Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20060019726?dq=645576
Timestamp: 2017-02-25 12:25:59
Document Index: 412202585

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 51', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 51', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400']

Patent US20060019726 - Locking apparatus of swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsDisclosed herein is a locking apparatus of a swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals that is capable of improving a locking force of the swing hinge module, the mobile communication terminal including first and second housings rotatably connected to each other by the swing hinge module....http://www.google.com/patents/US20060019726?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20060019726 - Locking apparatus of swing hinge module for mobile communication terminalsAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS20060019726 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/132,911Publication dateJan 26, 2006Filing dateMay 19, 2005Priority dateJul 7, 2004Also published asEP1615406A1, EP1615406B1, US7590435Publication number11132911, 132911, US 2006/0019726 A1, US 2006/019726 A1, US 20060019726 A1, US 20060019726A1, US 2006019726 A1, US 2006019726A1, US-A1-20060019726, US-A1-2006019726, US2006/0019726A1, US2006/019726A1, US20060019726 A1, US20060019726A1, US2006019726 A1, US2006019726A1InventorsHyun-Gue Park, Byoung-Soo Lee, Young-Mok JeunOriginal AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Referenced by (13), Classifications (10), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetLocking apparatus of swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0034] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal includes a first housing 10, which is provided with a plurality of keypads 11 and a microphone 12; and a second housing 20, which is connected to the first housing 10 such that the second housing 20 can be rotated relative to the first housing 10 about a hinge axis A1 while being opposite to the first housing 10. The second housing 20 is provided with a display unit 21 and a speaker 22. [0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, a swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals includes a hinge housing 30, a hinge shaft 40, first and second hinge cams 50 and 60, a coil spring 70, a hinge cap 80, and a hinge fixing plate 90. The hinge housing 30 extends in the longitudinal direction of the hinge housing 30. The hinge housing 30 is fixed to the first housing 10. The hinge housing 30 has an accommodating space defined therein, in which the hinge shaft 40, the first and second hinge cams 50 and 60, and the coil spring 70 are successively disposed. The hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the first and second hinge cams 50 and 60, which will be described below. The hinge shaft 40 is rotatably attached to the hinge housing 30. The first hinge cam 50 is provided with a crest part 51, which corresponds to a valley part 61 formed on the second hinge cam 60. The first hinge cam 50 is disposed in the accommodating space of the hinge housing 30 such that the first hinge cam 50 can be linearly moved in the longitudinal direction of the hinge housing 30. As described above, the valley part 61 is formed on the second hinge cam 60. The valley part 61 of the second hinge cam 60 corresponds to the crest part 51 of the first hinge cam 50. The second hinge cam 60 is fixedly attached to the hinge shaft 40 such that the second hinge cam 60 can be rotated in the hinge housing 30. The coil spring 70 is disposed between the hinge housing 30 and the first hinge cam 50 for providing an elastic force upon the first hinge cam 50 such that the first and second hinge cams 50 and 60 are moved toward each other. One end of the hinge cap 80 is closed. The closed end of the hinge cap 80 has a cap-side through-hole 83 formed at the center thereof, through which a head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted. The other end of the hinge cap 80 is open. The hinge housing 30 is attached to the hinge cap 80 through the open end of the hinge cap 80. [0037] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the hinge fixing plate 90 has a plate-side through-hole 92 formed at the center thereof, through which the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted. The hinge fixing plate 90 is adjacent to the hinge cap 80 with their respective through-holes 83, 92 aligned. The hinge housing 30 and the hinge cap 80 are fixed to each other by means of the hinge fixing plate 90 while being rotated relative to the hinge fixing plate 90. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge cap 80 is provided at the outer circumference thereof with first fixing pieces 81, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the hinge cap 80, and the hinge fixing plate 90 is provided at the outer circumference thereof with second fixing pieces 91, which correspond to the first fixing pieces 81. The first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are connected to each other by means of screws 700, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the hinge cap 80 is provided at the outer circumference thereof with at least one cap-side fixing member 82, by which the hinge cap 80 is fixed to the second housing 20. [0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 has a shaft-side engaging groove 41 a, with which the hinge fixing plate 90 is engaged after the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 of the hinge fixing plate 90. As shown in FIG. 2, the cap-side through-hole 83 is formed through the center of the closed end of the hinge cap 80. The head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the cap-side through-hole 83 of the hinge cap 80. Similarly, the plate-side through-hole 92 is formed at the center of the hinge fixing plate 90. Consequently, the hinge fixing plate 90 is engaged with the shaft-side engaging groove 41 a of the hinge shaft 40 while the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 of the hinge fixing plate 90. [0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are preferably uniformly spaced apart from their own respective pieces about the hinge axis A1 of the hinge shaft 40 such that the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are both arranged so that they are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Consequently, the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are preferably provided with three fixing points, respectively. [0040] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a hinge stopper 800 is disposed between the hinge cap 80 and the hinge housing 30 for restricting the rotation of the hinge cap 80. The hinge stopper 800 includes a guide protrusion 801, a guide groove 802, and at least one stopper protrusion 803. The guide protrusion 801 is formed at the lower end of the hinge cap 80 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the hinge cap 80 such that the guide protrusion 801 can be guided along the guide groove 802. The guide groove 802 is formed at the outer circumference of the hinge housing 30 while extending in the circumferential direction of the hinge housing 30 such that the guide protrusion 801 can be guided along the guide groove 802. The stopper protrusion 803 is formed at either end of the guide groove 802 such that the movement of the guide protrusion 801 guided along the guide groove 802 is stopped by the stopper protrusion 803. [0041] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge cap 80 is provided at a predetermined position of the outer circumference thereof with a first circuit hole 84, through which a flexible circuit (not shown) passes. The first circuit hole 84 of the hinge cap 80 extends in the longitudinal direction of the hinge cap 80. Similarly, the hinge housing 30 is provided at a predetermined position of the outer circumference thereof with a second circuit hole 32, through which the flexible circuit having passed through the first circuit hole 84 passes. [0042] Also, the hinge housing 30 is provided around the outer circumference thereof with at least one fixing groove 31, as shown in FIG. 1. [0043] The operation of the locking apparatus of the swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals with the above-stated construction according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. [0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge shaft 40, the first and second hinge cam 50 and 60, and the coil spring 70 are successively disposed in the accommodating space of the hinge housing 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge cap 80 is attached to the hinge housing 30 while the hinge cap 80 surrounds the outer circumference of the hinge housing 30 through the open end of the hinge cap 80. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the cap-side through-hole 83 formed at the closed end of the hinge cap 80. Next, the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is also inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 formed at the center of the hinge fixing plate 90, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the tail part of the hinge shaft 40 is protruded out of the lower end of the hinge housing 30, and then an E-ring 95 is fitted on the outer circumference of the tail part. [0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft-side engaging groove 41 a is formed at the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 such that the hinge fixing plate 90 is engaged with the shaft-side engaging groove 41 a after the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 of the hinge fixing plate 90. Consequently, the hinge fixing plate 90 is engaged with the shaft-side engaging groove 41 a of the hinge shaft 40 while the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 of the hinge fixing plate 90. [0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the head 41 of the hinge shaft 40 is rotated 90 degrees after the head 41 is inserted through the plate-side through-hole 92 of the hinge fixing plate 90. At the same time, the second fixing pieces 91 formed at the outer circumference of the hinge fixing plate 90 are located such that the second fixing pieces 91 exactly correspond to the first fixing pieces 81 formed at the outer circumference of the hinge cap 80, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Subsequently, the second fixing pieces 91 are securely fixed to the first fixing pieces 81 by means of the screws 700, as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the hinge fixing plate 90 is fixed to the hinge cap 80 while the hinge fixing plate 90 is opposite to the hinge cap 80. [0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are uniformly spaced apart from each other, respectively, about the hinge axis A1 of the hinge shaft 40 such that the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are arranged as corners of an equilateral triangle. Consequently, the first and second fixing pieces 81 and 91 are provided with three fixing points each. [0048] The three fixing points disperse a fixing force of the hinge housing 30, the hinge shaft 40 and the hinge cap 80 in three directions, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Consequently, damage to the hinge module and decrease of the fixing force, which may be caused due to repetitive rotation of the first and second housings 10 and 20, are effectively prevented. [0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the guide protrusion 801 is formed at the lower end of the hinge cap 80 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the hinge cap 80. The guide protrusion 801 is guided along the guide groove 802 formed at the outer circumference of the hinge housing 30 in the circumferential direction of the hinge housing 30. [0050] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movement of the guide protrusion 801 guided along the guide groove 802 is stopped by the stopper protrusion 803 at either end of the guide groove 802. Consequently, the rotation of the hinge cap 80 is stopped. [0051] The operation of a locking apparatus of a swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. [0052] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a hinge fixing plate 900 is engaged with a screw part 400 of the hinge shaft 40, which is inserted through the cap-side through-hole 83 formed at the closed end of the hinge cap 80. The screw part 400 is formed at the center part of the head of the hinge shaft 40. [0053] At the center of the hinge fixing plate 900 is formed a first screw hole 901 as shown in FIG. 11. The screw part 400 of the hinge shaft 40 is engaged into the first screw hole 901 of the hinge fixing plate 900, by which the hinge fixing plate 900 is securely fixed to the hinge shaft 40. [0054] At least one second screw hole 902 is formed at the hinge fixing plate 90 around the first screw hole 901. After the second screw hole 902 is arranged such that the second screw hole 902 communicates with a screw hole formed at a first fixing piece 81 of the hinge cap 80, the screw 700 is engaged into the second screw hole 902 and the screw hole of the first fixing piece 81 of the hinge cap 80. While the hinge fixing plate 900 is opposite to the upper end of the hinge cap 80, the hinge cams 50 and 60 are securely fixed to the hinge housing 30. [0055] When the hinge cap 80 is rotated as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, first and second lockers 1002 and 1003 are inserted into, separated from, and contact a rotating locking member 1001 of the hinge cap 80 to restrict the rotation range of the hinge cap 80. Accordingly, a hinge stopper 1000 is provided. [0056] The rotating locking member 1001 is formed at a predetermined position of the outer circumference of the hinge cap 80. When the hinge cap 80 is rotated, the rotating locking member 1001 is separated from the first locker 1002 formed at the hinge housing 30. [0057] At the rotating locking member 1001 is provided a locking groove 1001 a, into or from which the first locker 1002 is inserted or separated, as shown in FIG. 15. Consequently, the first locker 1002 is separated from the locking groove 1001 a of the rotating locking member 1001. [0058] The first locker 1002 is preferably formed in an L-shape. The rotating locking member 1001 is rotated along with the hinge cap80, as shown in FIG. 16. The second locker 1003 is formed at the hinge housing 30 such that the second locker 1003 contacts the rotating locking member 1001 to restrict the rotation range of the rotating locking member 1001. When the hinge cap 80 is rotated 180 degrees, the rotating locking member 1001 contacts the second locker 1003, whereby the rotation of the rotating locking member 1001 is stopped. [0059] When the hinge cap 80 is rotated in the opposite direction, the first locker 1002 is inserted into the locking groove 1001 a of the rotating locking member 1001. Consequently, the hinge cap 80 is returned to its original position. [0060] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a locking apparatus of a swing hinge module including a hinge fixing plate fixed to a hinge shaft of the swing hinge module. Consequently, the present invention has the effect that the fixing force of the swing hinge module is improved, and thus durability of the mobile communication terminal is improved. Also, the present invention provides a locking apparatus of a swing hinge module including a hinge stopper that restricts the rotation range of the hinge cap as the lockers are inserted into or separated from the hinge cap. Consequently, the present invention has the effect that a function of the swing hinge module as the stopper is improved, the fatigue of the stopper is reduced, and thus the service life of the swing hinge module is increased. [0061] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5485517 *Apr 24, 1995Jan 16, 1996Gray; Robert R.Portable wireless telephone having swivel chassisUS6065187 *May 14, 1998May 23, 2000Motorola, Inc.Hinge assemblyUS6633643 *Sep 11, 2000Oct 14, 2003Kabushiki Kaisha Strawberry CorporationHinge structure for collapsible portable phoneUS6886221 *Feb 12, 2003May 3, 2005Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Folding device and electronic equipment using the sameUS7085375 *Jun 13, 2001Aug 1, 2006Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.Small-sized hinge deviceUS7213301 *Oct 18, 2004May 8, 2007Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Folding deviceUS7299524 *Jul 8, 2005Nov 27, 2007Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.Hinge assembly for electronic deviceUS20030040288 *Aug 23, 2002Feb 27, 2003Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Rotary type hinge module for portable wireless terminal* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7419099 *Sep 22, 2004Sep 2, 2008Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Portable terminal and swing hinge module thereofUS7484268 *Aug 2, 2005Feb 3, 2009Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Hinge device and portable terminal having the sameUS7684822 *Nov 6, 2006Mar 23, 2010Lg Electronics Inc.Mobile terminal and method for changing mode thereofUS7881758 *Jan 26, 2007Feb 1, 2011Fujitsu LimitedElectronic apparatus having rotating display housingUS8212440 *Jul 21, 2009Jul 3, 2012Hong Fu Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.Rotation structureUS20050082372 *Sep 22, 2004Apr 21, 2005Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Portable terminal and swing hinge module thereofUS20050180118 *Oct 21, 2004Aug 18, 2005Fih Co., LtdLatching assembly for a removable cover of a portable electronic deviceUS20060059659 *Aug 2, 2005Mar 23, 2006Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Hinge device and portable terminal having the sameUS20070103443 *Nov 6, 2006May 10, 2007Lg Electronics Inc.Mobile terminal and method for changing mode thereofUS20080076479 *Jan 26, 2007Mar 27, 2008Fujitsu LimitedElectronic apparatusUS20100231063 *Jul 21, 2009Sep 16, 2010Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., LtdRotation structureUS20100259875 *Dec 30, 2009Oct 14, 2010Fih (Hong Kong) LimitedBattery cover assembly for portable electronic deviceUS20150163940 *Dec 9, 2014Jun 11, 2015Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Electronic device including openable cover* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification455/575.1, 455/90.3International ClassificationE05D11/06, H04B1/38, H04M1/02Cooperative ClassificationH04M1/0227, E05Y2900/606, E05D11/1078, E05D11/06European ClassificationH04M1/02A2B6FLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 17, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PARK, HYUN-GUE;LEE, BYOUNG-SOO;JEUN, YOUNG-MOK;REEL/FRAME:016594/0276Effective date: 20050510Sep 21, 2010CCCertificate of correctionFeb 27, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services