JP2008166274A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus with heightened qualitative feeling of oneness which can surely be mounted on a main body part when a terminal is not used and can widely open a cover member with small force. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus is provided with one or a plurality of external connection terminals 61, 62 fitted to a main body part and a cover member 4 covering the one or the plurality of the external connection terminals 61, 62 in free opening and closing, the cover member 4 is locked to the main body part in a closed state, from which a hinge member 5 with a flexible property made of a material softer than the cover member 4 is extended, and fitted to the main body part to be retractable. Further, the hinge member 5 is restrained from moving to an out-going direction at an open state of the cover member 4, and the restraint of movement of the hinge member 5 is released when the cover member 4 is put in an open state, or the hinge member 5 is pulled with the cover member in an open state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a cover member that protects a terminal for connection with an external device.

  Electronic devices such as video cameras and digital cameras have external connections such as signal transmission terminals for sending and receiving image data to and from personal computers and DC power terminals for supplying power to electronic devices from AC adapters. Terminals are provided. In consideration of the appearance of the electronic device and protection of these terminals, such a connection terminal is not always exposed, and a cover member that normally covers these terminals is provided on the electronic device so as to be openable and closable. Yes.

  The cover member of the external connection terminal is considerably small with respect to the size of the entire electronic device. Further, in recent years, the electronic device itself has been remarkably reduced in size. Therefore, a hinge mechanism that pivotally supports a cover member on a shaft body provided in a main body of an electronic device as in the prior art is difficult due to design and manufacturing problems. In particular, the cover member frequently opens and closes, and a mechanical hinge mechanism that is too small is easily damaged by an unexpected impact. Therefore, conventionally, the cover member for the external connection terminal and the hinge mechanism are widely formed integrally with synthetic rubber.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a cover member for an external connection terminal in a conventional electronic device. The electronic device in this figure is a digital camera. As shown in FIG. 6A, as a terminal for external connection, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal (male) (61) which is a signal transmission terminal, and a DC power source are used. It has a terminal (male) (62). These terminals (61) and (62) are exposed to the outside at the bottom surface of the recess (83) formed in the side portion of the casing (8) of the digital camera. A USB terminal (female) (71) and a DC power supply terminal (female) (72) are connected to these terminals (61) and (62), respectively. The casing (8) is connected to a cover member (9) that can be freely opened and closed with respect to the recess (83). As shown in FIG. 6 (b), these terminals (61) (62) ) Is not used, the cover member (9) is mounted in the recess (83) to prevent dust and dirt from entering the terminals (61) and (62) and the vicinity thereof.

A hinge member (91) is formed integrally with the cover member (9), and the cover member (9) is connected to the housing (8) via the hinge member (91), that is, the main body of the digital camera. It is connected to. Since the cover member (9) and the hinge member (91) are made of synthetic rubber, the cover member (9) can be repeatedly opened and closed. Cap members (92) and (93) are formed on the back surface of the cover member (9) so as to correspond to the USB terminal (61) and the DC power supply terminal (62), respectively, and these cap members (92) (93 ) Fits into the terminals (61) and (62), the cover member (9) is stably held by the housing (8) when the cover member (9) is attached to the recess (83), that is, in the closed state.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-336504

  By integrally forming the cover member (9) and the hinge member (91) with synthetic rubber as described above, the cover member (9) is small and structurally simple, and has a low risk of breakage. Although such a hinge mechanism is obtained, there are the following problems. First, while the cover member (9) is made of synthetic rubber, the case (9) is made of plastic resin or metal, so that the user feels a qualitative discomfort in the appearance of the case. Will give. In particular, such a sense of incongruity is remarkable when the casing (9) is made of a metal having a silver color.

  Also, since the cap member (92) (93) is only fitted into the terminal (61) (62) when the cover member (9) is mounted, the cover member (9) is lifted from the recess (83). easy. In particular, when the cap members (92) and (93) are slightly deformed due to deterioration of the synthetic rubber, there is always a situation in which the cover member (9) is lifted from the recessed portion (83). Furthermore, considering the qualitative sense of unity with the hard housing (8), and in order to protect the terminals (61) (62) reliably, the cover member (9) and this are integrally molded For the hinge member (91), a relatively hard synthetic rubber is often used as a material. In this case, the reaction force by the hinge member (91) is increased, and when the cover member (9) is opened, the user is relatively It is necessary to apply a large force to the cover member (9). Or, since the synthetic rubber is hard, the cover member (9) can be opened only to the extent that it is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess (83), and the terminals (female) (71) (72) are connected to the terminals. There are also electronic devices that cannot secure a sufficient working space for connection to (male) (61) and (62).

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, enhances the qualitative unity in appearance, and is securely attached to the main body when the terminal is not used, and can open the cover member with a small force. Provide electronic equipment.

  The electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device comprising one or more external connection terminals provided on a main body and a cover member that covers the one or more external connection terminals so as to be openable and closable. Is locked to the main body portion in the closed state, and a flexible hinge member formed of a softer material than the cover member extends from the cover member, and the hinge member is connected to the main body. It is characterized in that it is provided so as to be able to move in and out of the part.

  Further, in the electronic device of the present invention, the hinge member is restricted from moving in the exit direction when the cover member is closed, and when the cover member is opened, or the cover member is open. When the hinge member is pulled, the restriction on the movement of the hinge member is released.

  In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, at least one slide hole is formed in the hinge member, and the main body portion includes a guide protrusion that fits into the slide hole.

  Furthermore, in the electronic device of the present invention, the main body portion includes a first surface portion having an opening through which the external connection terminal is exposed, and extends from the first surface portion at a substantially right angle, and the guide projecting piece projects. A holder member having a second surface portion provided, and a housing having an opening through which the first surface portion is exposed, and the projection of the hinge member hits one end portion of the second surface portion, The movement of the hinge member is restricted in the outgoing direction.

  The electronic device of the present invention employs a configuration in which a cover member is combined with a hinge member formed of a different material, and the hinge member is softer and more flexible than the cover member. As a result, the present invention takes advantage of the integrally formed cover member and hinge member employed in the conventional electronic device, while eliminating the disadvantages. First, with this configuration, when the housing of the main body of the electronic device is formed of resin, the cover member can be formed of the same material as the housing, improving the sense of unity on the external appearance of the electronic device. Can be made. When the housing of the main body of the electronic device is made of metal, the exterior of the electronic device is formed by forming a cover member with a hard synthetic resin resin and painting the cover member in the same color as the housing. The sense of unity above can be improved.

  Moreover, according to this structure, since a cover member can be formed with a hard synthetic resin, there is no possibility of deterioration of a cover member. Therefore, even if it elapses for a long time, the cover member is securely locked to the main body portion in the closed state, and the cover member does not come off from the main body portion and does not rise significantly. Further, by providing the hinge member so as to be able to be retracted and retracted with respect to the main body, the cover member can be pulled out to increase the deformation area of the hinge member, and the cover member can be opened larger with a small force.

  By restricting the movement of the hinge member in the exit direction in the closed state of the cover member so that the hinge member can be released by opening the cover member or pulling the hinge member in the open state of the cover member, Shaking of the cover member in the closed state is reduced while allowing sliding movement. Further, since the main body portion includes the holder member and the casing as described above, the holder member is inserted into the opening from the outside of the casing so that the guide protrusion fits into the slide hole. By attaching to the inside, the cover member can be easily attached to the main body.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital camera, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a digital camera. The present invention is widely applied to an electronic device including an external connection terminal such as a video camera, a cellular phone, a portable audio device, and a portable information terminal.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the digital camera of the embodiment. It should be noted that illustration of portions not related to the present invention is omitted. The main body of the digital camera comprises a first housing (1) and a second housing (2) formed of a metal such as aluminum or a synthetic resin such as plastic. A housing is configured. The first housing (1) arranged on the back side of the digital camera has an opening (11) through which a display device such as a liquid crystal display can be seen, and various operation switches (12a) (12b) (12c). ing. The second housing (2) disposed on the front side of the digital camera has openings (21a) and (21b) in which the lens unit and the strobe device are disposed. The components of the digital camera such as the holder member (3), the liquid crystal display, the battery, the imaging data recording medium, and the electronic circuit board, which will be described later, are housed in the internal space formed by combining these cases (1) and (2). It is done.

  An opening (15) for allowing a user to access an external connection terminal included in the digital camera is provided in the back surface portion (13) and the one side surface portion (14) of the first housing (1). The digital camera of this embodiment includes a USB terminal (male) (61) and a DC power supply terminal (male) (62) as external connection terminals, and these terminals (61) (62) are not shown. It is fixed to the holder member (3) via a fixing member. The holder member (3) is attached to the first housing (1) so as to close the external connection terminal opening (15) from the back side.

  The holder member (3) has a first surface portion (31) along the side surface portion (14) of the first housing (1) and the first surface portion (31) when attached to the first housing (1). ) Extending at a substantially right angle and a second surface portion (32) along the back surface portion (13) of the first housing. A wall portion (33) that contacts the back surface of the first housing (1) is formed at the edge portion of the surface portions (31) and (32), and the holder member (3) serves as the first housing (1). The first surface portion (31) and the surrounding wall portion (33) constitute a recessed portion (17) with respect to the outer surface of the first housing (1) (see FIG. 3 (c)). . Openings (34) and (35) corresponding to female terminal shapes connected to the USB terminal (male) (61) and the DC power supply terminal (male) (62) are opened in the first surface part (31), respectively. Each terminal (61) (62) is positioned with respect to the corresponding opening (34) (35) and fixed to the holder member (3). A claw piece (43) of a cover member (4), which will be described later, is hooked on the wall portion (33) at a portion extending from the end portion (on the front side of the digital camera) of the first surface portion (31). A lock hole (37) is opened. Further, in this portion, a part of the edge of the lock hole (37) is raised (see FIG. 5 (c)), and when the cover member (4) is closed, the tip of the claw piece (43) is locked. The claw piece (43) is elastically deformed so that it can enter the hole (37).

  On the second surface portion (32), a pair of guide protrusions (38a) and (38b) protrude in parallel toward the back surface portion (13) of the first housing (1). These guide protrusions (38a) and (38b) are formed somewhat longer along the direction perpendicular to the first surface portion (31). In the second surface portion (32), no wall portion (33) is formed at the edge located inside the first housing (1), and the end of the second surface portion (32) has a guide protrusion. A recess (39) is formed between the pieces (38a) (38b).

  The cover member (4) is formed in a shape suitable for the opening (15) for the external connection terminal of the first housing (1). It is attached to the 1st housing | casing (1) of a digital camera so that the 1st surface part (31) and 2nd surface part (32) of a member (3) may be opened and closed freely. A hinge member (5) is joined to the cover member (4). The hinge member (5) is a belt having a width slightly shorter than the width of the second surface portion (32) of the holder member (3), and a pair of guide protrusions (38a) (38b) of the holder member (3) Slide holes (51a) and (51b) into which are fitted are respectively opened. In the assembly process of the digital camera, the hinge member (5) is inserted into the opening (15) for the external connection terminal, and then the holder member (3) is attached to the first housing (1), thereby the hinge member Each of the guide protrusions (38a) and (38b) of (5) is fitted into the corresponding slide holes (51a) and (51b), and the hinge member (5) and the cover member (4) are in the first casing (1). Attached to. The gap between the tip of the guide protrusions (38a) and (38b) and the back of the back surface (13) of the first housing (1) is considerably shorter than the thickness of the hinge member (5). The hinge member (5) does not come out of the main body even when pulled by.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover member (4) and the hinge member (5) as seen from the back side. The cover member (4) is formed of a synthetic resin such as plastic, and the first portion (41) that is substantially juxtaposed with the side surface (14) of the first housing (1) when the opening (15) is closed. ) And a second portion (42) extending substantially perpendicularly from the portion (41) and juxtaposed with the back surface portion (13) of the first housing (1). The cover member (4) is configured to be able to be locked to the main body portion, and from one end portion of the first portion (41), the cover member (4) is used for locking that is hooked in the lock hole (37) of the holder member (3). The nail piece (43) extends to the back side. On the base end side of the nail piece (43), a depression (44) is formed for the purpose of the user putting his fingertip when opening the cover member (4). For the same purpose, the side surface (14) of the first housing (1) is positioned at the edge of the opening (15) so that the cover member (4) is positioned in the vicinity of the recess (44) in the closed state. A recess (16) is formed in the base (see FIG. 1). A step portion (45) is formed on the back surface of the edge portion of the cover member (4) so as to be one step lower on the outside. In the closed state of the cover member (4), the end portion of the wall portion (33) of the holder member (3) is fitted into the step portion (45), and rattling of the cover member (4) is suppressed (see FIG. 4).

  The hinge member (5) extends from the second surface portion (42) of the cover member (4), and a part of the hinge member (5) is embedded in the back surface of the cover member (4). They are joined (see FIG. 5). The hinge member (5) is made of a softer and flexible material than the cover member (4), and is made of a synthetic resin such as synthetic rubber. The hinge member (5) may be bonded to the cover member (4) using an adhesive, but the manufacturing process is simplified by forming the hinge member (5) integrally with the cover member (4) by two-color molding. be able to.

  The hinge member (5) is provided with a pair of slide holes (51a) and (51b) as described above. These slide holes (51a) and (51b) are long holes formed along the longitudinal direction of the hinge member (5). On the inner surface side of the hinge member (5), a protrusion (52) is formed between the holes (51a) (51b). In the closed state of the cover member (4), the protrusion (52) fits into the recess (39) formed on the second surface portion (32) of the holder member (3).

  Next, the opening / closing operation of the cover member according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover member (4) of the digital camera according to the present embodiment and its surroundings. FIG. 3 (a) shows the closed state of the cover member (4), and FIG. 3 (b) shows the cover member (4). (C) shows a state in which the cover member (4) is opened larger. 4 is a perspective view showing patterns of the holder member (3) and the hinge member (5) in each state shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 (a) in these states. It is the fragmentary sectional view which fractured | ruptured the digital camera in the perpendicular plane containing a line.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the closed state, the cover member (4) closes the opening (15) for the external connection terminal of the first housing (1). Specifically, the hollow portion (17) provided in the main body portion of the digital camera has the first surface portion (31) of the holder member (3) as the bottom surface, and the first surface portion (31) and surrounding wall portions. The USB terminal (61) and the DC power supply terminal exposed to the outside at the bottom surface of the recess (17) when the recess (17) constituted by (33) is covered with the cover member (4). (62) is protected (see FIG. 3 (b)). In the present embodiment, the recessed portion (17) from which the terminals (61) and (62) are exposed is configured as described above. However, in the present invention, the first surface portion (31) of the holder member (3) and its The surrounding wall portion (33) may be formed integrally with the first housing (1).

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the pair of guide protrusions (38a) (38b) of the holder member (3) fitted in the slide holes (51a) (51b) of the hinge member (5) in the closed state are as follows. , Respectively, at the end of the slide hole (51a) (51b) on the cover member (4) side. Further, the end portion of the wall portion (33) of the holder member (3) is fitted into the step portion (45) (see FIG. 4 (c)) of the cover member (4).

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the hinge member (5) is slidably disposed between the back surface portion (13) and the second surface portion (32) of the first housing (1), and covers the cover. The member (4) and the hinge member (5) are attached to the main body of the digital camera in a situation where there is a slight backlash. The tip of the claw piece (43) of the cover member (4) is hooked into the lock hole (37) formed in the holder member (3), thereby preventing the cover member (4) from being lifted. . In order to facilitate the sliding movement of the hinge member (5), the width of the slide hole (51a) (51b) is slightly larger than the width of the guide protrusion (38a) (38b), the slide hole (51a ) (51b) and the guide protrusions (38a) and (38b) only become loose when the hinge member (5) and the cover member (4) are loose in the closed state. Therefore, the rattling is reduced by fitting the protrusion (52) protruding from the hinge member (5) into the recess (39) formed in the second surface portion (32) of the holder member (3). .

  Further, if the protrusion (52) is not present, the hinge member (5) is configured to be slidable with respect to the main body, so that the back surface on the second surface portion (42) side of the cover member (4) is configured. The date is noticeable. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the protrusion (52) is brought into contact with the end portion of the second surface portion (32) of the holder member (3), whereby the exit direction of the hinge member (5) (left in FIG. 5) The backlash of the cover member (4) is reduced by restricting movement in the direction). The movement of the hinge member (5) in the retracting direction (right direction in FIG. 5) is restricted by the stepped portion (45) of the cover member (4) coming into contact with the end portion of the holder member (3). .

  When the user pushes up the cover member (4) slightly with the fingertip, the hook of the claw piece (43) on the lock hole (37) is released. Further, when the user pulls the cover member (4) to rotate, the cover member (4) is in an open state as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 5 (b), the hinge member (5) is deformed as the cover member (4) is pulled up, but its movement is restricted by the protrusion (52). So the slide is not moving.

  In the vicinity of the end of the second portion (42) of the cover member (4), the hinge member (5) is elastically deformed and curved, whereby the cover member (4) moves from the closed state to the open state. Even in the open state shown in FIGS. 3 (b) to 5 (b), the USB terminal (male) (61) and the DC power supply terminal (male) (62), which are external connection terminals provided in the main body, are respectively connected. It is possible to connect the USB terminal (female) (71) and the DC power supply terminal (female) (72). However, the deformation of the hinge member (5) occurs only in a limited area near the end of the second part (42) of the cover member (4). It is necessary to apply strong force. Further, when the hinge member (5) is formed of a relatively hard synthetic rubber, it is difficult to open the cover member (4) widely.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the hinge member (5) is configured to be slidable with respect to the main body so as to be retractable. From the open state shown in FIGS. 3 (b) to 5 (b), the cover member (4) is appropriately attached so as to be substantially perpendicular to the side surface (14) of the first housing (1) and away from the main body. Pull with great force. Then, the projection (52) of the hinge member (5) is pressed against the end portion of the second surface portion (32) of the holder member (3), and the projection (52) and the area near the projection (52) are deformed. (52) rests on the second surface portion (32). Thereby, the restriction on the movement of the hinge member (5) is released, and the hinge member (5) is moved in the outgoing direction until the guide protrusions (38a) (38b) move to the ends of the slide holes (51a) (51b). It slides toward (left direction in FIG. 5). When the cover member (4) is opened to an appropriate degree when the cover member (4) is opened, the protrusion of the protrusion (52) extends beyond the upper surface of the second surface portion (32) due to the bending of the hinge member (5). By limiting the movement of the hinge member (5), the movement of the hinge member (5) may be lifted by configuring the (52) to move toward the back surface (13) of the first housing (1).

  As shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the hinge member (5) slides, the area near the end of the second portion (42) of the cover member (4) is more specifically this end. The area of the hinge member (5) from the first casing (1) to the back surface (13) increases. Thereby, the reaction force generated when the cover member (4) is pulled up is alleviated, and the hinge member (5) can be opened largely with a relatively small force. Even when the hinge member (5) is formed of a relatively hard synthetic rubber, the cover member (4) can be opened widely. As shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 4 (c), the space around the USB terminal (male) (61) and the DC power terminal (male) (62) is increased by opening the cover member (4). The connection work between the USB terminal (female) (71) and the DC power supply terminal (female) (72) becomes easier.

  The operation for opening the cover member (4) has been described above. When closing the cover member (4), the cover member (4) is pushed from the state of FIG. 3 (c), and the hinge member (5) is moved backward (until the protrusion (52) fits into the recess (39)). Slide in the right direction in FIG. Thereafter, when the cover member (4) is lowered so as to rotate, the tip of the claw piece (43) is hooked in the lock hole (37) of the holder member (3), and is in the closed state shown in FIG. To.

  The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. Each part configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a digital camera according to the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the cover member of the digital camera concerning the present invention from the back. It is explanatory drawing explaining the opening / closing operation | movement of the cover member of the digital camera which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the opening / closing operation | movement of the cover member of the digital camera which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the opening / closing operation | movement of the cover member of the digital camera which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cover member in the conventional electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

(1) First housing
(15) Opening
(3) Holder member
(31) First side
(32) Second side
(34) (35) Opening
(38a) (38b) Guide protrusion
(39) Recess
(4) Cover member
(5) Hinge member
(51a) (51b) Slide hole
(52) Protrusion
(61) (62) External connection terminal

Claims (7)

One or more external connection terminals (61), (62) provided on the main body, and a cover member (4) that covers the one or more external connection terminals (61), (62) so as to be openable and closable. Electronic equipment
The cover member (4) is locked to the main body portion in the closed state,
From the cover member (4), a flexible hinge member (5) formed of a softer material than the cover member (4) extends,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member (5) is provided so as to be freely retractable from the main body. The hinge member (5) is restricted in movement in the exit direction when the cover member (4) is closed, and when the cover member (4) is opened, or the cover member (4) is opened. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the hinge member (5) is pulled in a state, the restriction on the movement of the hinge member (5) is released. A projection (52) is formed on the hinge member (5), and the body portion is a member that restricts the movement of the hinge member (5) in the outgoing direction by contacting the projection (52). The electronic device according to claim 2 comprising. The hinge member (5) is provided with at least one slide hole (51a) (51b), and the main body portion has a guide protrusion (38a) (38a) (fitting to the slide hole (51a) (51b). The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising 38b). The main body extends substantially perpendicularly from the first surface portion (31) having openings (34) and (35) through which the external connection terminals (61) and (62) are exposed, and from the first surface portion (31). A holder member (3) having a second surface portion (32) from which the guide protrusions (38a) (38b) protrude and an opening (15) through which the first surface portion (31) is exposed are opened. And a housing (1)
The electron according to claim 4, wherein the movement of the hinge member (5) is restricted in the outgoing direction by the projection (52) of the hinge member (5) hitting an end of the second surface portion (32). machine. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a concave portion (39) into which the protrusion (52) of the hinge member (5) is fitted is formed at the end portion of the second surface portion (32). The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover member (4) and the hinge member (5) are integrally resin-molded by two-color molding.

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