Sliding type mobile terminal

A sliding mechanism is provided to couple slidably a first housing having on its surface a vertically long liquid crystal display part long in the vertical direction to a second housing having on its surface an operating part. This slide mechanism includes a rail part which is mounted on the surface of the second housing in a manner of extending in the vertical direction and is configured such that when the first housing has slidingly moved by means of the slide mechanism to the upper end side of the second housing, the operating part of the second housing will appear. Further, by means of the cam mechanism (support mechanism), the first housing is supported relative to the second housing in a switchable manner between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state.

This non-provisional application claims priority based on Patent Application No. 2006-284825 filed in Japan on Oct. 19, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sliding type mobile terminal such as mobile phones, mobile wireless communication equipment and the like, in which a first housing and a second housing are slidably coupled together.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, a one segment receiving service for mobile phones and mobile wireless communication equipment, which has captured attention as a service unique to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, has started to be offered, and this service is commonly known as “One Seg”.

“One Seg” is a service realized by Japan's exclusive broadcasting system that splits a 6-megahertz band for terrestrial digital TV broadcasting into 13 segments to be sent. The middle segment of the 13 segments alone provides images, voice, and data. Further, what is different from normal TV is the advantage of receiving TV images in an undisturbed manner even while on the move. A further increase in the number of users is expected. Consequently, it is expected that a TV receiving function will be indispensable to the mobile phones and mobile wireless communication equipment.

On the other hand, the telephone call function of the mobile phone continues to be its main function. Further, because of its portability, smaller size and lighter weight have become important merchandising factors. In view of emphasis on usability, the mobile phone is vertically long with its width restricted.

When the display part is fixed in a vertically long state, to display an image horizontally long, it was necessary to give a reduced display to fit it into the vertically long screen or see the entire image by horizontal scroll operation.

For example, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-115109, there is known a mobile information terminal composed of a body with an operating part and a cover superposed on the operating part side of the body and slidable along the operating part from the superposed state. In such sliding type mobile information terminal, when the cover in the superposed state on the body is held horizontally so that the display part provided on the cover may be in a horizontally long state, TV reception in the horizontally long state is possible.

Incidentally, contrary to the conventional analog broadcasting, the terrestrial digital TV broadcasting provides the user with what is called two-way service such that the user can participate in a quiz program on TV or to do TV shopping and make bank remittance through TV.

When viewing on terrestrial digital TV broadcasting through the mobile phone and the like is made possible, operating the keys at the operating part while viewing images at the display part becomes all the more necessary.

However, the terminal disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-115109 has only simple operating keys provided on the cover. Further, if the user holds it in the horizontally long state with the cover being slid to show the display part, the operating part is also turned by 90° so that denotation on the operating keys is positioned at the 90° turn as seen by the user. In addition, because the operating key arrangement differs from the usual arrangement, there was a problem that made an input operation extremely difficult.

In view of this, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-338866, the mobile phone comprises a body housing a group of buttons such as dial buttons as well as various electronic circuits, and a display part of the same size as the body to enable it to be lapped thereon and fitted. The body is provided with a pin having a circular plate attached on top of a protrusion at the upper part of the surface side of the body, while the display part is provided with a cam part from the upper end to a substantially central position in the vertically long direction of the back surface side of the display part, the cam part being made up of a groove with a T-shape cross part to fit the pin provided on the body. The pin is inserted into the cam part of the display part, thus providing a slidable structure.

In the mobile phone of such construction, there is an advantage of performing normal key operation with its display part in the horizontally long state where receiving a telecast of two-way service such as TV shopping and when preparing mail in English.

However, in the mobile phone of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-338866, the pin which is a pivot of sliding movement and rotation of the display pail is positioned at the upper end of the body, and there is only one pin for the display part to slide and rotate by being held by a single hand, causing a poor balance and thus creating a problem of growing ricketiness over years. Further, since the pin is located at the upper end of the body, when the display part is placed in the horizontally long state, the upper end of the display part is placed further above the upper end of the body, causing a problem of poor stability when the body is placed on the desk.

Conversely, when the pin is positioned lower from the upper end of the body downward to increase a sense of stability, the region for the operating part has to be made smaller, so that ideal button arrangements could not be hoped for, resulting in poor operability. To prevent this would necessitate enlarging the exterior shape of the product, then giving rise to a problem of worsening portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of these problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding type mobile terminal such that, while maintaining overall compactness, a first housing is stably supported in a sliding-movable manner and in a manner that enables switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, and that even when the first housing is set in the horizontally long state, operation under the normal key arrangement is made possible.

To accomplish the foregoing object, in the present invention, a support mechanism is provided to support a first housing which is slidable on a rail part in such a manner that makes the first housing switchable between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state relative to the second housing.

Specifically, a first aspect of the invention is drawn to a sliding type mobile terminal including a first housing having on a surface thereof a vertically long display part in a vertical direction, a second housing having on a surface thereof an operating pall, and a slide mechanism slidably coupling the first housing and the second housing.

The slide mechanism is provided with a rail part mounted to extend in the vertical direction on the surface of the second housing such that the operating part of the second housing appears when the first housing is slidingly moved toward ail upper end side of the second housing.

The sliding type mobile terminal includes a support mechanism supporting the first housing in a manner that makes the first housing switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state relative to the second housing.

According to the foregoing configuration, after the first housing is slidingly moved to the upper end side of the second housing stably through the rail part of the slide mechanism, the second housing appears to enable telephone calls and mail communication. Further, since the first housing becomes switchable between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state relative to the second housing, operation under the normal key arrangement is possible while looking at the screen in the horizontally long state.

In a second aspect of the invention, the slide mechanism is disposed between a back side of the first housing and the surface of the second housing and is provided with a plate part slidingly moving on the rail part. The support mechanism is disposed on the plate part.

According to the foregoing configuration, the construction of mounting the support mechanism on the plate part which slidingly moves on the rail part secures, with a simple structure, sliding movement and the switching operation between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. Further, since the plate part and the support mechanism are provided at a limited space between the back side of the first housing and the surface of the second housing, the sliding type mobile terminal becomes compact.

In a third aspect of the invention, the support mechanism is constituted of a cam mechanism.

According to the configuration described above, by devising the groove shape and arrangement of the cam mechanism, it becomes possible to properly control trajectory of rotational movement in the switching operation of the first housing, thereby enabling the entire sliding type mobile terminal to be made compact.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the cam mechanism supports the first housing while guiding switching of the first housing between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state such that a lower end side corner part of the first housing may move on a straight line trajectory.

According to the configuration, since the trajectory of switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the first housing is in a straight line, the movement during switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the first housing is rendered smooth, thereby facilitating the switching operation.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a central part in the vertically long state and in the horizontally long state of the first housing are positioned substantially at a central part in the horizontal direction of the second housing.

According to the configuration, since the first housing in the horizontally long state is positioned at substantially the center ill the horizontal direction of the second housing, when the user holds it by one hand or puts it on a desk, stability is good with fine appearance as well.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, when the first housing is in the horizontally long state, the operating part appears from a down side, presenting a substantially T-shape when seen from the surface.

According to the configuration, while looking at the display part in the horizontally long state, the user can hold the second housing with a single hand and operate under the normal key arrangement.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, when the first housing is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, all upper side of the first housing in the horizontally long state and an upper side of the second housing match.

According to the configuration, when the first housing is in the horizontally long state, the first housing does not protrude beyond the upper end of the second housing, and hence, stability is good with fine appearance as well.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, the cam mechanism includes: a curved horizontal guide groove provided on the plate part, extending substantially in the horizontal direction, and curved in a moderately convex form; a vertical guide groove provided on the plate part and extending substantially in the vertical direction; a first guide pin provided on the back side of the first housing and slidably engaging with the horizontal guide groove; and a second guide pin provided on the back side of the first housing and slidably engaging with the vertical guide groove.

According to the configuration, the first guide pin of the first housing in the state of engaging with the horizontal guide groove moves slidably horizontally through the cam mechanism, while at the same time the second guide pin of the first housing ill lie state of engaging with the vertical guide groove slidingly moves in the vertical direction. As a result of the movement restriction by the cam mechanism, the first housing is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state such that its lower end side corner part moves in a straight line trajectory. Further, because the vertical movement and the rotational movement are carried out all at once by the cam mechanism, it is not necessary to arrange the first and the second guide pins on the upper end side of the second housing. Since the first housing is supported by the second housing at these two guide pins arranged in the middle of the second housing, the first housing is surely prevented from ricketiness.

In a ninth aspect of the invention, the sliding type mobile terminal includes a first restrictive member restricting switching of the first housing from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state while the first housing slidingly moves relative to the second housing.

According to the above configuration, since the first housing is prevented from rotating by the first restrictive member while the first housing is sliding and moving, the sliding movement is carried out stably and surely.

In a tenth aspect of the invention, the first housing has a rotation preventing protrusion disposed in a protruding manner on the back side of the first housing.

The first restrictive member restricts movement of the rotation preventing protrusion.

According to the configuration, since the first restrictive member restricts the movement of the rotation preventing protrusion on the back side of the first housing, the first housing does not rotate while sliding and moving, and the sliding movement is carried out stably and surely.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention, the first restrictive member is made up of a straight line restrictive protrusion provided on the surface of the second housing and is positioned in the vicinity of the rotation preventing protrusion to restrict switching of the first housing from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

According to the configuration, restriction by the rotation preventing protrusion can be performed with a simple configuration, and the sliding movement is carried out stably and surely.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention, while the first housing slidingly moves relative to the second housing, the rotation preventing protrusion slidingly moves in the vicinity of the restrictive protrusion.

Upon completion of the sliding movement, the rotation preventing protrusion moves away from the restrictive protrusion.

According to the configuration, when the first housing is slidingly moving, if an attempt is made to switch the first housing from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, the rotation preventing protrusion abuts on the restrictive protrusion thus to restrict such movement, and hence, the first housing is not switched to the horizontally long state. On the other hand, as the rotation preventing protrusion moves away from the restrictive protrusion upon completion of the sliding movement, the restriction on the rotation preventing protrusion is released to enable movement. Consequently, the first housing becomes switchable from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

In a thirteenth aspect of the invention, the rotation preventing protrusion sticks out further to the second housing side than the first guide pin and the second guide pin.

According to the configuration, the height of the restrictive protrusion is arranged such that there is no contact with the first guide pin and the second guide pin but there is contact with the rotation preventing protrusion. As a result, through a simple configuration, while restricting switching of the first housing from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state during the sliding movement, the switching operation of the first housing is made possible after the sliding movement.

In a fourteenth aspect of the invention, the plate part is provided with a contact preventing opening with an open upper side to prevent contact with the rotation preventing protrusion.

According to the configuration, the rotation preventing protrusion is prevented from contacting with the plate part while the first housing is being switched to the horizontally long state or the vertically long state. Further, lighter weight and further compactness are made possible by the removed portion.

In a fifteenth aspect of the invention, the sliding type mobile terminal includes, in the state where the vertically long state is switched to the horizontally long state upon completion of the sliding movement of the first housing, a second restrictive member restricting recurrence of sliding movement of the first housing.

According to the configuration, when the first housing is in the horizontally long state, the first housing does not slidingly move again due to the second restrictive member, thereby securing the horizontally long state. As a result, better operability is gained in the horizontal long state. On the other hand, after the horizontally long state is turned back to the vertically long state, the sliding movement is made possible.

In a sixteenth aspect of the invention, the second restrictive member restricts movement of the first guide pin.

According to the configuration, the second restrictive member restricts the first guide pin moving horizontally in the switching operation of the first housing in the switching operation of the first housing. As a result, in the state of switching to the horizontally long state, the first housing returns from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state while restricting the recurrence of sliding movement of the first housing, thereby causing the first guide pin to move away from the second restrictive member and making the first housing slidable. In this manner, release of the sliding movement of the first housing is easily made possible.

In a seventeenth aspect of the invention, the second restrictive member is made up of a restrictive protrusion disposed in a protruding manner in the vicinity of the first guide pin in the second housing when the first housing is in the horizontally long state to restrict downward sliding movement of the first housing.

According to the configuration, the second restrictive member made up of a protrusion restricts downward movement of the first guide pin moving horizontally in the switching operation of the first housing, thereby preventing the sliding movement of the first housing. Since the second restrictive member is made up of a protrusion, all that is needed is a small space for the member to occupy. Consequently, in the switching operation and sliding movement of the first housing, the second restrictive member is prevented from obstructing these movements.

In an eighteenth aspect of the invention, the vertical guide groove is set parallel to the rail part.

In a nineteenth aspect of the invention, the vertical guide groove is inclined relative to the rail part.

According to the configuration, by adjusting the angle of inclination of the vertical guide groove, the horizontal guide groove can be shaped into a circular arc. As a result, the switching operation of the first housing becomes smooth. Further, by inclining the vertical guide groove, the member forming the vertical guide groove can be cut to the vicinity of the vertical guide groove, thus enabling lighter weight and compactness by the cut part.

In a twentieth aspect of the invention, the vertical guide groove has a curved profile which makes a curvature.

According to the configuration, by curving the vertical guide groove as necessary and adjusting the shape of the horizontal guide groove accordingly, it is possible to make the first housing movement smooth, and by cutting the member forming the vertical guide groove, lighter weight and compactness are made possible by the curt part.

In a twenty-first aspect of the invention, the support mechanism is provided with an elastic member with one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the plate part, thereby biasing the first housing to secure that the first housing is in the vertically long state or in the horizontally long state.

According to the configuration, by adjusting the degree of bias power of the elastic member applied to the first housing, the switching of the first housing from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state or the switching of both is assisted by the elastic member.

In a twenty-second aspect of the invention, the elastic member is so arranged as to be most compressed in the vicinity of a top point of the horizontal guide groove.

According to the configuration, the power of the elastic member is most stored in the vicinity of the top point of the horizontal guide groove, and by crossing that top point, the switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state is assisted by the elastic member.

In a twenty-third aspect of the invention, the elastic member is a torsion coil spring.

According to the configuration, the elastic member is realized through a simple but hard to break constitution.

In a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, the support mechanism is provided with a link member, and the first guide pin and the second guide pin are provided on the back side of the link member, while the surface side is attached to the first housing.

According to the configuration, by fitting the link member to the first housing, the first guide pin and the second guide pin are attached to preset positions of the first housing.

In a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, the plate part and the link member are assembled in a unit.

According to the configuration, by subjecting the plate part and the link member to unit assembly, the first guide pin and the second guide pin can be arranged in good accuracy inside each guide groove, while at the same time the support mechanism can be easily attached to the first housing. Further, by inserting the plate part into the rail part, the first housing can be easily fitted to the second housing.

In a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, the plate part is made up of sheet metal.

According to the configuration, processing is easy and low cost.

In a twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, the plate part is composed of a magnesium alloy molded product.

According to the configuration, a plate part of a lightweight, thin type having high rigidity and good durability is obtained, thereby maintaining the overall strength even though a guide groove is formed.

In a twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, the display part is provided with a liquid crystal display.

According to the configuration, the liquid crystal display is less expensive and more durable than an organic EL display.

In a twenty-ninth aspect of the invention, the display is provided with an organic EL display.

According to the configuration, the organic EL display has lower power consumption because of its light-emitting property and a wider viewing angle than the liquid crystal display. Further, since the organic EL display does not need any back light, it can be made thinner.

In a thirtieth aspect of the invention, a sliding type mobile terminal is a mobile wireless communication device.

According to the configuration, a sliding type mobile communication device can be obtained which can be operated under the normal key arrangement while the user is looking at the display part in the horizontally long state.

In a thirty-first aspect of the invention, the mobile wireless communication device is a mobile phone.

According to the configuration, in mobile phones, importance is placed on portability and design, compactness, good operability, comfortable TV viewing are made possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will herein-after be described in detail.

FIG. 1shows a front view and a right side view of a sliding type mobile phone1as a sliding type mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention in the state prior to sliding.FIG. 2shows a front view and a right side view of a post-sliding state after a first housing3is slidably moved relative to a second housing5.FIG. 3shows a front view and a right side view of a state where the first housing3, after the post-sliding state ofFIG. 2, is in the process of switching from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state.FIG. 4shows a front view and a right side view of a state where the first housing3is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

The sliding type mobile phone1of the present embodiment is provided with the first housing3having on its surface a liquid crystal display part2as a display and a second housing5having on its surface an operating part4. These first housing3and second housing5are slidably coupled through a slide mechanism25along a length direction (vertical direction) of the second housing5. Through connecting means not illustrated, the first housing3and the second housing5are electrically connected. This enables the sliding type mobile phone1to switch between a compact pre-slide state shown inFIG. 1and a post-slide state shown inFIG. 2.

The first housing3ofFIG. 1has a lower end part in a vertically long state which is formed in a straight line. The liquid crystal display part2is in a vertically long, rectangular shape which is long in the vertical direction and arranged to occupy the most part of the surface of the first housing3. On the upper end side of the first housing3in its vertically long state is provided a speaker part (not illustrated) for conversation. Each corner part of the first housing3, including a lower end side corner part3a, is rounded off in terms of design or safety consideration.

On the operating part4of the second housing5are provided a plurality of input buttons7on the lower side of operating part4, and on the upper side thereof are provided function buttons8. These input buttons7and function buttons8are arranged in such a manner that the user can input with keys when holding the entire sliding type mobile phone in a vertically long manner, and are provided with a denotation displayed on the surface of each button. By operating the input buttons7and the function key8, numerous functions of the sliding type mobile phone1can be utilized. The operating part4is constructed such as to appear when the first housing3is slidably moved upward relative to the second housing5. Further, the second housing5is provided with a microphone pail for conversation, not illustrated.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 4, in this sliding type mobile phone1, when the liquid crystal display part2is in either vertically long state or horizontally long state, the user can operate the input buttons7and the function buttons8of the operating part4in the same vertically long state while looking at the liquid crystal display part2. In other words, when the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, the operating part4appears on the lower side, and a substantially T shape results when seen from the surface, so that the user, while holding the second housing5with a single hand, can look at the horizontally long liquid crystal display part2and operate under the normal key arrangement. Further, note that the central pail in the horizontal direction in the vertically long state and in the horizontally long state of the first housing3are respectively positioned at the central part of the horizontal direction of the second housing5. Furthermore, an upper side3b(left side in the vertically long state) of the first housing3in the horizontally long state and an upper side5aof the second housing5match to provide a fine appearance.

As shown inFIG. 5, the slide mechanism25is provided with a rail part26which extends in the vertical direction on the surface of the second housing5. This rail part26has a pair of parallel rod-like members26aand concave grooves26brespectively provided in the rod-like members26a. The slide mechanism25is provided between the back side of the first housing3and the surface of the second housing5, and has a plate part16which slidingly moves on the rail pail26. As shown inFIG. 9, this plate part16is made of, for example, sheet metal. In the case of sheet metal, processing is easy and low cost. This plate part16has a bend part16awhich is bent to the back side on the horizontal sides. By inserting the bend part16ainto the rail part26, the plate part16is made slidably moveable up and down on the rail part26and prevented from being pulled out of the rail part26. For example, by providing stoppers26con the upper and lower ends of the rail part26, the range of the sliding movement is restricted. The first housing3is supported by the plate part16through a cam mechanism10serving as a support mechanism, and when this first housing3is slidably moved to the upper end side of the second housing5, the operating part4of the second housing5appears.

FIG. 6shows a state where the first housing3is slidingly moved upward and positions to which each pin and each protrusion move.FIG. 7shows a state where the first housing is turned clockwise after its upward sliding movement.FIG. 8shows a state where the first housing is turned further clockwise from the state ofFIG. 7to be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

As shown inFIGS. 6 to 9, the cam mechanism10is provided on the plate part16. The cam mechanism10supports the first housing3in a manner that makes it switchable between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. The cam mechanism10includes: a curved horizontal guide groove12provided on the plate part16, extending in the horizontal direction, and curved in a moderately convex form; a straight line vertical guide groove14provided on the plate part16and extending in the vertical direction; a first guide pin13provided on the back side of the first housing3and slidably engaging with the horizontal guide groove12; and a second guide pin15provided on the back side of the first housing3and slidably engaging with the vertical guide groove14.

That is, the horizontal guide groove12is made up of an opening curved in a moderately convex form, so that when the sliding type mobile phone is seen from the surface, the central part is offset to the left side of the first housing3. The vertical guide groove14is made up of a periphery part of a straight line opening provided on the upper side of the uppermost part of the moderately convex form of the horizontal guide groove12. When the first housing3is in the vertically long state, the second guide pin15is positioned to a somewhat lower left side from the central part of the first housing3when seen from the surface side of the sliding type mobile phone1.

On the other hand, on the back side of the first housing3, a link member18made of metal is attached. This link member18has a plate-form attaching part18bprovided with through holes18afor fastening and positioning on the back side of the first housing3and a tip part18ccontinuing from this attaching part18bin an L form in a side view. The first guide pin13is provided to extend vertically to one end side of the link member18, that is, a tip of the attaching part18bon the plate part16side. The second guide pin15is provided to extend vertically to the other end side of the link member18, that is, an end part of the tip part18con the plate part16side. These guide pins13and15respectively have on the tips annular parts13aand15ahaving larger diameter than the guide grooves12and14. These annular parts13aand15aslide respectively around the peripheries of the guide grooves12and14. This prevents the guide pins13and15from being pulled out of the guide grooves12and14, so that the first housing3may not be removed off the plate part16. The annular part13aof the first guide pin13protrudes further toward the back side than the annular part15aof the second guide pin15.

In this manner, the link member18is attached to the first housing3with the first guide pin13and the second guide pin15provided on the back side and the surface side fastened to first housing3by screws40pierced through the through holes18a. By attaching the link member11to the first housing3, the first guide pin13and the second guide pin15are attached to preset positions of the first housing3.

As shown illFIG. 9, the vertical guide groove14is inclined relative to the rail part26(bend part16a). Further, on the upper side of the central part of the plate part16, a contact preventing opening16bwith an open upper end is formed. In this manner, by adjusting the angle of inclination of the vertical guide groove14, the guide groove12can be made into a circular are shape, thereby making the switching operation of the first housing3smooth. Further, since the vertical guide groove14is inclined, when the contact preventing opening16bis provided, it is easier to establish a reinforcement between the vertical guide groove14and the contact preventing opening16b. On the lower side central part surface of the plate part16, a spring fixed pin19is provided to protrude to the surface side.

As shownFIGS. 6 to 8, the cam mechanism10is provided with a torsion coil spring20serving as an elastic member to bias the first housing3to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, one end20aof the torsion coil spring20being fixed to the first guide pin13and the other end20bbeing fixed to the spring fixed pin19. The torsion coil spring20is supported to be horizontally swingable about the spring fixed pin19. The elastic power of the torsion coil spring20biases the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state and biasing the first housing3from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state. Alternatively, priority for the biasing may be given to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. In this manner, it is possible for the user to switch to the vertically long state or to the horizontally long state in one touch with a single hand.

Further, the torsion coil spring20is so arranged as to be most compressed in the vicinity of the top point (shown inFIG. 7) of the horizontal guide groove12. As a result, the power of the torsion coil spring20is stored utmost in the vicinity of the top point of the horizontal guide groove12, and by crossing this top point, switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state or from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state is aided by the torsion coil spring20.

In this manner, by making a structure where the cam mechanism10is provided on the plate part16, which slidingly moves on the rail part26, it is possible to perform the sliding movement and the switching operation to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state surely on a simple structure. Further, since the plate part16and the cam mechanism10are provided in a limited space between the back side of the first housing3and the surface of the second housing5, the sliding type mobile phone1is rendered compact.

The plate part16, the link member18, and the torsion coil spring20are so constituted as to be capable of unit assembly. Attaching the unit-assembled cam mechanism10to the first housing3facilitates assembly of the cam mechanism10, while at the same time, the first guide pin13and the second guide pin15are arranged respectively in the guide grooves12and14with good accuracy. Further, by inserting the plate part16into the rail part26, the first housing3can be easily incorporated into the second housing5. Further, by making up the cam mechanism10with a metal member, its movement is made smooth and its rigidity can be enhanced.

On the surface of the second housing5, a restrictive protrusion30is formed as a first restrictive member. The restrictive protrusion30is made of a straight line protrusion extending to a preset height in the vertical direction, thereby restricting switching of the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state while the first housing3is slidably moving relative to the second housing5. On the other hand, on the back side somewhat to the left when seen from the surface of the first housing3, there is protrudingly provided a rotation preventing protrusion31. The rotation preventing protrusion31sticks out further toward the second housing2side than the first guide pin13and the second guide pin15.

By this configuration, the restrictive protrusion30is positioned in the vicinity of the rotation preventing protrusion31to restrict the movement of the rotation preventing protrusion31, thereby restricting switching of the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. Specifically, the configuration is such that while the first housing3slidingly moves relative to the second housing5, the rotation preventing protrusion31slidingly moves in the vicinity of the restrictive protrusion30, whereupon the rotation preventing protrusion31abuts on the restrictive protrusion30during that time so that the rotation preventing protrusion31cannot move to the left, thus restricting rotation of the first housing3. Upon completion of the sliding movement, the rotation preventing protrusion31moves away from the restrictive protrusion30and thus is able to move to the left, thus releasing the restriction against the rotation of the first housing3. With the above simple configuration, the restriction of the rotation preventing protrusion31is carried out.

Further, since the contact preventing opening16bis formed on the plate part16, contact between the plate part16and the rotation preventing protrusion31is prevented. Still further, since the contact preventing opening16bis formed by cutting, lighter weight and compactness are made possible by the cut part. Further, the rotation preventing protrusion31is prevented from contacting with the plate part16while the first housing3is being switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

On the surface of the second housing5positioned in the vicinity of the first guide pin13when the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, there is protrudingly provided a restrictive protrusion35as a second restrictive member. This restrictive protrusion35restricts the movement of the first guide pin13, which in turn restricts the sliding movement of the first housing3. That is, in the state where the sliding movement of the first housing3is completed and switching from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state has been made, the recurrence of the downward sliding movement of the first housing3is restricted by abutting of the restrictive protrusion35on the annular part13aof the first guide pin13.

Operation

Next, operation of the sliding type mobile phone1according to this embodiment will be described.

Firstly, as shown inFIG. 1, when the sliding type mobile phone1is in a standby state, there is provided a pre-slide state where the first housing3is not slidingly moving relative to the second housing5. Here the liquid crystal display part2appears to the surface, and thus TV viewing is possible even in this condition.

Next, as shown inFIG. 2, the first housing3slidingly moves upward relative to the second housing5. If an attempt is made to switch the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state while the first housing3is slidingly moving, then, as shown inFIG. 5, the rotation preventing protrusion31abuts on the restrictive protrusion30, which restricts the leftward movement of the rotation preventing protrusion31. Consequently, the first housing3is not switched to the horizontally long state. This makes the sliding movement stable and reliable. Further, as the plate part16slidingly moves on the rail part26of the second housing5, the first housing3supported through the cam mechanism10slidingly moves to the upper side of the second housing5, whereby the operating part4appears. In normal conversation or sending or receiving e-mail, the liquid crystal display part2is set at the vertically long state and used by inputting with keys on the operating part4.

On the other hand, when the user desires to see horizontally long images such as for viewing terrestrial digital TV broadcasting or preparing or reading e-mail in English, then the user rotates the first housing3while the operating part4is in the state of appearance and switches the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. At this time, as shown inFIG. 6, as the rotation preventing protrusion31moves away from the restrictive protrusion30upon completion of the sliding movement, the restriction of the rotation preventing protrusion31is released so that the leftward movement is made possible. That is, the first housing3is switchable from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. By setting height of the restrictive protrusion30such that there is no contact with the first guide pin13and the second guide pin15but contact with the rotation preventing protrusion31, while restricting switching of the first housing3from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state during the sliding movement, it is possible through a simple configuration to enable the switching operation of the first housing3to be made after the sliding movement.

First, the user turns the first housing3in the state ofFIG. 6clockwise when seen from the surface against the biasing power of the torsion coil spring, thereby moving the lower end side corner part3ato a position shown inFIG. 7. At this time, the second guide pin15which was at the lower end of the vertical guide groove14when seen from the surface of the sliding type mobile phone1moves to the upper end, and the first guide pin13which was at the right end of the horizontal guide groove12moves to the central part.

Next, when the maximum angle of flexure is exceeded, while the first housing3is being aided by the biasing power, the first housing3switched to the horizontally long state. At this time, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the second guide pin15which was at the upper end of the vertical guide groove14when seen from the surface of the sliding type mobile phone1moves to the lower end, and the first guide pin13which was in the central part of the horizontal guide groove12moves to the left end.

In this manner, through the cam mechanism10, at the same instant when the first guide pin on13the back side of the first housing3slidingly moves to the left in the horizontal guide groove12, the second guide pin15on the back side of the first housing3slidingly moves up and down in the vertical guide groove14.

FIG. 10shows a trajectory drawn by the lower end side corner part3adue to the movement restriction by the cam mechanism10. The lowermost end part at the time of switching is guided and supported for moving by a straight line trajectory which maintains a preset gap with the function buttons8. Consequently, since the first housing3does not move to a lower side than this trajectory, the first housing3never contacts with the functional buttons8. Further, the movement at the time of switching between the vertically lon-g state and the horizontally long state of the first housing3is rendered smooth, thereby facilitating the switching operation.

Even in the horizontally long state shown inFIG. 4, the central part in the horizontal direction of the first housing3is positioned substantially in the central part in the horizontal direction of the first housing3. When the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, the operating part4appears on the lower side presenting a substantially T shape when seen from the surface. Thus, the liquid crystal display part2is set to display large, horizontally long images, so that the user, while inputting with keys on the operating part4, may participate in quiz programs from TV or use TV shopping, bank remittance and other services through TV. When the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, the first housing3is also positioned substantially on the center in the horizontal direction of the second housing5. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 4, when the first housing3is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, the upper side3bof the first housing3in the horizontally long state matches the upper side5aof the second housing5. As a result, when the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, the first housing3does not protrude from the upper end of the second housing5. Accordingly, when the user has the mobile phone with a single hand or puts it on the desk, its stability is good with fine appearance as well.

When the first housing3is in the horizontally long state, the annular part13aof the first guide pin13moving horizontally during the switching operation of the first housing3abuts on the restrictive protrusion35, thereby restricting downward movement. This prevents the sliding movement of the first housing3. Insofar as the first guide pin13remains in this position, the first housing3does not slidingly move due to the restrictive protrusion35, and hence, the horizontally long state is surely maintained. This improves operability in the horizontally long state. Since the restrictive protrusion35is made up of a protrusion, all that is needed is a small space to occupy, and the possibility that the restrictive protrusion35may impede the switching operation and the sliding movement of the first housing3is prevented.

On the other hand, after the horizontally long state is returned to the vertically long state, the first guide pin13moves to the right side away from the restrictive protrusion35, so that the first housing3can slidingly move downward. In this manner, the sliding movement of the first housing3can be easily released.

Further, after use, contrary to the foregoing, the user turns the lower end side corner part3aon the right side of the first housing3counterclockwise when seen from the surface against the biasing power of the torsion coil spring, and when the torsion coil spring20exceeds the maximum angle of flexure while being aided by the biasing power, the first housing3returns to the vertically long state.

Further, the first housing3is slidably moved relative to the second housing5to be in a standby state.

Consequently, according to the sliding type mobile phone1of this embodiment, while realizing overall compactness, the first housing3is held stably to enable sliding movement and switching operation between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, whereas when the first housing3is put in the horizontally long state, operation becomes possible under the normal key arrangement.

Other Embodiments

In the present invention, the embodiment may be configured as follows.

That is, while in the embodiment the vertical guide groove14is inclined relative to the rail part26, the vertical guide groove14may be provided parallel to the rail part26. Further, as shown inFIG. 11, the vertical guide groove14may have a curvilinear shape. This makes it possible to bend the vertical guide groove14as necessary, whereupon by adjusting the shape of the vertical guide groove14accordingly, the movement of the first housing3may be made smooth, and by cutting a member forming the vertical guide groove14, lighter weight and compactness are made possible by the cut part.

In the embodiment, through the cam mechanism10, the first housing3is guided and supported so that the lower end side corner part3amay move along a straight line trajectory. However, the movement is along a curvilinear trajectory.

In the embodiment, the cam mechanism10is such that the first housing3is switched clockwise when seen from the surface from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. However, the switching m-nay be counterclockwise.

In this manner; by devising the groove shape and arrangement of the cam mechanism10, it is possible to control the trajectory of rotational movement in proper switching operation of the first housing3.

Further, in the embodiment, the central part in the horizontal direction in the vertically long state and in the horizontally long state of the first housing3is positioned substantially in the center part in the horizontal direction of the first housing3, but this may be offset either to right or left.

While in the embodiment, the display part is the liquid crystal display part2, the display part may be an organic EL display. The organic EL display has small power consumption because of its light-emitting property. By comparison to the liquid crystal display, it has a large viewing angle and requires no back light, thus enabling a thin type to be made.

The plate part16may be a magnesium alloy molded product. This enables a lightweight, thin type plate part16of high rigidity and durability, and overall strength is maintained even if the guide grooves12and14as well as the contact preventing opening16bare formed.

In the embodiment, the sliding type mobile terminal is a mobile phone. But mobile wireless communication equipment such as PES, PDA, PC, and mobile communication tools is acceptable. The point is that insofar as the first housing3and the second housing5are slidably coupled together with a vertically long display pail, any mobile terminal is acceptable.

The embodiment is drawn to the sliding type mobile phone1provided with the first housing3having on its surface the liquid crystal display part2which is vertically long in the vertical direction. However, it may be a sliding type mobile terminal provided with the first housing3having on its surface a horizontally long liquid crystal display part2in the horizontal direction. In this case, the slide mechanism is provided with a rail part which extends on the surface of the second housing in the horizontal direction. When the first housing is slidingly moved to the right end side or the left end side of the second housing, the operating part of the second housing appears, with a support mechanism to support the first housing relative to the second housing in a switchable manner between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. This allows the key operation in the normal horizontally long state to be also conducted with the display part vertically long.

It should be noted that the embodiments are intrinsically preferred examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications and usage.