display-side case  200  substantially the same as the thickness of the supporting portion  400  and to cause the supporting portion  400  to overhang the rotation base portions  310 . The supporting portion  400  overlapping the rotation base portions  310  may be moved along the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310 . 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, when the supporting portion  400  moves along the surfaces of the rotation base portions  310 , the positional relationship between the supporting portion  400  and the display-side case  200  does not change. When the display-side case  200  rotates about the axis A 1  of rotation to be opened and closed, the distance between the supporting portion  400  and the display-side case  200  is constant. In this embodiment, since the supporting pads  230  provided in the display-side case  200  are in contact with the supporting portion  400 , backlash of the display-side case  200  may be prevented. 
         [0037]    In a mobile terminal device not provided with the supporting portion  400 , when the operation-side case and the display-side case are opened and closed relative to each other, the distance between the display-side case and the rotation base portions sometimes differs between the closed state and the open state. For this reason, in a mobile terminal device not provided with the supporting portion  400 , backlash of the display-side case needs to be prevented by separately providing components such as pads that are in contact with the rotation base portions in each state. In the mobile terminal device in this embodiment, if a pair of supporting pads  230  is provided in the display-side case  200 , backlash of the display-side case  200  may be prevented in both the closed state and the open state. Therefore, the mobile terminal device in this embodiment may reduce the number of components for preventing backlash of the display-side case  200  and may prevent an increase in cost. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates a part of the display-side case  200  attached to the supporting portion  400 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the configuration of the end  220  of the display-side case  200  removed from the supporting portion  400  as viewed from the direction X in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the supporting pads  230  are provided at both ends of the end  220  of the display-side case  200 . In the center of each supporting pad  230 , a protrusion  230   a  is formed. 
         [0039]    In the vicinity of the middle of the end  220  of the display-side case  200 , a shaft hole  240  corresponding to the axis A 2  of rotation is formed. The display-side case  200  is rotatably connected to the supporting portion  400 . By bringing the protrusions  230   a  of the supporting pads  230  into contact with the end  410  of the supporting portion  400 , the display-side case  200  is supported and backlash is prevented. 
         [0040]    Since the end  220  of the display-side case  200  and the end  410  of the supporting portion  400  have substantially the same width, the protrusions  230   a  of the supporting pads  230  are always in contact with the end  410  of the supporting portion  400  even if the display-side case  200  and the supporting portion  400  rotate about the axis A 1  of rotation. Regardless of the open/closed state of the operation-side case  100  and the display-side case  200 , backlash of the display-side case  200  may be prevented with minimum components. 
         [0041]    As described above, according to this embodiment, a wide supporting portion is formed integrally with a rotation portion forming a hinge portion that allows the operation-side case and the display-side case to open and close relative to each other. The supporting portion rotatably supports the display-side case and covers the border between the display-side case and rotation base portions forming the hinge portion. For this reason, the gap formed between the display-side case and the rotation base portions are hidden, and the mobile terminal device may have a totally uninterrupted appearance. Even when a mobile terminal device has a case rotatable about at least two axes of rotation, the aesthetic properties thereof may be improved. 
         [0042]    In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the supporting portion  400  partially covers the hinge portion  300 . However, the supporting portion  400  may cover the entire hinge portion  300 . The shape of the supporting portion  400  is not limited to a trapezoidal shape and may be, for example, a rectangular shape. The size and shape of the supporting portion  400  may be changed according to the design of the mobile terminal device. 
         [0043]    In the above-described embodiment, a rotation portion  320  interposed between a pair of rotation base portions  310  is formed integrally with the supporting portion  400 . However, the rotation portion does not necessarily have to be interposed between a pair of rotation base portions. If the hinge portion has, for example, a structure in which a middle rotation base portion is interposed between a pair of rotation portions, forming the rotation portions integrally with a supporting portion rotatably supporting the display-side case enables the supporting portion to cover the border between the display-side case and the rotation base portion. 
         [0044]    The configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiment may be applied not only to mobile phones but also, for example, to PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook personal computers, and mobile video game machines. That is, the same configuration as the above-described embodiment may be applied to any mobile terminal device in which two cases are openable and closable relative to each other and one of the cases is further rotatable. 
         [0045]    All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.