Patent Description:
A stand is known that utilizes suction to a placement surface (see, for example, Patent Literature (PTL) <NUM>). The conventional stand includes a suction cup and a suction mechanism for activating and releasing the suction of the suction cup to a placement surface. The suction mechanism largely protrudes from the suction cup in a vertically upward direction.

In addition, an electronic apparatus is known that comprises: an elastic body which, when an external force is applied to a stand mounted on a surface to be suctioned, generates negative pressure in a gap between the elastic body and the surface to be suctioned by elastically deforming in a direction away from the surface to be suctioned; and a valve mechanism which switches between inflow and blocking of air to the gap between the elastic body and the surface to be suctioned (see, for example, PTL <NUM>).

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a stand that enable the reduction in the thickness of the stand.

The electronic device according to the present disclosure is an electronic device placed on a placement surface, the electronic device including: a device body; and a stand that is placed on the placement surface and supports the device body, wherein the stand includes: a base including a lower surface that faces the placement surface; a suction member that is elastic, faces the lower surface of the base, includes a suction surface that adheres to the placement surface by negative pressure generated in a gap between the placement surface and the suction surface, and includes a ventilation hole that is in fluid communication with the gap; and a slide valve that is located between the base and the suction member and slides between an opened position and a closed position along the lower surface of the base, the opened position being a position at which the ventilation hole is opened to let air into the gap, the closed position being a position at which the ventilation hole is closed to interrupt air into the gap, and when the slide valve is in the closed position, the suction member generates the negative pressure in the gap by elastically deforming in a direction away from the placement surface when the stand is under an external force acting in the direction away from the placement surface.

The electronic device according to the present disclosure enables the reduction in the thickness of the stand.

The following describes in detail the embodiment with reference to the drawings where necessary. Note that a more detailed description than is necessary can be omitted. For example, detailed description of a well-known matter or repetitive description of substantially the same configuration can be omitted. This is to prevent the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

Also note that the inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and thus that these do not intend to limit the subject recited in the claims.

With reference to <FIG>, the embodiment will be described. In <FIG>, the width direction of electronic device <NUM> is defined as the X axis direction, the depth direction of electronic device <NUM> is defined as the Y axis direction, and the height direction of electronic device <NUM> is defined as the Z axis direction. In the following description, the depth direction of electronic device <NUM> is also referred to simply as "the depth direction".

With reference to <FIG>, the following describes the configuration of electronic device <NUM> according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of electronic device <NUM> according to the embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> is, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal television receiver. Electronic device <NUM> includes device body <NUM> and stand <NUM>.

Device body <NUM> is a display unit having a panel shape. Device body <NUM> includes display panel <NUM> and cabinet <NUM>.

Display panel <NUM> is located inside of cabinet <NUM>. Display panel <NUM> includes display surface 8a for image display at the front of display panel <NUM>.

Cabinet <NUM> includes front cabinet <NUM> and rear cabinet <NUM>. Front cabinet <NUM>, which has a rectangular frame shape, is located to cover the outer portion of display panel <NUM>. Rear cabinet <NUM> is located to cover the entirety of the back surface of display panel <NUM> (the surface opposite to display surface 8a). Rear cabinet <NUM> is connected to front cabinet <NUM>.

Note that in the present embodiment, the depth direction means the thickness direction of device body <NUM> (the Y axis direction). Also, the front side in the depth direction means the side of display panel <NUM> (the negative side of the Y axis), and the back side in the depth direction means the side of rear cabinet <NUM> (the positive side of the Y axis).

Stand <NUM>, which supports device body <NUM> from below, is attached to rear cabinet <NUM>. Stand <NUM> is placed, for example, on placement surface 16a located on the top surface of placement table <NUM> (so-called a television table). Note that placement surface 16a is a plane surface that is substantially parallel to, for example, the XY plane (the horizontal plane). The following describes in detail the configuration of stand <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the overall configuration of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment viewed from a different angle from that of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment in a disassembled state.

As shown in <FIG>, stand <NUM> includes base <NUM>, stand neck <NUM>, holding cover <NUM>, suction member <NUM>, holder <NUM>, slip sheet <NUM>, and slide valve <NUM>. The following describes the structural components of stand <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, and <FIG> through <FIG>, base <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment cut along V-V line in <FIG> when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment cut along V-V line in <FIG> when slide valve <NUM> is in the opened position.

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> through <FIG>, base <NUM>, which is a base placed on placement surface 16a (see <FIG>), comprises, for example, a metal plate having a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane.

Base <NUM> includes insertion hole <NUM> at end portion 18c of base <NUM> at the back side in the depth direction. Stated differently, insertion hole <NUM> is located in a displaced position at the back side of base <NUM> in the depth direction with respect to the diameter center of base <NUM>. Knob <NUM> of slide valve <NUM> (to be described later) is inserted in insertion hole <NUM> in a manner that knob <NUM> is movable in the depth direction.

Located in lower surface 18a of base <NUM> are a plurality of screw holes (not illustrated) into which a plurality of screws (see <FIG> and <FIG>) are screwed. Note that lower surface 18a of base <NUM> is the surface that faces placement surface 16a. Also, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> to be described later, lower surface 18a of base <NUM> includes recessed portion <NUM> (to be described later).

With reference to <FIG>, and <FIG> through <FIG>, stand neck <NUM> will be described. Stand neck <NUM> is a member for supporting device body <NUM> (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> through <FIG>, stand neck <NUM> includes column portion <NUM> and bracket <NUM>. Column portion <NUM>, which has a circular cylindrical shape, for example, is vertically provided on upper surface 18b of base <NUM> (the surface opposite to lower surface 18a). Column portion <NUM> is located on upper surface 18b of base <NUM>, between the diameter center of base <NUM> and insertion hole <NUM>. Bracket <NUM>, which is located on the upper end portion of column portion <NUM>, is attached to rear cabinet <NUM> of device body <NUM>.

Note that stand neck <NUM> may have a swiveling function of adjusting the orientation of display surface 8a of device body <NUM> with respect to base <NUM> within a predetermined range of angles. In this case, bracket <NUM> is configured to rotate about the central axis of column portion <NUM> within the predetermined range of angles with respect to column portion <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, holding cover <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a plan view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position and base <NUM> and stand neck <NUM> are not illustrated. <FIG> is a plan view of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment when slide valve <NUM> is in the opened position and base <NUM> and stand neck <NUM> are not illustrated.

Holding cover <NUM>, which is a member for keeping slide valve <NUM> slidable along the depth direction, comprises, for example, resin. As shown in <FIG>, holding cover <NUM> has, for example, a circular ring shape in a plan view of the XY plane. Holding cover <NUM> is located to face lower surface 18a of base <NUM>. Holding cover <NUM> includes, at its central portion, opening portion <NUM> having a circular shape for attaching suction member <NUM> to lower surface 18a of base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, holding cover <NUM> includes a plurality of non-slip rubber feet <NUM> attached on lower surface 22a of holding cover <NUM>. Note that lower surface 22a of holding cover <NUM> is the surface that faces placement surface 16a.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, groove portion <NUM> that extends along the depth direction is located in upper surface 22b of holding cover <NUM> (the surface opposite to lower surface 22a). Groove portion <NUM> extends from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of holding cover <NUM>. Slide valve <NUM> is located in groove portion <NUM> in a manner that slide valve <NUM> is slidable along the longitudinal direction (the Y axis direction) of groove portion <NUM>.

Also, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, groove portion <NUM> includes a pair of stoppers <NUM> for regulating the range in which slide valve <NUM> slides. A pair of stoppers <NUM> are located spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of groove portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, groove portion <NUM> further includes a pair of protruded portions <NUM>. A pair of protruded portions <NUM> are located to face each other in the lateral direction (the X axis direction) of groove portion <NUM>. A pair of protruded portions <NUM> and a pair of engagement portions <NUM> of slide valve <NUM> (to be described later) are included in engagement mechanism <NUM> for providing tactile feedback in an operation of sliding slide valve <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, suction member <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of an enlarged part of stand <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Suction member <NUM> is a member that adheres to placement surface 16a by suction, thereby preventing electronic device <NUM> (see <FIG>) from falling over. Suction member <NUM> has a sheet shape in the thickness, for example, of some <NUM> to a few mm. Suction member <NUM> comprises, for example, an elastic material such as silicon, urethane, and rubber. As shown in <FIG>, suction member <NUM> includes attachment portion <NUM> and suction portion <NUM>.

Attachment portion <NUM> has, for example, a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane. As shown in <FIG>, attachment portion <NUM> is inserted in opening portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM> to face lower surface 18a of base <NUM>. More specifically, attachment portion <NUM> is supported by being sandwiched between lower surface 18a of base and holder <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, air admission opening <NUM> that is in fluid communication with opening portion <NUM> of slide valve <NUM> (to be described later) is located between the outer periphery of attachment portion <NUM> and the outer periphery of opening portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, attachment portion <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM> into which a plurality of screws <NUM> are inserted. A plurality of holes <NUM> are located at intervals in a circumferential direction of attachment portion <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of screw holes located in lower surface 18a of base <NUM>. Attachment portion <NUM> further includes ventilation hole <NUM> that penetrates through attachment portion <NUM> in the thickness direction of attachment portion <NUM> (the Z axis direction). Ventilation hole <NUM> has, for example, a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane. As shown in <FIG>, ventilation hole <NUM> is located to face recessed portion <NUM> located in lower surface 18a of base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, groove portion <NUM> that extends along the depth direction is located in upper surface of attachment portion <NUM> (the surface that faces lower surface 18a of base <NUM>). Groove portion <NUM> extends continuously from groove portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>. Slide valve <NUM> is located in groove portion <NUM> in a manner that slide valve <NUM> is slidable along the longitudinal direction (the Y axis direction) of groove portion <NUM>. Also, ventilation hole <NUM> described above is located in groove portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, suction portion <NUM> extends from the outer periphery of attachment portion <NUM> in an outer radial direction in a skirt (umbrella) shape. As shown in <FIG>, located on the lower surface of suction portion <NUM> is suction surface 54a having, for example, a circular ring shape in a plan view of the XY plane.

As shown in <FIG> to be described later, when base <NUM> is placed on placement surface 16a, the outer portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> adheres to (contacts) placement surface 16a by suction, thereby creating gap <NUM> between the lower surface of holder <NUM> and placement surface 16a and between the inner portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> and placement surface 16a. Ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> is in fluid communication with gap <NUM> via ventilation hole <NUM> of holder <NUM> (to be described later).

With reference to <FIG>, holder <NUM> will be described. Holder <NUM> is a member for attaching suction member <NUM> to lower surface 18a of base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, holder <NUM> has, for example, a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane. Holder <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM> into which a plurality of screws <NUM> are inserted. A plurality of holes <NUM> are located at intervals in a circumferential direction of holder <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of screw holes located in lower surface 18a of base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, holder <NUM> includes ventilation hole <NUM> that is in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. Ventilation hole <NUM> has, for example, a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane. The diameter of ventilation hole <NUM> is larger than the diameter of ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>. Note that the diameter of ventilation hole <NUM> may be the same as the diameter of ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>. Also note that ventilation hole <NUM> may have a tapered shape in which its diameter becomes larger or smaller toward ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>.

With holder <NUM> contacting the lower surface of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>, a plurality of screws <NUM> are screwed into a plurality of screw holes of base <NUM> through a plurality of holes <NUM> of holder <NUM> and a plurality of holes <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. This enables attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> to be attached to lower surface 18a of base <NUM> in holder <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, slip sheet <NUM> will be described. Slip sheet <NUM> is intended for improving the slip property of slide valve <NUM> to suction member <NUM>.

Slip sheet <NUM> is a sheet having a long-length shape in the thickness, for example, of <NUM> or below. Slip sheet <NUM> comprises, for example, a slippery material such as polyethene terephthalate. As shown in <FIG>, slip sheet <NUM> includes opening portion <NUM> that extends in the longitudinal direction (the Y axis direction) of slip sheet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, slip sheet <NUM> is attached to groove portion <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> and groove portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>. Slip sheet <NUM> is located between slide valve <NUM> and suction member <NUM>. Slip sheet <NUM> with this configuration enables slide valve <NUM> to be located without contact with at least attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. Opening portion <NUM> of slip sheet <NUM> is in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> and air admission opening <NUM>.

Note that a protruded portion (not illustrated) having a circular ring shape is located in the peripheral portion of ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. This protruded portion presses the lower surface of slide valve <NUM> (the surface that faces suction member <NUM>) via opening portion <NUM> of slip sheet <NUM>. This configuration enables slide valve <NUM> to slide between the closed position and the opened position to be described later, pressing the protruded portion. Consequently, ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> is closed when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position. This configuration also enables slide valve <NUM> to smoothly slide without running on the protruded portion when slide valve <NUM> slides from the opened position to the closed position.

With reference to <FIG>, slide valve <NUM> will be described. Slide valve <NUM> is a changeover valve for letting in or stop the air into gap <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG> to be described later).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, slide valve <NUM> comprises, for example, resin. Slide valve <NUM> is located between base <NUM> and suction member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, slide valve <NUM> includes valve body <NUM> and knob <NUM>.

Valve body <NUM> has a long thin plate shape in the thickness of, for example, some <NUM> to <NUM>. Valve body <NUM> is located in groove portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM> and in groove portion <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> via slip sheet <NUM>.

Sliding on slip sheet <NUM>, valve body <NUM> slides between the closed position and the opened position along lower surface 18a of base <NUM> in the depth direction. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the closed position is a position at which valve body <NUM> closes ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> to interrupt the flow of air into gap <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG> to be described later). As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the opened position is a position at which valve body <NUM> opens ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> to let the air flow into gap <NUM>.

Valve body <NUM> includes opening portion <NUM> that extends in the longitudinal direction (the Y axis direction) of valve body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when valve body <NUM> is in the opened position, opening portion <NUM> is in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> by being located to overlap ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> in a plan view of the XY plane. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when valve body <NUM> is in the closed position, opening portion <NUM> is not in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> by being located not to overlap ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM> in a plan view of the XY plane.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when valve body <NUM> is in the closed position, end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction is located to be exposed to end portion 18d of base <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, rib <NUM> having a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view of the XY plane is provided on the lower surface of valve body <NUM>. Rib <NUM> is located between a pair of stoppers <NUM> of holding cover <NUM> in the depth direction. When valve body <NUM> slides from the closed position to the opened position, rib <NUM> of valve body <NUM> comes into contact with one of a pair of stoppers <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>, thereby regulating valve body <NUM> not to slide beyond the opened position. Meanwhile, when valve body <NUM> slides from the opened position to the closed position, rib <NUM> of valve body <NUM> comes into contact with the other of a pair of stoppers <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>, thereby regulating valve body <NUM> not to slide beyond the closed position. This regulates valve body <NUM> to slide within the range between the closed position and the opened position.

As shown in 6A and <FIG>, a pair of engagement portions <NUM> are located at both ends of valve body <NUM> in the lateral direction (the X axis direction). When valve body <NUM> slides from the opened position to the closed position, each of a pair of engagement portions <NUM> is engaged in a pair of protruded portions <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>. This provides a user with tactile feedback when the user slides slide valve <NUM> from the opened position to the closed position. When valve body <NUM> slides from the closed position to the opened position, each of a pair of engagement portions <NUM> elastically bends to be released from the engagement with a pair of protruded portions <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>. This provides the user with tactile feedback when the user slides slide valve <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position.

Knob <NUM> is provided at end portion 73b of valve body <NUM> at the back side in the depth direction. Knob <NUM> protrudes from the upper surface of valve body <NUM> toward base <NUM>. Knob <NUM> is inserted in insertion hole <NUM> of base <NUM> in a manner that knob <NUM> is movable in the depth direction. Stated differently, knob <NUM> protrudes from upper surface 18b of base <NUM> in an upward direction through insertion hole <NUM>. The user can slide valve body <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position by moving knob <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow P shown in <FIG>. The user can also slide valve body <NUM> from the opened position to the closed position by moving knob <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow Q shown in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the operations of stand <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining an operation of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining an operation of stand <NUM> according to the embodiment when slide valve <NUM> is in the opened position.

When slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position and stand <NUM> is not under an external force acting in a direction away from placement surface 16a, the outer portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> is in contact with placement surface 16a. At this time, gap <NUM> is created between the lower surface of holder <NUM> and placement surface 16a and between the inner portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> and placement surface 16a. Stated differently, gap <NUM> is a space enclosed by placement surface 16a, the lower surface of holder <NUM>, suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM>, ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>, and slide valve <NUM>. At this time, suction portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> is pressed against placement surface 16a by the weight of stand <NUM>, as a result of which the volume of gap <NUM> becomes minimum. In this state, elastic resilience of suction portion <NUM> works, which is an ability to return to the original shape. The force that presses suction portion <NUM> against placement surface 16a is, however, greater than such elastic resilience. As such, suction portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> remains in a state in which the volume of gap <NUM> is minimum, and thus is not deformed by the elastic resilience. Consequently, no negative pressure is generated in gap <NUM>, meaning that the outer portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> does not adhere to placement surface 16a by suction.

Suction portion <NUM> extends in a skirt shape from the outer periphery of attachment portion <NUM> in an outer radial direction. For this reason, even when placement surface 16a has asperities, suction portion <NUM> can deform to fit the asperities of placement surface 16a. This brings the outer portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> into intimate contact with placement surface 16a.

The following considers the case where stand <NUM> in the foregoing state is under an external force acting in a direction away from placement surface 16a when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position as shown in <FIG>. Note that example cases where stand <NUM> is under such an external force include: a) in the event of an earthquake; b) when the user improperly moves placement table <NUM>; and c) when the user's body bumps into device body <NUM>.

In a state shown in <FIG>, suction portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM> elastically deforms in a direction away from placement surface 16a. As a result, the volume of gap <NUM> increases to generate negative pressure in gap <NUM>. This causes suction portion <NUM> to be pressed against placement surface 16a by atmospheric pressure, as a result of which the outer portion of suction surface 54a of suction portion <NUM> adheres to placement surface 16a by suction. This consequently prevents electronic device <NUM> from falling over.

The following describes the case where the user lifts electronic device <NUM> from placement surface 16a of placement table <NUM>. From a state shown in <FIG>, the user operates knob <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to slide slide valve <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position, as shown in <FIG>. This lets the air that has passed through air admission opening <NUM> flow into gap <NUM> via opening portion <NUM> of holding cover <NUM>, opening portion <NUM> of slip sheet <NUM>, opening portion <NUM> of slide valve <NUM>, recessed portion <NUM> of base <NUM>, ventilation hole <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM> of suction member <NUM>, and ventilation hole <NUM> of holder <NUM>. At this time, recessed portion <NUM> of base <NUM> serves as a channel through which the air flows into gap <NUM>. This does not allow the generation of negative pressure in gap <NUM> when stand <NUM> is under an external force acting in a direction away from placement surface 16a, as a result of the user trying to lift up electronic device <NUM>. The user is thus able to lift electronic device <NUM> up from placement surface 16a of placement table <NUM>.

Note that instead of the foregoing operations of knob <NUM>, the user may perform an operation described below to slide valve body <NUM>. The user can slide valve body <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position, when slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position, by pressing end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> into the back side in the depth direction (the positive side of the Y axis direction). Meanwhile, the user can slide valve body <NUM> from the opened position to the closed position, when slide valve <NUM> is in the opened position, by drawing end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> toward the front side in the depth direction (the negative side of the Y axis direction) using a hook, etc. The configuration that eliminates knob <NUM> enhances the design of stand <NUM>, for example, because there is no knob <NUM> protruding from upper surface 18b of base <NUM>. In this case, the user uses end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> to slide valve body <NUM>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, electronic device <NUM> is an electronic device placed on placement surface 16a. Electronic device <NUM> includes: device body <NUM>; and stand <NUM> that is placed on placement surface 16a and supports device body <NUM>. Stand <NUM> includes: base <NUM> including lower surface 18a that faces placement surface 16a; suction member <NUM> that is elastic, faces lower surface 18a of base <NUM>, includes suction surface 54a that adheres to placement surface 16a by negative pressure generated in gap <NUM> between placement surface 16a and suction surface 54a, and includes ventilation hole <NUM> that is in fluid communication with gap <NUM>; and slide valve <NUM> that is located between base <NUM> and suction member <NUM> and slides between an opened position and a closed position along lower surface 18a of base <NUM>, the opened position being a position at which ventilation hole <NUM> is opened to let air into gap <NUM>, the closed position being a position at which ventilation hole <NUM> is closed to interrupt air into gap <NUM>. When slide valve <NUM> is in the closed position, suction member <NUM> generates the negative pressure in gap <NUM> by elastically deforming in a direction away from placement surface 16a when the stand is under an external force acting in the direction away from placement surface 16a.

In this configuration, slide valve <NUM> slides between the opened position and the closed position along lower surface 18a of base <NUM>. This configuration reduces the thickness (the dimension in the Z axis direction) of the valve mechanism for opening and closing ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. This consequently reduces the thickness of stand <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, stand <NUM> further includes slip sheet <NUM> located between slide valve <NUM> and suction member <NUM>, slip sheet <NUM> having a slippery property. Slide valve <NUM> slides between the opened position and the closed position by sliding on slip sheet <NUM>.

This configuration reduces the friction between slide valve <NUM> and slip sheet <NUM>, thus enabling slide valve <NUM> to smoothly slide between the opened position and the closed position.

Also, in the present embodiment, slide valve <NUM> includes: valve body <NUM> that slides between the opened position and the closed position along a depth direction of electronic device <NUM>; and knob <NUM> used to slide valve body <NUM>, knob <NUM> being provided at end portion 73b of valve body <NUM> at a back side in the depth direction.

This configuration enables knob <NUM> to be hard to be visible from the front side of electronic device <NUM> in the depth direction. This consequently improves the design of electronic device <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, base <NUM> includes insertion hole <NUM> into which knob <NUM> is inserted in a manner that knob <NUM> is movable in the depth direction, insertion hole <NUM> being located at end portion 18c of base <NUM> at the back side in the depth direction.

This configuration enables knob <NUM> to be compactly located, utilizing base <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> at a front side in the depth direction is located to be exposed to end portion 18d of base <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction when valve body <NUM> is in the closed position.

This configuration enables the user to easily slide valve body <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position by pressing in end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction.

Also, in the present embodiment, valve body <NUM> includes opening portion <NUM>. Opening portion <NUM> is in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> when valve body <NUM> is in the opened position, and is not in fluid communication with ventilation hole <NUM> when valve body <NUM> is in the closed position.

This configuration simplifies the configuration of slide valve <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, recessed portion <NUM> is located in lower surface 18a of base <NUM>, recessed portion <NUM> serving as a channel through which air flows into gap <NUM> via opening portion <NUM> and ventilation hole <NUM>, when valve body <NUM> is in the opened position.

In this configuration, recessed portion <NUM> of base <NUM> serves as a channel through which the air flows, thereby enabling an efficient flow of air into gap <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, stand <NUM> further includes engagement mechanism <NUM> for providing tactile feedback when sliding slide valve <NUM>.

This provides the user with tactile feedback when the user slides slide valve <NUM>, thus enabling the user to have an intuitive feeling that the user has slid slide valve <NUM> from the closed position to the opened position (or from the opened position to the closed position).

Also, in the present embodiment, electronic device <NUM> is an image display device, and device body <NUM> includes display panel <NUM> for image display.

This configuration reduces the thickness of stand <NUM> of the image display device.

Also, in the present embodiment, stand <NUM> is placed on placement surface 16a and supports device body <NUM>. Stand <NUM> includes: base <NUM> including lower surface 18a that faces placement surface 16a; suction member <NUM> that is elastic, faces lower surface 18a of base <NUM>, includes suction surface 54a that adheres to placement surface 16a by negative pressure generated in gap <NUM> between placement surface 16a and suction surface 54a, and includes ventilation hole <NUM> that is in fluid communication with gap <NUM>; and slide valve <NUM> that is located between base <NUM> and suction member <NUM> and slides between an opened position and a closed position along lower surface 18a of base <NUM>, the opened position being a position at which ventilation hole <NUM> is opened to let air into gap <NUM>, the closed position being a position at which ventilation hole <NUM> is closed to interrupt air into gap <NUM>. When slide valve <NUM> in the closed position, suction member <NUM> generates the negative pressure in gap <NUM> by elastically deforming in a direction away from placement surface 16a when stand <NUM> is under an external force acting in the direction away from placement surface 16a.

In this configuration, slide valve <NUM> slides between the opened position and the closed position along lower surface 18a of base <NUM>. This configuration thus reduces the thickness of the valve mechanism for opening and closing ventilation hole <NUM> of suction member <NUM>. This consequently reduces the thickness of stand <NUM>.

The embodiment has been described above to illustrate an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. Note, however, that the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiment, and thus is applicable to an embodiment obtained by making changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and so forth, where appropriate. Also, structural components described in the embodiment can be combined to serve as a new embodiment.

In view of this, an example of another embodiment will be described below.

In the foregoing embodiment, electronic device <NUM> is described as a liquid crystal television receiver, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, electronic device <NUM> may be, for example, a liquid crystal display for a personal computer, an organic electro luminescence (EL) display, or other various image display devices. Alternatively, electronic device <NUM> may be, for example, a speaker, an electrical fan, an electrical heater, a lighting device (electrical lamp), or other various devices.

In the foregoing embodiment, suction member <NUM> has a circular shape in a plan view of the XY plane, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Suction member <NUM> may thus have, for example, a polygonal shape or an oval shape in a plan view of the XY plane.

In the foregoing embodiment, insertion hole <NUM> is provided for inserting knob <NUM> to base <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Knob <NUM> may thus be inserted, for example, to a notch portion provided on the outer periphery of base <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, end portion 73a of valve body <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction is located to be exposed to end portion 18d of base <NUM> at the front side in the depth direction when valve body <NUM> is in the closed position, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. End portion 73a of valve body <NUM> may thus be located to be exposed to end portion 18d of base <NUM> when valve body <NUM> is in the opened position.

The embodiment has been described above to illustrate an example of the technology according to the present disclosure, for which the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

To illustrate the above technology, the structural components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description can thus include not only the structural components essential to solve the problem, but also structural components not essential to solve the problem. Therefore, the fact that such unessential structural components are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed description should not lead to the immediate conclusion that such unessential structural components are essential.

Also note that the foregoing embodiment is intended for illustrating the technology according to the present disclosure, and thus allows for various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and so forth made thereto within the scope of the claims and its equivalent scope.

Claim 1:
A stand (<NUM>) placed on a placement surface (16a) and configured to support a device body (<NUM>) of an electronic device (<NUM>), the stand (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) including a lower surface (18a) that faces the placement surface (16a);
a suction member (<NUM>) that is elastic, faces the lower surface (18a) of the base (<NUM>), includes a suction surface (54a) that adheres to the placement surface (16a) by negative pressure generated in a gap (<NUM>) between the placement surface (16a) and the suction surface (54a), and includes a ventilation hole (<NUM>) that is in fluid communication with the gap (<NUM>); and
a slide valve (<NUM>) that is located between the base (<NUM>) and the suction member (<NUM>) and slides between an opened position and a closed position along the lower surface (18a) of the base (<NUM>), the opened position being a position at which the ventilation hole (<NUM>) is opened to let air into the gap (<NUM>), the closed position being a position at which the ventilation hole (<NUM>) is closed to interrupt air into the gap (<NUM>), and
when the slide valve (<NUM>) in the closed position, the suction member (<NUM>) generates the negative pressure in the gap (<NUM>) by elastically deforming in a direction away from the placement surface (16a) when the stand (<NUM>) is under an external force acting in the direction away from the placement surface (16a).