JP2009043001A - Click structure, hinge structure and folding cellphone terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a click mechanism allowing acquisition of sufficient click sound and click feeling in a desired open angle, and allowing a user to change over whether to generate the click sound and the click feeling or not, and to provide a hinge structure and a folding mobile terminal using it. <P>SOLUTION: This click structure generates the click sound and the click feeling by colliding a component of a hinge unit 16 and a hinge tube 11 by use of a clearance between the second hinge tube 11 and a recessed cam 22 that is a component of the hinge unit 16 generating torque in a shaft 25, and has a push-push switch 26 changing over between a first state wherein a prescribed clearance is present between the second hinge tube 11 and the recessed cam 22, and a second state wherein the prescribed clearance is absent between the second hinge tube 11 and the recessed cam 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a click structure for generating a click sound and a click feeling, a hinge structure using the click structure, and a foldable portable terminal.

  Many foldable portable terminals generate a clicking sound and a clicking feeling when opening and closing, and provide a user with a pleasant operation feeling.

  Folding portable terminals such as mobile phones are indispensable in modern times, so there are many opportunities to open and close the terminals in a quiet place. Thus, depending on the TPO, there may be situations where it is preferable not to generate a click sound.

  On the other hand, there is a foldable portable terminal that prevents the click sound and the click feeling from occurring, assuming that the click sound may be in the way, but the user cannot obtain a small feeling when opening and closing.

  As described above, there is a need for both “smooth operation feeling with click sound and click feeling” and “being able to open and close at any time without generating a click sound without minding the surroundings”. However, a foldable portable terminal that can switch ON / OFF of a click sound and a click feeling is not provided.

As a technique related to the click sound and click feeling of a foldable portable terminal, there is a “foldable portable terminal” disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 relates to a structure for reducing the click sound by the user's operation, and in order to generate the click sound, the front end surface of the convex cam and the bottom surface of the concave cam are collided, Click sound is generated by the impact of the collision.
JP 2005-61470 A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, since both the convex cam and the concave cam are rotationally fixed to the casing, the rotation of both the cams and the opening / closing operation of the operation casing and the display casing completely coincide. . In other words, the positional relationship between the convex cam and the concave cam does not change with the opening / closing operation. Therefore, unless the mobile terminal is opened / closed vigorously, the cam rotates vigorously and the cams do not collide with each other. Therefore, with this structure, a click sound and a click feeling cannot be obtained sufficiently.

  In addition, since the convex cam and the concave cam are completely meshed with each other, the opening angle between the operation casing and the display casing is inevitably limited to 180 degrees. Since the opening angle of a general foldable mobile phone terminal is 160 to 170 degrees, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not suitable for application to a foldable mobile terminal.

  In addition, in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the convex cam and the concave cam are completely meshed with each other, torque for further closing is not generated in the fully closed state. Similarly, in the fully open state, no further torque is generated to open. Accordingly, the display housing is rattled in the fully closed state and the fully open state.

  Thus, a click mechanism that can obtain a sufficient click sound and click feeling at a desired opening angle and that allows the user to switch whether or not to generate the click sound and click feeling has not been realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a sufficient click sound and click feeling can be obtained at a desired opening angle, and the user can switch whether or not to generate the click sound and click feeling. An object is to provide a click mechanism, a hinge structure using the click mechanism, and a foldable portable terminal.

  In order to achieve the above object, as a first aspect, the present invention provides a torque generating means using a clearance between a component of a torque generating means for generating torque on a shaft and a housing for housing the torque generating means. A click structure that generates a click sound and a click feeling by causing the component and the housing to collide with each other, and a first state in which a predetermined clearance exists between the component of the torque generating means and the housing, and torque The present invention provides a click structure characterized by having a switching means for switching between a second state in which a predetermined clearance does not exist between a part of the generating means and the housing.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the switching means pivots the position of the component of the torque generating means between a first position corresponding to the first state and a second position corresponding to the second state. It is preferable to change along.
In addition to this, a groove is provided on one of the component of the torque generating means and the housing, and a rib is provided on the other, and the groove or rib provided on the housing at the first position and the second position. It is more preferable that the widths are different, and in addition, in the second position, it is more preferable that the clearance exists only on one side of the rib provided on the component of the torque generating means or the casing. Alternatively, the torque generating means has a first shape portion and a second shape portion having different cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the axis, and in the first position, between the first shape portion and the housing. More preferably, a clearance is generated, and no clearance is generated between the second shape portion and the housing at the second position.

  In any of the above configurations of the first aspect of the present invention, the switching means is preferably a push-push switch.

  In any of the above-described configurations of the first aspect of the present invention, the torque generating means is configured such that the convex cam provided with the convex portion and the concave cam provided with the concave portion face each other on the surface provided with the convex portion and the concave portion. It is preferable that torque be generated on the shaft by pressing the convex portion against the inclined portion of the concave portion. Alternatively, it is preferable that the torque generating means generate torque on the shaft by pressing the convex portion provided on the leaf spring against the inclined portion of the concave portion provided on the shaft.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge structure for connecting two housings of a foldable device, wherein any one of the first aspect of the present invention is provided. The present invention provides a hinge structure including a click structure according to the configuration.

  Moreover, in order to achieve the said objective, this invention provides the foldable portable terminal provided with the hinge structure which concerns on the said 2nd aspect of this invention as a 3rd aspect.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable portable terminal in which two casings are connected to each other via a hinge so as to generate torque on the hinge shaft. A click structure that generates a click sound and a click sensation by causing a collision between a part of the torque generating means and the hinge housing by utilizing a clearance between the parts of the torque generating means and the hinge housing that accommodates the torque generating means. And a first state in which a predetermined clearance exists between the component of the torque generating means and the hinge housing, and a second state in which no predetermined clearance exists between the component of the torque generating means and the hinge housing. The present invention provides a foldable portable terminal characterized by having switching means for switching between and.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to obtain sufficient click sound and click feeling in a desired opening angle, the click mechanism in which a user can switch whether a click sound and click feeling are generated, and a hinge using the same A structure and a foldable portable terminal can be provided.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment in which the present invention is suitably implemented will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment. The foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which an operation housing 1 and a display housing 2 are connected via a hinge portion 3.
The operation housing 1 includes an operation unit provided with buttons 14, and the display housing 2 includes a display unit provided with a screen 15. The hinge unit 3 that connects the operation housing 1 and the display housing 2 incorporates a hinge unit 16, and can be opened and closed around the rotation axis of the hinge unit 16. The hinge unit 16 has a torque generation mechanism, and holds the operation housing 1 and the display housing at a desired opening angle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation casing 1 includes a first upper case 4 and a first lower case 6 formed in a shallow box shape, and accommodates a first printed wiring board 8. Yes. Similarly, the display housing 2 includes a second upper case 5 and a second lower case 7 and accommodates a second printed wiring board 9.

  The hinge portion 3 includes a first hinge cylinder 10 provided in the first upper case 4, a second hinge cylinder 11 and a half hinge cylinder 12 provided in the second upper case 5, and a second lower. The hinge unit 16 and the cylinder part 17 having the C-shaped cross section of the alphabet are incorporated in a hinge cylinder constituted by the half hinge cylinder 13 provided in the case 7.

  The flexible wiring board 18 passes through the inside of the cylindrical part 17 and connects the first printed wiring board 8 and the second printed wiring board 9.

Next, the hinge unit 16 will be described. Generally, a hinge unit used in a foldable mobile phone has a structure in which a spring force is converted into a rotational force, that is, torque by a cam shape.
As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge unit 16 includes a cap 19, a case 20, a convex cam 21, a concave cam 22, a hook 23, a spring 24, a shaft 25, and a push-push switch 26. The convex cam 21 and the case 20 are rotationally fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 20 is provided with a groove 27, and the first hinge cylinder 10 is provided with a rib 30. The concave cam 22 is provided with a groove 28, and the second hinge cylinder 11 is provided with a rib 31. In the state in which the hinge unit 16 and the hinge cylinder are fitted, as shown in FIG. 6, the case 20 and the first hinge cylinder 10 are provided in the groove 27 provided in the case 20 and the first hinge cylinder 10. The ribs 30 are fixed by rotation. The concave cam 22 and the second hinge cylinder 11 are rotationally fixed by a groove 28 provided in the concave cam 22 and a rib 31 provided in the second hinge cylinder 11. The width of the groove 28 is wider than the width of the rib 31 and has a clearance of several degrees.
The push-push switch 26 can be applied to a known configuration widely used for a knock-type ballpoint pen, a power button of an electrical appliance, and the like. It has a function to return to the position.

A mechanism for generating a click sound and a click feeling will be described.
The click sound and the click feeling are generated when the concave cam 22 collides with the second hinge cylinder 11 by torque. As shown in FIG. 7A, the convex cam 21 is pressed against the concave cam 22 by the force of the spring 24 indicated by the arrow A, and a frictional force is generated between the cams during rotation. This frictional force becomes a torque for holding the display housing 2 with respect to the operation housing 1 at an arbitrary opening angle.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, at the position where the concave portion 33 and the convex portion 32 of the cam mesh with each other, the force of the spring 24 indicated by the arrow A rotates the concave cam 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow B due to the inclination of the cam. It changes to force to make. The force in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow B appears as, for example, a force that attempts to close itself during the closing operation of the folding cellular phone terminal (when it closes to some extent). Furthermore, even in the fully closed state, that is, in the completely closed state, as shown in FIG. 7B, the convex cam 21 and the concave cam 22 are positioned in the middle of the slope so as to be further closed. Torque continues to be generated and acts so that the display housing 2 does not rattle even in the fully closed state. The same applies to the fully open state, that is, the fully open state.

Next, a process in which the concave cam 22 collides with the second hinge cylinder 11 will be described.
First, when the operation housing 1 and the display housing 2 are operated to close in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 8A, the concave cam 22 and the rib 31 have the positional relationship shown in FIG. The concave cam 22 is pushed by the rib 31 in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the convex portion 32 of the convex cam 21 and the concave portion 32 of the concave cam 22 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 9A, and the concave portion 33 moves in the direction of the arrow. If the closing operation is continued, as shown in FIG. 7B, the convex cam 21 and the concave cam 22 are engaged with each other, and the concave cam 22 moves rapidly in the direction of arrow B by the force of the spring 24. .
At this time, as shown in FIG. 9B, the concave cam 22 rapidly rotates in the direction of the arrow and collides with the opposite surface of the rib 31. The impact sound generated at the time of the collision is a click sound, and the impact is a click feeling. In order to generate the click sound and the click feeling sufficiently (in other words, in order for the concave cam 22 to rotate rapidly), a space in which the concave cam 22 itself can be rapidly rotated is required. The clearance between the groove 28 provided in the concave cam 22 and the rib 31 provided in the second hinge cylinder 11 corresponds to this space.

Next, an operation for switching ON / OFF of the click sound and the click feeling will be described.
When the user presses the hinge unit, the push-push switch 26 contracts as shown in FIG. 10, and the hinge unit 16 slides in the direction of the arrow in the figure. At this time, since the groove 28 provided in the concave cam 22 moves to the wide portion of the rib 31 provided in the second hinge cylinder 11, there is no clearance between the groove 28 and the rib 31. In this state, even when the convex cam 21 and the concave cam 22 are in a position where the convex cam 21 and the concave cam 22 are engaged with each other, the concave cam 22 cannot rotate rapidly alone. Therefore, since the concave cam 22 does not give an impact to the rib 31, almost no click sound is generated.

  When it is desired to generate a click sound and a click feeling, when the hinge unit is pushed again, the push-push switch 26 returns to the extended state, and the concave cam 22 returns to the original position, as shown in FIG. Clearance is generated again between the groove 28 and the rib 31, and a click sound and a click feeling can be sufficiently generated.

As described above, the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment can be used in an appropriate state according to the user's preference and usage environment because it can switch whether or not to generate a click sound and a click feeling.
In other words, it is possible to perform a simple opening and closing operation with a clicking sound and a clicking feeling, and to prevent the clicking sound from being generated in public facilities or sleeping people, so that the clicking sound and click according to the TPO. You can select ON / OFF of feeling.
In addition, the ON / OFF switching of the click sound and the click feeling can be realized by adding a known configuration called the push-push switch 26, so that the assembly work at the time of manufacture is not complicated and the manufacturing cost is greatly increased. It will not rise.

  Here, the configuration in which the convex cam 21 is pressed against the concave cam 22 by the spring 24 has been described, but the configuration is also possible in which the convex cam 21 and the concave cam 22 are replaced and the concave cam 22 is pressed against the convex cam 21 by the spring 24. It goes without saying that the effect of can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment in which the present invention is suitably implemented will be described.
FIG. 11 shows a configuration of a foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment.
In the first embodiment, torque is generated on the hinge shaft using a cam. However, in this embodiment, torque is generated on the hinge shaft using a leaf spring as shown in FIG.

  The hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to this embodiment includes a cap 19, a case 20, a cam shaft 34, a hook 23, a leaf spring 35, and a push-push switch 26.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the camshaft 34 is provided with a groove 36, and the leaf spring 35 is provided with a protrusion 37. The protrusion 37 is pressed against the camshaft 34 by the spring property of the leaf spring 35, and acts similarly to the combination of the groove and the cam in the first embodiment, so that torque is generated in the same manner. Can do. That is, the arc drawn by the groove 36 is larger than the arc drawn by the protrusion 37, and the protrusion 37 fitted in the groove 36 moves while sliding in the groove 36, so that the protrusion 37 is in the middle of the slope of the groove 36. At some time (when the protrusion 37 is in pressure contact with the inclined portion of the groove 36), torque is generated as in the first embodiment. Therefore, by configuring the protrusion 37 so as to be located in the middle of the groove 36 in the fully closed or fully opened state, it is possible to generate torque for further closing or opening in the fully closed or fully opened state.

  Since the mechanism for switching the generation of the click sound and the click feeling has a structure using the push-push switch 26 as in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Also with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, as with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment, the click sound and the click feeling are turned on / off according to the user's preference and usage environment. You can choose.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment in which the present invention is preferably implemented will be described.
In the first and second embodiments, the cam groove and the rib of the housing are applied in order to generate a click sound and a click feeling, but the applied parts and shape are arbitrary.
FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a rib 38 is provided on the concave cam 22, and a groove 39 is provided on the hinge cylinder 11.

  In the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to this embodiment, the projections and depressions of the hinge cylinder and the cam are opposite to those of the first embodiment. However, the hinge rotation mechanism and the click sound and the mechanism for switching whether or not to generate a click feeling are the same, and the click sound can be switched by switching between a state in which the cam and the hinge cylinder can collide suddenly and a state in which it does not collide. The presence or absence of a click feeling can be switched.

  Also with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, as with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment, the click sound and the click feeling are turned on / off according to the user's preference and usage environment. You can choose.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment in which the present invention is preferably implemented will be described.
FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment. Unlike the first to third embodiments, in this embodiment, the cam and the hinge cylinder are not provided with irregularities.

  In the present embodiment, the cross section of the concave cam is non-circular, and the inner diameter cross section of the hinge cylinder is also non-circular.

The shape of the inner diameter of the hinge cylinder 11 changes midway in the axial direction, and there is a clearance with the concave cam at a portion near the hinge cylinder 10 and there is no clearance with the concave cam on the side away from the hinge cylinder 10.
By pushing the hinge unit, the push-push switch expands and contracts to switch between a state where there is a clearance between the hinge cylinder and the concave cam and a state where there is no clearance. Thereby, the presence or absence of a click sound and a click feeling can be switched.

  Also with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, as with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment, the click sound and the click feeling are turned on / off according to the user's preference and usage environment. You can choose.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment preferably implementing the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the concave cam 22 and the second hinge cylinder 11 are rotationally fixed. On the other hand, a clearance is provided between the groove 27 of the case 20 and the rib 30 of the first hinge cylinder 10, and the groove 27 and the rib 30 are brought into contact (in other words, the case 20 and the hinge cylinder 10 are caused to collide with each other). ) To generate click sound and click feeling.

  Since the mechanism for switching the generation of the click sound and the click feeling has a structure using a push-push switch as in the above embodiments, description thereof is omitted.

  Also with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, as with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment, the click sound and the click feeling are turned on / off according to the user's preference and usage environment. You can choose.

[Sixth Embodiment]
A sixth embodiment in which the present invention is preferably implemented will be described.
FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the wide portion of the rib 31 of the second hinge cylinder 11 is on one side. That is, one of the side surfaces of the rib 31 is flat, while the other is bent in a crank shape.

  Since the hinge unit continues to generate torque for further closing even in the fully closed state, the concave cam 22 collides with the rib 31 in the fully closed state. For this reason, as shown in this embodiment, when the wide portion of the rib 31 is moved to one side, the clearance is shifted to one side in the fully closed state, so that the hinge unit 16 can be pushed in without being caught in the stepped portion of the rib. become. That is, since the hinge unit of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment can smoothly perform the push operation, it is easy to switch whether or not to generate a click sound and a click feeling.

  Also with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment, as with the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment, the click sound and the click feeling are turned on / off according to the user's preference and usage environment. You can choose.

Each of the above embodiments is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, a foldable mobile phone terminal is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to a foldable information terminal, arms having a hinge portion, rotary switches, and the like. Is possible.
As described above, the present invention can be variously modified.

1 is a perspective view of a foldable mobile phone terminal according to a first embodiment in which the present invention is preferably implemented. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the foldable mobile phone terminal according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of a hinge unit and a hinge cylinder. It is sectional drawing before the assembly of a hinge unit and a hinge cylinder. It is sectional drawing after the assembly of a hinge unit and a hinge cylinder. It is a figure which shows the mechanism in which a hinge unit generates a torque. It is a figure which shows the state of a hinge when it is going to close a folding-type mobile telephone terminal. It is a figure which shows the mechanism in which a click sound and a click feeling generate | occur | produce. It is a figure which shows the state which a click sound and a click feeling do not generate | occur | produce. It is a figure which shows the structure of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 3rd Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 4th Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the structure of the hinge unit of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 5th Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the structure of the foldable mobile telephone terminal which concerns on 6th Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation housing | casing 2 Display housing | casing 3 Hinge part 4 1st upper case 5 2nd upper case 6 1st lower case 7 2nd lower case 8 1st printed wiring board 9 2nd printed wiring board 10 1st hinge cylinder 11 2nd hinge cylinder 12, 13 Half hinge cylinder 14 Button 15 Screen 16 Hinge unit 17 Cylindrical part 18 Flexible wiring board 19 Cap 20 Case 21 Convex cam 22 Concave cam 23 Hook 24 Spring 25 Shaft 26 Push- Push switch 27, 28, 29, 36, 39 Groove 30, 31, 38 Rib 32 Convex part 33 Concave part 34 Camshaft 35 Leaf spring 37 Protrusion

Claims (11)

A click sound and a click are generated by causing the torque generating means to collide with the casing by utilizing the clearance between the torque generating means for generating torque on the shaft and the casing for housing the torque generating means. Click structure that generates a feeling,
A first state in which a predetermined clearance exists between the component of the torque generating means and the housing; and a second state in which a predetermined clearance does not exist between the component of the torque generating means and the housing. A click structure characterized by having a switching means for switching between.   The switching means changes the position of the component of the torque generating means along the axis between a first position corresponding to the first state and a second position corresponding to the second state. The click structure according to claim 1, wherein:   A groove is provided in one of the component of the torque generating means and the casing, and a rib is provided in the other. The groove or the groove provided in the casing is between the first position and the second position. The click structure according to claim 2, wherein the ribs have different widths.   4. The click structure according to claim 3, wherein the clearance exists only on one side of a part of the torque generating means or the rib provided on the casing in the second position. The torque generating means has a first shape portion and a second shape portion having different cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the axis,
In the first position, a clearance is generated between the first shape portion and the housing, and in the second position, no clearance is generated between the second shape portion and the housing. The click structure according to claim 2, wherein:   6. The click structure according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is a push-push switch.   In the torque generating means, a convex cam having a convex portion and a concave cam having a concave portion are pressed against each other with the surfaces provided with the convex portion and the concave portion facing each other. The click structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a torque is generated in the shaft by pressing the convex portion.   7. The torque generating device according to claim 1, wherein the torque generating means generates torque on the shaft by pressing a convex portion provided on the leaf spring against an inclined portion of the concave portion provided on the shaft. The click structure according to item 1.   A hinge structure for connecting two housings of a foldable device, comprising the click structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   A foldable mobile terminal comprising the hinge structure according to claim 9. A foldable portable terminal in which two housings are connected to each other through a hinge,
Using the clearance between a part of the torque generating means for generating torque on the hinge shaft and the hinge housing for housing the torque generating means, the part of the torque generating means and the hinge housing are caused to collide with each other. Click structure that generates click sound and click feeling,
A first state in which a predetermined clearance exists between the component of the torque generating means and the hinge housing; and a second state in which a predetermined clearance does not exist between the component of the torque generating means and the hinge housing. A foldable portable terminal comprising switching means for switching between the two states.

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