KR20040094972A - Hinge device for information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A hinge device of an information terminal is provided to open a sub body with a simple button operation, and to fix the sub body by controlling an opening angle, then to comprise a reduction module for preventing the sub body from being suddenly opened, thereby improving product reliability. CONSTITUTION: A hinge housing(101) is formed with at least more than two first stopper projections(143) extended in length direction on an inner wall of one end of the hinge housing(101). Hinge shafts(102a-102c) receive a predetermined driving force, and rotate at a hinge axis within the hinge housing(101). A hinge stopper(103) rotates with the hinge shafts(102a-102c) while conducting a straight line motion in length direction of the hinge shafts(102a-102c), and has the second stopper projection corresponding to the first stopper projections(143). A reduction module(105) prevents the number of RPMs(Revolution Per Minutes) of the shafts(102a-102c) from being suddenly increased.

Description

Hinge device for information terminal {HINGE DEVICE FOR INFORMATION TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to an information terminal including a mobile phone, a PDA, a palm PC, and the like, and more particularly, to a hinge device of an information terminal in which a main body and a sub body are rotatably coupled.

Mobile communication service has been gradually developed from the initial pager service to provide not only voice calls but also various data communication and multimedia information. According to this trend, the mobile communication terminal is developing into an information terminal type in which functions such as a mobile phone, a personal computer and a multimedia device are integrated. These information terminals are compact and lightweight to maximize portability.

For example, in the case of a mobile phone, a bar type terminal was mainly used. The bar type terminal is provided with a transmitter and a receiver module, a display device, and a keypad in one housing, and is spaced between the transmitter and the receiver. There was a limit to miniaturization in order to secure the distance. This limitation of miniaturization is overcome through a folder type terminal. The foldable terminal is configured to rotatably couple the main body and the sub body using a predetermined hinge device, and the sub body is opened and closed by rotating on the main body. Therefore, the folding terminal expands the sub-body during the call to secure the separation distance between the transmitter and the receiver, and folds the sub-body to the main body during the call, thereby facilitating portability. As described above, the configuration of the terminal using the hinge device is utilized for miniaturization of various information terminals such as an electronic notebook and a notebook PC.

Such a hinge device is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 296048 (May 7, 2001) issued to the applicant. The disclosed hinge device is configured to rotatably couple the main body and the sub-body. When the user opens the sub-body to the main body by a predetermined angle or more, the hinge device provides a driving force in a direction in which the sub-body opens, and is opened below the predetermined angle. In the state, the subbody provides driving force in the direction in which the subbody is in close contact with the main body.

However, since the conventional hinge device is merely a configuration for implementing the opening and closing operation of the sub body, it is difficult to adjust the opening angle of the sub body, and there is an inconvenience that the user must open and close the sub body directly.

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge device of an information terminal that can easily open and close the sub body with respect to the main body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device of an information terminal that can adjust the opening angle of the sub-body according to the needs of the user in various ways.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a main body, a sub-body which is opened and closed by rotating about a hinge axis extending in one direction of the main body, and a hinge device for rotatably coupling the main body and the sub-body In the information terminal having, the hinge device,

A hinge housing having at least two first stopper protrusions extending in a longitudinal direction on one end of the inner wall in a circumferential direction;

A hinge shaft that receives a predetermined elastic force and rotates about the hinge axis within the hinge housing;

A hinge stopper provided at one end of the hinge shaft and linearly moving in the longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft while rotating together with the hinge shaft, and having a second stopper protrusion corresponding to the first stopper protrusion at one end thereof; And

Disclosed is a hinge device for an information terminal having a reduction module for preventing a sudden change in the rotational speed of the rotating shaft at the other end of the hinge shaft.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device of an information terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the hinge device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

3 is an exploded perspective view showing an information terminal provided with a hinge device shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view of the information terminal shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the information terminal shown in FIG. 3;

6 is a side view showing the information terminal shown in FIG. 5;

7 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge device of an information terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

8 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge device shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from another angle;

9 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the hinge device shown in FIG.

10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device of an information terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge device illustrated in FIG. 10 as viewed from another angle.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 to 2, the hinge device 100 of the information terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention is the hinge housing 101, the hinge shaft (102a, 102b, 102c), the reduction module 105 ) And a hinge stopper 103 and a driving force for opening the subbody 202 (shown in FIG. 3) of the information terminal 200 (shown in FIG. 3) by receiving a rotational force by the torsion spring 191. Generate.

The hinge housing 101 provides a receiving space 111 whose both ends and one side are open. A guide hole 115 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the accommodation space 111, and a cover support 113a is formed on one open side thereof so that one end of the accommodation space 111 has a cover coupling groove ( 113b) is provided. One end of the hinge housing 101 is composed of a part of an open end having a through hole 111a, and the other end is formed of a fully open end having a support rib 117 formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof.

The hinge shafts 102a, 102b, 102c are composed of first, second and third shafts 102a, 102b, 102c. One end of the first shaft 102a is provided with a driving body 121a. A coupling hole 125a coupled to the reduction module 105 is formed at an end of the driving body 121a, and a support groove 123a is formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof to which the end 191a of the torsion spring 191 is coupled. In addition, a driving hole 127a (shown in FIG. 2) to which the second shaft 102b is coupled is formed at the other end of the first shaft 102a. The second shaft 102b has a rod shape, and in order to transmit the rotational force of the first shaft 102a, a plane is formed in the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface thereof. The compression spring 121b is coupled to the second shaft 102b. One end of the compression spring 121b is supported at the end of the first shaft 102a. The third shaft 102c has a driven hole 123c coupled to an end of the second shaft 102b and a hinge protrusion 121c protruding outward through the through hole 111a of the hinge housing 101. Is provided.

The hinge shafts 102a, 102b, 102c are rotated by the rotational force provided by the torsion spring 191. One end 191b of the torsion spring 191 is coupled to the guide hole 115 of the hinge housing 101, and the other end 191a is coupled to the support hole 123a of the first shaft 102a. When the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, and 102c rotate about the hinge axis A in the hinge housing 101, the torsion spring 191 receives a rotational force restored to the initial state.

The deceleration module 105 includes a damping shaft 151b inserted into the coupling hole 125a of the first shaft 102a, a damping disk 151a integrally formed at an end of the damping shaft 151b, and The module housing includes a receiving space 153a for receiving the damping disk 151a. The module housing includes a housing base 153 having a damping hole 153a in which the damping disk 151a is accommodated, a through hole 153b in which the damping shaft 151b extends outward, and the damping hole 153a. It consists of a housing cover 155 for sealing. The damping hole 153a may be filled with damping oil. The reduction module 105 is fixed to the other end of the hinge housing 101, to prevent the number of rotation of the hinge shaft (102a, 102b, 102c) to increase or decrease abruptly.

The hinge stopper 103 is linearly coupled on the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, 102c, specifically the second shaft 102b, and rotates together with the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, 102c. . The hinge stopper 103 has a through hole 133 through which the second shaft 102b penetrates, and at least one second stopper protrusion 131 is provided at one end thereof. The hinge stopper 103 is provided with an elastic force acting toward one end of the hinge housing 101 by the compression spring 121b coupled to the second shaft 102b.

Meanwhile, the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, and 102c may be integrally formed. In addition, the damping disk 151a and the damping shaft 151b of the reduction module 105 may also be manufactured integrally with the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, and 102c. In this case, the damping disk 151a may be coupled to the module housing, and the hinge stopper 103 may be coupled to the second shaft 102b. For example, the housing base 153 may be manufactured in two pieces and assembled in a direction surrounding the damping disc 151a and the damping shaft 151b, or the second shaft 102b and the third shaft 102c may be assembled. There may be a scheme in which the hinge stopper 103 is coupled from the end of the third shaft 102c with the same diameter.

The hinge device 100 includes a hinge cover 104 and 149 for preventing the hinge shafts 102a, 102b and 102c, the coil spring 121b and the hinge stopper 103 from being separated from the hinge housing 101. It is provided.

The hinge covers 104 and 149 include a first hinge cover 104 facing the hinge stopper 103 and a second hinge cover 149 facing the driving body 121a. The first hinge cover 104 is fixed to the cover coupling groove 113b of the hinge housing 101 and provides a hinge hole 141 through which the third shaft 102c passes, and the hinge stopper 103 The first stopper protrusion 143 corresponding to the second stopper protrusion 131 of FIG. The first stopper protrusion 143 extends in the longitudinal direction of the hinge housing 101, and is formed at least two consecutively in the circumferential direction of the hinge housing 101. The first stopper protrusion 143 limits the moving range of the second stopper protrusion 131. For example, the second stopper protrusion 131 may rotate without being limited by the first stopper protrusion 143 in the range of 0 degrees to 110 degrees, but the first stopper protrusion in the range of 110 degrees to 160 degrees. In conjunction with 143, it stops at a predetermined angle step by step.

The hinge stopper 103 is in close contact with the inside of the first hinge cover 104 by the elastic force provided by the compression spring 121b. Therefore, when the hinge shafts 102a, 102b, 102c rotate in a position where the first stopper protrusion 143 and the second stopper protrusion 131 face each other, the hinge stopper 103 is configured to rotate the second shaft 102b. Retreat exercise on). The first hinge cover 104 may be integrally formed with the hinge housing 101.

The second hinge cover 149 has a fixing rib 149b supported on the support rib 117 formed at the fully open end of the hinge housing 101 on the outer circumferential surface thereof and penetrates through the damping shaft 151b. It provides a hole 149a.

3 to 6 show an information terminal having a hinge device configured as described above. The information terminal 200 includes a main body 201 and a subbody 202, and the main body 201 and the subbody 202 are rotatably coupled by the hinge device 100.

The main body 201 has a receiver 213a and a talker 213b at the top of the front surface 211a, and speaker devices 215a and 215b at the one side of the top and bottom, respectively. The antenna device 231 is installed. The display device 211b is installed between the receiver 213a and the talker 213b, and the camera module 217 is installed at the other side of the display device 211b. In addition, a plurality of keys 213c may be installed at a position adjacent to the talker 213b. One side of the main body 201 is provided with an opening 219 formed in the longitudinal direction, to provide a space for coupling the sub-body 202.

The subbody 202 is provided with a first keypad 221a for using a function as a communication terminal such as a mobile phone on the front surface 221 and a second keypad for using a function as an information device such as a PD on the rear surface 227. 227a is provided. A hinge arm 223 is formed at one side of the subbody 202, and the hinge arm 223 is rotatably coupled to the opening 219 of the main body 201. As the hinge device 100 is accommodated in the hinge hole 225 formed at one end of the hinge arm 223, a hinge axis A is provided. The hinge arm 223 of the subbody 202 is positioned on the hinge axis A, so that the subbody 202 is opened and closed by rotating about the hinge axis A. FIG. The hinge protrusion 121c protruding to one end of the hinge device 100 is fixedly coupled to the main body 201.

Meanwhile, in a state in which the subbody 202 is in close contact with the main body 201, an elastic force acting in a direction away from the main body 201 is accumulated in the hinge device 100. do. Accordingly, the information terminal 200 preferably includes a locking device such as a ratchet device capable of keeping the subbody 202 in close contact with the main body 201. The ratchet device or the like is a kind of locking device, and it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the locking state is released only by a simple pressing operation.

The information terminal 200 configured as described above, when the subbody 202 is in close contact with the main body 201 and releases the locking device, the subbody by the elastic force accumulated in the hinge device 100. 202 moves away from the main body 201. In this case, since the second stopper protrusion 131 of the hinge device 100 may rotate up to 110 degrees, the subbody 202 stops in a state where the main body 201 is formed at 110 degrees. In addition, since the angle of the second stopper protrusion 131 is adjusted stepwise by the first stopper protrusion 143 in the range of 110 to 160 degrees, the user is comfortable to use the opening angle of the subbody 202. Can be fixed in position. In addition, a predetermined support 203 (shown in FIG. 6) is disposed on the main body 201 to position the subbody 202 on the floor and to incline the main body 201 at a predetermined angle with the floor. Can be installed on the back. The support 203 is rotatably coupled to the main body 201 similar to the sub-body 202. The subbody 202 is brought into close contact with the main body 201 by bringing the subbody 202 of the user directly open to the main body 201 again.

7 to 9 illustrate a hinge device 300 of an information terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the hinge device 300 of the information terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a hinge housing 301, hinge shafts (302, 102b, 102c), reduction module and hinge stopper And a driving force for receiving the rotational force by the torsion spring 191 to open the subbody of the information terminal.

The hinge housing 301 provides a receiving space 311 which is open at both ends and one side. A guide hole 315 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation space 311. One end of the hinge housing 301 is composed of a part of the open end formed with a through hole 311a, and the other end is composed of a fully open end having a support rib 317 formed therein. Meanwhile, at one end of the hinge housing 301, the first hinge cover 104 disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention is integrally formed.

The hinge shaft consists of first, second and third shafts 302, 102b, 102c. The first shaft 302 is provided with a driving body 321 at one end. A support groove 323 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the driving body 321, and a receiving groove 325 recessed in a longitudinal direction is formed at an end thereof, and a guide having a plurality of teeth formed at an equiangular interval along the circumferential direction on its inner circumferential surface. Gear 329 is formed. The gear housing is constituted by the receiving groove 325 and the guide gear 329. At least two damping gears 331 and 333 are accommodated in the receiving groove 325. The other end of the first shaft 302 is formed with a driving hole 327 to which the second shaft 102b is coupled.

The second and third shafts 102b and 102c and the hinge stopper 103 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention and will not be described in detail.

The reduction module is composed of a guide gear 329 formed in the drive body 321 of the hinge shaft, at least one damping gear 331, 333 accommodated in the receiving groove 325 formed surrounded by the guide gear 329. do. The illustrated damping gears 331 and 333 are simultaneously engaged with the first damping gear 331 rotating on the hinge axis A, the guide gear 329 and the first damping gear 331, and the hinge shaft 302, When the rotations 102b and 102c rotate, the second damping gear 333 moves in the circumferential direction along the guide gear 329. The receiving groove 325 is preferably filled with damping oil in order to effectively prevent the sudden increase in the number of rotation of the hinge shaft (302, 102b, 102c).

The hinge device 300 includes a hinge cover 349 for preventing the hinge shafts 302, 102b, 102c, the coil spring 121b, and the hinge stopper 103 from being separated from the hinge housing 301. do. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the hinge cover is composed of first and second hinge covers 104 and 149, but in the present embodiment, the first hinge cover is integrally formed with the hinge housing 301. The second hinge cover 349 has a fixed rib 349b supported on the support rib 317 formed at the fully open end of the hinge housing 301 on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and extends into the hinge housing 301. Damping shaft 349a. In detail, the damping shaft 349a extends into the receiving groove 325 to support the first damping gear 331. Thus, the damping shaft 349a is located on the hinge axis A.

10 to 11 disclose a hinge device 400 of an information terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The hinge device 400 of the information terminal according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a hinge housing 401, hinge shafts 402a, 102b, and 402b, and a reduction module, and has a rotational force by the torsion spring 491. And generates a driving force for opening the subbody of the information terminal.

The hinge housing 401 provides a receiving space 411 which is open at both ends and one side. The outer circumferential surface of the hinge housing 401 extends in the longitudinal direction to form a support groove 413 that is connected to the accommodation space 411, and one end of the hinge housing 401 is partially open having a through hole 411 a formed therein. The other end is comprised of the fully open end in which the support rib 417 was formed in the inner peripheral surface. On the other hand, although not shown, the inner surface of the through hole 411a extends in the longitudinal direction of the hinge housing 401, and at least two first stoppers are formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the hinge housing 401. Protrusions are provided.

The hinge shaft consists of first, second and third shafts 402a, 102b, 402b. The first shaft 402a is provided with a driving body 421a at one end. One end of the driving body 421a is formed with a support hole 423 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the other end is extended in the longitudinal direction to form the receiving groove 425a while the inner peripheral surface of the plurality of teeth along the circumferential direction Guide gears 429 formed at intervals of degrees are formed. The gear housing is constituted by the receiving groove 425a and the guide gear 429. At least two damping gears 331 and 333 are accommodated in the receiving groove 425a. The other end of the first shaft 402a is formed with a driving hole (not shown) to which the second shaft 102b is coupled.

The second shaft 102b is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention and will not be described in detail.

The third shaft 402b includes a hinge protrusion 421b extending in the longitudinal direction at one end thereof and a stopper plate 403 extending in the radial direction at the other end thereof. The other end surface of the third shaft 402b is formed with a driven hole 433 coupled to the end of the second shaft 102b. One end surface of the stopper plate 403 extends in a radial direction to form at least one second stopper protrusion 431 corresponding to the first stopper protrusion (not shown). The third shaft 402b is integrally formed with the hinge stopper 103 and the third shaft 102c of the first embodiment of the present invention. The first stopper protrusion and the second stopper protrusion 431 mesh with each other while the hinge shafts 402a, 102b, and 402b rotate, so that the third shaft 402b moves forward and backward at the end of the second shaft 102b. Done. The hinge shafts 402a, 102b and 402b are rotated by the rotational force provided by the torsion spring 491. One end 491b of the torsion spring 491 is coupled to the support groove 413 of the hinge housing 401, and the other end is coupled to the support hole 423 of the hinge shaft, so that the hinge shaft is connected to the hinge housing. When rotated about the hinge axis A within the 401, the torque is restored to the initial state by the torsion spring 491.

The reduction module includes a guide gear 429 in the gear housing formed in the driving body 421a, and first and second damping gears 331 and 333, and a second hinge cover 349 includes a second hinge cover 349 according to the present invention. The configuration is the same as in the second embodiment.

Hinge devices (100, 300, 400) of the information terminal configured as described above releases the locking device of the subbody 202 by a simple pressing operation and automatically rotates the subbody 202 by the elastic force of the torsion springs 191 and 491. Will be opened.

In the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As described above, in the hinge device of the information terminal according to the present invention, the subbody is opened by the user performing a simple button operation. In addition, by adjusting the opening angle, the user can fix the sub-body in a comfortable position, there is an advantage that the terminal can be used conveniently. In addition, the reliability of the product is improved by providing a reduction module for preventing the shock that the sub-body is suddenly opened.

Claims (11)

A hinge apparatus for an information terminal having a main body, a sub body opened and closed by rotating about a hinge axis extending in one direction of the main body, and a hinge device for rotatably coupling the main body and the sub body. A hinge housing having at least two first stopper protrusions extending in a longitudinal direction on one end of the inner wall in a circumferential direction; A hinge shaft which receives a predetermined driving force and rotates about the hinge axis in the hinge housing; A hinge stopper provided at one end of the hinge shaft and linearly moving in the longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft while rotating together with the hinge shaft, and having a second stopper protrusion corresponding to the first stopper protrusion at one end thereof; And And a deceleration module for preventing a sudden increase in the number of revolutions of the rotating shaft at the other end of the hinge shaft. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction module, A module housing fixed to the outside of the hinge housing in a hinge axis direction; A damping disk that rotates inside the module housing; And a damping shaft extending from one surface of the damping disk to the outside of the module housing and fixed to the other end of the hinge shaft. The method of claim 2, The inside of the module housing is hinged device of the information terminal, characterized in that the filling with damping oil. The hinge shaft of claim 1, wherein the hinge shaft A first shaft having a coupling hole of a predetermined shape at each end and having a support hole at an outer circumferential surface thereof; A second shaft coupled to the coupling hole of one end of the first shaft and extending to a position proximate to one end of the hinge housing; And And a third shaft coupled to an end of the second shaft and having a hinge protrusion at one end thereof protruding outward of the hinge housing. The method of claim 4, wherein One end is fixed to the support hole of the first shaft, the other end is fixed to the hinge housing, the hinge device of the information terminal, characterized in that further provided with a torsion spring for providing an elastic force to rotate the hinge shaft. The method of claim 4, wherein The hinge stopper is coupled to the linear movement on the second shaft, Both ends are supported by one end of the first shaft and one end of the hinge stopper, respectively, further comprising a coil spring for providing an elastic force in a direction in which the first stopper projection and the second stopper projection is in close contact with each other. Hinge device. The method of claim 4, wherein The hinge device of an information terminal, characterized in that the first, second and third shafts of the hinge shaft are integrally formed. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction module, A gear housing recessed in a predetermined depth along a longitudinal direction at one end of the hinge shaft; A guide gear formed on the inner circumferential surface of the gear housing along a circumferential direction with a plurality of teeth at an equiangular interval; A first damping gear received in the gear housing and rotating on the hinge axis; And And at least one second damping gear housed in the gear housing and simultaneously engaged with the guide gear and the first damping gear and moving in the circumferential direction of the guide gear as the hinge shaft rotates. Hinge device of an information terminal. The method of claim 8, The inside of the gear housing is a hinge device of an information terminal, characterized in that the filling with damping oil. According to claim 1, One end is fixed at the same time as being supported by the hinge shaft, the other end is supported by the hinge stopper and at the same time is fixed to the hinge housing, And a coil spring for providing an elastic force in the direction in which the first stopper protrusion and the second stopper protrusion are in close contact with each other, while providing an elastic force for rotating the hinge shaft. According to claim 1, The movement of the sub-body with the main body is not limited in the range of 0 degrees to 110 degrees, and the angle is adjusted stepwise by the first and second stopper projections in the range of 110 degrees to 160 degrees. Hinge device of an information terminal.