JP2003347005A - Rotational connecting device and electronic apparatus having it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotational connecting device capable of electrically connecting a first substrate disposed in the first case part of an electronic apparatus to a second substrate disposed in the second case part of the elec tronic apparatus, capable of rotating the first case part with respect to the second case part with a first center axis as a center, and also capable of rotat ing it with respect to a second center axis perpendicular to the first center axis. <P>SOLUTION: A first rotational connection mechanism part 6 connects the first case part 11 to the second case part 13 so as to make it rotatable with a first center axis CL1 as a center, and elastically bends a flexible wiring board 51 to electrically connect the first substrate 41 to the second substrate 43 with respect to the thickness direction of the flexible wiring board 51. A second rotational connection mechanism part 63 takes up the flexible wiring board 51 to electrically connect the first substrate 41 to the second substrate 43 in proportion to a rotation angle at the time when the first case part 11 rotates with a second center axis CL2 as a center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for electrically connecting a first substrate disposed on a first housing portion of an electronic device and a second substrate disposed on a second housing portion of the electronic device. In addition, the present invention relates to a rotation connection device for rotatably supporting a first housing portion with respect to a second housing portion, and an electronic apparatus having the rotation connection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an electronic apparatus, for example, a video camera recorder is taken as an example, and a main body of the video camera recorder has a liquid crystal display device for monitoring an image. The main body of this type of video camera recorder and the liquid crystal display have the following structures. FIG.
(A) shows a conventional rotary connection mechanism 1000. The rotation connection mechanism 1000 includes a liquid crystal display device 1001
Substrate 1002 and the substrate 1004 on the main body 1003 side can be electrically connected, and the liquid crystal display device 1
001 can rotate about the central axis 1005 with respect to the main body 1003. The rotation connection mechanism 1000 is a hinge mechanism, and the substrate 1002 and the substrate 10
04 has connectors 1006 and 1007, respectively. These connectors 1006 and 1007 are electrically connected by a flexible wiring board 1008. This flexible wiring board 1008 is used for the main body 100 of the electronic device.
1 and a liquid crystal display device 1003, and passes through a hinge portion 1009. As shown in FIG. 24B, when the liquid crystal display device 1001 is rotated around the central axis with respect to the main body 1003, the substrate 1002
4, but the flexible wiring board 1008 will have a twisted portion 1010.

[0003]

The use of such a rotary connection mechanism 1000 has the following problems. Since the flexible wiring board 1008 generates a three-dimensional bent portion as shown by the twisted portion 1010, a defect such as disconnection occurs in the flexible wiring board 1008. In addition, as shown in FIG. 24C, the boards 1002 and 1004 may be electrically connected by passing many ordinary harnesses 1020 through the hinge portions 1009 instead of the flexible wiring board. Also in this case, a plurality of harnesses 1
020 may be twisted, which may also cause disconnection or the like.

When the flexible wiring board 1008 and the harness 1020 shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C are used, the flexible wiring board 1008 and the harness 1020 are used.
Since the assembly 20 needs to be assembled through the hinge portion 1009, there is a problem that assembly workability is poor. In such a conventional structure, the liquid crystal display device 1001 cannot rotate in any other direction except for rotation about the central axis 1005. Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problems, and electrically connects a first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of an electronic device to a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device. A rotation connecting device rotatable about the first central axis with respect to the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion, and also rotatable about a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis; It is an object to provide an electronic device having a connection device.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of an electronic device; and a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device. Electrically connecting the first housing part to the second housing part, the first housing part being rotatably supported with respect to the second housing part. A flexible wiring board that is rotatably connected about a first central axis and electrically connects the first substrate and the second substrate with respect to a thickness direction of the flexible wiring board. A first rotation connection mechanism unit and the first housing portion,
A second rotary connection mechanism for rotatably connecting a housing portion around a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected to each other. And a second rotation connection mechanism that winds the flexible wiring board connected to the second housing in accordance with a rotation angle when the first housing portion rotates about the second central axis. It is a rotary connection device.

According to the first aspect, the first rotation connection mechanism connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion so as to be rotatable around the first central axis. The second rotation connection mechanism connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion so as to be rotatable around a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis. The second rotation connection mechanism is configured to move a flexible wiring board that electrically connects the first substrate and the second substrate according to a rotation angle when the first housing portion is rotated with respect to the second housing portion. It is for winding. As a result, the first housing portion is
When the first rotary connection mechanism is bent in the thickness direction of the flexible wiring board when rotating about the first central axis with respect to the housing portion, the first housing portion is connected to the second housing. The flexible wiring board can be rotated about the first central axis with respect to the portion without twisting.

The second rotary connection mechanism winds the flexible wiring board in accordance with the rotation angle when the first housing portion is rotated with respect to the second housing portion. When the flexible wiring board is rotated about the second central axis with respect to the second housing portion, the flexible wiring board does not undergo two-dimensional twisting, and can prevent defects such as disconnection of the flexible wiring board. . Thereby, the flexible wiring board electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate is
Regardless of the rotation about either the first central axis or the second central axis, the electrical connection state can be always stably secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the first aspect, the first rotary connection mechanism and the second rotary connection mechanism are connected to each other.
The rotation connection mechanism is located at an end of the second housing portion, and the end of the first housing portion and the end of the second housing portion are connected to the first rotation connection mechanism portion. And the second rotary connection mechanism.

In the second aspect, the first rotary connection mechanism and the second
The rotation connection mechanism is located at an end of the second housing portion. The end of the first housing part and the end of the second housing part are the first housing part.
The rotation connection mechanism is mechanically connected to the second rotation connection mechanism.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the second aspect, the second rotary connection mechanism is located at a center position of the first rotary connection mechanism.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the first aspect, the first substrate and the second substrate are rigid substrates.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the first aspect, at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is a flexible wiring board.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the first aspect, the first housing portion has a display section for displaying an image, and the first substrate drives the display section. It is a drive substrate.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of an electronic device is electrically connected to a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device. And an electronic device having a rotation connection device that rotatably supports the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion, wherein the rotation connection device connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A first central axis rotatably connected to the housing portion;
A first rotary connection mechanism for elastically bending a flexible wiring board for electrically connecting a substrate and the second substrate with respect to a thickness direction of the flexible wiring board; and A second rotation connection mechanism for rotatably connecting to the two housing parts around a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected to each other; The second wiring connection mechanism unit that winds the flexible wiring board to be electrically connected in accordance with a rotation angle at the time of rotation of the first housing portion about the second central axis. An electronic apparatus having a rotation connection device.

According to the present invention, the first rotation connection mechanism connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion so as to be rotatable about the first central axis. The second rotation connection mechanism connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion so as to be rotatable around a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis. The second rotation connection mechanism rotates the flexible wiring board that electrically connects the first substrate and the second substrate to the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion by the second rotation connection mechanism portion. It is for winding up according to the rotation angle at the time of performing. Accordingly, when the first housing portion is rotated about the first central axis with respect to the second housing portion, the first rotation connection mechanism is configured to bend in the thickness direction of the flexible wiring board. In this case, the first housing portion can be rotated about the first central axis with respect to the second housing portion without causing twisting of the flexible wiring board.

The electric connection portion winds the flexible wiring board in accordance with the rotation angle when the first housing portion is rotated with respect to the second housing portion by the second rotation connection mechanism portion. When the body part is rotated about the second central axis with respect to the second housing part, the flexible wiring board is free from two-dimensional torsion and prevents a failure such as disconnection of the flexible wiring board. Can be. Thereby, the flexible wiring board electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate always secures the stable electrical connection state regardless of the rotation about any of the first central axis and the second central axis. can do.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary connection device according to the seventh aspect, the first rotary connection mechanism and the second rotary connection mechanism are connected to each other.
The rotation connection mechanism is located at an end of the second housing portion, and the end of the first housing portion and the end of the second housing portion are connected to the first rotation connection mechanism portion. And the second rotary connection mechanism.

According to the present invention, the first rotation connection mechanism and the second rotation connection mechanism are connected to each other.
The rotation connection mechanism is located at an end of the second housing portion. The end of the first housing part and the end of the second housing part are the first housing part.
The rotation connection mechanism is mechanically connected to the second rotation connection mechanism.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic apparatus having the rotary connection device according to the eighth aspect, the second rotary connection mechanism is located at a center position of the first rotary connection mechanism.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device having the rotary connection device according to the seventh aspect, the first substrate and the second substrate are rigid substrates.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device having the rotary connection device according to the seventh aspect, at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is a flexible wiring board.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device having the rotary connection device according to the seventh aspect, the first housing portion has a display portion for displaying an image, and the first substrate has the display portion. It is a drive board for driving the unit.

[0023]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention,
Although various technically preferable limits are given, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these modes unless otherwise specified in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a portable information terminal which is an example of the electronic equipment of the present invention, and FIG.
0 shows an open state. The portable information terminal 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can exchange various kinds of information with a base station or a portable information terminal of the other party, or perform a normal voice call or the like by a portable telephone function. The portable information terminal 10 includes a first housing part 11 and a second housing part 1.
3 and a rotary connection device 20. The first housing part 11 and the second housing part 13 constitute a housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is rotatably connected to and supported by the second housing portion 13 via the rotary connection device 20. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary connection device 20
It is located at the end 15 and the second end 16 of the second housing part 13. The first end 15 of the first housing part 11 and the second end 16 of the second housing part 13 are rotatably connected by a rotary connection device 20. The rotary connection device 20 is provided with a first
The housing portion 11 is moved relative to the second housing portion 13 by a first central axis C.
It can be positioned by opening and closing in the R1 direction about L1. In FIG. 1, a state where the first housing portion 11 is closed with respect to the second housing portion 13 is indicated by a solid line, and the first housing portion 11 is opened with respect to the second housing portion 13 in the R1 direction. The state is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary connection device 20 rotates or swings the first housing portion 11 relative to the second housing portion 13 in the R2 direction about the second central axis CL2. Positioning is possible. The state shown by the portable information terminal 10 in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the first housing portion 11 is rotated by an angle in one R21 direction of the R2 direction with respect to the second housing portion 13. This first housing part 11
Is the other R in the R2 direction about the second central axis CL2.
Of course, it can rotate in 22 directions.

Next, the first housing portion 11 and the second housing portion 1
3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, the first housing portion 11 and the second housing portion 13 have, for example, a rectangular housing shape. First
As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 21
It has a camera 23 and a speaker 25. Display 21
For example, a liquid crystal display (LCP) can be used, and various kinds of information, moving images, still images, and the like can be displayed. The display unit 21 may be a plasma display, a fluorescent display tube, or the like other than the liquid crystal.

When the speaker 25 is used as, for example, a portable telephone, it can hear a sound or the like by touching it to an ear. The camera 23 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. The camera 23 includes a first housing portion 1
1 with respect to the second housing portion 13 and the first center axis CL1 and the second
By rotating around the center axis CL2, the subject can be easily pointed at the subject. The image captured by the camera 23 can be displayed on, for example, the screen 21A of the display unit 21 or transmitted to another portable information terminal or the like. The first housing portion 11 additionally includes the antenna 2
7. This antenna 27 can be used as shown in FIG.
Can be accommodated in the first housing portion 11 as shown in FIG.

The second housing portion 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an operation surface 29 on one surface. This operation surface 29
As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing portion 11 can be in a closed state so as to face the display portion 21. The operation surface 29 has ten keys 31, various operation keys 33, and the like. The operation surface 29 of the second housing portion 13 further includes a microphone 35. The microphone 35 is used by the user to give a voice or the like when the mobile information terminal 10 is used as a mobile phone, for example. The first housing part 11, the second housing part 13, and the rotary connection device 20 are formed of, for example, plastic or metal. The first housing portion 11 and the second housing portion 13 are made of, for example, an insulating plastic, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PPS (poniphenylene sulfide), or LCP
(Liquid crystal polymer) and PA (polyamide). In the case where metal is used, the first housing portion 11, the second housing portion 13, and the rotary connection device 20 are made of, for example, a magnesium alloy.

As shown by the broken line in FIG.
In 1, a first substrate 41 is accommodated. The second board 43 is accommodated in the second housing portion 13. The first substrate 41 is a substrate for driving the display unit 21, and the display unit 21 is mounted on the first substrate 41. The second substrate 43 is also called a main substrate with respect to the first substrate 41. On the second substrate 43, many CPUs (central processing units) and other electronic elements are mounted. The second substrate 43 is used to exchange signals with the first substrate 41 and to use the numeric keypad 31 and other operation keys 3 as described above.
It is a part for receiving a signal by an operation such as 3 and realizing various other functions. The rotary connection device 20 electrically connects the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 43 to each other, and rotatably supports the first housing portion 11 with respect to the second housing portion 13.

FIG. 3 shows a structural example of the vicinity of the first end 15 of the first housing part 11, the second end 16 of the second housing part 13, and the rotary connection device 20. In FIG.
The second end 16 of the second housing portion 13 is partially cut away to show the internal structure thereof. The first substrate 41 arranged in the first housing part 11 is electrically connected to the second substrate 43 arranged in the second housing part 13 via the rotary connection device 20. ing. Also in FIG. 3, the first central axis C
L1 and a second central axis CL2 orthogonal to L1 are shown.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first end portion 15 of the first housing portion 11, the second end portion 16 of the second housing portion 13 and the rotary connection device 20 of FIG. The structure of the rotary connection device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. The rotary connection device 20 has a flexible wiring board (also referred to as a flexible printed circuit board) 51, a first rotary connection mechanism 61, and a second rotary connection mechanism 63.

The flexible wiring board 51 may be made of a commonly used flexible wiring board material. The flexible wiring board 51 includes a connector 41A on the first substrate 41 side and a connector 41A on the second substrate 43 side. The connectors 43A are both electrically connected detachably, and the flexible wiring board 51 is a band-shaped member. Flexible wiring board 5
1 has a plurality of wirings.

The first rotary connection mechanism 6 of the rotary connection device 20
Reference numerals 1 are provided at left and right positions of the second rotary connection mechanism 63, respectively. That is, the second rotation connection mechanism 63
It is located at the center of the first rotary connection mechanism 61. The first rotation connection mechanism 61, 61 and the second rotation connection mechanism 63 are coaxially arranged about the first central axis CL1. The material of the first rotary connection mechanism 61 and the second rotary connection mechanism 63 of the rotary connection device 20 can be the same as or different from the material of the housing 14 in FIG.

Regarding the structure of the first rotary connection mechanism 61,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The first rotation connection mechanism 61 includes support units 70 and 71, support units 72,
73. The support portions 70 and 71 are provided in parallel with the end of the first end 15 of the first housing portion 11. The second rotation connection mechanism 63 is disposed between the support parts 70 and 71.

The support units 72 and 73 are
0,71. The shaft 72A of the support part 72 shown in FIG. 3 is fixed to one end of the second rotation connection mechanism part 63 through the hole 70A of the support part 70. Similarly, the shaft 73A of the support portion 73 passes through the hole 71A of the support portion 71, and passes through the second rotary connection mechanism portion 63.
Is fixed to the other end. Thus, the support portions 70 and 71 of the first housing portion 11 can rotate relative to the second rotation connection mechanism 63 around the first central axis CL1 in synchronization with the shafts 72A and 73A, respectively. is there. The support portion 72 is integral with the shaft 72A and does not rotate with each other, and the support portion 73 is integral with the shaft 73A and does not rotate with each other. Support sections 70 and 71 and support section 7
Each of the reference numerals 2 and 73 is formed in a substantially round shape around the first central axis CL1.

The first rotary connection mechanism 61, 61
By adopting the structure described above, the first housing portion 11 can be moved relative to the second housing portion 13 about the first central axis CL1 with respect to R1 shown in FIGS. And can be positioned in the rotational direction. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4, the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 is detachably and electrically connected to the first substrate 41 via the connector 41A. The width direction of the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 is X
Direction. Accordingly, the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 can be easily and elastically bent about the first central axis CL1 in the X direction, and the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 can be bent. Is the first
With the rotation of the housing portion 11 in the R1 direction, the housing portion 11 can follow the rotation while being elastically deformed without being twisted or bent.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the second rotary connection mechanism 63 of the rotary connection device 20. Flexible wiring board 5
The first connection end 81 can be elastically and easily deformed following the rotation of the first end 15 of the first housing portion 11 in the X direction about the first central axis CL1.

Next, the second rotary connection mechanism 63 shown in FIG.
Will be described. The second rotation connection mechanism 63 includes:
It has a housing section 80, an electric connection section 50 and a flexible wiring board 51. The housing portion 80 is made of a material similar to that of the first rotary connection mechanism 61, for example, as a substantially cylindrical member. As shown in FIG.
Are arranged coaxially with respect to the first central axis CL1. The accommodation section 80 is disposed in a gap between the support sections 70 and 71 shown in FIG. Accommodation section 80
Accommodates most of the electrical connection portion 50 and the flexible wiring board 51, and the accommodation portion 80 has a second central axis C centered on the fixing member 104 and the connector 105 of the electrical connection portion 50.
It can be rotated and positioned with respect to L2.

The structure of the electric connection section 50 will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a side surface and a plane of the second rotation connection mechanism 63. A first end portion 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 projects out of the hole 100 of the housing portion 80 and comes out. This first
The end portion 81 is electrically connected to the first substrate 41 via a connector 41A as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show the structure of the electric connection section 50. FIG. 7 and FIG.
The substrate 41, the second substrate 43 and the like are also shown. Electrical connection 5
The zero flexible wiring board 51 has a first connection end 81, a second connection end 101, and an intermediate part 103. The first connection end portion 81 is electrically connected to the first substrate 41 via the connector 41A as described above.

The second connection end 101 is fixed to a fixing member 104. Moreover, the second connection end 101 is fixed by being inserted into the groove of the second end 106 of the connector 105. The connector 105 has a first end 107, a second end 106, and a flange 108, as shown in FIG.

The connector 43A on the second substrate 43 side in FIG.
Has a hole 109 for fitting. This hole 109
The first end 107 of the connector 105 is inserted and fixed in the inside so as not to rotate. Fixing member 10 of FIG.
4 is inserted into the groove of the second end 160 of the connector 105 so that the connector 10
5 and the fixing member 104 are integrally mounted so that they do not rotate with each other.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the shape of the flexible wiring board 51. Flexible wiring board 51 shown in FIG.
Is a thin elastically deformable wiring board having a plurality of thin conductors, and is a strip-shaped member for electrically connecting the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 43 as described above. Of course, one second connection end 101 shown in FIG. 10A of the flexible wiring board 51 may be provided as shown by a solid line, or two as shown by a solid line and a broken line.
As shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 10 (C), the flexible wiring board 51 is used by bending the intermediate portion 103 so as to be bent slightly. When a plurality of second connection ends 101 are set, a plurality of second connection ends 101 can be branched and formed as shown in FIG. FIG.
Of course, the second connection end 101 shown in (D) can be electrically connected by soldering.

As a form for fixing the second connection end 101 of the flexible wiring board 51 to the fixing member 104 in FIG. 7, for example, the one shown in FIG. 11 can be adopted. In the example of FIG. 11A, one second connection end 101 of the flexible wiring board 51 is formed, and the one second connection end 101 is formed by the groove 10 of the fixing member 104.
4A, the flexible wiring board 5
1 can be fixed to the fixing member 104. FIG.
In the example of (B), two second connection end portions 101 are formed, and even in this case, the groove 104 </ b> B of the fixing member 104 is formed.
And can be fixed by fitting. FIG.
In the example of (C), a hole 433 is formed in an intermediate portion of the flexible wiring board 51. The protrusion 440B of the fixing member 104 is fitted into the hole 433. Then, by bending the fixing member 104 in the J direction, the fixing member 104
The connection end 101 side can be fixed by engaging the fixing hook 440F and the notch 440H. As described above, the other end of the flexible wiring board can be sandwiched and fixed with respect to the fixing member, or fixed with an adhesive, or various fixing methods can be adopted.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the connector 105 and the like shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the flexible wiring board 5 fixed to the fixing member 104
1 shows a configuration example in which the second end portions 101, 101 are fitted into the connection terminals 454, 454 of the connector 105 and are electrically connected. In other words, the second connection ends 101, 101 of the flexible wiring board 51 are electrically connected to the connection terminals 454, 454 while being elastically deformed by being inserted in the direction of T2. . In this case, in order to prevent the fixing member 104 from falling out of the connector 105, the protrusion 1 of the fixing member 104
11, 111 are grooves 459M, 459 of connector 105.
M is fitted in each. The connection terminals 454 and 454 are insulated by an intermediate insulating member, and the connection terminals 454 and 454 are electrically connected to the lands 43R of the second substrate 43, respectively.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the connection terminals 454 and 454 are electrically connected to the lands 43R by the surface mounting method. FIG. 13 is almost the same as the embodiment of FIG. 12, but is a configuration example for soldering by DIP (dip method). In this case, the connection terminals 454 and 454 are electrically connected to the lands 43B of the second substrate 43 using the extension terminals 43F.

Returning to FIGS. 5 to 8, the structure of the electric connection portion 50 will be further described. The electrical connection unit 50 is connected to the connector 41 and the fixing member 104 from the connector 41.
Between A, the flexible wiring board 51 is connected. That is, the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51
Is detachably connected to the connector 41A. The second connection end 101 of the flexible wiring board 51 is electrically connected to the connector 105 using a fixing member 104.

The middle part 103 of the flexible wiring board 51
However, as shown in FIG. 6B, the movement is regulated by a cylindrical regulating member 760 and two regulating members 770. The regulating members 760 and 770 are also shown in FIG.
The position is fixed inside 0. Regulating member 76
0,770 is parallel to the second central axis CL2. These regulating members 760 and 770 are connected to the second rotation connection mechanism 63.
Is a regulating member for regulating the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 so as not to be twisted three-dimensionally and to be elastically deformed and movable two-dimensionally.

The restricting member 760 is a flexible wiring board 5
1 supports the intermediate portion 103 near the second connection end 101, and the two regulating members 770 support the intermediate portion 103 near the first connection end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51. The two regulating members 770, 770 sandwich and support the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51. The housing 80 of the second rotation connection mechanism 63 is the same as that shown in FIG.
These restricting members 760 and 770 are flexible when rotating integrally with the first housing portion 11 about the second central axis CL2 with respect to the fixing member 104, the connector 105, and the second board 43 shown in FIG. The wiring board 51 is guided. That is, when rotating the first housing portion 11 with respect to the second housing portion 13 about the second central axis CL2, the regulating member is provided so that the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 does not bend three-dimensionally. Reference numerals 760 and 770 can guide the intermediate portion 103 by moving the intermediate portion 103 two-dimensionally in the Y direction in FIG.

Next, an operation example of the portable information terminal 10 will be described. As shown in FIG.
In a state where 1 is closed with respect to the second housing portion 13, the user holds the first housing portion 11 by hand and opens it in the R1 direction about the first central axis CL1. In this manner, the first housing portion 11 is moved relative to the second housing portion 13 by the first central axis CL1.
Using the first rotation connection mechanism 61, 61 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the rotation connection device 20, the rotation is performed in the R1 direction to set the rotation angle of the first housing portion 11 at a desired position. be able to.

The flexible wiring board 51 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4
Since the thickness (thickness) direction of the first connection end 81 is oriented in the X direction in FIG. 4, the first end 81 of the flexible wiring board 51 rotates the first housing portion 11 with respect to the X direction. And can be elastically bent. For this reason, even if the first housing part 11 rotates in the R1 direction, the flexible wiring board 51 does not bend or twist near the first connection end 81 at all, and the electrical connection can be secured. it can.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the user moves the first housing portion 11 with respect to the second housing portion 13 through the second center axis CL2.
A description will be given of the case of rotating about. The first housing portion 11 is provided with the second rotation connection mechanism 6 of the rotation connection device 20.
3, the flexible wiring board 51 is formed without causing three-dimensional twisting of the flexible wiring board 51.
1 can be performed. 14 and 15
Indicates a mode 1 in which the first housing portion 11 is in a neutral state with respect to the second housing portion 13. In this mode 1, the first housing portion 11 is rotated in the R1 direction about the first central axis CL1 with respect to the second housing portion 13, but the first housing portion 11 is Second for body part 13
The center axis CL2 is not rotated in the R2 direction.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a mode 2 in which the first housing portion 11 is rotated with respect to the second housing portion 13 by, for example, 90 degrees in the direction of R21. FIG. 18 and FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a case where the first housing portion 11 is
The state of the mode 3 rotated by 90 degrees in the R22 direction about the center axis CL2 is shown. FIGS. 20 and 21 show Mode 4 in which the first housing portion 11 is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the second housing portion 13 about the second central axis CL2.

Mode 1 (neutral state) shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 will be described. 14 and 15, the first housing portion 11 is in a neutral state with respect to the second housing portion 13. In this state, the display section 21 of the first housing portion 11 has an angle at which the user can directly see. Electrical connection 5
0 of the fixing member 104 and the connector 105
3 and the second substrate and 43 are integrated. In this state, the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 is
60,770 substantially supported. The second end 101 side of the flexible wiring board 51 is hardly wound around the periphery 104F of the fixing member 104.

Next, in the mode 2 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first casing 11
It is rotated in the direction R21. In this state, the subject can be captured by, for example, the camera 23 shown in FIG. 2 with the first housing portion 11 facing in another direction, or the display section 21 can be shown to another person. This mode 2
In the state of FIG.
Means that the housing 80 of the first housing part 11 is
3, the movement of the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 is as follows.
The regulating members 760 and 770 can move two-dimensionally so as not to bend three-dimensionally. In this state, the second end portion 101 of the flexible wiring board 51 is wound around the periphery 104F of the fixing member 104.

In mode 3 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first
The housing portion 11 faces 90 degrees in the R22 direction with respect to the second housing portion 13. In the mode 3 state, the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 is sagged in the Y direction, but the intermediate portion 103 is regulated by the regulating members 760 and 770, and the intermediate portion 103 is bent three-dimensionally. It will not be lost.

In mode 4 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first
The housing portion 11 is turned by 180 degrees with respect to the second center axis CL2 with respect to the second housing portion 13 from the neutral state in FIG. That is, the display unit 21 faces the back side. In this mode 4, the intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51
The intermediate portion 103 of the flexible wiring board 51 is slackest in the Y direction while being regulated by the regulating members 760 and 770. However, these regulating members 76
Since 0,770 exists, the intermediate portion 103 is not bent three-dimensionally.

FIG. 8 of the second rotary connection mechanism 63 shown in FIG.
The components of the electrical connection unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 are such that the first housing portion 11 and the housing portion 80 integrally rotate with respect to the second housing portion 13 in the R21 direction or the R22 direction about the second central axis CL2. In this case, the flexible wiring board 51 has an action of winding and rewinding so as not to cause three-dimensional bending or the like.

From this, the flexible wiring board 51
The first housing portion 11 is connected to the second housing portion 13 without generating a three-dimensional bent portion (twist portion) due to the presence of the regulating members 760 and 770 and the fixing member 104 as described above. Can be positioned by rotating or swinging about the second central axis CL2. The flexible wiring board 51 opens and closes the first housing portion 11 about the first center axis CL1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and rotates the first housing portion 11 about the second center axis CL2. In this case, no trouble such as disconnection occurs.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Second rotary connection mechanism 63 shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, the connector 43 </ b> A inserts the protruding connection portion 43 </ b> P of the second substrate 43 in a detachable manner, so that the second substrate 43 is electrically connected to the second connection end 101 side of the flexible wiring board 51. Can be connected.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 43
Are rigid (hard) substrates, and for example, a glass epoxy substrate, a paper epoxy substrate, a ceramic substrate, or the like can be employed.

On the other hand, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the second substrate 43 uses a flexible wiring board, and the first substrate 41 is a rigid substrate. The protruding connection portion 43F of the second substrate 43, which is a flexible wiring board, is detachably inserted into the connector 43A, so that the second connection end portion 1 of the second substrate 43 and the flexible wiring board 51 is connected.
01 can be electrically connected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, a connection is made between the rigid second substrate 43 and the connector 43A by using a connection member 900 which is a flexible wiring board.
That is, one end of the connection member 900 can be detachably fitted to the connector 43E of the second substrate 43, and the other end of the connection member 900 is detachably fitted to the hole of the connector 43A.

Both the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 43 may be rigid substrates or flexible wiring boards, or one of them may be a rigid substrate and the other may be a flexible wiring board. Of course, it doesn't matter.
In the illustrated embodiment, a portable information terminal is taken as an example of an electronic device, but the electronic device of the present invention is not limited to this and includes a mobile phone, a digital video camera, and other various electronic devices.

By using the rotary connection device of the present invention, when the first housing portion is rotated with respect to the second housing portion, the flexible wiring board does not bend three-dimensionally, so that a disconnection failure hardly occurs. Thus, the reliability of the electrical connection state can be improved. Further, the first connection end and the second connection end of the flexible wiring board can be electrically detachably connected to the corresponding first and second substrates by using connectors, respectively. , It is possible to secure a multi-pin connection state. Such a relatively simple structure of the rotary connection device allows the first housing portion to rotate with respect to the second housing portion with respect to the first center axis CL1 and the second center axis CL2, respectively. Electrical connections can be provided at relatively low prices. The arrangement of the flexible wiring board in the second rotary connection mechanism is relatively simple, so that the assemblability is not impaired.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of the electronic device is electrically connected to a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device, and the first housing portion is connected to the second housing. For body parts, first
It is rotatable about the central axis, and can also be made rotatable about a second central axis orthogonal to the first central axis.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable information terminal as an example of an electronic apparatus of the present invention, showing a state where a first housing portion is closed with respect to a second housing portion.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a first housing portion of FIG. 1 is opened with respect to a second housing portion.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a partially cut-away view showing a rotary connection device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first housing part, a second housing part, and a rotary connection device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first substrate, a second substrate, and a second rotation connection mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view and a plan view showing a second rotary connection mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a second rotation connection mechanism and the like.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a second rotation connection mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector and a fixing member of a second rotation connection mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a flexible wiring board.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of fixing a second connection end of a flexible wiring board.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a structure for electrically connecting a second end of the flexible wiring board to a connector.

FIG. 13 is a view showing another example of electrically connecting the second end of the flexible wiring board to the connector.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a mode 1 in which a first housing portion is in a neutral state with respect to a second housing portion.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of a flexible wiring board in a second rotation connection mechanism in Mode 1;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which the first housing portion is in a mode 2 with respect to the second housing portion.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state in which the second connection end of the flexible wiring board is wound in the mode 2 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the first housing part is in mode 3 with respect to the second housing part.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the flexible wiring board is slackened in a mode 3;

FIG. 20 shows a first housing part 180 degrees relative to a second housing part.
The figure which shows the mode 4 which shows the state which rotated by degrees.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the flexible wiring board is slackened in a mode 4;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a conventional rotary connection mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: portable information terminal, 11: first housing part, 1
3 ... second housing part, 15 ... first of first housing part
End, 16 ... Second end of second housing part, 20 ...
Rotary connection device, 41: first substrate, 43: second substrate, 50: electric connection portion, 51: flexible wiring board, 61: first rotation connection mechanism portion, 63 ...・ Second
Rotary connection mechanism, CL1 ... first central axis, CL2 ...
・ Second central axis

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Yukinobu Hemi             Shiokyo-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto             Inside Mullon Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Megumi Takamori             Shiokyo-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto             Inside Mullon Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Uchida             Shiokyo-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto             Inside Mullon Co., Ltd.

Claims (12)

[Claims] A first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of the electronic device and a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device, the first substrate being electrically connected to the first substrate; A rotation connection device rotatably supporting a housing portion with respect to the second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is rotatable about a first central axis with respect to the second housing portion. And a flexible wiring board that electrically connects the first substrate and the second substrate,
A first rotary connection mechanism for elastically bending the flexible wiring board in a thickness direction of the flexible wiring board; and a second orthogonal to the first central axis with respect to the second housing. A second rotary connection mechanism for rotatably connecting about a central axis;
The second rotational connection for winding the flexible wiring board for electrically connecting a substrate and the second substrate in accordance with a rotation angle of the first housing portion about the second central axis. A rotary connection device, comprising: a mechanism unit. 2. The first rotation connection mechanism and the second rotation connection mechanism are located at an end of the second housing part, and are connected to an end of the first housing part and the second rotation connection mechanism. The rotary connection device according to claim 1, wherein the end of the housing portion is mechanically connected by the first rotary connection mechanism and the second rotary connection mechanism. 3. The rotary connection device according to claim 2, wherein the second rotary connection mechanism is located at a center position of the first rotary connection mechanism. 4. The rotary connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are rigid substrates. 5. The rotary connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is a flexible wiring board. 6. The rotary connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first housing portion has a display unit that displays an image, and the first substrate is a drive substrate that drives the display unit. 7. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first substrate disposed in a first housing portion of an electronic device; and a second substrate disposed in a second housing portion of the electronic device, electrically connected to the first substrate. An electronic device having a rotation connection device that rotatably supports a housing portion with respect to the second housing portion, wherein the rotation connection device moves the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion. A flexible wiring board that connects rotatably about a first central axis and electrically connects the first substrate and the second substrate.
A first rotary connection mechanism for elastically bending the flexible wiring board in a thickness direction of the flexible wiring board; and a second orthogonal to the first central axis with respect to the second housing. A second rotary connection mechanism for rotatably connecting about a central axis;
The second rotational connection for winding the flexible wiring board for electrically connecting a substrate and the second substrate in accordance with a rotation angle of the first housing portion about the second central axis. An electronic apparatus having a rotary connection device, comprising: a mechanism unit. 8. The first rotation connection mechanism and the second rotation connection mechanism are located at an end of the second housing portion, and are connected to an end of the first housing portion and the second rotation connection mechanism. The electronic device having the rotary connection device according to claim 7, wherein the end of the housing portion is mechanically connected by the first rotary connection mechanism and the second rotary connection mechanism. 9. The electronic apparatus having the rotary connection device according to claim 8, wherein the second rotary connection mechanism is located at a center position of the first rotary connection mechanism. 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are rigid substrates. 11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is a flexible wiring board. 12. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the first housing portion has a display unit that displays an image, and the first substrate is a drive substrate that drives the display unit. machine.