Abstract:
A hinge module includes a first hinge part; and a second hinge part confronting the first hinge part. The first hinge part includes a slot; and an annular groove surrounding the slot and formed in a recessed shape in relation to the second hinge part, and an annular gasket inserted into the annular groove and projecting to the second hinge part side. The second hinge part includes a cylindrical projection non-removably inserted into the slot while freely moveable in a longitudinal direction of the slot; and a sliding surface formed around periphery of the cylindrical projection and on which the gasket slides.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-043336, filed on Feb. 25, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to electronic equipment having, for example, a rotating mechanism and a sliding mechanism as well as having a waterproof function and to a hinge module disposed in the electronic equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recently, there is known electronic equipment, for example, a mobile phone having a mechanism for sliding the mobile phone while rotating. 
       FIGS. 1 to 4  show an outside appearance of a mobile phone having a mechanism for making a sliding motion while making a rotating motion.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a display unit in a standing state.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the display unit in a leftward-fallen state.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the display unit in a rightward-fallen state.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a state that the display unit is closed on a main body unit. 
     A mobile phone  10  has a main body unit  20 , a support unit  30  openably and closably attached to the main body unit  20  through a hinge  31 , and a display unit  40  rotatably and slidably supported by the support unit  30 . 
     The main body unit  20  has a number of keys  21  disposed thereon. The support unit  30  has a first camera  32  and a second camera  33 . The display unit  40  has a main screen  41  and a sub screen  42 . The mobile phone  10  can be opened and closed between an open state shown in  FIG. 1  and a closed state shown in  FIG. 4 . The display unit  40  is rotated between a standing state shown in  FIG. 1 , a leftward-fallen state shown in  FIG. 2 , and a rightward-fallen state shown in  FIG. 3  and can maintain a stable attitude in these three states. 
     The mobile phone  10  can transmit and receive a phone call and an electronic mail using radio communication. The mobile phone  10  has a function for receiving an image of a digital television broadcast. Since a television image can be seen easily in a state that the main screen  41  is fallen laterally, the mobile phone  10  has a structure capable of falling the display unit  40  laterally. 
     Incidentally, the display unit  40  of the mobile phone  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4  can operate only a rotating motion with respect to the support unit  30 , cannot be shifted from the standing state shown in  FIG. 1  to the leftward-fallen state shown in  FIG. 2 . In this case, when the display unit  40  intends to fall the display unit  40  leftward as shown in  FIG. 2  from the standing state shown in, for example,  FIG. 1 , a lower edge left corner  43  of the display unit  40  interferes with a base portion  34  of the support unit  30  for supporting a lower edge of the display unit  40 . To cope with this problem, the display unit  40  has a mechanism that can rotate as well as slide up and down with respect to the support unit  30 . When the display unit  40  is rotated leftward to shift from the standing state as shown in  FIG. 1  to the leftward-fallen state as shown in  FIG. 2 , the display unit  40  rotates while sliding upward until half way due to the interference of the lower edge left corner  43  of the display unit  40  with the base portion  34  of the support unit  30 . Then, the display unit  40  is rotated while sliding downward from half way by being urged by an urging member (not shown) and is placed in the leftward-fallen state shown in  FIG. 2 . This is also the same when the display unit  40  is shifted from the leftward-fallen state as shown in  FIG. 2  to the standing state as shown in  FIG. 1 . Further, when the display unit  40  is rotated between the standing state as shown in  FIG. 1  and the rightward-fallen state as shown in  FIG. 3 , the display unit  40  slides while rotating similarly except that a lower edge right corner  44  of the display unit  40  interferes with the base portion  34  of the support unit  30 . 
     As a recent trend, a waterproof function is desired in a mobile phone, and a mobile phone having a waterproof function is also known. However, a mobile phone with a waterproof function, which slides while rotating, is not yet known. 
     As described above, there is not conventionally known electronic equipment, which is characterized in a mechanism for sliding the electronic equipment while rotating and in which a hinge module has a waterproof and dustproof performance. There are an oil seal of a hydraulic piston, a seal around a rotary shaft, and the like as a similar structure. However, these mechanisms move only in one linear direction in the piston or only rotate in one circumferential direction in the rotary shaft. Although there is also a mechanism for making a reciprocating motion in the direction of a rotary shaft while being rotated, a seal member in this case is compressed only in the radial direction of the shaft. Further, many of these structures have a large size and are not suitable for compact electronic equipment. 
     Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-292280 discloses a waterproof structure in mobile electronic equipment. However, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-292280 discloses a structure for making only a rotational motion and does not disclose a mechanism for making a sliding motion. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention, a waterproof type hinge module and an electronic equipment is provided, in which a mechanism for making a rotational motion as well as making a sliding motion in a direction different from a rotating shaft is realized. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a hinge module is included a first hinge part and a second hinge part confronts the first hinge part, wherein the first hinge part includes a slot, and an annular groove surrounding the slot and formed in a recessed shape relation to the second hinge part, and an annular gasket inserted into the annular groove and projecting to the second hinge part side, and the second hinge part includes a cylindrical projection non-removably inserted into the slot while freely moveable in a longitudinal direction of the slot and a sliding surface formed around the periphery of the cylindrical projection and on which the gasket slides. 
     These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a display unit in a standing state; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the display unit in a leftward-fallen state; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the display unit in a rightward-fallen state; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a state that the display unit is closed on a main body unit; 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing a hinge module interposed between a support unit and the display unit of a mobile phone when viewed from a first case side; 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view taken along a line B-B of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective of the hinge module; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a part of the section of the hinge module shown in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing the portion in a circle R 1  of  FIG. 7  in further enlargement; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing a modification of a sliding spacer; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a part of the section of the hinge module shown in  FIG. 5C ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the surface of a first hinge part on a second hinge part side; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged plan view of the hinge module shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a part of the section taken along an arrow A-A of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a view showing a second case in a standing state with respect to the first case; 
         FIG. 14B  is a view showing the second case in a state that is fallen laterally with respect to the first case; 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge and the second hinge are in a combined state when viewed from the second hinge part side; 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge and the second hinge are in a combined state when viewed from the first hinge part side; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the surface of the first hinge part facing the second hinge part side; 
         FIG. 17A  is a front elevational view showing that the first hinge part and the second hinge part are in a combined state; 
         FIG. 17B  is a sectional view taken along an arrow A-A of  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 17C  is a sectional view taken along an arrow B-B of  FIG. 17A ; and 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of a part of the sectional view shown in  FIG. 17B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of equipment will be explained referring to the drawings. 
     In the embodiment, a mobile phone will be explained as an example of electronic equipment. However, since the outside appearance of the mobile phone and the motions of parts thereof when viewed from an outside are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , duplicate explanation of the outside appearance of the mobile phone and the motions of the mobile phone on the outside appearance is omitted by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4  as they are. 
       FIG. 5  is a view showing a hinge module interposed between the support unit and the display unit of the mobile phone shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     A portion which relates to attachment to a hinge module  100  of the support unit  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , is called a first case  300 , and a portion, which relates to attachment to the hinge module  100  of a display unit  40  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , is called a second case  400 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing the hinge module  100  interposed between the support unit and the display unit of the mobile phone when viewed from a first case side.  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view taken along a line B-B of  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5C  is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG. 5A . However, some portions, for example, an opening  301  and the like shown in  FIG. 5B  are omitted in a plan view shown in  FIG. 5A  to simplify illustration. This is also the same in  FIGS. 5B and 5C . 
     The hinge module  100  has a first sheet-shaped hinge part  110  which is fixed to the first case  300  constituting a part of the support unit  30  as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The hinge module  100  has a second sheet-shaped hinge part  120  fixed to the second case  400  constituting a part of the display unit  40  and extending in confrontation with the first hinge part  110  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . The first case  300  has the large opening  301  formed such that a central portion of the first hinge part  110  can be seen therethrough. The second case  400  has an opening  4001  which opens only around the periphery of a hole  121   a  of a cylindrical projection  121  of the second hinge part  120  to be described later. 
       FIG. 6  is the exploded perspective of the hinge module. 
     Although the first case  300  and the second case  400  are not shown in  FIG. 6 , the first case  300  is located above a waterproof double-faced tape  132  shown in an upper portion of  FIG. 6 , and the second case  400  is located under a waterproof double-faced tape  142  shown in a lower portion of  FIG. 6 . 
     The hinge module of the embodiment will be explained below referring to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C, and  6 . 
     The first hinge part  110  has a slot  111 , which passes through the front and back surfaces thereof, and an annular groove  113 , which surrounds an entire edge portion  112  that surrounds the slot  111 . The annular groove  113  is formed in a direction in which is recessed toward the second hinge part  120 . The annular groove  113  is filled with an annular waterproof gasket  137 . Since the gasket  137  has a thickness larger than the depth of the annular groove  113 , a part of the gasket  137  in the thickness direction projects to the second hinge part  120  side and comes into collision with a sliding surface  122  of the second hinge part  120 . Relative motion between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  causes the gasket  137  to slide on the sliding surface  122  to prevent water from entering from a gap between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . 
     The first hinge part  110  has a runway groove  114  which is formed in a recessed shape with respect to the second hinge part  120 . A runway control pin  140  on the second hinge part  120  side is inserted into the runway groove  114 . The runway control pin  140  is fixed to the second hinge part  120  by a screw  141  which passes through a hole  123  formed in the second hinge part  120 . 
     Four screw holes  115  are formed in the peripheral edge of the first hinge part  110 . 
     The waterproof double-faced tape  132  having a shape as shown in  FIG. 6  is placed on the back surface of the first hinge part  110 . The waterproof double-faced tape  132  has a large hole  132   a  in a central portion thereof which is formed to avoid the annular groove  113  formed in the first hinge part  110  and a projection on the back surface side of the runway groove  114 . The waterproof double-faced tape  132  has four holes  132   b  which are formed around the hole  132   a  and through which screws  131  are caused to pass. The waterproof double-faced tape  132  is attached on the back surface of the first hinge part  110 . The waterproof double-faced tape  132  is interposed between the first hinge part  110  and the first case  300 , and the first case  300  is fixed to the first hinge part  110  by the four screws  131 . The screw holes  115  of the first hinge part  110  pass through the front and back surfaces of the first hinge part  110 . Even if the screws  131  are screwed into the screw holes  115  in this state, there is a possibility that water enters from the screw holes  115  when a water pressure is applied thereto. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the front surface side of the screw holes  115 , i.e., the second hinge part  120  side is covered with waterproof tapes  136 . 
     Next, the second hinge part  120  will be explained. 
     The second hinge part  120  has the hole  121   a , which is formed in a central portion thereof so as to pass through the front and back surfaces of the second hinge part  120 , and the cylindrical projection  121  which projects to the first hinge part  110  side. The cylindrical projection  121  is inserted into the slot  111  formed in the first hinge part  110  and locked to the edge portion  112  formed in the periphery of the slot  111  so that the cylindrical projection  121  can be attached without being removed from the first hinge part  110 . Specifically, a sliding spacer  138  is disposed in a back surface side of the edge portion  112 . The cylindrical projection  121  passes through the slot  111  as well as passes through a spacer  134  having such a size that can enter the slot  111  and is caulked in that state by a caulking part  133  passing therethrough. With this arrangement, the cylindrical projection  121  is locked to the edge portion  112  in the state that passes through the slot  111  so that is prevented from being removed from the slot  111 . However, the cylindrical projection  121  can move in a longitudinal direction of the slot  111  and rotate in the state that is inserted into the slot  111 . 
     Here, a signal transmission cable is caused to pass through the hole  121   a  of the cylindrical projection  121 . The cable passes through the opening  301  formed in the first case  300  and extends up to the inside of the support unit  30  including the first case  300  as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . Further, the cable passes through the opening  4001  formed in the second case  400  and extends up to the inside of the display unit  40  including the second case  400  as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     The sliding surface  122  is formed around the periphery of the cylindrical projection  121  of the second hinge part  120  so that the gasket  137  inserted into the annular groove  113  formed in the first hinge part  110  slides thereon. The sliding surface  122  has such an expansion that receives the entire annular periphery of the gasket  137  in the entire relative moving loci of the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . Accordingly, regardless of what attitude the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  are placed in, water is prevented from entering the inside of the gasket  137 . The sliding surface  122  is subjected to a surface treatment, such as (without limitation) TEFLON coating, to securely satisfy both a waterproofing property achieved by depressing the gasket  137  and a smooth motion when the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  relatively rotate and slide at the same time. Otherwise, a low friction part, such as (without limitation) a TEFLON tape, may be bonded on the sliding surface  122  or a similar performance may be given thereto by applying grease in place of the surface treatment. 
     The second hinge part  120  has the hole  123  through which the screw  141  passes. The runway control pin  140  is fixed to the second hinge part  120  by the screw  141  passing through the hole  123 . The runway control pin  140  is fitted into the runway groove  114  formed in the first hinge part  110  and guided by the runway groove  114 . The runway control pin  140  is fitted into the runway groove  114  and comes into contact with the bottom surface of the runway groove  114  so that also acts to regulate the gap between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . 
     A runway, in which the attitudes of the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  are relatively changed, is determined by that the cylindrical projection  121  which is inserted into the slot  111  and guided thereby and that the runway control pin  140  which is inserted into the runway groove  114  and guided thereby. 
     Four screw holes  124  are formed in the peripheral edge of the first hinge part  120 . A waterproof double-faced tape  142 , in which a hole  142   a  is formed to avoid the hole  121   a  of the cylindrical projection  121 , is disposed on the back surface of the second hinge part  120 . Further, the second case  400  is disposed in the second hinge part  120  across the waterproof double-faced tape  142 . The second case  400  is fixed to the second hinge part  120  by four screws  143  in a state that the waterproof double-faced tape  142  and annular screw-hole waterproof tapes  136  through which the respective screws  143  pass are clamped therebetween. The screw holes  124  formed in the second hinge part  120  pass through the front and back surfaces of the second hinge part  120 . The openings on the front sides of the screw holes  124  are closed by screw-hole waterproof tapes  139  to prevent water from entering from the screw holes  124  as in the screw holes  115  of the first hinge part  110 . 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a part of the section of the hinge module shown in  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 8  is a view showing the portion in a circle R 1  of  FIG. 7  in further enlargement. 
     The cylindrical projection  121  formed in the second hinge part  120  is caulked across the spacer  134  and the caulking part  133 . Further, the sliding spacer  138  is interposed between the caulking part  133  and the first hinge part  110 . The spacer  134  has a role for determining the gap between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . When the spacer  134  is arranged as a part different from the caulking part  133  and the thickness thereof is appropriately selected at a manufacturing stage, the gap between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  can be set to an appropriate size. 
     A material having a low friction resistance, for example, a polyacetal (POM) material and the like is used for the sliding spacer  138  so that the cylindrical projection  121  can smoothly rotate and slide in the slot  111 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view showing a modification of the sliding spacer. 
     Although the sliding spacer  138  slides with respect to the caulking part  133 , the sliding surface of the sliding spacer  138  on the caulking part  133  side is formed in an arc shape in a modification shown in  FIG. 9 . When the sliding surface of the sliding spacer  138  is formed in the arc shape, since the friction resistance thereof is more reduced, the sliding spacer  138  can move more smoothly. 
     The sliding spacer may be formed in a shape matched to the outer shape of the caulking part  133  and fixed to the caulking part  133 . In this case, the sliding spacer  138  slides with respect to the first hinge part  110 , and is preferable in this case to form the surface of the sliding spacer  138  on the first hinge part  110  side in an arc shape. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a part of the section of the hinge module shown in  FIG. 5C .  FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the surface of the first hinge part on the second hinge part side.  FIG. 11  is a view explaining the runway groove  114 , which has a recessed shape having a predetermined depth. 
       FIG. 10  shows a state that the runway control pin  140  is inserted into the runway groove  114  and comes into contact with the bottom surface of the runway groove. The screw  141  and the runway control pin  140  are formed to such lengths that when the runway control pin  140  is attached by the screw  141  as described above, the runway control pin  140  comes into contact with the bottom surface of the runway groove  114 . As a result, the runway control pin  140  can be provided with such a role that is guided by the runway groove  114  and determines a rotating motion and a sliding motion. Further, the runway control pin  140  may be provided with a role for determining the gap between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of the hinge module of  FIG. 5A  and shown again to show a cross section of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section taken along an arrow A-A shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the screw holes  115 , which are formed in the first hinge part  110  to fix the first case  300  and the first hinge part  110  by the screws  131 , extend to openings on the second hinge part  120  side, and the screw-hole waterproof tapes  136  are bonded to the openings. With this arrangement, water and dusts are prevented from entering from the screw holes  115 . 
     Note that although the screw holes  115  of the first hinge part  110  and the screw-hole waterproof tapes  136  for closing the screw holes  115  have been explained, the screw holes  124  of the second hinge part  120  and the screw-hole waterproof tapes  139  for closing the screw holes  124  shown in  FIG. 6  also have the same role. 
       FIG. 14A  is a view showing the second case in a standing state with respect to the first case.  FIG. 14B  is a view showing the second case in a state that is fallen laterally with respect to (or in relation to) the first case  300 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  show a spring  144 . The spring  144  urges the cylindrical projection  121  in a direction (direction shown by arrow X in  FIG. 14A ) near the runway groove  114  in the slot  111  at all times. Accordingly, when the second case  400  is intended to rotate in a direction shown by an arrow Y, the second case  400  moves to a standing position shown in  FIG. 14A  or to a laterally-fallen position shown in  FIG. 14B , even if a hand is removed from the second case  400  while the second case  400  is being rotated. Therefore, the second case  400  is stabilized at the standing position shown in  FIG. 14A , the laterally-fallen position shown in  FIG. 14B , and a not-shown laterally fallen position at which is fallen in a direction opposite to the direction shown in  FIG. 14B .  FIGS. 1 to 3  show these states. 
     Note that although  FIGS. 14A and 14B  exemplify a coil spring, a sheet spring or the like may be used in place of the coil spring. Further, the attachment position of the spring shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  is only an example and is changed according to the shape and the like thereof. 
     Next, a modification of the embodiment will be explained. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge and the second hinge are in a combine state.  FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the surface of the first hinge part facing the second hinge part side. 
       FIG. 15A  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge and the second hinge are in a combined state when viewed from the second hinge part side.  FIG. 15B  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge and the second hinge are in a combined state when viewed from the first hinge part side. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing that the first hinge part and the second hinge part are in a combine state.  FIG. 17A  is a front elevational view showing that the first hinge part and the second hinge part are in a combined state.  FIG. 17B  is a sectional view taken along an arrow A-A of  FIG. 17A .  FIG. 17C  is a sectional view taken along an arrow B-B of  FIG. 17A . 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of a part of the sectional view shown in  FIG. 17B . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15A ,  15 B,  16 ,  17 A,  17 B,  17 C, and  18 , a sliding member  151  composed of a resin having an excellent lubricating property is disposed on an end face of the slot  111 . Further, a sliding member  152  composed of a resin having an excellent lubricating property is also disposed on a side wall of the runway groove  114 . A polyacetal (POM) resin and a TEFLON resin, for example, can be used as the sliding members  151 ,  152  having the excellent lubricating property. 
     When the sliding member  151  is disposed on the end face of the slot  111 , friction between the slot  111  of the first hinge part  110  and the cylindrical projection  121  of the second hinge part  120  is reduced. When the sliding member  152  is disposed on the side wall of the runway groove  114 , friction between the runway groove  114  of the first hinge part  110  and the runway control pin  140  on the second hinge part  120  side is reduced. In either case, a relative rotating motion and a relative sliding motion can be more smoothly carried out between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 . 
     In the embodiment described above, the waterproof double-faced tape  132  shown in  FIG. 6  has a role of a waterproof function between the first case  300  and the first hinge part  110 , and the other waterproof double-faced tape  142  has a role of a waterproof function between the second case  400  and the second hinge part  120 . The first case  300  is fixed to the first hinge part  110  across a waterproof seal or an adhesive layer which has such a shape that surrounds the periphery of the opening  301  of the first case once in place of the double-faced tape  132 . The second case  400  is fixed to the second hinge part  120  across a waterproof seal or an adhesive layer which has such a shape that surrounds the periphery of the opening  4001  of the second case once in place of the double-faced tape  142 . A waterproofing property may be secured by the above arrangement between the first case  300  and the first hinge part  110  and between the second case  400  and the second hinge part  120 . Otherwise, as another modification, water may be prevented from entering the opening  301  of the first case by heat welding the first case  300  to the first hinge part  110  in such a shape that surrounds the opening  301  thereof once. Water may be prevented from entering the opening  4001  of the second case by heat welding the second case  400  to the second hinge part  120  in such a shape that surrounds the opening  4001  thereof once. 
     As described above, the waterproofing property can be secured between the first case  300  and the first hinge part  110  and between the second case  400  and the second hinge part  120  by various means. 
     Note that, in the embodiment, although the mobile phone has been explained as an example of waterproof electronic equipment, the embodiment is not limited to the mobile phone and can be widely applied to electronic equipment which requires both rotating and sliding motions. 
     The embodiment has the following operation/working-effects. 
     The embodiment prevents water from entering the slot  111  and the hole  121   a  of the cylindrical projection  121 . 
     Since the embodiment has the runway groove  114  and the runway control pin  140 , the change of attitude caused by the rotating motion and the sliding motion can be regulated on one runway. 
     In the embodiment, since the sliding spacer  138  is provided, the rotating motion and the sliding motion can be stably realized by maintaining compression of the gasket  137  to a predetermined amount. 
     In the embodiment, since the material having the low sliding resistance composed of, for example, the resin is used for the sliding spacer  138  and the sliding spacer  138  is formed in the arc shape, the sliding resistance thereof is further reduced and thus a smooth rotating motion and a smooth sliding motion can be realized. 
     In the embodiment, since the sliding surface has such an expansion that receives the entire periphery of the gasket  137  in the entire region of the moving locus, a waterproof performance can be securely maintained regardless of the movement of the first hinge part  110  and second hinge part  120 . 
     In the embodiment, since the predetermined gap is maintained between the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120 , a smooth motion can be secured. 
     In the embodiment, since friction force between parts is reduced, a smoother rotating motion and a smoother sliding motion can be realized. 
     In the embodiment, since the amount of compression of the gasket  137  can be properly adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the spacer  134  at a manufacturing stage, maintenance of the waterproofing property and the smooth rotating and sliding motions can be satisfied at the same time very securely. 
     In the embodiment, provision of the urging member permits the attitudes of the first hinge part  110  and the second hinge part  120  to be more stably maintained. 
     In the embodiment, the first case  300  and the second case  400  can be relatively rotated and slid. Further, the inside of the first case  300  can be connected to the inside of second case  400  by the cable, and a signal can be transmitted and received through the cable. 
     In the embodiment, the waterproofing property is also maintained between the first case  300  and the first hinge part  110  and between the second case  400  and the second hinge part  120 . 
     The many features and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the inventive embodiments to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope thereof.