Patent Document

PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to an application entitled “Hinge Device for Portable Terminal” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 17, 2006 and assigned Ser. No. 2006-34512 and an application entitled “Hinge Device for Portable Terminal” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 22, 2006 and assigned Ser. No. 2006-79314, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a portable terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge device for a portable terminal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, portable terminals can be classified as bar-type terminals, flip-type terminals, folder-type terminals, and sliding-type terminals according to their appearance. 
     A bar-type terminal has a single housing having a data input/output means, a transmitting unit (or mouthpiece), and a receiving unit (or earpiece). Since the data input means (such as a keypad) is exposed at all times, the bar-type terminal is susceptible to damage. Moreover, there is a limit as to how small a bar-type terminal can be made because a sufficient distance needs to be maintained between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. 
     A flip-type terminal includes a main body, a flip, and a hinge module that connects the main body to the flip. In a flip-type terminal, the data input/output means, the transmitting unit, and the receiving unit are mounted in the main body. Damage to the data input means is minimized by covering the data input means with the flip. Like the bar-type terminal, there is a limit as to how small a flip-type terminal can be made because of the requirement for a sufficient distance between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. 
     A folder-type terminal includes a main body, a folder, and a hinge module that rotatably connects the main body with the folder. The folder is opened and closed by rotating the folder. When the folder is closed (i.e. folded against the main body), the phone is placed into a standby mode, and the keypad is covered to prevent damage to the keypad. When the folder is opened to make a call, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are moved away for each other, and a sufficient distance between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit is secured. This contributes to the ability to make the folder-type portable terminal smaller. 
     Sliding-type terminals have a pair of housings slidably combined with each other. One of the pair of housings is opened by sliding it with respect to the other housing. In a sliding-type terminal, the keypad is covered to prevent damage to the keypad when the housing is closed. When the housing is open, however, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are moved away for each other to secure a sufficient distance between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. The sliding-type terminal is easy to carry and use. 
     In the portable terminal consumer market, the folder and sliding type terminals have become the most popular type of terminal. 
     Initially, mobile communication services using portable terminals was limited to voice communication and short message transmission. Now, however, the available services have expanded to include numerous services, such as an entertainment service (such as games, comics, and ring tones), multimedia service (such as moving pictures), on-demand audio service, and on-demand video service. In recent years, broadcasting services such as terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) has become commercially available, and portable terminals have also included the ability to view DMB services. 
     Conventional portable terminals are still designed primarily for communication, however, and they are inconvenient to use to view broadcasts. This is partially because users typically use the broadcast viewing function for a longer time than they use the communication function. During this viewing, the users must hold and maintain the portable terminal (which is designed for portability and communications) at an appropriate position for viewing broadcasting. This may be awkward and inconvenient for a user. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable terminal that a user may use to conveniently watch video, such as broadcast video, as well as perform communication functions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a hinge device for a portable terminal that is easy to use as a communication apparatus and that facilitates viewing video. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge device for a portable terminal that allows for diverse designs for portable terminals. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a hinge device for a portable terminal including a first housing and a second housing combined with one end of the first housing and rotating in a direction that its front and back faces are reversed is provided. The hinge device connects the first housing and the second housing, and includes a first hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the first housing, a second hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the second housing and rotating in opposition to the first hinge base, and an elastic member providing an elastic force in a direction that the first hinge base and the second hinge base are urged toward each other. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a hinge device for a portable terminal including a first housing and a second housing combined with one end of the first housing and rotating in a direction that its front and back faces are reversed is provided. The hinge device connects the first housing and the second housing, and includes a first hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the first housing, a second hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the second housing and rotating in opposition to the first hinge base, and a third hinge base combined with one face of the second hinge base and including an elastic member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a portable terminal having a hinge device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable terminal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a video viewing mode of the portable terminal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective of the portable terminal of  FIG. 1 , viewed from another direction; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cut-away view of the portable terminal shown in  FIG. 1  showing the hinge device of the portable terminal; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an assembled perspective view of the hinge device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of a hinge device for a portable terminal according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an assembled perspective view of the hinge device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device of a portable terminal according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an assembled perspective view of the hinge device shown in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a hinge device shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention and are merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable terminal  100  having a hinge device ( 200  of  FIG. 5 ) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing  101  and a second housing  102 . The first housing  101  and the second housing  102  rotate with respect to each other along a rotation axis A that is provided at a side of the first housing  101  and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first housing  101 . Thus, the second housing  102  rotates so that its front face and back face are reversed with respect to the first housing  101 . 
     As will be described in more detail in connection with the hinge device  200 , the rotation range of the second housing  102  may be restricted to prevent the complete reversal of the front and back faces of the second housing  102 . 
     The first housing  101  includes a first display device  111 , a first keypad  113 , and a receiving unit (or earpiece)  115   a  in its front face. A camera lens  117  may be installed in a side of an upper portion of the front face of the first housing  101 . A speaker device  115   b  and a second display device  119  are installed in the back face of the first housing  101 . 
     The first display device  111  is installed in the same face as the first keypad  113  to display information input to or output from the portable terminal  100  when a user desires to use a communication function of the portable terminal  100 . The second display device  119  provides a larger screen than the first display device  111 . Thus, when users desire to view video, such as DMB video, using the portable terminal  100 , they may use the second display device  119 . 
     The second housing  102  includes a second keypad  121  and a transmitting unit  123  (or mouthpiece) in its front face and a channel selection key  125  in its back face. The first keypad  111  is used to input numbers and characters and the second keypad  121  is used to call/select a menu and search for information. The channel selection key  125  can include a scroll function using a wheel key and can be used to adjust a channel and a volume in a broadcast viewing mode. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first and second housings  101 ,  102  may be aligned with each other in a first position. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first and second housings  101 ,  102  may be rotated about the rotation axis A so that the first and second housings  101 ,  102  are placed in a second position where they are at an angle with respect to each other. In the second position, if the second housing  102  is placed on a flat surface, the first housing  101 , in particular, the second display device  119 , is inclined with respect to the flat surface. 
     Thus, in this second position, the first housing  101  is fixed at an angle with respect to the ground, and a user can comfortably view video, such as DMB video, on the second display device  119 . Further, the channel selection key  125  is exposed to the outside so that a user can set a channel to be viewed or adjust a volume by adjusting the channel selection key  125 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the hinge device  200  connecting the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  with each other includes a first hinge base  201  and a second hinge base  202  which rotate with respect to each other. 
     The first hinge base  201  includes a first rotation cylinder  211  that extends from a face of the first hinge base  201  along the rotation axis A and a first engaging part  217  that extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis A. The first rotation cylinder has a first end adjacent the first hinge base and a second end opposite to the first end. A through-hole  213  extends along the rotation axis A through the first rotation cylinder  211 . A locking protrusion  215  is formed on the outer circumferential face of the first rotation cylinder  211 . 
     The second hinge device  202  includes a second rotation cylinder  225  that extends from a face of the second hinge device  202  along the rotation axis A and a second engaging part  229  that extends perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The second rotation cylinder has a first end adjacent the second hinge base and a second end opposite to the first end. A rotation groove  221  is formed in a face of the second hinge base  202  to surround the first end of the second rotation cylinder  225 . At this time, at least one flange  223  is formed in the inner wall of the rotation groove  221 . A circumferential engaging groove  227  is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second end of the second rotation cylinder  225 . 
     The first hinge base  201  and the second hinge base  202  are combined with each other and rotate with respect to each other along the rotation axis A. The second rotation cylinder  225  penetrates the first rotation cylinder  211  through the through-hole  213  and rotates within the first rotation cylinder  211 . At this time, the second end of the first rotation cylinder  211  slidably touches the bottom of the rotation groove  221 . 
     When the first rotation cylinder  211  and the second rotation cylinder  221  rotate with respect to each other, the locking protrusion  215  interferes with the flanges  223 . Thus, rotation of the first rotation cylinder  211  and the second rotation cylinder  225  is stopped at a predetermined position. In other words, the rotation range of the first rotation cylinder  211  and the second rotation cylinder  225  with respect to each other is restricted by the locking protrusion  215  and the flanges  223 . Thus, the rotation range of the first hinge base  201  with respect to the second hinge base  202  and the rotation range of the first housing  101  with respect to the second housing  102  are restricted. 
     The second end of the second rotation cylinder  225  protrudes outside the first end of the first rotation cylinder  211 . An elastic member  203  is installed on the outer circumferential face of the second rotation cylinder  225 . A fastener, such as an E-ring  249  engaged in the engaging groove  227 , supports one end of the elastic member  203 . 
     The elastic member  203  is a helical compression spring with a first end and a second end. The first end is supported by the E-ring  249  and the second end is supported by the first hinge base  201 . More specifically, the first end of the elastic member  203  is supported along the edge of the through-hole  213 . Thus, the elastic member  203  provides an elastic force to urge the first hinge base  201  and the second hinge base  202  towards each other. 
     To alleviate friction between the elastic member  203  and the E-ring  249  and between the elastic member  203  and the first hinge base  201 , washers  204  may be provided at both ends of the elastic member  203 . In other words, a washer  204  may be placed between the elastic member  203  and the E-ring  249  and a washer  204  may be placed between the elastic member  203  and the first hinge base  201 . 
     The first hinge base  201  is mounted in the inside of a side of a first end of the first housing  101  and the second hinge base  202  and the second hinge base  202  is installed in the inside of a side of a first end of the second housing  201 . The second rotation cylinder  225  protrudes outside the second housing  202  and is combined with the first rotation cylinder  225 . 
     Although not shown in figures, a flexible printed circuit to connect circuit devices installed inside the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  may be provided. To provide a path for the flexible printed circuit, the hinge device  200  may include a wiring hole that extends through the second rotation cylinder  225  along the rotation axis A. 
     A first magnetic substance  251  is provided in the inside of the opposite side of the first end of the first housing  101  where the first hinge base  201  is mounted, and a second magnetic substance  253  is provided in the inside of the opposite side of the first end of the second housing  102  where the second hinge base  202  is mounted. An attractive force between the first magnetic substance  251  and the second magnetic substance  253  is generated when the first magnetic substance  251  and the second magnetic substance  253  face each other. Thus, when the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  are positioned adjacent to each other (instead of being twisted with respect to each other), the first magnetic substance  251  and the second magnetic substance  253  face each other and generate an attractive force. The attractive force between the first and second magnetic substances  251 ,  253  keeps the first and second housings  101 ,  102  positioned parallel with each other. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  rotate in a direction that the front face and back face of the second housing  102  are reversed with respect to the first housing  101 , the second hinge device  200  generates a frictional force. In other words, a frictional force is generated between the second end of the first rotation cylinder  211  and the rotation groove  221  by the elastic force of the elastic member  203 . The generated frictional force suppresses rotation of the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  with respect to each other. The static frictional force is greater than the dynamic frictional force during rotation. Thus, when the second housing  102  is placed on a flat surface and the first housing  101  is inclined with respect to the flat surface, the static frictional force provided by the hinge device  200  suppresses rotation of the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  with respect to each other. 
     Thus, even when the first housing is inclined, the weight of the portable terminal  100  does not cause the housings to rotate, and a user can comfortably view video by positioning the first housing  101  at an angle. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded side view illustrating a hinge device  300  according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device  300  shown in  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10  is an assembled perspective view of the hinge device  300  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The portable terminal using the hinge device  300  is similar to the portable terminal  100  described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thus, a description of the portable terminal will not be repeated. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the hinge device  300  includes a first hinge base  301 , a second hinge base  302 , and a third hinge base  303 . The first hinge base  301  and the second hinge base  302  rotate with respect to each other. The third hinge base  303  is fixed to a face of the second hinge base  302 . 
     The first hinge base  301  includes a first rotation cylinder  311  that extends from a face of the first hinge base  301  along a rotation axis B and a first engaging part  319  that extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis B. A through-hole  317  extends along the rotation axis B and penetrates the first rotation cylinder  311 . A rotation groove  313  that extends along the circumference of the through-hole  317  is formed in a face of the first hinge base  301 . At least one flanges  313   a  are formed in an end portion of the rotation groove  313 . A first locking recess  315  is formed adjacent to the through-hole  317  and a second locking recess  315  is formed on the opposite side of the first locking recess  315 . 
     The second hinge base  302  includes a second rotation cylinder  321  that extends from a face of the second hinge base  302  along the rotation axis B and a second engaging part  329  that extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis B. The second rotation cylinder  321  has a first end which is adjacent to the second hinge base  302  and a second end disposed opposite to the first end. A locking protrusion  325  is formed on the outer circumferential face of one end of the second rotation cylinder  321  and a cylinder engaging groove  323  is formed along the outer circumference of the other end of the second rotation cylinder  321 . A ball bearing hole  327   a  for receiving a ball bearing  304  is formed in a face of the second rotation cylinder  321  opposite to the locking recess  315 . A pair of engaging holes  327   b  are formed adjacent to both sides of the ball bearing hole  327   a.    
     The third hinge base  303  includes an elastic member cylinder  331  that extends from a face of the third hinge base  303  along the rotation axis B and cylinder engaging grooves  333  that are disposed adjacent both sides of the elastic member cylinder  331 . One end of the elastic member cylinder  331  is open and the other end is closed. An elastic member  305  is disposed in the elastic member cylinder  331 . One end of the elastic member  305  is supported by the ball bearing  304  and the other end of the elastic member  305  is supported by the other end of the elastic member cylinder  331 . 
     The first hinge base  301  and the second hinge base  302  are combined with each other and rotate with respect to each other along the rotation axis B. The second rotation cylinder  321  penetrates the first rotation cylinder  311  through the through-hole  317  and rotates within the first rotation cylinder  311 . At this time, the locking protrusion  325  of the second rotation cylinder  321  slidably touches the rotation groove  313  of the first rotation cylinder  331 . 
     When the first rotation cylinder  311  and the second rotation cylinder  321  rotate with respect to each other, the locking protrusion  325  engages the flanges  313   a . Thus, rotation of the first rotation cylinder  311  and the second rotation cylinder  321  is stopped at a predetermined position. In other words, the rotation ranges and the directions of the first rotation cylinder  311  and the second rotation cylinder  321  are restricted by the locking protrusion  325  and the flanges  313   a . Thus, the rotation ranges and directions of the first hinge base  301  and the second hinge base  302  are also restricted. 
     The third hinge base  303  receives the elastic member  305  and is combined with the second hinge base  302 . When the second hinge base  302  and the third hinge base  303  are combined with each other, the elastic member cylinder  331  faces the ball bearing hole  327   a  and the cylinder engaging grooves  333  face the engaging holes  327   b . Although not shown in figures, a separate engaging means penetrates the engaging holes  327   b  and is combined with the cylinder engaging grooves  333  to fix the third hinge base  303  to the second hinge base  302 . At this time, the elastic member cylinder  331  and the ball bearing hole  327   a  are interconnected, the elastic member  305  is received in the elastic member cylinder  331  and the ball bearing  304  is received in the ball bearing hole  327   a . One end of the ball bearing  304  is supported by one end of the elastic member  305  and the other end of the ball bearing  304  is supported by a face of the first rotation cylinder  311 . In this state, the elastic member  305  produces an elastic force for moving the ball bearing  304  towards the first rotation cylinder  311 . If the first rotation cylinder  311  rotates and the ball bearing hole  327   a  faces the locking hole  315 , a portion of the ball bearing  304  is pushed out from the ball bearing hole  327   a  by the elastic force of the elastic member  305  and engages the locking recess  315 . When the first hinge base  301  and the second hinge base  302  are folded together and the first hinge base  301  rotates approximately 180° from the folded state, the locking recess  315  faces the ball bearing hole  327   a . Thus, as the ball bearing  304  engages the locking recess  315 , the first rotation cylinder  311  maintains a stable position. As the first rotation cylinder  311  rotates, the ball bearing  304  slides along a path from the first locking recess  315  to the second locking recess  315 . A separate locking recess may be formed between the first locking recess  315  and the second locking recess  315  to fix the first rotation cylinder  311  at another predetermined angle. Thus, a user can position the first housing  101  at a desired angle when watching a video using the portable terminal. 
     As the first rotation cylinder  311  and the second rotation cylinder  321  are combined with each other, the second end of the second rotation cylinder  321  protrudes outside the first rotation cylinder  311 . The engaging groove  323  of the second rotation cylinder also protrudes outside the first rotation cylinder. An E-ring  306  engages the engaging groove  323  to hold the first and second hinge bases  301 ,  302  together. 
     Although not shown in figures, a flexible printed circuit to connect circuit devices installed inside the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  may be provided. To provide a path for the flexible circuit, the hinge device  300  may include a wiring hole  328  that extends through the second rotation cylinder  321  along the rotation axis B. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device  400  according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 12  is an assembled perspective view of the hinge device  400  shown in  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 13  is a side view of the hinge device  400  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The portable terminal using the hinge device  400  is similar to the portable terminal  100  described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thus, a description of the portable terminal will not be repeated. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , the hinge device  400  includes a first hinge base  401  and a second hinge base  402  that rotate with respect to each other. 
     The first hinge base  401  includes a first rotation cylinder  411  that extends from a face of the first hinge base  401  along a rotation axis C and a first engaging part  415  that extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis C. A through-hole  413  extends along the rotation axis C through the first rotation cylinder  411 . 
     The second hinge base  402  includes a second rotation cylinder  421  that extends from a face of the second hinge base  402  along the rotation axis C and a second engaging part  427  that extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis C. The second rotation cylinder has a first end adjacent to the second hinge base  402  and a second end disposed opposite to the first end. An engaging groove  423  extends along the circumference of the second end of the second rotation cylinder  421 . 
     The first hinge base  401  and the second hinge base  402  are combined and rotate with respect to each other along the rotation axis C. The second rotation cylinder  421  penetrates the first rotation cylinder  411  through the through-hole  425  and rotates within the first rotation cylinder  411 . One end of the first rotation cylinder  411  slides along one face of the second hinge base  402 . 
     The second end of the second rotation cylinder  421  protrudes through the first rotation cylinder  411  and an elastic member  403  and a washer  404  are sequentially included on the outer circumferential face of the second rotation cylinder  421 . An E-ring  405  is engaged in the engaging groove  423  and the elastic member  403  and the washer  404  are bound by the outer circumferential face of the second rotation cylinder  421 . 
     A first end of the elastic member  403  is supported by the washer  404  and a second end of the elastic member  403  is supported by the first hinge base  401 . More specifically, the second end of the elastic member  403  is supported along the edge of the through-hole  413 . Thus, the elastic member  403  is a wave type washer and provides an elastic force that urges the first and second hinge bases  401 ,  402  toward each other. The elastic force of the elastic member  403  increases the static frictional force between the first hinge base  401  and the second hinge base  402 , thereby holding the first housing  101  inclined at an angle when a user watches video, such as DMB video, using the portable terminal. 
     The first hinge base  401  is mounted in the inside of a side of an end portion of the first housing  101  and the second hinge base  402  is mounted in the inside of a side of an end portion of the second housing  102 . The second rotation cylinder  421  protrudes outside of the second housing  102  to be combined with the first rotation cylinder  411 . 
     Although not shown in figures, a flexible printed circuit to connect circuit devices installed inside the first housing  101  and the second housing  102  may be provided. To provide a path for the flexible circuit, the hinge device  400  may include a wiring hole  425  that extends through the second rotation cylinder  421  along the rotation axis B. 
     The rotation ranges of the first hinge base  401  and the second hinge base  402  according to the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be restricted by the locking protrusion, the rotation groove, and the flange according to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when a pair of housings of a portable terminal are combined, their rotation axis is positioned at one side of the housings and the housings rotate in a direction that front and back faces of one of the housings are reversed, thereby allowing a user to conveniently use the portable terminal to view video. Moreover, during a communication mode, the portable terminal is configured as a bar-type terminal, and, during a broadcast viewing mode, the portable terminal is configured so that one housing is supported by a flat surface and the other housing having a display device is inclined with respect to the flat surface, thereby contributing to the diversification of the design of the portable terminal. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain 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 and their equivalents.

Technology Category: h