MOBILE PHONE HAVING DUAL CONNECTION MEMBER AND HINGE DEVICE THEREOF

• US 20080051162A1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: JMC Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: YOON, Yoo-Seok, KIM, Jong-Yang, HYUN, Seung-Hee, LIM, Kyeong-Won, JUNG, Soo-Ik
• Granted Patent: US 8,352,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0227 Rotatable in one plane, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0231 Including a rotatable keypad body part
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0233 Including a rotatable display body part
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts

Abstract

A dual connection member allowing a liquid crystal display unit and a keypad of a mobile phone to rotate and a hinge device thereof are provided. The dual connection member may be used in a mobile phone wherein the mobile phone includes a first housing, a second housing and a dual connection member for interconnecting the first housing and the second housing in such a manner that the second housing is rotatable about a first hinge axis toward or away from the first housing, wherein the first and second housings are connected to the dual connection member in such a manner as to be rotatable about third and second hinge axes, respectively, which extend perpendicular to the front and rear faces of the first and second housings, respectively, the third and second hinge axes being eccentrically positioned in relation to the centers of the first and second housings, respectively, and allowed to be slid as the first and second housings are rotated.

Claims

1. A mobile phone comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing; and

a dual connection member for interconnecting the first housing and the second housing in such a manner that the second housing is rotatable about a first hinge axis toward or away from the first housing, wherein the first and second housings are connected to the dual connection member while being rotatable about third and second hinge axes, respectively, wherein the third and second hinge axes extend perpendicular to the front and rear faces of the first and second housings and are eccentrically positioned in relation to centers of the first and second housings, respectively, and the dual connection member causes the third and second hinge axes to be slid as the first and second housings are rotated.

2. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first housing comprises at least one of a keypad and a microphone.

3. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second housing comprises a first speaker, and a second speaker and a liquid crystal display unit.

4. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dual connection member comprises:

a first connection member providing the first hinge axis and rotatably interconnecting the first and second housings;

a second connection member providing the second hinge axis which is eccentrically positioned from the center of the second housing, wherein the second housing is connected to the second connection member such that the second housing is rotatable about the second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the rear face of the second housing, and the second connection member allows the second hinge axis to be slid as the second housing is rotated; and

a third connection member providing the third hinge axis which is eccentrically positioned from the center of the first housing, wherein the first housing is connected with the third connection member in such a manner that the first housing is rotatable about the third hinge axis extending perpendicular to the front face of the first housing, and the third connection member allows the third hinge axis to be slid as the first housing is rotated.

5. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

when the mobile phone is to be used in a telecommunication mode, the second housing is rotated about the first axis away from the first housing, so that each of the first and second housings is used in a longitudinal orientation;

when the liquid crystal display unit is to be used, the second housing is rotated about the second axis from the longitudinal orientation to a transverse orientation, so that the second housing is used in the transverse orientation; and

when the keypad is to be used, the first housing is rotated about the third hinge axis from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation, so that the first housing is used in the transverse orientation.

6. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

if the second housing is rotated about the second hinge axis, the first and second housings are positioned in an arrangement shaped like “

T”

; and

if the first and second housings are rotated about the third and second hinge axes, respectively, the first and second housings are positioned in an arrangement shaped like “

I.”

7. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotation angle of the second housing with respect to the first housing can be adjusted between 60 degrees and 135 degrees.

8. A hinge device of a mobile phone which comprises a first housing, a second housing, and a dual connection member for interconnecting the first housing and the second housing in such a manner that the second housing is rotatable about a first hinge axis toward or away from the first housing, wherein the first and second housings are connected to the dual connection member while being rotatable about third and second hinge axes, respectively, wherein the third and second hinge axes extend perpendicular to the front and rear faces of the first and second housings and are eccentrically positioned in relation to centers of the first and second housings, respectively, and the dual connection member causes the third and second hinge axes to be slid as the first and second housings are rotated, wherein the hinge device comprises:

a rotary member connected to at least one of the first housing and the second housing while providing the second or third hinge axis, wherein the rotary member is slid and rotated together with the first or second housing when the first or second housing rotates;

a guide means formed in the dual connection member so as to guide the rotary member according to rotation of the first or second housing;

a guide movement member connected to the dual connection member, the guide movement member being rotatably connected with the rotary member and guiding the rotary member to slide;

a holder connected with the guide movement member so as to rotatably support the rotary member; and

an elastic means provided in the guide movement member, the elastic means providing an elastic force for rotating and sliding the rotary member.

9. A hinge device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dual connection member comprises first, second and third connection members, and each of the second and third connection members comprises a mounting recess for receiving a hinge device.

10. A hinge device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rotary member comprises:

a rotator rotatably connected between the holder and a guide rail of a guide movement member;

a guide pin projecting from the outer circumference of the rotator, engaged in a guide groove, and performing guide movement when a corresponding one of the first and second housings is rotated; and

a washer fitted through the rotator and the guide rail so as to support the rotation of the rotator.

11. A hinge device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a through-hole is formed through a central area of the rotator, through which the washer is fitted, and one or more fastening areas are formed around the through-hole so as to fasten the first or second housing.

12. A hinge device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide means comprises a guide groove which is formed in a corresponding mounting recess so as to guide the rotary member when the first or second housing is rotated.

13. A hinge device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guide movement member comprises:

a guide member fitted in a mounting recess, which is formed in a corresponding one of the second and third connection members, so as to slidably guide the guide rail; and

a pair of guide bars mounted on the opposite sides of the guide member so as to be slidably engaged with the guide rail, wherein the guide rail is connected with the holder, and the rotator is rotatably mounted between the holder and the guide rail.

14. A hinge device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pair of mounting areas are provided at opposite sides of the guide member for mounting the guide bars, respectively, and one or more fastening areas are additionally formed on at least one of the top and the bottom part of the guide member in such a manner as to be fastened to the corresponding one of the second and third connection members.

15. A hinge device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the guide rail comprises a through-hole through which the washer is fitted, and the guide rail further comprises one or more fastening areas, wherein the guide rail is fastened to the corresponding one of the first and second housings by aligning the fastening areas with one or more connection holes formed through the holder and fastening one or more screws through the aligned holes.

16. A hinge device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the elastic means comprises a plurality of spring members, which are positioned between the opposite side areas of the guide rail and the guide member, and one end of each spring member is engaged with one of first spring anchoring members projecting from the opposite side areas of the guide member and the other end is engaged with one of second spring anchoring members projection from the opposite side areas of the guide rail.

17. A hinge device as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the mounting recesses further comprises one or more spring operation grooves which provides a space for allowing the springs to be moved.

18. A hinge device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the guide member further comprises a pair of dampers, each of which is placed at one end of each of the opposite sides thereof, the dampers absorbing shock occurring when the guide rail is run against the guide member while being moved.

19. A hinge device as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the guide groove comprises first, second and third stopper areas;

when the first or second housing is rotated from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation about the third or second axis, the first stopper area comes into contact with the guide pin, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin;

when the guide pin performs the guide movement along the guide groove, the guide pin enters and then escapes from the second stopper areas, thereby passing by the second stopper area; and

when the first or second housing is rotated from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation, the third stopper area comes into contact with the guide pin, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin.

20. A hinge device as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

the guide groove comprises first, second and third stopper areas;

when the first or second housing is rotated from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation about the third or second axis, the first stopper area comes into contact with the guide pin, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin;

when the guide pin performs the guide movement along the guide groove, the guide pin enters and then escapes from the second stopper areas, thereby passing by the second stopper area; and

when the first or second housing is rotated from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation, the third stopper area comes into contact with the guide pin, thereby stopping the guide movement of the guide pin.

21. A hinge device of a mobile phone which comprises a first housing, a second housing, and a dual connection member for interconnecting the first housing and the second housing in such a manner that the second housing is rotatable about a first hinge axis toward or away from the first housing, wherein the first and second housings are connected to the dual connection member while being rotatable about third and second hinge axes, respectively, wherein the third and second hinge axes extend perpendicular to the front and rear faces of the first and second housings and are eccentrically positioned in relation to centers of the first and second housings, respectively, and the dual connection member causes the third and second hinge axes to be slid as the first and second housings are rotated, wherein the hinge device comprises:

a rotary member connected to the first or second housing and providing the second or third hinge axis, so that the rotary member is slid and rotated together with the first or second housing when the first or second housing is rotated;

a rotational movement means formed in the dual connection member, the rotational movement means causing the rotary member to rotate along a predetermined trace according to rotation of the first or second housing;

a guide movement member connected to the dual connection member, the guide movement member being rotatably connected with the rotary member and guiding the rotary member to slide; and

an elastic means provided in the guide movement member, the elastic means providing an elastic force for rotating and sliding the rotary member.

22. A hinge device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the dual connection member comprises first, second and third connection members, and each of the second and third connection members comprises a mounting recess for receiving a hinge device.

23. A hinge device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the rotary member comprises:

a rotator assembled with at least one of the first and second housing and rotatably assembled with the guide movement member;

a guide pin formed on the rotator and fitted in the rotary hole formed in the second or third connection member, so that the guide pin rotates along a predetermined trace when one of the first and second housing is rotated; and

a washer fitted through the rotator and the guide rail so as to support the rotation of the rotator.

24. A hinge device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the rotator comprises a through-hole through a central area of the rotator, through which the washer is fitted, and one or more fastening areas are additionally formed around the through-hole so as to fasten to at least one of the first and second housing.

25. A hinge device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the rotational movement means comprises a curved rotary hole, and the guide pin is fitted in the rotary hole so that the guide pin rotates along a predetermined trace when at least one of the first and second housing is rotated.

26. A hinge device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the guide movement member comprises:

a guide rail connected to at least one of the second and third connection member;

a guide member rotatably connected with the rotator and slidably connected with the guide rail; and

a pair of guide bars mounted on opposite sides of the guide member and slidably engaged with the guide rail.

27. A hinge device as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a pair of mounting areas on the opposite sides of the guide member for mounting the guide bars, respectively, and the guide member comprises a through-hole through which the washer is fitted so as to allow the rotator to be rotated.

28. A hinge device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the guide rail further comprises one or more fastening areas which are engaged with one or more projections formed on the second or third connection member.

29. A hinge device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the elastic means comprises a plurality of spring members, which are positioned between the opposite sides of the guide member, and one end of each of the spring members is engaged with one of first spring anchoring members projecting from opposite side areas of the guide member and the other end is engaged with one of second spring anchoring members anchored to at least one of the second and the third connection member.

30. A hinge device as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

the guide rotary hole comprises first and second stopper areas;

when the first or second housing is rotated from the transverse orientation to the longitudinal orientation about the third or second hinge axis respectively, the first stopper area allows the guide pin to escape from the second stopper area, thereby rotating along a predetermined trace and then to come into contact with the first stopper area at the termination position, thereby stopping the rotational movement; and

when the first or second housing is rotated from the longitudinal orientation to the transverse orientation about the second or third hinge axis respectively, the second stopper area allows the guide pin to escape from the first stopper area, thereby rotating along a predetermined trace and to come into contact with the second stopper area at the termination position.

31. A hinge device of a mobile phone comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a dual connection member for interconnecting the first housing and the second housing in such a manner that the second housing is rotatable about a first hinge axis toward or away from the first housing, the first and second housings being connected to the dual connection member in such a manner that they are respectively rotatable about second and third hinge axes which extend perpendicular to the front and rear faces of the first and second housings, respectively, wherein the hinge device comprises:

link members assembled to the first and second housings, respectively;

first and second rotary members rotatably connected respectively to at least one of the link members;

first and second guide portions formed in the dual connection member for receiving the first and second rotary members so as to guide the rectilinear movement of the first rotary members and the curvilinear movement of the second rotary members when the first and second rotary members rotate about the second and third hinge axes, as well as to rectilinearly guide the second and third hinge axes, so that the first and second housings are centrally positioned with reference to the dual connection member;

elastic members connected to the first rotary members and the dual connection member so as to provide force for allowing the first and second rotary members to be rectilinearly and curvilinearly moved; and

elastic connection members for connecting the elastic members to the first rotary members and the dual connection member.

32. A hinge device as claimed in claim 31, wherein each of the link members comprises first and second rotary holes which are rotatably engaged with the first and second rotary members, respectively.

33. A hinge device as claimed in claim 32, wherein a first joint member is formed on the top side of each of the first rotary members, the first joint member being fitted through a first joint connection member of the elastic connection member,

a second joint member is formed on the bottom side of each of the first rotary member, the second joint member extending through one of the first guide portions and rotatably fitted in one of the first rotary holes formed in the link members, and

each of the first rotary members comprises a soft circuit hole at the central area thereof, which electrically interconnects the first and second housings.

34. A hinge device as claimed in claim 32, wherein each of the second rotary members comprises a rotary projection which extends through one of the second guide portions and is fitted in one of the second rotary holes formed in the link members.

35. A hinge device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the first and second guide portions include guide holes, through which the first and second rotary members extend, the guide holes allowing the first and second rotary members to be rectilinearly and curvilinearly guided, and

the guide holes comprise guide rollers which are fitted through the first and second rotary members and allow the first and second rotary members to be rectilinearly and curvilinearly guided.

36. A hinge device as claimed in claim 31, wherein one end of each of the second guide portions comprises a first stopper portion which comes into contact with one of the second rotary members, thereby rendering the second rotary members to be stopped at a rotation terminating position of the first and second housings, and

the other end of each of the second guide portions comprises a second stopper portion which comes into contact with one of the second rotary members, thereby rendering the second rotary members to be stopped in a state in which the first and second housings are rotated 90 degrees.

37. A hinge device as claimed in claim 36, wherein each of the first stopper portions comprises an engagement groove, in which one of the second members is removably engaged when the first and second housings are rotated.

38. A hinge device as claimed in claim 31, wherein each of the elastic members comprises at least one spring.

39. A hinge device as claimed in claim 36, wherein each of the elastic connection members comprises:

a first joint connection member extending through the first joint member of one of the first rotary member and being engaged with one end of one of the elastic members; and

a second joint connection member provided on the dual connection member and engaged with the other end of the one of the elastic members.