Slide mechanism for slide-type portable terminal devices

A slide mechanism (20) includes a rear cover (22), a front cover (24) slidably connected to the rear cover, and at least two magnetic members positioned on the rear cover and the front cover respectively. The front cover can be opened/closed relative to the rear cover semi-automatically via a magnetic force created by the at least two magnetic members. One of the front cover and the rear cover forms at least one protruding portion, and the other one of the front cover and the rear cover defines at least one recessed portion for engaging with the protruding portion. When the front cover is slid to an opened or closed position, the at least one protruding portion engages in the at least one recessed portion correspondingly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to slide mechanisms, and more particularly to a slide mechanism for a slide-type portable terminal device.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Slide-type portable terminal devices, for example slide-type mobile phones are popular. The slide-type portable terminal has two housings. One housing slides over the other housing, thereby opening or closing the portable terminal device.

A typical slide mechanism includes a rear cover, a front cover slidably mounted on the rear cover, and two magnetic members positioned on the front cover and the rear cover, respectively. The front cover can be opened/closed relative to the rear cover semi-automatically via a magnetic force created by the two magnetic members. In the fully closed or fully open position of the front cover, the user applies an initial force to the front cover to move the front cover a predetermined distance. When the front cover reaches this predetermined distance, the front cover continues moving due to the magnetic force of the two magnetic members. Usually, in the hand-over from the initial user's force and the magnetic force the front cover may wobble due to a lack of retaining members between the front cover and the rear cover. Therefore, the front cover does not stably slide relative to the rear cover.

Therefore, a new slide mechanism which solve the above-described problems are desired.

SUMMARY

An exemplary slide mechanism includes a rear cover, a front cover and two sliding rods. The front cover is slidably connected to the rear cover via the sliding rods. The rear cover includes a first frame positioned in a center of the rear cover, a first magnetic member received in the first frame, and two second magnetic members positioned respectively on opposite sides of the first magnetic member. The front cover includes a second frame positioned in a center of the front cover, a third magnetic member received in the second frame, and two fourth magnetic members positioned respectively on opposite sides of the third magnetic member. The first frame includes two recessed portions defined in two opposite sidewalls correspondingly. The second frame includes two protruding portions formed on two opposite sidewalls correspondingly. Each of the protruding portions engages with each of the recessed portions correspondingly. Thus, when the front cover is slid to a closed position, the wobbling between the front cover and the rear cover would be prevented, and the front cover would stably slide relative to the rear cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a slide mechanism20of a first embodiment includes a rear cover22, a front cover24, and two sliding rods26.

The rear cover22is substantially a rectangular plate and includes a first magnetic member222, a first frame224, two second magnetic members226,228, two first positioning pins230, and two second positioning pins232.

The magnetic members222,226,228are rectangular magnets. The first magnetic member222is positioned on a center of the rear cover22. The second magnetic members226,228are positioned on opposite sides of the first magnetic member222and lengthwise of the rear cover22.

Referring toFIG. 3, the first frame224includes four sidewalls2242cooperatively defining a rectangular hole2240for receiving the first magnetic member222. The first frame224further includes two recessed portions2244defined in two sidewalls2242on opposite sides of the first frame224correspondingly.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the first positioning protrusions230are positioned on a first end of the rear cover22, and the second positioning protrusions232are formed on a second end of the rear cover22opposite to the first end. The first positioning pins230and the second positioning pins232define a hole2301,2321in a center of the ends facing each other, i.e., the hole2301of one of the first positioning protrusions230is aligned with the hole2321of one of the second positioning protrusions232correspondingly.

The front cover24is substantially a rectangular plate and a size of the front cover24corresponds to that of the rear cover22. The front cover24includes a third magnetic member242, a second frame244, two fourth magnetic members246,248, and two guide rails250.

The magnetic members242,246,248are rectangular magnets. The third magnetic member242is positioned on a center of the front cover24corresponding to the first magnetic member222. The fourth magnetic members246,248are positioned at opposite sides of the third magnetic member242corresponding to the second magnetic members226,228. The size of the third magnetic member242equals to that of the first magnetic member222. A magnetic strength of the third magnetic member242is equal to that of the first magnetic member222. Accordingly, a size of the fourth magnetic members246,248equals to that of the second magnetic members226,228. A magnetic strength of either fourth magnetic members246,248is equal to that of either second magnetic members226,228, respectively. The magnetic strength of either magnetic members222or242is stronger than that of either magnetic members226,248, or228,246, respectively.

Referring toFIG. 4, the second frame244includes four sidewalls2442cooperatively defining a rectangular hole2440for receiving the third magnetic member242. The second frame244further includes two protruding portions2444formed on two sidewalls2442on opposite sides of the second frame244correspondingly. Each of the protruding portions2444corresponds to one of the recessed portion2244of the first frame224.

The guide rails250are formed on opposite sides of the front cover24and extends downwards from a bottom surface of the front cover24. Each of the guide rails250defines a sliding groove252in an inside surface of the guide rails250.

Each of the sliding rods26is substantially a cylinder and two ends of each sliding rod26can be inserted into the hole2301of the first positioning pin230and the hole2321of the second positioning pin232correspondingly. Each of the sliding rods26corresponds to the sliding groove252of one corresponding guide rail250.

In assembly of the slide mechanism20, the first frame224, together with the first magnetic member222, is mounted on the rear cover22. The second frame244, together with the third magnetic member242, is mounted on the front cover24. An end of one of the sliding rods26is inserted into the hole2301of one of the first positioning protrusions230, and another end of the one of the sliding rods26is inserted into the hole2321of one of the second positioning protrusions232correspondingly. Another sliding rod26is attached to the other first positioning protrusion230and the other second positioning protrusion232in a similar manner. The front cover24is mounted to the rear cover22and the two guide rails250engage with the two sliding rods26correspondingly. Thus, the front cover24is slidably connected to the rear cover22.

After the slide mechanism20is assembled, portions of the first and second magnetic members222,242facing each other have an opposite polarity. In this embodiment, the portion of the first magnetic member222facing the front cover24has a “S” polarity, and the portion of the third magnetic member242facing the rear cover22has a “N” polarity. Therefore, the first magnetic member222and the third magnetic member242are attracted to each other when the front cover24is closed over the rear cover22. Portions of one second magnetic member226/228and one corresponding fourth magnetic member246/248facing each other have a same polarity. In this embodiment, portions of the second magnetic members226,228facing the front cover24have an “S” polarity and an “N” polarity respectively, and portions of the fourth magnetic members246,248facing the rear cover22have an “S” polarity and an “N” polarity respectively. Therefore, the second magnetic member226/228and the fourth magnetic member246/248repel each other when the front cover24is closed over the rear cover22.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 5, when the front cover24is fully folded over and covers the rear cover22, the protruding portions2444of the second frame244engage in the recessed portions2244of the first frame224.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 6, to open the slide mechanism20, an external force is applied to the front cover24to make the front cover24slide along the sliding rods26. The protruding portions2444of the second frame244slide out of the recessed portions2244of the first frame224. The third magnetic member242moves away from the first magnetic member222gradually, such that a magnetic attractive force created by the first and third magnetic members222,242weakens gradually. When a magnetic repelling force created by the magnetic members is stronger than the magnetic attractive force created by the magnetic members, the front cover24slides along a direction from the second positioning pins232towards the first positioning pins230automatically, until the guide rails250of the front cover24contacts the first positioning pins230. Thus, the slide mechanism20is opened.

To close the slide mechanism20, an external force is applied to the front cover24such that the front cover24slide along the sliding rods26. The third magnetic member242moves closer to the first magnetic member222gradually, such that the magnetic attractive force created by the first and third magnetic members222,242strengthen gradually. When the magnetic attractive force created by the magnetic members is stronger than the magnetic repelling force created by the magnetic members, the front cover24slides along a direction from the first positioning pins230toward the second positioning pins232automatically, until the guide rails250of the front cover24contacts with the second positioning pins232. Thus, the slide mechanism20is closed.

When the slide mechanism20is closed, the protruding portions2444of the second frame244engage in the recessed portions2244of the first frame224again. Therefore, the front cover24cannot be moved by the magnetic repelling force created by the second magnetic members226,228and the fourth magnetic members246,248. Thus, the wobbling between the front cover24and the rear cover22would be prevented, and the front cover24would stably slide relative to the rear cover22.

Referring toFIG. 7, a slide mechanism40of a second embodiment is shown. The slide mechanism40includes a rear cover42and a front cover44. The rear cover42includes two first frames426and two first magnetic members422received in the two first frames426respectively, and the two first frames426together with the two first magnetic members422are mounted in two ends of the rear cover42. The front cover44includes a second frame444and a second magnetic member442received in the second frame444, and the second frame444together with the second magnetic member442is mounted in an end of the cover44. A recessed portion4262is defined in each of the first frames426. A protruding portion4442is formed on the second frame444to engage with the recessed portion4262. In addition, portions of the each first magnetic member422and the second magnetic member442facing each other have an opposite polarity, such that the first and second magnetic members422,442are attracted to each other.

The slide mechanism40can be opened/closed automatically via a magnetic attractive force created by the first and second magnetic members422,442. When the slide mechanism40is closed, the protruding portion4442of the second frame444engages in the recessed portion4262of one of the first frames426. Referring toFIG. 8, When the slide mechanism40is opened, the protruding portion4442of the second frame444engages in the recessed portion4262of the other one of the first frames426. Thus, the wobbling between the front cover44and the rear cover42would be prevented, and the front cover44would stably slide relative to the rear cover42.

Referring toFIG. 9, a slide mechanism60of a third embodiment is shown. The slide mechanism60includes a rear cover62and a front cover64. The rear cover62includes a first magnetic member622positioned in a center and two recessed portions624positioned in two ends of the rear cover62. The front cover64includes a second frame644and a second magnetic member642received in the second frame644, and the second frame644together with the second magnetic member642is mounted in an end of the front cover64. A protruding portion6442is formed on the second frame644, and the protruding portion6442can engage in each of the recessed portions624of the rear cover62. In addition, portions of the first and second magnetic members622,642facing each other have a same polarity, such that the first and second magnetic members622,642repel each other.

The slide mechanism60can be opened/closed automatically via a magnetic repelling force created by the first and second magnetic members622,642. When the slide mechanism60is closed, the protruding portion6442of the second frame644engages in one of the recessed portions624. When the slide mechanism60is opened, the protruding portion6442of the second frame644engages in the other one of the recessed portions624. Thus, the wobbling between the front cover64and the rear cover62would be prevented, and the front cover64would stably slide relative to the rear cover62.

Referring toFIG. 10, a slide mechanism80of a fourth embodiment is shown. The slide mechanism80is similar in principle to the slide mechanism40of the second embodiment. A rear cover82has two first magnetic members822positioned in two ends of the rear cover82. A front cover84has a third magnetic member842positioned in an end of the front cover84. However, a rear cover82further includes a second magnetic member828positioned between the two first magnetic members822. In addition, portions of the second and third magnetic members828,842facing each other have a same polarity.

In an alternative embodiment, a shape of the magnetic members may be circular, triangular, and so on. The frames may be integrally formed with the rear cover or the front cover. A sliding distance of the front cover slide relative to the rear cover may be changed by changing a length of the guide rails of the front cover. When the guide rails have a greater length, the sliding distance of the front cover is decreased. When the guide rails have a little length, the sliding distance of the front cover is increased.

In an alternative embodiment, the protruding portions may be formed on the rear cover, and the recessed portions may be defined in the front cover. The protruding portions are configured to engage in the recessed portions. It should be understood that, when one of the front cover and the rear cover forms a protruding portion, and the other one of the front cover and the rear cover defines a recessed portion. The protruding portion may engage in the recessed portion. Thus, the wobbling between the front cover and the rear cover would be prevented, and the front cover would stably slide relative to the rear cover.