Mobile communication terminal

A mobile communication terminal including a first body, a second body slidably connected to the first body and moveable between a first position and a second position, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body. The slide module is configured to guide the second body along a curved path between the first position and the second position such that the second body moves in both a lateral and longitudinal direction with respect to the first body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2007-0039528, filed on Apr. 23, 2007, Korean Application No. 10-2007-0041487, filed on Apr. 27, 2007 and Korean Application No. 10-2007-0041477, filed on Apr. 27, 2007, all of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal in which a second body is slidable in both a lateral and longitudinal direction with respect to a first body so as to expose/cover a portion of the first body.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a mobile communication terminal is an electronic device that is portable and capable of performing a wireless communication function. Such mobile communication terminals may be provided as a single body, such as a bar type terminal, or two or more bodies that are connected to perform a relative motion with respect to each other. The types of terminals in which two or more bodies are connected to perform a relative motion may include a type of terminal in which the two or more bodies are rotatably connected to each other, such as a folder type terminal, a swing type terminal, or a swivel type terminal, and a type of terminal in which the two or more bodies are slidably connected to each other, such as a slide type terminal.

In the slide type mobile communication terminal, for example, one body is stacked on, or overlays, another body, and is linearly slidable in a length direction of the other body. Because of the sliding motion, at least a portion of the other body can be exposed and is accessible by the user.

However, the linear sliding motion of the related art slide type mobile communication terminals are rather limited and therefore provide a monotonous experience for a user of the related art mobile communication terminals. In addition, the monotonous sliding path may interfere with developing new usable portions of the moveable bodies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a slide type mobile communication terminal having a body capable of being slid along both a lateral and longitudinal direction with respect to another body of the mobile communication terminal.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including a first body, a second body slidably connected to the first body and moveable between a first position and a second position, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body. The slide module is configured to guide the second body along a curved path between the first position and the second position such that the second body moves in both a lateral and longitudinal direction with respect to the first body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The mobile communication terminal may include a wireless communication module (not shown) to perform a wireless communication function, or the like.

As shown inFIG. 1, a main body of the mobile communication terminal includes a first body100, and a second body200stacked on the first body100in a closed position thereof FIGS. to cover a portion of the first body100. The second body200has an area smaller than that of the first body100. In this arrangement, a portion of the first body100without the second body200stacked thereon is referred to as an exposed portion110. The exposed portion110is protruded from one portion of the first body100to have the same height as that of an outer surface202of the second body200. Alternatively, the first and second bodies100and200may have substantially the same area, thereby eliminating the exposed portion110.

At least one key button120operable in a pushing manner is arranged at the exposed portion110. For example, a plurality of functional keys for signal input such as SEND, END and the like may be provided as the key buttons120. A microphone130is disposed near one of the key buttons120. At least one side button140is disposed on a surface adjacent to the surface having the microphone130disposed thereon, namely, on a side surface of the first body100. The side button140may be used to control volume or the like.

A display210is disposed at the outer surface202of the second body200. The display210displays visual information and a user can touch the display210to input information. In this instance, the display210includes a touch-sensitive input unit. As shown inFIG. 1, the display is used to make a phone call. In this mode, the touch screen210displays an indicating region211for providing various information regarding the status of the mobile communication terminal, a number display region212for displaying a phone number which a user desires to dial (originate), a button input region213for displaying numeral icons to input the phone number, and a menu display region214for displaying several menus or menu icons. A receiver220is arranged near the touch screen210.

In a stand-by state, the display210may be locked in a deactivated state. In order to release the locked state of the display210, the user can press any one of the key buttons120so as to activate the display210. After the activation of the display210, the user can input a phone number of a called party by touching numeral icons displayed on the display210and press a SEND button of the key buttons120so as to be connected to the called party. In the connected state, the user can send his voice through the microphone130and receive voice of the called party through the receiver220.

In addition, the user can execute repeatedly-used functions by pressing the key button120. Accordingly, a slow response that may occur when the touch screen210is touched can be compensated by using the key button120. Also, various types of characters or images can be inputted on the touch screen210using a stylus (not shown).

As shown inFIG. 2, a battery150for supplying power to each electric component of the main body is detachably coupled to a rear surface or an outer surface102of the first body100. A first camera160and a flash170are located at a portion of the outer surface102where the battery150does not occupy. The first camera160can be operated by one of the key button120or the side button140to capture images. The images captured by the first camera160are displayed on the display210. If a mirror is disposed close to the first camera160, the user can capture his own image while looking in the mirror.

With reference toFIGS. 1,3and4, when the user pushes the second body200in the width direction W thereof, the second body200is not moved along a linear path in the width direction W, but slides along a curved path, for example, a semi-circular path P. In other words, the second body200is moved to a completely opened position in the width direction W (seeFIG. 4) by following a curved path that includes movement in both a lateral or width direction W and a length or longitudinal direction L. During the movement, the second body200is first moved to an intermediate position (seeFIG. 3) apart from the exposed portion110by a certain distance D in its length direction L. If the exposed portion110of the first body100and the outer surface202are coplanar, the second body may movie in a plane such that the exposed portion110and the outer surface202remain parallel.

As shown inFIG. 3, the second body200can be moved to or positioned at an intermediate position where the second body has moved the furthest from the exposed portion110in the length direction L thereof. The second body200can be temporarily stopped at that position. In addition, a sensor, such as a magnetic sensor (not shown), can be used to sense the state that the second body200is positioned at the intermediate position. When the second body200is at the intermediate position, a second camera190mounted at an exposed portion of an inner surface101of the first body100is visible. The second camera190may have a capturing direction almost opposite to that of the first camera160. By operating the key button120while the second camera190faces the user, the user can easily capture his own image while viewing his face displayed on the display210. In this configuration, the second camera190can be disposed in a normally covered region when the second body200is in the completely opened position, as shown inFIG. 4. The portion having the second camera190becomes a usable region as the second body200is slid along a semi-circular path P.

When the second body200is at the intermediate position, a controlling unit (not shown) of the mobile terminal can activate the second camera190and the display210. Accordingly, the user can perform an image capturing (e.g., self-capturing) with the second camera190when the second body200is at the intermediate position.

To provide additional security, a sensor (not shown) for sensing or recognizing specific information related to the user, such as a user's fingerprint or his iris, may be disposed at the additionally usable region so as to release a locked state of the mobile terminal. Also, a key button for performing a particular function may be disposed at the usable region. The sensor or the key button as well as the second camera190are not always exposed, but are exposed when the terminal is at the intermediate position. Accordingly, the frequency of use thereof is preferably lower than that of the key button120.

Because a user may desire to use a camera more frequently than the described sensor, a third camera230for self-image capturing may be disposed at the outer surface202of the second body200. Here, the second or third camera190or230is preferably used for the self-image capturing. The second or third camera190or230preferably has a relatively low resolution as compared to that of the first camera (160inFIG. 2), so as to minimize a data amount (e.g., a user's image captured by himself) to be sent for a video telephony. If desired, one of the second or third cameras190or230may be eliminated.

Still referring toFIG. 4, an input device180, such as a keypad having a plurality of keys arranged thereon, is installed at the inner surface101of the first body100. The inner surface101has a rectangular region extending in a length direction L thereof, such that the input device180is disposed in a QWERTY configuration. The input device180can be partially exposed at the intermediate position of the second body200and entirely exposed at the opened position of the second body200, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. At the opened position, the user can easily input long text by operating the input device180. Therefore, the user can easily use functions of the mobile terminal such as sending e-mails, text, or the like.

Hereinafter, with reference toFIGS. 5 to 24, explanation will be given of exemplary embodiments of a slide module for guiding the second body200along the curved path and additionally a sliding guide unit for assisting the sliding operation to provide a semi-automatic function. In the following embodiments, the same configuration as that shown inFIGS. 1 to 4has the same reference numerals to thusly be understood by the description of the foregoing drawings.

As shown inFIG. 5, at an inner surface201of the second body200opposite the surface having the display210, a recessed portion240having an approximately rectangular or square shape is formed. A plate-shaped guide plate330of a slide module300is mounted in the recessed portion240in a bonding manner, screw-coupling manner, or the like. At least one guide rail310is formed in the guide plate330and may have a semi-circular shape. The central portion313of the guide rail310may be located closer to the exposed portion110than both end portions311and312.

In correspondence with the guide rail310, the slide module300has at least one guide protrusion320protruded from one side of the first body100. An anti-separation unit340is installed at a free end of the guide protrusion320. The anti-separation unit340has an area larger than the width of the guide rail310to prevent the guide protrusion320from being separated from the guide rail310. The anti-separation unit340can be assembled to the guide protrusion320in a state that the guide protrusion320is first inserted in the guide rail310. The guide protrusion(s)320may be attached to or integrally formed on a guide frame. Accordingly, when the guide frame350is coupled to the first body100, the guide protrusion(s)320are also coupled to the first body100.

A sliding guide unit, which may be an elastic member360, may additionally be disposed at the guide plate330. At least one elastic member360capable of providing an elastic force can be provided where one end portion of the elastic member360is coupled to a fixing protrusion331protruded from one surface of the guide plate330. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, a pair of elastic members360is provided to be symmetric with respect to each other. Each of the other end portions of the elastic member360is coupled to a fixing protrusion321formed at the free end of a corresponding guide protrusion320. The elastic member360may be a wire-type spring and have a shape with a coil wound at least one time.

In this embodiment, when the second body200is at the closed position (seeFIG. 1), the guide protrusion320is positioned at a second end portion312of the guide rail310. Preferably, the elastic member360is maintained in a relaxed state at this position. When the second body200is moved to the intermediate position (seeFIG. 3), the guide protrusion320is positioned at the central portion313of the guide rail310. Consequently, the elastic member360is extended as the fixing protrusions321and331are apart from each other, thereby accumulating an elastic force.

When further force is applied until the second body200is moved over the intermediate position, the elastic force accumulated in the elastic member360is released, such that the second body200can be automatically moved to the opened position (seeFIG. 4). Accordingly, the guide protrusion320is positioned at a first end portion311of the guide rail310. The elastic member360is then restored to the original state similar to when the second body200was in the closed position.

Because the guide rail310of the slide module300forms a semi-circular path, the second body200is slid from the closed position to the opened position via the intermediate position, so as to follow the semi-circular path P. Also, the elastic member360allows the semi-automatic sliding motion in moving the second body past the intermediate position to the opened position. The sliding from the opened position is reversed to that described above.

To allow the second body200to be temporarily stopped at the intermediate position, the sliding guide unit360may be eliminated. Alternatively, even when the elastic member360is used, the guide rail310can be configured such that the central portion313becomes relatively narrow compared to the end portions311and312and the guide protrusion320is hindered at that portion. Accordingly, the second body200can be temporarily stopped at the intermediate position.

As described above, the guide rail310is formed at the separately provided guide plate330. However, the guide rail310may be formed directly on the second body200. In particular, when the second body200has a shape obtained by connecting two covers to each other, the guide rail310may be formed at the cover facing the first body100. In addition, the guide protrusion320may be formed directly on the first body100or assembled thereto without the guide frame350therebetween.

However, by separately forming the guide plate330and the guide frame350, the slide module (and the sliding guide unit) can be modularized so as to be separately manufactured or assembled. Also, after assembling the modularized slide module300, it can be assembled to each of the first and second bodies100and200, thereby providing a simple assembly process.

As shown inFIG. 6, the guide protrusion320and the anti-separation unit340are connected to each other so as to form a hollow channel322therethrough. A cable C for electrically connecting the first body100to the second body200extends through the hollow channel322. The cable C can be any type of cable for electrically connecting the first body to the second body, such as FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) or Coaxial Cable if it is a medium allowing current flow. As a result, even when the second body200is slid with respect to the first body100, the electric connection between the first and second bodies100and200can be stably maintained by the cable C.

As shown inFIG. 7, the slide module400, unlike in the aforementioned embodiment, includes a rotating link440. A first end portion441of the rotating link400is rotatably coupled to the fixing protrusion321formed at the free end of the guide protrusion320. A second end portion442of the rotating link440is rotatably coupled to the guide plate330. The rotating link440can prevent the guide protrusion320from being separated from the guide rail310, similar to that of the anti-separation unit340in the aforementioned embodiment, and the rotating link440can maintain a stable connection between the guide protrusion320and the guide rail310.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sliding guide unit460includes a plurality of magnets disposed at the rotating link440and the guide plate330. The sliding guide unit460includes a main magnet461arranged at the rotating link440and end magnets462and463arranged on the guide plate330, the end magnets462and463being located close to respective end portions311and312of the guide rail310.

In this configuration, the movement of the second body200along path P with respect to the first body is the same as described above. However, regarding the semi-automatic sliding aspect, when the first end portion441of the rotating link440is moved to either end portions311and312via the central portion313of the guide rail310, the corresponding end magnet462and463generates an attractive force with respect to the main magnet461. Accordingly, as the rotating link440moves towards one of the end portions311and312of the guide rail310, the rotating link440can automatically be rotated by the magnetic force towards that end portion.

While the rotating link440is shown as being attached to the guide plate330, the rotating link440can also be mounted at the second body200. In addition, the guide plate330and the guide frame350can be separately provided to allow for modularization of the slide module400and the sliding guide unit460. Furthermore, a new embodiment can be provided in which the previous embodiment can be combined with the modification of implementing the sliding guide unit using the magnetic force. In this instance, the main magnet461may be mounted at the free end of the guide protrusion320, and the end magnets462and463may be arranged at the end portions311and312of each guide rail310.

Another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 8, includes the rotating link440having one end connected to the guide protrusion320and the other end rotatably connected to the guide plate330near one end thereof. The guide rail310is formed at a portion of the guide plate330corresponding to the other end of the rotating link440. At least one supporting link540having a portion542adjacent to one end portion543is rotatably connected at a portion of the guide plate330where the guide rail310and the rotating link440are not disposed. The other end portion541of the supporting link540is rotatably connected to the first body100. The supporting link540may have a flat bar shape. In this arrangement, if the other end portion541is coupled to the lower side of the exposed portion110, the other end portion541is not exposed outside the mobile terminal.

The one end portion543of the supporting link540is connected to one end portion of a sliding guide unit560, such as an elastic member. The elastic member560may be a wire-shaped spring and have a curved shape to form an S-like shape. The other end portion of the elastic member560is coupled to the fixing protrusion331formed at the guide plate330.

As shown inFIG. 9, when the second body200has been slid to the intermediate position, the rotating link440is substantially parallel to the length direction of the first body100, and the supporting link540is approximately parallel to the rotating link440. In this position, the supporting link540is partially exposed to the outside and the supporting link540does not block the second camera190.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the second body200is placed in the opened position with respect to the first body100, the rotating link440and the supporting link540are disposed to be inclined by approximately 45° with respect to the length direction of the first body100. The elastic force accumulated by the change in the elastic member560during the process of moving from the closed position to the intermediate position is applied to the second body200to automatically slide to second body200to the opened position.

FIG. 11shows an exemplary mobile communication terminal having a slide module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In describing the second embodiment, where the slide module of the second exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the slide module according to the first exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used and detailed explanation of which will not be repeated.

As shown inFIG. 11, a recessed portion240is formed in the inner surface201of the second body200. The recessed portion240may be divided into a first recessed portion241and a second recessed portion242. The second recessed portion242is relatively more recessed with respect to the first recessed portion241.

A second plate1320of the slide module1300is coupled to the recessed portion240, particularly, the second recessed portion242. The second plate1320is coupled to the inner surface201of the second body200defining the second recessed portion242in a bonding manner, a screw-coupling manner, or the like. In correspondence with the second plate1320, a first plate1310is coupled to the first body100. The first plate1310is formed to extend in a length direction L of the first body100, and disposed at a portion at which the input device180is not installed.

Each of the first and second plates1310and1320is movably coupled to a third plate1330. The first and second plates1310and1320may be slidably coupled corresponding opposing surfaces of the third plate1330. The third plate1330can be slid with respect to the first plate1310in the width direction W. This sliding is guided by first guide rails1311formed at both end portions of the first plate1310. The second plate1320is slid with respect to the third plate1330in the length direction L. This sliding is guided by second guide rails1331formed at opposing surfaces of the third plate1330. The length of the third plate1330in the length direction L is shorter than that of the recessed portion240. Accordingly, the third plate1330can be moved over a certain distance D (seeFIG. 13A) in the length direction L inside the recessed portion240.

Guide slots1321and1333are formed at corresponding positions on the second and third plates1320and1330, respectively, to allow the second body200slide in the length direction L with respect to the force applied to the width direction W of the second body200. A guide protrusion1340is protruded from the first plate1310and is inserted into the guide slots1321and1333. The guide protrusion1340interacts with the guide slots1321and1333such that the second plate1320can be reciprocated in the length direction L with respect to the third plate1330when the third plate1330is slid with respect to the first plate1310in the width direction W. During the sliding motion, the cable (not shown) electrically connecting the first body100and the second body200extends through cable passages1314and1334.

When the guide protrusion1340is moved to a central portion from one end portion of the guide slots1321and1333, a sliding guide unit1350having one end connected to the second plate1320and the other end connected to the guide protrusion1340provides an elastic force to the guide protrusion1340such that the guide protrusion1340can be automatically moved to the other end portion of the guide slots1321and1333. The sliding guide unit1350is an elastic member, which can be a spring or the like.

As shown inFIG. 12, the first plate1310is longer in its length direction L as compared to its width direction W. End portions of the first plate1310are bent and slightly extended so as to form the first guide rails1311. Both end portions of the length direction L of the third plate1330are movably inserted in the first guide rails1311. A first lubricious member1312is inserted in each of the first guide rails1311to reduce friction when the guide rails1311come in contact with the third plate1330. The first lubricious member1312may be an engineering plastic having good lubrication such as POM (Poly Oxy Methylene). The engineering plastic may be coupled to the first guide rail1311by an injection molding.

A coupling hole1313is formed at a central portion of the first plate1310. One end portion of the guide protrusion1340is inserted into the coupling hole1313to be fixed thereto. In addition to the coupling hole1313, cable passage1314in the form of a cable opening is also formed at the first plate1310.

In correspondence to the guide protrusion1340, the third plate1330includes the second guide slot1333, which extends linearly along the width direction W of the third plate1330. A cable passage1334in the form of a cable slot may also be formed along the width direction W at a portion close to one end portion of the third plate1330, namely, at a portion not interfering with the second plate1320.

The second guide rail1331for guiding the second plate1320along the length direction L is formed at both end portions of the width direction W of the third plate1330. The second guide rail1331and the second lubricious member1332coupled thereto are similar to the first guide rail1311and the first lubricious member1312previously described. The first guide slot1321is formed at the second plate1320. The first guide slot1321may be a slot which has both end portions approximately corresponding to those of the second guide slot1333, but has a semi-circularly opened shape. Alternatively, the first guide slot1321may be formed at the third plate1330and the second guide slot1333may be formed at the second plate1320.

Fixing portions1322protrude from the second plate1320and are coupled to one end of each of the elastic members1350. The other ends of the elastic members1350are coupled to the fixing portions1343of the guide protrusion1340, which is inserted into the guide slots1321and1333. The guide protrusion1340includes a body1341inserted into the guide slots1321and1333and an anti-separation unit1342extending to be wider than the width of the guide slots1321and1333to prevent the guide protrusion1340from being separated from the guide slots1321and1333. Therefore, the other ends of the elastic members1350may be coupled to the fixing portions1343protruded from the anti-separation unit1342.

An operation method of the slide module1300will be described with reference toFIGS. 13 to 15andFIGS. 1,3, and4.

As shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B, at a closed position where the second body200completely overlays the first body100(seeFIG. 1), one end portion of the third plate1330is arranged at a position at which one end portion of the first plate1310are almost aligned with each other at their width direction. The second plate1320is placed in a state of being apart from one end portion of the third plate1330by a certain distance D in the length direction L. One end portion of the first guide slot1321is aligned with one end portion of the second guide slot1333. The guide protrusion1340extends through the aligned end portions. The elastic member1350having one end portion connected to the guide protrusion11340is in a relatively relaxed state. The cable passage1314is in communication with one end portion of the cable passage1334. The cable (not shown) for electrically connecting the first body100and the second body200extends through the both cable passages1314and1334.

As shown inFIGS. 14A and 14B(andFIG. 3), the second body200is moveable to the intermediate position and is maximally displaceable by a certain distance D (seeFIG. 13A) in the length direction L while being slid along the semi-circular path P in the width direction W. In order to move the second body200from the closed position to the intermediate position, the user pushes the second body200in the width direction W. Accordingly, the third plate1330performs a primary movement with respect to the first plate1310in the width direction W. During the primary movement, the guide protrusion1340is relatively moved along the second guide slot1333and simultaneously guided by the first guide slot1321. As the guide protrusion1340is guided by the first guide slot1321forming the semi-circular path P, the second plate1320is moved in the length direction L to perform a secondary movement. Accordingly, the third plate1330is moved by a certain distance with respect to the first plate1310such that the first plate1310is positioned at a central portion of the third plate1330. Simultaneously, the second plate1320is moved by a certain distance D with respect to the third plate1330in the length direction L to be almost near one end portion of the third plate1330.

In moving from the closed position to the intermediate position, the elastic member1350is compressed because the guide protrusion1340is closer to the fitting portion1322on the second plate132than it is at the closed position. The cable (not shown) extends through the portion at which the central portion of the cable passage1314and the cable passage1334are communicated with each other. If the width of each of the guide slots1321and1333becomes narrower by configuring a protruded portion to interfere with the guide protrusion1340at the central portion of at least one of the first or second guide slot1321or1333, the guide protrusion1340may be temporarily fixed to the central portion even if the elastic member1350is employed. Hence, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can be used for the self-image capturing in the state that the second body200is at the intermediate position (seeFIG. 3).

As shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B(andFIG. 4), the second body200is moveable to the opened position at which the input device180is completely exposed and the second body200is maximally slid along the semi-circular path P in the width direction W. While moving from the intermediate position to the opened position, as the third plate1330is slid with respect to the first plate1310in the width direction W, the first plate1310is almost aligned at the other end portion of the third plate1330in the width direction W. During the movement, the guide protrusion1340is moved toward a portion at which the other end portions of the first and second guide slots1321and1333are aligned with each other. As the other end portions of the first and second guide slots1321and1333are realigned with each other, the second plate1320is moved downwardly by a certain distance D to be apart from the one end portion of the third plate1330.

The movement is automatically performed by the elastic force accumulated by the compression of the elastic member1350and the subsequent release of the compression. The cable (not shown) extends through the portion at which the other end portion of the cable passage1334and the cable passage1314are communicated with each other. To move the second body200back to the closed position overlaying the first body100, the above process is reversed.

A third exemplary embodiment of the mobile communication device and slide module is shown inFIGS. 16-18. As shown in these figures, the slide module2300includes a rotation plate2310disposed between the first body100and the second body200to be rotatable within a certain range. The slide module2300includes a first roller2320rotatably supported by one end of the rotation plate2310and is fixed to the inner surface101of the first body100, and a second roller2330rotatably supported by the other end of the rotation plate2310and is fixed to the inner surface201of the second body200.

The rotation plate2310has a particular length and both end portions are formed in a semi-circular shape. At one end of the rotation plate2310, a first hinge hole2311is located and the first roller2320is rotatably inserted therein. At the other end of the rotation plate2320, a second hinge hole2312is located and the second roller2330is rotatably inserted therein.

The first roller2320is rotatably disposed at a lower surface of the rotation plate2310. The first roller2320has a shape of a circular plate having a plurality of coupling holes2321formed in a circumferential direction so as to be fixable to the inner surface101of the first body100. The first roller2320also has a circular opening2322at its central portion. The first roller2320is rotatably connected to the rotation plate2310by a first bushing2325.

The first bushing2325, which is cylindrical in shape, is fixed to the opening2322of the first roller2320and is rotatably supported by the first hinge hole2311of the rotation plate2310by a flange2326. The flange2326contacts an upper surface of the rotation plate2310and is disposed at one end of the first bushing2325. The other end of the first bushing2325is inserted into the opening2322of the first roller2320and then fixed onto the surface of the first roller2320by a riveting operation or the like, so as to avoid the separation of the first bushing2325from the first roller2320. Alternatively, the other end of the first bushing2325can be inserted into the opening2322of the first roller2320to be fixed thereto by a nut, fixing ring, or the like.

The second roller2330includes a plurality of coupling holes2331located at the upper surface of the second roller2330in a circumferential direction to be fixable to the inner surface201of the second body200. The second roller also includes an opening2332located at a central portion thereof. The second roller2330and the rotation plate2310are rotatably connected to each other by a second bushing2336. The second bushing2336, which is cylindrical in shape, is rotatably inserted into the second hinge hole2312of the rotation plate2310to thusly be inserted into the opening2332of the second roller2330. The second bushing2336may have the same structure as that of the first bushing2325and disposed between the second roller2330and the rotation plate2310in the same manner.

A cable (not shown), such as FPCB or the like, for electrically connecting the first body100to the second body200extends out of the first body100along the surface of the rotation plate2310via the first bushing2325. The cable is then passed through the second bushing2336to be connected to the second body200.

According to this configuration, when applying a force onto the second body200, the rotation plate2310is relatively rotated with respect to the second body200around the second roller2330, and simultaneously rotated with respect to the first body100around the first roller2320. By virtue of the motion of this slide module2300, the second body200can perform the relative motion so as to be rotated with respect to the first body100along a semi-circular path P (seeFIGS. 3 and 4).

The slide module2300according to the third embodiment of the present invention further includes a sliding guide unit2340for guiding the second body200to be semi-automatically slid by the relative rotation thereof. As shown inFIGS. 17 to 19, the sliding guide unit2340is interposed between the rotation plate2310and the first and second rollers2320and2330. When the second body is in the intermediate position, the rotation plate2310can be automatically rotated through the remaining angle with assistance of the sliding guide unit2340. The sliding guide unit2340also provides an elastic force such that the rotation plate2310can be held in the stopped state.

The sliding guide unit2340includes first and second cam members2341and2345positioned at both edges of the rotation plate2310to be linearly moveable in the length direction of the rotation plate2310. A cam surface2346is formed at each of the first and second rollers2320and2330to come in contact with the first and second cam members2341and2345. An elastic member2349is wound around the first and second cam members2341and2345so as to supply an elastic force to the first and second cam members2341and2345.

The first cam member2341is formed in the shape of a semi-circular ring and is inserted into an outer circumference of the first roller2320. A groove2343, around which the elastic member2349is wound, is formed at the outer circumference of the first roller2320. A cam protrusion2342configured to be in contact with the cam surface2346protrudes from a central portion of the first cam member2341. The second cam member2345is formed similar to the first cam member2341.

Supporting portions in the form of supporting grooves2313and supporting rods2344are formed between each of the first and second cam members2341and2345and the rotation plate2310such that the first and second cam members2341and2345are supported at the rotation plate2310to be linearly moveable with respect thereto. The supporting rods2344protrude inwardly from an inner surface of each of the cam members2341and2345and the supporting grooves2313are formed at the ends of the rotation plate2310such that the supporting rods2344can be inserted therein to be linearly moveable. The supporting rods2344of each of the cam members2341and2345are inserted into the supporting grooves2313of the rotation plate2310such that the cam members2341and2345can be integrally rotated with the rotation plate2310and the cam members2341and2345are linearly moved in the length direction of the rotation plate2310.

Each of the cam surfaces2346has a curved surface alternately having a concave part2347and a convex part2348in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the cam protrusion2342of each of the cam members2341and2345is moved while being in contact with the concave and convex parts2347and2348. Specifically, the cam protrusion2342is in contact with the convex part2348, the cam protrusion2342is moved by the elastic force from the elastic member2349to be in contact with the concave part2347. As a result, the rotation plate2310can be automatically rotated by a certain angle around the rollers2320and2330.

The elastic member2349, which may be a ring-shaped coil spring, is wound around the first cam member2341and the second cam member2345to apply the elastic force in a direction that the distance between the first and second cam members2341and2345becomes narrower. In addition to the ring-shaped coil spring, the elastic member2349can be implemented as other types such as a rubber spring and the like.

As shown inFIGS. 20 to 22, the mobile communication terminal includes a guide unit2400. The guide unit2400includes a guide slot2410disposed at the inner surface101of the first body100to have an arc shape in the width direction of the first body100, and a guide protrusion2420protruded from the inner surface201of the second body200and inserted into the guide slot2410to be slidably moved along the guide slot2410. The guide unit2400can be installed in the length direction L of the first body100as well as in the width direction W of the first body100. According to this configuration, when the second body200is slidably moved along a semi-circular path in its width direction W, the guide unit2400assists the slide module2300to guide the relative motion between the first body100and the second body200, which allows the relative motion between the first and second bodies100and200to be performed along a more accurate path.

As shown inFIG. 20, the slide module2300is installed to be inclined by approximately 45° when the first body100and the second body200are at the closed position (seeFIG. 1). Specifically, the first roller2320fixed to the first body100is fixed to an edge of one side surface of the first body100and the second roller2330fixed to the second body200is fixed to the central portion of the second body200. Hence, the first roller2320and the second roller2330are aligned to be inclined by approximately 45°, although other angles could be equally suitable, with respect to the length direction L of the first and second bodies100and200.

As a user pushes the side of the second body200in a direction indicated by an arrow F, as shown inFIG. 21, the second body200is slid along a semi-circular path P (seeFIG. 3). When the second body200arrives at the intermediate position, the second body200is placed at a position moved by a certain distance respectively in the length direction L and the width direction W. As noted above, the guide slot2410may be configured to fix the guide protrusion2420thereat and causing the second body200to be temporarily stopped at the intermediate position, if so desired.

When the second body200is slid from the closed position to the intermediate position, the cam protrusion2342formed at each of the cam members2341and the2345is moved while being in contact with the cam surface2346of each of the first roller2320and the second roller2330. That is, the cam protrusion2342is moved away from the concave part2347of the cam surface2346and moved toward the convex part2348thereof Accordingly, the distance between the cam members2341and2345is increased at both edges of the rotation plate2310by being linearly moved in the length direction of the rotation plate2310. At this point, the cam protrusion2342is positioned at the peak of the convex part2348of the cam surface2346, and thereby the distance between the two cam members2341and2345is enlarged. Accordingly, the elastic member2349wounded around the cam members2341and2345is extended so as to accumulate an elastic force. When the second body200is moved over the intermediate position, the cam protrusion2342is moved toward the concave part2347along the cam surface2346by the elastic force of the elastic member2349. As a result, the rotation plate2310is rotated over the remaining angle by the released elastic force, and the second body200is automatically moved toward the opened position.

As shown inFIG. 22, when the second body200is moved to the opened position, the second body200is placed at a position moved by a certain distance in the width direction W of the first body100. Here, the cam protrusion2342of each of the cam members2341and2345is inserted into the concave part2347of the cam surface2346so as to maintain the opened state of the second body200. When the second body200is slid toward the closed position, the slide module200is inversely operated.

As shown inFIGS. 22 and 23, the aforementioned embodiment may be modified to provide a sliding guide unit2350that includes a cam surface2346disposed at one side surface of each of the first and second rollers2320and2330and a wire spring2351fixed to the rotation plate2310to be moved together with the rotation plate2310and contacted by the cam surface2346. The cam surface2346includes a concave part2347and a convex part2348.

The wire spring2351may include four individual springs, which are radially arranged in the circumferential direction of the rollers2320and2330. The wire spring2351may have both ends fixed to fixing members2315, which are located at the rotation plate2310. The central portion of the wire spring2351is protruded to be convex, thereby being elastically contacted by the cam surface2346.

Regarding the operation of the sliding guide unit2350, when the second body200is slid in the width direction, the wire spring2351is rotated together with the rotation plate2310to be moved along the cam surface2346. When the wire spring2351arrives at the peak of the convex part2348of the cam surface2346, the wire spring2351is stretched to accumulate an elastic force. Thereafter, when the wire spring2351is passed through the peak of the convex part2348of the cam surface2346, the wire spring2351is shrunk to apply the elastic force to the second body200. Accordingly, the second body200can be automatically slid by a certain distance.