Patent Publication Number: US-2006005211-A1

Title: Electronic apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-194574, filed on Jun. 30, 2004; the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field  
      Embodiments of the the invention relate to an electronic apparatus which includes a disk drive, for example, an optical disk drive.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A portable computer, for example, includes a disk drive which reads the information of a disk such as an optical disk. The disk drive is often installed inside a housing in which a keyboard is disposed.  
      The structure of the disk drive of this type is a structure which includes a tray that detachably supports the disk. In such a disk drive, the tray comes out of the housing through a slot which is provided in, for example, the side surface of the housing of the portable computer. The tray is moved by an ejection mechanism. The disk is attached to or detached from the tray in a state where this tray lies outside the housing.  
      Besides, there has been a structure wherein a bezel which fits in the slot is mounted on the end of the tray. The bezel shuts the slot when the tray is accommodated inside the housing of the disk drive.  
      In some cases, however, dust or the like intrudes from between the slot and the bezel. When the dust intrudes into the interior of the disk drive, such a problem occurs that the portable computer becomes inoperable.  
      Therefore, a structure wherein the bezel is surrounded with a sealing member for dust prevention has been proposed as a dustproof countermeasure (refer to, for example, JP-A-10-162565). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary sectional view taken along line F 2 -F 2  which is indicated in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary sectional view taken along line F 3 -F 3  which is indicated in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary sectional view showing a state where a tray shown in  FIG. 3  has been moved.  
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary sectional view showing a state where an optical disk drive has been demounted from the portable computer shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary perspective view showing a state where the optical disk drive has been demounted from the portable computer shown in  FIG. 1 , and where the left sidewall of the first housing of the portable computer has been partially broken away.  
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary sectional view taken along line F 7 -F 7  which is indicated in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary sectional view showing a state where the tray shown in  FIG. 7  has been pushed out to a detachment position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      An electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 8  by taking a portable computer  10  as an example.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the portable computer  10  includes a computer body  20  and a display unit  30 . The computer body  20  has a first housing  21 . The first housing  21  is an example of a “housing” in the embodiment of the invention. This first housing  21  is in the shape of a flat box. It has a bottom wall  21   a , a top wall  21   b , a front wall  21   c , a left sidewall  21   d , a right sidewall  21   e  and a rear wall  21   f.    
      The display unit  30  includes a second housing  31  and a liquid-crystal display panel  32 . The liquid-crystal display panel  32  is accommodated in the second housing  31 . This liquid-crystal display panel  32  has a screen  32   a  for displaying an image. The screen  32   a  is exposed outside the second housing  31  through an opening portion  31   a  which is formed in the front surface of this second housing.  
      The second housing  31  is supported at the rear end part of the first housing  21  through a hinge not shown. The display unit  30  is turnable between a shut state and an open state. The shut state is a state where the display unit  30  lies on the computer body  20  so as to cover a keyboard  22  from above. The open state is a state where the display unit  30  erects itself relative to the computer body  20  so as to expose the keyboard  22  and the screen  32   a.    
      The computer body  20  includes an optical disk drive  40 , an ejection mechanism  80 , a sealing member  50 , a lock mechanism  60  and an auxiliary ejection mechanism  70 .  
      The optical disk drive  40  is an example of a “disk drive” termed in the embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the optical disk drive  40  is accommodated inside the first housing  21 . The optical disk drive  40  includes the drive proper  41 , a tray  42  and a bezel  43 .  
      The drive proper  41  has the functions of reading the information of an optical disk, writing information into the optical disk, etc. An opening  41   a  is formed in one side surface of the drive proper  41 . The drive proper  41  accommodates the tray  42  so as to be capable of bringing it in and out through the opening  41   a .  
      The drive proper  41  is fixed in the first housing  21  so that the opening  41   a  may oppose to the left sidewall  21   d  of this first housing  21 . The left sidewall  21   d  is provided with a slot  23  at a position at which it opposes to the opening  41   a  of the drive proper  41 . The slot  23  has a size which is large enough to pass the tray  42  therethrough. Therefore, the tray  42  can come from a first position P 1  to the exterior of the first housing  21  through the slot  23 . The first position P 1  is a position at which the tray  42  lies inside the drive proper  41 .  
      The bezel  43  is provided at the end of the tray  42 . This bezel  43  is in the shape of fitting in the slot  23 . It shuts the slot  23  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 . Incidentally, a groove not shown is formed in that side surface of the bezel  43  which faces the drive proper  41 , and one end part of the drive proper  41  is accommodated in the groove of the bezel  43  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 .  
      The ejection mechanism  80  is accommodated in the drive proper  41  by way of example. This ejection mechanism  80  is an example of a “first ejection mechanism” termed in the embodiment of the invention. It moves the tray  42  between the first position P 1  and a second position P 2 . As indicated by two-dot chain lines in  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the second position P 2  is a position at which the optical disk is attachable to the tray  42 . Or, it is a position at which the optical disk is detachable. The ejection mechanism  80  is driven by a drive switch not shown.  
      The sealing member  50  is annular, and it is provided over an entire periphery of the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23 . The inner edge portion  24  is constructed of a bottom edge  24   a , a top edge  24   b  and both side edges  24   c . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bottom edge  24   a  is provided at part of the bottom wall  21   a  of the first housing  21 . The top edge  24   b  is provided at part of the top wall  21   b  of the first housing  21 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the side edges  24   c  are respectively formed in such a way that parts of the left sidewall  21   d  of the first housing  21  are protruded inward of this first housing  21 . These side edges  24   c  extend entirely between the bottom edge  24   a  and the top edge  24   b . Therefore, the inner edge portion  24  is in the shape of a continuous enclosure which covers the slot  23 .  
      Incidentally, the inner edge portion  24  is not restricted to the above structure. Essentially, the inner edge portion  24  may be provided with the annular sealing member  50 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , the sealing member  50  has a base portion  51 , a protrusion  52  and an auxiliary protrusion  53 . Incidentally,  FIG. 5  shows a state where the optical disk drive  40  has been removed from  FIG. 2 .  
      The base portion  51  is provided over the whole periphery of the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23 , and it is fixed. In the base portion  51 , substantially the central part of its position corresponding to the bottom edge  24   a  has a first recess  51   a  which is concave avoiding the locking member  61  of the lock mechanism  60  to be stated later.  
      The protrusion  52  is formed unitarily with the base portion  51 . This protrusion  52  is convex inward of the slot  23  from the whole periphery of the base portion  51  except the first recess  51   a . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the protrusion  52  is substantially in the shape of a circular arc. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the protrusion  52  is somewhat crushed between the bezel  43  and the inner edge portion  24  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , but it lies substantially in point contact with the bezel  43 . More specifically, the protrusion  52  lies in close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  over the whole periphery thereof with an area which is smaller than that of the base portion  51 .  
      Besides, in a case where a relative dimensional tolerance is involved between the slot  23  and the bezel  43 , the protrusion  52  absorbs the dimensional tolerance by being deformed. Thus, the protrusion  52  liquid-tightly shuts the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the bezel  43  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 .  
      The auxiliary protrusion  53  is formed unitarily with the base portion  51 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the auxiliary protrusion  53  is arranged on the inner side of the first housing  21  in the moving direction of the tray  42  relatively to the protrusion  52 , and it is convex inward of the slot  23 . This auxiliary protrusion  53  is broken off by the first recess  51   a , but it is formed in continuation at the top edge  24   b , both the side edges  24   c  and the bottom edge  24   a  except the first recess  51   a.    
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the auxiliary protrusion  53  is substantially in the shape of a circular arc. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the auxiliary protrusion  53  is somewhat crushed between the bezel  43  and the inner edge portion  24  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , but it lies substantially in point contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . More specifically, the auxiliary protrusion  53  lies in close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  with an area which is smaller than that of the base portion  51 . Besides, in a case where a relative dimensional tolerance is involved between the slot  23  and the bezel  43 , the auxiliary protrusion  53  absorbs the dimensional tolerance by being deformed.  
      Besides, as shown in  FIG. 5 , both the end parts  53   a  of the auxiliary protrusion  53  facing the first recess  51   a  are unitarily connected with the protrusion  52 , respectively. Therefore, the auxiliary protrusion  53  liquid-tightly shuts the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the bezel  43  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 .  
      That is, the sealing member  50  liquid-tightly seals the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the bezel  43  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 . Incidentally, although the single protrusion  52  is formed in this embodiment, the invention is not restricted thereto. A plurality of protrusions  52  may well be formed. Likewise, a plurality of auxiliary protrusions  53  may well be formed.  
      The lock mechanism  60  includes the locking member  61 , and a spring  62  which is means for urging the locking member  61 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the locking member  61  is arranged along the left sidewall  21   d  of the first housing  21 . In the locking member  61 , end parts remote from the left sidewall  21   d  are respectively mounted on support portions  64  provided on the bottom wall  21   a  of the first housing  21 , through first arbors  63  so that this locking member may be turnable in the direction of coming away from the bottom wall  21   a.    
      Since the locking member  61  is disposed to be lower than the tray  42  and the bezel  43 , it does not interfere with the movement of the tray  42 .  
      The end part of the locking member  61  near to the left sidewall  21   d  is bifurcated, and it extends into the first recess  51   a  of the base portion  51  of the sealing member  50 . The bifurcate end parts of the locking member  61  near to the left sidewall  21   d  are respectively provided with engagement lugs  65 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the engagement lugs  65  protrude upwards. The bezel  43  is formed with engagement dents  66  at its positions which correspond to the engagement lugs  65  when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 . Each of the engagement dents  66  has a size which is large enough to accommodate the corresponding engagement lug  65  therein. Besides, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking member  61  is partially cut away at the central part of its end part remote from the engagement lugs  65 , whereby a second recess  61   a  is formed.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the spring  62  is retained between the locking member  61  and the bottom wall  21   a  of the first housing  21 . The spring  62  urges the locking member  61  upwards. Therefore, when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , the engagement lugs  65  are respectively accommodated in the engagement dents  66 . Thus, the engagement lugs  65  and the corresponding engagement dents  66  are respectively held in engagement. The lock mechanism  60  locks the tray  42  at the first position P 1 .  
      The auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  is an example of a “second ejection mechanism” termed in the embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  includes a first linking member  71  and a second linking member  72 . The first linking member  71  is in the shape of a plate which extends unidirectionally. This first linking member  71  is arranged along the left sidewall  21   d  of the first housing  21 . The central part of the first linking member  71  is supported on the first housing  21  through a second arbor  73  so that this first linking member may be turnable substantially along the bottom wall  21   a.    
      One end part of the first linking member  71  extends to the second recess  61   a  of the locking member  61 , and it is bent to extend toward the bezel  43 , whereby a pushout portion  74  is formed. The pushout portion  74  is bifurcated. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pushout portion  74  lies above the locking member  61 , and opposes to the lower end of the bezel  43 . This pushout portion  74  pushes the bezel  43  out of the slot  23  in such a way that the locking member  61  turns round the second arbor  73 .  
      Besides, an unlocking bulge  75  is formed at the root part of the pushout portion  74 . The unlocking bulge  75  protrudes toward the bottom wall  21   a  of the first housing  21 . When the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , the unlocking bulge  75  is accommodated inside the second recess  61   a  of the locking member  61 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a case where the pushout portion  74  pushes out the bezel  43 , the unlocking bulge  75  comes out of the second recess  61   a  and comes into contact with the locking member  61  as the pushout portion  74  moves. Thus, the locking member  61  is pushed downwards. The unlocking bulge  75  pushes the locking member  61  downwards until the engagement lugs  65  are disengaged from the corresponding engagement dents  66  with the movement of the pushout portion  74 .  
      Besides, the unlocking bulge  75  has a predetermined length in the moving direction of the pushout portion  74  in order to continue pushing the locking member  61  downwards until the engagement dents  66  come away from their positions above the engagement lugs  65  after the release of the engaged state between the engagement lugs  65  and the corresponding engagement dents  66 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second linking member  72  is in the shape of a plate which extends unidirectionally. One end part of the second linking member  72  is connected with the end part of the first linking member  71  as is remote from the pushout portion  74  with respect to the second arbor  73 , so that the first linking member  71  may be turnable substantially along the bottom wall  21   a  through a third arbor  76 . The other end part of the second linking member  72  forms a depression portion  77 . The depression portion  77  is accommodated in a depression hole  78  which is formed in the left sidewall  21   d  of the first housing  21 . The depression hole  78  penetrates through the left sidewall  21   d.    
      When the depression portion  77  is depressed, the second linking member  72  moves inward of the first housing  21 . When the second linking member  72  moves inward of the first housing  21 , the first linking member  71  turns round the second arbor  73 .  
      As indicated by a two-dot chain line in  FIG. 8 , owing to the above structure, the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  pushes out the tray  42  from the first position P 1  toward the second position P 2  up to a detachment position P 3  at which the bezel  43  leaves the sealing member  50 . Therefore, the unlocking bulge  75  has a size which permits this unlocking bulge to come out of the second recess  61   a  of the locking member  61  and to strand onto the locking member  61 .  
      Besides, after having pushed out the tray  42  to the detachment position P 3  where the bezel  43  leaves the sealing member  50 , the first linking member  71  has its attitude held. Thus, the locking member  61  is held in the state where this locking member has been turned round the first arbors  63  by the unlocking bulge  75  up to its position at which the engagement lugs  65  are out of engagement with the respectively corresponding engagement dents  66 .  
      Besides, when the tray  42  is returned to the first position P 1 , the bezel  43  pushes the pushout portion  74 , whereby the first linking member  71  is turned round the second arbor  73  in the reverse direction to the direction in which the pushout portion  74  pushes out the bezel  43 . Therefore, when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , the end parts of the pushout portion  74  are in a state where they lie substantially in contact with the bezel  43 .  
      Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , each of the engaging dents  66  has such a size that, when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , a movement margin  79  is defined between the corresponding engagement lug  65  and the side end of the engagement dent  66  near to the first linking member  71 . The movement margin  79  serves to make the tray  42  movable since the pushout portion  74  begins to push out the bezel  43 , until the engaged state between the engagement lugs  65  and the corresponding engagement dents  66  is completely released.  
      Next, the operation of the portable computer  10  will be described by exemplifying a case where the optical disk is attached onto the tray  42 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , when the tray  42  lies at the first position P 1 , the bezel  43  is accommodated inside the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23 . The protrusion  52  and the auxiliary protrusion  53  lie in close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 , and they liquid-tightly shuts the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . Even when, in this state, a liquid such as water has splashed on the left sidewall  21   d  of the first housing  21 , it does not penetrate into the computer body  20  from between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 .  
      Subsequently, when the user of the portable computer  10  has prepared the optical disk which is to be attached to the optical disk drive  40 , he/she pushes the drive switch which drives the ejection mechanism  80 . When the drive switch is pushed, the ejection mechanism  80  tries to push the tray  42  out of the drive proper  41 .  
      Subsequently, the user depresses the depression portion  77  of the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  inward of the first housing  21 . When the depression portion  77  is depressed, the second linking member  72  is moved inward of the first housing  21 . When the second linking member  72  is moved inward of the first housing  21 , one end part of the first linking member  71  turnably connected by the third arbor  76  is moved into the first housing  21  together with the second linking member  72 .  
      Thus, the first linking member  71  turns round the second arbor  73 , and the pushout portion  74  begins to push out the bezel  43 . When the pushout portion  74  has pushed out the bezel  43  a predetermined distance, the unlocking bulge  75  abuts on the locking member  61  and begins to push the locking member  61  downwards.  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the pushout portion  74  has pushed out the bezel  43  still further, the locking member  61  turns round the first arbors  63  until the engaged state between the engagement lugs  65  and the corresponding engagement dents  66  is released by the unlocking bulge  75 . When the depression portion  77  has been further pushed in, the pushout portion  74  pushes out the bezel  43  still further. As indicated by the two-dot chain line in  FIG. 8 , when the tray  42  has been pushed out to the detachment position P 3  where the close contact state between the sealing member  50  and the bezel  43  is released, a sliding resistance relative to the sealing member  50  stops acting on the bezel  43 .  
      Owing to the push of the drive switch, the ejection mechanism  80  continues its drive so as to push out the tray  42  while this tray  42  moves from the first position P 1  to the detachment position P 3 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , therefore, when the tray  42  has led to the detachment position P 3 , it is pushed out to the second position P 2  by the ejection mechanism  80 .  
      When the tray  42  has led to the second position P 2 , the optical disk is attached onto the tray  42 . When the optical disk has been attached onto the tray  42 , the user of the portable computer  10  pushes the drive switch of the ejection mechanism  80 . When the drive switch has been pushed, the ejection mechanism  80  pulls back the tray  42  into the drive proper  41 . On this occasion, when the tray  42  has been pulled back to the position where the bezel  43  lies in contact with the sealing member  50 , that is, the detachment position P 3 , the user pushes the bezel  43  inwards. Owing to the inward push of the bezel  43 , the tray  42  returns to the first position P 1  again.  
      In this manner, the sealing member  50  of the portable computer  10  has the structure in which the protrusion  52  protrudes from the whole periphery of the base portion  51  that is fixed to the whole periphery of the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23 , and in which this protrusion  52  lies in close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  over the whole periphery thereof. Therefore, the liquid such as water can be prevented from intruding from between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . That is, the water-proofness of the portable computer  10  is enhanced.  
      Besides, the protrusion  52  lies in close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  with an area which is smaller than that of the base portion  51 . Therefore, the sliding resistance between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  can be lowered. That is, notwithstanding that the close adhesion between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  is enhanced in order to liquid-tightly shut the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 , the sliding resistance between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  can be suppressed.  
      Further, the protrusion  52  undergoes deformation such as crush, thereby to absorb the relative dimensional tolerance between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the bezel  43 , so that the water-proofness of the portable computer  10  can be enhanced.  
      Still further, the protrusion  52  protrudes in the shape of the circular arc, and hence, it can decrease its area of the close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . Therefore, the sliding resistance between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  can be suppressed.  
      Besides, the sealing member  50  includes the auxiliary protrusion  53 . Thus, the water-proofness of the portable computer  10  is enhanced. Both the end parts  53   a  of the auxiliary protrusion  53  are respectively connected to the protrusion  52 . Thus, the auxiliary protrusion  53  liquid-tightly shuts the gap between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 , so that the water-proofness of the portable computer  10  is enhanced.  
      Further, the auxiliary protrusion  53  undergoes deformation such as crush, thereby to absorb the relative dimensional tolerance between the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the bezel  43 , so that the water-proofness of the portable computer  10  can be enhanced.  
      Still further, the auxiliary protrusion  53  protrudes in the shape of the circular arc, and hence, it can decrease its area of the close contact with the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . Therefore, the sliding resistance between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  can be suppressed.  
      Besides, the portable computer  10  includes the lock mechanism  60 . Thus, the tray  42  is restrained from unintentionally springing out of the computer body  20 .  
      Besides, the portable computer  10  includes the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70 . The auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  pushes out the tray  42  to the detachment position P 3  at which the bezel  43  leaves the sealing member  50 . Thus, notwithstanding that the force of the close contact between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43  has been intensified in order to heighten the liquid-tightness between the sealing member  50  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 , the tray  42  can be moved to the second position P 2 . That is, the portable computer  10  has its water-proofness enhanced with its operability considered.  
      Besides, the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70  serves also as an unlocking mechanism which releases the locked state of the lock mechanism  60 . That is, since the unlocking mechanism is constructed by utilizing the structure of the auxiliary ejection mechanism  70 , it is not constructed separately. Thus, the portable computer  10  has the number of components diminished.  
      In this embodiment, the second position P 2  is set at the position at which the tray  42  can replace the disk, but it is not restrictive. In a case, for example, where the ejection mechanism  80  has a structure which somewhat protrudes the tray  42  from the drive proper  41 , and where the tray  42  is moved by the user of the portable computer  10 , the second position P 2  is a position to which the tray  42  is projected by the ejection mechanism  80 .  
      Besides, the sealing member  50  is fixed to the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23 , but this is not restrictive. By way of example, the sealing member  50  may be fixed to the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 . Alternatively, the sealing member  50  may well be provided on both the inner edge portion  24  of the slot  23  and the peripheral surface of the bezel  43 .