JP2014085734A - Convertible type tablet personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convertible type personal computer having both functions of a notebook personal computer mainly operated from a keyboard and a tablet type personal computer capable of increasing the strength and the rigidity of a switching mechanism part which is used for imposing a liquid crystal display surface on a keyboard surface in a same direction as a cover during use by the tablet type and achieving thinness of it.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display part is connected to a personal computer body rear end at the left and the right of its lower end to be openable/closable, the rear end part of the body side supporting a parallel biaxial hinge enabling 360-degree rotation is formed into a cross beam shape separated from the body, and its center is rotatably connected via a rotary shaft orthogonal to the cross beam to the body to be bound by a stopper. During use by the tablet type, the liquid crystal display part is dropped by about 180 degrees by the opening/closing hinge, the stopper part is separated to reversely rotated around a rotary shaft by 180 degrees, and then the liquid crystal display surface is dropped up by the opening/closing hinge to cover the keyboard surface and be used.

Description

The present invention is a convertible type that improves the function and strength rigidity of the attitude switching mechanism of the liquid crystal display unit and thins the thickness in a convertible type computer that has both functions of a notebook computer mainly operated by keyboard and a tablet type computer by touch panel operation. It relates to tablet computers.

In a convertible computer that has both the functions of a notebook computer with a keyboard operation and a tablet computer with a touch panel operation, the pressure-sensitive liquid crystal display unit is reversed by a hinge mechanism unit that is connected to the main body side where the keyboard is located. A method of switching and using as a tablet type in a folded form with the upper side facing is generally used.

The hinge mechanism section has two rotation axes orthogonal to each other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the lower end center part of the liquid crystal display part and the rear end center part of the PC main body part are located at one place by the hinge mechanism. In many cases, the liquid crystal display unit is opened and closed around the horizontal axis and inverted around the vertical axis.

In this method, since it is a movable part that combines both the lower end of the liquid crystal display and the central part of the back of the PC main body, the strength and rigidity of the combined part is not great, especially in the keyboard method. At times, the liquid crystal display portion tends to be unstable and unstable, or has a difficulty in durability.

In addition, since one of the orthogonal biaxial hinge mechanism parts is coupled to the liquid crystal display part side, the liquid crystal display part is becoming thinner and the total thickness of the folded part is increased, which tends to impair portability. is there. If the hinge mechanism is downsized to avoid this, there is a problem that the strength and rigidity are further reduced.

In order to solve these problems, the liquid crystal display unit and the PC main unit are connected by a general left-right paired open / close hinge, and a parallel biaxial hinge is used there, so that the liquid crystal display unit is A convertible tablet PC that is capable of 360-degree rotation to the back of the PC main unit and can be used in a tablet system, avoiding a decrease in strength and rigidity of the liquid crystal display reversing mechanism and reducing the overall thickness. It has been commercialized.

However, in this method, when the tablet method is used in a folded state with the liquid crystal display surface as an upper surface, the keyboard surface is exposed on the bottom surface side on the back side. For this reason, even if measures are taken to temporarily disable the function of the keys, the stability when holding the PC main body on the arm or palm is reduced, the keyboard is pressed and damaged, and the gap inside the main body There is also a high risk of fouling and leading to failure.

The appearance of a convertible tablet computer that has a liquid crystal display position change mechanism that solves these problems, is robust and durable, has good holding stability when used in a portable manner, and is thin and easy to use.

JP 2012-097846 A JP 2010-140636 JP 2008-275139 A JP 2008-095938 JP 2007-177829 A JP 2005-172133 A JP 2004-360758 A JP 2002-155923 A Real climbing 3083784

None

In a convertible computer that has both the functions of a notebook computer that mainly operates keyboards and a tablet computer that uses touch panels, when using the tablet system, the LCD screen is covered in the same direction on the keyboard surface. Provided is a convertible tablet personal computer that improves the strength and rigidity of the posture switching mechanism of the liquid crystal display unit for protecting the screen and making it a folded form that is easy to hold and easy to use.

A parallel biaxial hinge is adopted as an open / close hinge that couples the liquid crystal display side to the rear end of the personal computer main body on both the left and right sides of the lower end of the liquid crystal display so that the liquid crystal display can be opened and closed 360 degrees. The rear end of the PC main body that supports the left and right hinge joints has a horizontal girder shape separated from the main body, and can be rotated with the main body via a horizontal rotation shaft that is perpendicular to the central part. Join. Further, a restraining mechanism for restraining and holding the opening / closing hinge support beam in a horizontal position is provided between the main body and the body.
When using the tablet method, the liquid crystal display unit is opened with the open / close hinge from the closed state with the keyboard method and horizontally tilted by about 180 degrees, and then, the restraint portion of the open / close hinge support girder by the restraint mechanism is detached, After flipping the front and back 180 degrees around the rotation axis of the PC, stand up with an open / close hinge and fold it so that the liquid crystal display surface faces upward and covers the keyboard surface. Or hold it on your arm or palm.
In combination with the general opening and closing hinge form that supports the posture switching mechanism of the liquid crystal display unit on both the left and right sides, regardless of the central one point support system, the posture switching mechanism is reduced in size, strength, rigidity, and durability. A thin convertible tablet PC was obtained.

According to the convertible tablet personal computer of the present invention, when used in the tablet system, the liquid crystal display surface is folded in the same direction on the keyboard surface so as to cover the keyboard surface, so that the keyboard surface is protected from the outside. At the same time, the bottom surface of the main body can be stably held on a desk or on an arm or palm.
A parallel biaxial hinge is used as the open / close hinge of the liquid crystal display, and it is supported at two places on the left and right sides of the lower end as in the case of a general notebook computer. The means is to avoid the thin liquid crystal display part side and to provide it on the main body side, so that the liquid crystal display part of the liquid crystal display part is connected to the central part of the rear end of the personal computer main body by an orthogonal biaxial hinge. The strength and rigidity of the posture switching mechanism is improved, and the liquid crystal display screen is not glazed or unstable during use, improving durability and avoiding an increase in the thickness of the entire PC, making it thinner and more portable Can be secured. In addition, it is easy to change the orientation of the liquid crystal display section between the keyboard method and the tablet method.
The present invention has wide applicability because it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration and a partial structure change on the main body side, while maintaining a support structure on the liquid crystal display portion side of a general notebook personal computer.

FIG. 1 shows an overall outline of a liquid crystal display portion of a personal computer according to the present invention fully opened. FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display portion reverse rotation restraining mechanism of the A portion in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism of the B part in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a reverse rotation process of the liquid crystal display unit of the personal computer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an inverted state of the liquid crystal display portion of the personal computer according to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows an upward folding process of the liquid crystal display portion of the personal computer according to the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a folded state of the tablet system of the personal computer according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the operation mode of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge according to the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example of a wide single mounting of the parallel biaxial opening / closing hinge according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an operation mode at the time of switching from the keyboard system to the tablet system of the parallel biaxial opening / closing hinge in the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side view showing an operation mode at the time of switching from the tablet system to the keyboard system of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a liquid crystal display unit opening / closing limiter according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cut-out view of a part of the side surface of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge according to the present invention (FIG. 14 YY ′ cross section). FIG. 14 is a cut-out view of the front (FIG. 13 XX ′ cross section) of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the overall configuration of a convertible tablet personal computer according to the present invention. The liquid crystal display unit 1 is connected to the personal computer main unit 2 via an open / close hinge support beam 4 by a parallel biaxial open / close hinge module 3 on both the left and right sides of the lower end 1B.
The opening / closing hinge support beam 4 and the rear end 2B of the personal computer main body 2 have a liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism 5 having a horizontal rotation axis perpendicular to them at the center, and the liquid crystal display unit 1 is turned upside down 180. It is coupled so that it can be turned back and forth.

In order to hold the reverse rotation angle of the liquid crystal display unit 1 at the horizontal positions of 0 degrees and 180 degrees corresponding to the front and back, the left and right sides of the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 and the rear end 2B of the PC main body 2 (A in FIG. 1) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an example of the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation restraint mechanism 6 provided in the unit).

A detailed cross section of the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism 5 is shown in FIG.
An electric harness 54 that connects the personal computer main body side and the liquid crystal display unit side is passed through the hollow part of the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation shaft 51. Since the reverse rotation angle of the liquid crystal display unit 1 is limited to a range of 0 to 180 degrees by the limiter mechanism, the twist of the electric harness 54 due to the rotation can be suppressed within a certain range.

A process of switching the orientation of the liquid crystal display unit 1 from being folded in the keyboard type usage mode to the tablet type usage mode is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7. After the liquid crystal display unit 1 is horizontally opened by about 180 degrees using an open / close hinge as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism 5 reverses the liquid crystal display surface 180 degrees as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At this time, the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation limiter passage notch 43 formed on one of the left and right sides of the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 passes through the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation limiter 22 provided on the left and right sides of the personal computer main body 2, thereby causing 0. The reciprocating reversal rotation on the liquid crystal display unit side within the limit range of 180 degrees to 180 degrees is possible.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the process of switching the liquid crystal display unit 1 from the keyboard-type folding state to the tablet-type folding posture, and the movement of the opening / closing hinge module 3 and the opening / closing hinge support beam 4, and FIG. Respectively.
Conversely, FIG. 11 shows a rear side view when switching from the tablet-type folded state to the keyboard-type folded posture.
The first hinge shaft 31 on the liquid crystal display unit side and the second hinge shaft 32 on the personal computer body (opening / closing hinge support beam) side are intermediate positions in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal display unit and personal computer body (opening / closing hinge support beam), respectively. Bonded to each other.

The rotational frictional forces around the first hinge shaft 31 on the liquid crystal display unit side and the second hinge shaft 32 on the personal computer body (opening / closing hinge support beam) side are large enough to hold the liquid crystal display unit at an arbitrary opening / closing angle. The rotational frictional force generation mechanism for each is provided, but the latter is set to be larger.
As a result, the liquid crystal display unit reciprocates around the first hinge axis within the range of 0 degrees in the folded state to 180 degrees in the fully opened state, and when the range is exceeded, the limiter mechanism rotates around the first hinge axis. The movement stops, and the position of the open / close hinge module 3 and the first hinge shaft supported therein reciprocates around the second hinge shaft within a limit range of 0 degrees vertically downward from 180 degrees by the limiter mechanism. It turns.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a limiter mechanism that limits the opening / closing rotation around the first hinge shaft 31 so that the opening / closing angle of the liquid crystal display unit 1 does not exceed the range of 0 degrees in the folded state to 180 degrees in the fully opened state.
The inner and outer edges of the first hinge shaft mounting notch at the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit hit the shoulders on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the holder 34 of the open / close hinge module 3 at the open / close angle of 0 ° and 180 °, respectively. A spacer part is provided on the liquid crystal display part side so as to stop moving, and an open limiter 12 and a closed limiter 13 are formed.
As for the second hinge shaft 32 side, the opening / closing hinge module 3 is pivoted when the outer surface of the parallel portion of the holder 34 comes into contact with the rear end face of the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 when the vertical surface is at 0 ° vertically upward and 180 ° downward. A limiter function is achieved by mounting so that the rotation stops.

An example of the structure of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge module 3 and a mechanism for generating a rotational frictional force around the first hinge shaft 31 and the second hinge shaft 32 is shown in a partially cut-out side view of FIG. Moreover, the front cutout view is shown in FIG.
The first hinge shaft 31 and the second hinge shaft 32 are respectively coupled to the opening / closing hinge mounting portion 11 on the liquid crystal display portion side and the opening / closing hinge mounting portion 41 on the opening / closing hinge support girder side through relative rotation preventing means. .
The central part of each hinge shaft supported by the holder part 34 forms friction shaft parts 31a, 32a, and friction shoes 31b, 32b pressed against the cylindrical surface of each friction shaft by the friction springs 31c, 32c. The rotational resistance of each hinge shaft is given by the frictional force. The rotational resistance on the second hinge shaft side is set to be larger than that on the first hinge shaft side depending on the elastic characteristics of the springs, the number of installations, and the like.

The electrical harness 54 that connects the liquid crystal display unit side to the personal computer main body side is a hollow hole in the hinge shaft or the outer periphery of the parallel biaxial open / close hinge portion according to the present invention as in the case of a general personal computer open / close hinge portion. We place outfitting via part.

The open / close hinge module 3 that couples the liquid crystal display unit 1 so that it can be opened and closed on both the left and right sides of the lower end 1B and the open / close hinge support beam 4 is mounted in a pair of left and right as shown in the embodiment of FIG. As in the ninth embodiment, there is a form in which a wide type module is mounted as a single unit.

The liquid crystal display portion reverse rotation restraint mechanism 6 provided between the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 and the PC main body 2 is an elastic rotation by a combination of a ball plunger 61 or a leaf spring and its receiving groove shown in the embodiment of FIG. In addition to moving stoppers, there are also methods using fixed pins and fixed brackets. Also, the mounting method is not limited to the position and direction of FIG. 2, and there is a configuration in which the ball plunger is the personal computer body side.

There is also a mounting method opposite to the embodiment of FIG. 3 in which the hollow rotating shaft 51 of the liquid crystal display unit reverse rotating mechanism 5 is fixed to the personal computer main body 2 side and the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 side is fitted and rotated. .

The liquid crystal display unit reverse rotation limiter 22 is formed on the personal computer body 2 side, and the liquid crystal display unit reverse rotation limiter passage notch 43 is provided on the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 side. There is also an installation form.

In addition to the embodiment in which the open limiter 12 and the closed limiter 13 are formed by the method shown in FIG. 12, both ends of a circumferential notch provided on the surface of the first hinge shaft friction shaft 31a and convex portions formed on the inner surface of the holder 34 There is also a method of forming a rotation limiter that limits the opening / closing rotation angle on the liquid crystal display unit 1 side to a range of 0 to 180 degrees by a stopper function by hitting.

The friction springs 31c and 32c of the first hinge shaft and the second hinge shaft are not limited to the coil springs shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, but may be elastic bodies such as leaf springs and rubber blocks. Further, the shape and holding method of the spring retainer 33 are not limited to the form shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to portable, relatively small and thin convertible tablet computers, but can also be applied to cases where notebook computers, which are mainly used on desks, are also used in tablet systems. In addition, even if the liquid crystal display unit is not a tablet system, it can be used for a presentation or the like while showing to the other party in a state where the liquid crystal display surface of the notebook personal computer is turned upside down.

1. LCD display
1A LCD screen (supports touch panel operation)
1B Bottom edge
1C Top plate
11 Opening and closing hinge (first hinge shaft) mounting part (left and right)
12 Open limiter
13 Closed limiter

2. PC body
2A keyboard side
2B Rear end
2C Bottom
21 Elastic rotation stopper receiving groove (left and right)
22 LCD display reverse rotation limiter (left and right)

3. Opening and closing hinge module (parallel biaxial hinge)
31 First hinge shaft (liquid crystal display side)
31a First hinge shaft friction shaft
31b First hinge shaft friction shoe
31c 1st hinge shaft friction spring
32 Second hinge shaft (PC body side)
32a 2nd hinge shaft friction shaft
32b 2nd hinge shaft friction shoe
32c 2nd hinge shaft friction spring
33 Spring retainer
34 Holder

4). Opening and closing hinge support girder
41 Opening and closing hinge (second hinge shaft) mounting part (left and right)
42 LCD display reverse rotation shaft fitting part
43 LCD display reverse rotation limiter passage notch

5. Liquid crystal display reverse rotation mechanism
51 LCD reversing rotation axis (hollow rotation axis)
52 Opening hinge support girder presser foot
53 Low friction seal
54 Electrical harness

6). LCD display reverse rotation restraint mechanism (left and right)
61 Elastic rotation stopper (ball plunger) (left and right)
62 Embedded mounting holes (left and right)

1 shows an overall overview of a fully opened liquid crystal display portion of a personal computer according to the present invention. The partial cross-section enlarged view of the liquid crystal display part reverse rotation restraint mechanism of the A section of FIG. 1 is shown. The cross-sectional enlarged view of the liquid crystal display part inversion rotation mechanism of the B section of FIG. 1 is shown. 4 illustrates a reverse rotation process of a liquid crystal display unit of a personal computer according to the present invention. 2 shows an inverted state of a liquid crystal display unit of a personal computer according to the present invention. 4 illustrates an upward folding process of a liquid crystal display unit of a personal computer according to the present invention. The folding state in the tablet system of the personal computer by this invention is shown. The rear view which shows the action | operation form of the parallel biaxial opening-and-closing hinge in this invention. The wide single installation example of the parallel biaxial type | mold opening / closing hinge in this invention is shown. The side view which shows the action | operation form at the time of the switching from the keyboard system of the parallel biaxial opening-and-closing hinge in this invention to a tablet system. The side view which shows the action | operation form at the time of switching from the tablet system to the keyboard system of the parallel biaxial opening-and-closing hinge in this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows an example of the liquid crystal display part opening / closing limiter in this invention. FIG. 14 is a cut-out view of a part of the side surface of the parallel biaxial opening / closing hinge according to the present invention (cross section taken along the line Y-Y ′ in FIG. 14). The front (FIG. 13 X-X 'cross section) cutout view of the parallel biaxial opening-and-closing hinge in this invention. The partial cross-sectional enlarged view of the other Example of the liquid crystal display part inversion rotation restraint mechanism in this invention. Side surface partial sectional drawing which shows the other Example and rotation form of the rotation limiter mechanism around each axis | shaft of the parallel biaxial opening-and-closing hinge in this invention. The side sectional view showing other examples of the rotation limiter mechanism and friction mechanism around each axis of the parallel biaxial opening and closing hinge in the present invention. The front cut-out view which shows the other Example of the rotation limiter mechanism around each axis | shaft of the parallel biaxial type | mold opening / closing hinge in this invention, and a friction mechanism.

The liquid crystal display portion reverse rotation restraint mechanism 6 provided between the opening / closing hinge support beam 4 and the PC main body 2 is a combination of the ball plunger 61, the leaf spring and its receiving groove shown in the embodiment of FIGS. In addition to the elastic rotation stopper, there is also a method using a fixing pin or a fixing bracket. Also, the mounting method is not limited to the position and direction in FIG. 2, and there is a configuration in which the ball plunger or the like is on the personal computer main body side.

In addition to the embodiment in which the open limiter 12 and the closed limiter 13 are formed by the method shown in FIG. 12, the circumferential notch provided on the surface of the first hinge shaft friction shaft 31a as shown in FIGS. By forming these so that the center angles formed by the both ends and the convex portions formed on the upper bottom of the inner surface of the holder 34 are complementary to each other, by contact with one of the opposite end faces of both circumferential ends There is also a method of forming a rotation limiter that limits the opening / closing rotation angle on the liquid crystal display unit 1 side to a range of 0 to 180 degrees by a stopper function.
Similarly, a limiter mechanism for limiting the pivoting motion of the first hinge shaft and the open / close hinge module relative to the second hinge shaft from 0 degrees vertically upward to 180 degrees downward can also be formed.

The friction springs 31c and 32c of the first hinge shaft and the second hinge shaft are not limited to the coil springs shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, but may be elastic bodies such as leaf springs and rubber blocks as shown in FIGS. good. Further, the shape and holding method of the spring retainer 33 are not limited to the form shown in FIG.

Claims (4)

A liquid crystal display unit compatible with touch panel operation, a notebook personal computer main unit with a keyboard, and an open / close rotational frictional force that can be held at an arbitrary open / close angle by engaging the liquid crystal display unit with the personal computer main unit side so as to be opened and closed. Each of the rear end portions of the display unit and the personal computer main body portion has a first axis and a second axis that are fixedly supported at both end portions in parallel with each other in the thickness direction center position, and the rotation resistance around the latter An elastic friction means for urging the liquid crystal display to be larger is provided at each bearing portion, and the pivotable angle around the first axis of the liquid crystal display unit is limited to 180 degrees from its folded position. A parallel biaxial open / close hinge module in which each limiter for limiting the pivotable angle about the second axis to 180 degrees from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction is provided between the liquid crystal display unit and the PC main body. , Opening the above Opening / closing hinge support girder that fixes and supports the hinge second axis on both the left and right sides of the rear end of the PC main body, and the former pivots with respect to the latter around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the center of the support girder and the PC rear end. Liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism consisting of a hollow shaft that engages and allows electrical harness to pass, and liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation restraint provided between the PC main body unit to hold the support beam in a horizontal position The reciprocating rotation range of the mechanism and the support girder is limited to 180 degrees corresponding to reversing the front and back of the liquid crystal display unit, and the liquid crystal display unit reversing rotation provided between the PC main body unit to prevent excessive twisting of the electrical harness Consists of limiters,

When using the keyboard method, the liquid crystal display unit is opened around the first axis of the open / close hinge and used in a general form. When using the tablet method, the liquid crystal display unit is further opened and tilted approximately horizontally. The liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation restraint mechanism part is released and twisted around the rotation axis of the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism to reverse the front and back, and then the liquid crystal display surface is faced upward and the keyboard surface By tilting around the second axis of the open / close hinge as described above, the attitude switching mechanism of the liquid crystal display unit is improved in strength and durability regardless of the central one-point support method, and is thin. A convertible tablet computer that features protection of the keyboard and retention stability during use. Friction shaft formed at the center of each of the first and second hinges of the open / close hinge, a friction shoe that generates a rotational frictional force by being pressed against its cylindrical surface, an elastic member that urges the pressure, and a retainer thereof The holder is configured to hold and store and hold the bearing function, and the elastic characteristics or arrangement of the elastic member allows the liquid crystal display unit to hold the rotational frictional force of each axis of the open / close hinge at an arbitrary open / close angle, and Energizing can be set individually so that the second axis side becomes larger,
The convertible tablet personal computer according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel biaxial open / close hinge module that can be installed in either a left or right side of the rear end of the personal computer. When the opening / closing angle of the liquid crystal display unit is 0 degree and 180 degrees, the inner and outer edges of the opening / closing hinge first shaft mounting notch at the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit are respectively one of the shoulders on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the holder of the opening / closing hinge module A spacer-like open / close limiter is formed on the liquid crystal display portion side so as to stop the rotation when it hits, and the turning angle around the second axis of the first axis position of the open / close hinge is 0 degrees vertically upward and 180 degrees downward The convertible tablet according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a limiter function so that the outer surface of the holder of the open / close hinge module hits the rear end surface of the open / close hinge support girder and stops turning at the position of the open / close hinge module. computer. In order to hold the open / close hinge support girder in a horizontal position, elastic stoppers, such as a combination of a ball plunger and its receiving groove, are installed between the left and right sides of the PC main body, and when the liquid crystal display is turned in the reverse direction. 4. A liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation restraining mechanism for removing the restraint by a simple operation by a torsional force around the liquid crystal display unit reversal rotation mechanism is provided. Convertible tablet PC of description.

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