Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to sliding mechanisms for slidably connecting two members, particularly to a sliding mechanism configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for use in a slide-type portable electronic device to slidably interconnect two casings of a device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Slide-type portable electronic devices usually include a main housing, a sliding housing, and a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism drives the sliding housing to slide with respect to the main housing. A conventional sliding mechanism includes a body section, a cover section, and a torsion spring. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the body section, and the other end of the torsion spring is fixed to the cover section. The cover section slides relative to the body section by releasing the torsion force of the torsion spring. Due to the main housing and the slidable housing being fixed to the body section and the cover section, the slidable housing can slide relative to the main housing. 
     However, after repeated use, the torsion spring may wear out and fail to function properly, thereby degrading the sliding mechanism. 
     Therefore, there is chamber for improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the sliding 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 sliding mechanism, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a sliding mechanism for portable electronic device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but shown from another aspect; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially, enlarged view of a main housing of the sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially, enlarged view of the main body shown in  FIG. 1  from another angle; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a stopping member of the sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 , but shown another aspect; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of an elastic member of the sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but shown another aspect; 
         FIG. 9  is an assembled, isometric view of the sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the sliding mechanism in a closed state; 
         FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 9 , but shown another aspect; 
         FIG. 11  is a partially, enlarged view of the assembled sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an assembled, isometric view of the sliding mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the sliding mechanism in an open state; and 
         FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but shown another aspect. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a sliding mechanism  100  for a portable electronic device (not labeled). The sliding mechanism  100  includes a main housing  10 , a sliding housing  30 , a stopping member  50 , and two elastic members  70 . 
     Also referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the main housing  10  includes a main board  101 , two opposite sidewalls  103  and two opposite end walls  105 . The sidewalls  103  and the end walls  105  surround the main board  101 . The main board  101  includes a first surface  1012  and an opposite second surface  1014 . The main board  101  defines a through hole  11  near one of the end wall  105  communicating with the first, second surfaces  1012 ,  1014 . 
     Two parallel rails  12  protrude from the second surface  1014  of the main board  101 . The rails  12  are L-shaped and a top surface of each is a guiding plate  122  and the other part of the L-shape is an internally facing side surface as a supporting plate  124 . The rails  12  are configured as mirror images of each other. Each supporting plate  124  defines a receiving hole  1222 . 
     A latching portion  13  is formed at the main housing  10  adjacent to one of the end walls  105 . The latching portion  13  includes a horizontal surface  131  connected to a vertical wall  136 . A slot  133  and two grooves  134  are defined in the horizontal surface  131 . The grooves  134  are positioned at two opposite sides of the slot  133 . Two blocks  135  protrude from an intersection of the vertical wall  136  and the horizontal surface  131 . Two cutouts  137  are defined at two sides of the blocks  135  and are spaced from the horizontal surface  131 . 
     Two locking portions  15  are respectively formed adjacent to one of the sidewalls  103 . Each locking portion  15  defines a first gap  152 , a second gap  153  and a third gap  154 . The first gap  152  communicates with the receiving hole  1222  of the corresponding rail  12 . A bar  155  is formed between the first gap  152  and the second gap  153 . The second gap  153  communicates with the through hole  11 . A bridge portion  156  extends from the bar  155 , dividing the second gap  153  into two parts. Two protrusions  157  protrude from the bar  155 , positioned at two sides of the bridge  156 . The third gap  154  is positioned at a same side of the first gap  152  as the bar  155 . Each locking portion  15  defines two receiving chambers  158  at two ends, respectively. The receiving chambers  158  communicate with the second gaps  153 , and each includes a bottom  1582  for supporting one end of the elastic member  70 . 
     The sliding housing  30  includes a base board  31  and two opposite sidewalls  32  extending from the base board  31 . Two ledges  33  vertically protrude from the sidewalls  32  toward each other. A space  332  between the base board  31  and the ledges  33  allows the guiding plates  122  of the main housing  10  to slide. Each ledge  33  defines a first notch  331  and a second notch  333 . 
     A metal board  34  is attached to the sliding housing  30  for electrically connecting the sliding housing  30  to the main housing  10 . Two spaced wings  341  are formed adjacent to one end of the metal board  34 , corresponding to the cutouts  137  of the latching portion  13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , the stopping member  50  includes a main plate  51 , a locking plate  53 , two engaging arms  55  and a bent plate  57 . The locking plate  53  is receivable in the slot  133  of the main housing  10 . The engaging arms  55  are L-shaped and connected at one end to the member  50  and in this embodiment distal ends extend toward each other in parallel with the member  50 . Each engaging arm  55  includes a curved end  552 . The bent plate  57  defines two latching holes  59  allowing the blocks  135  to extend through correspondingly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-8 , each elastic member  70  includes a base plate  71 , two elastic plates  73 , a latching plate  75  and an inserting plate  77 . The elastic plates  73  define an opening  737  therebetween to receive the bridge  156  of the main housing  10 . Each elastic plate  73  includes a connecting portion  731 , a middle portion  733  and a curved portion  735 . The connecting portions  731  connecting the base plate  71  are U-shaped and each of which defines a locking hole  76  for receiving the corresponding protrusion  157  of the main housing  10 . The latching plate  75  is elastic and includes a positioning portion  751 . The positioning portion  751  is selectively engaged in the first notch  331  and the second notch  333  of the sliding housing  30  when the sliding housing  30  is attached to the main housing  10 . 
     To attach the sliding housing  30  to the main housing  10 , referring to  FIGS. 9-13 , the elastic members  70  are attached to the locking portions  15  correspondingly. The latching plate  75  is received in the first gap  152  and the elastic plates  73  are received in the second gap  153  correspondingly. The bar  155  is positioned between the latching plate  75  and the bridge  156  is engaged in the opening  737 . The positioning portions  751  extend through the receiving holes  1222 . The inserting plate  77  is inserted into the third gap  154 , and the protrusions  157  are inserted into the locking holes  76  correspondingly, so that the elastic members  70  are firmly attached to the main housing  10 . 
     The sliding housing  30  is then attached to the main housing  10 . The guiding plates  122  of the main housing  10  are slidingly received in the space  332  between the ledges  33  and the base board  31 . The positioning portions  751  resist the supporting plates  124  correspondingly. The wings  341  of the metal board  34  pass through the vertical wall  136  of the main housing  10  via the cutouts  137 . 
     The stopping member  50  is attached to the latching portion  13 . The main plate  51  is laid on the horizontal surface  131  of the latching portion  13 , and the locking plate  53  of the stopping member  50  is inserted into the slot  133  of the latching portion  13 . The bent plate  57  is adjacent to the vertical wall  136  and the blocks  135  extend through the latching holes  59  correspondingly. The bent plate  57  covers the cutouts  137  to stop the sliding housing  30  moving away from the main housing  10 . The grooves  134  are beneath the curved ends  552  of the engaging arms  55  correspondingly for easily detaching the stopping member  50  from the main housing  10 . 
     When the sliding housing  30  is moved toward the main housing  10 , the guiding plates  122  slide along the ledges  33  correspondingly, and the positioning portions  751  are pressed down by the ledges  33  correspondingly. When the protrusions  157  reach the second notches  333  correspondingly, the protrusions  157  rebound to original position and are locked in the second notches  333 . At this time, the sliding mechanism  100  is at a closed state. 
     When the sliding housing  30  is moved backward the main housing  10 , the protrusions  157  are pushed to exit the second notches  333  and are then pressed down by the ledges  33  correspondingly. When the protrusions  157  reach the first notches  331  correspondingly, the protrusions  157  rebound to original position and are locked in the first notches  331 . At this time, the sliding mechanism  100  is at an open state. 
     It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, 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 invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: 5