Patent ID: 7613293
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: H04M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hinge apparatus for a portable terminal comprising a first housing and a second housing folded onto the first housing to be opposed to the first housing or rotated away from the first housing, the hinge apparatus rotatably connecting the second housing to the first housing and providing driving force for urging the second housing to be folded onto the first housing or to be rotated away from the first housing, depending on a rotational angle of the second housing, the hinge apparatus comprising: a hinge housing associated with the second housing, the hinge housing comprising an internal wall with at least one guide groove extending in a circumferential direction; and a damping member rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotated as the second housing rotates, the damping member comprising at least one frictional projection, wherein in a first section extending in a direction away from the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the at least one frictional projection contacts the internal wall of the hinge housing, and wherein in a second section extending away from the first housing from an end of the first section, the at least one frictional projection is received in the at least one guide groove and moves along the at least one guide groove, and wherein in a third section extending from an end of the second section to a position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the at least one frictional projection contacts the internal wall of the hinge housing.