JP2002344593A - Foldable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide foldable information equipment that has a freely opening/ closing structure with a hinge section as a center, and can surely secure the state when being folded and at the same time can be opened easily as needed. SOLUTION: An upper enclosure 102 and a lower enclosure 103 are opened and closed freely by a hinge section 104 in folding type information equipment such as a cellular phone 101. A permanent magnet 106 is arranged in the upper enclosure 102, and an electromagnet 107 is arranged at a position that opposes the lower enclosure 103 in the lower enclosure 103. While a switch 109 is not being pressed down, an excitation control section 108 excites the electromagnet 107 in a direction for attracting the permanent magnet 105, and retains the folded state surely. Pressing down the switch 109 allows the electromagnet 107 to generate repulsion with the permanent magnet 106 by generating an opposite magnetic pole, and allows the inside of the upper enclosure 102 and the lower enclosure 103 to be open.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable information device such as a portable telephone which can be folded when not in use, and more particularly to a foldable information device which can be easily opened from a closed state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many small information devices such as mobile phones are used. While there is a demand for such an information device to have a large display area and an operation surface of a display, it is also required that the information device be compact when carried. In order to satisfy such conflicting demands, there has been an increasing number of foldable information devices that can be folded when not in use.

In such a foldable information device, it is necessary to maintain the folded state when carrying the information device. For this reason, this type of information equipment employs a mechanism in which the hinge mechanism is difficult to rotate unless a strong force is applied, or a lock mechanism that maintains this state when the information equipment is closed. Often. However, adopting such a mechanism causes the following problem. First, if the hinge mechanism is designed to rotate, a large amount of force is often required to open the folded part of the information device. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation is difficult when the information device is held in one hand.

When a lock mechanism is employed to hold this state when the information device is folded around the hinge mechanism, it is necessary to release the lock mechanism when opening the information device.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-181803, a substantially L-shaped hook-shaped notch recess is provided on a side surface of an upper panel of a portable telephone, and a projection at the tip of a lock knob is engaged with the notch to close it. On the other hand, there is disclosed a technique in which a lock knob is moved to disengage a notch recess so as to be in an open state.

However, in this technique, it is necessary to open the folded mobile phone after the operation of moving the lock knob to release the engagement with the notch recess. The operation of opening the mobile phone is quite complicated depending on the type of the mobile phone. This will be described below for each type of mobile phone.

FIG. 11 shows the first type of portable telephone as viewed from the side. In the first type of mobile phone 11, an antenna 13 is attached to one end of an upper housing 12. The upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 can be freely opened and closed by a hinge portion 15 composed of a hinge mechanism. The hinge portion 15 is disposed on the opposite side to the end of the upper housing 12 to which the antenna 13 is attached. ing. Therefore, this first type of mobile phone 11
Then, once the closed state is released, the operation surface of the telephone can be easily opened by lifting the antenna 13 in the arrow direction 16. However, there are mobile phones that are difficult to perform such operations.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the second and third types of portable telephones viewed from the side. In these figures, the same parts as those in FIG.
These descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In the mobile phone 17 of the second type shown in FIG.
4 is disposed on the hinge 15 side. For this reason, the antenna 13 cannot be used as a tool for opening and closing. In the third type of mobile phone 18 shown in FIG. 13, the length of the upper housing 12 from the hinge 15 is shorter than that of the lower housing 14. Therefore, as in the case of the mobile phone 17 of the second type, there is no catching part for opening the upper housing 12. Therefore, in these second and third types of mobile phones 17, 18, if they are to be opened using only one hand, it takes time for operation,
There is a problem that it cannot be opened easily and quickly.

FIG. 14 shows a portable telephone which solves such a problem. The mobile phone 21 of this proposal disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-097891 has a shaft 22 of a hinge 15 connecting the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14.
Is provided with a coil spring 23. The coil spring 23
The force acts in a direction in which the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 open. Therefore, in a state where no other external force is applied, the upper housing 12 is in a state of being opened to an angle which is limited on the mechanism as shown in FIG.

A first magnet 25 is embedded at a predetermined position of the upper housing 12 of the mobile phone 21. Lower housing 14
, A second magnet 26 having a magnetic pole opposite to the first magnet 25 is movably arranged. The second magnet 26 is attached to the connecting member 27, and is capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the connecting member 27 by pressing a pressing switch 28.

It is assumed that the portable telephone 21 having such a configuration is in a folded state. When the push switch 28 is not pressed, the second magnet 26 is
Is arranged at a position opposed to. Therefore, if the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 are closed against the force of the coil spring 23, the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 attract each other, and the mobile phone 21 maintains the closed state. become. When the mobile phone 21 is opened, the push switch 28 is pressed to move the second magnet 26 away from the first magnet 25 to reduce the influence of the magnetic force. Thereby, the upper casing 1 is operated by the action of the coil spring 23.
2 will open.

[0012]

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-097891, a second magnet 26 is provided by using a connecting member 27 and a pressing switch 28.
Is to be moved. Therefore, there is a problem that a considerable space is required for these arrangements. In addition, since a permanent magnet is used, a magnetic force always acts on a mounted component, which may have a long-term adverse effect.

An object of the present invention is to provide a folding type which has a structure which can be opened and closed about a hinge portion and which can reliably hold this state when folded, and which can be easily opened when necessary. To provide information equipment.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a first housing having a permanent magnet disposed therein;
(B) a second housing, which is arranged to be openable and closable with the first housing by a hinge mechanism, and in which the electromagnet is arranged at a position facing the permanent magnet of the first housing in a closed state;
(C) opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second housings; and (d) an electromagnet and a permanent magnet when the opening direction instructing means does not instruct the opening direction. The folding information device is provided with exciting means for generating magnetic poles in the attracting direction, and exciting means for generating magnetic poles in a direction to repel the electromagnet with the permanent magnet in a state where the opening direction indicating means gives the opening direction.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the permanent magnet is disposed in the first one of the first and second housings that can be opened and closed by the hinge mechanism, and the second housing is provided. Is provided with an electromagnet. Further, an opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second housings is arranged at a predetermined position. It is not necessary to determine which of the first housing and the second housing is the side on which the operation keys are arranged, and which is the side on which the display is arranged. The opening direction instructing means may be arranged in either the first casing or the second casing, or may be arranged in another casing or a hinge mechanism. According to the present invention, the folding information device is stably held in a closed state by generating magnetic poles in a direction in which the electromagnet is attracted to the permanent magnets by the excitation means, or by generating magnetic poles in the direction in which the electromagnets are repelled. Or easily transition to an open state.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) the first housing in which the first permanent magnet is arranged inside, and (b) the first housing by the hinge mechanism are arranged to be freely opened and closed with the first housing. A second case in which an electromagnet and a second permanent magnet having different magnetic poles facing the first permanent magnet are arranged at a portion of the first case facing the first permanent magnet in a closed state. (C) opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second casings, and (d) the electromagnet in the state in which the opening direction instructing means has issued the opening direction. The folding information device is provided with a permanent magnet and exciting means for generating a magnetic pole in a repelling direction.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first permanent magnet is arranged in the first one of the first and second housings that can be opened and closed by the hinge mechanism. An electromagnet and a second permanent magnet are arranged in the housing. Further, an opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second housings is arranged at a predetermined position. It is not necessary to determine which of the first housing and the second housing is the side on which the operation keys are arranged, and which is the side on which the display is arranged. The opening direction instructing means may be arranged in either the first casing or the second casing, or may be arranged in another casing or a hinge mechanism. In the present invention, the second permanent magnet arranged in the second housing attracts the first permanent magnet arranged in the first housing. Therefore, the first and second housings can stably maintain the closed state without exciting the electromagnet. When these housings are opened, the electromagnets are excited relatively strongly in a manner opposing the second permanent magnets to generate a repulsive force with the first permanent magnets, and the first and second housings are opened. I open my body.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, (a) the first housing in which the first permanent magnet is disposed inside, and (b) the first housing by the hinge mechanism are openably and closably disposed with the first housing. A second case in which an electromagnet and a second permanent magnet having different magnetic poles facing the first permanent magnet are arranged at a portion of the first case facing the first permanent magnet in a closed state. (C) opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second casings, and (d) the electromagnet in the state in which the opening direction instructing means has issued the opening direction. A magnetic pole is generated in a direction to repel the permanent magnet of the electromagnet, and the electromagnet is moved in a state where the opening direction instructing means does not give the opening direction.
The folding information device is provided with exciting means for generating a magnetic pole having a magnetic force weaker than a magnetic pole generated in a direction in which the permanent magnet is repelled with the first permanent magnet.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first permanent magnet is disposed in the first of the first and second housings that can be freely opened and closed by the hinge mechanism, and the second permanent magnet is disposed in the first housing. An electromagnet and a second permanent magnet are arranged in the housing. Further, an opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the first and second housings is arranged at a predetermined position. It is not necessary to determine which of the first housing and the second housing is the side on which the operation keys are arranged, and which is the side on which the display is arranged. The opening direction instructing means may be arranged in either the first casing or the second casing, or may be arranged in another casing or a hinge mechanism. In the present invention, the second permanent magnet arranged in the second housing attracts the first permanent magnet arranged in the first housing with a slightly weaker force. Therefore, the first and second housings can stably maintain the closed state only by slightly exciting the electromagnet. When these housings are opened, the electromagnets are excited relatively strongly in a manner opposing the second permanent magnets to generate a repulsive force with the first permanent magnets, and the first and second housings are opened. I open my body. However, since the influence of the second permanent magnet is small, the power consumption required by the exciting means when opening the first and second housings does not increase so much.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the foldable information device according to any one of the first to third aspects, it is determined whether or not the first housing and the second housing are closed within a predetermined angle. And an exciting means for exciting the electromagnet only when the angle determining means determines that the electromagnet is closed within a predetermined angle.

That is, in the invention according to claim 4, angle determining means for determining whether the first housing and the second housing are closed within a predetermined angle is arranged, and the angle determining means is provided. The excitation means excites the electromagnet only when it is determined that the electromagnet is closed within a predetermined angle. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when the foldable information device is opened and used.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the foldable information device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the opening direction indicating means is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of one of the first and second housings. The switch is characterized by the following.

That is, the invention according to claim 5 exemplifies an example in which the opening direction instructing means is a switch arranged on the outer peripheral surface of either the first or second housing. If it is arranged on the outer peripheral surface, operate it with one hand to
When the case is opened at a predetermined angle or more, the user can easily open the foldable information device to a state where the foldable information device is used by inserting a finger into the space or the like.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 schematically shows a portable telephone as a foldable information device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 101 includes an upper housing 102, a lower housing 103, and a hinge portion 104 for holding these openably and closably. A permanent magnet 106 is buried at a predetermined position facing the lower housing 103 at a distal end portion of the upper housing 102 relatively far from the hinge portion 104. An electromagnet 107 is disposed at a position facing the permanent magnet 106 in the lower housing 103. The excitation of the electromagnet 107 is controlled by an excitation control unit 108. In the present embodiment, a magnet whose surface facing the electromagnet 107 is an S pole is used as the permanent magnet 106.

A switch 109 is disposed at a predetermined position on the side of the lower housing 103 or the like. From the switch 109, an on / off signal 110 indicating whether or not the switch has been pressed is input to the excitation control unit 108. Excitation controller 1
08 according to the on / off signal 110, the electromagnet 10
7 is controlled.

FIG. 2 specifically shows a circuit for controlling the opening and closing of the housing. The excitation control unit 108 includes a first battery 111 and a second battery 112 in which the two polarities are opposite to each other.
It comprises a double contact switching circuit 114 for switching contacts according to the OFF signal 110 and a resistor 115 connected in series to the winding of the electromagnet 107. Of these, the two contact switching circuits 114 are provided with respective common contacts 116, 1
Reference numeral 17 is connected to both ends of a series circuit of the winding of the electromagnet 107 and the resistor 115. Further, the first switching contact 118 is connected to the first
And the second switching contact 119 is connected to the positive terminal of the second battery 112, and the third switching contact 119 is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 111.
Are connected to the positive terminal of the first battery 111, and the fourth switching contact 121 is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery 112.

The contact switching circuit 114 is composed of a kind of relay circuit, and when the switch 109 is not pressed (hereinafter referred to as a non-pressed state), the relay circuit is not excited. . In this non-pressed state, the respective common contacts 116 and 117 and the first to fourth switching contacts 118 to 121 have a connection relationship as shown in FIG. That is, one common contact 116 is connected to the first switching contact 118, and the other common contact 117 is connected to the third switching contact 120.
In a state where the switch 109 is pressed (hereinafter, referred to as a pressed state), the contacts have a connection relationship opposite to that in a non-pressed state. That is, one common contact 116 is connected to the second switching contact 11
9 and the other common contact 117 is connected to the fourth switching contact 121. Since the double contact switching circuit 114 performs such switching control, a current flows in the winding of the electromagnet 107 in the direction indicated by the arrow 121 when the switch 109 is not pressed.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement relationship of the magnets when the portable telephone is closed. The side of the electromagnet 107 facing the permanent magnet 106 shown in FIG. 1 is an N-pole magnetic pole. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the switch 109 is not pressed, the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 have different magnetic poles.
In a state where 02 and 103 are closed, they are attracted to each other. Therefore, the mobile phone 1
01 can be prevented from being opened carelessly.

When the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 are opened at a predetermined angle or more, a detection circuit (not shown) detects this. Such a detecting means can be arranged, for example, in the hinge portion 104. As an example,
A conductor pattern is locally formed on a part of the surface of the rotating portion of the hinge portion 104, and the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 are fixed by electric on / off with other parts sliding on the conductor pattern. It can be determined whether or not the door is opened by an angle or more. Of course, it is also possible to determine whether the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are opened by a predetermined angle or more by using other means such as an optical sensor. When it is detected that the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 are opened by a predetermined angle or more, the first battery 111 and the second battery 112 are connected to any one of the first to fourth switching contacts 118 to 121. And power consumption is reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a case where the magnetic poles of the electromagnet are generated in a direction opposite to that of FIG. When the operator presses the switch 109 in a state in which the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 shown in FIG. 2 are closed, the permanent magnet 1 shown in FIG.
The side facing 06 is the S pole. Then, the permanent magnet 10
6 and the electromagnet 107 repel each other at the same S pole, and the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 open at an angle equal to or greater than the predetermined angle described above.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the upper casing and the lower casing are opened when the switch is pressed. While the switch 109 (not shown) is pressed, the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are kept open at an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. The owner of the mobile phone is the switch 10
When the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are opened by pressing 9, the upper housing 102 may be lifted upward by inserting a finger into this space. Thereby, the mobile phone 101 can be opened very easily.

Modification of the first embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the first battery 111
And the second battery 112 are used, but this can be replaced with one battery.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the relationship between the battery, the contact switching circuit and the switches in this modification. 6 and 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the foldable information device of this modification, the battery 141 is connected to the first and second contacts 143 and 144 of the contact switching circuit 142, and the winding of the electromagnet 107 is connected to the third and fourth contacts 145 and 146. Is connected to In the non-pressed state, as shown in FIG. 6, the first contact 143 and the third contact 1
45 are connected, and the second contact 144 and the fourth contact 146 are connected. On the other hand, in the pressed state,
As shown in FIG. 6, the first contact 143 and the fourth contact 146
Are connected, and the second contact 144 and the third contact 145 are connected. Thus, different magnetic poles are generated in the electromagnet 107 in the non-pressed state and the pressed state.

By using one battery in this way, the number of components can be reduced, and not only can the size of the foldable information device be reduced, but also the price can be reduced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 8 shows an outline of a portable telephone as a foldable information device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The mobile phone 201 according to the second embodiment includes an upper housing 102, a lower housing 103, and a hinge portion 10 for holding these openably and closably.
It consists of four. Permanent magnet 1 in lower housing 103
The electromagnet 107 and the ring-shaped permanent magnet 202 are arranged at a position facing the reference numeral 06. The excitation of the electromagnet 107 is controlled by an excitation control unit 203. In this embodiment, a magnet having an S pole on the side facing the electromagnet 107 is used as one of the permanent magnets 106. The other permanent magnet 202 is a magnet whose surface facing the permanent magnet 106 has an N pole.

A switch 109 is provided at a predetermined position such as a side surface of the lower housing 103. From the switch 109, an on / off signal 110 indicating whether or not the switch is pressed is input to the excitation control unit 203. Excitation controller 2
03 is an electromagnet 10 according to the on / off signal 110.
7 is controlled.

FIG. 9 specifically shows a circuit for controlling the opening and closing of the housing. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The excitation control section 203 includes a variable resistor 115R. A resistor 205 is connected between the first switching contact 118 connected to one common contact 116 and the first battery 111 when the switch 109 is not pressed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, when the switch 109 is not pressed, a combined resistance of the variable resistor 115R and the resistor 205 exists between the first battery 111 and the winding of the electromagnet 107. In contrast, switch 109
Is pressed down, the second battery 112 and the electromagnet 107
And only the variable resistor 115R exists between the windings. Therefore, the first and second batteries 111, 1
Assuming that batteries 12 have the same characteristics, the current flowing through the winding of the electromagnet 107
Are more in the pressed state than in the non-pressed state. In other words, when the switch 109 is not depressed, the minimum current required to maintain the closed state of the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 is the electromagnet 107.
Will flow through the windings. Switch 1 depending on the device
It is also possible to reduce the current flowing through the winding of the electromagnet 107 to “0” in the non-pressed state of 09.

In the foldable information device of the second embodiment, not only the electromagnet 107 but also the ring-shaped permanent magnet 202 are arranged in the lower housing 103. Therefore, only a small current flows through the electromagnet 107 when the switch 109 is not pressed (or the ring-shaped permanent magnet 2).
It is possible to keep the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 in a closed state with a sufficient magnetic force, depending on the strength of No. 02 (there is no need to supply a current particularly to the electromagnet 107).

When the operator presses the switch 109 in this state where the upper casing 102 and the lower casing 103 are closed,
While the pressed state continues, a relatively large amount of current flows through the electromagnet 107. Thereby, the electromagnet 107 overcomes the ring-shaped permanent magnet 202 and the side facing the permanent magnet 106 becomes the S pole. As a result, while the switch 109 is being pressed, the upper housing 10 is pressed as described with reference to FIG.
A repulsive force is generated between the second housing 2 and the lower housing 103, and the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are opened at an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator inserts his / her finger into the space created by this, and
2, the mobile phone 201 can be opened very easily.

Modification of the second embodiment

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the circuit shown in FIG. In this modification, as shown in the second modification, the current flowing through the electromagnet 107 is set in two stages according to the on / off state of the switch 109. First
Alternatively, the second switching contact 118 (119) and the electromagnet 10
7 and one end of the winding, the first and second resistors 30
1, 302 are connected in series. Among them, the first resistor 301 has a relatively large resistance value, and the second resistor 302 has a relatively small resistance value including the resistance value “0”. The emitter / collector of the transistor 303 is connected to the first resistor 301 in parallel. One end of a third resistor 304 is connected to the base of the transistor 303, and the other end is connected to the switch 109.

In the circuit of such a modification, the switch 1
When 09 is in the non-pressed state, the emitter-collector connection of the transistor 303 is cut off, and the first switching contact 11
8 and the electromagnet 107 have high resistance. Therefore, the current flowing through the winding of the electromagnet 107 is relatively small.
On the other hand, when the switch 109 is depressed, conduction between the emitter and the collector is conducted, and a relatively large current flows between the second switching contact 119 and the emitter and the collector of the transistor 303 and through the second resistor 302. As a result, a large repulsive force is generated between the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103, and the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are opened at an angle equal to or larger than a predetermined angle.

Although the first and second embodiments have been described by taking a mobile phone as an example, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to other foldable information devices.

[0049]

As described above, claims 1 to 3 are described.
According to the invention described above, since the first and second housings are opened and closed by using not only the permanent magnets but also the electromagnets, electrical control becomes possible and a foldable information device with good operability is realized. can do. In particular, there is an advantage that the foldable information device is easy to operate with one hand.

According to the second or third aspect of the present invention, the electromagnet and the second permanent magnet are provided in the second housing so as to face the first permanent magnet disposed in the first housing. Because of the arrangement, the power consumption in the closed state can be significantly reduced as compared to the open state. Therefore, the battery can be used for a long time even when the folding information device is not used and is kept closed for a long time. In particular, in the case of the invention described in claim 2, since the second permanent magnet cooperates with the first permanent magnet and attracts with sufficient force to close the first and second housings, the foldable information device is used. Can be eliminated in a state in which the power supply is not used and the power supply is kept closed, and the power consumption can be greatly reduced.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the exciting means excites the electromagnet only when the angle discriminating means determines that the electromagnet is closed within a predetermined angle, so that power consumption in a use state can be reduced. Will be possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the opening direction indicating means is a switch arranged on the outer peripheral surface of either the first or the second housing, the opening direction indicating means can be operated with one hand.
When the first housing and the second housing are opened at a predetermined angle or more, the user can easily open the foldable information device by inserting a finger into the space or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a mobile phone as a foldable information device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram specifically showing a circuit for controlling opening and closing of a housing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship of magnets in a state where the mobile phone in the first embodiment is closed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship of magnets in a state where the mobile phone according to the first embodiment is open.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an upper housing and a lower housing are opened when a switch is pressed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit operation in a non-pressed state of a switch in a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit operation when a switch is pressed in a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a mobile phone as a foldable information device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram specifically showing a circuit for controlling opening and closing of a housing in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a main part of an excitation control unit in a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a first type of mobile phone as viewed from the side.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a second type of mobile phone as viewed from the side.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a third type of mobile phone as viewed from the side.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a conventionally proposed mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 201 Mobile phone (foldable information device) 102 Upper housing 103 Lower housing 104 Hinge (angle discriminating means) 106 Permanent magnet 107 Electromagnet 108, 203 Excitation controller 109 Switch (opening direction instructing means) 115, 115R 205 resistance 301 first resistance 302 second resistance

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first housing having a permanent magnet disposed therein; and a first housing which is openably and closably disposed by a hinge mechanism and which is closed with the permanent magnet of the first housing. A second housing in which electromagnets are arranged at opposing portions; an opening direction instructing unit for instructing opening directions for opening the first and second housings; and the opening direction instructing unit instructs an opening direction. Exciting means for generating a magnetic pole in a direction in which the electromagnet is attracted to the permanent magnet in a state where the electromagnet is not attracted, and generating a magnetic pole in a direction in which the electromagnet repels the permanent magnet in a state where the opening direction instructing means gives an opening direction A foldable information device comprising: 2. A first housing in which a first permanent magnet is disposed, and a first housing that is openably and closably disposed by a hinge mechanism and that is closed with the first housing. A second housing in which an electromagnet and a second permanent magnet having different magnetic poles facing the first permanent magnet are arranged at a portion facing the first permanent magnet; and the first and second housings. Opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the body, and exciting means for generating a magnetic pole in a direction to repel the electromagnet with the first permanent magnet in a state where the opening direction instructing means instructs the opening direction. A foldable information device comprising: 3. A first housing in which a first permanent magnet is disposed, and said first housing is arranged to be openable and closable with said first housing by a hinge mechanism, and said first housing is closed when said first housing is closed. A second housing in which an electromagnet and a second permanent magnet having different magnetic poles facing the first permanent magnet are arranged at a portion facing the first permanent magnet; and the first and second housings. Opening direction instructing means for instructing an opening direction for opening the body, and generating a magnetic pole in a direction to repel the electromagnet with the first permanent magnet in a state where the opening direction instructing means instructs the opening direction; In the direction in which the opening direction instructing means does not issue the opening direction instruction, the electromagnet is attracted to the first permanent magnet.
A folding information device comprising: an exciting unit that generates a magnetic pole having a magnetic force weaker than a magnetic pole generated in a direction repelling the first permanent magnet. 4. An exciter comprising an angle discriminator for discriminating whether or not the first casing and the second casing are closed within a predetermined angle, wherein the exciting means has the angle discriminator closed within a predetermined angle. The foldable information device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnet is excited only when it is determined that the electromagnet is operated. 5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the opening direction instructing unit is a switch disposed on an outer peripheral surface of one of the first and second housings. Foldable information equipment.