Abstract:
A slide module of a slide type portable terminal which constitutes a slim slide module in a slide type housing and a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to the slide module are disclosed. A slide module of a slide type portable terminal having a body housing and a slide housing for opening and closing the body housing when slid includes: a guide member; a slide member receiving the guide member in an inner side thereof in an opposed manner and engaged with both sides of the guide member so as to slide; and a force providing means provided between the members, for providing a force to slidably move the slide member.

Description:
PRIORITY 
   This application claims priority to an application entitled “SLIDE MODULE FOR SLIDE TYPE PORTABLE TERMINAL AND COVER APPARATUS FOR EXTERNAL TYPE CARD MOUNTED THERETO” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Apr. 18, 2005 and assigned Serial No. 2005-31943, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a slide module of a slide type portable terminal having an external type card cover exposed and concealed to and from the outside of the terminal during the slidable movement thereof and a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to the slide module. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Generally, portable communication devices are devices by which radio communications are performed, and are sorted into various types according to their shapes. For example, portable communication devices are sorted into a bar type, a flip type, and a folder type portable terminal according to their shapes. The bar type terminal has a single bar-shaped housing, the flip type terminal has a bar-shaped housing and a flip rotatably engaged by a hinge unit, and the folder type terminal has a folder rotatably connected to a bar-shaped housing by a hinge unit. 
   Further, portable communication devices are also sorted into a rotation type and a slide type terminal according to their opening/closing methods. The rotation type terminal is opened and closed whereby two housings are rotatably connected so as to be opposite to each other. The slide type terminal is opened and closed whereby two housings are opposite to each other when a housing is moved in a lengthwise direction. The variously sorted portable communication terminals will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the slide type portable terminal  1  having a main body  2  including a plurality of key pads  2   a  and a microphone unit  2   b , a slide body  3  is slid by about half of the length of the main body  2  to open the portable terminal. Generally, a 3×4 key pad is installed on the main body  2 , and a speaker unit  3   a  and a display unit  3   b  can be installed on the front surface of the slide body  3 . 
   According to the conventional slide type portable terminal, a main plate (not shown) is provided in the main body and a slide plate (not shown) is provided in the slide body, and since the plates are engaged so as to be opposite to each other, the size of the terminal becomes larger due to the thickness of the plates, hampering the miniaturization of the terminal. 
   A structure of a slide type portable communication device is described in detail in Korean Patent No. 2002-71911, assigned to the assignee of the present application. However, according to the slide type potable communication device disclosed in this patent, the upper and lower housings are thick, and are disadvantageous with respect to slimming the portable device, hampering a good gripping feeling and restricting the appearance of its design. 
   Conventional slide type portable communication devices have varied functions according to desires of consumers. The size of the devices are being miniaturized, and voice communication and radio listening becomes possible. Further, MP3 music and moving images can be downloaded by connecting to the internet. However, since the music and moving image files are big and the memory capacity is large, a separate memory card, i.e., an external card, is needed, and an engaging device must be provided in the body of the terminal to mount the external card. 
   However, since the engaging device of the conventional external card is mounted to the body of the terminal so as to be exposed to the outside, the appearance of the terminal is not good. Further, since a separate space must be provided in the terminal, the size of the terminal becomes larger. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slide module for a slide type portable terminal which includes a slim slide module in a slide type housing to facilitate the opening/closing operation of the housing and make the terminal slimmer. 
   It is another object to provide a slide module of a slide type portable terminal which includes an external type card cover exposed and concealed to and from the outside of the terminal according to the slide movement of the module provided in the slide type housing, enhancing the appearance of the terminal and miniaturizing the terminal. 
   In order to accomplish the above objects of the present invention, according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a slide module of a slide type portable terminal having a body housing and a slide housing for opening and closing the body housing during the slide movement includes: a guide member; a slide member receiving the guide member in an inner side thereof in an opposite manner and engaged with both sides of the guide member for sliding movement; and a force providing means provided between the guide member and the slide member, for providing a force to slide the slide member. 
   According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to a slide module of a slide type portable terminal having a body housing and a slide housing for opening and closing the body housing during the slide movement includes: a slide module comprising a guide member, a slide member receiving the guide member in an inner side thereof in an opposite manner and engaged with both sides of the guide member for sliding movement, and a force providing means provided between the slide and guide members, for providing a force to slidably move the slide member; an external type card cover mounted to the slide module, and exposed and concealed to and from the outside of the terminal as the module is slid; a cover hinge unit rotatably engaging the external type card cover and opening and closing a socket provided in the slide housing as the cover is rotated about a hinge axis; and a cover locking unit for restricting the rotation of the external card cover and releasing the restriction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view for showing a state before the operation of a conventional slide type portable terminal; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view for showing a state after the operation of a conventional slide type portable terminal; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing the structures of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal and a cover apparatus of an external type card mounted thereto according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the state before a slide module of a slide type portable terminal and a cover apparatus of an external type card mounted thereto according to the present invention are assembled; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view for showing portion A of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view showing the structures of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal and a cover apparatus of an external type card mounted thereto according to the present invention before a guide member is assembled; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state before the slide movement of a slide type portable terminal according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the state before the operation of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a front view showing the state before the operation of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a enlarged cross-sectional view for showing portion B of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the state after the slide movement of a slide type portable terminal according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view for showing the state after the operation of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a front view showing a state after the operation of a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing an operational state of a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a side cross-sectional view showing an operational state of a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of portion C of  FIG. 16 , which shows a state before the operation of a cover apparatus of an external type card of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of portion C of  FIG. 16 , which shows a state after the operation of a cover apparatus of an external type card of the present invention 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Hereinafter, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a slide module  10  of a portable terminal includes a guide member  20 , a slide member  30 , and a force providing means  40 . The guide member  20  is mounted into a receiving space  30   b  provided on an inner side of the slide member  30  and is engaged by screws with the body housing  2  of the terminal so that the slide member  30  is slidable. At least one screw engaging portion  21  is provided in the guide member  20  so that the guide member  20  is engaged with the body housing  2  by screws. The receiving space  30   b  is formed on the inner side of the slide member  30  so as to receive the guide member  20  in an opposite manner. Both surfaces of the guide member  20  and the inner surface of the receiving space  30   b  slide relatively with respect to each other. The force provided means  40  is provided between the guide member  20  and the slide member  30  so that it can provide forces for slidably moving the slide member  30 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9  to  11 , guide recesses  22  are formed at both ends of the guide member  20 , so that guide rails  32  formed in the slide member  30  can be guided thereby. The guide recesses  22  have a U-shaped side cross-section. Further, as shown in  FIG. 4  and.  6 , the guide rails  32  are formed at both ends of the slide member  30  so as to slide with respect to the guide recesses  22  of the guide member  20 . 
   Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the force providing means  40  includes a pair of torsion springs  40 . A free end  43  is provided at one end of each torsion spring  40  so as to be engaged with a fixing hole  23  formed in the guide member  20 . The central portion of the torsion spring  40  is rotated in a predetermined locus to provide a resilient force so that the slide member  30  slides. A fixing end  41  is provided at the other end of the torsion spring  40  and is engaged with a spring engaging member  30   a  formed in the slide member  30  so as to slide together with the slide member  30 . 
   Hereinafter, the operation of the slide module of the slide type portable terminal according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 14 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the guide member  20  is engaged with the body housing  2  of the terminal by using at least one screw engaging portion  21  formed in the guide member  20 . In this state, as shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the guide member  20  is received in the receiving space  30   b  formed in the slide member  30 , and the guide recesses  22  formed at both side ends of the guide member  20  and the guide rails  32  of the slide member  30  are engaged so that the slide member  30  can slide. Then, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the free end  43  provided at one end of the torsion spring  40  is inserted into the fixing hole  23  formed in the guide member  20 , and the fixing end  41  provided at the other end of the torsion spring  40  is engaged with the spring engaging member  30   a  formed in the slide member  30 . 
   Here, as shown in  FIGS. 12 to 14 , if the slide housing  3  is slid with respect to and away from the body housing  2 , the slide member  30  slides together with the slide housing  3 , as the guide rails  32  of the slide member  30  slide along the guide recesses  22  of the guide member  20 . The free ends  43  of the torsion springs  40  also slide, the central portions  42  of the torsion springs  42  rotate in a predetermined loci and provide resilient forces so that the slide member  30  can slide. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , if the slide housing  3  slides with respect to and towards the body housing  2 , the slide member  30  slides together with the slide housing  3 . The guide rails  32  of the slide member  30  also slide along the guide recesses  22  of the guide member  20 , while the torsion springs  40  provide resilient forces so that the slide member  30  can slide. 
   Hereinafter, the operation of a cover apparatus for an external type card mounted to a slide module of a slide type portable terminal according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 6  and  15  to  18 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the cover apparatus for the external type card mounted to the slide module  10  of the slide type portable terminal includes an external type card cover  50 , a cover hinge unit  60 , and a cover locking unit  70  discussed above and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the slide module  10  includes a guide member  20 , a slide member  30 , and a torsion spring  40 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6  and  15 , since a receiving space  11  for receiving the external type card cover  50  is formed in the slide member  30 , the external type card cover having a plate shape is provided in the receiving space  11 . At least one rotating arm  52  is formed at one end of the external type card cover  50  so as to be rotatably engaged with the cover hinge unit  60 . A cover catching member  53  for catching and restricting the cover locking unit  70  is formed at the other end of the external type card cover. In this state, the rotating arm  52  of the external type card cover is rotatably engaged with at least one hinge arm  61  mounted to the slide member  30 . The hinge arm  61  is mounted to the slide member  30  and is provided at the hinge support member  62  so that the hinge support member  62  supports the hinge arm  61 . 
   In this state, the cover locking unit  70  is mounted into a mounting recess  35  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) formed at one end of the slide member  30 , and the cover catching member  53  formed in the external type card cover  50  is inserted into a locking portion  72  formed in the cover locking unit  70  and restricts the rotation of the external type card cover, as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
   Since a guide hole  36  engaged with the cover catching member  53  and guiding the cover catching member  53  so that the catching member  53  can be moved in the upward and downward directions of the cover locking unit  70  is formed in the mounting recess  35 , the guide hole  36  engages the cover catching member  53  and guides the cover catching member  53  when the catching member  53  is moved in the upward and downward directions of the cover locking unit  70 . 
   In this state, as shown in  FIG. 15 , if the slide housing  3  is slid away from the body housing  2 , the slide member  30  slides together with the slide housing  3 , and the external type card cover is exposed to the outside to the rearward of the terminal. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  17  and  18 , if the locker portion  72  is pushed from the lower side to the upper side by using a knob recess  71  of the cover locking unit formed at one end of the slide member  30 , the locker portion  72  is pushed up together with the cover locking unit  70  and releases the catching state of the catching member  53  of the card cover  50 . A guide boss  73  engaged with the guide hole  36  formed in the mounting recess  35  and moving upward and downward is formed at a position adjacent to the locker portion  72 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the card cover  50  may be rotated by a predetermined angle about a hinge axis A 1  of the cover hinge unit  60 . 
   When the card cover  50  is rotated, a socket  90  of a card  80  provided in the slide housing  3  is accessible. The socket  90  of the card  80  is accessed though a socket hole  33  formed in the slide member  30  and is exposed to the outside, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   In this state, the external type card may be inserted into or separated from the card socket  90 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , a socket support member  34  is formed in the slide member  30  so as to support the external type card  80  in a state in which the external type card  80  is engaged with the socket  90 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 15 to 18 , by rotating the external type card cover  50  about the hinge axis A 1  of the cover hinge unit  60  in an opposite direction, the catching member  53  of the card cover  50  is inserted into the locker portion  72  of the cover locking unit  70  and restricts the card cover  50  in the original state. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the catching member  53  of the card cover  50  is inserted into the guide hole  36  formed in the mounting recess  35 . The locker portion  72  is guided and moved by the guide hole  36  from the upper side to the lower side and is caught by the catching member  53  to restrict the locker portion  72 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , deviation preventing members  37  for preventing deviation of the cover locking unit  70  from the mounting recess  35  are formed at both ends of the guide hole  36 . A card attaching recess  51  for inserting or deviating the socket of the slide housing  3  and the external type card  80  as the card cover  50  is rotated is formed on the inner surface of the external type card cover  50 . 
   In this state, if the slide housing  3  slides toward the body housing  2 , the external type card cover  50  slides together with the slide member  30  and is received in the receiving space  11  of the guide member  20 . 
   The external type card cover  50  can be concealed in the inner side of the terminal. 
   As mentioned above, since an exterior card cover exposed and concealed to and from the outside of the terminal as the slide module slides is provided in a slide type portable terminal, the appearance of the terminal is appealing and the external card can be easily used. 
   While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.