WO2008030012A1

WO2008030012A1 - Swing hinge for use in radio telephone

Info

Publication number: WO2008030012A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myoung Il Chae
Original assignee: Amphenol Phoenix Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-09-07
Filing date: 2007-08-30
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: KR100764228B1; CN101507126A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swing hinge mounted to a portable device such as a cellular phone. According to the present invention, a swing hinge for coupling folded first and second units includes a hinge body coupled to the first unit and having first and second trajectories extending in the same direction from first and second positions, and a movable body coupled to the second unit and having a first connecting portion connected to be movable along the first trajectory of the hinge body and a second connecting portion connected to be movable along the second trajectory of the hinge body, wherein the first and second trajectories respectively have arc shapes with parallel first and second axes as a center, the first axis passes through the second position of the second trajectory, and the second axis passes through the first position of the first trajectory.

Description

Description SWING HINGE FOR USE IN RADIO TELEPHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a swing hinge mounted to a portable device such as a cellular phone. Background Art

[2] A portable device such as a cellular phone includes a keypad having a plurality of buttons, and a liquid crystal display for displaying a picture. In a case where a small- sized liquid crystal display is used, the keypad and the liquid crystal display are provided in a single case unit together. However, when a large- sized liquid crystal display is used, it is not suitable that the keypad and the liquid crystal display be provided in a single case unit together. This is because the cellular phone has increased in size too much to be carried conveniently. In order to use a large-sized liquid crystal display while ensuring convenient carrying, a cellular phone, in which two case units respectively having a keypad and a liquid crystal display are foldable with respect to each other, is generally used these days. Also, as various services such as watching a moving picture using a cellular phone are recently available, a cellular phone in which a case unit having a liquid crystal display may be rotated to be arranged in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction has become more common. To this end, a swing hinge for connecting the unit provided with a liquid crystal display is required. In case of a foldable cellular phone configured such that two units can be folded and unfolded, the unit provided with a liquid crystal display has a limited shape to be rotated in a horizontal direction as shown in Fig. 6. Referring to Fig. 6, a display unit 16a provided with a liquid crystal display 13a is rotated on a rotating axis 110a with respect to a connection unit 15a. A lower end 161a of the display unit 16a has a rounded shape not to interfere with a protruding coupling portion 153a when being rotated. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[3] An object of the present invention is to provide a swing hinge suitable for a portable device such as a cellular phone. Another object of the present invention is to provide a swing hinge configured such that a rotating unit has a rotating structure without limitation in its shape. A further object of the present invention is to provide a swing hinge with operating features ensuring convenient use, and an operating method of a cellular phone to which the swing hinge is mounted. Technical Solution [4] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swing hinge for coupling folded first and second units, including a hinge body coupled to the first unit and having first and second trajectories extending in the same direction from first and second positions to third and fourth positions, and a movable body coupled to the second unit and having a first connecting portion connected to be movable along the first trajectory of the hinge body and a second connecting portion connected to be movable along the second trajectory of the hinge body, the first and second trajectories respectively having arc shapes with parallel first and second axes as a center, the first axis passing through the second position of the second trajectory, the second axis passing through the first position of the first trajectory.

[5] The swing hinge comprises a first elastic member for providing elastic force between the first connecting portion of the movable body and the hinge body; and a second elastic member for providing elastic force between the second connecting portion of the movable body and the hinge body.

[6] The first elastic member provides force for restraining the first connecting portion of the movable body from departing from the first or third position of the first trajectory of the hinge body.

[7] The second elastic member provides force for restraining the second connecting portion of the movable body from departing from the second or fourth position of the second trajectory of then hinge body.

[8] In the swing hinge, at least one of the first and second elastic members may include an elastic portion having a coil, and extensions extending from the elastic portion and connected to the hinge body and the movable body respectively.

[9] In the swing hinge, the elastic portion of the elastic member may have two coils and a connecting portion for connecting the two coils.

[10] In the swing hinge, the movable body may have a rod shape extending between the first and second connecting portions.

Advantageous Effects

[11] According to the features of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the aforementioned objects. Specifically, since a unit can rotate subsequently along two different arc trajectories, the swing hinge enables the unit to rotate without any interference with other structures, whereby the display unit is not limited in its shape. Brief Description of the Drawings

[12] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable cellular phone in an unfolded state, to which a swing hinge according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

[13] Figs. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing a second case member and a coupling member shown in Fig. 1, in which the swing hinge for connecting the second case member and the coupling member is also exploded.

[14] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing that the swing hinge shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is mounted to the second case member and the coupling member.

[15] Figs. 5 (a) to (c) are plan views illustrating operating stages of the swing hinge shown in Fig. 4.

[16] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional foldable cellular phone in a folded state. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[17] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[18] Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a foldable cellular phone 10 to which a swing hinge 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted includes a main body 12, and a foldable body 14 that can be folded or unfolded with respect to the main body 12. The main body 12 is provided with a keypad 11. The foldable body 14 includes a connection unit 15 connected to the main body 12 to be rotatable about a rotating axis 100, and a display unit 16 coupled to the connection unit 15 through the swing hinge 20 and provided with a liquid crystal display 13. As the connection unit 15 rotates on the rotating axis 100 with respect to the main body 12, the cellular phone 10 is folded or unfolded to close or open the liquid crystal display 13 of the display unit 16. The connection unit 15 includes a support 151 having a plate shape, and two connecting portions 153 respectively provided at both sides of one end of the support 151. The two connecting portions 153 protrude further than a front surface 152 of the support 151 and are rotatably connected to a connecting portion 121 of the main body 12. The front surface 152 of the support 151 is provided with a receiving portion 154 recessed such that the swing hinge 20 is exactly fitted therein. The receiving portion 154 has a shape substantially identical to that of a hinge body 30 of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later. A bottom 155 of the receiving portion 154 is formed with first and second auxiliary trajectories 1551 and 1552 respectively corresponding to first and second trajectories 32 and 34 of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later. The first and second auxiliary trajectories 1551 and 1552 receive heads 901 and 911 of first and second trajectory connection members 90 and 91 of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later, respectively. In addition, the bottom 155 of the receiving portion 154 is provided with grooves 1553 for receiving protruding ends of coupling members 95 for an elastic member of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later. Also, a plurality of through holes 1554 are provided in the bottom 155 of the receiving portion 154. Fastening screws (not shown) are inserted through the through holes 1554 and then coupled to the hinge body 30 of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later. A movable body 40 of the swing hinge 20, which will be described later, is coupled to a rear side 161 of the display unit 16 through through holes 162 using screws (not shown).

[19] Referring to Figs. 2 to 4, the swing hinge 20 includes the hinge body 30, the movable body 40 movably coupled to the hinge body 30, and first and second elastic members 50 and 60. The hinge body 30 has a bottom plate 31, and a sidewall 311 extended from the bottom plate 31. The hinge body 30 is fitted in the receiving portion 154 formed in the support 151 of the connection unit 15, so that the bottom plate 31 is in contact with the bottom 155 of the receiving portion 154 and also the sidewall 311 is into contact with a sidewall 156 of the receiving portion 154. The bottom plate 31 of the hinge body 30 is provided with the first and second trajectories 32 and 34, which extend from first and second positions 321 and 341 in the same direction and formed and are bored through the bottom plate 31. The first trajectory 32 has an arc shape with a first axis 110 passing through the second position 341 as a center, and extends to a third position 322. The second trajectory 34 has an arc shape with a second axis 120 passing through the first position 321 as a center, and extends to a fourth position 342. The first trajectory 32 is formed longer than the second trajectory 34. The first and second trajectory coupling members 90 and 91, which are movable along the first and second trajectories 32 and 34, are inserted into the first and second trajectories 32 and 34, respectively. The first and second trajectory coupling members 90 and 91 include the heads 901 and 911 and extensions 902 and 912 extending therefrom, respectively. The head 901 of the first trajectory coupling member 90 is positioned out of the bottom plate 31 of the hinge body 30. The extension 902 passes through the first trajectory 32, a first connection ring 55 of the first elastic member 50, and a hole 421 of a first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40, which will be described later, in order. An end of the extension 902 is caulked so that the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 and the first connection ring 55 of the first elastic member 50 are movable along the first trajectory 32. The head 911 of the second trajectory coupling member 91 is positioned out of the bottom plate 31 of the hinge body 30. The extension 912 passes through the second trajectory 34, a first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60, and a hole 441 in a second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40, which will be described later, in order. An end of the extension 912 is caulked so that the second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40 and the first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60 are movable along the second trajectory 34.

[20] The movable body 40 has a thin rod shape and includes first and second connecting portions 42 and 44 positioned at both ends thereof. The two connecting portions 42 and 44 are respectively provided with the through holes 421 and 441 into which the extensions 902 and 912 of the first and second trajectory coupling members 90 and 91 may be inserted. The first connecting portion 42 is movable along the first trajectory 32, and the second connecting portion 44 is movable along the second trajectory 34. The movable body 40 is coupled to the rear side 161 of the display unit 16 by means of screws (not shown) or the like.

[21] The first elastic member 50 has an elastic portion 52 for giving elastic force, and two extensions 54 extending to flare from the elastic portion 52 to an end thereof. The elastic portion 52 has two coils 51 connected to each other through a connecting portion 53. The extensions 54 extend from the two coils 51 and have first and second connection rings 55 and 56 provided at ends thereof, respectively. The elastic portion 52 provides force in a direction in which the first and second connection rings 55 and 56 are restrained from approaching each other. The first connection ring 55 is movable along the first trajectory 32, and the second connection ring 56 is fixed to the hinge body 30. A fixing position of the second connection ring 56 is determined such that the distance between the two connection rings 55 and 56 is shortest when the first connection ring 55 is located at any position between the first position 321 and the third position 322. Thus, the first elastic member 50 provides force in a direction in which the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 which is located at the first position 321 or the third position 322 of the first trajectory 32 is restrained from departing from that position. The second elastic member 60 has the same configuration as the first elastic member 50. The first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60 is movable along the second trajectory 34, and the second connection ring 66 is fixed to the hinge body 30. A fixing position of the second connection ring 66 is determined such that the distance between the two connection rings 65 and 66 is shortest when the first connection ring 65 is located at any position between the second position 341 and the fourth position 342 of the second trajectory 34. Thus, the second elastic member 60 provides force in a direction in which the second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40 which is located at the second position 341 or the fourth position 342 of the second trajectory 34 is restrained from departing from that position.

[22] Now, the operation of this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to

Fig. 5.

[23] Fig. 5 (a) shows a state where the display unit 16 is arranged lengthwise with respect to the connection unit 15. At this time, the swing hinge 20 is arranged such that the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 and the first connection ring 55 of the first elastic member 50 are located at the first position 321 of the first trajectory 32, and the second connecting portion 44 and the first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60 are located at the fourth position 342 of the second trajectory 34. In the state shown in Fig. 5 (a), the display unit 16 can be rotated only in a direction indicated by an arrow about the second axis 120 (in Fig. 3) at which the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 is positioned. However, the second elastic member 60 restrains this rotation. Thereafter, if a sufficient external force is applied to rotate the display unit 16 in the arrowed direction about the second axis 120 (in Fig. 3), the display unit 16 is rotated without interference with the connecting portions 153 of the connection unit 15, and the second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40 moves along the second trajectory 34. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5 (b), the second connecting portion 44 is located at the second position 341 of the second trajectory 34.

[24] In the state of Fig. 5 (b), the swing hinge 20 is in a state where the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 and the first connection ring 55 of the first elastic member 50 are located at the first position 321 of the first trajectory 32, and the second connecting portion 44 and the first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60 are located at the second position 341 of the second trajectory 34. In the state shown in Fig. 5 (b), the display unit 16 can be rotated only in a direction indicated by an arrow about the first axis 110 (in Fig. 3) on which the second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40 is positioned. If external force is applied to rotate the display unit 16 in the arrowed direction about the first axis 110 (in Fig. 3), the display unit 16 is rotated, and the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 moves along the first trajectory 32. As a result, the first connecting portion 42 is located at the third position 322 of the first trajectory 32, as shown in Fig. 5 (c).

[25] Fig. 5 (c) illustrates that the display unit 16 is arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the connection unit 15. At this time, the swing hinge 20 is in a state where the first connecting portion 42 of the movable body 40 and the first connection ring 55 of the first elastic member 50 are located at the third position 322 of the first trajectory 32, and the second connecting portion 44 and the first connection ring 65 of the second elastic member 60 are located at the second position 341 of the second trajectory 34. In the state shown in Fig. 5 (c), the display unit 16 can be rotated only in the arrowed direction about the first axis 110 (in Fig. 3) on which the second connecting portion 44 of the movable body 40 is positioned. However, the first elastic member 60 restrains this rotation.

[26] Although it has been illustrated in the above embodiment that the swing hinge is applied to a cellular phone, the present invention is not limited thereto. It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the swing hinge of the present invention may be applied to other kinds of portable devices.

[27] The present invention is illustrated on the basis of the embodiment, but is not limited thereto. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modi- fications and changes thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A swing hinge for coupling folded first and second units, including a hinge body coupled to the first unit and having first and second trajectories extending in the same direction from first and second positions to third and fourth positions, and a movable body coupled to the second unit and having a first connecting portion connected to be movable along the first trajectory of the hinge body and a second connecting portion connected to be movable along the second trajectory of the hinge body, the first and second trajectories respectively having arc shapes with parallel first and second axes as a center, the first axis passing through the second position of the second trajectory, the second axis passing through the first position of the first trajectory, the swing hinge comprising: a first elastic member for providing elastic force between the first connecting portion of the movable body and the hinge body; and a second elastic member for providing elastic force between the second connecting portion of the movable body and the hinge body, wherein the first elastic member provides force for restraining the first connecting portion of the movable body from departing from the first or third position of the first trajectory of the hinge body, and the second elastic member provides force for restraining the second connecting portion of the movable body from departing from the second or fourth position of the second trajectory of then hinge body.

[2] The swing hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second elastic members includes an elastic portion having a coil, and extensions extending from the elastic portion and connected to the hinge body and the movable body respectively.

[3] The swing hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elastic portion of the elastic member has two coils, and a connecting portion for connecting the two coils.

[4] The swing hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable body has a rod shape extending between the first and second connecting portions.