WO2008032937A1

WO2008032937A1 - A hinge device for a portable terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2008032937A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Duck Park
Original assignee: Laird Technologies Map Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-09-15
Filing date: 2007-08-23
Publication date: 2008-03-20
Also published as: KR100754346B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a hinge device for a portable terminal having first and second bodies. The hinge device includes a housing fixed to one of the first body and second body. The housing has an accommodation space formed thereinside. A first cam is received inside of the housing so as not to rotate. A second cam is rotatably received inside of the housing so as to contact the first cam and generate a desired retaining force. A first resilient member is installed for urging the first cam towards the second cam. The hinge device includes a third cam configured to contact the second cam so as to allow the second cam to rotate in one direction, but not in the opposite direction. The third cam has a connection shaft which protrudes outside from the housing and is coupled to the other one of the first body and second body. The hinge device is provided with a second resilient member for urging the third cam towards the second cam.

Description

Description A HINGE MECHANISM FOR CELLULAR PHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hinge device for portable terminals. More particularly, the invention relates to a hinge device capable of semi-automatic operation when opening the cover of a portable terminal and capable of retaining the cover at desired angles during closing of the cover of the terminal. Background Art

[2] Recently, folder type portable terminals have been most popularized. The folder type portable includes a main boy and a cover capable of opening and closing the terminal through a folding operation against the main body.

[3] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional folder type terminal and a hinge device thereof. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device in Fig. 1.

[4] As shown in Fig. 2, the hinge device includes a housing holder 412 fixed to the terminal cover 410 and a housing 300 received in the housing holder 300. A first slip portion 320 is rotatably inserted inside the housing 300. A second slip portion 330 is non-rotatably inserted into the housing 300 and resiliently contacts the first slip portion 320. A spring 340 is disposed to resiliently support the second slip portion 330 inside the housing 300. A first support portion 402 is formed in the terminal main body 400 so as to hold in place the first slip portion and a second support portion 406 is formed in the terminal main body 400 so as to rotatably support the housing holder 412 one end of the housing holder 412.

[5] The housing holder 412 is provided at one end thereof with an insert hole 414 through which the housing 300 is inserted, and fixed thereto and at the other end thereof with a rotation shaft 416 protruding therefrom.

[6] The housing 300 has an internal space 302 to one side of which is opened. A through-hole 304 is formed at one end of the housing 300 and a protrusion 306 is formed internally at the other end of the housing 300.

[7] The first slip portion 320 is formed with a support shaft 322 which passes through the through-hole 304 of the housing. At the opposite side of the support shaft 322, a connection shaft 324 is formed correspondingly to the support shaft 322. A first cylindrical portion 326 is formed around the connection shaft 324. A waveform face 328 is formed to the connection shaft 324 side. The waveform face 328 is configured to have two periods per rotation when it rotates about the connection shaft 324.

[8] The second slip portion 330 is provided with a connection hole 332 through which the connection shaft 324 passes and rotatably combined therewith. A second cylindrical portion 336 is formed around the connection hole 332. A second waveform face 336 is formed so as to face the first waveform face 328 and have a configuration corresponding to the first waveform face 328. As the connection shaft 324 is inserted into the connection hole 332, the first and second waveform faces 328 and 336 contact each other and rotates against each other. At this time, the connection shaft 324 and hole 332 function to coaxially rotate the first and second slip portions 320 and 330 and simultaneously allow them to linearly move toward and away from each other.

[9] In addition, the second slip portion 330 is provided at its lateral side with a sliding protrusion 338. Formed in the internal space of the housing 300 is a sliding groove 308 into which the sliding protrusion 338 is inserted so as to slide along the moving direction of the second slip portion 330. Thus, the second slip portion 330 is allowed to move linearly, but not to rotate.

[10] On the other hand, one end of the spring 340 is combined with the protrusion 306 inside the internal space 302 and thus supported on the housing 300. The other end of the spring 340 resiliently supports the second slip portion 330. The connection shaft 324, after passing through the connection hole 332, is inserted into the spring 340, which is therefore prevented from wobbling in lateral directions.

[11] In addition, the first support portion 402 of the main body is formed with a fixing hole 404 to which the support shaft 322 is fixedly combined. Formed in the second support portion 406 is a rotation hole 408 with which the rotation shaft 416 is rotatably combined.

[12] In a portable terminal having the above conventional hinge device, the first and second waveform faces 328 and 336 have a curved face providing two periods per rotation. Therefore, when the terminal cover 410 is being opened and closed, after passing a transition point of about 90 , it can be automatically rotated to complete its opening or closing operation due to the resiliency of the spring 340. That is, the opening and closing operations can be performed semi-automatically.

[13] The terminal cover 410 can remain at the completely opened state, but cannot stop at desired angles of opening with respect to the terminal main body 400.

[14] For example, where a camera is installed in the portable terminal, it cannot adjust the photographing angle with freedom to desired angles. Furthermore, the LCD display installed in the terminal cover 410 cannot be adjusted to desired angles convenient for users to view the display window. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] The present invention has been made in order to solve at least part of the problems in the art. It is an object of the invention to provide a hinge device capable of semi- automatic operation when opening the cover of a portable terminal and retaining the cover at desired angles during closing the cover of the terminal.

[16]

Technical Solution

[17] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge device for a portable terminal. The portable terminal has a first body and a second body. The hinge device includes a housing fixed to one of the first body and second body. The housing has an accommodation space formed thereinside. A first cam is received inside of the housing so as not to rotate. A second cam is rotatably received inside of the housing so as to contact the first cam and generate a desired retaining force. The hinge device includes a first resilient member for urging the first cam towards the second cam. The hinge device includes a third cam configured to contact the second cam so as to allow the second cam to rotate in one direction, but not in the opposite direction. The third cam has a connection shaft which protrudes outside from the housing and is coupled to the other one of the first body and second body. The hinge device is provided with a second resilient member for urging the third cam towards the second cam.

[18] The first cam is provided at one side face thereof with a first waveform face having a ridge portion and a valley portion, and the second cam is provided at one side face thereof with a second waveform face having a configuration to be engaged with the first waveform face.

[19] The second cam is provided at one side face thereof with a pair of first raised faces formed symmetrically about the rotational center of the second cam. One side of the first raised face forms a vertical step and the other end thereof forms a first slant face. The third cam is provided at one side face thereof with a pair of second raised faces each being disposed between the first raised faces. One side of the second raised face forms a second vertical step corresponding to the first vertical step and the other side thereof forms a second slant face corresponding to the first slant face.

[20] A circular groove is formed in either one of the outer circumferential face of the second cam and the inner face of the housing and a protrusion is formed in the other one of the outer circumferential face of the second cam and the inner face of the housing such that the protrusion is rotatably engaged with the circular groove to guide rotation of the second cam inside of the housing.

[21] The second resilient member is formed of a wave washer made of a thin metallic plate having a waveform curvature.

[22] One of the second and third cams is provided with a second guide shaft formed at the rotational center thereof and the other one of the second and third cams is provided with a second guide hole into which the second guide shaft is inserted.

Advantageous Effects

[23] According to the hinge device of the invention, when the cover of a portable terminal is being opened, a semi-automatic opening can be performed. When closing the cover, the cover can stop at any desired position. Therefore, the user can use the terminal functions after unfolding and positioning the cover at desired angles.

[24]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[25] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[26] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional hinge device and a portable terminal having the hinge device;

[27] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device in Fig. 1;

[28] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[29] Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of major components in the hinge device of Fig.

3; and

[30] Figs. 6 to 9 schematically show operations of the hinge device of Fig. 3.

[31]

Mode for the Invention

[32] Hereafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[33] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of major components in the hinge device of Fig. 3. Figs. 6 to 9 explain operations of the hinge device of Fig. 3.

[34] The hinge device illustrated in the figures is applied to a portable terminal such as cellular phones, which includes a first body 10 and a second body 20 capable of folding-operation against the first body 10 in order to open and close the terminal.

[35] In this embodiment, the hinge device includes a housing 30 having an accommodation space internally formed. The housing 30 is fixed to the second body 20 of the portable terminal. A first cam 40 is housed in the housing 30 so as to enable linear movement, but not rotational movement. The first cam 40 is formed with a first waveform face 42, which is composed of ridge portions and valley portions. A second cam 50 is housed in the housing 30 so as to allow its rotational movement, but not a linear motion. The second cam 50 is formed with a second waveform face 52 having a configuration corresponding to the first waveform face 42. A first resilient member is disposed to urge the first cam 40 towards the second cam 50. The hinge device further includes a third cam 70 and a second resilient member for urging the third cam 70 towards the second cam 50. The third cam 70 is configured to contact one side of the second cam 50 so as to allow rotation of the second cam 50 in one direction, but to prevent the second cam 50 from rotating in the opposition direction. The third cam 70 is formed with a connection shaft 78, which protrudes outside the housing 30 and is coupled to the first body 10.

[36] The first cam 40 is formed with a guide protrusion 44. Formed in the housing 30 is a slide groove 32 into which the guide protrusion 44 is inserted such that the first cam 40 cannot be rotated, but guided along the slide groove 32 when it linearly moves.

[37] A first guide hole 46 is formed in the center of the first cam 40. Formed in the rotational center of the second cam 50 is a first guide shaft 54, which is rotatably engaged with the first guide hole 46.

[38] The first resilient member may be formed of a compression spring 60. Alternatively, it can be formed of a leaf spring, a dish spring or the like so long as it can generate a desired resilient force.

[39] Formed in one side face of the second cam 50 is a pair of first raised faces 56 disposed symmetrically about the rotational center of the cam. One end side of the first raised face 56 is formed with a first vertical step 57 and the other end side of the first raised face 56 is formed with a first slant face 58. A pair of second raised faces 72 is formed in one side face of the third cam 70. The second raised face 72 is disposed between the first raised faces 56. One end side of the second raised face 72 is formed with a second vertical step 73 correspondingly to the first vertical step 57 and the other end side thereof is formed with a second slant face 74 correspondingly to the first slant face 58.

[40] In case where the second body 20 is being opened with respect to the first body 10, the first and second vertical steps 57 and 73 contact each other such that they cannot slide against each other and thus the second and third cams rotate together. However, when the second body 20 is being closed, the first and second slant faces 58 and 74 contact each other such that the second and third cams 50 and 70 can rotate against each other, i.e., perform a relative rotational movement.

[41] A protrusion is formed in the outer circumferential face of the second cam 50.

Formed in the inner face of the housing 30 is a circular groove, into which the protrusion is inserted so as to guide the rotation of the second cam 50 inside the housing. Alternatively, the protrusion and circular groove may be formed in the housing and the second cam respectively.

[42] The second resilient member is formed of a wave washer 80 made of a thin metallic plate implemented with waveform curvatures. The second resilient member may be constituted of a compression spring, a leaf spring, a dish spring or the like so long as they can generate a desired resiliency.

[43] A second guide shaft 76 is formed in the rotational center of one of the second and third cams 50 and 70. Formed in the other one of the second and third cams is a second guide hole 59 into which the second guide shaft 76 is rotatably inserted.

[44] This hinge device is installed in a portable terminal in such a way that the housing

30 is fixed to the second body 20 and the connection shaft 78 of the third cam 70 is fixed to the first body 10. Thus, the second body 20 is hinged with the first body 10, i.e., the second body 20 is folded on or unfolded from the second body 10 by means of the hinge device.

[45] Hereafter, operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[46] Referring to Fig. 6, when the second body 20 remains closed on the first body 10, the valley and ridge portions of the first waveform face 42 are engaged with the ridge and valley portions respectively of the second waveform face 52. At the same time, the compression spring 60 urges the first cam 40 towards the second cam 50 to retain the engagement state of the first and second cams 40 and 50.

[47] If a user opens, i.e., unfolds the second body 20 from the first body 10, the housing

30 fixed to the second body 20 turns and the first cam 40 rotates.

[48] When the second body 20 is being opened, the first vertical step 57 of the second cam 50 and the second vertical step 73 of the third cam 70 contact each other such that the second cam 50 and the third cam 70 cannot rotate relative to each other, but rotate together.

[49] Therefore, the first waveform face 42 of the first cam 40 and the second waveform face 52 of the second cam 50 come to rotate relative to each other, i.e., the first cam 40 and the second cam 50 perform a relative rotation against the resilient force of the compression spring 60.

[50] Accordingly, the second body 20 can be retained at the closed state. As shown in

Fig. 7, after passing the transition point, the second body 20 can be semi-automatically unfolded to the open position.

[51] Referring to Fig. 8, when the second body 20 is completely opened from the first body 10, the valley and ridge portion of the first waveform face 42 of the first cam 40 are engaged with the ridge and valley portion respectively of the second waveform face 52 of the second cam 50. At this state, the compression spring 60 urges the first cam 40 towards the second cam 50 and thus the engagement between the first and second cam 50 can be retained by means of the resiliency of the spring.

[52] On the other hand, when the user closes the second body 20 from the open state, the housing 30 fixed to the second body 20 and the first cam 40 rotates. [53] Referring to Fig. 9, when the second body 20 is being closed, the first slant face 58 of the second cam 50 can slip over the second slant face 74 of the third cam 70 and vice versa. Thus, the first and second raised faces 56 and 72 are overlapped and the second and third cam 50 and 70 can rotate relative to each other.

[54] At this time, the first waveform face 42 of the first cam 40 and the second waveform face 52 of the cam 50 remains at engaged state, not performing any relative rotational movement. Therefore, during the closing operation of the second body 20, any retaining or accelerating force is not generated. That is, if the user does not rotate or turn the second body 20, the second body 20 remains where it stands. In other words, the second body 20 can carry out a free-stop operation.

[55] Therefore, the user can stop the second body 20 at a desired angle convenient to use the camera or to view the LCD display screen installed in the second body 20.

[56] When the second body 20 continues to turn and reach the closed position, the second raised face 72 of the third cam 70 comes to be placed between the first raised faces 56 of the second cam 50 and the wave washer 80 pushes the third cam 70 towards the second cam 50, thereby generating a desired retaining force.

[57] Since the second waveform face 52 of the second cam 50 is symmetrically configured, this closed state is the same as the initial state before opening the terminal although the second cam 50 has turned 180 .

[58]

Industrial Applicability

[59] As described above, the hinge device of the invention allows the cover of a portable terminal to be opened semi- automatically and to stop at any desired position when closing the cover. Therefore, the user can retain the terminal cover at desired angles.

[60] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A hinge device for a portable terminal, the portable terminal having a first body and a second body, the hinge device comprising: a housing fixed to one of the first body and second body, the housing having an accommodation space formed thereinside; a first cam received inside of the housing so as not to rotate; a second cam rotatably received inside of the housing, the second cam contacting the first cam to generate a desired retaining force; a first resilient member for urging the first cam towards the second cam; a third cam configured to contact the second cam so as to allow the second cam to rotate in one direction, but not in the opposite direction, the third cam having a connection shaft which protrudes outside from the housing and is coupled to the other one of the first body and second body; and a second resilient member for urging the third cam towards the second cam, thereby foldably opening and closing the first body with respect to the second body or vice versa.

[2] The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cam is provided at one side face thereof with a first waveform face having a ridge portion and a valley portion, and the second cam is provided at one side face thereof with a second waveform face having a configuration to be engaged with the first waveform face.

[3] The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cam is provided at one side face thereof with a pair of first raised faces formed symmetrically about the rotational center of the second cam, one side of the first raised face forming a vertical step and the other end thereof forming a first slant face, and the third cam is provided at one side face thereof with a pair of second raised faces each being disposed between the first raised faces, one side of the second raised face forming a second vertical step corresponding to the first vertical step and the other side thereof forming a second slant face corresponding to the first slant face.

[4] The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a circular groove is formed in either one of the outer circumferential face of the second cam and the inner face of the housing and a protrusion is formed in the other one of the outer circumferential face of the second cam and the inner face of the housing such that the protrusion is rotatably engaged with the circular groove to guide rotation of the second cam inside of the housing.

[5] The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second resilient member is formed of a wave washer made of a thin metallic plate having a waveform curvature. [6] The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the second and third cams is provided with a second guide shaft formed at the rotational center thereof and the other one of the second and third cams is provided with a second guide hole into which the second guide shaft is inserted.