JP2007312330A - Foldable mobile communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of simply and surely switching a display section in a longitudinally long state or a laterally long state of a display section even by one hand and eliminating a sense of displeasure in the longitudinally long state, the laterally long state, and in a switching operation. <P>SOLUTION: A cam mechanism (support mechanism) 10 for supporting the liquid crystal display section 2 comprises: a left right direction guide groove 12 extended in a left right direction provided to a guide plate 16; an upper lower direction groove 14 extended in an upper lower direction; a first guide pin 13 provided to a rear side of the liquid crystal display section 2 and engaging with the left right direction guide groove 12 in a freely slidable way; and a second guide pin 15 engaging with the upper lower direction groove 14 in a freely slidable way. The cam mechanism 10 is provided with a torsional coil spring 20 (elastic member) whose one end 20a is fixed to the first guide pin 13 and whose other end 20b is fixed to a first case 3 to energize the liquid crystal display section 2 so as to allow the liquid crystal display section 2 to take the longitudinally long state or the laterally long state. An upward deflection section 40 (operation revising means) for changing a motion of the first guide pin 13 is provided to a longitudinal side end part of the left right direction guide groove 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable communication device, and more particularly to a device that supports a display unit so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.

  In recent years, mobile phones have many functions such as an e-mail transmission / reception function, a digital camera function, a recording / playback function, a television reception function, and a schedule management function as well as a call function.

  On the other hand, the main function of a mobile phone is still a call function, and for its portability, downsizing and weight reduction are important in terms of merchantability. Further, with emphasis on usability, the mobile phone has a vertically long shape with a reduced width.

  If the display unit of the mobile phone is fixed in a vertically long state, when displaying a horizontally long image, it must be reduced so as to enter a vertically long screen, or the entire image must be viewed by a horizontal scroll operation. did not become.

  It is also conceivable to rotate a horizontally long image 90 degrees on the vertically long display unit and view the image. However, the display unit and the operation unit are opened by the first casing and the second casing. In the foldable mobile communication device that appears in the state, the operation unit is also rotated 90 degrees, so that the display shown on the operation key is also viewed 90 degrees rotated, which is different from usual. Since the operation keys are arranged, there is a problem that the input operation becomes extremely difficult.

  Therefore, in order to solve this problem, for example, in the foldable mobile communication device of Patent Document 1, the display unit can be switched from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state while the mobile phone itself is held vertically. 1 is supported on the case. In this foldable portable communication device, a support shaft is provided perpendicular to the display unit at the center of the display unit, and the display unit is rotated 90 degrees around the support shaft.

  However, while suppressing the size and thickness of the mobile phone, the display unit is connected to the first housing and the second housing so that the first housing and the second housing can be opened and closed, and the first housing provided with the display unit. In order to rotate without touching the bulging portion provided at the lower end of the display, it is necessary to take measures such as rounding the lower end of the display portion along a radius around the support shaft, and the display portion is enlarged. There is a problem that can not be.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, a foldable mobile communication device having a support mechanism that supports a display unit in a slidable and rotatable manner on a first housing is known. In this foldable mobile communication device, since the display unit is slid up and down and then rotated around the support shaft provided at the center of the display unit, the hinge unit and the first housing are accordingly increased. Contact with the bulging part provided at the lower end can be avoided, and the display part can be enlarged.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 3, in the field of a liquid crystal display, a display device having a support mechanism capable of switching the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state is known.
JP 2001-156893 A JP 2003-319043 A JP 2004-78073 A

  By the way, terrestrial digital television broadcasting is about to start in earnest in the near future. Unlike conventional analog TV broadcasts, this terrestrial digital TV broadcast can receive so-called interactive services such as participating in quiz programs from the TV and using TV shopping or bank transfer through the TV. .

  When this digital terrestrial television broadcast can be viewed on a mobile phone, it is further necessary to perform key operations on the operation unit while viewing images on the display unit. Normally, since a television image is horizontally long, in order to view a television image as large as possible with a small display portion, the display portion needs to be in a horizontally long state.

  However, the foldable mobile communication device disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires two operations of sliding movement and rotational movement, which cannot be operated with one hand, and has a problem that the operation is complicated.

  Further, the liquid crystal display disclosed in Patent Document 3 is not required to be reduced in size and weight like a mobile phone, and the display portion is not frequently switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. Therefore, there is a problem that the switching mechanism is complicated and the operation is complicated.

  Furthermore, in the conventional foldable mobile communication device, the user may feel uncomfortable when the display unit is wobbled when the display unit is in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. On the other hand, if an elastic member or the like is used to increase the stability of the display unit in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the shock may be too strong during the switching operation, which may cause discomfort.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and the object of the present invention is to devise the structure of the support mechanism of the display unit so that the display unit can be easily placed in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state with one hand. It is possible to eliminate the discomfort during the portrait state, the landscape state, and the switching operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention, a first housing having a display portion on the surface, a second housing having an operation portion on the surface, and the first housing, A hinge portion that folds and connects the second housing so as to be freely opened and closed is provided.

And the said display part is supported by the said 1st housing | casing via the support mechanism so that switching operation is possible between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state,
The support mechanism includes a curved left and right guide groove that is provided in the first housing and is curved in a convex shape extending in the left and right direction, and a vertical guide groove that is provided in the first housing and extends in the vertical direction. A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove; and a second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove;
The support mechanism is provided with an elastic member having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first housing, and urged so that the display unit is in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state,
At least one end of the left-right direction guide groove is provided with an operation changing means for changing the movement of the first guide pin.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is normally used in a vertically long state when the main function is used, such as during a call or during mail transmission / reception. On the other hand, when watching digital terrestrial television broadcasts or sending and receiving e-mail in English, the display unit is set to the horizontal state so that a large horizontal image is displayed on the display unit. It is used while inputting keys on the operation unit in the array state. Thus, when the display unit is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the user needs to perform a switching operation on the display unit supported by the first housing. During this switching operation, the display unit is slid in the left-right direction by the support mechanism so that the first guide pin of the display unit is engaged with the left-right direction guide groove so as to be positioned at the uppermost position in the middle. At the same time, the second guide pin of the display unit slides up and down with the vertical guide groove engaged. The display mechanism is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while the movement of the display portion is restricted by this support mechanism so as not to contact the hinge portion or the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing. In addition, by adjusting the manner in which the urging force of the elastic member is applied to the display unit, the elastic member assists the switching of the display unit from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state, or both. . If the elastic force of this elastic member is made too strong, the impact at the time of switching becomes too strong, and if it is too weak, the sense of stability is impaired. However, the movement of the first guide pin can be made by providing an operation changing means in the left and right direction guide groove. Since it can be changed, these problems are prevented.

  In the second invention, the elastic member is disposed so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the left-right guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the force of the elastic member is stored most in the vicinity of the uppermost point of the left-right guide groove, and the elastic member can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state by exceeding this top point. Assisted by.

  In the third invention, the operation changing means is configured to increase the component force in the extending direction of the groove applied to the first guide pin.

  According to the above configuration, the component force in the direction in which the groove extends beyond the uppermost point of the left and right direction guide groove is applied to the first guide pin, but by increasing the component force in the vicinity of the end of the groove by the operation changing means. , The feeling of stability in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is increased.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, the motion changing means is composed of an upper inflection portion formed so that an inflection point appears in plan view in the vicinity of at least one end portion of the left-right direction guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the inflection point is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the left and right direction guide groove, and the groove shape that bends downward toward the end portion is bent upward, so the groove direction of the elastic force of the elastic member The force increases. For this reason, the feeling of stability of the vertically long state or the horizontally long state of the display unit increases.

  In the fifth invention, the operation changing means is configured to reduce the component force in the extending direction of the groove applied to the first guide pin.

  According to the above configuration, the component force in the direction in which the groove extends beyond the uppermost point of the left and right direction guide groove is applied to the first guide pin, but by reducing the component force in the vicinity of the end of the groove by the operation changing means. In addition, the impact when switching to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is reduced.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the operation changing means is constituted by a downward inflection portion having a radius of curvature that is reduced from the vicinity of at least one end portion of the left-right direction guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the lower inflection point is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the left and right guide groove, and the groove shape that bends downward toward the end portion is further bent downward, so that the elastic force of the elastic member The groove direction component force becomes smaller. For this reason, the impact at the time of switching to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state is reduced.

  In the seventh invention, the elastic member is a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first housing.

  According to said structure, an elastic member is implement | achieved by the structure which is easy and hard to break.

  In the eighth invention, the vertical guide groove extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion. In a ninth invention, the vertical guide groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the hinge portion. In the tenth invention, the vertical guide groove has a curved shape.

  According to these inventions, the required movement of the display unit is achieved by the shape of the vertical guide groove.

  In the eleventh aspect, the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

  According to the above configuration, in a mobile phone that is multifunctional and frequently used, it is easy to switch between landscape and portrait states.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile communication device of the first invention, the first guide pin of the display unit is slid in a state where the first guide pin is engaged with the left-right direction guide groove, and at the same time, 2 The guide pin is slid in a state of being engaged with the vertical guide groove. For this reason, the display unit can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state while the movement of the display unit is restricted, so that the display unit can be enlarged while suppressing the overall size, and contact can be prevented with a simple configuration. It is possible to easily and reliably switch the display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, and easily operate the operation unit with the same operation key arrangement as the familiar vertically long state while viewing the display unit even in the horizontally long state. In addition, an elastic member that urges the support mechanism so that at least the display unit is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is provided, and the switching operation is assisted by the elastic member. For this reason, the user can switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand only with one touch. Furthermore, since the movement of the first guide pin can be changed by providing an operation change means in the left and right direction guide groove, it is possible to prevent the shock at the time of switching from becoming too strong and the sense of stability from being impaired. can do. Therefore, the display unit can be easily and reliably switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand, and the discomfort during the vertically long state, the horizontally long state, and the switching operation can be eliminated.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the elastic member is arranged so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the left and right direction guide groove, so that switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state is performed by the elastic member. Since it is possible to assist, the display unit can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state easily with one hand.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the stability of the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is increased by increasing the component force in the direction in which the groove applied to the first guide pin extends by the operation changing means. Since the display unit does not wobble in the state, user discomfort can be eliminated.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the inflection point is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the left and right direction guide groove so as to increase the groove direction component force of the elastic force of the elastic member. For this reason, since the sense of stability of the vertically long state or the horizontally long state of the display unit is increased, the display unit does not wobble in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, so that user discomfort can be eliminated.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the component force in the extending direction of the groove applied to the first guide pin is reduced by the operation changing means, the impact when switching to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state is reduced. User discomfort can be eliminated.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the lower inflection point is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the left-right direction guide groove so that the groove direction component force of the elastic force of the elastic member is reduced. For this reason, since the impact at the time of switching to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state is reduced, a user's discomfort can be eliminated.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the elastic member is a torsion coil spring that is simple and hard to break, one end is fixed to the first guide pin and the other end is fixed to the first housing. For this reason, an inexpensive and good operability support mechanism can be realized.

  In the eighth to tenth aspects, the vertical guide groove is extended in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge part, is extended in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the hinge part, or is curved. By having the curved shape, the required movement of the display unit can be easily achieved by selecting the optimum shape.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone, a mobile phone having a compact and high commercial value can be obtained, which can be easily switched between a horizontally long or vertically long state and has high operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone with the liquid crystal display unit in a vertically long state in the opened state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone in the middle of switching the liquid crystal display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone when the liquid crystal display unit is in the horizontally long state in the opened state.

  A foldable mobile phone 1 as a foldable mobile communication device of the present embodiment includes a first casing 3 having a liquid crystal display section 2 as a display section on the surface and a second operation section 4 on the surface. A housing 5 and a hinge portion 6 that folds and connects the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so as to be freely opened and closed are provided. Thus, the foldable mobile phone 1 can be switched between the folded state shown in FIG. 1 and the open state shown in FIGS.

  The operation unit 4 of the second casing 5 is provided with a plurality of operation keys 7. The operation keys 7 are arranged so that key input can be performed when the foldable mobile phone 1 is held vertically, and a display is provided on the surface thereof. By operating this operation key 7, many functions of the foldable mobile phone 1 are used. The second casing 5 is provided with a microphone 9 for conversation.

  The liquid crystal display unit 2 and the operation unit 4 are configured to appear when the first housing 3 is opened from the folded state with respect to the second housing 5. Therefore, in this foldable mobile phone 1, regardless of whether the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the user operates the operation unit 4 in the same vertical state while looking at the liquid crystal display 2 a of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The key 7 can be operated.

  The liquid crystal display unit 2 is provided with a rectangular liquid crystal display 2 a so that a lower end portion in a vertically long state is formed in a straight line and occupies most of the surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. A speaker unit 8 for conversation is provided on the upper end side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state. In addition, each corner | angular part of the liquid crystal display part 2 is rounded off from a design or safety viewpoint including the lower end side corner part 2b. A rear liquid crystal 11 for displaying time and the like is provided on the upper rear side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the time and the like can be seen in the folded state.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the first casing 3 includes a cam mechanism 10 as a support mechanism that supports the substantially rectangular plate-like liquid crystal display unit 2 so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. Is provided. The first casing 3 includes a first casing body 3b in which a boss portion 3a into which a shaft portion (not shown) of the hinge portion 6 is inserted on both sides of the lower end portion, and the first casing. A rectangular dish-shaped back cover 3c (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 for illustration) covering the main body 3b and a guide plate 16 described later are provided.

  The first housing body 3b is made of a cast frame made of magnesium alloy or the like, which is a metal molded product. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a cam opening 3d is formed in the first casing body 3b.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cam mechanism 10 includes a curved left and right guide groove 12 provided in the first housing 3 and extending in the left and right direction and curved in a convex shape, and a first housing. A linear vertical guide groove 14 provided in the body 3 extending in the vertical direction, a first guide pin 13 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and slidably engaged with the horizontal guide groove 12, and a liquid crystal display And a second guide pin 15 provided on the back surface of the portion 2 and slidably engaged with the guide groove 14 in the vertical direction.

  That is, the left-right direction guide groove 12 and the up-down direction guide groove 14 are formed in the guide plate 16 fixed to the first housing body 3b. The guide plate 16 is made of a sheet metal such as stainless steel. The left-right guide groove 12 is configured by a curved opening curved in a convex shape, and the center portion of the left-right direction guide groove 12 is offset to the right side of the first housing 3 when the folding cellular phone 1 is viewed from the back. Has been. The vertical guide groove 14 is composed of a peripheral edge portion of a linear opening provided vertically above the uppermost vicinity of the middle convex shape of the horizontal guide groove 12. Stepped portions 12a and 14a that are lower than the other portions are formed on the peripheral edge of the opening on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display portion 2 of the guide grooves 12 and 14. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide plate 16 is inserted into the through hole 16 a and fastened with screws 17 so as to be positioned at the middle portion in the thickness direction of the first housing 3. It is fixed to the first housing body 3b. Thus, the second guide pin 15 corresponding to the support shaft provided perpendicular to the conventional liquid crystal display unit is positioned on the upper right side of the first housing 3 when viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1. Is provided offset.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a metal link member 18 is attached to the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The link member 18 includes a plate-like attachment portion 18b provided with a through-hole 18a for fastening or positioning on the back surface of the liquid crystal display portion 2, and a distal end portion 18c continuous in an L shape from the attachment portion 18b. And have. The first guide pin 13 is provided at one end side of the link member 18, that is, at the tip of the attachment portion 18 b so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. The second guide pin 15 is provided at the other end side of the link member 18, that is, at the end portion of the tip end portion 18c so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. Circular slide portions 13 a and 15 a are formed at the tips of the guide pins 13 and 15. The slide portions 13a and 15a slide on the step portions 12a and 14a, respectively. Thus, the guide pins 13 and 15 are prevented from being detached from the guide grooves 12 and 14, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slidably engaged so as not to be detached from the first housing 3.

  A spring fixing pin 19 is provided below the guide plate 16 so as to extend vertically to the liquid crystal display unit 2 side. A torsion coil spring 20 as an elastic member is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19. Both ends 20a and 20b of the torsion coil spring 20 are formed in a ring shape, and one end 20a is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the first guide pin 13 and the other end 20b is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the spring fixing pin 19. It has been. Thus, the torsion coil spring 20 is supported so as to be swingable to the left and right around the spring fixing pin 19, and the elastic force urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to change from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. It arrange | positions so that it may urge to become a landscape state from a state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the torsion coil spring is in the vicinity when the first guide pin 13 comes closest to the spring fixing pin 19 (when the second guide pin 15 is positioned at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14). 20 is arranged to have the maximum deflection angle and to be compressed most, and the first guide pin 13 is displaced in either the left or right direction from there to urge the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. It is like that.

  An upper inflection portion 40 as an operation changing means for changing the movement of the first guide pin 13 is provided at the longitudinal end portion of the left and right direction guide groove 12. The upper inflection portion 40 is configured by a portion bent upward so that an inflection point appears in a plan view in the vicinity of the vertical side end portion where the liquid crystal display portion 2 of the left and right guide groove 12 is in the vertically long state. Yes. By the upward inflection portion 40, the groove shape bent downward toward the end is bent upward, and the component force in the extending direction of the groove applied to the first guide pin 13 is increased.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left-right guide groove 12, the up-down direction guide groove 14, the first guide pin 13, the second guide pin 15, and the torsion coil spring 20 are configured to be unit-assembleable. The assembled cam mechanism 10 can be attached to the first housing 3 by attaching the guide plate 16 to the first housing body 3b. The guide pins 13 and 15 and the torsion coil spring 20 which are movable parts of the cam mechanism 10 move in the cam opening 3d of the first casing.

  5 to 7, the signal line 21 has one end connected to the back surface of the liquid crystal display 2a and the other end passing through the hinge shaft insertion hole 6a of the hinge portion 6 on the second housing 5 side. By being connected to a substrate (not shown), the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the second casing 5 are electrically connected. In the state where the guide plate 16 is fixed to the first housing body 3b, the upper part is opened and a signal line wiring opening 23 is formed. On the back side of the first housing body 3b, a signal line wiring groove 24 for accommodating the signal line 21 is formed so as to extend from the cam opening 3d side to the hinge portion 6 side. The signal line 21 is accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove 24 so as not to hinder the movement of the cam mechanism 10 even when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in contact with the first housing body 3b in any of the vertically long state, the horizontally long state, and the midway of switching. A bulging contact portion 30 is formed. That is, the contact portion 30 has a shape extending in the up-down direction slightly bulging from the periphery. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is made of a resin molded product, and the contact portion 30 is integrally formed at the time of molding. In addition, the shape of the contact part 30 is not limited to this embodiment, An ellipse, a circle, a rectangle, etc. may be sufficient.

-Action-
Next, the operation of the folding mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, when the foldable mobile phone 1 is not used or in a standby state, the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are closed and in a folded state.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are opened, the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the operation unit 4 appear. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is in a vertically long state during normal telephone calls or mail transmission / reception, and is used while inputting keys on the operation unit 4.

  On the other hand, when viewing a horizontally long image such as when viewing digital terrestrial television broadcasting or creating or reading a mail in English, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 to switch from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  First, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 clockwise against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20 as viewed from the surface, and moves the lower end corner 2b to the position shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second guide pin 15 located at the lower end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the upper end, and the left and right guide grooves 12 The first guide pin 13 at the left end moves to the center.

  Next, when the maximum deflection angle of the torsion coil spring 20 is exceeded, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is assisted by the urging force and switched to the horizontally long state shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second guide pin 15 located at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the lower end, and the left and right guide grooves 12 The first guide pin 13 located at the center moves to the right end.

  Thus, the cam mechanism 10 causes the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 to slide in the left-right direction so that the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is located at the uppermost position in the middle in the left-right direction. The second guide pin 15 slides in the vertical guide groove 14 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 17 shows a locus R drawn by the cam mechanism 10 where the center r1 of the chamfered arc of the lower corner portion 2b is restricted by the cam mechanism 10. At this time, since the lower end side corner portion 2b is rounded, the lowermost end portion at the time of switching the rounded portion is a linear locus L1 maintaining a certain clearance S with the hinge portion 6. It is guided and supported so as to move. For this reason, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 does not move below the locus L1, even if the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not rounded along the radius around the support shaft as in the prior art, The liquid crystal display unit 2 does not contact the hinge unit 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the signal line 21 is securely accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove 24, so that the switching of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not hindered by other members.

  Even in the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 4, the central portion in the left-right direction of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is positioned substantially in the center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3. Then, a setting is made so that a horizontally long image is displayed large on the liquid crystal display 2a, and a user enters a quiz program from the TV while inputting keys on the operation unit 4, or uses TV shopping or bank transfer through the TV. .

  In addition, after use, contrary to the above, the lower corner 2b on the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the surface so as to resist the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20, When the torsion coil spring 20 exceeds the maximum deflection angle, the liquid crystal display unit 2 returns to the vertically long state while being assisted by the biasing force.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a part of the contact portion 30 on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is always on the first housing body 3b regardless of the orientation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state, the horizontally long state, or during switching. It is in contact. For this reason, the force applied to the liquid crystal display unit 2 is transmitted to the first casing body 3b having high rigidity at the two locations of the link member 18 and the contact portion 30, and therefore does not rattle.

  Then, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are folded to be in a standby state.

  Next, the force applied to the first guide pin 13 will be described with reference to FIG. X indicates the center line of the left-right direction guide groove 12. A spring fixing pin 19 is shown as one fixed point.

  At the point A that is in the middle of switching, the torsion coil spring 20 has the maximum deflection angle and is in the most compressed state. The point A is located near the uppermost point of the left and right direction guide groove 12. At this time, since the elastic force F10 of the torsion coil spring 20 is applied to the first guide pin 13 in a direction perpendicular to the tangential direction of the left-right guide groove 12, the first guide pin 13 is moved along the left-right direction guide groove 12. Does not work to move. In FIG. 18, when proceeding to the right of point A, switching from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state is assisted by the torsion coil spring 20. When proceeding to the left of point A, the torsion coil spring 20 assists in switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  Next, at the point B on the way to return to the vertically long state, the first component force F21 in the extending direction of the left and right direction guide groove 12 and the second component force F22 in the direction perpendicular to the tangential direction of the left and right direction guide groove 12 as shown in FIG. Divided. The first component force F21 acts to move the first guide pin 13 to the right along the left-right direction guide groove 12. It is assumed that the elastic force F20 of the torsion coil spring 20 at the point B is the same as the elastic force F10 at the point A.

  Next, at the point C in the vertically long state, the upper inflection portion 40 is provided at the longitudinal end of the left and right direction guide groove 12, so that the right and left direction guide groove 12 extends in the vicinity of the end of the left and right direction guide groove 12. The first component force F31 increases compared to the first component force F21 at point B. As a result, the first guide pin 13 becomes difficult to move in the reverse direction, so that a sense of stability in the vertically long state increases. It is assumed that the elastic force F30 of the torsion coil spring 20 at the point C is the same as the elastic force F10 at the point A.

-Effect of the embodiment-
Therefore, according to the foldable mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment, the first housing 3 is constituted by the first housing body 3b made of a molded product, the guide plate 16 made of sheet metal, and the like. For this reason, the 1st housing | casing 3 can be made thin and durable. In addition, the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slid in a state where the first guide pin 13 is engaged with the left-right direction guide groove 12, and at the same time, the second guide pin 15 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is engaged with the vertical direction guide groove 14. The slide is moved in the state. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state while the movement of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is restricted. Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be enlarged while maintaining the overall size and can be contacted with a simple configuration. The liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily and surely switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while preventing the occurrence of the trouble. Can be easily operated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is provided with the torsion coil spring 20 that urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and the torsion coil spring 20 assists the switching operation. For this reason, the user can switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand only with one touch.

  In the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is arranged so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the left-right guide groove 12, so that the torsion coil spring 20 can switch from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state. Since it is possible to assist, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state easily with one hand.

  In the above embodiment, the upper bending portion 40 is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the left and right guide groove 12 so that the groove direction component force F31 of the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 20 is increased. For this reason, since the stability of the vertically long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is increased, the liquid crystal display unit 2 does not wobble in the vertically long state.

  Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand, and the discomfort during the vertically long state, the horizontally long state, and the switching operation can be eliminated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is a torsion coil spring that is simple and hard to break, one end 20 a is fixed to the first guide pin 13, and the other end 20 b is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19 of the first housing 3. For this reason, the cheap and smooth cam mechanism 10 is realizable.

  In the above-described embodiment, since the foldable mobile communication device is the mobile phone 1, the mobile phone 1 can be easily switched between the horizontally long and the vertically long state, has high operability, and is compact and thin with high commercial value.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

  In other words, in the above embodiment, the upper inflection 40 is provided only at the longitudinal end 12b of the left-right guide groove 12, but the upper inflection 40 may be provided at the opposite end. As a result, the force in the extending direction of the groove at the opposite end of the left and right direction guide groove 12 increases, and the first guide pin 13 becomes difficult to move in the reverse direction, so that a sense of stability in the horizontally long state increases. Contrary to the above, an operation changing means at the opposite end may be provided to reduce the component force in the direction in which the groove applied to the first guide pin 13 extends. As a result, a component force in the direction in which the groove extends beyond the uppermost point of the left and right direction guide groove 12 is applied to the first guide pin 13, but by reducing the component force in the vicinity of the end of the groove by the operation changing means. The impact when switching to the landscape state is reduced. Specifically, it is only necessary to provide a downward inflection portion having a radius of curvature that is smaller from the vicinity of the end portion as the operation changing means. As a result, the groove shape that bends downward toward the end portion is further bent downward, so that the component force in the groove direction of the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 20 is reduced. For this reason, a user's discomfort can be eliminated. As described above, by combining various patterns as the operation changing means, the stability of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is increased in the portion provided with the upper inflection portion 40, and the switching is performed in the portion provided with the lower inflection portion. The impact during the reduction is reduced. Thus, since the movement of the first guide pin 13 can be changed by appropriately providing the operation changing means, it is possible to prevent the shock at the time of switching from becoming excessively strong or the sense of stability from being impaired. be able to.

  Instead of the torsion coil spring 20, a compression coil spring can be used as the elastic member.

  Moreover, the shape of the left-right direction guide groove 12 and the up-down direction guide groove 14 is not restricted to the said embodiment. For example, the vertical guide groove may extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion 6 as in the above embodiment, but as shown in FIG. It may be extended in an inclined direction or may have a curved shape. Even in this case, the lowermost end portion of the rounded chamfered lower end side corner portion 2b is guided and supported so as to move along a linear locus L2 with a constant gap S between the lower end side corner portion 2b and the hinge portion 6. Thus, by selecting the optimal shapes of the left and right direction guide grooves 12 and the vertical direction guide grooves 14, the required movement of the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily achieved.

  In the said embodiment, although the 1st housing body 3b was comprised with the metal molded product, you may comprise with a resin molded product. As a result, a first casing body that is lightweight and easy to color can be obtained, and the foldable mobile phone 1 can be lightweight and have a good appearance. Moreover, if it molds with a reinforced fiber plastic etc., the 1st housing | casing main body with high rigidity is also realizable, and thickness reduction is easy.

  In the above embodiment, the contact portion 30 is formed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display portion 2, but it may be formed integrally with the first housing body 3b. Accordingly, it is not necessary to form the contact portion 30 as a separate part, and it can be easily formed, cost-effective, and reliably formed at a fixed position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 guides and supports the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the lower end side corner portion 2b moves along the linear locus L1 along the hinge portion 6. You may make it move along a locus. In this case, the locus of the lower end side corner portion 2b of the liquid crystal display unit 2 may be adjusted by the shape of the left and right direction guide groove 12. This makes it possible to provide a camera or the like at the bulging portion between the lower end portion of the first housing 3 and the hinge portion 6, and in this case also, the lower end side corner of the liquid crystal display portion 2 is provided at the bulging portion. It can prevent that the part 2b contacts.

  In the above embodiment, only one guide groove 12 in the left-right direction is provided, but two guide grooves 12 may be provided. In this case, the second left and right direction guide groove 12 having a tightly inclined middle convex shape is provided above the vertical direction guide groove 14, and the second left and right direction guide groove 12 is provided in the link member 18. What is necessary is just to move the 2nd 1st guide pin. In this manner, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be smoothly switched and can be supported firmly so as to be able to further counteract the force of separating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the first housing 3. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the left and right direction guide grooves 12, the up and down direction guide grooves 14, the first guide pins 13 and the second guide pins 15 are unit-assembled. And the vertical guide groove 14 are integrally provided on the guide plate 16 of the first housing 3, and the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are integrally provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2, and are caulked, fastened, etc. Therefore, the slide portions 13a and 15a may be provided later.

  In the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is arranged to be urged when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, but only when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. You may make it preferentially energize.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is viewed from the front surface, but may be switched counterclockwise.

  In the above-described embodiment, the center portion in the left-right direction in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is positioned at the substantially center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3, but may be offset to either the left or right.

  In the said embodiment, although the liquid crystal display part 2 as a display part had the liquid crystal display 2a, you may have an organic EL display.

  In the above embodiment, the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone, but may be a PHS, a PDA, a game machine having a communication function, or the like.

  In addition, the above embodiment is an essentially preferable illustration, Comprising: It does not intend restrict | limiting the range of this invention, its application thing, or a use.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a foldable mobile communication device having a support mechanism that supports a liquid crystal display unit such as a mobile phone so that the liquid crystal display unit can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

It is a perspective view which shows the folding type mobile telephone concerning embodiment of this invention in a folding state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in the vertically long state in the opened state. It is a perspective view which shows the folding-type mobile telephone in the middle of switching a liquid crystal display part to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. It is a perspective view which shows a foldable mobile telephone when a liquid crystal display part is in a horizontally long state in the open state. It is a rear view of a foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in a vertically long state. It is a rear view of the foldable mobile phone in a switching process of the liquid crystal display unit. It is a rear view of a foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in a horizontally long state. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a vertically long state, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of the switching process, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a landscape state, and its periphery. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from the surface side. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st case body from the surface side. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st case body from the back side. It is a rear view of a liquid crystal display part. It is a rear view of the liquid crystal display part and the 1st case main part which show the locus | trajectory of a contact part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the locus | trajectory of the lower end side corner part of a 1st housing | casing. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the left-right direction guide groove 12 showing the force concerning a 1st guide pin from the front. FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 17 according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile communication device)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
2b Lower end side corner portion 3 First housing 3b First housing body 4 Operation portion 5 Second housing 6 Hinge portion 10 Cam mechanism (support mechanism)
12 Left and right guide groove 12
13 First guide pin 14 Vertical guide groove 15 Second guide pin 16 Guide plate 20 Coil spring (elastic member)
20a One end 20b The other end 21 Signal line 23 Signal line wiring opening 24 Signal line wiring concave groove

Claims (11)

A first housing having a display portion on a surface;
A second housing having an operation portion on the surface;
A hinge portion that folds and connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be freely opened and closed;
The display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
The support mechanism includes a curved left and right guide groove that is provided in the first housing and is curved in a convex shape extending in the left and right direction, and a vertical guide groove that is provided in the first housing and extends in the vertical direction. A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove; and a second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove;
The support mechanism is provided with an elastic member having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first housing, and urged so that the display unit is in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state,
A foldable portable communication device characterized in that an operation changing means for changing the movement of the first guide pin is provided at at least one end of the left-right guide groove. In the foldable portable communication device according to claim 1,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the elastic member is arranged to be compressed most in the vicinity of the uppermost point of the left-right direction guide groove. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 2,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the operation changing means is configured to increase a component force in a direction in which the groove applied to the first guide pin extends. In the foldable portable communication device according to claim 3,
The foldable mobile phone characterized in that the operation changing means is composed of an upper inflection portion formed so that an inflection point appears in plan view in the vicinity of at least one end portion of the left-right guide groove. Communication equipment. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 2,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the operation changing means is configured to reduce a component force in a direction in which the groove applied to the first guide pin extends. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 5,
The foldable mobile communication device, wherein the operation changing means is composed of a downward inflection portion having a radius of curvature that is reduced from the vicinity of at least one end of the left-right guide groove. The folding portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the elastic member is a torsion coil spring. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to an axial direction of the hinge portion. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The folding portable communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove has a curved shape. The foldable mobile communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

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