Patent Publication Number: US-2011073346-A1

Title: Grounding mechanism for foldable electronic devices

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to grounding mechanisms and, particularly, to a grounding mechanism used with a foldable electronic device. 
     2. Description of related art 
     Foldable electronic devices usually include a hinge for rotatably connecting a cover to a housing. In addition, an audio channel cover is usually disposed to the cover of the foldable electronic device. Electromagnetic interference and electrostatic charges are easily produced in the hinge and the audio channel cover when in use. A grounding mechanism is usually provided for conducting electromagnetic interference and electrostatic charges away from the hinge and the audio channel cover. 
     However, since the hinge and the audio channel cover may be at different positions depending upon their degrees of rotation, a conventional grounding structure of the foldable electronic device complicates the assembly process. In addition, conventional grounding structures, by increasing the volume of the foldable electronic device, can compromise requirements for the foldable electronic device to be compact. 
     Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the grounding mechanism can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present grounding mechanism. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of one portion of a foldable electronic device using a grounding mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of an elastic member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partially assembled, schematic view of the foldable electronic device. 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled, schematic view of the foldable electronic device. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  along V-V line thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present grounding mechanism may be applied in many different foldable electronic devices such as mobile phones, game devices, PDAs (personal digital assistant) and others. In an illustrated embodiment, the grounding mechanism is used in a foldable mobile phone. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the foldable mobile phone  200  includes a main body  21 , a cover  23 , a connecting element  25 , an audio component  27 , and an elastic member  28 . The elastic member  28  conduct electromagnetic charges from the connecting element  25  and the audio component  27  to a ground pin of a printed circuit board (not shown) of the mobile phone  200 . 
     The main body  21  includes a first barrel  213  at one end and an opposite second barrel  215  at another end thereof. The second barrel  215  defines a through hole  2150  surrounded by a circumferential wall  2151 . A rib  2155  axially extends from an inner surface of the circumferential wall  2151 . A slot  2157  is defined in the inner surface of the circumferential wall  2151 . 
     The cover  23  has a shape substantially corresponding to the main body  21 , and includes a sleeve portion  231  formed at one end thereof. The sleeve portion  231 , the first barrel  213 , and the second barrel  215  are configured for receiving a conventional hinge assembly (not shown) of the mobile phone  200  to rotatably connect the cover  23  to the main body  21 . 
     The connecting element  25  is metal, and is configured for being received in the through hole  2150  of the second barrel  215 . The connecting element  25  is used for conducting electromagnetic interference and electrostatic charges from the hinge assembly. The connecting element  25  is a hollow sleeve, and defines a first slit  253  and a second slit  255 . The first slit  253  only communicates with one end of the connecting element  25  configured for receiving the rib  2155 . The second slit  255  communicates with two ends of the connecting element  25  to allow the connecting element  25  to have an adjustable diameter due to the split configuration. A projection  257  extends from one end of the connecting element  25  for being received in the slot  2157 . 
     The audio component  27  includes an audio base  272  and an audio cover  274 . The audio base  272  includes a top surface  2720 . Two posts  2722  project from the top surface  2720 . The audio cover  274  is made of metal, and is positioned at one side of the audio base  272  adjacent to the top surface  2720 . A tab  276  extends from one side of the audio cover  274  and rides the top surface  270 . A protrusion  278  is formed on the tab  276 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the elastic member  28  is metal, and may be stamped or punched from a metal sheet. The elastic member  28  includes a main section  282 . The main base  282  is substantially a long and narrow plate, and defines two post holes  2822  for receiving the posts  2722 . A first bent portion  284  extends from one end of the main section  282 . The first bent portion  284  includes a resisting end  2842  and a hooked end  2844 . A second bent portion  286  extends from the other end of the main section  282 . The second bent portion  286  includes an arcuate part  28621  and a holding part  2862 . A contact  2864  is formed on the holding part  2862  for electronically connecting to the connecting element  25 . 
     In assembly, referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , first, the post holes  2822  are placed around the posts  2722  of the audio base  272 . The first bent portion  284  abuts the tab  276  to allow the protrusion  278  to be electronically connected to the elastic member  28 . Then, the audio base  272  is attached to the main body  21 . The connecting element  25  is received in the second barrel  215 . The second slit  255  receives the rib  2153  and the projection  257  is received in the slot  2157  to allow the connecting element  25  to be fixed to the second barrel  215 . One portion of the connecting element  25  is exposed from the second barrel  215  to allow the second bent portion  286  to be electronically connected to the connecting element  25 . Finally, the sleeve portion  231  is positioned between the first barrel  213  and the second barrel  215 . The cover  23  is rotatably connected to the main body  21 . Therefore, the connecting element  25 , the elastic member  28 , and the audio cover  274  are electronically connected to a grounding pin of a main circuit board. 
     A significant advantage of the grounding mechanism is that the elastic member  28  is easily assembled to the main body  21 . This simplifies assembly of the electronic device so that costs are reduced. In addition, space occupied in the interior of the electronic device is minimized. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of assembly and function, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.