HK1109298B - Pivoting mechanism for stand and eletronic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Pivoting mechanism for stand and electronic device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention includes subject matter related to the present patent application on the following days: japanese patent application JP 2006-108661, filed by the Japanese patent office on 11.4.2006, the entire content of which is incorporated in this document by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pivot mechanism for a stand and an electronic device, and more particularly to a pivot mechanism for a stand and an electronic device, in which the stand is mounted for pivotal movement on a device body.

Background

Electronic devices such as personal computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and television receivers are known in which a stand is supported by a pivoting mechanism for pivotal movement on the rear of a device main body. One such electronic device is disclosed in, for example, japanese patent Laid Open (japanese patent Laid Open) No. 2004-.

In which a pivoting mechanism for a stand is used, and by adjusting the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to a device main body, the device main body can be held at an arbitrary angular position.

In some electronic devices equipped with such a pivoting mechanism for the stand as described above, the stand is biased in one of two opposite directions of the pivoting movement, that is, in a direction in which one end portion of the stand approaches a lower end portion of the device main body.

An electronic device such as the one described above is shown in fig. 32. Referring to fig. 32, in the electronic apparatus shown, if an attempt is made to adjust the angular position of the apparatus main body a, for example, from a position in which the display screen b extends substantially horizontally (the position indicated by the solid line in fig. 32) to a position in which the display screen b extends substantially vertically (the position indicated by the broken line in fig. 32), the stand c pivots following the change in the angle of the display screen b while it remains in contact with the receiving surface d of a table or the like. Therefore, after the angular position adjustment of the apparatus main body a, it is not necessary to manually pivot the bracket c in a direction in which the lower end portion of the bracket c approaches the apparatus main body a. Therefore, the electronic device is enhanced in convenience of use.

Disclosure of Invention

Incidentally, if this type of electronic device, in which the bracket is biased in the direction in which the end portion of the bracket approaches the lower end portion of the device main body, does not include an angle control mechanism for the bracket, when the electronic device is raised, the bracket comes into contact with the rear surface of the device main body by the biasing force acting on the bracket. Therefore, if an attempt is made to place the electronic device again on a receiving surface once the device is raised, the stand must be manually pivoted open with respect to the device body, which impairs the convenience of use.

Further, as described above, where the electronic apparatus does not include the angle control mechanism for the stand, if the display screen of the apparatus main body is placed in a vertically extended position, the stand comes into contact with the rear surface of the apparatus main body, which makes the placement state of the electronic apparatus unstable.

As such, in this type of electronic device: wherein the holder is biased in a direction in which the end of the holder approaches the lower end portion of the apparatus main body, an angle control mechanism for the holder is provided. The angle control mechanism allows the stand to pivot relative to the apparatus body within a predetermined angle range, for example, only within a range of 30 ° to 60 °.

However, in an electronic device in which the range of the pivot angle of the stand is defined by the angle control mechanism for the stand as described above, the stand is protruded at a predetermined angle, for example, at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the device main body. Therefore, when the electronic device is carried, the stand may become an obstacle to carrying.

Further, when a maintenance cover for exposing various components provided in the apparatus main body or the like is provided on the rear surface of the apparatus main body according to the angle of the bracket with respect to the apparatus main body, the bracket may become an obstacle to opening or closing the cover or maintenance operation.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a pivoting mechanism for a stand and an electronic device, which are improved in convenience of use.

To meet this desire, according to the present invention, there are provided a pivoting mechanism for a stand and an electronic device with a pivoting angle changing lever for changing a pivoting movement allowable angle of the stand with respect to a device main body.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting mechanism for a stand supported to pivot on a rear surface of a device main body, the pivoting mechanism including: a main body side fixing portion fixed to the apparatus main body; a pair of bracket-side fixing portions fixed to the bracket; a pair of pivot shafts configured to connect the main body side fixing portion and the stand side fixing portion to each other and serve as pivot moving fulcrums for the stand with respect to the apparatus main body; a spring member configured to provide a pivoting force to the stand in a direction in which an end of the stand approaches the lower end portion of the apparatus main body; and a pivoting angle changing lever configured to change a pivoting movement allowance angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body in response to an operation position thereof, the pivoting angle changing lever including a bottom surface portion directed substantially in an up-down direction, an operation portion projecting downward from the bottom surface portion, and a support tubular portion projecting upward from the bottom surface portion, wherein one of the pair of pivoting shafts is fitted in the support tubular portion such that the pivoting angle changing lever is supported to rotate about an axis thereof and is configured to move on the one of the pair of pivoting shafts in an axial direction.

In the pivoting mechanism for the stand, the pivoting movement of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body allows the angle to be changed in response to the operating position of the pivoting angle changing lever.

Therefore, the apparatus main body can stand upright using the stand due to the pivoting mechanism for the stand. Further, for example, when the apparatus main body is carried or the apparatus main body is under maintenance, a mode adapted thereto can be easily set.

The pivot mechanism for the bracket may be configured such that the pivot angle changing lever is mounted to move in the axial direction of the pivot shaft between the first operating position and the second operating position; the first pivoting-motion allowing angle and the second pivoting-motion allowing angle are set as the pivoting-angle allowing angle to be changed; a first pivot-movement allowing angle and a second pivot-movement allowing angle are provided at each of the first operating position and the second operating position of the pivot-angle changing lever; and a pivoting angle of the stand when in a state in which the stand is positioned parallel to the rear surface of the apparatus main body is defined as 0 °, the first pivoting movement allowance angle is a predetermined angle from one angle larger than 0 ° to another angle smaller than 90 °, and the second pivoting movement allowance angle is an angle from 0 ° to 90 °. Due to the pivoting mechanism for the stand, work required for the apparatus main body, such as carrying or maintenance, can be easily performed without any trouble.

In this case, the pivoting mechanism for the stand may be configured such that the stand is in contact with the rear surface of the apparatus main body to maintain a state in which the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 0 °. Due to the pivoting mechanism for the stand, it is not necessary to provide a control portion dedicated to holding the stand at the 0 ° position. Therefore, reduction in the number of parts and simplification of the mechanism can be expected.

The pivot mechanism for the stand may further include: a controlled portion configured to pivot in response to the pivotal movement of the bracket and to move in an axial direction of the pivot shaft in response to an operation of the pivot angle changing lever; and a control portion provided on the main body side fixing portion, pivotal movement of the controlled portion being controlled by the control portion to maintain a state in which an angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 90 °. Due to the pivoting mechanism for the stand, for example, when the cover is provided on the rear surface of the rear cover of the apparatus main body, opening/closing of the cover can be easily performed.

In this case, the pivot mechanism for the bracket may be configured such that the controlled portion has an inclined surface formed thereon to be displaced from the first operating position toward the second operating position in the biasing direction of the spring element. Due to the pivoting mechanism for the bracket, the operation of the pivoting angle changing lever from the first operating position to the second operating position can be smoothly performed.

The pivot mechanism for the stand may further include a biasing spring configured to bias the pivot angle changing lever from the second operating position to the first operating position, the pivot angle changing lever being moved from the second operating position to the first operating position by the biasing force of the biasing spring when the stand is pivoted from the 0 ° angular position to the 90 ° angular position. Due to the pivoting mechanism for the bracket, it is not necessary here to manually move the pivoting angle changing lever from the first operating position to the first operating position. Thus, enhancement of operability can be expected.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: a device main body; a stand supported so as to pivot on a rear surface of the apparatus main body; a main body side fixing portion fixed to the apparatus main body; a pair of bracket-side fixing portions fixed to the bracket; a pair of pivot shafts configured to connect the main body side fixing portion and the bracket side fixing portion to each other, and serving as fulcrums for pivotal movement of the bracket with respect to the apparatus main body; a spring member configured to provide a pivoting force to the stand in a direction in which the stand end approaches the lower end portion of the apparatus main body; and a pivoting angle changing lever configured to change a pivoting movement allowance angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body in response to an operation position thereof, the pivoting angle changing lever including a bottom surface portion directed substantially in an up-down direction, an operation portion projecting downward from the bottom surface portion, and a support tubular portion projecting upward from the bottom surface portion, wherein one of the pair of pivoting shafts is fitted in the support tubular portion such that the pivoting angle changing lever is supported to rotate about an axis thereof and is configured to move on the one of the pair of pivoting shafts in an axial direction.

In the electronic device, the pivoting movement of the stand relative to the device main body allows the angle to be changed in response to the operating position of the pivoting angle changing lever.

Therefore, the electronic device can be vertically erected using the stand. Furthermore, modes for carrying or maintenance of the electronic device, for example, can be set simply.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device to which the present invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view but showing a different type of electronic device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the electronic device, viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the chassis;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the chassis;

fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line VII-VII of fig. 6, and shows the element-mounting board and the semiconductor light emitting element;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6;

fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view illustrating a positional relationship among the semiconductor light emitting element, the illuminating lamp section and the reflector lamp section;

fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line X-X of fig. 6, and shows the component-mounting board and the semiconductor light-emitting component;

fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing an exit direction of light partially reflected by the reflective lamp;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing the lower end portion of the chassis, the retaining member and the placement pad;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the placement pad prior to attachment to the retaining member;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the placemat when being attached to the retention member;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the placemat that has been attached to the retention member;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the pivot mechanism;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a portion of the pivot mechanism;

fig. 19 is an enlarged rear elevational view showing the pivot angle changing lever in the first position;

fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between the locking portion and the controlled member when the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 30 °;

fig. 21 is a side elevation view showing the bracket pivoted at an angle of 30 ° relative to the device body;

fig. 22 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between the locking portion and the controlled member when the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 60 °;

fig. 23 is a side elevation view showing the bracket pivoted at an angle of 60 ° relative to the device body;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged rear elevational view showing the pivot angle change lever moved to the second position;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the electronic device when attempting to set the second mode;

fig. 26 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between the locking portion and the controlled member when the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 0 °;

fig. 27 is a side elevational view showing the bracket pivoted at an angle of 0 ° with respect to the device body;

fig. 28 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between the locking portion and the controlled member when the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 90 °;

fig. 29 is a side elevation view showing the bracket pivoted at 90 ° relative to the device body;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing a first controlled portion of the controlled element slidably moving on a first control surface of a first control portion of the bearing element;

fig. 31 is a diagram illustrating directions of optical axes of image pickup lenses of the image pickup unit (camera unit) in a standard state and in a reference state when a user uses the electronic apparatus; and

fig. 32 is a schematic view illustrating the movement of an electronic device of a type in which a holder is biased in a direction in which one end portion thereof approaches a lower end portion of a device main body.

Detailed Description

The invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments. In the described embodiment, the invention is applied to an electronic device in the form of a personal computer.

It should be noted that the application of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention should not be limited to a personal computer, but the electronic apparatus of the present invention can be widely applied to various electronic apparatuses such as an information processing apparatus such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a network terminal, a portable information terminal, a workstation, an acoustic apparatus, a home-use electronic device, and the like.

In the following description, for convenience of explanation and description, the upward, downward, forward, backward, leftward, rightward, etc. directions are determined with respect to a direction in which a user visually observes a display screen of a personal computer, and the side (user side) with respect to the display screen is determined as a forward direction, and the left and right directions of the user are respectively determined as left and right directions.

Referring first to fig. 1, the electronic apparatus shown includes an apparatus main body 2, a keyboard 3, and a stand 4, the stand 4 being supported for pivotal movement on a rear surface 2a of the apparatus main body 2.

The keyboard 3 is, for example, separated from the apparatus main body 2, and has predetermined operation keys 3a provided thereon. If any of the operation keys 3a of the keyboard 3 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operated operation key 3a is output by the keyboard 3. The output signal is input to a receiving portion, not shown, provided on the apparatus main body 2 by means of radio communication, and the apparatus main body 2 performs various processes in response to the operation of the operation keys 3 a.

Since the keyboard 3 of the electronic device 1 is separated from the device main body 2 in such a manner that it can be used at an arbitrary position as occasion demands within a range where radio signals can be received by the device main body 2.

It should be noted that the electronic apparatus should not be limited to one of the types in which the keyboard 3 is separate from the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, the electronic apparatus may be shaped as an electronic apparatus 1A as shown in fig. 2, the electronic apparatus 1A including an apparatus main body 2, a keyboard 3 supported for folding movement on one front surface 2b of the apparatus main body 2, and a stand 4 supported for pivotal movement on one rear surface 2a of the apparatus main body 2. This electronic apparatus 1A has an advantage that when the keyboard 3 is not used, the arrangement space can be reduced because the keyboard 3 can be folded.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, the device body 2 has various necessary elements attached to opposite front and rear surfaces of the chassis 5. Specifically, the apparatus main body 2 includes a chassis 5, a display unit 6 attached to a front surface of the chassis 5, and a rear cover 8 and a control circuit board 7 attached to a rear surface of the chassis 5.

The chassis 5 is formed as a plate directed in the front-rear direction, which is formed by injection molding using a transparent material such as an acrylic resin material. The front surface of the chassis 5 is shaped as a first mounting surface portion 5a, and the rear surface of the chassis 5 is shaped as a second mounting surface portion 5 b.

The chassis 5 has a mounting recess 9, and the recess 9 is formed in the chassis 5 so as to open forward. The mounting groove 9 is formed on a portion of the chassis 5 excluding the outer peripheral portion 10, and is formed as a space defined by a bottom surface portion 11 and a connecting portion 12, the bottom surface portion 11 extending parallel to the outer peripheral portion 10, the connecting portion 12 extending substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral portion 10 and the bottom surface portion 11, and connecting the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion 10 and the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 11 to each other.

By shaping the chassis 5 such that the outer peripheral portion 10 and the bottom surface portion 11 are connected to each other by the extended connecting portion 12 perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 11 and the outer peripheral portion 10 in this manner, the strength of the chassis 5 can be improved.

Referring to fig. 5, the chassis 5 may be shaped such that the thickness T1 of the outer peripheral portion 10 is greater than the thickness T2 of the connecting portion 12. For example, the thickness T1 of the electronic device 1 is set to 5mm, and the thickness T2 of the connection portion 12 is set to 2.4 mm.

The reduced thickness forming of the bottom plate 5 can be achieved while the high strength of the bottom plate 5 is ensured by setting the thickness T1 of the outer peripheral portion 10 larger than the thickness T2 of the connecting portion 12 in such a manner.

Referring to fig. 6, the outer peripheral portion 10 of the chassis 5 has an arrangement groove 10a formed in the middle of the chassis in the left-right direction in such a manner as to open upward.

A shallow fitting groove 10b is formed at a lower end portion of the outer peripheral portion 10 of the chassis 5 such that it opens downward except for opposite left and right end portions of the outer peripheral portion 10. Three holding grooves 10c are formed in positions relatively close to each of the left and right ends of the mounting groove 10b in such a manner as to be open downward. The left and right holding grooves 10c are formed in a spaced-apart relationship from each other in the left-right direction.

An illumination lamp portion 13 is formed at an upper end portion of a right end portion of the outer peripheral portion 10 of the chassis 5. The illumination lamp section 13 includes, for example, a lamp element indicating a power supply state of the power supply system. When power is supplied, the lamp portion 13 is turned on, but when power is not supplied, the lamp portion 13 is turned off.

The light portion is formed by making a groove in the chassis 5 open rearward, as can be seen from fig. 7. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the illumination lamp section 13 includes: an arc portion 14 having an arc shape and opened upward; and a straight portion 15 extending upwardly and downwardly and positioned between opposite ends of the arcuate portion 14.

The arc-shaped portion 14 has an inner surface portion 14a, the inner surface portion 14a being inclined such that it is displaced forwardly in the upward direction, and the groove of the arc-shaped portion 14 being shaped such that the depth thereof increases in the upward direction, as seen in fig. 7 and 8.

The straight line portion 15 has an inner surface portion 15a, the inner surface portion 15a is inclined such that it is displaced forward in the upward direction, and the groove of the straight line portion 15 is shaped such that its depth increases in the upward direction, as seen from fig. 7. The groove at the lower end of the linear portion 15 is shaped to have a depth which is the same as the depth of the groove at the upper end of a portion of the arc portion 14, which portion of the arc portion 14 is positioned just below the linear portion 15.

The inner surface portions 14a and 15a of the arc-shaped portion 14 and the straight line portion 15 are processed to have very small convex and concave shapes by, for example, embossing.

A device mounting plate 16 is provided below the illumination lamp section 13, as seen in fig. 7 and 9. The device mounting plate 16 is directed in the up-down direction and is disposed in a state such that it is partially inserted into one upper-side device placement hole 10d formed in the chassis 5 (see fig. 6). The upper device arrangement hole 10d is formed on the immediately lower side of the illumination lamp section 13.

For example, three first semiconductor light emitting elements 17 are mounted on the upper surface of the device mounting board 16 in a leftward and rightward spaced relationship from each other, as seen in fig. 9. The first semiconductor light emitting element 17 is positioned just below the device mounting board 16. Among the first semiconductor light emitting elements 17, for example, one center element emits orange light, and the left and right elements emit green light.

Light rays P1 (see fig. 7) emitted by the first semiconductor light emitting element 17 are guided to the inner surface portions 14a and 15a of the illumination lamp section 13. In this case, the light ray P1 is uniformly guided into the inner surface portions 14a and 15a, and thus high incidence efficiency of the light ray is achieved. This is because the inner surface portions 14a and 15a are inclined such that the depth of the grooves of the arc-shaped portion 14 and the straight line portion 15 increases in the upward direction, and the depth of the groove at the lower end of the straight line portion 15 is the same as the depth of the groove at the upper end of a portion of the arc-shaped portion 14 positioned just below the straight line portion 15.

When the light ray P1 is guided to the lamp section 13, it is randomly reflected by the slight convexo-concave shape formed on the inner surface portions 14a and 15a, and then proceeds by the lamp section 13 through the inside of the chassis 5 until it is emitted forward from the chassis 5.

When the electronic device 1 is in the normal operation mode, for example, the light ray P1 is emitted by the first semiconductor light emitting element 17 located at the left and right positions, but when the electronic device 1 is in the stop mode, the light ray P1 is emitted by the first semiconductor light emitting element 17 located at the middle.

Since, as described above, the electronic device 1 is configured such that the lamp portion 13 is provided on the chassis 5 and the light rays P1 emitted by the first semiconductor light-emitting element 17 are emitted through the lamp portion 13, enhancement of visibility can be achieved and at the same time a simple structure of forming the lamp portion 13 on the chassis 5 can be ensured.

Referring to fig. 6, a pair of reflective lamp sections 18 are formed at the lower end portion of the right end portion of the outer peripheral portion 10 of the chassis 5. The reflector lamp section 18 indicates, for example, a status of a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) or an access status (access status) of at least one hard disk drive or the like. For example, the reflective lamp section 18 emits light or flickers when the wireless lan is in a connected state or the hard disk drive is accessed, but the reflective lamp section 18 does not emit light when the wireless lan is in a disconnected state or the hard disk drive is not accessed.

Referring to fig. 10, each of the reflector lamp sections 18 is formed by forming a recess opened rearward in the chassis 5.

Each of the reflective lamp sections 18 has an inner surface portion 18a, and the inner surface portion 18a is inclined so as to be displaced rearward in a rearward direction. The inner surface portion 18a of each of the reflective lamp sections 18 is also inclined so as to be displaced forward in the rightward direction, as seen from fig. 11.

Each inner surface portion 18a of the reflective lamp section 18 is shaped as a mirror surface. A second device mounting plate 19 is disposed above the reflector lamp section 18 and directed in the front-rear direction, as seen in fig. 9 and 10.

For example, two second semiconductor light emitting elements 20 are mounted on the front surface of the second device mounting board 19 in a spaced-apart relationship from each other in the left-right direction. The second semiconductor light emitting element 20 is disposed in a lower-side element disposition hole 10e (see fig. 6), the lower-side element disposition hole 10e being formed in the chassis 5, and the second semiconductor light emitting element is separately positioned just above the reflective lamp section 18, as seen from fig. 10. The lower-side element disposition hole 10e is formed just above the reflector lamp section 18.

The light rays P2 (see fig. 10) emitted by the second semiconductor light emitting element 20 are guided to the inner surface portion 18a of the reflector lamp portion 18.

When light ray P2 is directed toward reflector lamp portion 18, it is reflected by inner surface portion 18a and proceeds from reflector lamp portion 18 through the interior of chassis 5, causing it to be emitted forward from chassis 5.

At this time, since the inner surface portion 18a of the reflector lamp portion 18 is inclined so as to be displaced forward in the rightward direction, as described above, the light ray P2 is reflected so as to be directed to the center side of the electronic apparatus 1, that is, toward a perpendicular line H (see fig. 11) passing through the center of the display 6.

The light ray P2 reflected by the reflective lamp section 18 can be easily visually observed by a user of the electronic device 1. Therefore, enhancement of the visual observable performance can be achieved while ensuring a simple structure of the reflective lamp section 18 by forming a groove shape in the chassis 5.

Referring to fig. 6, speaker arrangement holes 11a, connecting wire wiring holes 11b, cooling air flow holes 11c, and the like are formed at predetermined positions of the bottom surface portion 11 of the chassis 5. Further, mounting bosses, positioning projections, positioning holes, mounting projections, mounting holes, and the like for fastening screws are formed at desired positions of the bottom surface 11 and the connecting portion 12.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the display 6 has a display panel 21 and a front panel 22.

The display panel 21 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and has an outline slightly smaller than that of the bottom surface portion 11 of the chassis 5.

The front plate 22 is shaped into a rectangular frame and has a slightly larger outline than that of the bottom surface portion 11 of the chassis 5.

The display panel 21 is inserted and placed in the mounting recess 9 of the chassis 5 and attached to the bottom surface portion 11 of the chassis 5 by means of appropriate means such as fastening screws. The front plate 22 is attached to the chassis 5 by means of a suitable device such as a fastening screw in a state in which the front plate 22 covers the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion 10 from the front side in a state in which the display panel 21 is attached to the chassis 5. The display panel 21 is held at its outer peripheral edge by the front side by means of a front plate 22.

When the display panel 21 is driven, heat is generated. The generated heat is conducted to the rear surface side of the chassis 5 through cooling air flow holes 11c formed in the chassis 5, and is discharged to the outside through unillustrated heat radiation holes formed in the rear cover 8. Therefore, the temperature rise of the display panel 21 is suppressed.

The control circuit board 7 performs a control process of the entire electronic device 1. The control circuit board 7 includes a circuit board 23, and predetermined electronic components 23a, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a chip set, provided on the circuit board 23, as seen in fig. 3 and 4.

The control circuit board 7 is attached to a predetermined position of the second mounting surface portion 5b, which is the rear surface of the chassis 5, by appropriate means such as fastening screws. In a state where the control circuit board 7 is connected to the second mounting surface portion 5b, a not-shown connection wire passes through the connection wire wiring hole 11b formed in the chassis 5 and connects the display panel 21 and the display panel drive circuit of the control circuit board 7 to each other.

Predetermined components including a media drive section 24 such as a disk drive or a card slot and a cooling fan 25 are attached to the second mounting surface section 5b of the chassis 5 by suitable means such as fastening screws.

A pair of speakers 26 are inserted and disposed in speaker arrangement holes 11a formed in the chassis 5 by means of appropriate devices such as fastening screws.

By inserting and connecting the speaker 26 in the speaker arrangement hole 11a, the amount of protrusion of the speaker 26 in the forward direction can be reduced, and therefore the thickness of the electronic device 1 can be reduced when compared with the other case where the speaker 26 is connected to the first mounting surface 5a of the chassis 5.

In a state where predetermined components such as the control circuit board 7, the media driving section 24, and the cooling fan 25 and necessary components such as the speaker 26 are attached to the second mounting surface section 5b of the chassis 5 as described above, the rear cover 8 is attached to the second mounting surface section 5b by means of appropriate devices such as fastening screws so that the rear cover 8 covers these components and components from behind.

The rear cover 8 has a base plate portion 27 directed substantially in the front-rear direction, and a pair of projections 28 projecting forward from opposite upper and lower edges of the base plate portion 27. A plurality of not-shown heat radiation holes are formed in the rear cover 8.

A rack support portion 29 is provided at a substantially central portion of the base plate portion 27, as seen from fig. 4. A maintenance opening 27a is formed in the base plate portion 27 on the lower side of the stand supporting portion 29. The service opening 27a is opened and closed by a cover plate 30 detachably mounted on the base plate portion 27.

If the cover plate 30 is detached from the base plate portion 27 to open the maintenance opening 27a, the control circuit board 7 and the like are exposed, and thus maintenance of the control circuit board 7 and the like can be performed.

A pair of side covers 31 are attached to the opposite left and right side surface portions of the rear cover 8.

As described above, the electronic apparatus 1 is configured such that necessary components are attached to the first mounting surface portion 5a and the second mounting surface portion 5b of the chassis 5, the chassis 5 being a component formed as one piece with a transparent material. Therefore, the configuration of the electronic apparatus 1 is simple, and the number of parts and man-hours for assembly can be reduced.

A holding member 32 is attached to the lower end portion of the chassis 5, as can be seen in fig. 3 and 4. The holding element 32 is formed by bending a sheet of metal material into a predetermined shape, as can be seen from fig. 12. Referring to fig. 12, the holding member 32 has a lower wall portion 33 directed upward and downward and a pair of projecting walls 34, the projecting walls 34 projecting upward from opposite front and rear edges of the lower wall portion 33. Three insertion holes 35 are formed at positions relatively close to each of the opposite left and right ends of the lower wall portion 33. Each insertion hole 35 has one wide portion 35a and one narrow portion 35b, and the narrow portion 35b has a front-rear direction dimension smaller than that of the wide portion 35 a.

The holding element 32 is connected in such a way as to cover a mounting recess formed in the chassis 5. In a state where the holding member 32 is attached to the chassis 5, a fixed gap is defined between the lower wall portion 33 and the lower surface of the chassis 5, as shown in fig. 13. In the state where the holding member 32 is attached to the chassis 5, the narrow portion 35 of the insertion hole 35 is positioned just below the holding groove 10c of the chassis 5.

Referring to fig. 12, a pair of placement pads 36 are attached to the holding member 32. Each placing pad 36 is an integral member made of a material having elasticity, such as a rubber material, and has a placing surface portion 37, the placing surface portion 37 is shaped into a plate directed in the up-down direction, and the holding portion 38 protrudes upward from the placing surface portion 37. The holding portions 38 are disposed in a spaced-apart relationship from each other in the left-right direction. Each placing pad 36 has an insertion portion 38a and a constricted portion 38b, the constricted portion 38b having a dimension in the front-rear direction smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the insertion portion 38a, and the constricted portion 38b extending downward from the insertion portion 38 a. The dimension in the front-rear direction of the constricted portion 38b is substantially equal to the dimension in the front-rear direction of the insertion hole 35 of the holding member 32.

Each placing pad 36 is connected to the holding member 32 in the following manner (see fig. 14 and 15).

First, in a state where the holding member 32 is attached to the chassis 5, as seen from fig. 13, each holding portion 38 of the placement pad 36 is individually inserted into the wide portion 35a of the insertion hole 35 of the holding member 32, and the holding portion 38 is strongly pressed against the lower surface of the chassis 5 from the lower side.

When the holding portions 38 are strongly pressed against the lower surface of the chassis 5 from the lower side, they are elastically deformed into a shape compressed in the up-down direction, as seen from fig. 14.

Then, if the placing pad 36 is slidably moved sideward in this case, the constricted portions 38b are individually inserted into the narrow portions 35b, respectively, until the insertion portions 38a are positioned corresponding to the holding grooves 10c of the chassis 5, respectively. Thus, the holding portion 38 is elastically placed out of the deformed state, and the insertion portion 38a is inserted into the holding groove 10c (shown in fig. 15), thereby connecting the placing pad 36 to the holding member 32.

When the electronic apparatus 1 is placed on a table or other receiving surface, the placing surface portion 37 of the placing pad 36 connected to the insertion hole 32 is in contact with the receiving surface.

In this manner, in the electronic apparatus 1, the holding member 32 is attached to the lower end portion of the chassis 5, and the placing pad 36 having elasticity is attached to the holding member 32, so that when the electronic apparatus 1 is placed on a receiving surface such as the surface of a table, the placing surface portion 37 is brought into contact with the receiving surface, and therefore, stabilization of the placing state of the electronic apparatus 1 on the receiving surface can be expected.

Furthermore, since the placing pad 36 is in contact with the receiving surface, possible damage to the receiving surface or the lower end portion of the chassis 5 when it is not the placing pad 36 that is in contact with the receiving surface can be avoided.

The carriage 4 is supported for pivotal movement on the carriage support portion 29 of the rear cover 8 by a pivot mechanism 39.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, the pivot mechanism 39 includes: a main body side fixing member 40 fixed to the apparatus main body 2; a pair of bracket-side fixing members 41 fixed to the bracket 4; and a pair of pivot shafts 42 and 43 for connecting the main body side fixing member 40 and the bracket side fixing member 41 to each other.

The main body side fixing member 40 includes a fixing plate 44 and a pair of bearing members 45 and 46 attached to a rear surface of the fixing plate 44. The bearing members 45 and 46 are disposed in spaced relation to each other in the left-right direction.

The fixed plate 44 has a fixed portion 44a fixed to the inside of the apparatus main body 2, and a pair of shaft support pieces 44b and 44e projecting rearward from opposite left and right side edges of the fixed portion 44a, respectively.

The bearing member 45 includes a mounting plate portion 45a connected to the fixing plate 44, and a bearing portion 45b, the bearing portion 45b projecting rearward from one of two opposite side edges of the fixing portion 44 a.

The bearing member 46 includes a mounting plate 47 connected to the fixing plate 44, a bearing portion 48 projecting rearward from one of two opposite side edges of the mounting plate 47, and a locking portion 49 provided on a right side surface of the bearing portion 48.

Referring to the enlarged view of fig. 18, the locking portion 49 has three control portions which are in a spaced relationship from each other in the circumferential direction and includes a first control portion 50, a second control portion 51 and a third control portion 52 which are arranged in order from above. Opposite side surfaces of the first control portion 50 in the circumferential direction are shaped into one first control surface 50a and one second control surface 50b, as seen from an enlarged view of fig. 18. The first control surface 50a is shaped as an inclined surface that is inclined in a rightward direction toward the second control surface 50 b. And the first control portion 50 and the second control portion 51 are positioned at the same position in the left-right direction, and the third control portion 52 is positioned at the right of the first control portion 50 and the second control portion 51.

The pivot shafts 42 and 43 extend in the left-right direction, and are inserted into shaft support pieces 44b and 44c of the fixed plate 44, and are supported so as to rotate about their axes by means of bearing portions 45b and 48 of bearing members 45 and 46, respectively, as seen from fig. 16 and 17. In a state where the pivot shafts 42 and 43 are supported by the bearing portions 45b and 48, respectively, they are partially protruded outward from the bearing portions 45b and 48, respectively.

The holder-side fixing elements 41 are paired, being connected to the outer end portions of the pivot shafts 42 and 43, respectively, in the axial direction. Each of the bracket-side fixing members 41 has a fixing portion 41a and a mounting piece 41b, the mounting piece 41b projecting forward from an inner edge of the fixing portion 41 a. The bracket-side fixing member 41 is fixed inside the bracket 4 at its fixing portion 41a, and is connected to the pivot shafts 42 and 43 at its mounting piece 41 b.

A spring member 53 in the form of a coil spring is supported on each of the pivot shafts 42 and 43. Each spring member 53 is supported at one end portion thereof by the bearing portion 45b or 48 of the bearing member 45 or 46, and is supported at the other end portion thereof by the mounting piece 41b of the associated bracket-side fixing member 41. Therefore, with respect to the main body side fixing member 40, the stand side fixing member 41 is subjected to a rotational force in a direction around the axes of the pivot shafts 42 and 43 (the direction indicated by the arrow R1 in fig. 17), that is, in a direction in which the lower end portion of the stand 4 approaches the lower end portion of the apparatus main body 2, by means of the spring member 53.

A controlled member 54 is supported for axial movement along the pivot shaft 43, but resists rotation about the axis of the pivot shaft 43, the pivot shaft 43 being positioned on the left side.

Referring to fig. 18, the controlled member 54 has a shaft fitting portion 55 shaped as a substantially circular ring and a projection 56 projecting leftward from a part of the outer peripheral portion of the shaft fitting portion 55. A first controlled portion 56a and a second controlled portion 56b are provided in a convex manner at a left end portion of the inner surface of the boss 56. The first controlled portion 56a and the second controlled portion 56b are positioned in a spaced relationship from each other in the circumferential direction.

The pivot shaft 43 is fitted in the shaft fitting portion 55 such that the controlled member 54 is supported at a right end portion of the pivot shaft 43, i.e., a portion of the pivot shaft projecting rightward from the bearing member 46.

Since the controlled member 54 is supported against rotation on the pivot shaft 43 about its axis, it is normally biased by the spring member 43 in the same direction as the direction of the pivot force applied to the pivot shaft by the spring member 53.

A pivot angle changing lever 57 is supported against rotation about its axis, but is movable on the pivot shaft 43 in the axial direction, as seen in fig. 16 and 17.

The pivoting angle changing lever 57 has a bottom surface portion 57a directed substantially in the up-down direction, an operating portion 57b projecting downward from the bottom surface portion 57a, and a support tubular portion 57c projecting upward from the bottom surface portion 57 a. The pivot shaft 43 is fitted in the support tubular portion 57c, so that the pivot angle changing lever 57 is supported so as to rotate about its axis and move on the pivot shaft 43 in the axial direction. The support tubular portion 57c of the pivot angle changing lever 57 is positioned between the shaft fitting portion 55 of the controlled member 54 and the bearing portion 48 of the bearing member 46. The bottom surface portion 57a and the operating portion 57b of the pivoting angle changing lever 57 are positioned on the lower side of the controlled element 54.

The pivot angle changing lever 57 is mounted for movement between a first operating position, which is the left end in the operating direction, and a second operating position, which is the right end in the operating direction. The operating portion 57b of the pivot angle changing lever 57 is positioned outside the stand supporting portion 29 of the rear cover 8 in such a manner as to allow manual operation thereof.

A stopper ring 58 is fixed to the right end portion of the pivot shaft 43. A biasing spring 59 in the form of a compression coil spring is supported between the stop ring 58 and the shaft engaging portion 55 of the controlled member 54. Thus, the controlled element 54 is biased by the biasing spring 59 in a direction toward the bearing portion 48 of the bearing element 46.

Hereinafter, the action of the pivoting mechanism and the action of the stand 4 caused by the action of the pivoting mechanism will be explained with reference to fig. 19 to 30.

The angle over which the stand 4 can pivot with respect to the apparatus main body 2 has two modes including a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is used when the electronic apparatus 1 is normally used as a personal computer, and the second mode is used when the electronic apparatus 1 is not used as a computer, such as when the electronic apparatus 1 is carried or subjected to maintenance. In the first mode, for example, the stand 4 is pivotable with respect to the apparatus body 2 over a range of 30 ° to 60 ° (first pivot movement allowing angle). In the second mode, for example, the stand 4 is pivotable with respect to the apparatus main body 2 over a range of from 0 ° to 90 ° (second pivot movement allowing angle).

In the first mode, the controlled member 54 and the pivot angle changing lever 57 are positioned at the left end of the movement range, i.e., at the first operating position, by the biasing force of the biasing spring 59. Further, the shaft fitting portion 55 of the controlled member 54 is pressed against the bottom surface portion 57a of the pivot angle changing lever 57 from the right side, and the projection 56 of the controlled member 54 is pressed against the bearing portion 48 of the bearing member 46 from the right side.

In the first mode, when the pivoting angle of the stand 4 is 30 °, the second controlled portion 56b of the controlled member 54 is engaged by the above with the locking portion 49 of the bearing member 46, as seen from fig. 20, and the stand 4 is held at a 30 ° position with respect to the apparatus main body 2, as seen from fig. 21.

At this time, the electronic apparatus 1 is placed on the receiving surface 100 of the table or other object in a state where the placing pad 36 provided at the lower end portion of the chassis 5 and the lower end of the stand 4 are brought into contact with the receiving surface 100. It should be noted that the electronic apparatus 1 may be modified such that the holding member 32 and the placing pad 36 connected to the holding member 32 are not provided, but the electronic apparatus 1 is supported by the lower end of the chassis 5 and the lower end of the stand 4 so as to be placed on the receiving surface 100.

Since the electronic device 1 is supported by the chassis 5 and the stand 4 and placed on the receiving surface 100, as described above, there is no need to provide other supports specifically for use on the chassis 5. Therefore, reduction in the number of parts and simplification of the structure can be expected.

If in the first mode the apparatus body 2 is tilted so that the pivoting angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus body 2 is increased from 30 °, for example, the pivot shafts 42 and 43 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R2 in fig. 20 against the biasing force of the spring member 53. At this time, the controlled member 54 simultaneously rotates together with the pivot shaft 43.

The controlled element 54 can be rotated until its controlled portion 56a reaches the second control surface 50b of the first control portion 50 of the locking portion 49. Such a state where the first controlled portion 56a reaches the second control surface 50b of the first control portion 50 as seen from fig. 22 is a state where the pivoting angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is 60 °, as seen from fig. 23.

In contrast, if the apparatus body 2 is tilted such that the pivoting angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus body 2 is reduced from 60 ° in the first mode, the pivot shafts 42 and 43 are rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow R1 in fig. 22 by the biasing force of the spring member 53. At this time, the controlled member 54 simultaneously rotates integrally with the pivot shaft 43. At this time, since the stand 4 is biased in a direction in which the lower end portion thereof approaches the lower end portion of the apparatus body 2, the pivoting of the stand 4 causes the angle of the apparatus body 2 to change while it is kept in contact with the receiving surface 100. Therefore, after the angle adjustment of the apparatus main body 2 is completed, it is not necessary to manually pivot the stand 4 in a direction in which the lower end portion of the stand 4 approaches the apparatus main body 2. Thus, increased convenience can be achieved.

In the first mode, the pivot angle of the stand 4 can be changed over an angle of from 30 ° to 60 °, as described above. At this time, although the biasing force in the direction indicated by the arrow R1 is normally applied to the stand 4 by the spring member 53 through the pivot shafts 42 and 43, since the force generated from the frictional force between the stand 4 and the receiving surface 100 and the self weight of the electronic apparatus 1 applied to the receiving surface 100 in the electronic apparatus 1 is set to overcome the biasing force of the spring member 53, the stand 4 can be held at any angle within the above-described range of 30 ° to 60 ° without sliding on the receiving surface 100.

The second mode is established if the pivot angle changing lever 57 is operated so as to move from the first operation position to the second operation position in a state where the pivot angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is kept within the range from 30 ° to 60 ° (see fig. 24).

The second mode is used when the electronic device 1 is not in use or when the electronic device 1 is being serviced. Therefore, the second mode is normally set in a state where the electronic apparatus 1 is placed on the receiving surface 100 without using the stand 4, for example, in a state where the electronic apparatus 1 is placed on the receiving surface 100 so that the display 6 is in contact with the receiving surface 100, as seen from fig. 25.

When the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved rightward, the shaft fitting portion 55 of the controlled member 54 is pressed by the bottom surface portion 57a of the pivot angle changing lever 57 to move the controlled member 54 rightward.

If the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved to the second operating position, the first and second controlled portions 56a and 56b of the controlled member 54 are moved to their positions spaced rightward from the first and second control portions 50 and 51 of the locking portion 49, respectively. Therefore, in the state where the holder 4 is not jammed, the controlled member 54 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R1 by the biasing force of the spring member 53 until the second controlled portion 56b comes into contact with and is pressed against the third controlling portion 52 of the locking portion 49, as seen from fig. 26.

If the manual operation of the pivot angle changing lever 57 is canceled in the state where the second controlled portion 56b is in contact with the third controlling portion 52, a leftward moving force is applied by the biasing spring 59 to the controlled member 54 to move the projection 56 until the second controlled portion 56b is pressed by the side against the second controlling portion 51 of the locking portion 49. Thus, the pivot angle changing lever 57 is held at the second operation position.

The state in which the second controlled portion 56b is in contact with the third controlling portion 52 of the locking portion 49 is a state in which the pivot angle of the stand 4 is 0 °, as seen from fig. 27. In such a state where the pivoting angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is 0 °, the stand 4 does not protrude from the apparatus main body 2 in the oblique direction. Therefore, for example, when the electronic apparatus 1 is carried, the stand 4 does not pose an obstacle, and thus portability and other convenience can be increased.

It should be noted that although the second controlled portion 56b of the controlled member 54 is in contact with the third controlling portion 52 of the locking portion 49 and is pressed against the third controlling portion to hold the stand 4 at the pivot angle of 0 °, if it is not so possible to, for example, bring the stand 4 into contact with the rear surface 2a of the apparatus main body 2 to hold the stand 4 at the pivot angle of 0 °.

Since the holder 4 is held at the 0 ° pivot angle by the contact of the holder 4 with the rear surface 2a of the apparatus main body 2 in this manner, reduction in the number of parts and simplification of the mechanism can be achieved without providing a control portion dedicated to holding the holder 4 at the 0 ° position.

If the stand 4 is pivoted in a direction in which the pivoting angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is increased by the case where the pivoting angle of the stand 4 is 0 °, the second controlled portion 56b of the controlled member 54 comes into sliding contact with the right side face of the second controlled portion 51 of the locking portion 49. Then, when the second controlled portion 56b is displaced from the second control portion 51, the controlled element 54 is moved leftward by the biasing force of the biasing spring 59. By the leftward movement of the controlled member 54, the supported tubular portion 57c of the pivot angle changing lever 57 is pressed leftward by the shaft fitting portion 55, thereby moving the pivot angle changing lever 57 from the second operating position to the first operating position.

In this way, when the stand 4 is pivoted from the 0 ° position, the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved from the second operating position to the first operating position by the biasing spring 59. Therefore, there is no need to perform manual operation to move the pivot angle changing lever 57 from the second operation position to the first operation position. Therefore, enhancement of operability can be expected.

When the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved to the second operating position, the first and second controlled portions 56a and 56b of the controlled member 54 are moved to positions spaced rightward from the first and second control portions 50 and 51 of the locking portion 49, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to catch the stand 4 so as to pivot the stand 4 to the 90 ° position in a direction in which the lower end portion of the stand 4 is spaced apart away from the lower end portion of the apparatus main body 2.

If the bracket 4 is pivoted to the 90 ° position, the manual operation of the pivot angle changing lever 57 held at the second operation position is canceled, and the controlled member 54 and the pivot angle changing lever 57 are moved leftward by the biasing force of the biasing spring 59. Thus, the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved from the second operation position to the first operation position.

When the controlled member 54 is moved leftward, the first controlled portion 56a is positioned on the upper side of the first controlling portion 50 of the locking portion 49. At this time, if the manual pivoting action of the stand 4 is canceled, a pivoting force that urges the stand 4 to pivot in a direction toward a position where the pivoting angle is 0 ° is applied to the stand 4 by the biasing force of the spring member 53. Thus, the bracket 4 pivots until the first controlled portion 56a is pressed against and engages the first control surface 50a of the first control portion 50, as seen in fig. 28. In this way, the stand 4 is held at a position where the pivot angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is 90 °, as seen from fig. 29.

In such a state where the pivot angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is 90 °, the stand 4 does not cause an obstacle to the opening or closing operation of the cover 30 for opening or closing the service opening of the rear cover 8. Therefore, the opening or closing operation of the cover 30 can be easily performed.

Further, the bracket 4 does not cause an obstacle when maintenance is performed through the maintenance opening 27 a. Therefore, the maintenance can be easily performed.

The first mode can be established if the pivot angle changing lever 57 is operated to move rightward from the first operation position to the second operation position in a state where the pivot angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is maintained at 90 °.

When the pivot angle changing lever 57 is moved to the second operating position, the first controlled portion 56a of the controlled member 54 slidably moves on the first control surface 50a of the first control portion 50 of the locking portion 49, as seen from fig. 30. At this time, the first controlled portion 56a of the controlled member 54 is kept pressed against the first control surface 50a by the biasing force of the spring member 53. However, since the first control surface 50a is shaped as an inclined surface, the controlled member 54 and the pivot angle changing lever 57 move smoothly rightward, and the first controlled portion 56a and the first control surface 50a are out of contact with each other.

Therefore, the operation of moving the pivot angle changing lever 57 from the first operation position to the second operation position can be smoothly performed.

When the contact between the first controlled portion 56a and the first control surface 50a is cancelled, if the manual operation of the pivot angle changing lever 57 is cancelled, a force moving leftward is applied to the controlled member 54 by the biasing spring 59. Therefore, the controlled member 54 and the pivot angle changing lever 57 are moved leftward integrally with each other. When both the first controlled portion 56a and the second controlled portion 56b of the controlled member 54 are positioned between the first controlling portion 50 and the second controlling portion 51 of the locking portion 49 and the controlled member 54 is rotated by the biasing force of the spring member 53, the second controlled portion 56b comes into contact with and engages with the second controlling portion 51, thereby stopping the rotation of the controlled member 54, as seen from fig. 19.

Thus, the first mode is established with the stand 4 being held in a state in which the pivot angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is 30 °, as seen from fig. 21. The pivot angle changing lever 57 is held in the first operating position as seen from fig. 19.

As described above, the electronic device 1 can be switched between the first mode and the second mode by operating the pivot angle changing lever 57. Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 can be normally used as a personal computer. On the other hand, when the electronic apparatus 1 is not used as a personal computer, for example, when the electronic apparatus 1 is carried or the electronic apparatus 1 is maintained, its appropriate mode can be easily set.

Further, since the angle of the stand 4 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 can be changed from 0 ° to 90 ° in the second mode, operations necessary for the electronic apparatus 1, such as carrying or maintenance, can be easily performed without any trouble.

A camera device 60 is arranged in the outer peripheral portion 10 of the chassis 5, as can be seen in fig. 1 to 4. The camera device 60 is, for example, a videophone and is supported for pivotal movement on the chassis 5 by a pivot shaft extending in the left-right direction by means of a hinge mechanism, not shown. The pivotal movement allowable angle of the camera 60 with respect to the chassis 5 is, for example, ± 10 ° with respect to a reference position, and the camera 60 can be held at an arbitrary angle within its pivotal movement allowable angle range.

An image pickup lens 60a is disposed in front of the image pickup device 60. The angle of view of the image pickup lens is, for example, 55 ° (see fig. 31). The optical axis direction of the image pickup lens 60a is set in the following manner.

Referring to fig. 31, in a standard use state when a user 101 uses the electronic apparatus 1, the height of the chair 102 is typically 40 cm; the height of the worktable 103 is 70 cm; the eye height of the user 101 from the floor 104 is 120 cm.

The display surface of the display panel of the electronic apparatus 1 placed on the table 103 is inclined at an angle of 25 ° with respect to the vertical direction, and the user 101 views the display surface of the display panel at an angle of 85 °.

The direction S of the optical axis of the image pickup lens 60a at the reference position of the image pickup device 60, that is, in the reference state, is set to a slightly downward direction, for example, 7 ° with respect to the normal L of the display panel 21. Therefore, the image pickup device 60 is mounted for pivotal movement within a range of ± 10 ° with reference to a state in which it is inclined downward by 7 °.

When the camera device 60 is set at the reference position, being inclined downward at a small angle, for example, 7 ° with respect to the normal line L in this manner, the face of the user 101 is likely to be reflected at the center of the display screen of the counterpart device in, for example, a videophone system. Therefore, when the electronic apparatus 1 is used in a videophone system or the like, the ease of use of the electronic apparatus 1 can be increased.

Further, in the electronic apparatus 1, since the imaging device 60 is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the chassis 5, the position at which the image is reflected can be adjusted.

It should be noted that the directions of front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the above description are used for convenience of description, and the present invention can be used regardless of these directions.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. A pivot mechanism for a stand supported for pivotal movement on a rear surface of an electronic device main body, the pivot mechanism comprising:

a main body side fixing portion fixed to the apparatus main body;

a pair of bracket-side fixing portions fixed to the bracket;

a pair of pivot shafts configured to connect the main body side fixing portion and the bracket side fixing portion to each other, and serving as fulcrums of pivotal movement of the bracket with respect to the apparatus main body;

a spring member configured to provide a pivoting force to the stand in a direction in which an end of the stand approaches a lower end portion of the apparatus main body; and

a pivoting angle changing lever configured to change a pivoting movement allowance angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body in response to an operation position of the pivoting angle changing lever, the pivoting angle changing lever including a bottom surface portion directed substantially in an up-down direction, an operation portion projecting downward from the bottom surface portion, and a support tubular portion projecting upward from the bottom surface portion, wherein one of the pair of pivoting shafts is fitted in the support tubular portion such that the pivoting angle changing lever is supported to rotate about an axis thereof and is configured to move on the one of the pair of pivoting shafts in an axial direction.

2. A pivot mechanism for a stand according to claim 1, wherein the pivot angle changing lever is mounted to move in an axial direction of the pivot shaft between a first operating position and a second operating position; the first pivoting-motion allowing angle and the second pivoting-motion allowing angle are set as the pivoting-angle allowing angles to be changed; a first pivot-movement allowing angle and a second pivot-movement allowing angle are provided at each of a first operating position and a second operating position of the pivot-angle changing lever; when a pivoting angle of the stand in a state where the stand is positioned parallel to the rear surface of the apparatus main body is defined as 0 °, the first pivoting movement allowance angle is a predetermined angle from one angle larger than 0 ° to another angle smaller than 90 °, and the second pivoting movement allowance angle is an angle from 0 ° to 90 °.

3. A pivot mechanism for a stand according to claim 2, wherein the stand is in contact with a rear surface of the apparatus body to maintain a state in which a pivot angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus body is 0 °.

4. A pivot mechanism for a bracket as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a controlled portion configured to be pivoted in response to a pivotal movement of the bracket and to be moved in an axial direction of a pivot shaft in response to an operation of the pivot angle changing lever; and

a control portion provided on the main body side fixing portion;

the pivotal movement of the controlled portion is controlled by the control portion to maintain a state in which the pivoting angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body is 90 °.

5. A pivot mechanism for a bracket according to claim 4 wherein the controlled portion has an inclined surface formed thereon to displace from the first to the second operative position in the direction of the bias of the spring element.

6. A pivot mechanism for a bracket as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a biasing spring configured to bias the pivot angle changing lever from the second operating position to the first operating position;

when the bracket is pivoted from the 0 ° angle position to the 90 ° angle position, the pivot angle changing lever is moved from the second operation position to the first operation position by the biasing force of the biasing spring.

7. An electronic device, comprising:

a device main body;

a stand supported for pivotal movement on a rear surface of the device body;

a main body side fixing portion fixed to the apparatus main body;

a pair of bracket-side fixing portions fixed to the bracket;

a pair of pivot shafts configured to connect the main body side fixing portion and the stand side fixing portion to each other, and serving as fulcrums for pivotal movement of the stand with respect to the apparatus main body;

a spring member configured to provide a pivoting force to the holder in a direction in which an end of the holder approaches the lower end portion of the device main body; and

a pivot angle changing lever configured to change a pivot movement allowance angle of the stand with respect to the apparatus body in response to an operation position of the pivot angle changing lever, the pivot angle changing lever including a bottom surface portion directed substantially in an up-down direction, an operation portion projecting downward from the bottom surface portion, and a support tubular portion projecting upward from the bottom surface portion, wherein one of the pair of pivot shafts is fitted in the support tubular portion such that the pivot angle changing lever is supported to rotate about an axis thereof and is configured to move on the one of the pair of pivot shafts in an axial direction.