Patent Abstract:
An electronic apparatus has two housings. One of the housings serves as a first housing and has a guide channel that vertically guides a vertically extending cable. The first housing also has a wing that covers a side of the guide channel except a vertically extending slit.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as a notebook personal computer, which has two housings connected to each other via a hinge section and openable and closable with respect to each other. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    As performance of notebook personal computers has been increased in recent years, the number of cables arranged in a device has been also increased. In addition, the trend to reduce the size and weight of such computers has made space available for arranging cables in a housing extremely small because the housing is densely packed with components. 
         [0005]    A notebook personal computer is typically composed of a main unit having a keyboard thereon and a display unit having a display screen thereon. The notebook personal computer is configured such that the main unit and the display unit are connected to each other via a hinge section so that they can be opened and closed with respect to each other. Generally, the notebook personal computer thus configured employs a wiring route running inside the hinge section to arrange a cable extending over the main unit and the display unit. A wiring route running outside the hinge section is not usually employed because the use of such an outside route makes it extremely difficult to assemble the device including wiring. 
         [0006]    However, when a housing is densely packed with multiple components, the use of such an outside route may not be avoided depending on layout of circuit components. In such a situation, there arises a problem of how to employ a wiring route running outside the hinge section without reducing assembly performance. 
         [0007]    Japanese Patent Application Publications No. 6-181393, No. 9-55592, No. 9-146668 and No. 2002-112430 propose various ideas related to wiring. However, these publications never mention contrivance in a case where a wiring route running outside a hinge section is adopted. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus having two housings connected to each other via a hinge section and openable and closable with respect to each other, which allows a cable to be laid along a wiring route running outside the hinge section. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides an electronic apparatus having two housings connected to each other via a hinge section and openable/closable with respect to each other, the apparatus including: 
         [0010]    a cable that links insides of the respective two housings while running outside the hinge section, 
         [0011]    wherein one of the two housings serves as a first housing and has a guide channel that vertically extends to vertically guide the cable and a wing that covers a side of the guide channel except a vertically extending slit. 
         [0012]    Because the electronic apparatus of the invention has the wing, it is possible to prevent the cable from coming off the guide channel and to keep the cable in a correct wiring route, which results in high performance in overall assembly without degrading assembly performance in a cable wiring stage. 
         [0013]    In the electronic apparatus according to the invention, preferably, the slit has a width equal to a diameter of the cable. 
         [0014]    This additional feature makes it possible to insert the cable into the guide channel from the side and to prevent the inserted cable from coming off the guide channel. 
         [0015]    In the electronic apparatus according to the invention, preferably, the cable laterally extends in the other of the two housings serving as a second housing and forms a curve by being received and guided by the guide channel, and 
         [0016]    the wing covers a portion of the side of the guide channel, the portion being formed outside the curve of the cable, while the slit is formed inside the curve of the cable. 
         [0017]    This additional feature makes it possible to further ensure the prevention of coming off of the cable inserted into the guide channel by utilizing the rigidity of the cable that tends to extend linearly. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the electronic apparatus according to the invention further includes: 
         [0019]    an outer surface that defines a peripheral area of the guide channel formed in the first housing and is sunk at a depth lower than a surface around the peripheral area; and 
         [0020]    a lid that covers the peripheral area and has a thickness equal to the depth. 
         [0021]    By employing this structure, the presence of the lid fully prevents the cable from coming off the guide channel while covering the cable and makes the cable invisible from outside, which is excellent in design. 
         [0022]    The electronic apparatus according to the invention preferably includes a connector disposed at a position adjacent to the guide channel within the peripheral portion and adapted to transfer signals to and from an external element, 
         [0023]    wherein the lid has an opening in a position corresponding to the connector. 
         [0024]    The lid may provide such an opening for the connector. 
         [0025]    In the electronic apparatus according to the invention, preferably, the first housing has a circuit board therein and a bottom facing a desktop when the electronic apparatus is placed on the desktop, and 
         [0026]    the cable is connected to a connector of a circuit mounted on a surface of the circuit board, the surface being in the bottom side. 
         [0027]    By employing this structure, the cable can be readily attached to the circuit mounted on the bottom surface of the circuit board, which surface is the bottom side of the first housing. 
         [0028]    In the electronic apparatus according to the invention, preferably, the first housing is a housing of a main unit having an electronic circuit incorporated therein, the other of the two housings serving as a second housing is a housing of a display unit and has an antenna for wireless communication incorporated therein, and the cable links the antenna to the electronic circuit of the main unit. 
         [0029]    As described above, according to the invention, it is possible to arrange a cable along a wiring route running outside the hinge section while maintaining high assembly performance in the electronic apparatus having two housings connected to each other via a hinge section and openable/closable with respect to each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a display unit in open position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the display unit in closed position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a main unit of a notebook PC, where a touchpad is disposed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of elements (A) through (D) shown in  FIG. 3 , as viewed from back; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a state in which a stylus is in contact with the touchpad; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the relationship between a digitizer and the touchpad in terms of control; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is another diagram showing the relationship between the digitizer and the touchpad in terms of control; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is another diagram showing the relationship between the digitizer and the touchpad in terms of control; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a process for avoiding a conflict between detection by the digitizer and detection by the touchpad; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a corner of the rear end surface of the main unit, which corner is in the hinge section side; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a support fitting; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 10  with the support fitting being removed; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 10  with the support fitting being attached thereto, as viewed obliquely from above; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing one corner of the right flank of the main unit, which corner is in the hinge section side and is also shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a support fitting; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 14  with the support fitting shown in  FIG. 15  being removed; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16  with the support fitting being attached thereto; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  is a diagram showing a part of the bottom surface of the main unit; 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a diagram showing an inner surface of a lid provided on the bottom surface; 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  is a diagram showing the same portion shown in  FIG. 18  with the lid being removed; 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  is a diagram showing a hard disk assembly; 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is a diagram showing the hard disk assembly, in which a hard disk drive and a support fitting are separately shown; 
           [0052]      FIG. 23  is a diagram showing the inside of a portion for accommodating the hard disk assembly with the lid being removed and the hard disk assembly being shifted to be removed; 
           [0053]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing a corner of the rear end surface of the main unit, which corner is in the hinge section side, as viewed from the bottom of the main unit; 
           [0054]      FIG. 25  is a diagram showing a lid shown in  FIG. 24  alone; 
           [0055]      FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram showing an inside structure with the lid shown in  FIG. 24  being removed; and 
           [0056]      FIG. 27  is a diagram showing an inner surface of the display unit to which the rear surface of a display screen faces, with the display screen being removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0057]    An embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
       1. Appearance 
       [0058]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “notebook PC”)  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the notebook PC  10  with a display unit  30  in an open state and a closed state, respectively. 
         [0059]    The notebook PC  10  is composed of a main unit  20  and a display unit  30 . Hinge sections  40  are provided to support the display unit  30  so that the display unit  30  can be opened and closed with respect to the main unit  20 . 
         [0060]    The main unit  20  includes a substantially box-shaped housing equipped with a power button  201 , function buttons  202 , a keyboard  203 , a touchpad  204 , a left-click button  205  and right-click button  206  for the touchpad  204 , a fingerprint sensor  207  and the like. Disposed on the front end surface of the main unit  20  are a wireless LAN switch  208 , a speaker connection terminal  209 , a microphone connection terminal  210  and the like. The back of the touchpad  204  is overlaid with a digitizer as will be described later in detail. Further, disposed on the right flank of the main unit  20  are a DC power connection terminal  211 , three USB connectors  212 , a media slot  213  into which various media (SD card (TM), xD card (TM), etc.) are removably inserted, a PC card slot  214  into which a PC card is removably inserted, a IEEE1394 connector  215  and the like. 
         [0061]    Although not shown in figures, the main unit  20  includes a built-in motherboard on which a CPU and various components are mounted. The motherboard is substantially equal to the keyboard  203  in size and disposed under the keyboard  203 . Accordingly, the touchpad  204  and the digitizer on the back thereof are positioned on a so-called palmrest section of the main unit  20  avoiding an area covered by the motherboard. 
         [0062]    The display unit  30  has a large-sized display screen  301  on the front surface thereof. Around the display screen  301 , there are formed projections  302  for preventing the display screen  301  from directly abutting the top surface of the main unit  20  when the display unit  30  is closed on the main unit  20 . 
         [0063]    The hinge sections  40  are so configured as to support the display unit  30  in such a manner that the display unit  30  is openable and closable with respect to the main unit  20 . The hinge sections  40  are disposed approximately at both ends of a laterally extending edge of the display unit  30 , which edge faces the main unit  20 . In a portion of the edge between the hinge sections  40 , there is formed a space for accommodating cables that will be described later. 
         [0064]    The display unit  30  needs to be rotatable with respect to the main unit  20  and at the same time, it must be capable of remaining in any position when the display unit  30  is open with respect to the main unit  20 . For this purpose, the hinge sections  40  serve to apply friction so that the display unit  30  can remain in any position when the display unit  30  is open with respect to the main unit  20 . 
       2. Touchpad and Digitizer 
       [0065]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the main unit  20  of the notebook PC  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , where the touchpad  204  is disposed.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of elements (A) through (D) shown in  FIG. 3 , as viewed from back. 
         [0066]    On the top surface of the main unit  20  shown in  FIG. 1 , there appears a surface of the touchpad  204  shown in part (A) of  FIG. 3 . Under the touchpad  204 , a metal frame member  401  shown in part (B), a plastic support member  402  shown in part (C) and a digitizer  403  shown in part (D) are stacked in this order as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0067]    The touchpad  204  is configured to detect a movement or a position of a finger placed thereon by utilizing a change in the capacitance of a portion where the finger is placed, which change is caused by the placement of the finger. The touchpad  204  is used to move a cursor on the display screen  301  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0068]    The metal frame member  401  supports the touchpad  204  disposed thereon. The metal frame member  401  also supports a circuit board  216  having thereon: a switch  205   a  for detecting the left-click button  205  being pressed; a switch  206   a  for detecting the right-click button  206  being pressed; and a line sensor  207   a  of the fingerprint sensor  207 , which carries out actual detection of a touch. 
         [0069]    The plastic support member  402  reinforces the digitizer  403  disposed thereunder and prevents a pressure applied on the touchpad  204  from being transmitted to the digitizer  403 . 
         [0070]    The digitizer  403  is capable of detecting a position and a movement of the tip of a stylus by utilizing magnetic effects caused by the stylus tapped and moved on the touchpad  204 . The digitizer  403  is used to input handwritten characters, graphics, etc. made by movements of the tip of the stylus on the touchpad  204 . The aspect ratio of an area, in which the digitizer  403  can detect the position of the tip of the stylus while the tip of the stylus is moved on the touchpad  204 , is equal to the aspect ratio of the display screen  301  shown in  FIG. 1 . This allows a user to input information by handwriting it on the touchpad  204  while looking at a position displayed on the display screen  301 . 
         [0071]    As described above, the main unit  20  has the touchpad  204  and the digitizer  403  disposed thereon, which have different ways of detecting user operations. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a state in which a stylus  50  is in contact with the touchpad  204 . 
         [0073]    The stylus  50  has at the tip thereof a built-in resonance circuit composed of coil and capacitor. Resonance occurs in the stylus  50  upon receipt of an electromagnetic force applied from the digitizer  50 . The digitizer  403  is configured to detect a position of the tip of the stylus  50  by receiving the resonance. The stylus  50  also has a sensor for detecting a pressure exerted by the tip of the stylus  50  and therefore is capable of returning a modulated signal according to the detected pressure to the digitizer  403  so that the digitizer  403  can also detect the pressure. The stylus  50  may be provided with a push button and configured to return a modulated signal in response to a push of the button to the digitizer  403  so that the digitizer  403  can detect the button being pushed. 
         [0074]    The digitizer  403  and the stylus  50  start exchanging electromagnetic signals therebetween when the tip of the stylus  50  is tapped on the touchpad  204 . This is possible only when no large metallic body or the like is disposed between a surface of the touchpad  204  and the digitizer  403 , which metallic body reduces a large amount of electromagnetic force. For this reason, as shown in  FIG. 4 , only a single connector  204   a  and separate wires  204   b  connected to be used for the connector  204   a  are disposed in a portion of a board within a detection-effective area where the tip of the stylus  50  can be detected by the digitizer  403 . In addition, an LSI  204   c,  which is a large block and serves as a circuit for controlling the touchpad  204 , is disposed in a portion of the board outside the detection-effective area. This layout is provided for the purpose of preventing large reduction of electromagnetic force. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the relationship between the digitizer  403  and the touchpad  204  in terms of control. 
         [0076]    The digitizer  403  is provided with an induction-type sensor and the stylus. The digitizer  403  is also provided with a digitizer controller that receives an input signal generated by interaction between the induction-type sensor and the stylus so that the digitizer can detect information such as a position of the tip of the stylus. Data representing the result of the detection is input to a digitizer driver. According to the input data, the digitizer driver generates a direction component representing the direction in which the tip of the stylus has moved and an appropriate command representing a switching operation and the like. Subsequently, the digitizer driver transmits the generated component and the command to an operating system and controls a filter driver that will be described later. 
         [0077]    On the other hand, the touchpad  204  includes a capacitive touchpad sensor. The touchpad  204  also includes a touchpad controller that receives an input signal generated by interaction between the touchpad sensor and a finger in response to a touch of the finger on the touchpad  204  so that the touchpad controller can detect a position of the finger. A press of the left-click button  205  and a press of the right-click button  206  shown in  FIG. 1  are also detected here. The touchpad controller inputs data according to the result of the detection into a touchpad driver. The touchpad driver transmits a command according to the input data to the filter driver. Commands to be transmitted from the touchpad driver to the filter driver are broadly divided into two types: command representing a direction component generated by a movement of a finger on the touchpad and command representing a press of the left-click button  205  or right-click button  206 . According to the control by the digitizer driver, the filter driver transmits only a suitable command out of commands sent from the touchpad driver. Specifically, of a command representing a direction component sent from the touchpad driver and a command representing a button operation, the filter driver prohibits or allows the transmission of the command representing the direction component to the operating system according to the control of the digitizer driver, which will be described below more in detail. 
         [0078]    The operating system performs appropriate processing based on a command sent from the digitizer driver and a command sent from the touchpad driver passing through the filter driver. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is another diagram showing the relationship between the digitizer  403  and the touchpad  204  in terms of control.  FIG. 7  shows a state in which the stylus is not in contact with the touchpad  204  and therefore, detection by the digitizer  403  is not performed. 
         [0080]    In this case, the digitizer driver controls the filter driver under a condition that a direction component sent from the touchpad driver is also valid. According to the control, the filter driver transmits both a command representing the direction sent from the touchpad driver and a command representing a button operation to the operating system. 
         [0081]      FIG. 8  is another diagram showing the relationship between the digitizer  403  and the touchpad  204  in terms of control.  FIG. 8  shows a state in which detection by the digitizer  403  is performed. 
         [0082]    In this case, the digitizer driver transmits a command representing a direction component and an ON/OFF state of a switch of a stylus to the operating system when such a stylus is used, and also controls the filter driver under a condition that the direction component from the touchpad driver is invalid. According to the control, the filter driver prohibits the command representing the direction component of the moved finger from being transmitted to the operating system even when the command representing the direction component of the moved finger is sent from the touchpad driver. At the same time, the filter driver transmits to the operating system only a command representing a press of the left-click button  205  or right-click button  206  sent from the touchpad driver. 
         [0083]    In this way, the control by the digitizer  403  and the control by the touchpad  204  can be adjusted to prevent a conflict therebetween even if a hand holding the stylus is brought into contact with the touchpad. Also, such a way of control prevents operation errors from occurring in the touchpad during input operation using the stylus. 
         [0084]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a process for avoiding a conflict between detection by the digitizer and detection by the touchpad. 
         [0085]    The process shown in  FIG. 9  will be briefly described below since it has been already described with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
         [0086]    In response to user operation on the digitizer, the digitizer controller transmits data to the digitizer driver (step S 11 ). Upon receipt of the data, the digitizer driver transmits a command (step S 12 ) and subsequently, processing according to the user operation on the digitizer is performed through the operating system. 
         [0087]    On the other hand, in response to user operation on the touchpad, the touchpad controller transmits data to the touchpad driver (step S 21 ). Upon receipt of the data, the touchpad driver transmits a command to the filter driver (step S 22 ). The filter driver determines whether input from the digitizer driver is present or absent (step S 23 ). The filter driver treats the command from the touchpad driver as a valid command when input from the digitizer driver is absent (step S 24 ). Subsequently, processing according to the user operation on the touchpad is performed through the operating system. However, when input from the digitizer driver is present (step S 24 ), the filter driver treats the command from the touchpad driver as invalid and treats only a command representing the left-click button  205  or right-click button  206  as valid for the touchpad (step S 25 ). 
         [0088]    As described above, the embodiment employs such a structure that the touchpad is overlaid on the digitizer, which allows the touchpad and the digitizer to share a common space thereby saving more space than a case without such an overlaid structure. 
         [0089]    Further, the overlaid structure according to the embodiment enables a user to perform seamless operation by using both a hand and a stylus. For example, the user can carry out operation with the stylus while still holding the style, immediately after operation with the stylus. Therefore, the overlaid structure of the embodiment has improved operability further than a case without such an overlaid structure or a case with a display screen overlaid on a digitizer. 
         [0090]    Furthermore, the overlaid structure according to the embodiment makes a user to readily notice that the touchpad and the digitizer cannot be used at the same time. 
         [0091]    In addition, the embodiment employs such a structure that the touchpad and the digitizer are disposed approximately at the center in the width direction of the notebook PC  10 , which allows both right-handed users and left-handed users to readily operate the touchpad and the digitizer. 
       3. Security Lock Hole and USB Connector 
       [0092]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a corner of the rear end surface of the main unit  20 , which corner is in the hinge section side. The main unit  20  shown in  FIG. 1  has a housing composed of a top cover and a bottom cover.  FIG. 10  shows the bottom cover and the inside thereof with the top cover being removed. 
         [0093]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a security lock hole  221  is formed in the bottom cover at a position closest to the corner. In addition, two USB connectors  212  are disposed side by side next to the security lock hole  221 , and a modem connector  223  is disposed next to the security lock hole  221 . All these connectors are amounted on the motherboard. 
         [0094]    When an external connector  501  (see  FIG. 12 ) capable of being mated with either one of the two USB connectors  212  is inserted into or removed therefrom, a force in a lateral direction is applied to the mated one of the two USB connectors  212 . In order to sufficiently withstand the force, the two USB connectors  212  are supported by a support fitting  213 . 
         [0095]    The security lock hole  221  is a hole used for securing a locking device that restricts movements of the notebook PC  10 . The locking device is provided with a key section. Once the key section is inserted into the security lock hole  221 , the key section cannot be removed therefrom as it becomes large inside the security lock hole  221 . In this way, the movement of the notebook PC  10  can be restricted. 
         [0096]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the support fitting  213 . 
         [0097]    The support fitting  213  has a pressure plate  213   a  for pressing and holding the two USB connectors  212 , two divider walls  213   b  and  213   c  and a screw-fastened plate  213   d.  The pressure plate  213   a  has two holes  213   e,  and the screw-fastened plate  213   d  has a screw hole  213   f.    
         [0098]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 10  with the support fitting  213  being removed. 
         [0099]    The pressure plate  213   a  of the support fitting  213  shown in  FIG. 11  serves to press and hold top surfaces  212   a  of the respective two USB connectors  212  so that these USB connectors  212  can withstand a force that may be accidentally applied thereto. Meanwhile, the top surfaces of the USB connectors  212  each have a projection  212   b  that remains in a position lower than the top surface of the external connector  501  when the external connector  501  is removed therefrom, and projects above the top surface of the external connector  501  when the external connector  501  is inserted therein. 
         [0100]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the two USB connectors  212  are disposed next to each other such that the top surfaces  212   a  thereof become flush with each other. The pressure plate  213   a  of the support fitting  213  shown in  FIG. 11  serves to press and hold the top surfaces  212   a  being flush with each other. The two holes  213   e  of the pressure plate  213   a  each serve as an escape section by receiving the projection  212   b  of any of the USB connectors  212  when it projects. 
         [0101]    Depending on size of the external connector  501 , the projection  212   b  may project greatly or slightly above the top surface  212   a  when the external connector  501  is inserted. However, since the two holes  213   e  of the pressure plate  213   a  are formed to serve as an escape section, the external connector  501  in any size can be readily inserted or removed and the two USB connectors  212  can be sufficiently secured in a simple structure. 
         [0102]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 10  with the support fitting  213  being attached thereto, as viewed obliquely from above so that the back of the security lock hole  221  becomes visible. 
         [0103]    The support fitting  213  is fixed on the bottom cover  222  by a screw  71 . 
         [0104]    In the state when the support fitting  213  is thus fixed, the divider walls  213   b  and  213   c  of the support fitting  213  serve as two walls defining a space around the security lock hole  221  in the inside of the housing formed by the bottom cover  222  and the top cover (not shown). The divider walls  213   b  and  213   c  define the space in cooperation with inner walls  222   a  of the bottom cover  222  and inner walls of the top cover. 
         [0105]    The security lock hole  221  is formed for locking. However, many users provide their notebook PCs with no locking device. In this case, if the space around the security lock hole  221  is not demarcated, dust will enter and settle in the inside of the housing thereby preventing air cooling or causing a short in a circuit resulting in malfunction. Therefore, the embodiment is configured to demarcate the space around the security lock hole  221  with the support fitting  213  for supporting the USB connectors  212 , which makes it possible to prevent dust from entering the inside of the housing without increasing the number of components. 
         [0106]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing one corner of the right flank of the main unit  20 , which corner is in the hinge section side and is also shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 14  shows the bottom cover and the inside thereof with the top cover being removed. 
         [0107]      FIG. 14  also shows the DC power connection terminal  211  and the three USB connectors  212  shown in  FIG. 1 . These USB connectors  212  are disposed such that the top surfaces thereof become flush with one another. 
         [0108]    The DC power connection terminal  211  and the three USB connectors  212  are supported by a support fitting  214 . 
         [0109]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the support fitting  214 . 
         [0110]    The support fitting  214  has a front wall  214   a,  a pressure plate  214   b,  a terminal-retaining plate  214   c,  a screw-fastened section  214   d  and a link section  214   e.  The front wall  214   a  has openings  214   f  for the USB connectors  212 . The pressure plate  214   b  has three holes  214   g  serving as escape sections by receiving three projections  212   b  (see  FIG. 16 ) of the respective USB connectors  212  and serves to press and hold the top surfaces of the USB connectors  212 . The terminal-retaining plate  214   c  serves to press and hold the DC power connection terminal  211 . The screw-fastened section  214   d  has a hole  214   h  used for screw fastening. The link section  214   e  serves to link the pressure plate  214   b,  the terminal-retaining plate  214   c  and the screw-fastened section  214   d.    
         [0111]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIG. 14  with the support fitting  214  being removed. FIG.  17  is a plan view of the same portion shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16  with the support fitting  214  being attached thereto. 
         [0112]    The support fitting  214  is fixed to the bottom cover with a screw  72 . 
         [0113]    As described above, the three USB connectors  212  have the respective projections  212   b.  Each of the projections  212   b  remain in a position lower than the top surface of an external connector  501  when the external connector  501  is removed therefrom, and projects above the top surface of the external connector  501  when the external connector  501  is inserted therein. 
         [0114]    The pressure plate  214   b  of the support fitting  214  shown in  FIG. 15  has three holes  214   g  each serving as an escape section by accepting the corresponding one of the projections  212   b  of the three USB connectors  212 . Because such an escape section (hole  214   g ) is provided, the external connector  501  in any size can be readily inserted or removed and the three USB connectors  212  can be securely fixed. In addition, the support fitting  214  alone can simultaneously support both the DC power connection terminal  211  and the three USB connectors  212  as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       4. Hard Disk Structure 
       [0115]      FIG. 18  is a diagram showing a part of the bottom surface of the main unit  20 , and  FIG. 19  is a diagram showing an inner surface of a lid  431  provided on the bottom surface. 
         [0116]      FIGS. 18 and 19  both show the lid  431  for covering a portion where a hard disk assembly is disposed. The lid  431  forms a part of the bottom cover of the main unit  20  and is removably attached thereto. 
         [0117]      FIG. 20  is a diagram showing the same portion shown in  FIG. 18  with the lid  431  being removed. 
         [0118]    In this portion, a hard disk assembly  440  is disposed. The hard disk assembly  440  is a unit including a hard disk drive  441 . The hard disk drive  441  contains a hard disk serving as a large-capacity storage medium, and reads and writes information from and onto the hard disk while rotating the disk. 
         [0119]      FIG. 21  is a diagram showing the hard disk assembly  440  alone. 
         [0120]      FIG. 21  shows the hard disk drive  441  and an insulating sheet  442  that covers the top of a circuit board of the hard disk drive  441 . Only a flange section  442   a  of the insulating sheet  442  is shown in  FIG. 21 , which will be described later.  FIG. 21  also shows a support fitting  443  for increasing the strength of the hard disk drive  441  and used for attaching the hard disk drive  441  to the main unit  20 . Further,  FIG. 21  shows a connector  444  fixed at one end of the circuit board of the hard disk drive  441  and used for electrical connection with a connector mounted on the motherboard in the main unit  20 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 22  is a diagram showing the hard disk assembly  440 , in which the hard disk drive  441  and the support fitting  443  with the insulating sheet  442  attached thereto are separately shown.  FIG. 22  shows a surface of the support fitting  443  (a surface of the insulating sheet  442 ) to be in contact with the circuit board of the hard disk drive  441 . 
         [0122]    The support fitting  443  is a conductive metal plate component. Therefore, if the support fitting  443  is directly disposed on the circuit board, the support fitting  443  will cause a short in a circuit on the circuit board resulting in a malfunction. For this reason, the support fitting  443  is laid on the hard disk drive  441  with the insulating sheet  442  interposed therebetween. 
         [0123]    The insulating sheet  442  serves to keep insulation between the hard disk drive  441  and the support fitting  443  and has the flange section  442   a.  As shown in  FIG. 21 , the flange section  442   a  is a portion spread on the back surface of the support fitting  443  from an edge in the connector  444  side. 
         [0124]    As shown in  FIG. 21 , the flange section  442   a  has such a shape that a central portion thereof is broader than portions closer to both ends of the edge where the flange section  442   a  is exposed. 
         [0125]      FIG. 23  is a diagram showing the inside of a portion for accommodating the hard disk assembly  440  with the lid  431  being removed and the hard disk assembly  440  being shifted to be removed. 
         [0126]      FIG. 23  illustrates the inside of a part of the main unit  20 , where an opening  432  to be covered by the lid  431  is formed. The hard disk assembly  440  is disposed inside the opening  432  and a connector  433  is disposed adjacent to the opening  432  to be mated with the connector  444  of the hard disk drive  441 . By pulling the flange section  442   a  of the insulating sheet  442  in the state when the connectors  433  and  444  are mated with each other, the connector  444  of the hard disk drive  441  can be disconnected from the connector  433  of the main unit  20  and thereby the hard disk drive  441  can be removed. 
         [0127]    As described above, the central portion of the flange section  442   a  is broader and is usually held by a user while being pulled. Therefore, a force is uniformly applied to the connector  444  in the lateral direction and it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied in a slating direction. 
         [0128]    The opening  432  has space barely enough for the hard disk assembly  440 . However, the flange section  442   a  is formed by extending a part of the insulation sheet  442  so that the hard disk assembly  440  can be removed by pulling the flange section  442   a,  thereby improving operability when such removal is necessary. The flange section  442   a  is an extension of the insulation sheet  442 . The insulation sheet  442  is an essential element and therefore, there is no need to provide an additional component to be used as a pull. Besides, because the insulation sheet  442  is a thin material, there is no need to provide extra space for a pull. 
       5. Wiring Structure Outside Hinge Section 
       [0129]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing a corner of the rear end surface of the main unit  20 , which corner is in the hinge section side, as viewed from the bottom of the main unit  20 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 24  illustrates the security lock hole  221  and the two USB connectors  212  which are also shown in  FIG. 13 . Because  FIG. 24  is a view seen from the bottom of the main unit  20 , the security lock hole  221  and the two USB connectors  212  are aligned in a direction opposite to that in  FIG. 13 . Next to these USB connectors  212 , the modem connector  223  is disposed.  FIG. 24  also shows a removably attachable lid  451 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 25  is a diagram showing the lid  451  alone. 
         [0132]    The lid  451  has an opening  451   a  for the modem connector  223  shown in  FIG. 24  and two screw holes  451   b.    
         [0133]      FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram showing an inside structure with the lid  451  being removed. 
         [0134]    A portion to be covered by the lid  451  is so formed as to sink at a depth equal to the thickness of the lid  451 , so that the lid  451  becomes flush with the bottom surface of the main unit  20  when the lid  451  is put thereon. 
         [0135]      FIG. 26  illustrates two cables  460  extending from the display unit  30  to the main unit  20  while running through the outside of the hinge section  40  shown in  FIG. 1 . The cables  460  each have an end in the main unit  20  side, which is not wired yet. 
         [0136]    The main unit  20  has a vertically extending (in the thickness direction of the main unit  20 ) guide channel  452  for vertically guiding the cables  460 . The main unit  20  also has a wing  454  for covering a side of the channel  452  while leaving a slit  453 . The slit  453  has a width equal to the diameter of the cable  460  so that the cables  460  can be inserted into the channel  452  through the slit  453  from the side. 
         [0137]    Thus, the cables  460  extending in the lateral direction from the display unit  30  are vertically guided by the channel  452  while making a curve. The slit  453  is formed in the inner side of the curve made by the cables  460  whereas the wing  454  is formed to cover the outer side of the curve. The cables  460  laterally extending from the display unit  30  tend to linearly extend due to rigidity thereof and therefore, the cables  460  stay in the side away from the slit  453  within the channel  452 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cables  460  from coming off through the slit  453 . 
         [0138]    As described above, the embodiment employs such a structure that the cables  460  running outside the hinge section are received and vertically guided by the channel  452 . Thanks to such a structure, it is possible to prevent the cables  460  from running off the correct route in a stage when the end of the cable  460  is connected to a circuit in the main unit  20 , specifically, in a stage when the end is connected to a circuit mounted on the bottom surface of the motherboard built in the main unit  20 , or in a stage when the lid  451  shown in  FIG. 25  is finally put on. Accordingly, assembly performance has been improved. 
         [0139]      FIG. 27  is a diagram showing an inner surface of the display unit  30  to which the rear surface of the display screen  301  faces, with the display screen  301  being removed. Disposed on an upper part of the display unit  30  are two antennas  461  used for wireless communication. The two antennas  461  are each connected to corresponding one of the two cables  460 . 
         [0140]    The cables  460  are disposed to downwardly extend until they come to a position closer to the hinge section  40  and then run outside the hinge section  40  as shown in  FIG. 26  after passing through an opening formed in the housing of the main unit  20 . Subsequently, the cables  460  are guided by the channel  452  and connected to a circuit, which is disposed on the bottom surface of the motherboard built in the main unit  20  and used for wireless communication by way of the antennas  461 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 6