WO2008130147A1

WO2008130147A1 - Sliding hinge apparatus and handy terminal including the sliding hinge apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008130147A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rak-Ham Sung; Ji-Hoon Park
Original assignee: Diabell Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-04-18
Filing date: 2008-04-18
Publication date: 2008-10-30

Abstract

A sliding hinge apparatus according to the present invention includes: a base; a first slider, connected to the base, sliding along a first direction; and a second slider, connected to the first slider, sliding with the first slider, sliding on the first slider in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the first direction. The sliding hinge apparatus may further include an elastic member, where one end of the elastic member is connected to a penetration hole formed in the base and a first guiding hole formed in roughly parallel to the first direction in the first slider and moves along the first guiding hole, and the other end of the elastic member may be connected to a coupling hole formed in the first slider.

Description

SLIDING HINGE APPARATUS AND HANDY TERMINAL INCLUDING THE SLIDING HINGE APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a sliding hinge apparatus and a handy terminal having the same, and more particularly, to a sliding hinge apparatus including a first slider and a second slider sliding in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slider, and a handy terminal having the same. Background Art

[2] Generally, there are various type of handy terminals such as a bar type, a flip type, a flip-up type, a folder type, a slide type and a landscape type. The type of the handy terminal has been changed according to the fashion in a time when it is used.

[3] In addition, a hinge apparatus is used in each type. For example, in the folder type handy terminal, upper and lower bodies can be opened or closed by being rotated relatively to each other about a shaft that connects the upper and lower bodies to each other. On the other hand, in the slide type handy terminal, a slider is provided between upper and lower bodies to reduce friction force therebetween, thereby allowing the upper and lower bodies to move relatively. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sliding hinge apparatus that can move smoothly, and a handy terminal having the same.

[5] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding hinge apparatus that can slide vertically and horizontally, and a handy terminal having the same.

[6] Additional advantages, objects and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. Technical Solution

[7] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding hinge apparatus, which includes: a base; a first slider, connected to the base, sliding along a first direction; and a second slider, connected to the first slider, sliding with the first slider, sliding on the first slider in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the first direction.

[8] The sliding hinge apparatus may further include an elastic member, where one end of the elastic member is connected to a penetration hole formed in the base and a first guiding hole formed in roughly parallel to the first direction in the first slider and moves along the first guiding hole, and the other end of the elastic member may be connected to a coupling hole formed in the first slider.

[9] The second slider may include an arc-shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole connected to the first slider, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member may be connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole.

[10] The second slider may include an arc-shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole corresponding to the coupling hole, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member may be connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole and the other end of the elastic member may be connected to the third guiding hole to move along the third guiding hole.

[11] The base may include a plurality of guiding grooves that are roughly parallel to the first direction, where both edges of the first slider roughly parallel to the first direction are inserted into the grooves.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handy terminal, which includes: a base mounted on a first body; a first slider, connected to the base, sliding along a first direction; and a second slider, mounted on a second body, connected to the first slider, sliding with the second body and first slider, sliding with the second body on the first slider in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the first direction.

[13] The first body may include a key button and the second body may include a display.

Advantageous Effects

[14] According to the present invention, the second slider can slide in the direction that is roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider and slide in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slider. In addition, the second body can slide vertically and horizontally.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a slide hinge apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [16] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the slide hinge apparatus of FIG.

1; [17] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the slide hinge apparatus of FIG. 1; [18] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating coupling relationship between an elastic member and a second guiding hole of FIG. 1 ;

[19] FIGS. 5 to 7 are views illustrating operation of the sliding hinge apparatus of FIG. 1 sequentially;

[20] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a slide hinge apparatus according to a still another embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the slide hinge apparatus of FIG.

9; and

[23] FIGS. 11 to 13 are views illustrating operation of the sliding hinge apparatus of FIG.

9 sequentially. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying FIGS, lto 13. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but can be implemented in diverse forms. The matters defined in the description, such as the detailed construction and elements, are nothing but specific details provided to assist those of ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Accordingly, shapes of elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[25] A sliding hinge apparatus according to the present invention will be explained about a handy terminal for example below, but not limited thereto. The present invention may be applied in various devices that use a sliding hinge apparatus.

[26] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a sliding hinge apparatus 10 includes a base 110, a first slider 120, a second slider 130 and an elastic member 140. The base 110 includes U- shaped guiding grooves 112 at both edges in a width direction. The guiding groove 112 is formed roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider 120. A guiding piece 121 of the first slider 120 is inserted into the guiding groove 112 and slides along the guiding groove 112. In this time, a plastic injection mold (not shown) is inserted into the guiding groove 112 to reduce friction force between the guiding piece 121 and guiding groove 112.

[27] A portion of the first slider 120 is stepped downward from an upper surface thereof.

An opening 122 is formed in the stepped part. In addition, the first slider 120 includes a projected piece 123 projected toward the opening 122 and the guiding pieces 121 provided at both ends in the width direction. Here, the both guiding pieces 121 are roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider 120 and stepped horizontally. In other words, one guiding piece is stepped with a height different from the other guiding piece because the first slider 120 is stepped. In addition, the first slider 120 includes a first guiding hole 124 roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider 120. The first guiding hole 124 is located near the one guiding piece 121. The first guiding hole 124 is provided at a position corresponding to a penetration hole 113.

[28] The second slider 130 includes a stepped part 131 formed by bending a portion of the second slider 130 downward from an upper surface thereof. A through-hole 132 is formed on the boundary of the stepped part 131 in a shape corresponding to the projected piece 123. In addition, an arc-shaped second guiding hole 133 is formed on the upper surface of the second slider 130. Both ends of the second guiding hole 133 are formed at positions corresponding to both ends of the first guiding hole 124. On the other hand, the second slider 130 further includes a plurality of guiding holes 134 connected to the first slider 120. The guiding hole 134 are formed along the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slider 120. Thus, the second slider 130 can stably slide.

[29] In addition, it is desirable that the second guiding hole 133 has roughly the same curvature radius as a gap between a coupling hole 123a and the first guiding hole 124 when it is coupled to the elastic member 140. When one end of the elastic member moves along the first and second guiding holes 124 and 133, the first slider 120 slides in one direction and the second slider 130 slides in the direction perpendicular to the one direction.

[30] The elastic member 140 include an elastic body in a body 143 and a pair of projected pins 141 supported by the elastic body. A length between both ends of the projected pins 141 is changed by elastic force of the elastic body.

[31] Coupling relationship of the sliding hinge apparatus will be explained below. The guiding piece 121 of the first slider 120 is inserted into the guiding groove 112 of the base 110. Then, the stepped part 131 is located under the first slider 120 and the second slider 130 is located on the base 110 by inserting the stepped part 131 of the second slider 130 into the opening 122 of the first slider 120. In this time, one end of the second guiding hole 133 overlaps one end of the first guiding hole 124. In addition, the projected piece 123 is arranged in the through-hole 132.

[32] Next, one projected pin 141 of the elastic member 140 is rotationally fixed to the coupling hole 123a formed in the projected piece 123 by a fixing pin 142. The other projected pin 141 is located to the penetration hole 113 on the base 110. Then, the projected pin and one ends of first and second guiding holes 124 and 133 are aligned to each other.

[33] Then, a coupling pin 125d having a projection 125e is located to the second guiding hole 133 and a guiding pin body 125a having a coupling hole 125c and a projection 125b is located under the penetration hole 113. The coupling pin 125d is inserted into the coupling hole 125c so as to enable the guiding pin 125 to move in the first and second guiding holes 124 and 133.

[34] In other words, one end of the elastic member 140 is fixed to the projected piece 123 of the base 110 and the other end is coupled to the base 110, first and second sliders 120 and 130. Accordingly, the elastic member 140 moves along the first and second guiding holes 124 and 133 about the projected piece 123 to slide the first and second sliders 120 and 130.

[35] It is desirable that a radius (R) of the second second guiding hole 133 is the same as a length (L) between both ends of the elastic member 140 fixed thereto. The sliding direction of the first slider 120 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second slider 130. Accordingly, when the first slider 120 slides, the elastic member moves along the first guiding hole. In this time, the elastic member is compressed and the length of the elastic member is varied. Thus, the second slider 130 can slide in perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slider 120 by keeping the gap between the second guiding hole 133 and coupling hole 123a constant by forming the second guiding hole of the second slider 130 in a shape of curve corresponding to the variable length of the elastic member. In addition, a liquid crystal display can be curvedly slid by sliding motion the sliders.

[36] On the other hand, a plurality of guiding holes 134 are provided near upper and lower surfaces of the second slider 130 so as to be coupled to the base 110 by a fixing pin 135. Thus, the fixing pin 135 moves along the guiding hole 134 to stabilize sliding of the second slider 130.

[37] Operation of the sliding hinge apparatus 10 will be explained with reference to FIGS.

5 to 7 below. According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 110 is coupled to a key button part 210. A liquid crystal display part 220 and the key button part 210 are overlapped each other in a state that the second slider 130 is coupled to the liquid crystal display part 220. One end of the elastic member 140 is located at upper ends of the first and second guiding holes 124 and 133 and the base 110 is located on the first slider 120.

[38] In the state, as shown in FIG. 6, when the liquid crystal display part 220 is pushed upward relative to the key button part 210, the first slider 120 moves in an upward direction (dx) along the base 110 in a state that the base 110 is coupled to the key button part 210. In this time, one end of the elastic member 140 moves along the first and second guiding holes 124 and 133 in a state that the other end of the elastic member 140 is coupled to the projected piece 123 of the first slider 120. Then, the second slider 130 moves in the left direction (dy) along the second guiding hole 133 simultaneously when the elastic member 140 is compressed. In other words, the first slider 120 moves along the vertical first guiding hole 124 and thus the elastic member 140 is compressed. The second slider 130 moves in the left direction along the curved second guiding hole 133 because the gap between the second slider 130 and projected piece 123 is always kept constant in a state that the second slider 130 is coupled to the first slider 120 by the elastic member 140.

[39] In this time, the liquid crystal display part 220 is opened in the left direction along a virtual curve. When the guiding pin 125 fixing the one end of the elastic member 140 is located at the nearest distance from the coupling hole 123a, the elastic member 140 is compressed and the distance between both ends of the elastic member 140 (or projected pin 141) becomes the minimum value.

[40] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, when the liquid crystal display part 220 is continuously slid in the upward direction, the guiding pin 125 moves below the second guiding hole 133 and the base 110 is located at a lower end of the first slider 120. The second slider 130 moves to the right. In this time, the fixing pin 135 moves horizontally along the guiding hole 134 to guide sliding motion of the second slider 130.

[41] In other words, when the guiding pin 125 moves downward along the second guiding hole 133 curvedly, the liquid crystal display part 220 is opened upward along a virtual curve. In this time, the first slider 120 slides vertically along the base 110 and the second slider 130 slides horizontally on the first slider 120.

[42] On the other hand, the operation state in the landscape function has been explained in the embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening direction of the first slider 320 may be changed according to the location of the sliding hinge apparatus 10. Mode for the Invention

[43] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a slide hinge apparatus according to a still another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the slide hinge apparatus of FIG. 9.

[44] Operation of the embodiment is similar to the above described embodiment. Thus, the above described operation principle can be applied to the embodiment, which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[45] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a sliding hinge apparatus 10 includes a base 310, a first slider 320, a second slider 330 and an elastic member 340. The base 310 includes U- shaped first guiding grooves 312 at both edges in a width direction. The first guiding groove 312 is formed roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider 320. Both edges of the first slider 320 are inserted into the first guiding groove 312 and slide along the first guiding groove 312.

[46] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first slider 320 includes the first guiding groove 312 and a second guiding groove 322 that is roughly perpendicular to the first guiding groove 312. The second guiding groove 322 is formed at upper and lower edges of the first slider 320. Upper and lower edges of the second slider 330 are respectively inserted into the second guiding groove 322 and slide along the second guiding groove 322.

[47] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, a projected pin 341 of the elastic member

340 is connected to a third guiding hole 334 and a coupling hole 320a by first fasteners 342a and 342b. The projected pin 341 of the elastic member 340 is connected to first and second guiding holes 324 and 332 and a penetration hole 310a by second fasteners 344a and 334b. The first slider 320 includes the first guiding hole 324 that is roughly parallel to the sliding direction of the first slider 320. The second slider 330 includes an arc-shaped second guiding hole 332 corresponding to both ends of the first guiding hole 324 and the third guiding hole 334 that is roughly perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slider 320.

[48] FIGS. 11 to 13 show operation of the sliding hinge apparatus of FIG. 9 sequentially.

The operation of the sliding hinge apparatus will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 below.

[49] As shown in FIG. 11, the base 310 is provided at the key button part 210. The liquid crystal display part 220 is provided at the second slider 330. The key button part 210 and liquid crystal display part 220 are overlapped each other. Here, a first fastener 342 is located at a left end of the third guiding hole 334. The 344 fixing one end of the projected pin 341 is located at upper ends of the first and second guiding holes 324 and 332. The base 310 is located on the first slider 320.

[50] As shown in FIG. 12, when the liquid crystal display part 220 is pushed upward, the first slider 320 slides in an upward direction (dy) along the first guiding groove 312 of the base 310 fixed to the key button part 210. In this time, the second fastener 342 moves along the first and second guiding holes 324 and 332 in a state that the fastener is fixed to the penetration hole 310a. The first fastener 342 moves along the third guiding hole 334 in a state that the fastener is fixed to the coupling hole 320a.

[51] In this time, one end 341 of the elastic member 340 moves along the first guiding hole 324 in a state that the other end 341 of the elastic member 340 is fixed to the coupling hole 320a and thus the elastic member 340 is compressed. The elastic member 340 is maximally compressed when the 344 is located at the nearest distance from the coupling hole 320a.

[52] On the other hand, the 344 moves along the second guiding hole 332 and thus the se cond slider 330 moves upward with the first slider 320 and simultaneously moves in the left direction (dx). Accordingly, the first fastener 342 moves along the third guiding hole 334. Thus, the liquid crystal display part 220 is opened in the left direction along a virtual curve. [53] As shown in FIG. 13, when the liquid crystal display part 220 is continuously pushed upward, the 344 moves downward along the first and second guiding holes 324 and 332 and the second slider 330 moves to the right again. The base 310 is located under the first slider 320 and then the first slider 320 is stopped.

[54] It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various replacements, modifications and changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Therefore, it is to be appreciated that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limitations of the invention. Industrial Applicability

[55] The present invention can be applied in various devices that use a sliding hinge apparatus.

Claims

[1] A sliding hinge apparatus, comprising: a base; a first slider, connected to the base, sliding along a first direction; and a second slider, connected to the first slider, sliding with the first slider, sliding on the first slider in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the first direction.

[2] The sliding hinge apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elastic member, where one end of the elastic member is connected to a penetration hole formed in the base and a first guiding hole formed in roughly parallel to the first direction in the first slider and moves along the first guiding hole, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to a coupling hole formed in the first slider.

[3] The sliding hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second slider comprises an arc-shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole connected to the first slider, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole.

[4] The sliding hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second slider comprises an arc-shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole corresponding to the coupling hole, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the third guiding hole to move along the third guiding hole.

[5] The sliding hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of guiding grooves that are roughly parallel to the first direction, where both edges of the first slider parallel to the first direction are inserted into the grooves.

[6] A handy terminal, comprising: a base mounted on a first body; a first slider, connected to the base, sliding along a first direction; and a second slider, mounted on a second body, connected to the first slider, sliding with the second body and first slider, sliding with the second body on the first slider in the direction that is roughly perpendicular to the first direction.

[7] The handy terminal of claim 6, further comprising an elastic member, where one end of the elastic member is connected to a penetration hole formed in the base and a first guiding hole formed in roughly parallel to the first direction in the first slider and moves along the first guiding hole, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to a coupling hole formed in the first slider.

[8] The handy terminal of claim 7, wherein the second slider comprises an arc- shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole connected to the first slider, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole.

[9] The handy terminal of claim 7, wherein the second slider comprises an arc- shaped second guiding hole having a predetermined curvature radius and a third guiding hole corresponding to the coupling hole, where both ends of the second guiding hole correspond to the both ends of the first guiding hole, and the third guiding hole is roughly perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the second guiding hole to move along the second guiding hole and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the third guiding hole to move along the third guiding hole.

[10] The handy terminal of claim 6, wherein the first body comprises a key button and the second body comprises a display.