Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Yoshihiko Handa

Takeshi Yamamoto

Kimiaki Imai

Hirofumi Oda

Shinichi Koarata

In a folding mobile phone (folding portable electronic device), a cam mechanism (support mechanism) includes a first guide groove, a second guide groove, a first guide pin engaged into the first guide groove, a second guide pin engaged into the second guide groove, and a link member connecting the first and second guide pins. The cam mechanism supports a liquid crystal display part to allow the liquid crystal display part to turn clockwise and counterclockwise as viewed from the front, thereby allowing the liquid crystal display part to be changed between a vertical position and a horizontal position. Furthermore, the cam mechanism includes an urging mechanism urging the second guide pin to allow the liquid crystal display part to reach the vertical or horizontal position in either turning direction.

Folding portable electronic device

A first box body is inserted between a first flat part and a first frame portion of a cover and is fastened to the cover by means of a first fastening member so that the first frame portion is interposed between the first box body and a plate-shaped first fixing member forming a first fixing member window for exposing a display section. A second box body is inserted between a second flat part and a second frame portion of the cover and is fastened to the cover by means of a second fastening member so that the second frame portion is interposed between the second box body and a plate-shaped second fixing member forming a second fixing member window for exposing an operation section.

Growing community of inventors

Hiroshima, Japan

Yoshihiko Handa