JP7766322B2 - Switchgear and terminal equipment using this switchgear - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. Published on August 30, 2020 at Kato Electric Co., Ltd. (826-10 Tokaichiba-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)

The present invention relates to an opening and closing device that connects a first housing and a second housing that can be opened and closed relative to each other in terminal devices such as notebook computers, laptop computers, electronic dictionaries, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), as well as terminal devices that use this opening and closing device.

Conventionally, an opening/closing device that uses a hinge shaft to openably connect a first housing on the keyboard side of a terminal device such as a notebook computer or electronic dictionary to a second housing on the display side is known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This conventionally known opening/closing device has an operating mechanism installed between the opening/closing device and the first housing that can operate the internal mechanism of the first housing when the first and second housings are opened or closed. When the opening/closing device is opened or closed, the operating mechanism can operate the internal operating mechanism of the first housing, for example, a mechanism that extends and retracts legs attached to the bottom of the first housing depending on the opening and closing angle when the first and second housings are opened or closed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-280248

In recent years, there has been a demand for even thinner terminal devices designed for portability, such as notebook computers. At the same time, there is also a demand for opening and closing devices that are compatible with displays that use a single flexible display sheet covering both the first and second housings, as well as opening and closing devices that have an operating mechanism that allows the internal mechanisms of both the first and second housings to be operated in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening and closing device.

The object of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing device that allows for thinner terminal devices, is compatible with a single flexible display sheet that spans both sides of the first and second housings, and has the function of operating the internal mechanisms of the first and second housings when the first and second housings are opened or closed, as well as a terminal device that uses this opening and closing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the opening and closing device according to claim 1 of the present application has a first slide mechanism provided on a first mounting base attached to a first housing side and a second slide mechanism provided on a second mounting base attached to a second housing side, and the first slide mechanism comprises a first B hinge shaft attached to the first mounting base side so as to be rotatable when the first housing is opened or closed, a second B hinge shaft attached to the second mounting base side, one end of which is wound around the first B hinge shaft in a different winding direction, and facing the first B hinge shaft so as to be rotatable when the second housing is opened or closed, and a second B hinge shaft attached to the second mounting base side so as to be rotatable when the second housing is opened or closed, and a first B hinge shaft and a second B hinge shaft attached to the second mounting base side so as to be rotatable when the second housing is opened or closed. a connecting member that connects the first and second slide mechanism drive belts in a radial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other; a first slide mechanism drive belt and a second slide mechanism drive belt that are wound around the first B hinge shaft at a predetermined interval with one end thereof wound in a different winding direction; a third slide mechanism drive belt and a fourth slide mechanism drive belt that are wound around the second B hinge shaft at a predetermined interval with one end thereof wound in a different winding direction; a first slide member and a second slide member that are attached to the first mounting base side so as to be slidable in the radial direction of the first B hinge shaft and that connect the other end sides of the first slide mechanism drive belt and the second slide mechanism drive belt; a third slide member and a fourth slide member attached to the B hinge shaft so as to be slidable in the radial direction thereof and formed by connecting the other end sides of the third slide mechanism drive belt and the fourth slide mechanism drive belt; a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism respectively provided between the first slide member and the second slide member and between the third slide member and the fourth slide member; and stopper mechanisms provided on a first A hinge shaft rotatably attached to the first mounting base and connected to the first B hinge shaft, and a second A hinge shaft rotatably attached to the second mounting base and connected to the second B hinge shaft, for restricting the respective rotation angles. the stopper mechanism includes a locking step portion provided on each of a first-A mounting member that is attached to the first mounting base and rotatably supports the first-A hinge shaft and a second-A mounting member that is attached to the second mounting base and rotatably supports the second-A hinge shaft, and a mounting piece portion provided on a connecting member that connects one end side of the first-A hinge shaft and the second-A hinge shaft, and when each of the first mounting base and the second mounting base rotates due to an operation of opening or closing the first housing and the second housing, the locking step portions of the first-A mounting member and the second-A mounting member each come into contact with the mounting piece portion of the connecting member, thereby restricting the rotation .

Next, the opening and closing device described in claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that a synchronous rotation mechanism is provided adjacent to the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, and this synchronous rotation mechanism is composed of the first A hinge shaft, the second A hinge shaft, a connecting member that connects the other ends of the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft to each other in the radial direction, and a first synchronous rotation drive belt and a second synchronous rotation drive belt that are wound around the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft at a predetermined interval and in different winding directions.

Next, the opening and closing device described in claim 3 of the present application is characterized in that a friction torque generating mechanism is provided adjacent to the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, and the friction torque generating mechanism is composed of a first C-hinge shaft rotatably attached to the first mounting base 7 and connected to the first B-hinge shaft, a second C-hinge shaft rotatably attached to the second mounting base and connected to the second B-hinge shaft, a connecting member connecting the first C-hinge shaft and the second C-hinge shaft to each other, a first friction torque generating unit composed of a fastening screw attached to the first C-hinge shaft, a friction washer, and a disc spring, and a second friction torque generating unit composed of a fastening screw attached to the second C-hinge shaft, a friction washer, and a disc spring.

Furthermore, the opening and closing device described in claim 4 of the present application is characterized in that the first housing and the second housing are slidably attached to the first mounting base and the second mounting base.

Furthermore, the opening and closing device described in claim 5 of the present application is characterized in that a tension coil spring is tensioned between either or both of the first housing and the second housing and either or both of the first mounting base and the second mounting base.

Furthermore, the opening and closing device described in claim 6 of the present application is characterized in that a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism are provided between the slide members of the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, respectively.

Furthermore, the opening and closing device described in claim 7 of the present application is characterized in that the operating mechanisms inside the first and second housings are operated by the first and second slide mechanisms, which operate when the first and second housings are opened or closed.

The terminal equipment described in claim 8 of the present invention is characterized by using the opening and closing device described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

According to the invention described in claim 1, when an opening/closing operation is performed on either the first housing or the second housing, either or both of the first housing and the second housing become slidable relative to either or both of the first housing and the second housing. Therefore, when the first housing and the second housing are opened, the flexible display sheet can be stretched, effectively preventing wrinkles from forming on the flexible display sheet , preventing interference between the connecting ends of the first housing and the second housing , and further restricting rotation beyond a predetermined angle .

Next, according to the invention described in claim 2, when an opening or closing operation is performed on either the first or second housing, that opening or closing operation is transmitted to the other of the first or second housing via the synchronous rotation mechanism, allowing the opening and closing operations to be performed simultaneously.

Next, according to the invention described in claim 3, the friction torque generated by the friction torque generating mechanism occurs when the first and second housings are opened or closed, providing the operator with a comfortable operational feel and enabling the first and second housings to be stably stopped and held at any opening or closing angle.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 4, the first housing and the second housing are slidably attached to the first mounting base and the second mounting base, and are capable of sliding by the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, respectively.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to prevent the flexible display sheet provided across the surfaces of the first and second housings from wrinkling when the first and second housings are opened or closed.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the link mechanism is composed of a link member rotatably attached at its center between a pair of slide members, with one end engaged with one of the slide members and the other end engaged with the other slide member. Therefore, during both opening and closing of the opening/closing device, one slide member is advanced by the drive belt wound around the hinge shaft, which in turn rotates the link member rotatably attached at its center between the pair of slide members, causing the other slide member to retract and the other drive belt to unwind. Therefore, kinking or twisting of the drive belt can be prevented during both opening and closing of the opening/closing device, allowing the opening/closing device to perform optimal opening and closing operations.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 7, the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism can operate the internal mechanisms provided inside the first housing and the second housing.

According to the invention described in claim 8, a terminal device having the characteristics of the opening and closing device described in claims 1 to 7 can be provided.

1A and 1B show a notebook computer as an example of a terminal device using an opening/closing device according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of the terminal device in a closed state, (b) is a perspective view of the terminal device in a 90° opened state, and (c) is a perspective view of the terminal device in a 180° opened state. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a terminal device using a switching device according to the present invention. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the mounting state of the opening and closing device according to the present invention to the first and second housings, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the state of the mounting portion. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, in which the internal mechanism of the opening and closing device is omitted. 1 is a perspective view of the opening and closing device according to the present invention in a state where it is turned over and opened 180 degrees. 6 is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 5 with the cover removed. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first mounting base and a second mounting base of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5 . 6A, 6B, and 6C show a slide member of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5, with FIG. 6A being a perspective view, FIG. 6B being a side view, and FIG. 6C being a cross-sectional view. 6A and 6B show an adjustment member of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view thereof and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view thereof. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a synchronous rotation mechanism of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5 . 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a first B hinge shaft and a second B hinge shaft of the slide mechanism of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a friction torque generating mechanism. 6A, 6B, and 6C show a first connecting member of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 6A is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 6C is a front view thereof. 6 is a perspective view of a first A mounting member and a second A mounting member of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5. 6A and 6B show the drive belts of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6A is a developed plan view of the synchronous rotation drive belt, and FIG. 6B is a developed plan view of the slide mechanism drive belt. 6A and 6B show operating members of the slide mechanism of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6A is a plan view of the longer one and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the shorter one. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a link member of the opening and closing device shown in FIG. 5 . 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the opening/closing device shown in FIG. 5 in a closed state, where (a) is a cross-sectional view divided at the portion between the first slide member and the third slide member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view divided at the portion between the second slide member and the fourth slide member. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the opening/closing device shown in FIG. 5 in a 180° opened state, where FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view divided at the portion between the first slide member and the third slide member, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view divided at the portion between the second slide member and the fourth slide member. 2 shows a second embodiment of the opening/closing device and terminal equipment of the present invention, in which (a) is an oblique view of the terminal equipment in a closed state, (b) is an oblique view of the terminal equipment in a 90° opened state, and (c) is an oblique view of the terminal equipment in a 180° opened state. 22A and 22B are enlarged cross-sectional explanatory views of the terminal device and the opening/closing device shown in FIG. 21, split at the sliding member, where (a) shows the state in which the first housing and the second housing are closed, and (b) shows the state in which they are opened 90°. 22A and 22B are enlarged cross-sectional explanatory views of the terminal device and the opening/closing device slide member shown in FIG. 21, where FIG. 22A shows the state where the device is opened 180°, and FIG. 22B shows the state where the device is opened 360°.

The following describes the present invention in terms of a terminal device implemented in a notebook computer, using the accompanying drawings. However, terminal devices implementing the present invention also include terminal devices other than notebook computers, such as laptop computers, electronic dictionaries, and PDAs. The present invention can also be used in a variety of other devices and containers that require a synchronous rotation mechanism, a sliding mechanism, or even a friction torque generating mechanism when opening and closing the first and second housings.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in Figures 1(a), (b), and (c), the terminal device 1, which is typified by a notebook computer according to this embodiment 1, is connected to the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 by opening and closing devices 4, 4 according to the present invention, which are provided on the left and right sides of the connecting portion between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, so that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can be opened and closed relative to each other between 0° and approximately 180°.

In the first embodiment, the display unit 5 is composed of a single foldable flexible display sheet 5a, which covers both sides of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 via a cushion sheet 5b. In this embodiment, a pair of opening/closing devices 4, 4 with the same configuration are provided on the left and right sides of the terminal device 1 (notebook computer). Therefore, since the opening/closing devices 4, 4 have the same configuration, the following explanation will focus on the opening/closing device 4 on the right side in Figure 1(a), and will omit a description of the configuration of the other opening/closing device on the left side.

As shown in Figures 1 to 7 in particular, the opening/closing device 4 is shown with both the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 turned upside down to explain the internal mechanism. According to the drawings, the opening/closing device 4 has a first mounting base 7 attached to the first housing 2 and a second mounting base 8 attached to the second housing 3. The first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 have the same configuration, and as shown in Figure 8 in particular, they are rectangular in plan view and have walls 7a, 7a, 7a, 7a, 8a, 8a, 8a on three sides excluding the side where multiple hinge shafts (described below) are attached. This provides storage sections 7b and 8b inside to house internal mechanisms such as the first sliding mechanism B1 and second sliding mechanism B2 (described below).

6 and 7, the storage sections 7b and 8b are provided with slide guide grooves 6a, 6b and slide guide grooves 9a, 9b, which are partitioned by central partition walls 7c, 8c provided at approximately the center of each storage section, and by mounting bases 7t, 7t, 7t, 7t provided on both sides of the central partition wall 7c, 8c and pairs of side partition members 7d, 7e and 8d, 8e attached to the mounting bases 8t, 8t, 8t, 8t with mounting screws. Between the side partition members 7d, 7e, 8d, 8e and the bottoms of the storage sections 7b and 8b, guide grooves are formed through which a long first operating member 26a, a short second operating member 26b, a long third operating member 27a, and a short fourth operating member 27b, which will be described later, are inserted .

Furthermore, the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 are provided with opposing mounting portions 7h, 7i, 7j, 7k, 7m and mounting portions 8h, 8i, 8j, 8k, 8m on the sides not provided with wall portions 7a and 8a, as well as pivotal support portions 7z and 8z that rotatably support the first link member 70 and the second link member 71 of the first link mechanism B3 and the second link mechanism B4, which will be described later.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, on the sides of the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 where the peripheral walls 7a, 7a, 7a and 8a, 8a, 8a are not provided, the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13 that constitute the synchronous rotation mechanism A, the firstB hinge shaft 11 and the secondB hinge shaft 14 that constitute the slide mechanism B, and the firstC hinge shaft 12 and the secondC hinge shaft 15 that constitute the friction torque generating mechanism C are mounted so that they share a common axis, are parallel to each other, and can rotate together in the same direction.

The first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 of the synchronous rotation mechanism A have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 11, the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 are deformed shaft portions 10a and 13a as a whole, and their respective central portions are rotatably inserted into circular bearing holes 46a and 46a provided in the second connecting member 46. The first B hinge shaft 11 and the second B hinge shaft 14 of the slide mechanism B also have the same configuration, and as shown in FIG. 12, flange portions 11a and 14a are located approximately in the center, with deformed shaft portions 11b and 14b formed on both sides. Furthermore, the first C hinge shaft 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15 of the friction torque generating mechanism C also have the same configuration.

Of the above, the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 of the synchronous rotation mechanism A have the deformed shaft portions 10a and 13a at one end rotatably supported in the circular bearing holes 16a and 17a of the first A mounting member 16 and the second A mounting member 17, respectively, which have mounting pieces 16c and 17c attached to the mounting portions 7h and 8h provided on the right ends of the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Additionally, the other ends of the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13 are engaged with deformed bearing holes 18a, 19a provided in the firstB mounting member 18 and the secondB mounting member 19, which are positioned inward from the firstA mounting member 16 and the secondA mounting member 17 and attached to the mounting portions 7i and 8i of the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, respectively, and are configured to rotate together with the opening and closing movements of the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8.

Next, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, one end of the firstB hinge shaft 11 and the secondB hinge shaft 14 of the slide mechanism B is attached to the mounting portions 7j and 8j provided approximately midway between the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, respectively. These are rotatably supported in circular bearing holes 20a and 21a provided in the firstC mounting member 20 and the secondC mounting member 21, and are inserted into and engaged with circular bearing holes 48a and 48a provided in the fourth connecting member 48, which is engaged with the other end of the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13.

Furthermore, one end of the first C hinge shaft 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15 of the friction torque generating mechanism C are engaged with the deformed bearing holes 22a, 23a provided in the first D mounting member 22 and the second D mounting member 23 attached to the mounting portions 7k, 8k, while the other end of the first C hinge shaft 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15 are rotatably supported in the circular bearing holes 24a, 25a of the first E mounting member 24 and the second E mounting member 25 attached to the mounting portions 7m, 8m.

With the above configuration, the first-A hinge shaft 10, the first-B hinge shaft 11, and the first-C hinge shaft 12, and the second-A hinge shaft 13, the second-B hinge shaft 14, and the second-C hinge shaft 15 rotate integrally like a single hinge shaft when the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, and thus the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, are opened or closed. However, this configuration is not limited to that of the embodiment, and other configurations may also be used. As described below, this may not be required if any of the synchronous rotation mechanism A, slide mechanism B, or friction torque generating mechanism C attached to each hinge shaft is omitted.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 are provided with guide rails 7n, 7n, 8n, 8n on each side. As shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4, these guide rails 7n, 7n, 8n, 8n engage with guide grooves 2b, 2b, 3b, 3b provided on both sides of the first mounting base accommodating section 2a and the second mounting base accommodating section 3a provided on the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, respectively, to accommodate the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8. The engagement of these guide rails 7n, 7n and 8n, 8n with the guide grooves 2b, 2b, 3b, 3b allows the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 to be attached to the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, and the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are slidable relative to the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 of the opening and closing device 4.

In addition, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 3, a plurality of tension coil springs 2d, 2d... and tension coil springs 3d, 3d... are tensioned between the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 and the first housing 2 and second housing 3, constantly biasing the first housing 2 and second housing 3 toward the first mounting base 7 and second mounting base 8.

As explained above, the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 are each equipped with a synchronous rotation mechanism A (described below), the first B hinge shaft 11 and the second B hinge shaft 14 are each equipped with a slide mechanism B, and the first C hinge shaft 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15 are each equipped with a friction torque generating mechanism C.

The first-A mounting member 16, first-B mounting member 18, first-C mounting member 20, first-D mounting member 22, and first-E mounting member 24, and the second-A mounting member 17, second-B mounting member 19, second-C mounting member 21, second-D mounting member 23, and second-E mounting member 25 have the same configuration, except for whether the bearing hole is circular or irregular. Taking the first-A mounting member 16 and the second-A mounting member 17 as representatives, as shown in Figure 15, circular bearing holes 16a and 17a are provided on one side of the approximately rectangular main body portions 16b and 17b, respectively, and mounting pieces 16c and 17c bent at a right angle are provided on one side of the other. Mounting holes 16d and 17d are formed in the mounting pieces 16c and 17c, and the firstA mounting member 16 and the secondA mounting member 17 are secured by overlapping the mounting pieces 16c and 17c with mounting portions 7h and 8h, which have mounting holes 7o and 8o provided at one end of the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, and tightening them with mounting screws.

Of the other 1B mounting member 18, 1C mounting member 20, 1D mounting member 22, and 1E mounting member 24, and 2B mounting member 19, 2C mounting member 21, 2D mounting member 23, and 2E mounting member 25, the bearing holes 18a, 22a, 19a, and 23a of 1B mounting member 18, 1D mounting member 22, 2B mounting member 19, and 2D mounting member 23 are deformed bearing holes, but the bearing holes 20a, 24a, 21a, and 25a of the other 1C mounting member 20, 1E mounting member 24, 2C mounting member 21, and 2E mounting member 25 are circular bearing holes. The only other components are the locking steps 16e and 17e on the first-A mounting member 16 and the second-A mounting member 17, with the rest being the same. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, they are attached to the mounting portions 7i, 8i, 7j, 8j and mounting portions 7k, 8k, 7m, 8m on the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8. In the drawings, as shown in Figure 7 in particular, only the first-A mounting member 16, the second-A mounting member 17, the first-E mounting member 24, and the second-E mounting member 25 are shown independently, with the others shown assembled to their respective mounting portions.

As described above, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the mounting portions for attaching the respective mounting members are provided at predetermined intervals on the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, starting with mounting portions 7h and 8h of the first-A mounting member 16 and the second-A mounting member 17, in that order, and are indicated by designations 7i, 8i and 7j, 8j and 7k, 8k and 7m, and 8m. Mounting holes 7o, 7p, 7q, 7r, and 7s and 8o, 8p, 8q, 8r, and 8s are provided in the respective mounting portions 7h to 7m and 8h to 8m. Mounting pieces (only 16c, 17, 24c, and 25c are shown) provided on the first-B mounting member 18 to the first-E mounting member 24 and the second-B mounting member 19 to the second-D mounting member 23 are overlapped with the respective mounting portions 7i, 8i and 7j, 8j and 7k, 8k and 7m, and 8m , and are fastened with respective fastening screws.

In the case of the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 that make up the synchronous rotation mechanism A, one end of each deformed shaft portion 10a, 13a is rotatably supported in the respective circular bearing holes 16a, 17a provided in the first A mounting member 16 and the second A mounting member 17, while the other end engages with the respective deformed bearing holes 18a, 19a in the first B mounting member 18 and the second B mounting member 19.

Next, one end of the 1A hinge shaft 10 is rotatably attached to a circular bearing hole 16a provided in the 1A mounting member 16, and the other end is engaged with a deformed bearing hole 18a provided in the 1B mounting member 18. One end of the 1B hinge shaft 11 is rotatably supported in a circular bearing hole 20a provided in the 1C mounting member 20, and the other end is engaged with a deformed hole (not shown) provided in the first connecting cylindrical portion 61. Furthermore, one end of the 1C hinge shaft 12 is engaged with a deformed bearing hole 22a provided in the 1D mounting member 22 and also with a deformed hole (not shown) provided in the first connecting cylindrical portion 61, and the other end is rotatably supported in a circular bearing hole 24a provided in the 1E mounting member 24.

Also shown in Figures 6 and 7, one end of the second-A hinge shaft 13 is rotatably attached to a circular bearing hole 17a provided in the second-A mounting member 17, and the other end is engaged with a deformed bearing hole 19a provided in the second-B mounting member 19. One end of the second-B hinge shaft 14 is rotatably supported in a circular bearing hole 21a provided in the second-C mounting member 21, and the other end is engaged with a deformed hole (not shown) provided in the second connecting cylindrical portion 63. One end of the second-C hinge shaft 15 is engaged with a deformed bearing hole 23a provided in the second-D mounting member 23 and also engages with a deformed hole (not shown) provided in the second connecting cylindrical portion 63, and the other end is rotatably supported in a circular bearing hole 25a provided in the second-E mounting member 25.

Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened from their closed state, the first-A hinge shaft 10, the first-B hinge shaft 11, and the first-C hinge shaft 12 rotate together in the same direction via the first-B mounting member 18 and the first-D mounting member 22 attached to the first mounting base 7, which rotate together, and the second-A hinge shaft 13, the second-B hinge shaft 14, and the second-C hinge shaft 15 rotate together in the same direction via the second-B mounting member 19 and the second-D mounting member 23 attached to the second mounting base 8. At this time, the rotation of the first-A hinge shaft 10 and the second-A hinge shaft 13 is synchronized by the synchronous rotation mechanism A.

5 to 7, the components indicated by reference symbol 43 are shielding members that prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the opening and closing device 4 and shield the internal structure from external view, and are attached between each of the first B hinge shafts 11 and the second B hinge shafts 14 and each of the first C hinge shafts 12 and the second C hinge shafts 15. Screw holes 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d provided therein are used for attachment with mounting holes 52c and 49c provided in the eighth connecting member 52 and the fifth connecting member 49 that connect each of the first C hinge shafts 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15 of the friction torque generating mechanism C, and mounting holes 48c and 47c provided in the fourth connecting member 48 and the third connecting member 47, using mounting screws (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 11 , the synchronous rotation mechanism A is composed of a first synchronous rotation drive belt 28 and a second synchronous rotation drive belt 29, both ends of which are wound in opposite directions around a first pulley 53 and a second pulley 54, and a third pulley 55 and a fourth pulley 56, which are attached to the deformed shaft portions 10 a, 10 a and 13 a, 13 a, respectively, with the second connecting member 46 sandwiched between them in the axial direction of the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13. The first pulley 53, the second pulley 54, and the third pulley 55 and the fourth pulley 56 are each made up of three identical diameter pulleys, namely, the first a small pulley 53a, the first b small pulley 53b, the first c small pulley 53c, the second a small pulley 54a, the second b small pulley 54b, the second c small pulley 54c, the third a small pulley 55a, the third b small pulley 55b, the third c small pulley 55c, and the fourth a small pulley 56a, the fourth b small pulley 56b, the fourth c small pulley 56c, all stacked axially. The middle first b small pulley 53b, the second b small pulley 54b, the third b small pulley 55b, the fourth b small pulley 56b are provided with locking pieces 53d, 54d, 55d, 56d on their outer peripheries.

Each of the first synchronous rotation drive belt 28 and the second synchronous rotation drive belt 29 is a thin, flexible sheet of metal, such as stainless steel, having a thickness of about 0.3 mm, as shown in a developed view in Figure 16(a). As shown in the drawing, each belt has planar rectangular locking holes 28a, 28b and locking holes 29a, 29b at both ends, and elongated holes 28c, 29c at the center longitudinal direction. First, the first synchronous rotation drive belt 28 is wound around the first pulley 53 and the third pulley 55, with the winding directions changed at both ends, while the locking holes 28a, 28b are engaged with locking pieces 53d, 55d provided on the firstb small pulley 53b and the thirdb small pulley 55b, which constitute the first pulley 53 and the third pulley 55 attached to the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13, respectively.

Next, the second synchronous rotation drive belt 29 is wound in the opposite direction to the first synchronous rotation drive belt 28, with the locking holes 29a, 29b engaging with the locking pieces 54d, 56d provided on the secondb small pulley 54b and the fourthb small pulley 56b, which constitute the second pulley 54 and the fourth pulley 56 attached to the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13, respectively. In the first embodiment, the first-A hinge shafts 10 and second-A hinge shafts 13 are rotatably connected to each other by four connecting members: a first connecting member 45, a second connecting member 46, a third connecting member 47, and a fourth connecting member 48, and each of their end sides is rotatably supported in circular bearing holes 16a and 17a provided in the first-A mounting member 16 and the second-A mounting member 17 provided in the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, and the other end side is engaged in deformed bearing holes 18a and 19a provided in the first-B mounting member 18 and the second-B mounting member 19. This allows the first-A hinge shafts 10 and second-A hinge shafts 13 to rotate together with the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 as the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened and closed.

Next, we will explain the slide mechanism B. This slide mechanism B consists of a first slide mechanism B1 on the first mounting base 7 side and a second slide mechanism B2 on the second mounting base 8 side, but the first slide mechanism B1 and the second slide mechanism B2 have the same configuration. Therefore, in this specification, when we simply refer to the slide mechanism, it refers to both the first slide mechanism B1 and the second slide mechanism B2.

First, regarding the first slide mechanism B1, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 12, this first slide mechanism B1 is composed of the firstB hinge shaft 11, a first slide member 34 and a second slide member 35 that slide in the radial direction of the firstB hinge shaft 11 within slide guide grooves 6a, 6b partitioned by a central partition wall 7c and side partition members 7d, 7e on the first mounting base 7, and a first slide mechanism drive belt 30 and a second slide mechanism drive belt 31 that have one end wound in opposite directions around fifth pulley 57 and sixth pulley 58 attached to deformed shaft portions 11b, 11b located on either side of the flange portion 11a of the firstB hinge shaft 11, and the other end connected to the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35.

As also shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 12, the second slide mechanism B2 is composed of the second B hinge shaft 14, a third slide member 36 and a fourth slide member 37 that slide in the radial direction of the second B hinge shaft 14 within slide guide grooves 9a and 9b partitioned by a central partition wall 8c and side partition members 8d and 8e on the second mounting base 8, and a third slide mechanism drive belt 32 and a fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 that have one end wound in opposite directions around a seventh pulley 59 and an eighth pulley 60 attached to deformed shaft portions 14b and 14b located on either side of the flange portion 14a of the second B hinge shaft 14, and the other end connected to the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37.

To explain in more detail, the first B hinge shaft 11 and the second B hinge shaft 14 have the same configuration, and as shown in FIG. 12, they are provided with deformed shaft portions 11b, 11b and deformed shaft portions 14b, 14b arranged on either side of the flange portion 11a, 14a, and a fifth pulley 57, a sixth pulley 58, and a seventh pulley 59, an eighth pulley 60 are attached via these deformed shaft portions 11b , 11b, 14b, 14b. Each of the fifth pulley 57, sixth pulley 58, seventh pulley 59 and eighth pulley 60 consists of three thin pulleys of the same diameter: a 5a small pulley 57a, a 5b small pulley 57b and a 5c small pulley 57c; a 6a small pulley 58a, a 6b small pulley 58b and a 6c small pulley 58c; a 7a small pulley 59a, a 7b small pulley 59b and a 7c small pulley 59c; and an 8a small pulley 60a, an 8b small pulley 60b and an 8c small pulley 60c, which are stacked one on top of the other. Locking pieces 57d, 58d, 59d and 60d are provided on the middle fifth small pulley 57b, sixth small pulley 58b, seventh small pulley 59b and eighth small pulley 60b, respectively.

The first slide mechanism drive belt 30 to the fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 are made of metal, such as stainless steel, and are approximately 0.3 mm thick sheets of the same material and structure. They also have the same structure as the first synchronous rotation drive belt 28 and the second synchronous rotation drive belt 29. Therefore, Figure 16(b) shows a representative developed view of one of them, with the others marked with their respective reference symbols. As shown in the drawing, each end of the belt has a flat, rectangular locking hole 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, and a longitudinally elongated hole 30c, 31c, 32c, 33c at the center.

The first slide member 34, second slide member 35, third slide member 36, and fourth slide member 37 are all of the same configuration. Of these, the first slide member 34 is shown in Figure 9 as a representative, with the other slide members indicated by reference symbols in parentheses. According to the drawing, the first slide member 34 to fourth slide member 37 all have a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and are comprised of thick portions 34a, 35a, 36a, and 37a and thin portions 34b, 35b, 36b, and 37b. The tips of the thin portions 34b, 35b, 36b, and 37b are provided with link member engagement holes 34c and 35c for the first link member 70 of the first link mechanism B3 and the second link member 71 of the second link mechanism B4, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to their extension direction. , 36c, 37c are provided, and drive belt mounting recesses 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d are provided in the thick portions 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a on the opposite sides thereof, and mounting shafts 34e, 35e, 36e, 37e are provided on the undersides of the thin portions 34b, 35b, 36b, 37b between the drive belt mounting recesses 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d and the link member engagement holes 34c, 35c, 36c, 37c. The drive belt mounting recesses 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d are configured such that drive belt mounting portions 34f, 35f, 36f, 37f are inclined therein, and mounting screw holes 34g, 35g, 36g, 37g are provided in the centers of the drive belt mounting portions 34f, 35f, 36f, 37f. Furthermore, front gaps 34h, 35h, 36h, 37h and rear gaps 34i, 35i, 36i, 37i are provided at the front and rear of drive belt mounting portions 34f, 35f, 36f, 37f, through which first slide mechanism drive belt 30 to fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 pass. Note that front gaps 34h, 35h, 36h, 37h are formed between front wall portions 34k, 35k, 36k, 37k and drive belt mounting portions 34f, 35f, 36f, 37f.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a first link mechanism side cover 97 and a second link mechanism side cover 98 are attached to mounting base portions 7u, 7u and 8u, 8u provided on the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8, respectively, to cover the upper surfaces of the first link mechanism B3 and the second link mechanism B4.

The first-A adjustment member 39, first-B adjustment member 40, second-A adjustment member 41, and second-B adjustment member 42 each have the same configuration, and as shown in particular in Figure 10, they have locking projections 39a, 40a, 41a, and 42a on one end side, and long guide holes 39b, 40b, 41b, and 42b in the center.

As shown in particular in Figures 5 to 7, 12 and 20, among the first to fourth slide mechanism drive belts 30 to 33, the first slide mechanism drive belt 30 and the second slide mechanism drive belt 31 are wound around a fifth pulley 57 and a sixth pulley 58 attached to the first B hinge shaft 11 at one end thereof, the former from below and the latter from above, with the locking holes 30a and 31a engaging with locking pieces 57d and 58d provided on the fifth b small pulley 57b and the sixth b small pulley 58b. 20, of the other ends of the first slide mechanism drive belt 30 and the second slide mechanism drive belt 31, the former is guided onto the underside of the front wall 34k of the first slide member 34 and onto the drive belt mounting portion 34f, where it is attached by inserting and engaging the locking hole 30a at its tip with the locking protrusion 39a provided on the firstA adjustment member 39 and tightening the adjustment screw 38a. The latter is guided onto the upper side of the front wall 35k of the second slide member 35 and onto the drive belt mounting portion 35f, where it is attached by inserting and engaging the locking hole 31a at its tip with the locking protrusion 40a provided on the firstB adjustment member 40 and tightening the adjustment screw 38b. Therefore, after sliding the firstA adjustment member 39 and the firstB adjustment member 40, the tension can be freely adjusted by tightening the adjustment screws 38a, 38b.

The third slide mechanism drive belt 32 and the fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 are wound at their respective ends around the 7b small pulley 59b and the 8b small pulley 60b of the seventh pulley 59 and the eighth pulley 60, which are attached to the 2B hinge shaft 14, with the former wound from below and the latter wound from above, engaging the locking pieces 59d and 60d provided thereon with the locking holes 32a and 33a. As shown in Figure 20, the other ends of the third slide mechanism drive belt 32 and the fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 are guided through the underside of the front wall portion 36k of the third slide member 36 onto the drive belt mounting portion 36f, where they are attached by inserting and engaging the locking hole 32b at their tip with the locking protrusion 41a provided on the 2A adjustment member 41 and tightening the adjustment screw 38c. The latter is guided onto the drive belt mounting portion 37f through the front wall portion 37k of the second-B slide member 37, where it is attached by inserting and engaging the locking protrusion 42a on the second-B adjustment member 42 with the locking hole 33b at its tip, and then tightening the adjustment screw 38d. Therefore, after sliding the second-A adjustment member 41 and the second-B adjustment member 42, the tension can be freely adjusted by tightening the adjustment screws 38c and 38d.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13 are provided with stopper mechanisms D that restrict their respective rotation angles. These stopper mechanisms D are composed of a first stopper mechanism D1 and a second stopper mechanism D2.

First, as shown particularly in Figures 5 to 7, the first stopper mechanism D1 consists of the mounting piece 45d provided on the first connecting member 45 and the locking step 16e provided on the firstA mounting member 16, which is attached to the first mounting base 7 and rotatably supports the firstA hinge shaft 10. The second stopper mechanism D2 consists of the mounting piece 45d provided on the first connecting member 45 and the locking step 17e provided on the secondA mounting member 17, which is attached to the second mounting base 8 and rotatably supports the secondA hinge shaft 13. Therefore, when the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 rotate 90° together with the opening and closing operations of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the locking step 16e of the firstA mounting member 16 and the locking step 17e of the secondA mounting member 17 come into contact with the mounting piece 45d of the first connecting member 45, restricting further rotation. As shown in Figure 14, the first connecting member 45 has, in addition to the mounting piece portion 45d, circular bearing holes 45b and 45c in its main body portion 45a, through which the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13 are rotatably inserted. The configurations of the first stopper mechanism D1 and the second stopper mechanism D2 are not limited to those described in embodiment 1. As long as the opening/closing angle between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is restricted to between 0° and 180°, various configurations are possible, including those based on known technology.

As shown in Figure 18, the first link member 70 of the first link mechanism B3 has a generally oval shape in a plan view. This first link member 70 links the movements of the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35, and the second link member 71 links the movements of the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37. That is, as shown in Figure 8, the first link member 70 has a rotation shaft hole 70a at its approximate center for inserting the pivot support portion 7z provided on the first mounting base 7, and a pair of engagement shafts 70b, 70c provided at both ends thereof. These engagement shafts 70b, 70c engage with link member engagement holes 34c, 35c provided at one end of the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35, respectively, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Therefore, when either the first slide member 34 or the second slide member 35 is wound by the connected first slide mechanism drive belt 30 or second slide mechanism drive belt 31, this first link member 70 assists the sliding movement of the unwound second slide mechanism drive belt 31 or first slide mechanism drive belt 30, ensuring smooth sliding movement.

Next, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 18, the second link member 71 has a rotation shaft hole 71a at its approximate center, into which the pivot support 8z provided on the second mounting base 8 is inserted, and a pair of engagement shafts 71b, 71c at both ends. These engagement shafts 71b, 71c engage with link member engagement holes 36c, 37c provided at one end of each of the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37. Therefore, when either the third slide member 36 or the fourth slide member 37 is wound by the connected third slide mechanism drive belt 32 or fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33, the second link member 71 assists the sliding movement of the unwound fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 or third slide mechanism drive belt 32, ensuring smooth sliding movement.

5 and 7, a first slide member side cover 95 that covers the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35 is provided on the upper surface of the first mounting base 7. This first slide member side cover 95 is a plate-like body with a flat rectangular shape, and covers part of the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35. This first slide member side cover 95 is attached to mounting base portions 7t, 7t , 7t, 7t provided on the first mounting base 7 using screws or the like. In addition, the first slide member side cover 95 prevents the first slide member 34 and the second slide member 35 from coming into contact with the first housing 2 and interfering with their smooth sliding movement when they slide.

A second slide member side cover 96 that covers the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37 is provided on the upper surface of the accommodation portion 8b of the second mounting base 8. This second slide member side cover 96 is a plate-like body with a flat rectangular shape, and covers part of the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37. This second slide member side cover 96 is attached to the mounting base portions 8t, 8t, 8t, 8t provided on the second mounting base 8 using screws or the like. Furthermore, the second slide member side cover 96 prevents the third slide member 36 and the fourth slide member 37 from coming into contact with the second housing 3 and interfering with their smooth sliding movement when they slide.

Next, we will explain the friction torque generating mechanism C. This friction torque generating mechanism C consists of a first friction torque generating mechanism C1 provided on the first C hinge shaft 12 side and a second friction torque generating mechanism C2 provided on the second C hinge shaft 15 side.

First, the first friction torque generating mechanism C1 further comprises a first friction torque generating section C1-1 and a second friction torque generating section C1-2. The first friction torque generating section C1-1 is provided on the first C hinge shaft 12 side and is configured in contact with a first tightening screw 72 provided approximately in the center of the first C hinge shaft 12, in that order, consisting of a first friction washer 73, multiple disc springs 74, a second friction washer 75, a seventh connecting member 51, a third friction washer 76, an eighth connecting member 52, and a fourth friction washer 77. The second friction torque generating section C1-2 is composed of, in order, a fifth friction washer 79 provided in contact with the second tightening screw 78 provided adjacent to the first tightening screw 72, multiple disc springs 80, a sixth friction washer 81, a sixth connecting member 50, a seventh friction washer 82, and a fifth connecting member 49.

The second friction torque generating mechanism C2 is provided on the side of the second C hinge shaft 15 and consists of a third friction torque generating section C2-1 and a fourth friction torque generating section C2-2. The third friction torque generating section C2-1 is in contact with a third tightening screw 84 provided approximately in the center of the second C hinge shaft 15 and is composed of, in this order, an eighth friction washer 85, multiple disc springs 86, a ninth friction washer 87, a seventh connecting member 51, a tenth friction washer 88, an eighth connecting member 52, and an eleventh friction washer 89. The fourth friction torque generating section C2-2 is composed of, in order, a twelfth friction washer 91 provided in contact with the fourth fastening screw 90 provided adjacent to the third fastening screw 84, multiple disc springs 92, a thirteenth friction washer 93, a sixth connecting member 50, a fourteenth friction washer 94, and a fifth connecting member 49.

Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened or closed, friction torque is generated in the first friction torque generating unit C1-1, the second friction torque generating unit C1-2, the third friction torque generating unit C2-1, and the fourth friction torque generating unit C2-2 of the first friction torque generating mechanism C1 and the second friction torque generating mechanism C2, respectively.

Next, the operation of the opening/closing device 4 will be described. A user can hold the terminal device 1 in their hand and open either or both of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. In this case, for example, if the user holds the first housing 2 in one hand and opens the second housing 3 with the other hand, the opening operation rotates the first-A hinge shaft 10 via the first-B mounting member 18 of the synchronous rotation mechanism A, and this rotational drive force is transmitted to the second-A hinge shaft 13 via the first synchronous rotation drive belt 28 and the second synchronous rotation drive belt 29. This rotational drive force rotates the second mounting base 8 in the opposite direction to the first mounting base 7, so that the first housing 2 is opened in the opposite direction to the second housing 3 via the first-B mounting member 18 and the second-B mounting member 19. As a result, as the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 are opened or closed, the first C-hinge shaft 12 rotates via the first D-mounting member 22, and at the same time, the second C-hinge shaft 15 rotates via the second D-mounting member 23. At the same time, the first B-hinge shaft 11 rotates via the first connecting cylinder portion 61, and the second B-hinge shaft 14 rotates via the second connecting cylinder portion 63. As a result, the first slide mechanism B1 and the second slide mechanism B2 of the slide mechanism B, and the first friction torque generation mechanism C1 and the second friction torque generation mechanism C2 of the friction torque generation mechanism C, operate simultaneously via the synchronous rotation mechanism A.

The above operation also occurs when closing the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, simply in reverse. The above operation also occurs whether the first housing 2 is operated primarily, or the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are operated simultaneously, because the synchronous rotation mechanism A operates and transmits its rotational driving force to the first A hinge shaft 10 and the second A hinge shaft 13, causing the first B hinge shaft 11 and the second B hinge shaft 14, as well as the first C hinge shaft 12 and the second C hinge shaft 15, to rotate simultaneously.

Alternatively, in the present invention, the slide mechanism B operates without using the synchronous rotation mechanism A. Furthermore, although the friction torque generating mechanism C allows the first and second housings 2 and 3 to be stably stopped and held in a free stop when the first and second housings 2 and 3 are opened or closed, the slide mechanism B operates without this mechanism.

Next, we will describe the operation of slide mechanism B. The first slide mechanism B1 and second slide mechanism B2 that make up this slide mechanism B operate in synchronization via synchronous rotation mechanism A, and the first B hinge shaft 11 and second B hinge shaft 14 both rotate in opposite directions. As a result, the first slide member 34 and second slide member 35 are driven in opposite directions by the first slide mechanism drive belt 30 and second slide mechanism drive belt 31, and the third slide member 36 and fourth slide member 37 slide in opposite directions by the third slide mechanism drive belt 32 and fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33. In this case, even if the first slide mechanism drive belt 30 through the fourth slide mechanism drive belt 33 are constructed from a thin metal material, the first link member 70 and second link member 71 of the first link mechanism B3 and the second link mechanism B4 assist the operation of one of the first slide mechanism drive belts 30 through 34 being rewound, and assist the operation of one of the first slide member 34 through fourth slide member 37 connected to this rewound slide mechanism drive belt, preventing belt sagging and allowing for smooth sliding.

Then, the engaging portions 3c (the one on the first housing 2 side is not shown) provided on the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 shown in Figure 3, which engage with the engaging shafts 26g and 27g of the short second operating member 26b and fourth operating member 27b of the first sliding mechanism B1 and the second sliding mechanism B2 of the sliding mechanism B of the opening/closing device 4, slide away from each other against the pulling force of the tension coil springs 3d, 3d, ... (only one is shown). This pulls the flexible display sheet 5a stretched across both surfaces of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 outward, preventing the flexible display sheet 5a from wrinkling.

When the first housing 2 and second housing 3 are opened or closed, the first friction torque generating mechanism C1 and second friction torque generating mechanism C2 of the friction torque generating mechanism C operate together to generate friction torque as described above, allowing the first housing 2 and second housing 3 to be stably held in a free stop at any opening or closing angle, providing a smooth operational feel.

The opening and closing angle of the opening and closing device 4 in this embodiment 1 is between 0° and 180°. When the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened by 90° each, up to a total of 180°, further opening is prevented by the attachment piece portion 45d of the first connecting member 45 connecting the firstA hinge shaft 10 and the secondA hinge shaft 13 coming into contact with the locking steps 16e, 17e provided on the firstA mounting member 16 and the secondA mounting member 17.

[Embodiment 2]
21 to 23 show another embodiment of the opening/closing device according to the present invention and a terminal device for a notebook computer using this opening/closing device. In the opening/closing device 101 according to this embodiment 2, although not shown in the drawings, unlike the opening/closing device 4 shown in embodiment 1, the first mounting base 7 and the second mounting base 8 do not have guide rails 7n, 7n or 8n, 8n, and the tension coil springs 2d, 2d..., 3d, 3d... and stopper mechanism D are not provided, but other components, such as the synchronous rotation mechanism A, slide mechanism B, and friction torque generating mechanism C, are the same as those of embodiment 1.

Therefore, the opening/closing device 101 of this second embodiment can open and close the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 between 0° and 360° as shown in Figures 21 to 23. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, a first display sheet 104 and a second display sheet 105 are individually stretched on the top surfaces of the first housing 102 and the second housing 103 of the terminal device 100. In this second embodiment, when the first housing 102 and the second housing 103 are opened or closed, the first operating member 26a, the third operating member 27a, the second operating member 26b, and the fourth operating member 27b of the first embodiment, particularly shown in Figure 17, can be used to operate various operating mechanisms (not shown) provided inside or outside the first housing 102 and the second housing 103 via connecting members (not shown). In some cases, the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism can also be used simultaneously as a friction torque generating mechanism. As shown in Fig. 17(a), the first and third operating members 26a and 27a are provided with shaft support holes 26c and 27c, with operating shafts 26d and 27d at one end and elongated connecting holes 26e and 27e at the other end. Also, as shown in Fig. 17(b), the second and fourth operating members 26b and 27b are provided with shaft support holes 26f and 27f, with operating shafts 26g and 27g at one end and elongated connecting holes 26h and 27h at the other end.

The present invention, configured as described above, is suitable for use as an opening/closing device that can reduce the thickness of the first and second housings of a terminal device, or as an opening/closing device for a terminal device in which a flexible display sheet is provided across both sides of the first and second housings, as well as an opening/closing device that can operate the internal and external mechanisms of the first and second housings, and as terminal devices that use these opening/closing devices.

A Synchronous rotation mechanism B Slide mechanism B1 First slide mechanism B2 Second slide mechanism B3 First link mechanism B4 Second link mechanism C Friction torque generating mechanism C1 First friction mechanism generating mechanism C1-1 First friction torque generating section C1-2 Second friction torque generating section C2 Second friction mechanism generating mechanism C2-1 Third friction torque generating section C2-2 Fourth friction torque generating section D Stopper mechanism D1 First stopper mechanism D2 Second stopper mechanism 1 Terminal device 2 First housing 2a First mounting base accommodating section 2b Guide groove 3 Second housing 3a Second mounting base accommodating section 3b Guide groove 4 Opening and closing device
5. Display section
5a Flexible display sheet 5b Cushion sheet 6a Slide guide groove 6b Slide guide groove 7 First mounting base 7a Wall 7b Storage section 7c Central partition wall 7d Side partition member 7e Side partition member 7h Mounting section 7i Mounting section 7j Mounting section 7k Mounting section 7m Mounting section 7n Guide rail 7o Mounting hole 7p Mounting hole 7q Mounting hole 7r Mounting hole 7s Mounting hole 7t Mounting base section 7u Mounting base section 7x Mounting shaft section 7y Mounting shaft section 7z Shaft support section 8 Second mounting base 8a Wall 8b Storage section 8c Central partition wall 8d Side partition member 8e Side partition member 8h Mounting section 8i Mounting section 8j Mounting section 8k Mounting section 8m Mounting section 8n Guide rail 8o Mounting hole 8p Mounting hole 8q Mounting hole 8r Mounting hole 8s Mounting hole 8t Mounting base section 8u Mounting base portion 8x, mounting shaft portion 8y, mounting shaft portion 8z, shaft support portion 9a, slide guide groove 9b, slide guide groove 10, 1A hinge shaft 11, 1B hinge shaft 12, 1C hinge shaft 13, 2A hinge shaft 14, 2B hinge shaft 15, 2C hinge shaft 16, 1A mounting member 18, 1B mounting member 20, 1C mounting member 22, 1D mounting member 24, 1E mounting member 17, 2A mounting member 19, 2B mounting member 21, 2C mounting member 23, 2D mounting member 25, 2E mounting member 26a, first operating member 26b, second operating member 27a, third operating member 27b, fourth operating member 28, first synchronous rotation drive belt 29, second synchronous rotation drive belt 30, first slide mechanism drive belt 31, second slide mechanism drive belt 32, third slide mechanism drive belt 33, fourth slide mechanism drive belt 34, first slide member 35 Second slide member 36 Third slide member 37 Fourth slide member 38a Adjustment screw 38b Adjustment screw 38c Adjustment screw 38d Adjustment screw 39 First A adjustment member 40 First B adjustment member 41 Second A adjustment member 42 Second B adjustment member 43 Shielding member 44 Side cover member 45 First connecting member 46 Second connecting member 47 Third connecting member 48 Fourth connecting member 49 Fifth connecting member 50 Sixth connecting member 51 Seventh connecting member
52 Eighth connecting member 53 First pulley 53a 1a small pulley 53b 1b small pulley
53c 1c small pulley
53d Locking piece 54: Second pulley 54a, 2a-th small pulley 54b, 2b-th small pulley 54c, 2c-th small pulley 54d Locking piece 55: Third pulley 55a, 3a-th small pulley 55b, 3b-th small pulley 55c, 3c-th small pulley 55d Locking piece 56: Fourth pulley 56a, 4a-th small pulley 56b, 4b-th small pulley 56c, 4c-th small pulley 56d Locking piece 57: Fifth pulley 57a, 5a-th small pulley 57b, 5b-th small pulley 57c, 5c-th small pulley 57d Locking piece 58: Sixth pulley 58a, 6a-th small pulley 58b, 6b-th small pulley 58c, 6c-th small pulley 58d Locking piece 59: Seventh pulley 59a, 7a-th small pulley 59b, 7b-th small pulley 59c, 7c-th small pulley 59d Locking piece 60 Eighth pulley 60a Eighth-a small pulley 60b Eighth-b small pulley 60c Eighth-c small pulley 60d Locking piece 61 First connecting cylinder portion 62 Presser washer
63 Second connecting cylinder portion 64 Pressing washer 70 First link member 71 Second link member 72 First fastening screw 73 First friction washer 74 Belleville spring 75 Second friction washer 76 Third friction washer 77 Fourth friction washer 78 Second fastening screw 79 Fifth friction washer 80 Belleville spring 81 Sixth friction washer 82 Seventh friction washer 84 Third fastening screw 85 Eighth friction washer 86 Belleville spring 87 Ninth friction washer 88 Tenth friction washer 89 Eleventh friction washer 90 Fourth fastening screw 91 Twelfth friction washer 92 Belleville spring 93 Thirteenth friction washer 94 Fourteenth friction washer 100 Terminal device 101 Opening and closing device 102 First housing 103 Second housing 104 First display sheet 105 Second display sheet

Claims (8)

The device has a first slide mechanism provided on a first mounting base attached to a first housing side and a second slide mechanism provided on a second mounting base attached to a second housing side, and the first slide mechanism includes a first B hinge shaft attached to the first mounting base side so as to be rotatable when the first housing is opened or closed, a second B hinge shaft attached to the second mounting base side, one end of which is wound around the first B hinge shaft with winding directions changed, the second B hinge shaft facing the first B hinge shaft and being rotatable when the second housing is opened or closed, a connecting member connecting the first B hinge shaft and the second B hinge shaft in a radial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a first slide mechanism drive belt and a second slide mechanism drive belt wound around the first B hinge shaft with one end thereof wound in different winding directions at a predetermined interval, and a third slide mechanism drive belt and a fourth slide mechanism drive belt wound around the second B hinge shaft with one end thereof wound in different winding directions at a predetermined interval. a first slide member and a second slide member attached to the first mounting base side so as to be slidable in the radial direction of the first-B hinge shaft and formed by connecting the other end sides of the first slide mechanism drive belt and the second slide mechanism drive belt; a third slide member and a fourth slide member attached to the second mounting base side so as to be slidable in the radial direction of the second-B hinge shaft and formed by connecting the other end sides of the third slide mechanism drive belt and the fourth slide mechanism drive belt; a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism provided between the first slide member and the second slide member and between the third slide member and the fourth slide member, respectively ; and stopper mechanisms provided on a first-A hinge shaft rotatably attached to the first mounting base and connected to the first-B hinge shaft, and a second-A hinge shaft rotatably attached to the second mounting base and connected to the second-B hinge shaft, for restricting the rotation angles of each of the first slide member and the second slide member.
the stopper mechanism includes a locking step portion provided on each of a first A mounting member attached to the first mounting base and rotatably supporting the first A hinge shaft and a second A mounting member attached to the second mounting base and rotatably supporting the second A hinge shaft, and an attachment piece portion provided on a connecting member connecting one end side of the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft,
An opening and closing device characterized in that when each of the first mounting base and the second mounting base rotates due to the opening and closing operation of the first housing and the second housing, the locking step portions of the first A mounting member and the second A mounting member each abut against the mounting piece portion of the connecting member, thereby restricting rotation . 2. The opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein a synchronous rotation mechanism is provided adjacent to the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, and the synchronous rotation mechanism comprises the first A hinge shaft, the second A hinge shaft, a connecting member that connects the other ends of the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft to each other in the radial direction, and a first synchronous rotation drive belt and a second synchronous rotation drive belt that are wound around the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft at a predetermined interval and in different winding directions. The opening and closing device described in claim 1, characterized in that a friction torque generating mechanism is provided adjacent to the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, and the friction torque generating mechanism is composed of a first C-hinge shaft rotatably attached to the first mounting base 7 and connected to the first B-hinge shaft, a second C-hinge shaft rotatably attached to the second mounting base and connected to the second B-hinge shaft, a connecting member connecting the first C-hinge shaft and the second C-hinge shaft, a first friction torque generating unit composed of a fastening screw attached to the first C-hinge shaft, a friction washer, and a disc spring, and a second friction torque generating unit composed of a fastening screw attached to the second C-hinge shaft, a friction washer, and a disc spring. The opening and closing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first housing and the second housing are slidably attached to the first mounting base and the second mounting base, and can be slid by the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, respectively. The opening and closing device described in claim 1, characterized in that a tension coil spring is tensioned between either or both of the first housing and the second housing and either or both of the first mounting base and the second mounting base. The opening and closing device described in claim 1, characterized in that a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism are provided between the slide members of the first slide mechanism and the second slide mechanism, respectively. The opening and closing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first sliding mechanism and the second sliding mechanism, which operate when the first housing and the second housing are opened or closed, operate operating mechanisms inside the first housing and the second housing. A terminal device characterized by using the opening and closing device described in any one of claims 1 to 7.