Patent Publication Number: US-11665843-B2

Title: Electronic device and electronic device terminal cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/914,707, filed Jun. 29, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/951,451, filed Apr. 12, 2018 and now U.S. Pat. No. 10,743,431, issued Aug. 11, 2020, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/003473, filed Jul. 27, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device terminal cover having waterproof and dust-proof properties and an electronic device including the terminal cover. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     PTL 1 discloses a waterproof terminal cover that seals and closes an opening in which a connection terminal of a mobile terminal is housed. The waterproof terminal cover in PTL 1 includes a seal part, a main body, and an extension hook. The seal part is made of an elastic member. The seal part includes a stopper having a projected shape and pressed into the opening to hermetically close the opening, and a flange that abuts on a peripheral edge of the opening. The main body is made of a material having higher rigidity than the material of the seal part, and is integrally molded with the seal part. The main body constitutes an appearance by covering the seal part. The extension hook is integrally extended from the main body, and is locked by a front side cabinet to prevent the main body from falling out. 
     According to the waterproof terminal cover in PTL 1, the seal part is made of the elastic member, and includes the stopper having the projected shape and pressed into the opening to hermetically close the opening, and the flange that abuts on the peripheral edge of the opening. The main body is made of the material having higher rigidity than the material of the seal part, and constitutes the appearance. The seal part is integrally molded with the main body. This realizes the waterproof terminal cover easily manufactured with a simple configuration and having an enhanced waterproof property. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-137849 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that reduces deterioration in waterproof and dust-proof performance of a terminal cover. 
     A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a casing having an opening that houses a connection terminal inside; and a terminal cover that seals the opening such that the connection terminal is not exposed. The terminal cover includes a lid that seals the opening and a fixing part that fixes the terminal cover to the casing. The lid includes a protrusion and a cushion member, the cushion member being mounted around the protrusion, and having a surface lower than a surface of the protrusion. The cushion member seals the opening by being in close contact with a member provided around the opening. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a terminal cover that covers a connection terminal of an electronic device such that the connection terminal is not exposed. The terminal cover includes a lid that seals an opening that houses the connection terminal, the opening being formed in the electronic device, and a fixing part that fixes the terminal cover to the electronic device. The lid includes a protrusion and a cushion member, the cushion member being mounted around the protrusion, and having a surface lower than a surface of the protrusion. The cushion member seals the opening by being in close contact with a member provided around the opening. 
     According to the present disclosure, the cushion member provided in the terminal cover can enhance airtightness when the cover is closed, and can secure waterproof and dust-proof properties. Further, the protrusion provided in the terminal cover can reduce contact between the cushion member provided in the terminal cover and a power supply plug or the like during insertion/extraction of the power supply plug or the like. Accordingly, damage to the cushion member can be reduced. As a result, airtightness, that is, waterproof and dust-proof performance, of the terminal cover can be kept longer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an information processing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the information processing device in a state in which a second unit is closed with respect to a first unit; 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of a region near a terminal cover of a connection terminal for a power supply plug; 
         FIG.  4    is a view showing a state in which an insertion port for a power supply plug is exposed while the terminal cover is opened; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a view showing an entire configuration of the terminal cover; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a sectional view of the terminal cover taken along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view of the information processing device in a state in which the terminal cover is closed; 
         FIG.  7    is a view explaining a state when the power supply plug is inserted in/extracted from the insertion port for the power supply plug; and 
         FIG.  8    is a view explaining a state when the power supply plug is inserted in/extracted from the insertion port for the power supply plug. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, detailed description beyond necessity may be omitted. For example, detailed description of a matter that has been already known well or overlapping description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy of the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. 
     Note that the inventors of the present disclosure provide the attached drawings and the following description for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend to limit the subject matter as described in the appended claims by these drawings and description. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     [1-1. Entire Configuration] 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an information processing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing device serves as an example of an electronic device including a terminal cover. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , information processing device  100  includes first unit  101  and second unit  102 . Second unit  102  is detachable from first unit  101 . In a case where second unit  102  is attached to first unit  101 , information processing device  100  can be utilized as a notebook type computer. Further, second unit  102  can be utilized alone as a tablet type computer. In this way, information processing device  100  is a so-called detachable type computer. 
     Second unit  102  alone has a function as the tablet type computer. Second unit  102  includes display  121 . Display  121  is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display device, and is mounted on one principal surface of second casing  120 . Display  121  may be configured with another display device, such as an organic EL device. Display  121  is provided with a touch panel disposed on the liquid crystal display device and capable of receiving user&#39;s touch operation. In order to realize the function as the computer, second unit  102  incorporates a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile storage (RAM), a nonvolatile storage (ROM, SSD, or the like), a battery, and the like. The nonvolatile storage (ROM, SSD, or the like) stores an operating system (OS), various application programs, various data, and the like. The central processing unit (CPU) executes arithmetic processing by reading the OS, the application programs, and the various data, thereby realizing various functions. 
     First unit  101  includes first casing  110 , holder  130 , and hinge  140 . First casing  110  is formed of metal, such as magnesium alloy, or resin. First unit  101  includes an input part through which the user performs input operation on the second unit. As the input part, first casing  110  is provided with keyboard  111 , touch pad  112 , operation buttons  113 , and the like. 
     Holder  130  is electrically or mechanically connected with first unit  101 . Holder  130  attaches second unit  102  by housing a part of second unit  102 . When second unit  102  is attached, holder  130  electrically connects first unit  101  with second unit  102 . 
     Hinge  140  couples holder  130  (i.e., second unit  102 ) and first unit  101  such that holder  130  can rotate with respect to first unit  101 . 
     A connector (not shown) connected with a connector (not shown) of the second unit is provided within holder  130 . Further, wiring for exchanging various signals or electric power between holder  130  and first unit  101  is passed through an inside of hinge  140 . Various signals and electric power can be given and received between first unit  101  and second unit  102  via these connectors and wiring. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of information processing device  100  in a state in which second unit  102  is closed with respect to first unit  101 . Connection terminals for connecting a power supply plug, an external device, a memory card, and the like are provided on a side surface of first unit  101 . The respective connection terminals are provided with terminal covers  10 ,  61  to  64  such that the connection terminals are not exposed when the connection terminals are not used. For example, terminal cover  10  is provided for the connection terminal that connects a terminal of the power supply plug configured to supply power from a power supply adapter. Further, terminal cover  61  is provided for the connection terminal for the memory card (an insertion port for the memory card). Further, terminal covers  62 ,  63 ,  64  are provided to cover an HDMI (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) terminal, a USB terminal, and a display terminal, respectively. 
     In the same way as first unit  101 , second unit  102  is also provided with a connection terminal for the memory card, an earphone/microphone connection terminal, the HDMI terminal, the USB terminal, and the like. A waterproof and dust-proof terminal cover is provided for each of the terminals. 
     [1-2. Terminal Cover of Connection Terminal for Power Supply Plug] 
       FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of a region near terminal cover  10  that covers the connection terminal for the power supply plug. It should be noted that  FIG.  3    shows a state in which second unit  102  is detached from holder  130 . In  FIG.  3   , terminal cover  10  is closed such that the connection terminal for the power supply plug is not exposed. When terminal cover  10  is closed, terminal cover  10  seals an insertion port for a power supply plug such that terminal cover  10  can fully exhibit waterproof and dust-proof performance. Terminal cover  10  is constituted of two members  41 ,  42 . Member  42  is mounted on member  41  so as to be slidable on member  41 . Moreover, terminal cover  10  can be locked by sliding member  42  to a rear side of first unit  101  (details are described below). 
       FIG.  4    is a view showing a state in which terminal cover  10  is opened and insertion port  23  (an opening) for the power supply plug is exposed. Insertion port  23  (the opening) for the power supply plug is provided in first casing  110 , and the connection terminal for the power supply plug is housed in an interior of insertion port  23 . The state shown in  FIG.  4    is a state in which the connection terminal for the power supply plug is also exposed. Rib  24  is provided in a region around insertion port  23  for the power supply plug in first casing  110 . 
       FIG.  5 A  is a view showing a configuration of terminal cover  10 .  FIG.  5 B  is a sectional view of lid  11  taken along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG.  5 A . 
     Terminal cover  10  includes lid  11 , fixing part  13 , and coupling part  12 . Lid  11  seals insertion port  23  for the power supply plug. Fixing part  13  fixes terminal cover  10  to the casing of first unit  101 . Coupling part  12  couples lid  11  to fixing part  13 . Lid  11 , coupling part  12 , and fixing part  13  are integrally formed of a resin material having elasticity. 
     Coupling part  12  functions as a hinge. Fixing part  13  has opening  16  in a center. Terminal cover  10  is fixed to casing  110  of first unit  101  by being fastened with screw  21  via this opening  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , lid  11  has protrusion  15  in a center of a principal surface opposite to insertion port  23  for the power supply plug. Cushion member  25  is mounted around protrusion  15 . An outside diameter of protrusion  15  is smaller than an inner diameter of insertion port  23 . Protrusion  15  is housed in insertion port  23  in a state in which lid  11  is completely closed. Cushion member  25  is formed of a material having elasticity, such as urethane resin or rubber. Protrusion  15  is formed such that a surface of protrusion  15  is higher than a surface of cushion member  25 . Protrusion  15  is formed of a resin material or the like harder than the material forming cushion member  25 . The protrusion  15  includes multiple recessed spaces  27  arranged in a 2×2 array and separated by substantially orthogonal walls. 
     Lid  11  has an area to an extent that at least whole insertion port  23  for the power supply plug can be covered. When lid  11  is completely closed to first unit  101 , cushion member  25  of lid  11  is in close contact with rib  24  provided around insertion port  23  for the power supply plug. Accordingly, insertion port  23  is sealed. With this configuration, waterproof and dust-proof properties of insertion port  23  are secured. 
       FIG.  6    is a view showing a cross section near lid  11  in information processing device  100  (a cross section cut along a surface parallel to a principal surface of first unit  101 ) in a state in which lid  11  is closed with respect to first unit  101 . Terminal cover  10  includes two members; member  41  and member  42  disposed outside of member  41 . Member  41  is a member in which lid  11 , coupling part  12 , and fixing part  13  are integrally formed. Member  42  has projection  19  at a tip, and is mounted on member  41  so as to be slidable on member  41 . By sliding member  42  to the rear side of first unit  101  in a state in which terminal cover  10  is closed, projection  19  is inserted in housing part  51  provided within first unit  101 . With this configuration, lid  11  is fixed (locked) to first unit  101 . At this time, cushion member  25  of lid  11  is in close contact with rib  24  provided around insertion port  23  for the power supply plug. With this configuration, insertion port  23  for the power supply plug (that is, an internal space of first unit  101  that houses the connection terminal connected with the power supply plug) is sealed, and waterproof and dust-proof properties are secured. 
     In terminal cover  10  configured as above, protrusion  15  can reduce damage to cushion member  25  accompanied with insertion/extraction of the power supply plug. This damage reduction is described below with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    are views explaining a state when power supply plug  31  is inserted in/extracted from insertion port  23  for the power supply plug of first unit  101  while terminal cover  10  is opened. When power supply plug  31  is inserted/extracted, protrusion  15  of lid  11  of terminal cover  10  abuts on terminal  33  of power supply plug  31 . As a result, contact between cushion member  25  of terminal cover  10  and power supply plug  31  is reduced during insertion/extraction of power supply plug  31 . Hence, abrasion or damage of cushion member  25  due to the contact with power supply plug  31  during the insertion/extraction of power supply plug  31  can be reduced, and airtightness (that is, waterproof and dust-proof performance) by cushion member  25  can be kept long. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 A , it is preferable that a shape of protrusion  15  provided inside terminal cover  10  be a shape having no corners (rounded shape). This is because, when power supply plug  31  is rotated in a state in which the power supply plug is inserted in insertion port  23 , catching of power supply plug  31  on protrusion  15  can be reduced. Further, in an example shown in  FIG.  5 A , a contour shape of protrusion  15  is not a circle, but is a shape in which an upper part (a part) of a circle is cut. This is to facilitate positioning of cushion member  25  when cushion member  25  is mounted. 
     [1-3. Effects Etc.] 
     As described above, information processing device  100  of the present exemplary embodiment includes first casing  110  and terminal cover  10 . Terminal cover  10  seals insertion port  23  (an example of the opening) such that the terminal connected to terminal  33  of power supply plug  31  is not exposed. Terminal cover  10  includes lid  11  that seals insertion port  23  and fixing part  13  that fixes terminal cover  10  to casing  110 . Lid  11  includes protrusion  15  and cushion member  25 . Cushion member  25  is mounted around protrusion  15 , and has the surface lower than the surface of the protrusion. In other words, protrusion  15  is formed such that its surface protrudes more than the surface of cushion member  25 . Cushion member  25  is in close contact with rib  24  provided around insertion port  23 , thereby sealing insertion port  23 . 
     With this configuration, cushion member  25  can enhance airtightness when the cover is closed, and can secure waterproof and dust-proof properties. Simultaneously, when power supply plug  31  is inserted in/extracted from insertion port  23  for the power supply plug, terminal  33  of the power supply plug comes into contact with protrusion  15  of terminal cover  10 . Accordingly, terminal  33  of power supply plug  31  can be prevented from coming into contact with cushion member  25 . With this configuration, abrasion or damage of the cushion member accompanied with the insertion/extraction of the power supply plug can be reduced, and deterioration in waterproof and dust-proof properties of terminal cover  10  can be reduced. 
     Other Exemplary Embodiments 
     As above, the first exemplary embodiment is described as an illustration of a technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technique in the present disclosure is not limited to this first exemplary embodiment, and is also applicable to exemplary embodiments that are appropriately changed, replaced, added, omitted, or the like. Further, a new exemplary embodiment can be implemented by combining the respective components explained in the above-described first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, other exemplary embodiments are described below. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the contour of protrusion  15  of the terminal cover is formed in the shape in which the upper part of the circle is cut. However, the contour is not limited to this shape. An essential requirement for protrusion  15  of the terminal cover is that a height of protrusion  15  is greater than a height of cushion member  25 . Any shape can be employed for the contour shape. 
     Further, in the first exemplary embodiment, description is given of an example in which protrusion  15  is provided in terminal cover  10  for the connection terminal for the power supply plug. However, an idea of the present disclosure can be applied to a terminal cover for another kind of connection terminal. For example, the protrusion or the cushion member may be provided in terminal cover  61  for the connection terminal (the insertion port) for the memory card, or in terminal covers  62 ,  63 ,  64  for the HDMI terminal, the USB terminal, the display terminal, respectively. Cushion member  25  can enhance airtightness when the terminal cover is closed and secure waterproof and dust-proof properties. Moreover, protrusion  15  can reduce abrasion or damage of cushion member  25  accompanied with the insertion/extraction of the memory card or the connection terminal. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, rib  24  that is in close contact with cushion member  25  and seals the opening (insertion port  23 ) is formed in first casing  110 . However, rib  24  may be formed in a member other than first casing  110 . In other words, the rib may be formed in any member if the rib can be in close contact with cushion member  25  and seal the opening (insertion port  23 ). 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the so-called detachable type computer is described as an example of the electronic device. However, the idea about the terminal cover of the present disclosure can be applied to other kinds of electronic devices. For example, the idea of the present disclosure can be applied to an electronic device including connection terminals, such as a notebook type personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a cell phone, or a digital camera. 
     As above, the exemplary embodiments are described as the illustration of the technique in the present disclosure. For that purpose, the attached drawings and the detailed description are provided. 
     Therefore, the components mentioned in the attached drawings and the detailed description may include not only components that are essential for solving the problems, but also components that are not essential for solving the problems to illustrate the above-described technique. Accordingly, those nonessential components should not be immediately recognized as essential just because those nonessential components are mentioned in the attached drawings or the detailed description. 
     Further, since the aforementioned exemplary embodiments illustrate the technique in the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, or the like can be made in the claims and their equivalents. 
     The present disclosure is useful for an electronic device having a terminal cover that covers a connection terminal for connecting an external device, a power supply plug, or the like, and requiring waterproof and dust-proof properties to the terminal cover (for example, a notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a cell phone, or a digital camera).