JP2004178852A

JP2004178852A - Hinge connector and hinge structure of equipment

Info

Publication number: JP2004178852A
Application number: JP2002340981A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masao Higuchi; 真佐央樋口; Kazuaki Ibaraki; 和昭茨木
Original assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd
Current assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-25
Filing date: 2002-11-25
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-25
Also published as: JP3881954B2

Abstract

【課題】フレキシブル基板の屈曲に対する耐久性を向上させること。
【解決手段】フレキシブル基板４１，４２は、第１及び第２係合部４１ａ，４２ａ，４１ｂ，４２ｂを有し、前記フレキシブル基板４１，４２を第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２内に配置する際に、内周側の前記フレキシブル基板４１の前記第２係合部４１ｂと外周側の前記フレキシブル基板４２の前記第１係合部４２ａとを重ね合わせ前記フレキシブル基板４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３間にエアーギャップ部Ｇをもって前記第１筐体部２１，２２の第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａに保持する際、前記フレキシブル基板４１，４２の弛み部４５を前記第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａの外へ移動させておく。
【選択図】図１An object of the present invention is to improve the durability of a flexible substrate against bending.
The flexible substrates have first and second engagement portions, and the flexible substrates are connected to first and second housing portions. , 32, the second engaging portion 41b of the inner peripheral side flexible substrate 41 and the first engaging portion 42a of the outer peripheral side flexible substrate 42 are overlapped with each other. When the first holding portions 21a and 22a of the first housing portions 21 and 22 are held by the first holding portions 21a and 22a with the air gap portion G between the bending deformation portions 43 of the 42, the slack portions 45 of the flexible substrates 41 and 42 are held in the first holding portion. It is moved outside the portions 21a and 22a.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、携帯電話器、ＰＤＡ（ＰｅｒｓｏｎａｌＤｉｇｉｔａｌＡｓｓｉｓｔａｎｔｓ：個人用デジタルアシスタント）、ノート型パーソナルコンピュータなどの折り畳み機能をもつ電子機器のヒンジ部に取り付けるヒンジコネクタ及び筐体のヒンジ構造に属する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の電子機器としては、例えば、図７に示す従来技術１における折り畳み式の携帯電話器や、図８に示す従来技術２における折り畳み式の携帯電話器がある。なお、図７及び図８に示した折り畳み式の携帯電話器では、いずれも外蓋を外した状態を示している。
【０００３】
以下、図７に示す従来技術１及び図８に示す従来技術２を同時に説明することにする。この種類の電子機器では、キーボードを実装したキーボード側筐体部２０１，２０１′に搭載されている基板２０３，２０３′と、ＬＣＤを実装したＬＣＤ側の筐体部２０５，２０５′の基板２０７，２０７′とを接続するために、フレキシブル基板としてのＦＰＣ（フレキシブル・プリンテッド・サーキット）２０９，２０９′を採用している。
【０００４】
従来技術１，２における電子機器では、ＦＰＣ２０９，２０９′の固定するためにＦＰＣ２０９，２０９′の両端部の接続をコネクタ２１０，２１０′のみで行っている。ＦＰＣ２０９，２０９′は、巻かれた状態で筐体部２０５，２０５′のヒンジ部２１１，２１１′に収めている。
【０００５】
ところで、ＦＰＣ２０９，２０９′は、屈曲性によるストレスを防ぐために、片面にのみ回路を形成した厚み寸法が薄く、しかも屈曲性を有するものを使用しているが、電子機器の小形化、機能追加などにより、少ないスペースに多くの信号線を通す必要がある。このため、限られたスペースに多芯数の信号線を通すためには、両面に回路を形成したＦＰＣを採用する必要があるが、ＦＰＣそのものが厚い寸法になってしまうので屈曲性が劣ることから、この対策として以下に説明するＦＰＣを採用している。
【０００６】
図９は、２枚が重ね合わされているＦＰＣ３０９，３１０を示している。図９を参照して、ＦＰＣ３０９，３１０は、２枚が重ね合わされて所定部分が接着剤によって接着されて張り合わされることによりエアーギャップ部（図３のＡを参照）のあるＦＰＣ０９，３１０をスパイラル状に巻いたときの状態を示すものである。
【０００７】
即ち、２枚のＦＰＣ３０９，３１０には、図３に示したように、電子機器の開閉による屈曲のストレスを防ぐために、一部にエアーギャップ部Ａと呼ばれる空間を形成する構造が採用されている。ここで、エアーギャップ部Ａとは、２枚以上のＦＰＣ３０９，３１０をヒンジ部に収納する必要がある場合に、ＦＰＣ３０９，３１０が互いに接着されていない部分をもつ構造のことである。
【０００８】
通常のＦＰＣ３０９，３１０は、ＦＰＣ３０９，３１０を同じ寸法としてスパイラル状に巻いたときに、内周側のＦＰＣ３１０と外周側のＦＰＣ３０９との差により，屈曲時に内周側のＦＰＣ３１０が大きく弛むことによって弛み部３１１が発生する。この弛み部３１１は屈曲に対する耐久性を低下させる要因の一つとなる。
【０００９】
従来、弛み部３１１を解消する方法として、図１０に示すようにＦＰＣ３０９，３１０を製造する段階で内周側のＦＰＣ３１０と外周側のＦＰＣ３０９との長さ寸法を代えることが行われている。
【００１０】
ＦＰＣ３０９，３１０は、外周側に位置するＦＰＣ３０９の長手方向における寸法よりも内周側に位置するＦＰＣ３１０の長手方向における寸法を短い寸法として、一部に内周と外周の差の分だけ初めから弛ませるギャップ部Ｇを形成しＦＰＣ３０９，３１０の所定個所を接着しておくことによって、図１１に示すように、スパイラル状に巻かれたときに図９に示したような弛み部３１１が発生しないように工夫している（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【００１１】
【特許文献１】
特開平２００２−２５２０６９号公報（図２３〜図２５）
【００１２】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来のヒンジコネクタでは、ＦＰＣ同士の全体で接着しているので厚い寸法になってしまうために屈曲性が劣るという問題がある。
【００１３】
また、ＦＰＣ３０９，３１０は、導体、接着剤、ポリイミド・フイルム樹脂などを積層してプレス金型で上部から外形を打ち抜いて製造すると、ギャップ部Ｇがある状態における製造が工程上で極めて困難となり、歩留まりの悪化を招くおそれがある。
【００１４】
それ故に本発明の課題は、機器の開閉の寿命を向上させることができるヒンジコネクタ及び機器のヒンジ構造を提供することにある。
【００１５】
また、本発明の他の課題は、複数枚からなるフレキシブル基板の製造を容易に行うことができるヒンジコネクタ及び機器のヒンジ構造を提供することにある。
【００１６】
また、本発明の他の課題は、屈曲性に優れており、弛み部を防ぐことができるヒンジコネクタ及び機器のヒンジ構造を提供することにある。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明によれば、第１筐体部と、該第１筐体部と共通な一軸周りで回動可能に前記第１筐体部に組み付けた第２筐体部と、前記第１及び第２筐体部内で長手方向における中間部分を屈曲性をもってスパイラル状に巻回した屈曲変形部が配置されているとともに前記長手方向における両側が前記第１及び第２筐体部から外へ延びている少なくとも二枚のフレキシブル基板とを含み、折り畳み可能な機器筐体に搭載されている電子部品間を相互に回路接続するよう前記機器筐体をヒンジ結合したヒンジ部に組み込まれるヒンジコネクタにおいて、前記第１筐体部は、前記屈曲変形部を除く前記長手方向における両側のうちの一方側を保持した第１保持部を有し、前記第２筐体部は、前記屈曲変形部を除く前記長手方向における両側のうちの他方側を保持した第２保持部を有し、前記フレキシブル基板は、前記屈曲変形部を除く前記長手方向の一方側に形成した第１係合部と、該第１係合部の前記他方側の近傍で前記フレキシブル基板に形成した第２係合部と、前記屈曲変形部を除く前記フレキシブル基板の他方側に形成した第３係合部とを有し、前記フレキシブル基板を前記スパイラル状に巻いて前記第１及び第２筐体部内に配置する際に、内周側の前記フレキシブル基板の前記第２係合部と外周側の前記フレキシブル基板の前記第１係合部とが重ね合わされた状態で前記第１保持部に保持されており、少なくとも前記第１係合部の前記一方側の近傍と前記第３係合部の前記一方側までの前記フレキシブル基板間がエアギャップ部をもって互いに離れていることを特徴とするヒンジコネクタが得られる。
【００１８】
また、本発明によれば、機器筐体と、該機器筐体が該機器筐体と共通な一軸周りで回動可能な相手側機器筐体にヒンジ結合され前記機器筐体及び前記相手側機器筐体に搭載されている電子部品を相互に回路接続するフレキシブル基板とを含む機器のヒンジ構造において、前記機器筐体は、第１機器筐体部と、該第１機器筐体部に一体に設けた第２機器筐体部とを有し、前記第１機器筐体部は第１ヒンジ部を有し、前記第２機器筐体部は第２ヒンジ部を有し、前記第１及び第２ヒンジ部は、互いに一軸周りで回動可能に合わされて前記相手側機器筐体にヒンジ結合されるヒンジ部であり、前記第１機器筐体部は、前記フレキシブル基板の中間部分をスパイラル状に巻回した屈曲変形部を除く長手方向における一方側を保持する第１保持部を有し、第２機器筐体部は、前記第１保持部に対向して前記フレキシブル基板の前記一方側を保持する第２保持部を有し、前記フレキシブル基板は、前記屈曲変形部を除く長手方向の一方側に形成した第１係合部と、該第１係合部の他方側の近傍で前記フレキシブル基板に形成した第２係合部と、前記屈曲変形部を除く前記フレキシブル基板の他方側に形成され前記相手側機器筐体に保持される第３係合部とを有し、前記フレキシブル基板をスパイラル状に巻いた際に、内周側の前記フレキシブル基板の前記第２係合部と外周側の前記フレキシブル基板の前記第１係合部とが重ね合わされた状態で前記第１及び第２保持部に保持されており、少なくとも前記第１係合部の一方側の近傍から前記第３係合部の一方側までの前記フレキシブル基板間がエアギャップ部をもって互いに離れていることを特徴とする機器のヒンジ構造が得られる。
【００１９】
【作用】
本発明に係るヒンジコネクタ及び筐体のヒンジ構造では、フレキシブル基板は、中間部分をスパイラル状に巻いて、内周側になるフレキシブル基板の第２係合部と外周側になるフレキシブル基板の第１係合部を重ね合わせるようにすると、フレキシブル基板の第１係合部の外側に弛み部が発生する。即ち、弛み部は、フレキシブル基板の内周側のフレキシブル基板の第２係合部と外側のフレキシブル基板の第１係合部とが重ね合わされた部分よりも外側へ移動する。
【００２０】
本発明に係るヒンジコネクタでは、フレキシブル基板の中間部分をスパイラル状に巻いて第１筐体部内と第２筐体部内のそれぞれに配置する際に、内周側のフレキシブル基板の第２係合部と外周側のフレキシブル基板の第１係合部とを重ね合わせて第１保持部に係止する。第３係合部は重ね合わせて第２保持部に係止する。
【００２１】
本発明に係る機器のヒンジ構造では、機器筐体における第１及び第２機器筐体部の第１及び第２保持部に内周側のフレキシブル基板の第２係合部と外周側のフレキシブル基板の第１係合部とを重ね合わせて係止する。
【００２２】
フレキシブル基板の中間部分はエアーギャップ部となっており、第１及び第２係合部は、フレキシブル基板をスパイラル状に巻いての屈曲変形部としたときの内周側と外周側との長手方向における差が打ち消される適切な距離だけ離れた位置に形成する。
【００２３】
フレキシブル基板をスパイラル状に巻く前の段階では、フレキシブル基板に弛み部が発生していないため、通常のフレキシブル基板の製造工程と同様にプレス金型で外形を打ち抜くことができ、製造が容易となり歩留まりが悪化することはない。
【００２４】
したがって、筐体を開閉する時に、屈曲変形部のみが屈曲し、外部のフレキシブル基板は弛み部に影響されることなく、全く屈曲しないことからストレスが加わらない。
【００２５】
なお、外周側となるフレキシブル基板の第２係合部と内周側となるフレキシブル基板の第１係合部は余る部分となるが、この余り部分は切断してもよい。
【００２６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に、本発明に係るヒンジコネクタの第１実施の形態例を説明する。図１及び図２は、折り畳み式電子機器の機器筐体に取り付けられるヒンジコネクタを示している。図３及び図４は、フレキシブル基板を示している。
【００２７】
図１乃至図４を参照して、ヒンジコネクタ１は、一対の第１筐体部２１，２２と、第１筐体部２１，２２と共通な一軸周りで回動可能に第１筐体部２１，２２に組み付けられている一対の第２筐体部３１，３２と、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の内部に中間部分を導入したフレキシブル基板として二枚のＦＰＣ（フレキシブル・プリンテッド・サーキット）４１，４２とを有している。
【００２８】
なお、この第１実施の形態例においては、ＦＰＣ４１の他に、フレキシブル基板としてＦＦＣ（フレキシブル・フラット・ケーブル）を採用することも可能である。したがって、ＦＰＣ４１，４２及びＦＦＣは、これらを総称してフレキシブル基板と呼ぶことにする。なお、以下の説明では、ＦＰＣ４１，４２を具体的な例として採用することにする。
【００２９】
第１筐体部２１，２２の一軸方向における寸法は、第２筐体部３１，３２の一軸方向における寸法よりも短い寸法に設定されている。第１筐体部２１，２２の軸周りにおける外周面の形状は略円面となっている。第１筐体部２１，２２の軸周りにおける外周面の形状は、略円面となっている主体部分と、主体部分の外周面から外向きに少し突き出している突出部分２１ｅ，２２ｅとを有している。第２筐体部３１，３２の軸周りにおける外周面の形状は、略円面となっている主体部分と、主体部分の外周面から外向きに少し突き出している突出部分３１ｅ，３２ｅとを有している。
【００３０】
第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２は、それぞれが一軸を含む一平面方向で二体に分割されており、樹脂成形によって作られているヒンジ組立体である。
【００３１】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、長手方向の中間部分を屈曲させて二回巻きにスパイラル状に巻回されている屈曲変形部４３が第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の内部に導入されて配置されると共に、長手方向における両端側が第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２から外へ延びている。
【００３２】
さらに、具体的にヒンジ組立体を説明すると、第１筐体部２１，２２の突出部分２１ｅ，２２ｅには、平坦面をもつ第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａが形成されている。第１保持部２１ａは、第１筐体部２１，２２が組み合わされる合わせ面から突出しており、第１保持部２２ａは、第１筐体部２１，２２が組み合わされる合わせ面から窪んだ部分となっている。第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａは、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向における両側のうちの一方側を保持している。
【００３３】
二体を合わせた構造の組立体からなる第１筐体部２１，２２のそれぞれは、第２筐体部３１，３２に回動可能に係合する半円形状の第１回動ガイド部２１ｂ，２２ｂと、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を含む中間部分を収納する第２収納部２１ｃ，２２ｃとを有している。
【００３４】
また、第２筐体部３１，３２には、平坦面をもつ第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａが形成されている。第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａは、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向における両側のうちの他方側を保持している。二体の組立体からなる第２筐体部３１，３２のそれぞれは、第１回動ガイド部２１ｂ，２２ｂに回動可能に係合する半円形状の第２回動ガイド部３１ｂ，３２ｂと、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の二回に巻かれている屈曲変形部４３を含む中間部分を収納する第２収納部３１ｃ，３２ｃとを有している。第２保持部３２ａは、第１筐体部３１，３２が組み合わされる合わせ面から窪んだ部分となっている。
【００３５】
半円形状の第１回動ガイド部２１ｂ，２２ｂは、相互に組み合わされることによって円形の外周面を有するものとなる。半円形状の第２回動ガイド部３１ｂ，３２ｂは組み合わされることによって円形の外周面を有するものとなる。
【００３６】
第１回動ガイド部２１ｂ，２２ｂは、第２回動ガイド部３１ｂ，３２ｂの内周側へ嵌め込まれることによって、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２が相互に回動可能になる。
【００３７】
なお、この実施の形態例においては、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の両方に第１及び第２保持部２２ａ，３２ａを形成しているが、ヒンジ組立体における一方側の第１筐体部２２のみに第１保持部２２ａを、一方の第２筐体部３２のみに第２保持部３２ａを形成するようにしてもよい。
【００３８】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、中間部分が少なくとも一回巻きでスパイラル状に巻かれて第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２における第１及び第２収納部２１ｃ，２２ｃ，３１ｃ，３２ｃに配置されると共に、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の長手方向における両側部分が第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２から外へ延びている。
【００３９】
この実施の形態例においては、二枚のＦＰＣ４１，４２を採用する必要があるが、単に二枚のＦＰＣ４１，４２を接着したものであると、厚い寸法になってしまうので屈曲性が劣ることから、この対策として以下に説明するＦＰＣ４１，４２の構成を採用している。
【００４０】
図１、図３、図４を参照して、ＦＰＣ４１は、屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向の一方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するように形成した第１係合部４１ａと、第１係合部４１ａの近傍でＦＰＣ４１の長手方向の他方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するようにに形成した第２係合部４１ｂと、屈曲変形部４３を除くＦＰＣ４１の他方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するように形成した第３係合部４１ｃとをそれぞれ有している。
【００４１】
ＦＰＣ４２は、屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向の一方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するように形成した第１係合部４２ａと、第１係合部４２ａの近傍でＦＰＣ４２の長手方向の他方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するように形成した第２係合部４２ｂと、屈曲変形部４３を除くＦＰＣ４２の他方側で長手方向を直交する幅方向へ突出するように形成した第３係合部４２ｃとをそれぞれ有している。
【００４２】
ＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂとＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとは、第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａに挟み込まれて係止されるものである。第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃは、第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａに挟み込まれて係止されるものである。
【００４３】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２の中間部分をスパイラル状に巻いて第１筐体部２１，２２と第２筐体部３１，３２内のそれぞれに配置する際には、内周側のＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側のＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとを重ね合わせて第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａに係止するる。第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃは、重ね合わせて第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａに係止する。
【００４４】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２の中間部分は、エアーギャップ部Ｇとなっている。即ち、第１係合部４１ａ，４２ａの一方側の近傍と第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃの一方側までのＦＰＣ４１，４２間がエアギャップ部Ｇをもって互いに離れている。エアーギャップ部Ｇは、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の長手方向における中間部分で、図３に図示した矢印Ａの範囲で形成されている。ＦＰＣ４１，４２のエアーギャップ部Ｇを除く部分は、少なくとも第１係合部４１ａ，４２ａの一方側の近傍よりも外側の一部及び第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃの二個所が接着剤によって接着されている。第１及び第２係合部４１ａ，４１ｂ，４２ａ，４２ｂは、ＦＰＣ４１，４２をスパイラル状に巻いたときの内周側と外周側との長手方向における差が打ち消される適切な距離だけ離れた位置に形成されている。
【００４５】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、屈曲変形部４３を形成する前の図３における状態では、図１に示した弛み部４５が発生していないため、通常のＦＰＣ４１，４２の製造工程と同様にプレス金型で外形を打ち抜くことができる。
【００４６】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２をスパイラル状に巻いて第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２内に配置する際に、内周側のＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側のＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとが重ね合わされた状態で第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａの一対の縦壁面に形成されている一対の溝部２２ｍに挿入される。また、ＦＰＣ４１の第３係合部４１ｃ及びＦＰＣ４２の第３係合部４２ｃは、重ね合わされた状態で第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａのうちの第２保持部３２ａの一対の縦壁面に形成されている一対の溝部３２ｍに挿入される。
【００４７】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、図１に示したように、中間部分をスパイラル状に巻いたときに、内周側になるＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側になるＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａを重ね合わせるようにすると、図１のように弛み部４５は、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の内周側のＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側のＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとが重ね合わされた部分よりも外側へ移動する。
【００４８】
したがって、ＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側になるＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａの長手方向における一側の近傍は、ＦＰＣ４１，４２が接着されている部分であるので、弛み部４５がＦＰＣ４１，４２の内周側のＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外側のＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとが重ね合わされた部分よりも外側へ移動して第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａの外面から外側に位置する。なお、外周側となるＦＰＣ４２の第２係合部４２ｂと内周側となるＦＰＣ４１の第１係合部４１ａは余る部分となるが、この余り部分は切断してもよい。
【００４９】
ＦＰＣ４１の一側端部に位置しているコネクタ搭載部４１ｅの面上には、第１コネクタ（図示せず）が搭載される。ＦＰＣ４１の他側端部のコネクタ搭載部４１ｆの一面上には、第２コネクタ（図示せず）が搭載される。ＦＰＣ４１の一側端部に符号４１ｇによって示した部分は、第１コネクタの端子部（図示せず）が半田によって接続される導電部である。また、ＦＰＣ４１の他側端部に符号４１ｈによって示した部分は、第２コネクタの端子部（図示せず）が半田によって接続される導電部である。第１コネクタは、図示しない基板に実装した相手コネクタに嵌合・離脱可能に接続する。第２コネクタは、図示しない基板に実装した相手コネクタに嵌合・離脱可能に接続する。なお、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の両端部は、相手コネクタの種類によって基板間接続用コネクタに実装する場合もある。また、ＦＰＣ４２の一側端部及び他側端部もＦＰＣ４１と同じ構成とすることができる。
【００５０】
第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａは、ＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂ及びＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａを含む部分の形状に対応した形状に形成されている。第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａは、ＦＰＣ４１の第３係合部４１ｃ及びＦＰＣ４２の第３係合部４２ｃを含む部分の形状に対応した形状に形成されている。
【００５１】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２の一方側は、第１保持部２１ａ，２２ａから第１保持部２２ａの第１閉塞端壁２２ｇに形成されている切り欠き部２２ｈを貫通して外部に導出されている。ＦＰＣ４１，４２の貫通部分は第１閉塞端壁２２ｇにおいて、例えば、切り欠き部２２ｈを封止する樹脂若しくは接着剤などの封止材によって封止されている。
【００５２】
さらに、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の他方側は、第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａから第２保持部３２ａの第２閉塞外壁３２ｇに形成した切り欠き部３２ｈを径方向外向に貫通して外部に導出されるとともに、第２閉塞外壁３２ｇの切り欠き部３２ｈで封止されている。即ち、ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、互いに平行な向きでヒンジコネクタ１から外へ延びている。
【００５３】
この実施の形態例におけるヒンジコネクタの組み立ては、図１に示したように、ヒンジコネクタ１を構成する第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２にＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を含む中間部分を組み込み、第１筐体部２１，２２における第１回動ガイド部２１ｂ，２２ｂと、第２筐体部３１，３２における第２回動ガイド部３１ｂ，３２ｂとを嵌め合わせる。そして、第２保持部３１ａ，３２ａにＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂとＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとを重ね合わせる。次に、第１筐体部２１，２２を嵌め合わせ、さらに、第２筐体部３１，３２を嵌め合わせることによってヒンジコネクタ１が完成する。
【００５４】
このヒンジコネクタ１では、第１保持部２２ａ及び第２保持部３２ａを、ヒンジコネクタ１の内周の接線付近にすることでＦＰＣ４１，４２の回転径が大きくなり、ＦＰＣ４１，４２にストレスをかけない状態で、大きな内部の空間部分に収納することが可能である。
【００５５】
ヒンジコネクタ１は、具体的に示すと、図５に示す携帯電話などの折り畳み式電子機器のヒンジ部５５に組み込まれる。ヒンジ部５５は、電子機器の機器筐体５６と相手側機器筐体５７とを開閉自在にヒンジ結合している。機器筐体５６及び相手側機器筐体５７には、各種の電子部品が搭載されており、ＦＰＣ４１，４２によって機器筐体５６及び相手側機器筐体５７に搭載されている電子部品間の回路接続が行われる。
【００５６】
ヒンジコネクタ１は、機器筐体５６及び相手側機器筐体５７を開閉する時に、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２内のＦＰＣ４１，４２のみが屈曲し、外部のＦＰＣ４２は全く屈曲しないことからストレスが加わらない。
【００５７】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２を組み込んだヒンジコネクタは、屈曲に対する耐久性を低下させる要因であった弛み部４５を第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の外側へ移動しているので、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の内部にあるＦＰＣ４１，４２は、図１に示したように弛み部４５のない状態となっており、屈曲に対する耐久性を向上させることができる。また、第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２の外部にあるＦＰＣ４１，４２は、電子機器の開閉時に屈曲しないので、弛み部４５による耐久性の低下は発生しない。
【００５８】
図６は、第２実施の形態例を示しており、ヒンジコネクタ１としての第１及び第２筐体部２１，２２，３１，３２を用いずに折り畳み式電子機器のような機器のヒンジ部にＦＰＣ４１，４２を設けた機器のヒンジ構造を示している。
【００５９】
機器のヒンジ構造は、機器筐体７６と、ＦＰＣ４１，４２とを備えている。この機器のヒンジ構造は、機器筐体７６が機器筐体７６と共通な一軸周りで回動可能な相手側機器筐体（図示せず）にヒンジ結合される。ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、機器筐体７６及び相手側機器筐体に搭載されている電子部品を相互に回路接続するものである
なお、図６では、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の両側部分を省略して示しているが、ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、図１乃至図４に示したＦＰＣ４１，４２と同じものである。
【００６０】
機器筐体７６は、第１機器筐体部７７と、この第１機器筐体部７７の上面に一体に設けられる第２機器筐体部７８とを有している。第１機器筐体部７７は、一側の枠部７７ａから外向きに突出するように設けた略半筒形状の第１ヒンジ部７７ｂを有している。第２機器筐体７８は、一側の枠部７８ａから外向きに突出するように設けた略半筒形状の第２ヒンジ部７８ｂを有している。第１及び第２ヒンジ部７７ｂ，７８ｂは、互いに一軸周りで回動可能に合わされて相手側機器筐体にヒンジ結合されるヒンジ部である。
【００６１】
さらに、第１機器筐体部７７は、一側の枠部７７ａにＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向における一方側を保持する第１保持部７７ｃを有している。第２機器筐体部７８は、一側の枠部７８ａにＦＰＣ４１，４２の屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向における一方側を保持する第２保持部７８ｃを有している。
【００６２】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、屈曲変形部４３を除く長手方向の一方側に形成した第１係合部４１ａ，４２ａと、第１係合部４１ａ，４２ａの他方側の近傍でＦＰＣ４１，４２に形成した第２係合部４１ｂ，４２ｂと、屈曲変形部４３を除くＦＰＣ４１，４２の他方側に形成した第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃ（図１、図３及び図４を参照）とを有している。
【００６３】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、図１、図３及び図４に示したように、スパイラル状に巻いた後に、内周側のＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外側のＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとが重ね合わされた状態で第１及び第２保持部７７ｃ，７８ｃに保持される。ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、第１係合部４１ａ，４２ａの一方側の近傍から第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃの一方側までのＦＰＣ４１，４２間がエアギャップ部Ｇをもって互いに離れている。
【００６４】
ＦＰＣ４１，４２は、中間部分をスパイラル状に巻いた状態で内周側になるＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂと外周側になるＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａを重ね合わせている。図６に示したＦＰＣ４１，４２では、図３及び図４に示した外周側となるＦＰＣ４２の第２係合部４２ｂと内周側となるＦＰＣ４１の第１係合部４１ａとが切断されている。
【００６５】
ＦＰＣ４１の第２係合部４１ｂとＦＰＣ４２の第１係合部４２ａとは、これらが重ね合わされて第１機器筐体部７７の第１保持部７７ｃに形成されている溝部７７ｇへ挿入される。その後、第２機器筐体部７８の第２保持部７８ｃに形成されている突部７８ｇを溝部７７ｇへ挿入して嵌め込むことによって筐体のヒンジ構造の組み立てが完了する。
【００６６】
なお、上述した実施の形態例では、２枚のＦＰＣ４１，４２によって説明したが、２枚以上のＦＰＣを採用することも可能であることはいうまでもない。また、ＦＰＣ４１，４２の第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃは、図示していないが、第１及び第２機器筐体部７７，７８と同様な保持部を相手側機器筐体に形成することによって、この保持部に第３係合部４１ｃ，４２ｃに保持すればよい。
【００６７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、フレキシブル基板を組み込んだヒンジコネクタ又は筐体のヒンジ構造では、屈曲に対する耐久性を低下させる要因であった弛み部を筐体の保持部の外側へ移動させて保持することによって、フレキシブル基板の中間部分をスパイラル状に巻きつけた屈曲変形部が弛み部のない状態で複数のフレキシブル基板間にエアーギャップ部をもっており、折り畳み開放を繰り返してもストレスが加わらない構造となっているので、良好な屈曲性を得ることができ、屈曲に対する耐久性を向上させることができる。
【００６８】
また、フレキシブル基板は、スパイラル状に巻き付ける前の段階では、弛み部が発生していないため、通常のフレキシブル基板の製造工程と同様にプレス金型で外形を打ち抜くことができ、製造が容易となり、フレキシブル基板の歩留まりが悪化することがない。
【００６９】
さらに、フレキシブル基板は、エアーギャップ部において一枚づつが離れており、接着剤が使われていないことから一枚のＦＰＣと同等の屈曲性を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係るヒンジコネクタの第１実施の形態例を分解して示した斜視図である。
【図２】図１に示したヒンジコネクタの斜視図である。
【図３】図１に示した二枚のＦＰＣを示した斜視図である。
【図４】図３に示した二枚のＦＰＣのうち、外側のＦＰＣの要部を示した斜視図である。
【図５】図１に示したヒンジコネクタを組み込んだ電子機器を示す斜視図である。
【図６】本発明に係る機器のヒンジ機構として第２実施の形態例を示しており、一部を断面して分解して状態で示した斜視図である。
【図７】従来の電子機器の斜視図である。
【図８】従来の電子機器の他の例を示した斜視図である。
【図９】従来のＦＰＣをスパイラル状に巻き付けた状態を示す側面図である。
【図１０】従来のＦＰＣを示す側面図である。
【図１１】図１０に示したＦＰＣをスパイラル状に巻き付けた状態を示す側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ヒンジコネクタ
２１，２２第１筐体部
２１ａ，２２ａ第１保持部
３１，３２第２筐体部
３１ａ，３２ａ第２保持部
４１，４２，２０９，２０９′，３０９，３１０ＦＰＣ
４１ａ，４２ａ第１係合部
４１ｂ，４２ｂ第２係合部
４１ｃ，４２ｃ第３係合部
４３屈曲変形部
４５，３１１弛み部
５５，２１１，２１１′ ヒンジ部
５６，７６機器筐体
５７相手側機器筐体
７７第１機器筐体部
７７ｂ第１ヒンジ部
７８ｂ第２ヒンジ部
７７ｃ第１保持部
７８第２機器筐体部
７８ｃ第２保持部
Ｇエアーギャップ部
２０１，２０１′ キーボード側筐体部
２０３，２０３′，２０７，２０７′ 基板
２０５，２０５′ 筐体部
２１０，２１０′ コネクタ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to a hinge connector and a hinge structure of a housing attached to a hinge portion of an electronic device having a folding function such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and a notebook personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As conventional electronic devices, there are, for example, a foldable mobile phone in Conventional Technique 1 shown in FIG. 7 and a foldable mobile phone in Conventional Technique 2 shown in FIG. Note that the foldable mobile phones shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 both show a state in which the outer lid is removed.
[0003]
Hereinafter, the related art 1 shown in FIG. 7 and the related art 2 shown in FIG. 8 will be described simultaneously. In this type of electronic device, substrates 203 and 203 'mounted on keyboard-side housing portions 201 and 201' on which a keyboard is mounted, and substrates 207 and 205 'on the LCD-side housing portions 205 and 205' on which an LCD is mounted. In order to connect the FPCs 207 'and 207', FPCs (flexible printed circuits) 209 and 209 'are used as flexible substrates.
[0004]
In the electronic devices according to the prior arts 1 and 2, the two ends of the FPCs 209 and 209 'are connected only by the connectors 210 and 210' in order to fix the FPCs 209 and 209 '. The FPCs 209, 209 'are housed in the hinge portions 211, 211' of the housing portions 205, 205 'in a wound state.
[0005]
By the way, the FPCs 209 and 209 'are of a type having a thin circuit having only one side formed with a circuit and having a flexibility in order to prevent stress due to the flexibility. Therefore, it is necessary to pass many signal lines in a small space. For this reason, in order to pass a multi-core signal line in a limited space, it is necessary to employ an FPC having circuits formed on both sides, but the FPC itself has a large size and thus has poor flexibility. Therefore, the FPC described below is adopted as a countermeasure for this.
[0006]
FIG. 9 shows FPCs 309 and 310 in which two sheets are superimposed. Referring to FIG. 9, FPCs 309 and 310 are formed such that two sheets are superimposed and a predetermined portion is adhered by an adhesive and adhered to form an FPC 09 or 310 having an air gap portion (see FIG. 3A). FIG.
[0007]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the two FPCs 309 and 310 have a structure in which a space called an air gap portion A is partially formed in order to prevent bending stress due to opening and closing of the electronic device. . Here, the air gap portion A is a structure having a portion where the FPCs 309 and 310 are not bonded to each other when two or more FPCs 309 and 310 need to be stored in the hinge portion.
[0008]
When the normal FPCs 309 and 310 are wound in a spiral shape with the same size as the FPCs 309 and 310, the FPC 310 on the inner circumference side is greatly loosened during bending due to the difference between the FPC 310 on the inner circumference side and the FPC 309 on the outer circumference side. The part 311 is generated. The slack 311 is one of the factors that reduce the durability against bending.
[0009]
Conventionally, as a method of eliminating the slack 311, the length of the inner FPC 310 and the length of the outer FPC 309 are changed at the stage of manufacturing the FPCs 309 and 310 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0010]
The FPCs 309 and 310 have a length in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 310 located on the inner peripheral side shorter than that in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 309 located on the outer peripheral side, and are partially relaxed from the beginning by the difference between the inner periphery and the outer periphery. By forming a gap portion G and bonding predetermined portions of the FPCs 309 and 310, as shown in FIG. 11, when wound in a spiral shape, the slack portion 311 as shown in FIG. 9 does not occur. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-252069 (FIGS. 23 to 25)
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional hinge connector has a problem that the flexibility is inferior because the entire FPC is bonded to each other, so that the FPC becomes thicker.
[0013]
In addition, when the FPCs 309 and 310 are manufactured by laminating a conductor, an adhesive, a polyimide / film resin, or the like, and punching the outer shape from the top with a press die, it is extremely difficult to manufacture in a state where there is a gap portion G in a process. There is a possibility that the yield may be deteriorated.
[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hinge connector and a hinge structure of a device that can improve the life of opening and closing of the device.
[0015]
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge connector and a hinge structure of a device which can easily manufacture a plurality of flexible substrates.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge connector and a hinge structure of a device which have excellent flexibility and can prevent a slack portion.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the first housing portion, the second housing portion assembled to the first housing portion so as to be rotatable around one axis common to the first housing portion, and the first and the second housing portions. In the two housing portions, a bending deformation portion in which a middle portion in the longitudinal direction is spirally wound with flexibility is arranged, and both sides in the longitudinal direction extend outward from the first and second housing portions. A hinge connector including at least two flexible substrates and being incorporated in a hinge portion that hinges the device housing so as to mutually connect circuits between electronic components mounted on the foldable device housing; The one housing part has a first holding part that holds one of the two sides in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation part, and the second housing part is in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation part. Other side of both sides in The flexible board includes a first holding portion formed on one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion, and a second engagement portion formed near the other side of the first engagement portion. A second engaging portion formed on the flexible substrate, and a third engaging portion formed on the other side of the flexible substrate excluding the bending deformation portion, wherein the flexible substrate is wound in the spiral shape, When disposing in the first and second housing portions, the second engagement portion of the flexible substrate on the inner peripheral side and the first engagement portion of the flexible substrate on the outer peripheral side are overlapped with each other. 1 that the flexible substrates at least in the vicinity of the one side of the first engagement portion and the one side of the third engagement portion are separated from each other with an air gap portion. Characteristic hinge connector Data can be obtained.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, the device housing and the device housing and the counterpart device are hingedly coupled to a counterpart device housing rotatable around one axis common to the device housing. In a hinge structure of a device including a flexible substrate for interconnecting electronic components mounted on the housing with each other, the device housing includes a first device housing portion, and a first device housing portion integrally formed with the first device housing portion. A second device housing portion provided, the first device housing portion has a first hinge portion, the second device housing portion has a second hinge portion, and the first and the second The two hinge portions are hinge portions that are rotatably fitted to each other around one axis and are hinged to the other device housing, and the first device housing portion spirally connects an intermediate portion of the flexible substrate. A first holding portion for holding one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the wound bending deformation portion The second device housing section has a second holding section that holds the one side of the flexible board in opposition to the first holding section, and the flexible board is one in a longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation section. A first engaging portion formed on the other side, a second engaging portion formed on the flexible substrate in the vicinity of the other side of the first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion formed on the other side of the flexible substrate excluding the bending deformation portion. And a third engaging portion held by the counterpart device housing, and when the flexible substrate is spirally wound, the second engaging portion of the flexible substrate on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side The first engagement portion of the flexible substrate is held by the first and second holding portions in a state where the first engagement portion is overlapped, and the third engagement portion is provided at least from near one side of the first engagement portion. Between the flexible substrates up to one side of the Hinge structure of the device, characterized in that apart from each other with a gap portion can be obtained.
[0019]
[Action]
In the hinge structure of the hinge connector and the housing according to the present invention, the flexible board is formed by winding an intermediate portion in a spiral shape to form a second engaging portion of the flexible board on the inner peripheral side and a first engaging section of the flexible board on the outer peripheral side. When the engaging portions are overlapped, a slack portion is generated outside the first engaging portion of the flexible substrate. That is, the slack portion moves outward from a portion where the second engagement portion of the flexible substrate on the inner peripheral side of the flexible substrate and the first engagement portion of the outer flexible substrate are overlapped.
[0020]
In the hinge connector according to the present invention, when the intermediate portion of the flexible board is spirally wound and arranged in each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the second engagement portion of the inner peripheral side flexible board is provided. And the first engaging portion of the outer peripheral side flexible substrate are overlapped and locked to the first holding portion. The third engaging portion is overlapped and locked to the second holding portion.
[0021]
In the hinge structure of the device according to the present invention, the first and second holding portions of the first and second device housings in the device housing have the second engaging portion of the inner peripheral side flexible substrate and the outer peripheral side flexible substrate. And the first engaging portion is overlapped and locked.
[0022]
The intermediate portion of the flexible substrate is an air gap portion, and the first and second engaging portions are formed in a longitudinal direction between an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side when the flexible substrate is formed into a bent portion by winding the flexible substrate in a spiral shape. Are formed at positions separated by an appropriate distance so that the difference in is canceled.
[0023]
At the stage before the flexible substrate is spirally wound, no slack is generated in the flexible substrate, so that the outer shape can be punched out with a press die in the same manner as in a normal flexible substrate manufacturing process, which facilitates production and increases the yield. Will not get worse.
[0024]
Therefore, when the housing is opened and closed, only the bent portion is bent, and the external flexible substrate is not bent at all without being affected by the slack portion, so that no stress is applied.
[0025]
In addition, the second engaging portion of the flexible substrate on the outer peripheral side and the first engaging portion of the flexible substrate on the inner peripheral side are extra portions, but the extra portions may be cut off.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the hinge connector according to the present invention will be described. 1 and 2 show a hinge connector attached to a device housing of a foldable electronic device. 3 and 4 show a flexible substrate.
[0027]
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the hinge connector 1 includes a pair of first housing portions 21 and 22 and a first housing portion rotatable about one axis common to the first housing portions 21 and 22. A pair of second housing portions 31 and 32 assembled to the first and second housing portions 21 and 22 and two FPCs as a flexible board having an intermediate portion introduced into the first and second housing portions 21, 22 and 31 and 32. (Flexible printed circuit) 41 and 42.
[0028]
In the first embodiment, in addition to the FPC 41, an FFC (flexible flat cable) can be used as a flexible substrate. Therefore, the FPCs 41 and 42 and the FFC are collectively referred to as a flexible substrate. In the following description, the FPCs 41 and 42 will be adopted as specific examples.
[0029]
The dimensions of the first housing portions 21 and 22 in the uniaxial direction are set to be shorter than the dimensions of the second housing portions 31 and 32 in the uniaxial direction. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the first housing portions 21 and 22 is substantially circular. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the first housing portions 21 and 22 includes a substantially circular main body portion and projecting portions 21e and 22e slightly projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion. are doing. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the second housing portions 31 and 32 includes a substantially circular main body portion and protruding portions 31e and 32e slightly protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion. are doing.
[0030]
Each of the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32 is a hinge assembly that is divided into two members in one plane direction including one axis and is formed by resin molding.
[0031]
In the FPCs 41 and 42, a bending deformation portion 43 in which a middle portion in the longitudinal direction is bent and wound twice in a spiral shape is introduced into the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31 and 32. And both ends in the longitudinal direction extend outward from the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, 32.
[0032]
More specifically, the hinge assembly will be described. First projecting portions 21e, 22e of first housing portions 21, 22 are formed with first holding portions 21a, 22a having flat surfaces. The first holding portion 21a protrudes from the mating surface where the first housing portions 21 and 22 are combined, and the first holding portion 22a includes a portion recessed from the mating surface where the first housing portions 21 and 22 are combined. Has become. The first holding portions 21a and 22a hold one of the two sides in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion 43 of the FPCs 41 and 42.
[0033]
Each of the first housing portions 21 and 22 formed of an assembly having a structure in which the two members are joined together has a semicircular first rotation guide portion 21b rotatably engaged with the second housing portions 31 and 32. , 22b, and second storage portions 21c, 22c for storing intermediate portions including the bent portions 43 of the FPCs 41, 42.
[0034]
Further, the second housing portions 31 and 32 are formed with second holding portions 31a and 32a having flat surfaces. The second holding portions 31a and 32a hold the other of the two sides in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion 43 of the FPCs 41 and 42. Each of the second housing portions 31 and 32 formed of the two-body assembly includes semicircular second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b rotatably engaged with the first rotation guide portions 21b and 22b. , FPCs 41 and 42, and second storage portions 31c and 32c for storing an intermediate portion including the bent portion 43 wound twice. The second holding portion 32a is a portion depressed from the mating surface where the first housing portions 31 and 32 are combined.
[0035]
The semicircular first rotation guide portions 21b and 22b are combined with each other to have a circular outer peripheral surface. The semicircular second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b are combined to have a circular outer peripheral surface.
[0036]
The first rotation guide portions 21b and 22b are fitted to the inner peripheral sides of the second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b, so that the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32 rotate relative to each other. Will be possible.
[0037]
In this embodiment, the first and second holding portions 22a and 32a are formed in both the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32. The first holding portion 22a may be formed only in the first housing portion 22 on the side, and the second holding portion 32a may be formed only in one second housing portion 32.
[0038]
The FPCs 41 and 42 are wound at least once in a spiral shape at an intermediate portion and are formed in the first and second storage portions 21c, 22c, 31c and 32c in the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32, respectively. The FPCs 41 and 42 are arranged, and both side portions in the longitudinal direction of the FPCs 41 and 42 extend outward from the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31 and 32.
[0039]
In this embodiment, it is necessary to employ two FPCs 41 and 42. However, if two FPCs 41 and 42 are simply adhered, the thickness becomes thick and the flexibility is inferior. As a countermeasure, the configuration of the FPCs 41 and 42 described below is adopted.
[0040]
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the FPC 41 includes a first engagement portion 41 a formed so as to protrude in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion 43, A second engaging portion 41b formed in the vicinity of the first engaging portion 41a so as to protrude in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on the other side of the longitudinal direction of the FPC 41, and the other side of the FPC 41 excluding the bending deformation portion 43 And a third engaging portion 41c formed so as to protrude in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
[0041]
The FPC 42 has a first engaging portion 42a formed so as to protrude in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on one side of the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion 43, and a longitudinal direction of the FPC 42 near the first engaging portion 42a. A second engaging portion 42b formed so as to protrude in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on the other side of the FPC 42, and a second engaging portion 42b formed so as to protrude in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on the other side of the FPC 42 excluding the bending deformation portion 43 And third engaging portions 42c.
[0042]
The second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 and the first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 are interposed and locked by the first holding portions 21a and 22a. The third engaging portions 41c and 42c are sandwiched and locked by the second holding portions 31a and 32a.
[0043]
When the intermediate portions of the FPCs 41 and 42 are spirally wound and disposed in the first housing portions 21 and 22 and the second housing portions 31 and 32, respectively, the second engagement portions of the inner peripheral side FPC 41 are used. 41b and the first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side are overlapped and locked to the first holding portions 21a and 22a. The third engaging portions 41c and 42c are overlapped and locked to the second holding portions 31a and 32a.
[0044]
An intermediate portion between the FPCs 41 and 42 is an air gap portion G. That is, the FPCs 41 and 42 near one side of the first engagement portions 41a and 42a and one side of the third engagement portions 41c and 42c are separated from each other with the air gap G. The air gap portion G is an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the FPCs 41 and 42 and is formed in the range of the arrow A shown in FIG. At least portions of the FPCs 41 and 42 other than the air gap G are outside the vicinity of one side of the first engaging portions 41a and 42a and two portions of the third engaging portions 41c and 42c are bonded with an adhesive. Have been. The first and second engagement portions 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b are located at appropriate positions apart from each other by an appropriate distance such that a difference in the longitudinal direction between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side when the FPCs 41 and 42 are spirally wound is cancelled. Is formed.
[0045]
In the state shown in FIG. 3 before forming the bending deformation portion 43, the FPCs 41 and 42 do not have the slack portion 45 shown in FIG. The outer shape can be punched.
[0046]
When the FPCs 41 and 42 are spirally wound and disposed in the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32, the second engagement portions 41b of the inner FPC 41 and the second engagement portions 41b of the outer FPC 42 are used. The first engaging portions 42a are inserted into a pair of groove portions 22m formed on a pair of vertical wall surfaces of the first holding portions 21a and 22a in a state of being overlapped. The third engaging portion 41c of the FPC 41 and the third engaging portion 42c of the FPC 42 are formed on a pair of vertical wall surfaces of the second holding portion 32a of the second holding portions 31a and 32a in an overlapping state. Inserted into a pair of grooves 32m.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the intermediate portion is spirally wound, the FPCs 41 and 42 include a second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side and a first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side. As shown in FIG. 1, the loosened portion 45 is formed by overlapping the second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side of the FPC 41, 42 with the first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side. Move outside the part.
[0048]
Therefore, the vicinity of one side in the longitudinal direction of the second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 and the first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 which is on the outer peripheral side is a portion where the FPCs 41 and 42 are bonded, so that the slack portion 45 The second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side of the FPCs 41 and 42 and the first engaging portion 42a of the outer FPC 42 move outward from a portion where the second engaging portion 41b overlaps the outer side of the first holding portions 21a and 22a. Located outside. In addition, the second engaging portion 42b of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side and the first engaging portion 41a of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side have an extra portion, but this extra portion may be cut off.
[0049]
A first connector (not shown) is mounted on the surface of the connector mounting portion 41e located at one end of the FPC 41. A second connector (not shown) is mounted on one surface of the connector mounting portion 41f at the other end of the FPC 41. A portion indicated by reference numeral 41g at one end of the FPC 41 is a conductive portion to which a terminal portion (not shown) of the first connector is connected by solder. A portion indicated by reference numeral 41h on the other end of the FPC 41 is a conductive portion to which a terminal portion (not shown) of the second connector is connected by solder. The first connector is removably connected to a mating connector mounted on a board (not shown). The second connector is removably connected to a mating connector mounted on a board (not shown). Note that both ends of the FPCs 41 and 42 may be mounted on the board-to-board connection connector depending on the type of the mating connector. In addition, one end and the other end of the FPC 42 may have the same configuration as the FPC 41.
[0050]
The first holding portions 21a and 22a are formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion including the second engagement portion 41b of the FPC 41 and the first engagement portion 42a of the FPC 42. The second holding portions 31a and 32a are formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion including the third engagement portion 41c of the FPC 41 and the third engagement portion 42c of the FPC 42.
[0051]
One side of the FPCs 41, 42 is led out from the first holding portions 21a, 22a through a notch 22h formed in the first closed end wall 22g of the first holding portion 22a. The penetrating portions of the FPCs 41 and 42 are sealed in the first closed end wall 22g by, for example, a sealing material such as a resin or an adhesive sealing the notch 22h.
[0052]
Further, the other sides of the FPCs 41 and 42 are led out from the second holding portions 31a and 32a through the cutout portions 32h formed in the second closed outer wall 32g of the second holding portion 32a in a radially outward direction, and are drawn out to the outside. , And is sealed by a cutout portion 32h of the second closed outer wall 32g. That is, the FPCs 41 and 42 extend outward from the hinge connector 1 in directions parallel to each other.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 1, assembling of the hinge connector according to this embodiment, the bending deformation portion 43 of the FPC 41, 42 is attached to the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, 32 constituting the hinge connector 1. And the first rotation guide portions 21b and 22b in the first housing portions 21 and 22 and the second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b in the second housing portions 31 and 32 are fitted. Then, the second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 and the first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 are overlapped on the second holding portions 31a and 32a. Next, the hinge connector 1 is completed by fitting the first housing portions 21 and 22 and further fitting the second housing portions 31 and 32 together.
[0054]
In the hinge connector 1, the rotation diameters of the FPCs 41 and 42 are increased by setting the first holding portion 22 a and the second holding portion 32 a near a tangent line on the inner periphery of the hinge connector 1, so that stress is not applied to the FPCs 41 and 42. In this state, it can be stored in a large internal space.
[0055]
Specifically, the hinge connector 1 is incorporated in a hinge 55 of a foldable electronic device such as a mobile phone shown in FIG. The hinge portion 55 hinges a device housing 56 of the electronic device and a partner device housing 57 so as to be freely opened and closed. Various electronic components are mounted on the device housing 56 and the mating device housing 57, and circuit connections between the electronic components mounted on the device housing 56 and the mating device housing 57 by the FPCs 41 and 42. Is performed.
[0056]
When the hinge connector 1 opens and closes the device housing 56 and the mating device housing 57, only the FPCs 41 and 42 in the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32 bend, and the external FPC 42 Since it does not bend at all, no stress is applied.
[0057]
In the hinge connector incorporating the FPCs 41 and 42, the slack portion 45, which is a factor that reduces the durability against bending, is moved to the outside of the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32. The FPCs 41, 42 inside the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, 32 have no slack portions 45 as shown in FIG. 1, and can improve durability against bending. it can. In addition, the FPCs 41 and 42 outside the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, and 32 do not bend when the electronic device is opened and closed, so that the durability does not decrease due to the slack portion 45.
[0058]
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment, in which a hinge portion of a device such as a foldable electronic device is used without using the first and second housing portions 21, 22, 31, 32 as the hinge connector 1. 2 shows a hinge structure of a device provided with FPCs 41 and 42.
[0059]
The hinge structure of the device includes a device housing 76 and FPCs 41 and 42. In the hinge structure of the device, the device housing 76 is hinged to a mating device housing (not shown) rotatable around one axis common to the device housing 76. The FPCs 41 and 42 connect the electronic components mounted on the device housing 76 and the partner device housing with each other.
In FIG. 6, both sides of the FPCs 41 and 42 are omitted, but the FPCs 41 and 42 are the same as the FPCs 41 and 42 shown in FIGS.
[0060]
The device housing 76 has a first device housing 77 and a second device housing 78 integrally provided on the upper surface of the first device housing 77. The first device housing part 77 has a substantially semi-cylindrical first hinge part 77b provided so as to protrude outward from the frame part 77a on one side. The second device housing 78 has a substantially semi-cylindrical second hinge portion 78b provided so as to protrude outward from the frame portion 78a on one side. The first and second hinge portions 77b and 78b are hinge portions that are rotatably fitted to each other around one axis and are hinged to a partner device housing.
[0061]
Further, the first device housing 77 has a first holding portion 77c that holds one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bent portion 43 of the FPCs 41 and 42 in the frame portion 77a on one side. The second device housing portion 78 has a second holding portion 78c that holds one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bent portion 43 of the FPCs 41 and 42 in a frame portion 78a on one side.
[0062]
The FPCs 41 and 42 include first engaging portions 41a and 42a formed on one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion 43, and a first engaging portion 41a and 42a formed on the FPC 41 and 42 near the other side of the first engaging portions 41a and 42a. It has two engaging portions 41b and 42b and third engaging portions 41c and 42c (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) formed on the other side of the FPCs 41 and 42 except for the bending deformation portion 43. .
[0063]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the FPCs 41 and 42 are wound in a spiral shape, and then, the second engagement portion 41b of the inner FPC 41 and the first engagement portion 42a of the outer FPC 42 are Are held by the first and second holding portions 77c and 78c in a state of being overlapped. The FPCs 41 and 42 are separated from each other by an air gap G between the FPCs 41 and 42 from the vicinity of one side of the first engagement portions 41a and 42a to one side of the third engagement portions 41c and 42c.
[0064]
In the FPCs 41 and 42, a second engaging portion 41b of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side and a first engaging portion 42a of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side are overlapped with the intermediate portion wound in a spiral shape. In the FPCs 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 6, the second engaging portion 42b of the FPC 42 on the outer peripheral side and the first engaging portion 41a of the FPC 41 on the inner peripheral side shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are cut off. .
[0065]
The second engagement portion 41b of the FPC 41 and the first engagement portion 42a of the FPC 42 are overlapped and inserted into the groove 77g formed in the first holding portion 77c of the first device housing 77. Thereafter, the protrusion 78g formed on the second holding portion 78c of the second device housing 78 is inserted into and fitted into the groove 77g, thereby completing the assembly of the hinge structure of the housing.
[0066]
In the above-described embodiment, two FPCs 41 and 42 have been described. However, it is needless to say that two or more FPCs can be employed. Although not shown, the third engaging portions 41c and 42c of the FPCs 41 and 42 are formed by forming holding portions similar to the first and second device housing portions 77 and 78 on the mating device housing. It is sufficient to hold the third engaging portions 41c and 42c in this holding portion.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the hinge connector or the hinge structure of the housing incorporating the flexible substrate, the slack portion, which is a factor that reduces the durability against bending, is moved to the outside of the holding portion of the housing. By holding and holding, the flexible part with the middle part of the flexible board spirally wound has an air gap between multiple flexible boards without slack, and stress is applied even if folding and opening are repeated Since such a structure is not provided, good flexibility can be obtained, and durability against bending can be improved.
[0068]
Also, in the stage before winding the flexible substrate in a spiral shape, since the slack portion does not occur, the outer shape can be punched out with a press die in the same manner as a normal flexible substrate manufacturing process, which facilitates production, The yield of the flexible substrate does not deteriorate.
[0069]
Furthermore, the flexible substrates are separated one by one in the air gap portion, and since no adhesive is used, the same flexibility as one FPC can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a hinge connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing two FPCs shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of an outer FPC of the two FPCs shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an electronic device incorporating the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the hinge mechanism of the device according to the present invention, showing a partially sectioned and disassembled state.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional electronic device.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of a conventional electronic device.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which a conventional FPC is spirally wound.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a conventional FPC.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the FPC shown in FIG. 10 is spirally wound.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 hinge connector
21, 22 First housing part
21a, 22a First holding unit
31, 32 second housing part
31a, 32a Second holding unit
41, 42, 209, 209 ', 309, 310 FPC
41a, 42a First engagement portion
41b, 42b 2nd engagement part
41c, 42c Third engaging portion
43 Bending part
45,311 loose part
55, 211, 211 'hinge
56, 76 Equipment housing
57 Remote device housing
77 First device housing
77b 1st hinge part
78b 2nd hinge part
77c first holding unit
78 Second device housing
78c Second holding unit
G Air gap
201, 201 'keyboard side housing
203, 203 ', 207, 207' substrate
205, 205 'housing
210, 210 'connector

Claims

A first housing portion; a second housing portion rotatably mounted on the first housing portion so as to be rotatable about one axis common to the first housing portion; and a longitudinal portion in the first and second housing portions. At least two flexible substrates in which a bent portion in which an intermediate portion in the direction is spirally wound with flexibility is arranged, and both sides in the longitudinal direction extend out of the first and second housing portions. And a hinge connector incorporated in a hinge portion in which the device housing is hinged so as to mutually connect circuits between electronic components mounted on the foldable device housing,
The first housing portion has a first holding portion that holds one of both sides in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion, and the second housing portion includes the first holding portion excluding the bending deformation portion. A second holding portion that holds the other of the two sides in the longitudinal direction, wherein the flexible substrate includes a first engaging portion formed on one side in the longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation portion; A second engaging portion formed on the flexible substrate in the vicinity of the other side of the engaging portion, and a third engaging portion formed on the other side of the flexible substrate excluding the bent portion, When the substrate is wound in the spiral shape and arranged in the first and second housing portions, the second engagement portion of the inner peripheral side flexible substrate and the first engagement of the outer peripheral side flexible substrate are arranged. In the state where the parts are overlapped, the first holding part A hinge, wherein at least a portion of the flexible board between the vicinity of the one side of the first engagement portion and the one side of the third engagement portion is separated from each other with an air gap portion. connector.

An electronic device mounted on the device housing and the other device housing, the device housing being hinged to the other device housing rotatable around one axis common to the device housing; In a hinge structure of a device including a flexible board for interconnecting parts to each other,
The device housing has a first device housing portion and a second device housing portion provided integrally with the first device housing portion, and the first device housing portion has a first hinge portion. The second device housing has a second hinge, and the first and second hinges are rotatably fitted around one axis and hinged to the other device housing. A hinge portion, wherein the first device housing portion has a first holding portion for holding one side in a longitudinal direction excluding a bent portion in which an intermediate portion of the flexible substrate is spirally wound; The device housing section has a second holding section that holds the one side of the flexible board facing the first holding section, and the flexible board is provided on one side in a longitudinal direction excluding the bending deformation section. A first engaging portion formed on the flexible substrate in the vicinity of the other side of the first engaging portion; A second engaging portion, and a third engaging portion formed on the other side of the flexible substrate excluding the bending deformation portion and held by the counterpart device housing, and the flexible substrate is spirally formed. When wound, the second engagement portion of the inner peripheral side flexible substrate and the first engagement portion of the outer peripheral side flexible substrate are held by the first and second holding portions in a state of being overlapped. Wherein the flexible substrates from at least one side of the first engagement portion to one side of the third engagement portion are separated from each other with an air gap portion. .