Hinge device and mobile apparatus having the same

Abstract

A mobile apparatus includes a main body, a display part, and a hinge device. The hinge device opens and closes the display part from the main body and allows the display part to rotate. The hinge device includes a sliding unit that slides with respect to the main body, and a rotary unit rotatably formed with the sliding unit to engage the display part. The hinge device requires less installation space so that the mobile apparatus may be more compact. Furthermore, there is no visible installation line of the hinge device so that the mobile apparatus may have a more refined design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional hinge device;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the hinge device of FIG. 1 when installed in a mobile apparatus;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an upright camcorder having the hinge device of FIG. 1 with the display part closed;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an upright camcorder having the hinge device of FIG. 1 with the display part opened;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a hinge device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the hinge device of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge device of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exterior of an upright camcorder having the hinge device of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 7A through 7E are views illustrating the operation of an upright camcorder having a hinge device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views illustrating the operation of an upright camcorder having a hinge device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge device comprising: a sliding unit that is slidable with respect to a main body of a mobile apparatus; anda rotary unit disposed on the sliding unit to rotatably engage a display part of a mobile apparatus.

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding unit comprises: a sliding body; anda first connection portion to engage the sliding body with the main body.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding body is curved.

4. The hinge device according to claim 3, wherein the sliding body comprises: a first connection opening to receive the first connection portion; anda second connection opening to receive the rotary unit.

5. The hinge device according to claim 4, wherein the rotary unit comprises: a rotary body engaging the display part;a first rotary shaft disposed on the rotary body to be inserted in the second connection opening;a cam formed at the first rotary shaft to control rotation of the rotary body; anda second elastic member disposed on the first rotary shaft to press the cam.

6. The hinge device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary body comprises a fixing member to fix the display part.

7. The hinge device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary body comprises a second connection portion rotatably engaged with the display part.

8. The hinge device according to claim 7, wherein the second connection portion comprises: a third elastic member inserted in an axial opening of the rotary body; andsecond rotary shafts elastically supported at opposite ends of the third elastic member to protrude outside the rotary body.

9. The hinge device according to claim 5, wherein the cam comprises: a first cam having a protrusion; anda second cam having a protrusion receiving recess corresponding to the protrusion.

10. The hinge device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary unit further comprises a detector to sense a rotation angle of the first rotary shaft.

11. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the first connection portion protrudes from the sliding body.

12. The hinge device according to claim 11, wherein the first connection portion comprises: a first elastic member inserted in the first connection opening; andguide protrusions elastically supported at opposite ends of the first elastic member to protrude outside the sliding body.

13. The hinge device according to claim 12, wherein the guide protrusions slide along a guide recess in the main body.

14. A mobile apparatus comprising: a main body;a display part; anda hinge device to slidingly open and close the display part from the main body.

15. The mobile apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the hinge device slidingly opens and closes the display part and allows the display part to rotate.

16. The mobile apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the hinge device comprises: a sliding unit that slides with respect to a main body of a mobile apparatus; anda rotary unit rotatably formed with the sliding unit to engage a display part of a mobile apparatus.

17. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sliding unit comprises: a sliding body; anda first connection portion to engage the sliding body with the main body.

18. The mobile apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sliding body is curved.

19. The mobile apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the sliding body comprises: a first connection opening to receive the first connection portion; anda second connection opening to receive the rotary unit.

20. The mobile apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the rotary unit comprises: a rotary body engaging the display part;a first rotary shaft disposed on the rotary body to be inserted in the second connection opening;a cam formed at the first rotary shaft to control rotation of the rotary body; anda second elastic member disposed on the first rotary shaft to press the cam.

21. The mobile apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the rotary body comprises a fixing member to fix the display part.

22. The mobile apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the rotary body comprises a second connection portion rotatably engaged with the display part.

23. The mobile apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the second connection portion comprises: a third elastic member inserted in an axial opening of the rotary body; andsecond rotary shafts elastically supported at opposite ends of the third elastic member to protrude outside the rotary body.

24. The mobile apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the cam comprises: a first cam having a protrusion; anda second cam having a protrusion receiving recess corresponding to the protrusion.

25. The mobile apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the rotary unit further comprises a detector to sense a rotation angle of the first rotary shaft.

26. The mobile apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first connection portion protrudes from the sliding body.

27. The mobile apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first connection portion comprises: a first elastic member inserted in the first connection opening; andguide protrusions elastically supported at opposite ends of the first elastic member to protrude outside the sliding body.

28. The mobile apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the guide protrusions slide along a guide recess in the main body.

29. The mobile apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the hinge device is disposed in the display part.

30. The mobile apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the hinge device is disposed at an edge of the display part.