JP5200391B2 - Hinge unit and folding portable electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  One aspect of the present invention relates to a hinge unit that connects two housings so as to be openable and closable. Another aspect of the present invention is a foldable portable electronic device in which a first housing provided with an operation unit and a second housing paired with the first housing are connected to each other by a hinge unit so as to be opened and closed. It is about.

  A foldable mobile phone (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “mobile phone”), which is one of the foldable mobile electronic devices, is paired with a first housing provided with an operation unit. And a second housing provided with a display unit, and a hinge shaft for connecting the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable. Further, in recent years, in order to increase the relative opening / closing angle between the first casing and the second casing, two hinge axes (two parallel axes) arranged in parallel with the first casing and the second casing. A structure for connecting via a hinge) has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, there is also a mobile phone provided with a fixing means for temporarily fixing an opening / closing operation of two housings connected by a parallel biaxial hinge at a predetermined opening / closing angle, and a releasing means for releasing the fixing by the fixing means. It has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 13 shows a specific structure of a conventional mobile phone provided with the fixing means and the releasing means. In the mobile phone shown in FIG. 13, a first hinge unit 202 is provided at the end of the first housing 201, and a second hinge unit 204 is provided at the end of the second housing 203. And the 1st and 2nd hinge units 202 and 204 are connected by the center connection member 205 arrange | positioned ranging over the 1st housing | casing 201 and the 2nd housing | casing 203. FIG.

  The rotation ranges of the first and second hinge units 202 and 204 are 0 to 180 degrees, respectively. Therefore, the opening / closing angle of the first casing 201 and the second casing 203 is 0 degree to 360 degrees. Here, the opening / closing angle is an angle (θ) formed by the front surface of the first housing 201 and the front surface of the second housing 203. That is, in the first housing 201 and the second housing 203, the rear surfaces opposite to the front surface are facing each other from the fully closed posture (θ = 0 degrees) where the front surfaces are facing each other. It can be opened and closed up to a fully open posture (θ = 360 degrees).

  Further, the first hinge unit 202 incorporates a hinge shaft (not shown) and a lock mechanism (not shown) that fixes the rotation of the hinge shaft at a predetermined rotational position. Further, an operation button 206 is provided at the end of the first hinge unit 202 for releasing the fixation of the hinge shaft by the lock mechanism.

The lock mechanism automatically fixes the rotation of the hinge shaft when the rotation angle (θ) reaches 160 degrees or more. When the operation button 206 is pressed in a state where the rotation of the hinge shaft is fixed by the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism is released and the opening / closing angle (θ) can be opened to 160 degrees or more.
JP 2002-171324 A JP 2006-228812 A

  The folding portable electronic device having the hinge unit provided with the fixing means and the releasing means as described above has the following problems. That is, in order to release the lock by the lock mechanism, it is necessary to press the operation button, and in order to press the operation button, it is necessary to change the gripping state of the housing. In addition, the presence of operation buttons has become a design constraint factor, and the degree of freedom in design has been reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to realize a foldable portable electronic device excellent in operability and design.

  The hinge unit of the present invention is a hinge unit that connects two housings so as to be openable and closable. The hinge unit includes a shaft that rotates as the casing is opened and closed, a lock unit that locks the rotation of the shaft, a switching unit that switches between an operating state and a non-operating state of the locking unit, and a rotation angle of the shaft. The switching means includes an operation means for alternately switching between the operating state and the non-operating state.

  It is desirable that the locking means has a fitting groove, and is constituted by a cam that rotates together with the shaft, and a stopper that fits and detaches from the fitting groove. The switching means includes an operating state in which the stopper is close to the fitting groove and can be fitted into the fitting groove, and a non-operating state in which the stopper is separated from the fitting groove and cannot be fitted into the fitting groove. It is desirable that the drive mechanism be alternately switched between states. Furthermore, it is desirable that the operating means is composed of a movable body that can be displaced in a predetermined direction and a guide member that displaces the movable body according to the rotation angle of the shaft. The drive mechanism preferably switches between the operating state and the non-operating state alternately with the displacement of the moving body.

  It is desirable that the locking means locks the rotation of the shaft at least once at an arbitrary intermediate rotation angle set between the minimum rotation angle and the maximum rotation angle of the shaft. Further, the switching means has the operation state and the non-operation state in a first angle range whose upper limit is smaller than the intermediate rotation angle and in a second angle range whose lower limit is larger than the intermediate rotation angle. It is desirable to switch between

  In the hinge unit of the present invention, the rotation angle of the shaft ranges from a predetermined angle within the first angle range to a predetermined angle within the second angle range beyond the intermediate rotation angle. It is desirable to have a torque generating means that continues to apply a force acting in an increasing direction to the shaft.

  The foldable portable electronic device of the present invention is a foldable portable electronic device in which two housings are connected via a hinge unit so as to be opened and closed. The two housings are locked so that the opening / closing angle reaches an intermediate opening / closing angle between a minimum opening angle and a maximum opening / closing angle, and is unlocked when the opening / closing angle is returned to the intermediate opening / closing angle or less. Connected by units.

  The hinge unit is preferably the hinge unit of the present invention. The hinge knit is preferably provided in parallel to each of the two housings, and ends thereof are connected by two connecting members. Alternatively, it is desirable that the central portions of the hinge units are connected by one connecting member. It is further desirable to have interlocking means for interlocking these two hinge units.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the folding type portable electronic device by which the locked state of two housing | casings connected so that opening and closing is cancelled | released only by opening / closing operation | movement of a housing | casing is implement | achieved.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a folding portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking a mobile phone as an example. FIG. 1 is an overall view of the mobile phone of this example. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone of this example includes a first housing 1 provided with a plurality of input keys 101 constituting an operation unit, and a second housing provided with a liquid crystal panel 103 constituting a display unit. The body 2, the first hinge unit 3a provided in the first housing 1, the second hinge unit 3b provided in the second housing 2, and the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b are connected. Two connecting members 4a and 4b.

  A microphone 102 for inputting sound is also provided on the front surface of the first housing 1 provided with the input keys 101. An imaging device such as a CCD camera can be provided on the front surface as necessary. Furthermore, an image sensor can be provided on the rear surface opposite to the front surface.

  On the other hand, a speaker 104 that outputs sound is also provided on the front surface of the second housing 2 on which the liquid crystal panel 103 is provided. An imaging device such as a CCD camera can be provided on the front surface or rear surface of the second housing 2 as necessary.

  Convex portions 6 and 7 projecting toward the other side are formed at adjacent ends of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, respectively. The first hinge unit 3 a is provided on the convex portion 6 of the first housing 1, and the second hinge unit 3 b is provided on the convex portion 7 of the second housing 2. One end of each of the first and second hinge units 3a and 3b is fitted to a connecting member 4a disposed on the right side in FIG. On the other hand, the other ends of the first and second hinge units 3a and 3b are fitted into a connecting member 4b disposed on the left side of the drawing in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the connecting member 4a is referred to as “right connecting member 4a”, and the connecting member 4b is referred to as “left connecting member 4b”.

  The left connecting member 4b includes a pair of interlocking gears 5a and 5b that synchronize the rotation of the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b. Specifically, the end of the first hinge unit 3a fitted to the left connecting member 4b is connected to one interlocking gear 5a, and the end of the second hinge unit 3b is connected to the other interlocking gear 5a. It is connected to the interlocking gear 5b. However, the purpose of the interlocking gears 5a and 5b is to interlock the opening and closing operations of the first casing 1 and the second casing 2. Therefore, it is not essential that the interlocking gears 5a and 5b are connected to the hinge units 3a and 3b. The interlocking gears 5a and 5b may be replaced with other interlocking mechanisms such as a link mechanism and a belt mechanism as long as the opening and closing operations of the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 can be interlocked. it can.

  The rotation angles of the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b are 0 degrees to 180 degrees, respectively. Therefore, the opening / closing angle of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is 0 degree (minimum opening / closing angle) to 360 degrees (maximum opening / closing angle). The opening / closing angle is an angle (θ) formed by the front surface of the first housing 1 and the front surface of the second housing 2. That is, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are in a fully-closed posture (θ = 0 degree) in which the front surfaces face each other to a fully-opened posture (θ in which the rear surfaces face each other. = 360 degrees).

  FIG. 2 shows different open / close states of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. In other words, FIG. 2 shows different postures of the mobile phone of this example. 2A shows the fully closed posture, and FIG. 2C shows the fully opened posture. FIG. 2B shows an intermediate posture between the fully closed posture and the fully open posture. The opening / closing angle (intermediate opening / closing angle) in the intermediate posture is 160 degrees. Generally, the fully closed posture is a posture suitable for storage of a mobile phone, and the intermediate posture is a posture suitable for a call. Further, the fully open posture is a posture suitable for viewing images and videos displayed on the liquid crystal panel 103.

  When the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b are in the fully closed posture, the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b generate rotational torque that acts in a direction to further close the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. In other words, a rotational torque is generated to make the opening / closing angle negative.

  On the other hand, during the intermediate posture and the fully open posture, a rotational torque that acts in a direction to further open the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is generated. In other words, a rotational torque that acts in a direction that makes the opening / closing angle 160 degrees or more is generated in the intermediate posture, and a rotational torque that acts in a direction that makes the opening / closing angle 360 degrees or more is generated in the fully open posture. However, in the intermediate posture, it is locked so that the opening / closing angle does not exceed 160 degrees. However, the opening / closing angle is not locked in the direction of 160 degrees or less, and the opening / closing angle can be repeatedly opened and closed between 0 and 160 degrees.

  The first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b have been outlined above. Next, a specific structure of the first and second hinge units 3a and 3b will be described in detail. However, the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b have a symmetrical structure because the directions of rotation when opening and closing the casing are reversed, but there is no other difference. Therefore, only the first hinge unit 3a provided in the first housing 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first hinge unit 3a. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where the first hinge unit 3a is mounted on the first housing 1. As shown in FIG. The first hinge unit 3a is fitted to the left connecting member 4b shown in FIG. 1 and is fitted to the hinge shaft 10 serving as the opening / closing shaft of the first housing 1 and the right connecting member 4a shown in FIG. It has the hollow shaft 11 used as the opening-and-closing axis | shaft of the housing | casing 1, and the connection board 12 which connects the hinge shaft 10 and the hollow shaft 11. FIG. Moreover, it has the torque unit 13 arrange | positioned on the hinge shaft 10 and the outer peripheral surface being fixed to the 1st housing | casing 1. FIG. The torque unit 13 generates the rotational torques according to the opening / closing angle. The torque unit 13 is also used in a hinge unit used in a conventional mobile phone, and generates each of the rotational torques by at least a pair of cams and springs.

  The first hinge unit 3a is disposed on the hinge shaft 10 and is disposed between the slide cam 14 that reciprocally slides in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 10, the torque unit 13 and the slide cam 14, and the slide cam 14 is always attached. A coil spring 15 is further provided. The slide cam 14 is prevented from rotating with respect to the hinge shaft 6 and can slide in the axial direction, but cannot rotate about the axis. A fitting groove 14 a is formed on the end surface of the slide cam 14.

  The first hinge unit 3a is slidably fixed to the first housing 1 and further includes a plate-like stopper 16 that moves forward and backward in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 10 and a drive mechanism 17 that moves the stopper 16 forward and backward. In addition, the slider 18 is slidably fixed to the first housing 1 and has a slider 18 that moves forward and backward in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 10 to operate the drive mechanism 17.

  The drive mechanism 17 is an alternate unit that advances and retracts the stopper 16 each time the convex portion 17a provided on the end face is pushed. The slider 18 advances and retreats according to the opening / closing angle of the housing, and pushes the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 or releases the push. Specifically, the slider 18 is formed with a protrusion 18 a that protrudes in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the hinge shaft 10, and the protrusion 18 a is connected to the hinge shaft 10 and the hollow shaft 11. It is inserted into a guide groove 12 a formed in the plate 12. Therefore, when the connecting plate 12 rotates as the first casing 1 is opened and closed, the slider 18 advances and retreats in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 10 according to the guide of the guide groove 12a.

  The drive mechanism 17 may be an alternate unit such as a heart-shaped cam system, a rotating cam system, or a ratchet cam system. Details of such alternate units are described in, for example, “Basic Knowledge of Control Equipment Selection / How to Use Switches / Indicators” (August 2001, published by Japan Electric Control Equipment Industries Association).

  Next, the operation of the first hinge unit 3a will be described. In the following description, the operation will be described based on the rotation angle of only the first hinge unit 3a. The mobile phone of this example includes two hinge units, and the hinge units rotate in synchronization with the interlocking gear as described above. Therefore, the opening / closing angle of the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 is twice the rotation angle of the two hinge units. For example, when the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a is 80 degrees, the opening / closing angle (θ) of the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 is 160 degrees.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the timing of the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3 a and the pushing operation of the convex portion 17 a by the slider 18. The guide groove 12a of the connecting plate 12 is formed so that the pushing operation by the slider 18 coincides with the timing shown in FIG. That is, it can be said that the connecting plate 12 is a guide member that displaces the slider 18 as a moving body according to the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pushing operation by the slider 18 is performed when the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a is within a predetermined angle range between 0 degrees and 80 degrees (hereinafter referred to as “first angle range”). And within a predetermined angle range between 80 degrees and 180 degrees (hereinafter “second angle range”). In addition, when the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a is in the vicinity of 0 degrees and 80 degrees, the pushing operation of the convex portion 17a by the slide 18 is completely released. In the initial state where the rotation angle is 0 degree, the stopper 16 is pulled back to the drive mechanism 17 side. In the following description, the state in which the stopper 16 is pushed out to the slide cam 14 (operating state) is “ON state”, and the state in which the stopper 16 is pulled back to the driving mechanism 17 side (non-operating state) is “OFF state”. Call it.

  6A to 6G show the positional relationship between the main components at each rotation angle as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 and the positional relationship between the fitting groove 14a and the stopper 16 as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. It is the schematic diagram shown correspondingly.

  First, the repeated opening and closing operation when the rotation angle is between 0 degrees and 80 degrees will be described.

  In the initial state shown in FIG. 6A (rotation angle = 0 degree), the stopper 16 is in the OFF state. At this time, the fitting groove 14 a of the slide cam 14 is inclined by 80 degrees with respect to the stopper 16. From the initial state, the state shown in FIG. 6C is reached through the state shown in FIG. 6B. In the meantime, the convex part 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is once pushed in by the slider 18, and the stopper 16 changes to an ON state. Moreover, the angle of the stopper 16 and the fitting groove 14a corresponds because the slide cam 14 rotates 80 degree | times. That is, the stopper 16 is fitted into the fitting groove 14a, and further rotation is prevented (opening / closing of the housing is locked).

  Next, when the rotation angle is returned from 80 degrees to 0 degrees, the state shown in FIG. 6C is changed to the initial state shown in FIG. 6A through the state shown in FIG. 6B. During this time, the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is pushed in again. Accordingly, the stopper 16 changes from the ON state to the OFF state and returns to the initial state.

  When the rotation angle is in the range of 0 to 80 degrees, the above operation is repeated. When the rotation angle is returned from 80 degrees to 0 degrees, the stopper 16 remains on until the first angle range is exceeded. Therefore, of the inner wall surface of the fitting groove 14a, the surface 14b opposite to the surface with which the stopper 16 abuts when locked is an inclined surface (see FIG. 1). Accordingly, even when the stopper 16 is fitted in the fitting groove 14a, the slide cam 14 slides toward the torque unit 13 (by escaping), so that the casing can be rotated in the closing direction. Thereafter, after the rotation angle exceeds the first angle range and the stopper 16 is turned off, the slide cam 14 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the coil spring 15.

  Next, the unlocking operation when the rotation angle reaches from 80 degrees to 180 degrees will be described.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6C (rotation angle = 80 degrees), the stopper 16 is in the ON state, and the opening / closing of the housing is locked. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6D, the rotation angle is returned to within the first angle range, and then opened to 80 degrees or more. Then, when the rotation angle returns to the first angle range, the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is pushed once, and the stopper 16 changes from the ON state to the OFF state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6E, the stopper 16 does not fit into the fitting groove 14a even if the angles of the stopper 16 and the fitting groove 14a coincide in the process of opening again at 80 degrees or more. Can open up to 180 degrees.

  However, when the rotation angle is returned from 180 degrees to 0 degrees, the first angle range is again passed. Therefore, if the stopper 16 remains in the OFF state when the rotation angle reaches 180 degrees, the stopper 16 changes to the ON state when the rotation angle is returned to 0 degrees. That is, the stopper 16 does not return to the initial state shown in FIG. 6A.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the second angle range is set until the rotation angle exceeds 80 degrees and reaches 180 degrees. That is, as shown in FIG. 6F, when the rotation angle exceeds 80 degrees and enters the second angle range, the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is pushed again, so that the stopper 16 changes from the OFF state to the ON state. It is. As a result, when the rotation angle returns to 0 degrees, the stopper 16 is in the OFF state.

  Here, if the second angle range does not include 180 degrees, the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is pushed in twice in the process in which the rotation angle returns from 180 degrees to 0 degrees. That is, the stopper 16 that is in the ON state when the rotation angle is 180 degrees is pushed in twice until the rotation angle returns to 0 degree, and returns to the ON state. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6G, the second angle range is set so that the pressing of the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is not released even when the rotation angle reaches 180 degrees. In other words, the second angle range is set so that the ON state of the stopper 16 is maintained. Therefore, until the rotation angle returns from 180 degrees to 0 degrees, the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is pushed only once, and the stopper 16 changes to the OFF state (returns to the initial state).

  FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3 a and the torque generated by the torque unit 13. More specifically, FIG. 7A is substantially the same as FIG. 5, and shows the timing of the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3 a and the pushing operation of the convex portion 17 a by the slider 18. Yes. FIGS. 7B and 7C show examples in which the relationship between the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a and the torque generation characteristics of the torque unit 13 is different.

  The torque unit 13 having any of the torque generation characteristics shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C can be used for the first hinge unit 3a. However, it is desirable to use the torque unit 13 having the torque generation characteristic shown in FIG. The reason is as follows.

  The torque unit 13 having the torque generation characteristic shown in FIG. 7 (c) generates torque that acts on the opening side only before the rotation angle is slightly over 80 degrees and slightly over 80 degrees. On the other hand, when the rotation angle is opened to 80 degrees or more after the lock is released as described above, the slider 18 starts to push the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 (see FIG. 7A). However, if the rotation angle is returned to 0 degrees before the projection 17a is pushed in (if the casing is closed halfway), the stopper 16 changes from the OFF state to the ON state, and FIG. Does not return to the initial state. This state is eliminated if the rotation angle is set to 80 degrees or more again (opening the housing again), so there is no operational problem. However, it is troublesome to open the housing again.

  In contrast, the torque unit 13 having the torque generation characteristics shown in FIG. 7C continues to generate torque that acts on the opening side until the rotation angle reaches the second angle range from the first angle range. In other words, the slider 18 that has started to move when the rotation angle exceeds 80 degrees continues to generate torque that acts on the opening side until the pressing of the convex portion 17a of the drive mechanism 17 is completed. Therefore, the user does not close the casing in the middle, and the above inconvenience does not occur.

From the above description, it should be understood that the locking means is constituted by the slide cam 14 including the fitting groove 14a, the coil spring 15 and the stopper 16. It should also be understood that the switching mechanism is constituted by the drive mechanism 17 and the operation means is constituted by the connecting plate 12 including the guide groove 12a and the slider 18.
(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, another example of the embodiment of the folding portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking a cellular phone as an example. However, the basic configuration of the mobile phone of this example is the same as that of the mobile phone of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration is replaced by the same reference numeral in the drawing, and only the different configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is an overall view of the mobile phone of this example. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state where the first hinge unit 3a is mounted on the first housing 1. As shown in FIG.

  In the mobile phone according to the first embodiment, two couplings in which a first hinge unit 3a provided in the first casing 1 and a second hinge unit 3b provided in the second casing 2 are arranged outside the casing. It was connected via members 4a and 4b (see FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, in the mobile phone of this example, the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b are connected via one connecting member (center connecting member 20) disposed inside the housing ( (See FIG. 8).

With the change in the configuration as described above, the torque unit 13, the stopper 16, the drive mechanism 17, and the slider 18 that are fixed or slidably fixed to the casings 1 and 2 in the mobile phone of the first embodiment are The connecting member 20 is fixed or slidably fixed. Further, the hinge shaft 10 and the hollow shaft 11 are fixed to the casings 1 and 2.
(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, another example of the embodiment of the folding portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking a cellular phone as an example. However, the basic configuration of the mobile phone of this example is the same as that of the mobile phone of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration is replaced by the same reference numeral in the drawing, and only the different configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is an overall view of the mobile phone of this example. The mobile phone of this example has a rotation holding mechanism 30 instead of the interlocking gears 5a and 5b shown in FIG. One rotation holding mechanism 30 is provided for each of the first hinge unit 3a and the second hinge unit 3b.

  Each rotation holding mechanism 30 has a force to expand the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 to the fully closed posture side, and to make the opening and closing angles of the two housings 1 and 2 at 160 degrees or more in the intermediate posture. Suppress with a force that exceeds. In other words, the rotation angle of each hinge unit 3a, 3b is held within the first angle range by a force exceeding the rotation torque that sets the rotation angle of each hinge unit 3a, 3b to 80 degrees or more.

  Each rotation holding mechanism 15 includes a hinge-side cam 106 fixed to a member fixed to the casings 1 and 2 among the constituent members of the hinge units 3a and 3b, and a connection slidably fixed to the left connection member 4b. A part-side cam 107 and a pressure spring 108 that presses the connecting part-side cam 107 against the hinge-side cam 106 are configured. Each rotation holding mechanism 15 holds the rotation angle of each hinge unit 3a, 3b within the first angle range by engaging the concave and convex portions of the hinge side cam 106 and the connecting portion side cam 107.

  In the mobile phone of the first embodiment, the two hinge units 3a and 3b are connected via the interlocking gears 5a and 5b. Therefore, the rotations of the two hinge units 3a and 3b are synchronized. On the other hand, in the mobile phone of this example, the rotations of the two hinge units 3a and 3b are not synchronized. Therefore, even if the rotation angle of one hinge unit 3a or 3b is returned from 80 degrees to within the first angle range and the lock is released, the other hinge unit 3b or 3a is not unlocked. Can do.

  Therefore, the rotation holding mechanism 15 is provided in the mobile phone of this example. For example, even if the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 3a precedes the first angle range, the second hinge unit 3b is still subjected to torque from the intermediate posture to open. It is possible that the rotation will not begin. At this time, the rotation holding mechanism 15 provided in the first hinge unit 3a has a holding force larger than the rotation torque in a direction to further open the hinge unit 3a from the intermediate posture. Therefore, the further rotation of the first hinge unit 3a is stopped, and the second hinge unit 3b, which is delayed, starts to rotate and enters the first angle range.

  As described above, when the rotation angles of the two hinge units 3a and 3b are both within the release angle range, the lock is released by opening them to the 80 degree side. At this time, it is not particularly necessary to release the lock simultaneously by the two hinge units 3a and 3b.

  Note that the rotation holding mechanism 15 may be realized by adding unevenness to the cam mechanism portion of the torque unit 13 that meshes when the rotation angle is in the release angle range.

  As described above, the mobile phone of this example can realize a reliable unlocking operation without providing a means for synchronizing the rotations of the two hinge units 3a and 3b.

Note that the hinge-side cam 106 may be directly fixed to the first housing 1 or the second housing instead of the hinge units 3a and 3b as long as it is on the opening / closing shaft.
(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, another example of the embodiment of the folding portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking a cellular phone as an example. However, the basic configuration of the mobile phone of this example is the same as that of the mobile phone of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration is replaced by the same reference numeral in the drawing, and only the different configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 11 is an overall view of the mobile phone of this example. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a mounting state of the hinge unit 3 on the first housing 1.

  In the mobile phone according to each of the above embodiments, the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are connected to each other by two hinge units 3a and 3b so as to be able to open and close 360 degrees. On the other hand, in the mobile phone of this example, the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are connected by one hinge unit 3, and the maximum opening / closing angle of both casings 1 and 2 is 180 degrees. . In this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a folding portable electronic device in which two housings are connected by two parallel hinge shafts, but also a folding portable device in which two housings are connected by one hinge shaft. This shows that it can be applied to electronic devices.

  The structure and operation of the hinge unit provided in the mobile phone of this example are the same as those of the first hinge unit 3a or the second hinge unit 3b described so far.

  However, the opening / closing angle at which the rotation of the hinge unit 3 is locked can be arbitrarily set. For example, lock at an opening / closing angle of about 100 degrees, perform operations on the desk, unlock during calls and open up to 160 degrees, lock at 160 degrees during calls, and lock when you want to operate horizontally on the desk A folding mobile phone such as releasing and opening up to 180 degrees can be realized.

1 is an overall view of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment. It is a side view which shows the different attitude | positions of the mobile telephone of FIG. It is an exploded view of the hinge unit which the mobile telephone of FIG. 1 has. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mounting state to the housing | casing of the hinge unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the timing of the rotation angle of a hinge unit, and the pushing operation of the convex part by a slider. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit when a rotation angle is 0 degree | times, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit when a rotation angle is larger than 0 degree | times and smaller than 80 degree | times, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit when a rotation angle is 80 degree | times, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit when a rotation angle is returned in the 1st angle range from 80 degree | times or more, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of the hinge unit in the process of opening again the rotation angle returned in the 1st angle range to 80 degree | times or more, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove | channel and a stopper when a rotation angle is an angle in a 2nd angle range. It is the schematic diagram which matched and showed the positional relationship of the main components of a hinge unit when a rotation angle is 180 degree | times, and the positional relationship of a fitting groove and a stopper. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the rotation angle of a hinge unit, and the torque which a torque unit generate | occur | produces. FIG. 3 is an overall view of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mounting state to the housing | casing of the hinge unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an overall view of a mobile phone according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is an overall view of a mobile phone according to a fourth embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mounting state to the housing | casing of the hinge unit shown in FIG. It is a general view which shows an example of the conventional folding type | mold mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing | casing 2 2nd housing | casing 3a 1st hinge unit 3b 2nd hinge unit 4a Connection member (right side connection member)
4b Connecting member (left connecting member)
5a, 5b Interlocking gear 6, 7
Convex portion 10 Hinge shaft 11 Hollow shaft 12 Connecting plate 12a Guide groove 13 Torque unit 14 Slide cam 14a Fitting groove 15 Coil spring 16 Stopper 17 Drive mechanism 18 Slider 18a Protrusion 20 Central connecting member 30 Rotation holding mechanism

Claims (9)

A hinge unit for connecting two housings so as to be openable and closable,
A cam having a fitting groove;
A stopper that is movable between an operating state that is close to the cam and can be fitted into the fitting groove and a non-operating state that is retracted from the cam and cannot be fitted into the fitting groove. Rotates relative to the cam as the body opens and closes, and engages in the fitting groove at a predetermined rotation angle with respect to the cam in the operating state to disable rotation beyond the predetermined rotation angle. A stopper,
And the operation state of the stopper each time it is operated and the switching means switches between the non-operating state,
To have a, and operating means for operating said switching means each time the rotation angle of the stopper is reached within the first angle range smaller than the predetermined rotation angle with respect to the cam, the hinge unit. Before SL operating means is composed of a moving body can be displaced in a predetermined direction, a guide member for displacing in accordance with the moving body to the rotation angle of the stopper with respect to the cam,
The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit alternately switches between the operating state and the non-operating state in accordance with the displacement of the moving body. Wherein the predetermined rotation angle is any intermediate angle of rotation that is set between the minimum rotation angle and a maximum rotation angle of the stopper relative to the cam,
Said operating means, the rotation angle of the stopper with respect to the cam, and the upper limit is the intermediate rotating the small the first angle range than the angle, the lower limit is in the second angular range larger than the intermediate rotational angle The hinge unit according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the switching means is operated every time it reaches the hinge unit. The rotation angle of the stopper with respect to the cam increases from a predetermined angle within the first angle range to a predetermined angle within the second angle range beyond the intermediate rotation angle. 4. The hinge unit according to claim 3, further comprising torque generating means for applying an acting force. The fitting groove and the stopper have a surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation direction of the stopper with respect to the cam,
5. The stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stopper makes the rotation more than the predetermined rotation angle impossible by contacting the surface of the stopper and the surface of the fitting groove. 6. Hinge unit. A foldable portable electronic device in which two housings are connected via a hinge unit so as to be openable and closable,
When the opening / closing angle reaches an intermediate opening / closing angle between the minimum opening angle and the maximum opening / closing angle, the two housings are locked so as not to rotate beyond the intermediate opening / closing angle, and the opening / closing angle is returned to the intermediate opening / closing angle or less. And is connected by the hinge unit so that the lock is released ,
The folding portable electronic device, wherein the hinge unit is the hinge unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . Wherein the hinge unit to each of the two housings are provided in parallel, folding mobile electrons that ends thereof the hinge units are connected by two connecting members 請 Motomeko 6 wherein you wherein machine. Wherein the hinge unit to each of the two housings are provided in parallel, 請 Motomeko 6 foldable portable electronic according central portions are you characterized in that it is connected by one connection member thereof hinge unit machine.   9. The folding portable electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising interlocking means for interlocking the hinge units provided in each of the two casings.