JP2003125051A - Folding-type portable terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with the opening/closing operation and the detaching/ attaching operation of a cover, by integrally providing a lens cover for an internal digital camera with a body. SOLUTION: The folding-type portable terminal device comprises an upper side body 1 and a lower side body 2 foldably constituted via a hinge 3. The portable terminal device further comprises a lens 4 arranged in the body 2 to be exposed via a lens hole 2a perforated at a wall, the lens cover 5 arranged rotatably in front of the lens 4 to openably and closably block the hole 2a, and a lens cover opening/closing means for opening/closing the hole 2a, by rotating the cover 5 in cooperation with the developing ad folding operation of the bodies 1, 2. The lens cover opening/closing means has a coiled spring 9 for always energizing the cover 5 in the closing direction, an arm 6 and a rod 7 pressed to the protrusion 2a of the developed upper side body 1 to pull the cover 5 in the opening direction and releasing the pulling of the cover 5, when the body 1 is folded and the pressing of the protrusion 1a is released.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS terminal having a digital camera in a foldable main body, and more particularly to a lens of the digital camera in the main body of the mobile terminal. Equipped with a lens cover to protect the
By providing the opening / closing means that opens / closes in conjunction with the folding operation, the lens cover can be integrally provided on the terminal body without requiring a large-sized or complicated structure, and the lens cover can be independently opened / closed. The present invention relates to a foldable mobile terminal that does not require operation, attachment / detachment, storage, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile terminals represented by mobile phones and PHS terminals having a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the outside in a portable housing have become widespread. In addition, in recent years, in addition to the original wireless communication function and information processing function of the mobile terminal, from the viewpoint of further improving the convenience and commercialization of such a mobile terminal and providing an attractive terminal device to users. As a result, mobile terminals having various additional functions and equipment have been proposed and developed. Here, as a mobile terminal provided with such additional equipment, there is a mobile terminal with a built-in digital camera in which a digital camera is provided in the main body.

In a portable terminal with a built-in digital camera, a digital camera is arranged and built in a main body which is foldable, and a lens of the camera is arranged so as to be exposed from a lens hole in a wall of the main body. It is possible to take a picture using a digital camera while looking at a display unit such as a liquid crystal display of a mobile terminal. Since the image data of the digital camera can be processed, stored, edited, etc. by the mobile terminal, and can be transmitted to other information processing devices such as mobile terminals and PCs using the wireless communication function of the mobile terminal, It is also possible to transfer to other terminals etc. on the spot,
Attractive and highly convenient equipment for mobile terminal users,
It is attracting attention as a function.

[0004]

However, the conventional portable terminal with a built-in digital camera does not include a cover or the like for protecting the lens portion of the camera. There is a problem in that dirt easily attaches, and in the worst case, the lens may be scratched or damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to take some means for protecting the lens of the built-in digital camera.

Here, as such a lens protecting means, it is conceivable to provide a lens cover which is detachably attached to the lens, like a general camera for photographing. However, in the case of a normal camera, the lens cover is configured separately from the lens and the camera body, and if this is applied to the mobile terminal as it is, the lens cover is provided separately from the body of the mobile terminal. The operation of attaching and detaching the cover becomes troublesome, and the removed cover becomes an obstacle when the digital camera is used, and the cover needs to be managed and stored, which may impair the operability of the mobile terminal. was there.

Further, like a lens cover provided in an existing digital camera or video camera, the lens cover is integrally attached to the main body, and the cover is opened and closed by operating a switch and a dial for opening and closing the cover. It is also possible. However, this type of cover opening / closing structure does not cause a problem in the case of a digital camera or a video camera used as an independent photographing means, but is provided as an additional device in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS terminal. As the lens cover structure of the digital camera used is large, the opening and closing structure becomes complicated and large, the manufacturing cost increases, and the opening and closing operations of switches and dials during use are complicated, There was a risk that mobile terminals would become smaller, lighter, cheaper, and easier to operate.

For example, JP-A-8-172559, JP-A-8-289184, and JP-A-2000-261699.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-332871 and other publications propose an opening / closing structure of this type of lens cover. However, these are all related to the lens covers of video cameras and digital cameras used as independent cameras, and as described above, the structure for opening and closing the lens covers provided in mobile terminals such as mobile phones is However, since it is complicated and large in size, and the opening and closing operation may be troublesome, it is difficult to apply it to a mobile terminal that is strongly required to be small and lightweight and easy to operate.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the problems of the prior art, such as a mobile phone and a PHS terminal having a digital camera in a foldable body. In a portable terminal, a lens cover for protecting a lens of a digital camera is provided inside the main body, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing the lens cover in conjunction with the expansion / folding operation of the main body is provided, so that a large-sized or complicated structure can be obtained. The lens cover can be integrally provided on the terminal body without needing it, and the opening / closing operation of the lens cover, the attaching / detaching operation, and the storage are not necessary at all.
An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable mobile terminal capable of reliably protecting the lens of a built-in digital camera without impairing the small size and light weight of the mobile terminal and the operability.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the folding type portable terminal according to claim 1 of the present invention is a folding type portable terminal in which a main body is configured to be developed and folded via a hinge portion. A lens that is disposed in the main body and is exposed to the outside through a lens hole formed in a wall portion of the main body, and is rotatably disposed in front of the lens in the main body, The lens cover is configured to open and close the lens hole, and the lens cover opening and closing unit that opens and closes the lens hole by rotating the lens cover in association with the unfolding and folding operations of the main body.

In particular, in claim 2, the lens cover opening / closing means rotates the lens cover in the direction in which the lens hole opens in association with the unfolding operation of the main body and interlocks with the folding operation of the main body. The lens hole is then rotated in the closing direction.

According to the folding type portable terminal of the present invention having such a structure, the lens cover for protecting the lens of the digital camera built in the main body is integrally provided in the main body, and the lens cover is provided. By providing opening and closing means that opens and closes in conjunction with the expansion and folding operation of the main body,
The lens cover can be closed at the same time when the main body is folded, and the lens cover can be opened at the same time when the main body is unfolded. As a result, the lens cover integrated with the main body does not require any opening / closing operation or attachment / detachment operation only by the simple structure of the lens cover for covering the lens and the opening / closing means interlocking with the folding and unfolding operation of the main body. It is possible to automatically open and close the lens of the digital camera provided in the main body without impairing the small size, light weight and operability of the mobile terminal.

[0012] Specifically, in the folding type portable terminal according to claim 3, the lens cover opening / closing means includes an elastic member for constantly biasing the lens cover in a closing direction,
An arm that is pressed by the main body to be deployed, pulls the lens cover in the opening direction against the biasing force of the elastic member, and is released from the pressure by the main body that is folded to release the pull of the lens cover. When,
It is configured to have.

According to the folding type portable terminal of the present invention having such a structure, an elastic member such as a coil spring for constantly urging the lens cover and an arm for pulling the lens cover by being pressed by the main body to be folded and unfolded. The lens cover opening / closing means can be configured by the above. Accordingly, in the present invention, the lens cover can be automatically opened and closed only by the extremely simple structure of the elastic member and the arm. In particular, since the lens cover is opened and closed by the arm pressed by the main body to be deployed, a drive source for opening and closing the lens cover, a complicated mechanism, etc. are unnecessary.
It is possible to reduce the size and weight of the mobile terminal and reduce the cost while providing a lens cover that automatically opens and closes together with the main body.

On the other hand, in the folding portable terminal according to claim 4, the lens cover opening / closing means has a wire whose one end is fixed in the opening direction side of the lens cover and the other end is fixed in the closing direction side of the lens cover. A wire winding pulley that is fixed in a wound state, rotates in accordance with expansion and folding operations of the main body, and winds the wire in an opening direction or a closing direction of the lens cover; and a wire winding pulley. And a plurality of rotatable auxiliary pulleys that stretch the wire wound around the lens cover in the opening direction side and the closing direction side of the lens cover.

According to the folding portable terminal of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the wire for pulling the lens cover,
The lens cover opening / closing means can be configured by a pulley that winds the wire and a pulley that stretches the wire. As a result, in the present invention, the lens cover can be automatically opened and closed only by the extremely simple structure of the wire and the pulley. In particular, by opening and closing the lens cover with a pulley that rotates as the main body unfolds and folds, it automatically opens and closes in conjunction with the main body without providing a drive source for opening and closing the lens cover or a complicated mechanism. A lens cover can be realized.

Further, in the folding type portable terminal according to claim 5, the lens cover opening / closing means replaces a part or all of the plurality of auxiliary pulleys in a direction in which the lens cover is always closed and / or opened. It is configured to have an elastic member for urging.

According to the foldable portable terminal of the present invention having such a structure, a wire for pulling the lens cover,
The lens cover opening / closing means can be configured by an elastic member such as a pulley that winds the wire and a coil spring that stretches the wire. As a result, in the present invention, it is possible to automatically open and close the lens cover only with the extremely simple structure of the wire, the pulley and the elastic portion. Particularly, by using an elastic member such as a coil spring as a means for stretching the wire, it is possible to omit part or all of the pulley for stretching the wire, and to further simplify the opening / closing structure and reduce the size and weight. This makes it possible to further contribute to downsizing, weight reduction, and cost reduction of a mobile terminal having a lens cover.

The foldable portable terminal according to claim 6 constitutes a wireless communication terminal having a wireless communication means in its main body.

As described above, a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS terminal can be adopted as a mobile terminal equipped with the lens cover and the lens cover opening / closing means of the digital camera according to the present invention. This makes it possible to apply the compact and lightweight lens cover and its opening / closing means according to the present invention to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera, which is rapidly spreading in recent years. , It is possible to provide a mobile terminal that is attractive to users. The present invention is applicable to mobile phones and P
In addition to terminals for HS terminals and the like, for example, PDAs, notebook PCs, and the like, as long as the mobile terminal is a foldable main body and a digital camera is provided in the main body, what kind of use and function can be used? Even if there is, it is possible to apply.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a folding portable terminal according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of a folding portable terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a folding mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the main body in an unfolded state as seen from the back side. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the lens cover opening / closing means of the folding portable terminal according to the present embodiment, in a state where the main body is folded,
(A) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part, and (b) is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the lens cover opening / closing means of the folding portable terminal according to the present embodiment as well, in the state where the main body is unfolded (a).
Is a cross-sectional side view of a main part, and (b) is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away.

The folding type portable terminal of the present embodiment shown in these figures constitutes a wireless communication device such as a portable telephone or a PHS terminal, and more specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 and the lower body 2 are foldably connected via a hinge 3. The upper body 1 and the lower body 2 (hereinafter referred to as “main bodies 1 and 2”) are not particularly shown in this embodiment, but the upper body 1 is provided with display means such as a liquid crystal display, 2 is provided with an input means such as a key button, and each unit provided in the wireless communication device is provided in the main body 1 or 2 so that it functions as a wireless communication device. Has become. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment is a portable type such as an existing mobile phone or PHS terminal including a built-in digital camera, except for a portion related to a lens cover 5 and a lens cover opening / closing means described below. The configuration and functions are similar to those of the wireless communication device, and detailed description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

The lower main body 2 has a built-in digital camera (not shown) and a lens 4 of the digital camera.
However, it is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside through a lens hole 2a formed in a wall portion of the lower main body 2 on the rear surface side of the housing. A lens cover 5 is arranged between the lens 4 and the lens hole 2. The lens cover 5
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is a plate-like member that is rotatably attached to the inner wall of the lower main body 2 on one side with a shaft 5a as a fulcrum and that opens and closes the opening of the lens hole 2a on the other side. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lens cover 5 is formed by a thin plate having a substantially scepter shape. However, the lens cover 5 is not particularly limited in outer shape, thickness, material, etc. as long as it is rotatably attached to the lower main body 2 and can open and close the lens hole 2a. It may be oval or the like.

In the present embodiment, the lens cover 5 is provided with the lens hole 2a in association with the expanding operation of the main bodies 1 and 2.
Is provided with a lens cover opening / closing means for rotating the lens hole 2a in the closing direction in conjunction with the folding operation of the main bodies 1 and 2. Specifically, the lens cover opening / closing means is linked to the coil spring 9 that always pulls the lens cover 5 in the closing direction, and the arm 6 and the arm 6 that pulls the lens cover 5 in the opening direction as the main bodies 1 and 2 expand. It has a rod 7.

The coil spring 9 has one end fixed to the lens cover 5 and the other end fixed to the inner wall of the lower main body 2, and the lens cover 5 has the lens hole 2a with the shaft 5a as a fulcrum.
Is a biasing means for constantly biasing the lens cover 5 in one direction (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2A) so as to rotate in the direction of closing. The coil spring 9 is used for the lens cover 5.
Can be changed to another elastic member such as rubber or leaf spring as long as it can always be urged in the closing direction.

The arm 6 is a rod-shaped member arranged in the lower main body 2 in the vicinity of the hinge portion 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm 6 is folded and unfolded around the shaft 2b as a fulcrum. It is attached so as to be rotatable in the same direction as the direction. A rod 7 made of a rod-shaped member is connected to one end of the arm 6 via a rotatable link 7a, and an end portion on the opposite side of the rod 7 is provided with a rotatable link 7b. Attached to the lens cover 5. Then, the arm 6 is pressed by the unfolding operation of the main bodies 1 and 2, and the shaft 2b is
Is rotated about the fulcrum, whereby the rotation of the arm 6 is performed via the rod 7 to the lens cover 5
The lens cover 5 is pulled in the opening direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 9.

Specifically, first, on the lower main body 2 side, a hole portion 2b communicating with the outside is formed in a wall portion near the hinge portion 3, and the arm 6 is provided in the hole portion 2b. The rod 7
The end that is not connected (hereinafter referred to as the "tip")
Are located (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, on the upper body 1 side, a convex portion 1a protruding from the surface of the hinge portion 3 is formed, and the convex portion 1a rotates along the surface of the hinge portion 3 as the upper body 1 moves. The arm 6 is pressed against the tip of the arm 6 through the hole 2b.

As a result, first, when the main bodies 1 and 2 are folded, the convex portion 1a of the upper main body 1 is located away from the arm 6 and the arm 6 is not pressed (state shown in FIG. 2). ). That is, the pressure is released.
Then, when the main bodies 1 and 2 are deployed, the convex portion 1a rotates and moves along with the upper main body 1, projects into the hole 2b of the lower main body 2, and the tip of the arm 6 located in the hole 2b. The part is pressed (state shown in FIG. 3). As a result, the arm 6 and the rod 7 linked to the arm 6 are pressed against the convex portion 1a as the main bodies 1 and 2 expand, and pull the lens cover 5 in the opening direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 9. With
When the main bodies 1 and 2 are folded, the pressing of the convex portion 1a is released, the tension of the lens cover 5 is released, and the lens cover 5 is biased by the coil spring 9 to be closed.

Next, the operation of the folding portable terminal according to the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. First, as shown in FIG.
In the folded state of the main bodies 1 and 2, the lens cover 5 is always pulled toward the center of the lower main body 2 (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2) by the urging force of the coil spring 9, and the lens cover 5 has a lens hole. It is held with 2a closed. Therefore, in this state, the lens cover 5 is attached to the lens 4
Is located in front of, that is, between the lens 4 and the lens hole 2a, the lens 4 is protected without being exposed to the outside.

Next, when the main bodies 1 and 2 are deployed, as shown in FIG. 3, the convex portion 1a of the upper main body 1 rotates, and the tip portion of the arm 6 passes through the hole 2b of the lower main body 2. And presses the arm 6. The pressed arm 6 rotates about the shaft 6a as a fulcrum, pulls the rod 7 which is connected and interlocked via the link 7a, and the rod 7 moves in the lower main body 2 in the direction of the hinge portion 3 (the arrow shown in FIG. 3). Direction).

Then, the rod 7 pulls the lens cover 5 connected through the link 7b in the moving direction, and as a result, the lens cover 5 rotates about the shaft 5a as a fulcrum,
It will be out of the position of the lens hole 2a. As a result, the lens cover 5 is opened from the front of the lens 4 and is exposed, and in this state, the lens 4 is exposed from the lens hole 2a. Therefore, in this state, it is possible to take a picture using the built-in digital camera. The lens cover 5 is maintained in the open state by fixing the expanded state of the main bodies 1 and 2 by the lock mechanism or the like of the hinge portion 3. Further, the lock mechanism of the hinge portion 3 is designed to be released by folding the main bodies 1 and 2.

When the main bodies 1 and 2 are folded after using the digital camera or the like, the convex portion 1a abutting against the arm 6 is folded.
Are separated from each other, and the pressing by the convex portion 1a is released. Convex portion 1a
When the pressing of is released, the lens cover 5 by the arm 6
2 is also released, the lens cover 5 is moved toward the center of the lower main body 2 by the urging force of the coil spring 9 (see FIG.
The lens cover 5 is returned to the position for closing the lens hole 2a. In this state, the lens cover 5 is located in front of the lens 4,
The lens 4 described above returns to the protected state.

As described above, according to the folding portable terminal of this embodiment, the lens cover 5 for protecting the lens 4 of the digital camera built in the lower body 2 is
By arranging the lens cover 5 in the lower main body 2 in a rotatable manner and by providing an opening / closing means for opening / closing the lens cover 5 in conjunction with the expansion and folding operations of the main body, the lens covers 5 can be opened at the same time when the main bodies 1 and 2 are folded. The lens cover 5 can be closed and the lens cover 5 can be opened at the same time when the main bodies 1 and 2 are unfolded. Thereby, the lens cover 5 that covers the lens 4
With the simple opening / closing means interlocking with the folding and unfolding operations of the main bodies 1 and 2, the lens cover 5 integrally disposed on the lower main body 2 can be operated without any opening / closing operation or attachment / detachment operation. It can be opened and closed automatically, and the lens 4 of the digital camera provided in the lower main body 2 can be easily and surely protected without impairing the small size and lightness of the mobile terminal and the operability.

In particular, in this embodiment, the opening / closing means of the lens cover 5 is pressed by the coil spring 9 that constantly biases the lens cover 5 and the convex portions 1a of the main bodies 1 and 2 that are folded and unfolded, so that the lens cover is pressed. Since it is constituted by the arm 6 (and the rod 7) that pulls the lens 5, the lens cover 5 can be automatically opened and closed only by the extremely simple structure of the coil spring 9 and the arm 6 (and the rod 7). As a result, a drive source for opening and closing the lens cover, a complicated mechanism, etc. are not required at all, and a compact and lightweight portable device with a lens cover 5 that automatically opens and closes together with the main bodies 1 and 2 is provided at a low cost. Is possible.

In this embodiment, as described above,
A wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS terminal is adopted as a mobile terminal equipped with a lens cover and a lens cover opening / closing means of the digital camera according to the present invention.
This makes it possible to apply the compact and lightweight lens cover and its opening / closing means according to the present invention to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera, which is rapidly spreading in recent years. , It is possible to provide a mobile terminal that is attractive to users. However, the present invention is not limited to mobile phones and terminals for PHS terminals,
For example, a portable terminal such as a PDA or a notebook PC whose main body is foldable and a digital camera is provided in the main body can be used for any purpose and function.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the folding portable terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the lens cover opening / closing means of the folding type portable terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the main body is expanded,
(A) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part, and (b) is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away. Further, FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a modified example of the lens cover opening / closing means of the folding portable terminal according to the present embodiment, which is a rear surface in which a part of the main body wall portion is cut out in a state where the main body is folded. It is a figure.

The folding portable terminal according to the present embodiment shown in these figures is a modified embodiment of the above-described first embodiment, in which the configuration of the lens cover opening / closing means is changed. Therefore, the other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lens cover opening / closing means according to this embodiment includes a wire 10, a wire winding pulley 11, and auxiliary pulleys 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the wire 10 is arranged in the lower main body 2 and has one end fixed to the lens cover 5 opening direction side and the other end fixed to the lens cover 5 closing direction side. It has become so. The wire 10 is wound and stretched around the wire winding pulley 11 and the auxiliary pulleys 12 and 13 to open and close the lens cover 5.

The wire winding pulley 11 is arranged and fixed on the same rotation shaft as the hinge portion 3 in the upper body 1, and is rotated as the upper body 1 is unfolded and folded. Then, on the outer periphery of the wire winding pulley 11,
The wire 10 is fixed in the wound state.
As a result, when the wire winding pulley 11 rotates with the upper body 1, the wire 10 is wound around the wire winding 11. The wire 10 is mounted inside the upper main body 1 through a hole 2c formed in the outer wall of the lower main body 2, and can be wound around the outer circumference of the wire winding pulley 11.

The auxiliary pulleys 12 and 13 are arranged in the lower main body 2 and are rotatably supported by a main body wall (not shown). And these auxiliary pulleys 12, 13
Is configured such that one pulley (auxiliary pulley 12 shown in FIG. 4) stretches the wire 10 wound around the wire take-up pulley 11 toward the opening side of the lens cover 5, and the other pulley (shown in FIG. 4). An auxiliary pulley 13) stretches the wire 10 in the direction in which the lens cover 5 is closed. Although the auxiliary pulley is provided with two auxiliary pulleys (12, 13) in the present embodiment, the wire 10 wound around the wire winding pulley 11 is moved in the opening direction and the closing direction of the lens cover 5. As long as it can be stretched, the number, location, size, etc. are not particularly limited in the case of the present embodiment.

The operation of the lens cover opening / closing means of the present embodiment having the above structure will be described. In the lens cover opening / closing means of the present embodiment, the wire 10 having both ends attached to the lens cover 5 is fixed to the wire winding pulley 11 in a wound state.
Wire winding pulley 11 according to the unfolding and folding operations of
When the wire rotates, the wire 10 moves to the wire winding pulley 11
The lens cover 5 is wound in the opening direction or the closing direction of the lens cover 5, whereby the lens cover 5 is opened and closed.

Specifically, first, when the main bodies 1 and 2 are unfolded, the wire winding pulley 11 rotates in the clockwise direction along with the upper main body 1, and the wire 10 rotates clockwise in the wire winding pulley 11. To be wound up. When the wire 10 is wound clockwise, the wire 10 fixed to the opening direction side of the lens cover 5 is pulled and the wire fixed to the closing direction side is loosened. As a result, the lens cover 5 is pulled in the opening direction by the wire 10, moves to a position away from the front of the lens 4, the lens hole 2a is opened, and the lens 4 is exposed from the lens hole 2a. In this state, shooting with a built-in digital camera is possible.

On the other hand, when the main bodies 1 and 2 are folded, the wire winding pulley 11 rotates counterclockwise along with the upper body 1, and the wire 10 is wound around the wire winding pulley 11 counterclockwise. . When the wire 10 is wound counterclockwise, the wire 10 fixed to the closing direction side of the lens cover 5 is pulled and the wire fixed to the opening direction side is loosened. As a result, the lens cover 5 is pulled in the closing direction by the wire 10 and closed so as to close the lens hole 2a.
In this state, the lens cover 5 is located in front of the lens 4, and the lens 4 is protected without being exposed to the outside.

As described above, according to the folding portable terminal of this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the wire 10 for pulling the lens cover 5, the wire take-up pulley 11 for winding the wire 10 and the wire 10 are stretched. A lens cover opening / closing means can be configured by the auxiliary pulleys 12 and 13.
As a result, the lens cover 5 is formed only by the extremely simple structure of the wire 10 and the pulleys 11, 12, and 13.
It is possible to automatically open and close, the lens cover opening and closing means can be configured only by a simple configuration, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, without impairing the small size and lightness and operability of the mobile terminal, A lens cover 5 that interlocks with the main bodies 1 and 2 can be provided. In particular, in the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 4, the lens cover 5 can be opened and closed by the wire winding pulley 11 that rotates as the upper body 1 is expanded and folded. It is possible to provide a lens cover that automatically opens and closes in conjunction with the main bodies 1 and 2 without providing the above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lens cover opening / closing means shown in FIG. 5 can be adopted instead of the lens cover opening / closing means shown in FIG. In the lens cover opening / closing means shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary pulley 13 of the lens cover opening / closing means in FIG. 4 is replaced with a coil spring 9. That is, in the lens cover opening / closing means shown in FIG. 5, a coil spring 9 for constantly biasing the lens cover 5 in the closing direction is used as a means for stretching the wire 10 wound around the wire winding pulley 11 in the closing direction. It is adopted. Other configurations are the same as those of the lens cover opening / closing means shown in FIG. 4 described above.

The coil spring 9 in FIG. 5 has substantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and one end is fixed to the lens cover 5 and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the lower main body 2. The lens cover 5 is an elastic member that constantly urges the lens cover 5 in one direction (arrow direction shown in FIG. 5) so that the lens cover 5 rotates about the shaft 5a in the direction of closing the lens hole 2a. As with the case of the first embodiment, the coil spring 9 is provided with another elastic member as long as it can always bias the lens cover 5 in the closing direction (or the opening direction).
For example, it is possible to change to rubber, leaf spring, or the like.

Here, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the coil spring 9 is used.
Is provided only on the side in which the lens cover 5 is closed, but instead of the auxiliary pulley 12, the coil spring 9 may be provided on the side in which the lens cover 5 is opened. That is,
The coil spring 9 may be arranged in place of some or all of the plurality of auxiliary pulleys as shown in FIG. May be arranged so as to be biased and stretched in at least one of the closing direction and the opening direction of the lens cover 5.

As described above, according to the folding type portable terminal of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the coil spring 9 is used as a means for stretching the wire 10, so that the auxiliary pulley for stretching the wire 10 is It is possible to omit some or all of the parts, and it is possible to further simplify the opening / closing structure and reduce the size and weight of the mobile terminal, which can further contribute to the reduction in size and weight of the mobile terminal and the cost reduction.

It is needless to say that the folding portable terminal of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the lens of the digital camera built in the main body is arranged and exposed on the back side of the terminal main body in the above-described embodiment, the direction and position of the lens, that is, the lens hole. The formation direction and the formation position of are not limited to the back surface of the terminal. Therefore, it is of course possible to apply the automatic opening / closing means of the lens cover according to the present invention even when the lens is arranged and exposed on the front side or the side surface of the terminal.

[0049]

As described above, according to the folding type portable terminal of the present invention, in the portable terminal such as the portable telephone or the PHS terminal having the digital camera in the foldable body, the portable terminal is a portable terminal. A large-sized, complicated structure is required by providing a lens cover for protecting the lens of the digital camera in the main body of the device, and by providing an opening / closing means for opening and closing the lens cover in conjunction with the expansion and folding operations of the main body. Without the need, the lens cover can be integrally provided on the terminal body, and the opening / closing operation, the attaching / detaching operation, and the storage of the lens cover can be eliminated.
As a result, it is possible to protect the lens of the built-in digital camera without impairing the small size, light weight, and operability of the mobile terminal, and in particular, a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera or a PHS terminal. Suitable for

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a folding mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a main body in an unfolded state as seen from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a lens cover opening / closing means of the folding type portable terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part, and (b) is a state in which a main body is folded. [Fig. 4] is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a lens cover opening / closing means of the folding type portable terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part in a state where a main body is expanded,
(B) is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a lens cover opening / closing means of a folding type portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part in a state where a main body is expanded,
(B) is a rear view in which a part of the main body wall is cut away.

FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a modified example of the lens cover opening / closing means of the folding type portable terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of the main body wall portion is cut away when the main body is folded. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Upper body 1a convex part 2 Lower body 2a lens hole 3 Hinge part 4 lenses 5 lens cover 5a axis 6 arms 6a axis 7 rod 7a link 7b link 9 coil spring 10 wires 11 Wire winding pulley 12,13 Auxiliary pulley

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A foldable portable terminal in which a main body is unfoldable and foldable via a hinge portion, the foldable mobile terminal being disposed in the main body and having a lens hole formed in a wall portion of the main body. And a lens that is exposed to the outside, a lens cover that is rotatably disposed in front of the lens in the main body, and that opens and closes the lens hole, and the lens cover that interlocks with the expansion and folding operations of the main body. A foldable portable terminal, comprising: a lens cover opening / closing means for rotating the lens hole to open / close the lens hole. 2. The lens cover opening / closing means rotates the lens cover in a direction in which the lens hole is opened in association with the unfolding operation of the main body, and the lens hole in association with the folding operation of the main body. The folding portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the folding portable terminal is rotated in a closing direction. 3. The lens cover opening / closing means is pressed by the elastic member that always urges the lens cover in a closing direction and the main body that is deployed, and resists the urging force of the elastic member, and the lens cover. The folding portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an arm that pulls the lens cover in an opening direction and is released from the pressing force by the main body that is folded to release the pulling of the lens cover. 4. The lens cover opening / closing means includes a wire having one end fixed to an opening direction side of the lens cover and the other end fixed to a closing direction side of the lens cover, and the wire fixed in a wound state, A wire winding pulley that rotates with the expansion and folding operations of the main body and winds the wire in the opening direction or the closing direction of the lens cover, and the wire wound around the wire winding pulley, Stretch on the opening side and closing side of the
The folding portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of rotatable auxiliary pulleys. 5. The lens cover opening / closing means has, instead of a part or all of the plurality of auxiliary pulleys, an elastic member that always urges the lens cover in a closing direction and / or an opening direction. Foldable mobile terminal. 6. The folding portable terminal constitutes a wireless communication terminal having a wireless communication means in its main body.
The foldable mobile terminal according to 3, 4, or 5.