Abstract:
Disclosed is a serration apparatus for a portable terminal mounted in a camera lens module of the portable terminal having a serration module. The serration apparatus includes a first serration gearing; a second serration gearing mounted on the camera lens module and receiving and compressively meshing with the first serration gearing within its inner side, wherein when the camera lens module is rotated, the second serration gearing is rotated with the camera lens module and produces frictional force against the first serration gearing, thereby creating a clicking feeling; and an elastic member for providing compressing force to cause the first and second gearings to be meshed with each other.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to an application entitled “Serration Apparatus for Portable Terminal” filed with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Mar. 9, 2005 and assigned Serial No. 2005-19789, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a serration apparatus for a portable terminal, and in particular to a serration apparatus for a portable terminal provided with a serration module which is mounted and assembled to a camera lens module of the mobile phone.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Typically, a “portable communication apparatus” refers to an apparatus which allows a user to perform wireless communication with another person while carrying the apparatus. A portable communication apparatus can include Hand Held Phones (HHP&#39;s), CT-2 cellular phones, digital phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA&#39;s), etc. and can be classified into various types on the basis of the appearance thereof. For example, the portable communication apparatus can be classified into bar type, flip type or folder type portable terminal according to its appearance. Bar type mobile terminals have a single bar-shaped housing, flip type mobile terminals have a flip or cover rotatably connected to a bar-shaped housing via a hinge device, and folder type mobile terminals have a folder rotatably connected to a single bar-shaped housing via a hinge device.  
         [0006]     To facilitate image communication, a conventional portable communication apparatus is provided with a camera lens module (well known in the art) to allow photographing of an object. Such a lens module comprises a camera lens, a Change Coupled Device (CCD) device and circuitry for transmitting a signal from the CCD device.  
         [0007]     A camera lens module mounted in an above-mentioned folder type terminal is described below by way of an example.  
         [0008]     A conventional folder type terminal comprises a body housing  1  with a plurality of keys  1   a  and a microphone  1   c,  a folder  2  with an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module  2   a  and a speaker (not shown), and a hinge device  3  for rotatably interconnecting the body housing  1  and the folder  2  (as shown in  FIG. 17 ). The hinge device  3  consists of a hinge housing  3   a,  a hinge cam  3   b,  a hinge shaft  3   c  and a hinge spring  3   d,  as shown in  FIG. 3 . A camera lens module  4  is rotatably mounted in one of the body housing  1 , the folder  2  and the hinge device  3 . A serration apparatus  5  is provided at one side of the camera lens module  4 , so that the vibration of the lens module  4  produced as the lens module  4  is rotated can be transferred by tactile sense to a user.  
         [0009]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the serration apparatus  5  of the camera lens module  4  comprises a first serration dummy  5   a,  a second serration dummy  5   b  having a pogo spring  6  engaged with one side of the first serration dummy  5   a  so as to create clicking feeling when the first serration dummy  5   a  is rotated, and an interconnection device  7  for interconnecting the first and second dummies  5   a  and  5   b.    
         [0010]     When assembling such a conventional serration apparatus for a conventional portable terminal, it is necessary to separately assemble the first and second serration dummies and interconnection device, to fit the assembly onto a hinge arm provided in the terminal, to mount the camera lens module from this state, and then to connect hinge modules in sequence. As the number of assembled parts increases, it is difficult to assemble the camera lens module and the serration apparatus.  
         [0011]     In addition, the conventional serration apparatus for a portable terminal has a disadvantage in that because the first and second serration dummies are both formed from a metallic material, material costs and costs for post-processing, such as plating, are increased and manufacturing costs are high as compared with a product formed from a plastic material.  
         [0012]     Moreover, there is also a problem in that it is difficult to manufacture the parts such as the first and second serration dummies because it is necessary to form a hole for passing a flexible circuit provided for the camera lens module through each of the first and second serration dummies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in conventional systems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module, in which a serration module is configured to be mounted in and assembled to the camera lens module of the portable terminal, so that the clicking feeling and assembling process of the camera lens can be improved.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module, in which plural serration gearings adapted to mesh with each other are provided in the portable terminal, so that the rotation clicking feeling of the camera lens module can be improved.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a serration apparatus for a portable terminal, in which the serration apparatus is provided with a stopper function, so that the stopper function of the camera lens can be improved.  
         [0016]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module, in which the serration apparatus is formed from a synthetic resin material, so that the material costs can be reduced and the manufacturing costs can be saved by avoiding and reducing post-processing requirements.  
         [0017]     In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module including a first serration gearing; a second serration gearing mounted on the camera lens module, wherein the second serration gearing receives the first serration gearing within its interior and is compressed against the first serration gearing to mesh with the first serration gearing, and when the camera lens module is rotated, the second serration gearing is rotated with the camera lens module and produces frictional force against the first serration gearing, thereby creating a clicking feeling; and elastic means for providing compressing force to cause the first and second gearing to be meshed with each other.  
         [0018]     According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module including a pogo spring mounted on the camera lens module; and a serration module connected to the camera lens module to correspond to the pogo spring, thereby producing frictional force and thus creating a clicking feeling as the camera lens module is rotated in a forward or reverse direction.  
         [0019]     In addition, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a serration apparatus for a portable terminal having a camera lens module including a serration housing restrained in the camera lens module; and a serration module provided in the serration housing and having a pogo spring around its circumferential periphery to correspondingly contact with an inner surface of the serration housing, thereby producing frictional force and thus creating a clicking feeling when the camera lens module is rotated in a forward or reverse direction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional serration apparatus for a portable terminal;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the serration apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the assembled state;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing the sequence of assembling the serration apparatus to a folder type portable terminal having a conventional camera lens module;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of a serration apparatus for a portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing serration gearing among various components of the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention while being assembled;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view showing the sequence of assembling the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view showing the operating state of the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention in cross-section, before the serration apparatus is operated;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side view showing the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention in cross-section, while the serration apparatus is being operated;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view showing a position for mounting a coil spring among the various components of the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view showing the coil spring among the various components of the serration apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention while the coil spring is being mounted;  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of a serration apparatus for a portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the serration apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the state of being assembled;  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the operating state of the serration apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the serration apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the state of being mounted in a portable terminal;  
         [0037]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view showing the sequence of assembling the components of the serration apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of a serration apparatus for a portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing the serration apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing the operating state of the serration apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted to avoid making the subject matter of the present invention unclear.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIGS. 4-8 , a serration apparatus  10  for a portable terminal comprises first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  and elastic means  40 , wherein the first serration gearing  20  is fitted and secured to one end of a hinge device  3 , so that the first serration gearing  20  correspondingly meshes with the second serration gearing  30 . The first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  are fitted in one side of the camera lens module  4  in such a manner that the first serration gearing  20  is received within the interior of the second serration gearing  30  and compressed against the second serration gearing  30 , so that the first and second serration gears  20 ,  30  mesh with each other and the second serration gearing  30  is rotated with the camera lens module  4  as the camera lens module  4  is rotated. During rotation, a frictional force is produced between the first and second gearings  20 ,  30 , to create a clicking feeling, and the elastic means  40  is interposed between one side of the second serration gearing  30  and the one side of the camera lens module  4  to provide a compressing force for causing the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  to mesh with each other.  
         [0043]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the camera lens module  4  comprises upper and lower cases  4   a,    4   b  and a reception space  4   c  is formed at the one side of the camera lens module  4  so that the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  and the elastic means  40  can be sequentially received within the space  4   c.    
         [0044]     As shown in FIGS.  5  to  7 , a gearing-side fixing hole  21  is formed through the center of the first serration gearing  20  so that the one end of the hinge device  3  installed on the terminal is fitted and fixed in the fixing hole  21 , and the gearing-side fixing hole  21  has a first toothed section  22  consisting of peaks and valleys having a curvature and formed around the hole  21  in such a way that the first toothed section  22  can mesh and rotate with the second serration gearing  30 .  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second serration gearing  30  consists of a fixing part  31 , a rotation hole  32  and a second toothed section  33 , wherein the fixing part  31  is formed around an outer periphery of the second serration gearing  30  in such a way that the fixing part  31  is fitted and fixed in the one side of the camera lens module  4 , thus to be capable of rotating along with the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the rotation hole  32  is formed through the center of the serration gearing  30 , so that one end of the hinge device  3  of the terminal is fitted in the rotation hole  32  to rotatably support the second serration gear  30 , and the second toothed section  33  is formed around the rotation hole  32  to mesh with the first toothed section  22 .  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fixing part  31  is formed with a detachment prevention ridge  31   a,  which is caught in a catch groove  4   d  formed in the reception space  4   c  of the camera lens module  4 , thereby preventing the fixing part  31  from being detached.  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the elastic means  40  comprises at least one coil spring  40  and as shown in  FIG. 11 , the coil spring  40  is interposed between one side of the first serration gearing  20  and one side of the hinge device  3  of the terminal, to compress the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  against one another.  
         [0049]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 12 , two coil springs  40  may be provided on both sides of the first and second serration gearing  20 ,  30  so as to increase the compressing force between the first and second gearings  20 ,  30 .  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  9  and  10 , the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  are provided with a stopper means  50  to limit the rotation of the camera lens module  4 , wherein the stopper means  50  comprises a stopper member  51  and a locker member  52 , with the stopper member  51  formed on the center of the first serration gearing  20  and projects outwardly to be fitted in a recess of the locker member  52 . The recess of the locker member  52  is engaged with the stopper member  51  and comes into contact with the stopper member  51  when the second serration gearing  30  is rotated, thereby limiting the rotation, and in addition, the locker member  52  is formed with a locking projection  52   a  caught by a catching projection  51   a  formed on the stopper member  51 , thereby limiting the rotation of the locker member  52 .  
         [0051]     The first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  are preferably formed from a synthetic resin material.  
         [0052]     Now, operation of the serration apparatus of a portable terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention and configured as described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.  4  to  12 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  and the coil spring  40  are sequentially assembled in the reception space  4   c  formed on the one side of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the coil spring  40  is interposed between one side of the camera lens module  4  and one side of the second serration gearing  30 , and the first serration gearing  20  is rotatably fitted in a rotation hole  32  formed on the other side of the second serration gearing  30 .  
         [0055]     At this time, the first toothed section  22  and the second toothed section  33  formed on the first serration gearing  20  and the second serration gearing  30 , respectively, mesh with each other.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , because the second serration gearing  30  is formed with the fixing part  31  having the detachment prevention ridge  31   a  adapted to be caught in the catch groove  4   d  formed in the reception space  4   c  of the camera lens module  4 , the detachment prevention ridge of the fixing part  31  is caught in the catch groove  4   d  simultaneously when the second serration gearing  30  is inserted into the reception space  4   c.    
         [0057]     From this state, the camera lens module  4  is rotatably fitted in the terminal and the hinge apparatus  3  of the terminal is assembled to the first and serration gearings  20 ,  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0058]     At this time, one end of the hinge shaft  3   c  provided on the hinge device  3   c  is fitted through the gearing-side fixing hole  21  formed at the center of the first serration gearing  20  and fixes the first serration gearing  20 , and the one end of the hinge shaft  3   c  is rotatably fitted through a through-hole formed through the center of the second serration gearing  30 , as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0059]     From this state, if the camera lens module  4  is rotated in a forward direction as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the second serration gearing  30  is rotated along with the camera lens module  4  and the second toothed section  33  is also rotated.  
         [0060]     At this time, because the peaks and valleys of the second toothed section  33  are repeatedly disengaged from and engaged with the valleys and peaks of the first toothed section  22  a frictional force is provided and a clicking feeling is created in the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0061]     As the second serration gearing  30  is compressed by the coil spring interposed between the one side of the lens module  4  and the one side of the second gearing  30  facing the one side of the lens module  4 , the second serration gearing  30  is linearly moved in a longitudinal direction of the lens module  4 , thereby allowing the engagement and release between the peaks and valleys formed on the first and second toothed sections  22 ,  33  of the first and second gearings  20 ,  30 .  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , as the recess of the locker member  52  at the center of the second serration gearing  30  is rotated, the locking projection  52   a  formed on the locker member  52  is rotated along with the locker member  52  and comes into contact with the locking projection  51  a formed on disc-shaped stopper member  51 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 , wherein the stopper member is formed at and projects from the center of the first serration gearing  20 .  
         [0063]     Here, if the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the reverse direction, the first and second toothed sections  22 ,  33  of the first and second serration gearings  20 ,  30  are repeatedly disengaged from and engaged with each other, thereby producing frictional force and thus creating the clicking feeling, and the locking projection  52   a  of the locker member  52  is also rotated and comes into contact with the catching projection  51   a  formed on the disc-shaped stopper member  51  of the first serration gearing  20 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0064]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the coil spring  40  may be interposed between one side of the first serration gearing  20  and one side of the hinge device  3  of the terminal, as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0065]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 12 , two or more coil springs  40  may be provided both sides of the second serration gearing to improve the elastic force provided for the gearings  20 ,  30 .  
         [0066]     Now, the operation process of the serration apparatus for the portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as described below, will be described in more detail with FIGS.  13  to  17 .  
         [0067]     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a pogo spring  60  is mounted on one side of the camera lens module  4 . A reception space  401  is formed at one side of the camera lens module  4 , wherein a spring insertion groove  402  is formed within the reception space  401  for inserting the pogo spring  60  in the longitudinal direction of the camera lens module  4 . Therefore, the pogo spring  60  is inserted into the insertion groove  402 .  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIGS. 14, 15  and  16 , a serration module  70  is fitted in the reception space  401  to correspond to the pogo spring  60 , wherein the serration module  70  generates frictional force as the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the forward or reverse direction, thereby creating clicking feeling.  
         [0069]     The serration module  70  is formed in a disc shape and a plurality of serration grooves  73  are formed and distributed around the inner circumference of the serration module  70  so that the pogo spring  60  is repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from the serration grooves  73 , thereby producing frictional force. The serration module  70  is formed with a detachment prevention ridge  71 , which is enclosed in a groove  401  a formed in the reception space  401  to prevent the serration module  70  from being detached, as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0070]     From this state, a camera lens module  4  is rotatably installed in the terminal and the hinge shaft  3   c  provided on the hinge device  3  of the terminal is also connected, as shown in  FIG. 16 . One end of the hinge shaft  3   c  is fitted and fixed in a serration-side fixing hole  72  formed on the serration module  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  
         [0071]     If the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the forward direction, the pogo spring  60  is also rotated along with the camera lens module  4 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The serration module  70  is fixed by the hinge shaft  3   c  and the pogo spring  60  is repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from the pogo grooves  73  of the serration module  70  while being rotated, thereby producing frictional force and thus creating a clicking feeling.  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , stopper means  74  is formed between the fixing hole  72  and the serration grooves  73  to be engaged with a rotation member  403  formed on one side of the camera module  4 , thereby limiting the rotation of the camera lens module  4  according to the rotation of the rotation member  403 . Preferably, the stopper means  74  is formed as a curved stopper groove.  
         [0073]     If the rotation member  403  is fully rotated, the stopper groove  74  comes into contact with one end of rotation member  403 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0074]     Here, if the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the reverse direction, the rotation member  403  is also rotated and comes into contact with the other end of the stopper groove  74 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0075]     At this time, the pogo spring  60  is also rotated, and is disengaged from and is engaged with the serration grooves  73  of the serration module  70 , thereby generating frictional force and thus creating the clicking feeling.  
         [0076]     Now, the operating process of the serration device of a portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as described below, will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.  18  to  20 .  
         [0077]     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , a serration housing  80  is mounted on one side of the camera lens module  4 . More specifically, a connection space  405  is formed at one side of the camera lens module  4 , wherein the serration housing  80  is mounted within the connection space  405  in the longitudinal direction of the lens module  4 .  
         [0078]     One or more fixing parts  81  are formed around the outer periphery of the serration housing  80 , which are adapted to be caught by one or more connection projections  404  formed inside of the connection space  405  for restraining the serration housing  80 . The serration housing  80  is restrained simultaneously when the fixing parts  81  are fitted on and caught by the connection projections  404 .  
         [0079]     A serration module  90  is formed with a detachment prevention ridge  94  to prevent detachment of the serration housing  80  by insertion into a groove  83  formed on the serration housing  80 .  
         [0080]     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , a plurality of serration grooves  82  are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the serration housing  80  so that frictional force is produced as a pogo spring  60  provided on the serration module  90  is repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from the serration grooves  82 .  
         [0081]     From this state, the camera lens module  4  is rotatably mounted on the portable terminal and the hinge device  3  of the terminal is also connected. One end of the hinge shaft provided on the hinge device  3  is fitted and fixed in a serration-side fixing hole  91  formed at the center of the serration module  90 .  
         [0082]     If the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the forward direction, the serration housing  80  is also rotated. In that event, the serration module  90  is fixed by the hinge shaft  3   c  and the pogo spring  60  of the serration module  90  is repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from the serration grooves  82  on the serration housing  80  while the serration housing  80  is being rotated, thereby producing frictional force and thus creating the clicking feeling.  
         [0083]     As shown in  FIG. 20 , one side of the serration module  90  is formed with rotation stopper means  93  to be engaged with a rotation projection  403  formed on one side of the camera lens module  4 , thereby limiting the rotation of the camera lens module  4 . The rotation stopper means  93  is preferably formed as a curved stopper groove.  
         [0084]     If the camera lens module  4  is rotated, the rotation projection  403  is rotated and comes into contact with one end of the stopper groove  93 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0085]     Here, if the camera lens module  4  is rotated in the reverse direction again, the rotation projection  403  is also rotated and comes into contact with the other end of the stopper groove  93 , thereby stopping the rotation of the camera lens module  4 .  
         [0086]     In that event, the serration grooves  82  on the serration housing  80  are also rotated and the pogo spring  60  of the serration module  90  is repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from the serration grooves  82 , thereby producing frictional force and thus creating the clicking feeling.  
         [0087]     As described above, by providing a serration module mounted on and assembled to a camera lens module of a portable terminal, it is possible to improve the clicking feeling and assembling process of the camera lens. In addition, by providing plural serration gearings meshing with each other in a portable terminal, it is possible to further improve the rotation clicking feeling of the camera lens.  
         [0088]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the present invention can be applied to all types of portable terminals.