The present invention relates generally to sliding-motion arrangements for electronic devices.
The development of portable electronic devices can be characterized, at least in part, by a drive towards smaller size and greater functionality. Although the number of functions available is almost solely a matter of technological progress, miniaturization is limited by human factors such as biometrics. Thus, as the capabilities of electronic devices increase, the abilities of a user to select and control these functions becomes more difficult. One example of this paradox is illustrated in mobile electronic devices such as cell phones. Features such as internet access, text messaging, video streaming, and music storage/replay are being added to cell phones on a frequent basis, while the size of cell phones is decreasing. At the same time, the body of the device must be of sufficient size to accommodate the placement of usable control interfaces.
Several solutions to this dilemma have been brought forward. The most popular of these is a “clamshell” structure, wherein the device is hinged near its center. Clamshell structures present a compact package when folded, to facilitate storage of the device in a pocket or purse. When the device is unfolded for use, a full array of controls and displays becomes accessible. Furthermore, clamshell structure can be configured to open to approximately 155°, thus providing an advantageous angular position between the earpiece speaker and the mouthpiece microphone of the mobile electronic device.
Another proposed solution is the provision of a sliding mechanism. In these arrangements, portions of the device are connected by a mechanism that permits one portion to slide relative to another, allowing the device to alternate between compact and extended positions. Some sliding mechanisms are provided with a “curved” slider, which approximates the advantageous angular positioning of the clamshell structure.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Before describing in detail certain illustrative embodiments, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to sliding arrangements in electronic devices. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
An electronic device has a first housing portion and a second housing portion that slide relative to each other to result in compact and extended positions (as well as intermediate positions). The sliding mechanism includes a cam plate secured to the first housing portion and a slider plate attached to the second housing portion. A biasing mechanism attaches the cam plate to the slider plate and urges the first housing portion and the second housing portion out of any intermediate position and toward either the compact or extended position.
The biasing mechanism can be an elastic biasing member (such as an expansion spring, a compression spring, or an elastic band) and a cam (such as a slot or track) having a geometry so as to create the bi-stable effect of urging the first housing portion and the second housing portion out of any intermediate position and toward either the compact or extended position.
An embodiment of an electronic device 101 incorporating a sliding arrangement is shown in
The electronic device 101 includes a housing having a first portion 102 and a second portion 103. Although the second portion 103 is shown to have a curvature on a front surface 110, the sliding arrangement can also be applied to a device with a planar front surface (best seen in
An illustrative embodiment of the sliding mechanism 104 is shown in
The sliding mechanism also includes a slider plate 304. The slider plate 304 is provided with a cam follower slot 305 in which a pair of cam followers 306, 307 are mounted for reciprocation. As shown here, the cam follower slot is a two-dimensional slot, but it can also be implemented as a three-dimensional tube. The cam followers 306, 307 extend through the respective cam slots 302, 303, and are attached together via a biasing member 308, here provided as a spring. Although the cam followers 306, 307 are shown here as rollers, one or more cam followers can be implemented as low-friction posts, pegs, or the like fabricated using a suitable material such as Teflon®. Low-friction posts would replace the rolling action of the rollers with a sliding movement while allowing the electronic device to tend toward an open (fully extended) or closed position. The biasing member 308 is an extension spring, i.e., the biasing member 308 is compressed in its normal or rest position, and exerts an inwardly-acting force as it is extended. It is contemplated that the biasing member can be provided as any suitable device for storing potential mechanical energy, such as a spring, elastic band, or the like. The cam followers 306, 307 and biasing member 308 cooperate with the cam slots 302, 303 to constitute a biasing mechanism for operation of the sliding mechanism. The slider plate 304 is adapted and constructed to be secured to the other portion of the housing 103 of the electronic device 101 by any suitable mechanism, for example, by a plurality of fasteners such as screws, with an adhesive, or by welding. Although the cam plate 301 and the slider plate 304 are shown in this embodiment as components separate from the first portion 102 and the second portion 103 of a housing, the cam plate 301 or the slider plate 304, or both, could be part of their respective housing portions and integrally formed therein and thereon.
Operation of the sliding mechanism 104 is illustrated in
Opening of the electronic device 101 occurs in the reverse of the movement arrow 701 shown in
The cam plate 301 and slider plate 304 can be affixed to respective walls of the housing portions 102, 103 of the electronic device 101. In
An alternative embodiment of a sliding mechanism 1100 is shown in
The sliding mechanism also includes a slider plate 1104. The slider plate 1104 is provided with a cam follower retaining slot 1105 in which a pair of cam followers 1106, 1107 are mounted for reciprocation. As can be seen, a cam follower slot can be a three-dimensional retainer such as the tube shown. The cam followers 1106, 1107 extend in opposite directions to come into contact with the respective cam surfaces 1102, 1103, and are held together via a biasing member, here provided as a spring 1108. The spring 1108 is a compression spring, i.e., the spring 1108 is extended in its normal or rest position, and exerts an outwardly-acting force as it is compressed.
Operation of the sliding mechanism 1100 is similar to that described with respect to the embodiment illustrated in
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.