BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the “A” part in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the “B” part in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention before the dual connection member is assembled among the components of the hinge devices of the mobile phone;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about a first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about a second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the second hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about a third hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the third hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a second housing is rotated 135 degrees about the first hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the second housing is rotated 60 degrees about the first hinge axis of the hinge devices;
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge device of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the “C” part in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the “D” part in FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention before the dual connection member is assembled among the components of the hinge device of the mobile phone;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about a first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 22 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about a second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 24 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 26 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about a third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 28 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 30 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a construction of a hinge device of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 32 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the “E” part of FIG. 31;
FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention before the dual connection member is assembled among the components of the hinge device of the mobile phone;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention after the dual connection member is assembled among the components of the hinge device of the mobile phone;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about a first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 36 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the first hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 38 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 40 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the second hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 41 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 42 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the process of rotating the mobile phone about the third hinge axis of the hinge device;
FIG. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge device; and
FIG. 44 is a top plan view illustrating a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the mobile phone is rotated about the third hinge axis of the hinge device.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, an exemplary mobile phone 10 includes a first housing 20, a second housing 30 and a dual connection member 40. The first housing 20 includes a keypad 21 and a microphone 22. The second housing 30 includes first and second speakers 31 and 32 and a large-scaled liquid crystal display unit 33. The dual connection member 40 includes first, second and third connection members 41, 42 and 43.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first connection member 41 provides a first hinge axis A1 and is connected to the second and third connection members 42 and 43, which will be described later, so that the second housing 30 is connected to the first housing 20 while being rotatable about the first hinge axis A1 toward or away from the first housing 20.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the second connection member 42 provides a second hinge axis A2, which is eccentrically positioned in relation to the center of the second housing 30. The second housing 30 is connected to the second connection member 42 while being rotatable about the second hinge axis A2 extending perpendicular to the rear face of the second housing 30. Further, the second connection member 42 is rotatably connected to the first connection member 41, thereby allowing the second hinge axis A2 to slide as the second housing 30 is rotated.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, the third connection member 43 provides a third hinge axis A3, which is eccentrically positioned in relation to the center of the first housing 20. The first housing 20 is connected to the third connection member 43 while being rotatable about the third hinge axis A3 extending perpendicular to the front face of the first housing 20. The third connection member 43 is rotatably connected to the first connection member 41, thereby allowing third hinge axis A3 to slide as the first housing 20 is rotated.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, if the second housing 30 is rotated about the second axis A2, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are positioned in an arrangement with a shape of “T.”
As illustrated in FIG. 14, if the first and second housings 20 and 30 are rotated about the third and second hinge axes A3 and A2, respectively, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are positioned in an arrangement with a shape of “I.”
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a hinge device 100 of a mobile phone 10 with a dual connection member includes a first or second housing 20 or 30, a dual connection member 40, a rotary member 110, a guide means 120, a guide movement member 130, a holder 140, and an elastic means 150. The rotary member 110 provides the second or third hinge axis A2 or A3 and is connected to the first or second housing 20 and 30 in such a manner that, when the first or second housing 20 or 30 rotates, the rotary member 110 slides while rotating together with the first or second housing 20 or 30. The guide means 120 is formed in the dual connection member 40 so as to guide the rotary member 110 according to the rotation of the first or second housing 20 or 30. The guide movement member 130 is connected to the dual connection member 40 in such a manner that the guide movement member 130 rotatably connects the rotary member 110 with the dual connection member 40 and slidably guides the rotary member 110. The holder 140 is connected with the guide movement member 130 while rotatably supporting the rotary member 110. The elastic means 150 is disposed in the guide movement member 130 and provides an elastic force for allowing the rotary member 110 to be rotated and slid.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second and third connection members 42 and 43 are formed with mounting recesses 160, respectively, and the hinge devices 100 are mounted in the mounting recesses 160, respectively.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary member 110 includes a rotator 111, a guide pin 112, and a washer 113. The rotator 111 is provided between a guide rail 133 of the guide movement member 130 and the holder 140, so that the rotator 111 is also slid and rotated when the first or second housing 20 or 30 is rotated. The guide pin 112 projects from the circumference of the rotator 111, so that it is engaged in and moves along the guide means 120, which is formed in a corresponding mounting recess 160, when the first or second housing 20 or 30 rotates. The washer 113 is fitted through the rotator 111 and the guide rail 133, so that it supports the rotation of the rotator 111.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a through-hole 111a is formed through the central area of the rotator 111, through which the washer 113 can be fitted, and one or more fastening areas 111b are formed around the through-hole 111a, so that the rotator 111 can be fastened to the first or second housing 20 or 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the guide means 120 includes a guide groove 120, which is formed in the mounting recess 160, so that the rotary member 110 can be guided along the guide groove 120 when the first or second housing 20 or 30 rotates.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide movement member 130 includes a guide member 131, a pair of guide bars 132 and a guide rail 133. The guide member 131 is fitted in the corresponding mounting recess 160 so as to slidably guide the guide rail 133. The guide bars 132 are mounted on opposite sides of the guide member 131 so that the guide bars 132 can be slidably engaged with the guide rail 133. The guide rail 133 is fastened to the holder 140, so that the rotator 111 is rotatably interposed between the holder 140 and the guide rail 133. Further, the guide rail 133 is adapted to be slidably engaged with the guide bars 132.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of mounting areas 131a are formed on opposite side areas of the guide member 131, so that the guide bars 132 can be mounted. The guide member 131 is formed with one or more fastening areas 131b at the top end thereof, to which the second or third connection member 42 or 43 is fastened.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide rail 133 is formed with a through-hole 133b, through which the washer 113 is inserted, and one or more fastening areas 133c, wherein the first or second housing 20 or 30 is fastened by aligning the fastening areas 133c with the connection holes 141 formed through the holder 140 and fastening screws through the aligned holes 133c and 141.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elastic means 150 includes a plurality of spring members 150, which are interposed between the opposite side areas of the guide member 131 and the guide rail 133. The spring members 150 are arranged in such a manner that one end 151 of each spring member 150 is engaged with one of first spring anchoring members 131c projecting from the opposite side areas of the guide member 131, and the other end 152 is engaged with one of second spring anchoring members 133a projecting from the opposite side areas of the guide rail 133.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the mounting recesses 160 is formed with spring operation grooves 161 which provide spaces for operation of the spring members 150.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide member 131 includes a pair of dampers 170, each of which is placed at one end of each of the opposite side areas of the guide member 131, so that, when the guide rail 133 is run against the guide member 131 due to the movement of the guide rail 133, the dampers 170 can absorb the shock.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10, the guide groove 120 is provided with first, second and third stopper areas 121, 122 and 123. The first stopper area 121 is adapted to come into contact with the guide pin 112, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin 112, when the first or second housing 20 or 30 rotates about the second or third hinge axis A2 or A3 from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation of the first or second housing 20 or 30. The second stopper area 122 is adapted to cause the guide pin to enter the second stopper area 122 and then escape from the second stopper area 122, thereby passing by the second stopper area 122, when the guide pin 112 performs the guide movement along the guide groove 120 and arrives at the center of the guide groove 120. The third stopper area 123 is adapted to come into contact with the guide pin 112, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin 112, when the first or second housing 20 or 30 rotates about the second or third hinge axis A2 or A3 from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation of the first or second housing 20 or 30.
Now, the operating procedure of the hinge devices of the mobile phone with the dual connection member having the above-mentioned construction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, a mobile phone 10 with a dual connection member includes first and second housings 20 and 30, and a dual connection member 40.
The dual connection member 40 includes first, second and third connection members 41, 42 and 43.
The second and third connection members 42 and 43 are interconnected through the first connection member 41 while being rotatable about a first hinge axis A1 in relation to each other.
The second connection member 42 is connected with the second housing 30 while being rotatable about the second hinge axis A2 in relation to each other, wherein the second housing 30 includes first and second speakers 31 and 32 and a large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33.
The third connection member 43 is connected with the first housing 20 in such a manner that they are rotatable about the third hinge axis A3 in relation to each other, wherein the first housing is provided with a keypad 21 and a microphone 22.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the hinge devices 100 are provided between the first and second housings 20 and 30 and between the second and third connection members 42 and 43, respectively. Each of the hinge devices 100 includes a rotary member 110, a guide means 120, a guide movement member 130, a holder 140, and an elastic means 150. The rotary member 110 has a rotator 111 that is rotatably connected to the top or bottom surface of the holder 140, and the guide movement member 130 has a guide rail 133 that is provided on the top or bottom surface of the rotary member 110. In this state, a through-hole 111a formed through the rotator 111 and a through-hole 133b formed through the guide rail 133 are aligned with each other, and a washer 113 for supporting the rotation of the rotator 111 is fitted through the through-holes 111a and 133b.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a guide member 131 is rotatably connected with the guide rail 133. At this time, because a pair of guide bars 132 are mounted on the opposite sides of the guide member 131, the guide rail 133 is slidably engaged with the guide bars 132. The guide member 131 has a pair of dampers 170, each of which is provided at one end of opposite sides of the guide member 131, so that the dampers 170 absorb shock occurring when the guide rail 133 slides and collides with the guide member 31. In this state, one or more fastening areas 133c are aligned with the connection holes 141 formed in the holder 140, and screws (not shown) are fastened through the aligned holes 133c and 141.
In this state, as illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more fastening areas 111b formed around the through-hole 111a of each of the rotators 111 are fastened to the first or second housings 20 and 30. The fastening areas 131b formed in each of the guide members 131 are fastened to the second or third connection members 42 and 43 by screws (not shown). At this time, the hinge devices 100 are mounted in mounting recesses 160, respectively, wherein the mounting recesses 160 are formed on the second and third connection members 42 and 43, respectively, and the guide pins 112 of the rotary members 110 are engaged in the guide grooves 120 formed in the mounting recesses 160, respectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, one end 151 of each spring member 150 is engaged with one of first spring anchoring members 131c projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the guide member 131, respectively. In this state, the other end 152 of each spring member 150 is engaged with second anchoring members 133a projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the guide rail 133.
In this state, if the user wants to use the mobile phone 10 in a communication mode, the second housing 30 is rotated about the first hinge axis A1 of the first connection member 41 so that the second housing 30 moves away from the first housing 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Then, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are positioned in a longitudinal orientation.
In this state, if the user wants to watch TV or a moving image through the large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33, the second housing 30 is rotated to the transverse orientation about the second hinge axis A2, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
At this time, as the second housing 30 is rotated, the corresponding rotator 111 is also moved together with the second housing 30, and the guide pin 112 of the rotator 111 is slid along the corresponding guide groove 120.
As the rotator 111 is slid, the corresponding holder 140 and the corresponding guide rail 133 are also moved.
At this time, the guide pin 112 escapes from the first stopper area 121 of the corresponding guide groove 120 and then is inserted into the second stopper 122.
At this time, the second hinge axis A2 of the rotator 111 is slid from the lower part to the upper part of the second housing 30.
In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, if the second housing 30 is rotated 90 degrees from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation about the second hinge axis A2, the corresponding guide pin 112 escapes from and passes by the second stopper area 122 formed at the center of the corresponding guide groove 120, slides along the guide groove 120, and then comes into contact with the second stopper area 123, thereby stopping the sliding movement.
At this time, the second hinge axis A2 of the rotator 111 is slid from the upper part to the lower part of the second housing 30 while being rotated, thereby returning to its original position, and the guide rail 133 is also slid.
At this time, the guide member 131 and the spring members 150 provided on the guide rail 133 cause the guide pin 112 to be rotated and slid along the guide groove 120 with an elastic force.
At this time, the guide rail 133 can be slid by the guide bars 132 of the guide member 131.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 return to their original positions again, and the guide pin 112 comes into contact with the third stopper area 123.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 are rotated and slid in the up and down directions in relation to the second housing 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are positioned in an arrangement shaped like “T.”
Here, if the second housing 30 is reversely rotated about the second hinge axis A2 in order to return the second housing 30 to its original position from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation, the rotator 111 and the guide rail 133 are rotated and slid again, and the guide pin 112 escapes from the second stopper area 123 of the guide groove, enters and then escapes from the second stopper area 122, and then comes into contact with the first stopper area 121, thereby stopping the rotation and sliding movement. Then, the second housing 30 is returned to its original position in the longitudinal orientation.
The spring members 150 provide an elastic force which enables the rotator 111 and the guide rail 133 to be rotated and slid.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 are rotated and slid in up and down directions in relation to the second housing 30.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the user wants to use the mobile phone in a game mode, the user rotates the first housing 20 about axis A3 from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation so that the user can use both hands in operating the keypad 21 of the first housing 20.
At this time, as the first housing 20 is rotated, the corresponding rotator 111 is also rotated and the guide pin 112 of the rotator 111 is slid along the corresponding guide groove 120.
As the rotator 111 is slid, the corresponding holder 140 and the corresponding guide rail 133 are moved together with the rotator 111.
The guide rail 133 is slid along the guide bars 132 of the guide member 131.
At this time, the guide pin 112 escapes from the first stopper area 121 and enters the second stopper area 122, and the third hinge axis A3 of the rotator 111 is slid from the upper part to the lower part of the first housing 20.
In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, if the first housing 20 is rotated 90 degrees about the third hinge axis A3 to the transverse orientation, the guide pin 112 escapes from and passes by the second stopper area 122 formed at the center of the guide groove 120, slides along the guide groove 120, and then comes into contact with the third stopper area 123, thereby stopping the sliding movement.
At this time, the third hinge axis A3 of the rotator 111 is slid from the lower part to the upper part of the first housing 20, thereby returning to its original position, and the guide rail 133 is also slid.
At this time, the spring members 150 provided between the guide member 131 and the guide rail 133 cause the guide pin 112 to be rotated and slid along the guide groove 120 by an elastic force.
At this time, the guide rail 133 can be slid by the guide bar 132 of the guide member 131.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 return to their original positions and the guide pin 112 comes into contact with the third stopper area 123.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 are rotated and slid in the up and down directions of the first housing 20.
The first and second housings are positioned in the “I” arrangement.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the second housing 30 can be rotated 60 degrees or 135 degrees in relation to the first housing 20 depending on the angle desired by the user.
Here, if it is desired to move the first housing 20 from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation, thereby returning the first housing 20 to its original position, the first housing 20 is reversely rotated about the third hinge axis A3. Then, the corresponding rotator 111 and the corresponding guide rail 133 are rotated and slid again and the corresponding guide pin 112 escapes from the second stopper area 123 of the corresponding guide groove 120, enters and escapes from the second stopper area 122, and then comes into the first stopper area 121, thereby stopping the rotation and sliding movement. As a result, the first housing 20 returns to its longitudinal orientation.
The spring members 150 provide an elastic force for allowing the rotator 111 and the guide rail 133 to be rotated and slid.
The guide rail 133 and the rotator 111 are rotated and slid in the up and down directions of the first housing 20.
Now, a hinge device of a mobile phone having a dual connection member configured as described above according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail in terms of the operation thereof with reference to FIGS. 17 to 30.
As illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, the mobile phone 10 includes first and second housings 20 and 30, and a dual connection member 40.
The dual connection member 40 includes first, second and third connection members 41, 42 and 43.
The second dual connection members 42 and 43 are connected by the first connection member 41 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a first hinge axis A1 in relation to each other.
The second connection member 42 is connected with the second housing 30 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a second hinge axis A2 in relation to each other, wherein the second housing includes first and second speakers 31 and 32 and a large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33.
The third connection member 43 is connected with the first housing 20 in such a manner as to be rotatable about the third hinge axis A3 in relation to each other, wherein the first housing 20 includes a keypad 21 and a microphone 22.
Hinge devices 200 are provided between the first and second housings 20 and 30 and between the second and third connection members 42 and 43, respectively.
As illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, each of the hinge devices 200 includes a rotary member 210, a rotational movement means 220, a guide movement member 230, and an elastic means 240.
The rotary member 210 has a rotator 211 which is rotatably connected with a guide member 232 provided in the guide movement member 230, a through-hole 211a formed through the rotator 211 and a through-hole 232b formed through the guide member 232 are aligned with each other, and a washer 213 is fitted through the through-holes 211a and 232b so as to support the rotation of the rotator 211.
A pair of guide bars 233 are mounted in mounting areas 232a on the opposite sides of the guide member 232, respectively, and a guide rail 231 provided in the guide movement member 230 is slidably engaged with the guide bars 233.
In this state, one or more fastening grooves 231a formed in the guide rail 231 are fitted on one or more projections 42a or 43a formed on a corresponding one of the second and third connection members 42 and 43.
At this time, one or more fastening areas 211b, which are formed in the rotator 211, are fastened to a corresponding one of the first and second housings 20 and 30.
Each of the hinge devices 200 is mounted in a mounting recess 260 formed in the second or third connection member 42 or 43, and the guide pins 212 of each of the rotators 211 are fitted through guide holes 221 of the rotational movement means 220 formed within the mounting recesses 260, respectively.
One end 241 of each spring member 240 is engaged with one of first spring anchoring members 234 projecting from the opposite sides of a corresponding guide member 232, and the other end 242 of each spring member 240 is engaged with one of second spring anchoring members 42b or 43b anchored to the second and third connection members 42 and 43, respectively.
In this state, if the user wants to use the mobile phone in a communication mode, the second housing 20 is rotated about the first hinge axis A1 of the first connection member 41 away from the first housing 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. Then, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are longitudinally orientated.
Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, if the user wants to watch TV or moving images through a large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33, the user rotates the second housing 30 about the second hinge axis A2 from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation.
As the second housing 30 is rotated, the corresponding rotator 211 is also rotated, and the guide pin 212 of the rotator 211 is rotated in a predetermined trace along the corresponding rotary hole 220.
The rotator 211 is slid as well as being rotated in the predetermined trace, and the guide member 232 is also slid.
The guide member 232 is slid along the corresponding guide rail 231.
A pair of guide bars 233 are provided at the opposite sides of the guide member 232, respectively. Therefore, the guide bars 233 are also moved along the guide rail 231 when the guide member 232 is slid.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the second hinge axis A2 of the rotator 211 is slid from the lower part to the upper part of the second housing 30. At this time, if the guide pin 212 is positioned at the center of the rotary hole 220 and rotated in the predetermined trace and the second housing 30 is rotated about 90 degrees about the second hinge axis A2 from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation, the guide pin 212 escapes from the first stopper area 221 formed in the rotary hole 220, rotates in the predetermined trace along the rotary hole 220, and then comes into contact with the second stopper area 222, thereby stopping the rotational movement.
The second hinge axis A2 of the rotator 211 is slid from the upper part to the lower part of the second housing 30, and the guide member 232 returns to its original position.
The rotator 211 and the guide member 232 are rotated and slid in upward and downward directions of the second housing 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 26, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are positioned in a “T” arrangement.
Here, if the second housing 30 is reversely rotated about the second hinge axis A2 in order to return the second housing 30 to its original position from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation, the rotator 211 and the guide member 232 are rotated and slid again, and the guide pin 212 escapes from the second stopper area 222 of the rotary hole 220 and comes into contact with the first stopper area 221, thereby stopping the rotational and sliding movements. Then, the second housing 30 returns to its original position from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation.
The spring members 240 provide an elastic force for allowing the rotator 211 and the guide member 232 to be rotated and slid.
Here, if the user wants to use the mobile phone 10 in a game mode function for example, the user rotates the first housing 20 from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation about the third hinge axis A3 in order to operate the keypad 21 on the first housing 20 by using both hands.
As the first housing 20 is rotated, the corresponding rotator 211 is rotated together with the first housing 20, and the guide pin 212 of the rotator 211 is rotated from the upper part to the lower part of the first housing along the predetermined trace of the corresponding rotary hole 220.
Simultaneously with the rotation of the rotator 211, the corresponding guide member 232 is slid.
The guide member 232 is slid along the corresponding guide rail 231.
At this time, the guide pin 212 escapes from the first stopper area 221 of the rotary hole 220 and is then positioned at the center of the rotary hole 220.
As illustrated in FIGS. 27, 28, 29 and 30, if the first housing 20 is rotated about 90 degrees, the guide pin 212 is also rotated along the predetermined trace of the rotary hole 220 and comes into contact with the second stopper area 222, thereby stopping the sliding movement.
At this time, the third hinge axis A3 of the rotator 211 is slid from the upper part to the lower part of the first housing and returns to its original position, the rotator 211 is slid while being rotated, and the guide member 232 is also slid.
At this time, the guide pin 212 is rotated and slid along the rotary hole 220 by the elastic force of the spring members 240 provided in the guide member 232.
The guide member 232 and the rotator 211 return to their original positions again, and the guide pin 212 comes into contact with the second stopper area 222.
The rotator 211 and the guide member 232 are rotated and slid in the up and down directions of the second housing 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 30, the first and second housings are positioned in the “I” arrangement.
Here, if the first housing 20 is reversely rotated about the third hinge axis A3 from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation to its original position again, the corresponding rotator 211 and the corresponding guide member 232 are rotated and slid again and the guide pin 212 escapes from the second stopper area 222 of the rotary hole 220, rotates along the predetermined trace, and comes into contact with the first stopper area 221, thereby stopping the rotational movement. The first housing 20 returns to its original position in the longitudinal orientation.
The spring members 240 provide an elastic force for allowing the rotator 211 and the guide member 232 to be rotated and slid.
By configuring a dual connection member for allowing the liquid crystal display unit and the keypad of a mobile phone to be rotated depending on the mode of using the mobile phone as described above, it is possible to improve convenience in using the mobile phone because the liquid crystal display unit and the keypad can be selectively rotated as desired.
Now, a hinge device of a mobile phone having a dual connection member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in more detail in terms of the process of moving the hinge device of the mobile phone with reference to FIGS. 31 to 44.
As illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 33, a mobile phone 10 includes first and second housings 20 and 30, and a dual connection member 40. The dual connection member 40 includes first, second and third connection members 41, 42 and 43. The second and third connection members 42 and 43 are connected with each other to be rotatable about a first hinge axis A1 by the first hinge member 41.
The second connection member 42 is connected to the second housing 30 to be rotatable about a second hinge axis A2, wherein the second housing has first and second speaker devices 31 and 32, and a large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33.
The third connection member 43 is connected to the first housing to be rotatable about a third hinge axis A3, wherein the first housing 20 has a keypad 21 and a microphone 22.
Each of the first and second housings 20 and 30 and the second and third connection members 42 and 43 is provided with a hinge device 300.
As illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 44, the hinge device 300 includes link members 310, first and second rotary members 320 and 330, first and second guide portions 340 and 350, elastic members 360, and elastic connection members 370. The link members 310 are mounted in mounting slots formed in the first and second housings 20 and 30, respectively. On the top ends of the link members 310, the second and third connection members 42 and 43 are arranged to be opposite to each other.
From this state, the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 are assembled to each other through first and second guide portions 340 and 350 formed in the second and third connection members 42 and 43, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32. At this time, the first rotary members 320 pass through the first guide portions 340 and rotatably engaged in first rotary holes 311 formed in the link members 310, respectively.
The second rotary members 330 pass through the second guide portions 350 and rotatably engage in the second rotary holes 312 formed in the link members 310.
Between the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 and the first and second guide portions 340 and 350, guide rollers 380 are interposed so as to guide the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 rectilinearly or curvilinearly when the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 rotate.
The second rotary members 330 are formed with a rotary projection 331, which is adapted to be engaged in a second rotary hole 312, which is formed in each of the link members 310.
A first joint member 321 formed on the top side of each of the first rotary members 320 is fitted through a joint connection member 371 in one of the elastic connection members 370.
A second joint member 322 formed on the bottom side of each of the first rotary members 320 is inserted into a corresponding one of the first guide portions 340 so that the second joint member 322 can be linearly guided by the corresponding first guide portion 340.
As illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33, the first and second guide portions 340 and 350 are formed by guide holes, so that the first and second rotary members 320 and 340 can be inserted into and rectilinearly or curvilinearly guided by the first and second guide portions 340 and 350. In this state, one end 361 of each elastic member 360 is engaged with an engagement part 371a formed on a corresponding joint connection member 371 of a corresponding elastic connection member 370, and the other end 362 is engaged with an engagement part 372a formed on a corresponding joint connection member 372 of the corresponding elastic connection member 370. In this state, an O-ring 390 is engaged with the top side of each of the first joint connection members 371 so as to prevent the break-away of a corresponding elastic connection member 370.
The hinge devices 300 are provided on the first and second connection members 42 and 43, respectively.
At the central areas of the first rotary members 320, there are provided soft circuit holes 323 so as to electrically interconnect the first and second housings 20 and 30.
In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 34 to 36, if the user wishes to use the mobile phone in the communication mode, the second housing 30 is rotated about the first hinge axis A1 of the first connection member 41 so that the second housing 30 is moved away from the first housing 20. At this time, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are longitudinally aligned.
In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 37 to 40, if the user wishes to watch TV or moving images through the large-sized liquid crystal display unit 33 of the mobile phone 10, the second housing 30 is rotated about the second hinge axis A2 so that the second housing 30 is rotated from the longitudinal orientation to the widthwise orientation.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38, at the same time when the second housing 30 is rotated, the link members 310 are rotated together with the second housing 30, and the second rotary member 330 is released from a first stopper portion 351 in the second guide portion 350. The first stopper portion 351 is formed by an engagement groove, and the second rotary member 330 is curvilinearly guided by the second guide portion 350 when it is released from the engagement groove.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38, at the same time when the second rotary member 330 is released from the first stopper portion 351, the second rotary member 330 is curvilinearly lifted along the longitudinal direction of the second housing 30 by the second guide portion 350, and the first rotary member 320 is also lifted in the longitudinal direction and rectilinearly moved. If so, the elastic member 360 is also rectilinearly moved, thereby producing tension.
At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 38, the second rotary member 330 is lifted by the second guide portion 350 and then curvilinearly moved downward in the longitudinal direction, and the first rotary member 320 is also rectilinearly moved downward in the longitudinal direction.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 39 and 40, the elastic member 360 pulls the first rotary member 320 with the aid of the tension produced as described above, so that the first rotary member 320 is moved downward in the longitudinal direction to its original position, and the second rotary member 330 comes into contact with a second stopper portion 352 in the second guide portion 350, thereby being stopped.
The second housing 30 is semi-automatically rotated 90 degrees by the elastic member 360.
As illustrated in FIG. 40, the first and second housings are arranged in a “T” shape.
Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 41 to 44, if the user wishes to use the mobile phone 10 in a game mode, the first housing 20 is rotated from the longitudinal orientation to the widthwise orientation about the third hinge axis A3, so as to use the keypad 21 of the first housing 20 with two hands.
At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 41 and 42, at the same time when the first housing 20 is rotated, the link members 310 are rotated together with the first housing 20, and the second rotary member 330 is released from the first stopper portion 351 in the second guide portion 350.
As illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44, the first stopper portion 351 is formed by an engagement groove. When released from the engagement groove, the second rotary member 330 is curvilinearly guided by the first guide portion 340. At this time, at the same time when the second rotary member 330 is released from the first stopper portion 351, the second rotary member 330 is curvilinearly moved downward in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 20 by the second guide portion 350, and the first rotary member 320 is also rectilinearly moved downward in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the elastic member 360 is also rectilinearly moved, thereby producing tension.
As illustrated in FIG. 44, the second rotary member 330 is downwardly moved and then rectilinearly moved upward in the longitudinal direction by the second guide portion 350, and the first rotary member 320 is also rectilinearly moved upward in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the elastic member 360 pulls the first rotary member 320 upward in the longitudinal direction with the aid of the tension produced as described above, so that the first rotary member 320 is moved to its original position, and the second rotary member 330 comes into contact with the second guide portion 352, thereby being stopped.
The first housing 20 is semi-automatically rotated 90 degrees by the elastic member 360.
As illustrated in FIG. 44, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are arranged in an “I” shape.
Here, if it is desired to return the first and second housings 20 and 30 to their original positions again from the widthwise orientation to the longitudinal orientation as illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36, the first and second housings 20 and 30 are rotated reversely about the second and third hinge axes A2 and A3, respectively. If so, the second rotary member 330 is released from the second stopper portion 352 and curvilinearly moved along the second guide portions 350, and the first rotary member 320 is rectilinearly moved up and down in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the second rotary member 330 is seated in the first stopper portion 351 again, thereby stopping the rotation of the second housing 30.
The elastic member 360 provides elastic force so as to allow the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 to rectilinearly and curvilinearly move.
At this time the first and second rotary members 320 and 330 are semi-automatically returned to their original positions from the widthwise orientation to the longitudinal orientation.
While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20080051162
