Patent ID: 8060158
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A hinge apparatus for a portable terminal including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing, the hinge apparatus comprising: a first connection terminal mounted on the first housing; a second connection terminal mounted on the second housing, a connection member electrically connected to the second connection terminal and reciprocating between the first and second connection terminals, wherein the connection member extends to make an electrical contact with the first connection terminal when the second housing is folded to the first housing by rotation about a hinge axis, and the connection member disrupts the electrical contact when the second housing is unfolded from the first housing; and a hinge housing mounted on the second housing, a hinge cam movably received in the hinge housing, and a hinge shaft rotatably received in the hinge housing while facing the hinge cam, wherein the connection member is supported by a first end of the hinge cam as the connection member moves along with the hinge cam, wherein the hinge cam has a plurality of mountain-shaped portions formed on a first surface of the hinge cam, the hinge shaft has a plurality of valley-shaped portions formed on a second surface of the hinge shaft, the first surface faces the second surface, and the mountain-shaped portions and the valley-shaped portions are engaged with one another so that the connection member makes electrical contact with the first connection terminal when the second housing is folded to the first housing, and the mountain-shaped portions withdraw from the valley-shaped portions so that the connection member disrupts the electrical contact when the second housing is unfolded from the first housing.