Slide hinge and portable electronic device

A slide hinge includes a first member; a second member connected to the first member, the second member being configured to slide between a first position and a second position; a first terminal part supported at a first member side; and a second terminal part supported at a second member side. By sliding the second member to the first position relative to the first member, the first terminal part and the second terminal part are made conductive with each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-147694 filed on Jun. 22, 2009 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to slide hinges and portable electronic devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable electronic device has a structure where, for example, a first housing having input keys and other parts is connected to a second housing having a display part and other parts. The second housing can be opened and closed relative to the first housing, so that an error operation of an input key can be prevented and the display part can be protected.

As a connecting mechanism, for example, there is a mechanism where the first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to each other or a mechanism where the first housing and the second housing are slidably connected to each other.

A slide type connecting mechanism (a slide hinge) includes, for example, a first member provided at a first housing side, a second member provided at a second housing side, and a guide member configured to slidably connect the first member and the second member to each other. When the second member is slid to an opening position relative to the first member, for example, the input keys and other parts of the first housing are exposed.

Recently, in the slide type mobile electronic device, a structure where various functions are controlled based on a detecting result of a position detecting switch configured to detect a position of the second housing relative to the first housing has been suggested. See, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2009-077001.

As the position detecting switch, a Hall element or a pushing switch is used. In a case where the Hall element is used, for example, a magnet is provided at the first housing side and the Hall element is provided at the second housing side. In a case where the pushing switch is used, for example, a convex part is provided at the first housing side and the pushing switch is provided at the second housing side.

However, in the case where the Hall element is used, it is necessary to always supply electric power to the Hall element. In addition, in the case where the pushing switch is used, the convex part is provided at the first housing side and a pair of terminal parts facing each other is provided at the second housing side and therefore the number of components is increased. Thus, in the conventional position detecting switch, there is a problem of the amount of electric power consumed or the number of the components.

In the meantime, it is a general practice that a first circuit board is provided in the first housing and a second circuit board is provided in the second housing. From the view point of stability of a standard electrical potential or noise control of the first circuit board (second circuit board), it is critical that a ground pattern of the first circuit board (second circuit board) and a ground frame of the first housing side (second housing side) be connected to each other. As the ground frame of the first housing side (second housing side), a first member (second member) which is conductive can be used.

However, in the conventional slide hinge, an insulation guide member made of resin such as POM (polyacetal) is provided between the first member and the second member in order to ease an impact or reduce noise at the time of sliding. Because of this, an electrical potential difference may be generated between the ground frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide a novel and useful slide hinge and portable electronic device solving one or more of the problems discussed above.

More specifically, the embodiments of the present invention may provide a slide hinge, including:

a first member;

a second member connected to the first member, the second member being configured to slide between a first position and a second position;

a first terminal part supported at a first member side; and

a second terminal part supported at a second member side;

wherein, by sliding the second member to the first position relative to the first member, the first terminal part and the second terminal part are made conductive with each other.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention may be to provide a portable electronic device, including:

a first housing;

a second housing;

a slide hinge connecting the first housing to the second housing so that the second housing can be slid between a first position and a second position; and

a position detecting switch configured to detect a position of the second housing relative to the first housing,

wherein the position detecting switch includes:a first terminal part supported at a first housing side; anda second terminal part supported at a second housing side;

wherein, by sliding the second housing to the first position relative to the first housing, the first terminal part and the second terminal part are made conductive with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description is given below, with reference to theFIG. 1throughFIG. 13of embodiments of the present invention.

Although a case where the present invention is applied to a portable phone is discussed in the following embodiments, the present invention can be applied to a portable electronic device other than the portable phone, such as a PDA (personal data assistant), an audio device such as MP3, a camera, a game device, or the like.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a structure of a portable phone of a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the portable phone in a state where a second housing12is situated in an opening position relative to a first housing11.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the portable phone in a state where the second housing12is situated in a closing position relative to the first housing11.

The portable phone includes a communication function (calling, sending and receiving e-mails, Internet connecting, and other functions), a camera function, a television function, and other functions. The portable phone is a slide type portable phone where the first housing and the second housing12are slidably connected to each other.

The portable phone includes the first housing11, the second housing12, a first circuit board13, a second circuit board14, an operation part15, a camera part16, a microphone part17, a display part21, a wireless communication part22, a broadcasting receiving part23, a speaker part24, a control part,25, a slide hinge30, and a position detecting switch40.

The first circuit board13is provided in the first housing11. The first circuit board13connects electrical parts provided at the first housing11side.

The second circuit board14is provided in the second housing12. The second circuit board14connects electrical parts provided at the second housing12side. The second circuit board14is connected to the first circuit board13by a cable such as a FFC (flexible flat cable).

The operation part15includes plural input keys15aprovided at a front surface of the first housing11and plural input keys15bprovided at a side surface of the first housing11. The operation part15is configured to output a signal in response to an input operation by a user.

The camera part16is provided at a rear surface of the first housing11. The camera part16includes an imaging element such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) device.

The microphone part17functions as a telephone receiver part configured to receive a voice input by the user.

The display part21is provided at a front surface of the second housing12which is a surface of an opposite side facing away from the first housing11. The display part21is configured to display an image, a graphic, characters, and others. The display part21includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display part21may have a switch function whereby an input operation by the user can be detected based on pressure, electric capacitance, or the like. In this case, the switch function may be realized by a touch panel or the like.

The wireless communication part22is configured to receive and send information from and to a wireless base station via an antenna22a.The wireless communication part22is provided in the second housing12.

The speaker part24is configured to output voice sound.

The slide hinge (connecting mechanism)30is configured to slidably connect the second housing12to the first housing11between a closing position (first position) and an opening position (second position). Details of the slide hinge30are discussed below.

In the examples shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, when the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the opening position, the operation part15is exposed. When the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the closing position, the input keys15aof the operation part15are hidden. Because of this, it is possible to prevent error operation of the input keys15a.In addition, dimensions in a longitudinal direction (Y1and Y2directions) of the portable phone can be shortened.

Although, in the examples shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, when the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the opening position, the input keys15aof the operation part15are exposed, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

For example, the display part, instead of the input keys15a,may be provided at the front surface of the first housing11. In this case, when the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the opening position, the display part is exposed. When the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the closing position, the display part is hidden, and therefore the display part can be protected.

The position detecting switch40is configured to detect a position of the second housing12relative to the first housing11. The position detecting switch40may output an on-signal (closing signal) when the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the closing position.

The position detecting switch40may output another on-signal (opening signal) when the second housing12is slid relative to the first housing11to the opening position. Details of the position detecting switch40are discussed below.

The control part25is configured to control the parts of the portable electronic device so as to realize various functions of the portable electronic device. The control part25may be a microcomputer or the like. The control part25realizes various functions based on various signals from the operation part15and the position detecting switch40. For example, when receiving the opening signal from the position detecting switch40, the control part25displays a menu image at the display part21. In addition, when receiving the closing signal from the position detecting switch40, the control part25displays a waiting image at the display part21(or the display part21is put in a sleep mode).

Next, details of the slide hinge30are discussed with reference toFIG. 4andFIG. 5.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of a slide hinge30of the first embodiment of the present invention in the state where the second housing12(second member32) is situated in the opening position relative to the first housing11(first member31).FIG. 5is a perspective view of the slide hinge30of the first embodiment of the present invention in the state where the second housing12(second member32) is situated in the closing position relative to the first housing11(first member31).

The slide hinge30includes the first member31, the second member32, the insulation guide member33, and others.

The first member31has conductivity. The first member31is formed by processing a metal plate such as a SUS plate. The first member31is provided at the first housing11side. The first member31may be, for example, a part of a front surface of the first housing11(a surface part of the second housing12side).

The second member32has conductivity. The second member32is formed by processing a metal plate such as a SUS plate. The second member32is provided at the second housing12side. The second member32may be, for example, a part of a rear surface of the second housing12(a surface part of the first housing11side).

Both end parts in the width direction of the second member32are bent in a U-shaped manner to form respective end surfaces. The insulation guide members33are provided, one by one, inside the width direction bent end parts of the second member32.

The insulation guide member33is configured to slidably connect the second member32to the first member31between a closing position (first position) and an opening position (second position). The insulation guide member33is made of resin such as POM (polyacetal) in order to ease an impact or reduce noise at the time of sliding.

In the examples shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, guide grooves34are formed at inside surfaces of a pair of the insulation guide members33. The end parts in the width direction of the first member31are slidably inserted in the corresponding guide grooves34. Hence, the second member32can be slid in the Y1and Y2directions relative to the first member31.

Next, details of the position detecting switch40are discussed with reference toFIG. 4andFIG. 5.

The position detecting switch40is configured to detect a position of the second housing12(the second member32) relative to the first housing11(the first member31).

In the examples shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, two of the position detecting switches40are provided at each of the sides in the width direction of the portable electronic device.

Among four position detecting switches40, two position detecting switches40aand40bare configured to output the closing signal when the second housing12is slid to the closing position relative to the first housing11. Two position detecting switches40cand40dare configured to output the opening signal when the second housing12is slid to the opening position relative to the first housing11.

Thus, it is possible to output two kinds of signals, the opening signal and closing signal. In this specification, when it is not necessary to distinguish four position detecting switches40athrough40dfrom each other, the position detecting switch is simply called the position detecting switch40.

Although four position detecting switches40athrough40dare provided in the examples shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, any one of the position detecting switches40may be provided and there is no limitation of the number of the position detecting switches40to be provided and the combination of the position detecting switches40.

Next, the position detecting switch40ais discussed. Since other position detecting switches40bthrough40dhave the same structures and perform the same operations, explanation thereof is omitted.

The position detecting switch40aincludes a first contact50(seeFIG. 6) and a second contact60(seeFIG. 7). The first contact50is supported by the first member31side (the first housing11side). The second contact60is supported by the second member32side (the second housing12side).

First, the first contact50is discussed with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6is an expanded view of an area T1shown inFIG. 4and shows an insulation housing41in a perspective manner.

The first contact50has conductivity. The first contact50is formed by processing a metal plate such as a phosphor bronze plate. The first contact50is press-fitted and fixed to the insulation housing41. The insulation housing41is fixed to the first member31so as to insulate the first member31from the first contact50.

The first contact50has a structure where a first connecting part51, an arm part52, and a first terminal part53are formed in a body. The first connecting part51, the arm part52, and the first terminal part53are exposed or project from the insulation housing41and are configured to not come in contact with the first member31.

The first connecting part51is bent in a V-shaped manner. As shown inFIG. 10, when the first circuit board13is fixed to the first member31by a screw71or the like, the first connecting part51is pressed by a designated portion of the first circuit board13so as to be elastically deformed in a Z2direction. Due to an elastic restoring force whereby this elastic deformation is cancelled, the first connecting part51is pressed and contacted by the designated portion of the first circuit board13.

The arm part52inclines relative to the slide direction (the Y1and Y2directions). The arm part52has a structure where the first terminal part53side projects outside in the width direction (the X1direction) more than the first connecting part51side.

In addition, when the first terminal part53is pressed to the width direction (the X1direction), the arm part52, is elastically bent with the first connecting part51side acting as a fulcrum.

The first terminal part53is bent in the U-shaped manner. A conductive ball is loosely fitted (fitted with play remaining) inside the first terminal part53. The conductive ball42is prevented from being removed by the first terminal part53, the arm part52, and the insulation housing41and is insulted from the first member31by the insulation housing41.

Next, the second contact60is discussed with reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 7is an expanded view of an area T2shown inFIG. 4and shows an insulation guide member33in a perspective manner.

The second contact60has conductivity. The second contact60is formed by processing a metal plate such as a phosphor bronze plate. The second contact60is insert-molded to the insulation guide member33. The insulation guide member33, as discussed above, is provided in the second member32so as to insulate the second member32from the second contact60.

The second contact60includes a second connecting part61, an end part62in a longitudinal direction, and another end part63in the longitudinal direction (seeFIG. 5). The second connecting part61, the end part62, and the other end part63project from the insulation guide member33and are configured to not come in contact with the second member32.

The second connecting part61is provided between the end part62and the other end part63. The second connecting part61is bent in a V-shaped manner. As shown inFIG. 11, when the second circuit board14is fixed to the second member32by a screw73or the like, the second connecting part61is pressed by a designated portion of the second circuit board14so as to be elastically deformed in a Z1direction. Due to an elastic restoring force whereby this elastic deformation is cancelled, the second connecting part61is pressed and contacted by the designated portion of the second circuit board14.

The end part (the second terminal part)62has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Because of this, the end part62has rigidity higher than that of a plane table. When the second member31is slid from the opening position to the closing position relative to the first member31, the second terminal part (end part)62enters an inside from an inserting opening of the insulation housing41so as to press the conductive ball42in the width direction outside (X1direction).

The other end part63has the same structure as the end part62and the same operation as the end part62is performed by the end part63. The other end part63is a terminal part supported by the second member32side (the second housing12side) at the position of the detecting switch40c.

Next, operation of the position detecting switch40ais discussed.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the position detecting switch40ain the state where the second housing12(the second member32) is situated in the opening position relative to the first housing11(the first member31).FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the position detecting switch40ain the state where the second housing12(the second member32) is situated in the closing position relative to the first housing11(the first member31).

When the second housing12starts being slid from the opening position to the closing position relative to the first housing11, the second terminal part (end part)62supported by the second housing12side enters from the inserting opening of the insulation housing41fixed to the first housing11side so as to come in contact with the conductive ball42.

As a result of this, the conductive ball42is pressed in the width direction outside (arrow X1direction) so that the first terminal part53is pressed in the width direction outside (arrow X1direction). Because of this, the arm part52is elastically deformed and the first terminal part53is moved in the width direction outside (arrow X1direction).

When the first terminal part53is moved in the width direction outside (arrow X1direction), while the conductive ball42rotates, the conductive ball42enters a side surface part53aof the first terminal part53and a side surface part62aof the second terminal part62. As a result of this, the first terminal part53and the second terminal part62have conduction with each other so that the closing signal is output.

Since the first terminal part53supported by the first housing11side (the first member31side) and the second terminal part62supported by the second housing12side (the second member32side) have conduction with each other, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device whereby the consumption of electric power is low or the number of the components is small.

In addition, since the arm part52is elastically deformed at the time of conducting, it is possible to ease an impact at the time of sliding and improve durability.

Furthermore, the arm part52is elastically deformed. Therefore, due to an elastic restoring force whereby this elastic deformation is cancelled, the side surface part53aof the first terminal part53is pressed and comes in contact with the conductive ball42so that the conductive ball42is pressed and comes in contact with the side surface62aof the second terminal part62. As a result of this, it is possible to secure conduction between the first terminal part53and the second terminal part62.

Since the conductive ball42is rotated at the time of conducting, it is possible to ease an impact at the time of sliding and improve durability.

On the other hand, when the second housing12(the second member32) starts being slid from the closing position to the opening position relative to the first housing11(the first member31), the second terminal part62supported by the second housing12side comes out from the inserting opening of the insulation housing41fixed to the first housing11side so as to be separated from the conductive ball42. As a result of this, the connection between the second terminal part62and the first terminal part53is cancelled, and the arm part52is elastically restored so that the first terminal part53returns to the original position.

As discussed above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the first terminal part53supported by the first housing11side (the first member31side) and the second terminal part62supported by the second housing12side (the second member32side) have conduction with each other, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device whereby the consumption of electric power is low or the number of the components is small.

In addition, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the arm part52is elastically deformed. Hence, it is possible to ease an impact at the time of sliding and improve durability. Furthermore, due to the elastic restoring force of the arm part52, it is possible to secure conduction between the first terminal part53and the second terminal part62.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the conductive ball42is rotated at the time of conducting, it is possible to ease an impact at the time of sliding and improve durability.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is discussed. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the above-discussed position detecting switch40may be or may not be provided.

First, the relationship between the first member31and the first circuit board13is discussed with reference toFIG. 10.

FIG. 10is a view for explaining a relationship between the first member31and the first circuit board13.

The first member31functions as a ground frame of the first housing11side. The first member31is connected to a ground pattern13aof the first circuit board13by a screw71or the like. An insulation spacer72is provided between the first member31and the first circuit board13.

Next, the relationship between the second member32and the second circuit board14is discussed with reference toFIG. 11.

FIG. 11is a view for explaining a relationship between the second member32and the second circuit board14.

The second member32functions as a ground frame of the second housing12side. The second member32is connected to a ground pattern14aof the second circuit board14by a screw73or the like. An insulation spacer74is provided between the second member32and the second circuit board14.

FIG. 12is an expanded cross-sectional view of a main part of a slide hinge30A of a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 13is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the slide hinge30A. InFIG. 12andFIG. 13, parts that are the same as the parts shown inFIG. 1throughFIG. 9are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, a conducting part80configured to enable conduction between the first member31and the second member32is provided. With this structure, it is possible to remove the difference of electric potentials between the ground frames (first and second members)31and32and to prevent bad receiving sensitivity of the antenna22aof the wireless communication part22from being generated.

In the examples shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the conducting part80has a structure where a roller part81configured to make sliding contact with the first member31, and shaft parts82and83rotatably held against the second member32are formed in a body.

When the second member32is slid relative to the first member31, while the roller part81is rotated with respect to a not-shown shaft of the roller part81, the roller part81comes in contact with the first member31. In addition, the shaft parts82and83are rotated with respect to a not shown shaft of the shaft parts82and83, so that the shaft parts82and83come in contact with the second member32.

As a result of this, regardless of the position of the second member32relative to the first member31, it is possible to always have conduction between the first member31and the second member32.

The conducting parts80may be provided at four corners of the second member32one by one. As a result of this, it is possible to smoothly slide the second member32relative to the first member31.

In the examples shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the roller part81is formed in a pillar shape. The roller part81is rotatably received in the concave part35provided in the insulation guide member33. The roller part81has a structure where, while the external circumferential surface of the roller part81slides and contacts an end surface in a width direction of the first member31, the roller part81can be rotated. As a result of this, it is possible to wipe dust or the like adhered to an end surface in the width direction of the first member31so that bad conductivity due to the dust or the like can be prevented.

In the examples shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the roller part81is formed in a pillar shape. However, there is no limitation of the configuration of the roller part81. For example, the roller part81may be formed in a gear shape. In this case, a rack gear configured to mesh with a pinion gear of the roller part81may be provided at the end surface in the width direction of the first member31. In addition, the roller part81may be formed in a frustum shape. In this case, the end surface in the width direction of the first member31may be a tapered surface coming in contact with the external circumferential surface of the roller part81.

The shaft parts82and83are provided coaxially with the roller part81. The shaft parts82and83are rotatably provided at the end part in the width direction of the second member32.

A pair of first supporting parts92is provided in an opening part91of the end part in the width direction of the second member32. The first supporting parts92rotatably support the first shaft part82. Each of the first supporting parts91is formed in a substantially W-shape. The first supporting parts92can be elastically deformed in a direction (X1and X2directions) perpendicular to the slide direction. The first supporting parts92are configured to sandwich the first shaft member82through arcs centered on the X1and X2directions.

A pair of second supporting parts94is provided in a notch part93of the end part in the width direction of the second member32. The second supporting parts94rotatably support the second shaft part83. The second supporting parts94can be elastically deformed in the slide direction (Y1and Y2directions). The second supporting parts94are configured to sandwich the second shaft member83through arcs centered on the Y1and Y2directions.

By press fitting the first shaft part82between the pair of the first supporting parts92and press fitting the second shaft part83between the pair of the second supporting parts94, it is possible to provide the conducting part80to the second member32.

As discussed above, the first shaft member82is sandwiched in the X1and X2directions perpendicular to the slide direction and the second shaft member83is sandwiched in the Y1and Y2directions which are the slide directions. Therefore, it is possible to control removal of the conducting member80from the second member32.

As discussed above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a conducting part80configured to provide conduction between the first member31and the second member32is provided. With this structure, it is possible to remove the difference of electric potentials between the ground frames (first and second members)31and32and to prevent bad receiving sensitivity of the antenna22aof the wireless communication part22from being generated.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, based on the sliding of the second member32relative to the first member31, while the roller part81slides and contacts an end surface in a width direction of the first member31, the roller part is rotated. As a result of this, it is possible to wipe dust or the like adhered to an end surface in the width direction of the first member31so that bad conductivity due to the dust or the like can be prevented.

For example, in the first embodiment, the position detecting switches40are provided at the first member31and the second member32forming the slide hinge30. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the position detecting switches40may be provided at the side surface part of the first housing11and the side surface part of the second housing12.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the arm part52is formed in a body with the first terminal part53. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, a member corresponding to the arm part may be formed in a body with the second terminal part62.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the conductive ball42is provided at the first housing11side (the first member31side). However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the conductive ball42may be provided at the second housing12side (the second member32side).

In addition, in the second embodiment, the conducting part80includes the roller part81and the shaft parts82and83. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the conducting part80may be formed by the conductive ball. In this case, the conductive ball may be provided between the first member31and the second member32. With this structure, it is possible to always have conduction between the first member31and the second member32via the conductive ball.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the conducting part80has a structure where the roller part81slides and comes in contact with the first member31and the shaft parts82and83are rotatably provided at the second member32. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, roller part81may slide and come in contact with the second member32and the shaft parts82and83may be rotatably provided at the first member31.

Thus, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a slide hinge, including a first member; a second member connected to the first member, the second member being configured to slide between a first position and a second position; a first terminal part supported at a first member side; and a second terminal part supported at a second member side; wherein, by sliding the second member to the first position relative to the first member, the first terminal part and the second terminal part are made conductive with each other.

According to this slide hinge, when this slide hinge is applied to the portable electronic device, the position of the second housing relative to the first housing can be detected and it is possible to provide a portable electronic device whereby the consumption of electric power is low or the number of the components is small.

The slide hinge may further include an insulation guide member configured to slidably connect the first member and the second member; and a conducting part configured to cause conduction between the first member and the second member, wherein the first member and the second member have conductivities.

According to this slide hinge, when this slide hinge is applied to the portable electronic device, it is possible to remove the difference of electric potentials between the ground frame of the first housing side and the ground frame of the second housing side.