Abstract:
An enclosure assembly allows a hinge bracket to realize establishment of the opened attitude or the closed attitude of a second enclosure relative to a first enclosure. The second enclosure rotates relative to the hinge bracket around the second rotation axis. The second enclosure in this manner changes its attitude relative to the first enclosure. The hinge bracket stays where it is. The hinge bracket does not rotate. The position of the light sources is thus kept unchanged. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis. The enclosure for an electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. This leads to an enhanced appearance of the electronic apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as a cellular or mobile phone terminal. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus including a hinge bracket coupled to a first enclosure for relative rotation around a first rotation axis parallel to the front surface of the first enclosure, the hinge bracket supporting a second enclosure for relative rotation around a second rotation axis extending within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A cellular or mobile phone terminal of the clamshell type allows superposition of a display enclosure on the front surface of a main body enclosure. When the display enclosure rotates around a first rotation axis, the mobile phone terminal establishes the opened attitude. The screen of a display panel and keypads such as numeric keypads are exposed. The display enclosure is rotatable around a second rotation axis on a hinge bracket. The screen of the display panel can be changed over from a portrait state to a landscape state. 
   One is expected to consider impressive illumination for the mobile phone terminal. Light blinks in response to receipt of a call, in synchronization with music, and the like, for example. When a light source is incorporated in the display enclosure of the mobile phone terminal, the position of the emitted light moves when the display enclosure rotates. Impressive illumination thus cannot be realized as expected. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus and an enclosure assembly therefor, enabling realization of impressive illumination. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an enclosure assembly for an electronic apparatus, comprising: a first enclosure; a hinge bracket coupled to the first enclosure for relative rotation around a first rotation axis parallel to the front surface of the first enclosure; a second enclosure superposed on the surface of the hinge bracket, the second enclosure coupled to the hinge bracket for relative rotation around a second rotation axis extending within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis; a light source located on the hinge bracket; and a light diffusing member placed on the hinge bracket in front of the light source. 
   The enclosure assembly allows the hinge bracket to realize establishment of the opened attitude or the closed attitude of the second enclosure relative to the first enclosure. The second enclosure rotates relative to the hinge bracket around the second rotation axis. The second enclosure in this manner changes its attitude relative to the first enclosure. The hinge bracket stays where it is. The hinge bracket does not rotate. The position of the light sources is thus kept unchanged. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis. The enclosure for an electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. This leads to an enhanced appearance of the electronic apparatus. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: a first enclosure; a hinge bracket coupled to the first enclosure for relative rotation around a first rotation axis parallel to the front surface of the first enclosure; a second enclosure superposed on the surface of the hinge bracket, the second enclosure coupled to the hinge bracket for relative rotation around a second rotation axis extending within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis; a light source located on the hinge bracket; and a light diffusing member placed on the hinge bracket in front of the light source. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis in the electronic apparatus in the same manner as described above. The electronic apparatus is in this manner allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an enclosure assembly for an electronic apparatus, comprising: a first enclosure; a hinge bracket coupled to the first enclosure for relative rotation around a first rotation axis parallel to the front surface of the first enclosure; a second enclosure having the back surface superposed on the front surface of the hinge bracket, the second enclosure coupled to the hinge bracket for relative rotation around a second rotation axis extending within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis; an optical path defined in the hinge bracket, the optical path extending from a first opening opposed to the back surface of the second enclosure to a second opening defined in a side wall standing upright from the back surface of the second enclosure; and a light source placed on the second enclosure at a position opposed to the first opening. 
   The enclosure assembly allows the hinge bracket to realize establishment of the opened attitude or the closed attitude of the second enclosure relative to the first enclosure in the same manner as described above. The second enclosure rotates relative to the hinge bracket around the second rotation axis. The second enclosure in this manner changes its attitude relative to the first enclosure. Here, the optical path extends from the first opening to the second opening. The light source is placed on the second enclosure at a position opposed to the first opening. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis. The enclosure for an electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. This leads to an enhanced appearance of the electronic apparatus. 
   The enclosure assembly may further comprise a reflecting surface placed in the optical path to reflect light from the first opening to the second opening. The reflecting surface may be jagged. Light can be directed from the first opening to the second opening through the reflecting surface. The jagged surface of the reflecting surface allows the light to pass through the second opening over a wider range. 
   The enclosure assembly may further comprise a light diffusing member fixed to the second enclosure at a position on the optical path of the light source, the light diffusing member including stripes of swell on its surface. The stripes of swells serve to direct the light toward the hinge bracket over a wider range. 
   The enclosure assembly allows arrangement of the source elements of the light source on an imaginary circle concentric with the second rotation axis. A plurality of first openings may likewise be arranged on an imaginary circle concentric with the second rotation axis. The light sources may be arranged on the imaginary circle at constant intervals in the enclosure assembly. The first openings may likewise be arranged on the imaginary circle at constant intervals. 
   According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: a first enclosure; a hinge bracket coupled to the first enclosure for relative rotation around a first rotation axis parallel to the front surface of the first enclosure; a second enclosure having the back surface superposed on the front surface of the hinge bracket, the second enclosure coupled to the hinge bracket for relative rotation around a second rotation axis extending within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis; an optical path defined in the hinge bracket, the optical path extending from a first opening opposed to the back surface of the second enclosure to a second opening defined in a side wall standing upright from the back surface of the second enclosure; and a light source placed on the second enclosure at a position opposed to the first opening. The electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cellular or mobile phone terminal as a specific example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view schematically illustrating a first pivotal attitude of a display enclosure; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view schematically illustrating a second pivotal attitude of the display enclosure; 
       FIG. 4  is a backside view of the display enclosure; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a hinge bracket; 
       FIG. 6  is a backside view of the mobile phone terminal for schematically illustrating the backside of the bracket body; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the mobile phone terminal in the closed attitude for schematically illustrating light leaking out of openings; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the mobile phone terminal in the closed attitude for schematically illustrating light leaking out of the openings when the display enclosure takes the second pivotal attitude; 
       FIG. 9  is a backside view schematically illustrating an electronic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a backside view of the display enclosure schematically illustrating the position of light sources; 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the mobile phone terminal in the closed attitude for schematically illustrating light leaking out of the openings; 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the mobile phone terminal for schematically illustrating light leaking out of the opening when the display enclosure takes the first pivotal attitude; 
       FIG. 14  is a front view of the mobile phone terminal for schematically illustrating light leaking out of the opening when the display enclosure takes the second pivotal attitude; 
       FIG. 15  is a backside view of the display enclosure schematically illustrating the position of light sources; 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view, corresponding to  FIG. 10 , schematically illustrating an electronic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a light diffusing member. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a cellular or mobile phone terminal  11  of the clamshell type as an example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone terminal  11  includes a main apparatus  12  and a display unit  13 . The main apparatus  12  includes a main body enclosure  14  serving as a first enclosure. A printed circuit board, not shown, is incorporated in the main body enclosure  14 . Processing circuits, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, are mounted on the printed circuit board in a conventional manner. Keypads, such as an on-hook keypad  15   a , an off-hook keypad  15   b , numeric keypads  15   c , and the like, are embedded in the flat front surface of the main apparatus  12 . The CPU executes various processing in response to the manipulation of the keypads. The main body enclosure  14  may be molded from a reinforced resin material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), for example. 
   The display unit  13  includes a display enclosure  16  serving as a second enclosure. A flat display panel module such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel module  17  is incorporated in the display enclosure  16 . A window opening  18  is defined in the flat front surface of the display enclosure  16 . The LCD panel module  17  defines a screen exposed in the window opening  18 . Various texts and graphics are displayed on the screen of the LCD panel module  17  in response to the operation of the CPU. The display enclosure  16  may be molded from a reinforced resin material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), for example. 
   A microphone hole  19  is defined in the flat front surface of the main body enclosure  14 . A microphone is placed within the microphone hole  19 . A speaker hole  21  is defined in the flat front surface of the display enclosure  16 . A speaker is placed within the speaker hole  21 . The user of the mobile phone terminal  11  speaks to the microphone during telephone conversation. The speaker reproduces the voice of the other party. 
   A hinge bracket  22  is coupled to the main body enclosure  14 . A hinge  23  is utilized to couple the hinge bracket  22 . The hinge  23  allows relative rotation around a first rotation axis HX between the main body enclosure  14  and the hinge bracket  22 . The first rotation axis HX is designed to extend in parallel with the flat front surface of the main body enclosure  14 . 
   The back surface of the display enclosure  16  is superposed on the front surface of the hinge bracket  22 . The display enclosure  16  is coupled to the hinge bracket  22  for relative rotation around a second rotation axis RX. The second rotation axis RX is designed to extend within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis HX. The second rotation axis RX is also designed to intersect with the front surface of the hinge bracket  22 . Here, the intersecting angle is set at 90 degrees between the second rotation axis RX and the front surface of the hinge bracket  22 . The display enclosure  16  is in this manner allowed to rotate relative to the main body enclosure  14  around the first rotation axis HX. 
   When the mobile phone terminal  11  is set in an opened attitude, the main apparatus  12  and the display unit  13  face front. A portrait screen is established in the LCD panel module  17  while the main apparatus  12  is set in a vertical attitude. The user of the mobile phone terminal  11  is allowed to look at the keypads such as the numeric keypads  15   c  while he/she keeps looking at the portrait screen of the LCD panel module  17 . The display enclosure  16  is rotatable around the first rotation axis HX. Such a rotation of the display enclosure  16  enables superposition of the display enclosure  16  on the flat front surface of the main body enclosure  14 . The mobile phone terminal  11  thus takes a closed attitude. The mobile phone terminal  11  is set in a folded state in this manner. 
   When the mobile phone terminal  11  takes the opened attitude, the display enclosure  16  is allowed to rotate around the second rotation axis RX, for example. When the display enclosure  16  rotates in the clockwise direction, namely a first direction, by the rotation angle of 90 degrees, from the upright attitude where the display panel module  17  provides the portrait screen, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the display enclosure  16  takes a first pivotal attitude. The landscape screen is established in the LCD panel module  17 . When the display enclosure  16  rotates in the anticlockwise direction, namely a second direction, by the rotation angle of 90 degrees, from the upright attitude, the display enclosure  16  takes a second pivotal attitude, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The landscape screen is established in the LCD panel module  17 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , a swivel mechanism  25  is incorporated in the back surface of the display enclosure  16 . The swivel mechanism  25  includes a hollow cylindrical shaft  26  having the central axis concentric with the second rotation axis RX. The hollow cylindrical shaft  26  is stationarily fixed to the display enclosure  16 . A ring member  27  is mounted on the hollow cylindrical shaft  26  for relative rotation around the hollow cylindrical shaft  26 . The ring member  27  is prevented from an axial movement relative to the hollow cylindrical shaft  26 . Specifically, the ring member  27  is prevented from falling off. The hinge bracket  22  is fixed to the ring member  27 . Relative rotation is restrained between the hinge bracket  22  and the ring member  27  around the hollow cylindrical shaft  26 . Relative rotation between the hollow cylindrical shaft  26  and the ring member  27  thus enables relative rotation between the display enclosure  16  and the hinge bracket  22 . 
   Three depressions  28  are formed on the outer edge of the ring member  27  at constant intervals of the central angle of 90 degrees. The depressions  28  are depressed toward the central axis of the hollow cylindrical shaft  26 , namely the second rotation axis RX. The depressions  28  are respectively defined based on arched edges of the ring member  27 , for example. An arched protrusion  29  is opposed to the outer edge of the ring member  27 . Three springs  31  are utilized to urge the protrusion  29  toward the second rotation axis RX, for example. The protrusion  29  is received in one of the depressions  28 . A combination of the protrusion  29  and the depressions  28  in this manner serves to restrain the relative rotation between the display enclosure  16  and the hinge bracket  22  at a desired position. The display enclosure  16  in this manner clicks on the hinge bracket  22  around the second rotation axis RX. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge bracket  22  includes a bracket body  33 . The bracket body  33  is superposed on the back surface of the display enclosure  16 . The front surface of the bracket body  33  is coupled to the swivel mechanism  25 . A bracket cover  34  covers over the back surface of the bracket body  33 . The hinge bracket  22  has a side wall  22   a  standing in the direction perpendicular to the back surface of the display enclosure  16 . A cover  35  is fitted in the side wall  22   a . The cover  35  may be made of a semitransparent resin material, for example. The cover  35  allows transmission of light. The cover  35  thus accepts transmission of light. The cover  35  closes a pair of openings  36  defined in the side wall  22   a.    
     FIG. 6  illustrates the back surface of the bracket body  33 . A pair of light source units  41  is placed on the back surface of the bracket body  33 . The light source units  41  are opposed to the openings  36 , respectively. The light source units  41  and the openings  36  are respectively arranged on imaginary circles concentric with the second rotation axis RX at an interval of the central angle of 90 degrees, for example. Each light source unit  41  includes a printed wiring board  42 . A light source, namely a light-emitting diode (LED)  43 , is mounted on the printed wiring board  42 . A light diffusing member  44  is placed in front of each LED  43 . The light diffusing member  44  is designed to uniformly diffuse light output from the LED  43  toward the opening  36 . 
   One ends of wires  45  are connected to the printed wiring boards  42 , respectively. The wires  45  are bundled to a connecting wire  46  extending through the hinge bracket  22 . The connecting wire  46  extends through an inner space defined in the hollow cylindrical shaft  26 . The connecting wire  46  is thus connected to a printed wiring board, not shown, placed in the display enclosure  16 . The connecting wire  46  also extends through a hollow space in the hinge  23  along the longitudinal axis of the hinge  23 . The connecting wire  46  is thus connected to a printed wiring board, not shown, in the main body enclosure  14 . Electric power is supplied from the printed wiring board in the main body enclosure  14  to the printed wiring board in the display enclosure  16  through the connecting wire  46 . The wires  45  may be connected to either the printed wiring board in the main body enclosure  14  or the printed wiring board in the display enclosure  16 . Electric current is supplied to the printed wiring boards  42  or LEDs  43  through the wires  45 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , light leaks from the openings  36  toward the back surface of the display enclosure  16  in the mobile phone terminal  11  in the closed attitude, for example. When the display enclosure  16  rotates relative to the hinge bracket  22  around the second rotation axis RX, the display enclosure  16  takes the second pivotal attitude, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The hinge bracket  22  is prevented from rotating. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the display enclosure  16  around the second rotation axis RX. An effective illumination can be realized. The mobile phone terminal  11  is allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 
     FIG. 9  schematically illustrates a mobile phone terminal  11   a  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone terminal  11   a  includes reflecting surfaces  51  coupled to the cover  35 . The light source units  41  of the first embodiment are omitted from the back surface of the bracket body  33 . A predetermined optical path  52  is formed in the cover  35  for establishment of the reflecting surfaces  51 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the optical path  52  is designed to extend to the opening  36  from an opening  53  opposed to the back surface of the display enclosure  16 . The reflecting surface  51  is jagged. 
   Light sources, namely LEDs  54 , are incorporated in the display enclosure  16 . The LEDs  54  are mounted on a printed wiring board  55  incorporated in the display enclosure  16 . Electric current is supplied to the printed wiring board  55  through the aforementioned connecting wire  46 . An opening  56  is formed in the display enclosure  16  at a position on the optical path of the LED  54 . The opening  56  is opposed to the opening  53  of the hinge bracket  22 . 
   Light output from the LED  54  passes through the opening  56  into the cover  35 . The light is reflected on the reflecting surface  51 . Since the reflecting surface  51  is jagged, the light is diffused upon reflection. The diffused light is directed to the opening  36 . The light is thus allowed to pass through the opening  36  over a wider range. The light leaks outside the mobile phone terminal  11   a  through the opening  36 . 
   Here, as shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, two LEDs  54  are utilized. The LEDs  54  are arranged on an imaginary circle concentric with the second rotation axis RX at an interval of the central angle of 90 degrees, for example. The positions of the openings  53 ,  56  are determined depending on the positions of the LEDs  54 . Like reference numerals are attached to the structure and components equivalent to those of the aforementioned mobile phone terminal  11 . It should be noted that the main body enclosure  12 , the display enclosure  14 , the hinge bracket  22 , the cover  35  and the LEDs  54  in combination establish an enclosure assembly for an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the mobile phone terminal  11   a  of the closed attitude allows leakage of the light from the openings  36  toward the back surface of the display enclosure  16 . When the display enclosure  16  rotates relative to the hinge bracket  22  around the second rotation axis RX, the LEDs  54  shift around the second rotation axis RX. One of the LEDs  54  is positioned off the opening  53 . The other LED  54  is moved from one of the openings  53  to the other opening  53 . The light thus leaks only from the other opening  53  or opening  36 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the display enclosure  16  around the second rotation axis RX. An effective illumination can be realized. The mobile phone terminal  11   a  is allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 
   As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the display enclosure  16  takes the second pivotal attitude, the light leaks only from one of the openings  53  or openings  36  in the same manner as described above. The position of the light is maintained regardless of change in the attitude of the display enclosure  16  around the second rotation axis RX. An effective illumination can be realized. The mobile phone terminal  11   a  is allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 
   The cover  35  enables establishment of the optical path  52  extending from the opening  53  to the opening  36  in the mobile phone terminal  11   a . The LEDs  54  are only disposed on the display enclosure  16  at positions respectively opposed to the openings  53 . It is unnecessary to place the LEDs  54  on the hinge bracket  22 . No space is required for the LEDs  54  in the hinge bracket  22 . The hinge bracket  22  is thus allowed to enjoy an effective utilization of a space within the hinge bracket  22 . In addition, the hinge bracket  22  is also allowed to enjoy a wide variety of design. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , for example, the mobile phone terminal  11   a  is allowed to include four LEDs  54  arranged on an imaginary circle concentric with the second rotation axis RX at constant intervals of the central angle of 90 degrees. Light can thus leak from both the openings  53  or both the openings  36  toward the display enclosure  16  not only in the first pivotal attitude but also in the second pivotal attitude. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the display enclosure  16  around the second rotation axis RX. An effective illumination can be realized. The mobile phone terminal  11   a  is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. 
     FIG. 16  schematically illustrates a mobile phone terminal  11   b  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A light diffusing member  57  is placed on the optical path  52  of the LED  54  in the mobile phone terminal  11   b . The light diffusing member  57  may be fitted in the opening  56  of the display enclosure  16 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the light diffusing member  57  includes stripes of swells  58  on the end surface of the light diffusing member  57  opposed to the LED  54 . The swells  58  may extend along imaginary parallel lines. Like reference numerals are attached to the structure and components equivalent to those of the aforementioned mobile phone terminal  11   a.    
   The light diffusing member  57  enables a uniform diffusion of light output from the LED  54  to the cover  35  based on the stripes of swells  57  in the mobile phone terminal  11   b . The light can thus leak outside the mobile phone terminal  11   b  through the opening  36  with an enhanced uniformity. The mobile phone terminal  11   b  is thus allowed to enjoy a further enhanced appearance. In addition, the light diffusing members  57  are respectively fitted in the corresponding openings  56  of the display enclosure  16 . The display enclosure  16  is thus prevented from receiving dust and the like through the openings  56 . 
   The electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes, in addition to the mobile phone terminals  11 ,  11   a ,  11   b , an electronic apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook personal computer, and the like.