Abstract:
Disclosed is a battery pack locking device of a portable terminal including a locking member pivotally engaged with the portable terminal and extending in one direction to press the battery pack mounted to the portable terminal; a resilient member providing a resilient force against the locking plate into the battery pack; and a cover engaged with the locking member so as to be slidably movable.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to an application entitled “BATTERY PACK LOCKING DEVICE OF PORTABLE TERMINAL” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 27, 2004 and assigned Serial No. 2004-112969, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly to a battery pack locking device of a portable terminal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, portable communication terminals are communication devices providing electronic communication functions between users or between a user and a service provider. The user can enjoy various services including voice communication, short sentence messages, multimedia services, and entertainment content while carrying a portable terminal.  
         [0006]     Communication terminals are categorized according to their shape, such as a bar-type portable terminal where a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and data input and output devices are installed in one housing; a flip-type portable terminal where a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and data input and output devices are installed in one housing like the bar-type portable terminal with a folding data input device, like a key pad; and, a folder-type portable terminal where a pair of housings are foldably connected and a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and data input and output devices are properly disposed on the pair of housings.  
         [0007]     Recently, as consumer need becomes more varied, a sliding-type portable terminal, a popup-type portable terminal, and a swing-type portable terminal has been developed and supplied. Those skilled in the art will easily understand the portable terminals.  
         [0008]     For portable terminals, in order to supply electric power, a battery pack is generally mounted to a rear surface of a body housing of the portable terminal. The portable terminal includes a locking device to prevent the battery pack mounted to the body housing from detaching. On a typical portable terminal, a boss receiving a predetermined resilient force and protruding from a battery pack mounting surface is engaged with a recess formed in the battery pack to prevent detachment of the battery pack.  
         [0009]     Further, recently, as the functions of a portable terminal becomes more and more varied, camera lenses have become a normally integrated part of newer terminal models. With this, a cover device is generally provided to prevent the exposure of the camera lens when the camera lens is not used.  
         [0010]     However, additional devices, such as a camera lens, become an obstacle to miniaturization of the portable terminal. Furthermore, installing a cover on the portable terminal complicates the problem.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     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 battery pack locking device that allows miniaturization of a portable terminal by integrating a battery pack locking device and a cover for protecting a camera device into one module.  
         [0012]     To accomplish the object, there is provided a battery pack locking device of a portable terminal including a locking member pivotally engaged with the portable terminal and extending in one direction to press the battery pack mounted to the portable terminal; a resilient member providing a resilient force applied in a direction in which the locking plate presses the battery pack; and a cover engaged with the locking member so as to be slidably moved. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     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:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack locking device of a portable terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the battery pack locking device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away cross-sectional view of the battery pack locking device shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partially cut-away perspective view of the battery pack locking device shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view for showing a battery pack of a portable terminal;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partially cut-away perspective view for showing a state where the battery pack locking device of  FIG. 1  is mounted to a portable terminal;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a partially cut-away perspective view for showing another state where the battery pack locking device of  FIG. 1  is mounted to a portable terminal;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view for showing an operation state of the battery pack locking device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a partially cut-away perspective view for showing the battery pack locking device of  FIG. 8 ; and  
         [0023]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are views for showing a rear surface of a portable terminal including the battery pack locking device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.  
         [0025]     As shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 , a battery pack locking device  100  of a portable terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a locking member  101 , a cover  102 , a mounting member  103 , and a driving means  104 .  
         [0026]     The locking member  101  is pivotally mounted to the portable terminal  10  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) by using the mounting member  103 . The locking member  101  extends along one plane. The locking member  101  includes a locking plate  111  positioned on a battery pack mounting surface of the portable terminal. The locking plate  111  is biased by a predetermined resilient force and is pivoted toward the battery pack mounting surface. To receive the resilient force pivoting the locking plate  111 , the locking member  101  includes a driving plate  113  extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the locking plate  111 . A pivoting pin  199  is engaged between the locking plate  111  and the driving plate  113  to provide a pivotal axis of the locking member  101 . The locking plate  111  and the driving plate  113  extend in a parallel orientation.  
         [0027]     Preferably, at least one pair of locking recesses  112  are formed in the locking plate  111 . The locking plate  111  presses an outer surface of a battery pack  11  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) mounted to the portable terminal  10  in a direction that fixes the battery pack to the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a sliding recess  13  recessed to a predetermined depth and locking bosses  15  protruding on the surface of the sliding recess  13  are formed on an outer surface of the battery pack  11 . When the battery pack  15  is mounted to the portable terminal  10 , the cover  102  is slidably moved in the sliding recess  13  and the locking bosses  15  are engaged with the locking recesses  112 . After the battery pack  11  is adhered to a battery mounting surface of the portable terminal  10 , it is slidably moved. At least one pair of engaging ribs are formed on both sides of the battery pack  11 . The engaging ribs  17  are engaged with corresponding engaging ribs (not shown) formed in the portable terminal  10  to attach the battery pack  11 . If the battery pack  11  is engaged with the portable terminal  10  completely, the locking plate  111  applies a force to the outer surface of the battery pack  11 . At the same time, the locking bosses  15  are engaged with the locking recesses  112 . The battery pack  11  is kept in a fixed position by fixing the battery pack  11  to the portable terminal.  
         [0029]     The locking member  101  includes a driven plate  115  extending between the locking plate  111  and the driving plate  113  in a perpendicular direction. When the locking member  101  pivots, the driven plate  115  is blocked by the battery pack  11  mounted to the portable terminal  10  and slides the battery pack  11 .  
         [0030]     The cover  101  includes a sliding plate  121  slidably mounted to the locking member  101  and a cover plate  123  fixed to the sliding plate  121 . The sliding plate  121  has a U-shape. Guide ribs  125  extending in a lengthwise direction thereof are formed on the inner side of the sliding plate  121 . Guide recesses  117  are formed on both side surfaces of the locking plate  111 , so that, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the guide ribs  125  and the guide recesses  117  are engaged with each other to allow slidable movement with respect to each other. Therefore, the sliding plate  121  is engaged with the locking plate  111  so as to surround the locking plate  111  and is slidably moved on the locking plate  111  in a lengthwise direction.  
         [0031]     The cover plate  123  is fixed to the sliding plate  121 , and prevents the locking plate  111  and the sliding plate from being exposed. The cover plate  123  also improves appearance.  
         [0032]     Where the battery pack  11  is mounted to the portable terminal, the cover  102  can be slid in the sliding recess  13 . As the cover  101  is slid on the portable terminal  10 , it is located in the sliding recess  13  or a portion thereof opens and closes the outer surface of the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0033]     The mounting member  103  is fixed to the portable terminal  10 , and a pair of support bosses  131  pivotally supporting both sides of the locking member  101  are formed in the mounting member  103 . Namely, the mounting member  103  pivotally mounts the locking member  101  to the portable terminal  10 . The mounting member  103  can be integrally formed with the portable terminal  10  or manufactured separately. Engaging pieces  139  for engaging the mounting member  103  to the portable terminal are formed in the mounting member  103 .  
         [0034]     The support bosses  131  are formed so as to be opposite to each other, and the locking member  101  is located between them. Pivot holes  119  and  133 , arranged in axial alignment, i.e. a straight line, are formed in the support bosses  131  and the locking member  101 , and a pivot pin  199  extending in a lengthwise direction thereof is engaged with the pivot holes  199  and  133 . The locking member  101  is pivoted about a pivotal axis, i.e. the pivot pin  199 . The pivot hole  119  formed in the locking member  101  is formed between the locking plate  111  and the driving plate  113 . The locking plate  111  is pivoted as a resilient force is applied to the driving plate  113 , which is pivoted about the pivot pin  199 .  
         [0035]     A receiving recess  135  is formed in the mounting member  103 , and the driving means  104  is received in the receiving recess  135 . The opened end of the receiving recess  135  faces the driving plate  113 .  
         [0036]     The driving means  113  includes a resilient member  141  and a driving button  143 . The resilient member  141  is received in the receiving recess  135 . One end of the resilient member  141  is supported by the driving plate  113  through the driving button  143 . The resilient member  141  is preferably a compression coil spring, and the resilient force of the resilient member  141  is applied to bias the locking plate  111  toward the battery pack mounting surface of the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0037]     The resilient member  141  is not blocked by the inner walls of the receiving recess  135  due to the driving button  143 . The driving button  143  provides the driving plate with a smooth resilient force. If the resilient member  141  is not blocked by the inner walls of the receiving recess  135 , the driving button can be excluded. The driving button  143  is provided with the resilient force of the resilient member  141  at the opened end of the receiving recess  135  and is pressed down into the mounting member  103  and then is released from the depressed position.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are partially cut-away perspective views showing the battery pack locking device  100  mounted to a portable terminal  10 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  show that the cover  102  of the locking device  100  opens and closes a portion of an outer surface of the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the locking plate  111  presses the battery pack  11  with the resilient force of the resilient member  141 , the battery pack  11  mounted to the portable terminal  10  is attached to the portable terminal  10  and the locking bosses  15  are engaged with the locking recess  112  to restrict the sliding movement of the battery pack  10 . Further, the engaging ribs  17  formed on both side surfaces of the battery pack  10  are engaged with the engaging ribs (not shown) in the portable terminal to restrict the battery pack  11  from being unintentionally removed from the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0040]     To separate the battery pack  11  from the portable terminal, the engaging ribs  17  are released. Further, to release the engaging ribs  17 , the battery pack  11  should be slidably moved on the portable terminal  10 , but the locking bosses  15  and the locking recess  112  are engaged with each other and restrict the sliding movement of the battery pack  11 .  
         [0041]     The portable terminal  10  includes a camera lens  19  installed adjacent to the surface to which the battery pack  11  is mounted. If the camera lens  19  employs a highly efficient camera device of over one million pixels, it is preferable that the camera lens  19  is closed when the camera lens  19  is not used.  
         [0042]     Here, a portion of the outer surface of the portable terminal  10  is closed as the cover  102  is slidably moved on the locking plate  111 . The camera lens  19  is installed on the outer surface of the portable terminal  10  opened and closed by the cover  102 , and is closed by the cover, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the camera lens  19  is not used.  
         [0043]     When the cover  102  is closed over the camera lens  19 , the pivotal movement of the locking member  101  is restricted. Namely, when the cover  102  is closed over the camera lens  19 , the cover  19  is blocked by the outer surface of the portable terminal  10  so that the locking member  101  cannot be pivoted.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the cover  102  is located in the sliding recess  13 , the camera lens  19  is opened and a user can take a picture, using the camera lens  19 . Further, if the cover  102  is located in the sliding recess  13 , the cover  102  is not blocked by the portable terminal  10  and the locking member  101  can be pivoted.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the battery pack  11  separated from the portable terminal by pivoting the locking member  101 .  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , to separate the battery pack  11  from the portable terminal, a user pivots the locking member  101  so that the locking plate  111  is withdrawn from the outer surface of the battery pack  11 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the portable terminal  10  discloses a folder-type portable terminal including a body housing  1  and a sub-housing  2 . However, it is apparent that the battery pack locking device according to the present invention can be applied to an arbitrary type of portable terminal that employs a battery pack, such as a sliding type portable terminal, a bar-type portable terminal, a flip-type portable terminal, etc.  
         [0047]     If the locking member  101  is pivoted, the locking bosses  15  are separated from the locking recesses  112  and the driven plate  115  is blocked by one end of the battery pack  11  to slide the battery pack  11 .  
         [0048]     If the battery pack  11  is slid by the driven plate  115 , the engaging ribs  17  are released and a user can separate the battery pack  11  from the portable terminal  10 .  
         [0049]     As the locking member  10  pivots, the driving plate  113  presses the driving button  143  and withdraws the driving button  143  into the receiving recess  135 . The resilient member  141  accumulates a predetermined resilient force, which is applied in the direction of the locking plate  111  approaching the portable terminal  10 . If the force pivoting the cover  102  or the locking plate  111  is removed, the locking member  101  receives the resilient force of the driving means and is pivoted in the direction in of locking plate  111  approaching the portable terminal.  
         [0050]     As described above, since a battery pack locking device of a portable terminal according to the present invention includes a locking member pivotally mounted to the portable terminal and pressing an outer surface of the battery pack with a predetermined resilient force and a cover engaged with the locking member so as to be slidably moved, the battery pack is securely fixed and a camera lens is protected by opening and closing a portion of an outer surface of the portable terminal. More specifically, since the present invention integrates the camera lens cover with the battery pack device in one module, the mounting space of the portable terminal is used more efficiently and thus, the portable terminal can be miniaturized.  
         [0051]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment 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.