WO2008013401A1

WO2008013401A1 - Tiltable sliding device

Info

Publication number: WO2008013401A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myung Hoon Choi
Original assignee: Myung Hoon Choi
Priority date: 2006-07-26
Filing date: 2007-07-25
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: KR20090040291A

Abstract

A sliding device which can perform a tilting motion with a sliding motion and realize various modes is provided. The sliding device includes: a cover unit; a main unit being slidably combined with a back of the cover unit; and a tilting unit being rotatably combined with a side of the main unit according to a sliding direction, and being tillable to a front at a predetermined angle when the cover unit is slid to an upper part. Accordingly, the sliding device may perform the tilting motion with the sliding motion, realize various modes, and improve a call quality and a grip feeling of a user when the sliding device is applied to a portable terminal.

Description

TILTABLE SLIDING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sliding device, and more particularly, to a tiltable sliding device which can perform a tilting motion with a sliding motion by improving a structure, realize various modes, and improve a call quality and a grip feeling of a user when the tiltable sliding device is applied to a portable terminal.

Background Art A personal portable terminal may be generally classified into a flip type, a folder type, and a sliding type, depending on an operation method.

The personal portable terminal of the sliding type among the above-described three types generally includes a main unit and a cover unit sliding along the main unit, and a sliding motion between the main unit and the cover unit is generally performed by a sliding module.

The sliding module includes a base being combined with the main unit, and a sliding member being combined with the cover unit and being slidably connected with the base. Also, a coil spring is provided between the base and the sliding member so that the sliding motion between the base and the sliding member may be elastically performed.

However, since the personal portable terminal of the above-described conventional sliding type may perform only a sliding motion in a single direction, there is a limitation of not realizing various modes.

In particular since the personal portable terminal is not optimized to a body of a user, a transmission portion and a receiving portion are not adjacent to the mouth and ears of the user, and are spaced apart from the mouth and the ears at a predetermined distance when the personal portable terminal is slid. Accordingly, the call quality is reduced, and stability is reduced when the user grips the terminal.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Goals

The present invention provides a sliding device which can improve call sensitivity and a grip feeling by enabling a sliding motion and a tilting motion to be performed.

The present invention also provides a sliding device which can be conveniently used by performing a compound motion which a keypad is tilted with a sliding motion. The present invention also provides a sliding device which can maintain a stable state by fixing a tilted state.

Technical solutions

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tiltable sliding device including: a cover unit; a main unit being slidably combined with a back of the cover unit; and a tilting unit being rotatably combined with a side of the main unit according to a sliding direction, and being tiltable to a front at a predetermined angle when the cover unit is slid to an upper part.

Also, a rotation driving portion may be provided on a rotation axis of the main unit and the tilting unit, and apply a rotation force in a direction where a tilting of the tilting unit is performed. Here, the rotation driving portion variously applies the rotation force to the tilting unit depending on a tilting degree of the tilting unit.

The rotation driving portion may include: a sliding cam including a plurality of first gears; a rotating cam including a plurality of second gears corresponding to the plurality of first gears in order to engage with the plurality of first gears; and a contact member enabling the sliding cam and the rotating cam to be mutually contacted by an elastic force. Also, the rotation driving portion may further include: a housing accommodating the sliding cam, the rotating cam, and the contact member.

Here, highest surfaces of each of the plurality of first gears and the plurality of second gears mutually contact when a rotation angle of the main unit and the tilting unit is 0°, and the plurality of first gears and the plurality of second gears are located to be mutually engaged when the rotation angle is a maximum.

Also, a selection fixing portion may be provided on a rotation axis of the main unit and the tilting unit, and fix an attitude of the tilting unit when a tilting of the tilting unit is performed. Here, the selection fixing portion may selectively fix the tilting unit according to whether the cover unit is opened or closed.

The selection fixing portion may include: an anchor including a rotating wing portion rotatingly engaged with a switch protrusion included in a back side of the cover unit and a blade rotating with the rotating wing portion; a fixing housing being included in a lower part of the rotating wing portion; and a rotating housing being combined with the fixing housing, accommodating the blade with the fixing housing, and being selectively rotatable with respect to the fixing housing depending on the attitude of the blade.

The switch protrusion has a cylindrical shape, and the rotating wing portion has an accommodating groove corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the switch protrusion. Also, the anchor rotates 90° in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction depending on a sliding motion of the cover unit. The blade is shaped as a long plate formed in a single direction.

Also, an elastic member wound in a spiral form may be provided between the cover unit and the main unit, and a sliding roller may be provided rotatably on at least one of the main unit and the tilting unit, and perform a rolling motion when the cover unit is slid.

Here, the sliding roller may be provided in the upper part of the tilting unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sliding device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the sliding device of FIG. 1 is opened;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sliding module of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rotation driving portion of

FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sliding cam and a rotation cam of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an operation process of the sliding cam and the rotating cam of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sliding device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a partial combination perspective view excluding a cover unit of the sliding device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a selection fixing portion of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a combination perspective view of FIG.10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating a rotating housing of FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 14 through 17 are perspective views sequentially illustrating an operation process of an anchor and the rotating housing of FIG. 10.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

A first exemplary embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a general configuration of a sliding device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sliding device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the sliding device of FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sliding module of FIG. 1. The sliding device according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cover unit 110, a main unit 120, and a tilting unit 130.

Even though the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrates that the sliding device is a personal portable terminal, the present invention is not limited thereto. The personal portable terminal is described below as an example for convenience of description.

The cover unit 110 includes a display portion 112 and an auxiliary input portion 116 in a front surface being adjusted relative to the sliding device of the personal portable terminal type, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a receiving portion 114 for receiving a voice of a counterpart during a voice call is provided in an upper part of the cover unit 110.

The main unit 120 is located in a back of the cover unit 110, is slidably combined with the cover unit 110, and performs a motion relative to the cover unit 110. A sliding module for a sliding motion between the cover unit 110 and the main unit 120 is provided in the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sliding module includes a sliding member 140 being combined with the cover unit 110, a base member 150 being combined with the main unit 120, and an elastic member 160 in a spiral form being provided between the sliding member 140 and the base member 150 and applying an elastic force between the sliding members as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Also, a pair of guide axes 142 is provided in a left side and a right side of the sliding member 140, and a guide axis accommodating portion 152 being fixed in the pair of guide axes 142 and guiding a sliding motion up and down is provided in the base member 150. The elastic member 160 includes a single coil spring wound in the spiral form.

The elastic member 160 is rotatably combined with each of the base member 150 and the sliding member 140 by fixing rivets 144 and 154. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary form of the sliding module, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various types of disclosed sliding modules may be applied.

The tilting unit 130 is rotatably combined with the main unit 120 in a hinge form according to a sliding direction, and is configured to be tiltable in a form inclined to a front at a predetermined angle in relation to the main unit 120.

Accordingly, when the cover unit 110 is slid in the upper part and is opened, a tilting of the tilting unit 130 may be performed toward the front. Also, the tilting unit 130 according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an input portion 134 and a transmission portion 132, for transmitting a voice of a user during a voice call, being adjusted relative to the sliding device of the personal portable terminal type as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Accordingly, when the cover unit 110 is opened by a sliding motion due to an external force, the tilting unit 130 is tilted to the front as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the sliding device according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a form of a transceiving mode.

Also, a rotation driving portion 500 is provided on a rotation axis of the main unit 120 and the tilting unit 130, and applies a rotation force in a direction where a tilting of the tilting unit 130 is performed. The rotation driving portion 500 according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention variously applies the rotation force to the tilting unit 130 depending on a tilting degree of the tilting unit 130. A detailed configuration of the rotation driving portion 500 is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 through 7.

Also, a first hinge cover 172 being fixed between the main unit 120 and the tilting unit 130 and rotatably combining the main unit 120 with the tilting unit 130 is provided in a left side of the main unit 120, and a second hinge cover 174 corresponding to the first hinge cover 172 is provided in a right side of the main unit 120. Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, a detailed configuration of a rotation driving portion applying a rotation force of a tilting unit is described in detail below. Here, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rotation driving portion of FIG. 1 , FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sliding cam and a rotating cam of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an operation process of the sliding cam and the rotating cam of FIG. 5.

The rotation driving portion 500 is a component applying the rotation force in a direction where a tilting of the tilting unit 130 is performed, and basically includes a sliding cam 530, a rotating cam 520, and a contact member 540 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The rotating cam 520 includes a combination portion 522 and a plurality of first gears 524, and the sliding cam 530 includes a contact member connection portion 532 and a plurality of second gears 534 corresponding to the plurality of first gears 524 in order to engage with the plurality of first gears 524 of the rotating cam 520.

The contact member 540 is made in a spring form wound in a coil form, and enables the sliding cam 530 and the rotating cam 520 to be mutually contacted. Also, the sliding cam 530, the rotating cam 520, and the contact member 540 are accommodated in a housing 510, and a shaft 550 passes through a center of the sliding cam 530, the rotating cam 520, and the contact member 540. Also, the shaft 550 is fixed in an end of the housing 510 by a washer 562 and a fixing member 564.

The rotation driving portion 500 configured as described above closely contacts the sliding cam 530 with the rotating cam 520 by using an elastic force in a length-wise direction of the contact member 540. Accordingly, sliding between inclines of the sliding cam 530 and the rotating cam 520 is performed, a rotation force is generated, and the rotation driving portion 500 enables the tilting unit 130 to be rotated by the rotation force.

FIG. 7 sequentially illustrates a state of the sliding cam 530 and the rotating cam 520 according to a tilting angle. As illustrated in FIG. 7(a), when a rotation angle of the main unit 120 and the tilting unit 130 is 0°, highest surfaces of each of the plurality of first gears 524 and the plurality of second gears 534 mutually contact. As illustrated in FIG. 7(b), the plurality of first gears 524 and the plurality of second gears 534 are mutually engaged according to a rotation of the tilting unit 130. As illustrated in FIG. 7(c), when the rotation angle is a maximum, the plurality of first gears 524 and the plurality of second gears 534 are located to be mutually engaged.

Also, since the tilting unit 130 is provided in an inside of the cover unit 110, excessive friction may be generated between a back surface of the cover unit 110 and a front surface of the tilting unit 130 during a sliding motion. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention enables an inclination angle of the plurality of first gears 524 of the sliding cam 530 and the plurality of second gears 534 of the rotating cam 520 to be supported by a small inclination angle in a highest surface region as illustrated in FIG. 7(a). Therefore, only a small force is required to mutually slide, and the small rotation force of the tilting unit 130 is generated. Accordingly, the friction with the tilting unit 130 due to an opening motion of the cover unit 110 may be significantly reduced.

Next, when the cover unit 110 is opened and the rotating cam 520 further rotates, the sliding cam 530 and the rotating cam 520 have an appropriate inclination angle and generate the rotation force as illustrated in FIG. 7(b). Accordingly, a weight of the tilting unit 130 is appropriately supported and a rotation is performed. Also, shaking due to a minute vibration may be prevented.

Also, when a center part of the cover unit 110 is pressed in a state where the tilting unit 130 is grasped while a closing motion of the cover unit 110 is performed, the tilting unit 130 and the cover unit 110 become parallel. In this instance, a location of the rotating cam 520 becomes a state of 0°, and the rotation force of the tilting unit 130 in a tilting direction may be minimized. Simultaneously, when the cover unit 110 performs the sliding motion, a frictional force between the cover unit 110 and the tilting unit 130 may be minimized, and the closing motion of the cover unit 110 may be completed.

A second exemplary embodiment Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a general configuration of a sliding device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below.

The sliding device according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention basically includes a cover unit 210, a main unit 220, and a tilting unit 230, similar to the above-described first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the tilting unit 230 is provided to be tillable at a predetermined angle.

The cover unit 210 includes a display portion 212 and an auxiliary input portion 216 in a front surface of the cover unit 210, and a receiving portion 214 for receiving a voice of a counterpart during a voice call is provided in an upper part of the cover unit 210. Also, the main unit 220, located in a back of the cover unit 210, is slidably combined with the cover unit 210, and performs a motion relative to the cover unit 210. A sliding motion between the cover unit 210 and the main unit 220 is performed by a sliding module, and the sliding module includes a sliding member 240 being combined with the cover unit 210, and a base member 250 being combined with the main unit 220.

An accommodating portion 252 accommodating a folded portion 242 of the sliding member 240 is provided in a left end and a right end of the base member 250, and is configured to guide the sliding motion between the base member 250 and the sliding member 240. An elastic member applying an elastic force to the sliding motion may be provided between the base member 250 and the sliding member 240 even though the elastic member is not illustrated in FIG. 8. The tilting unit 230 is rotatably combined with the main unit 220 in a hinge form according to a sliding direction, and is configured to be tiltable in a form inclined to a front at a predetermined angle in relation to the main unit 220.

A rotation driving portion 500 applying a rotation force in a direction where a tilting of the tilting unit 230 is performed is provided in the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and variously applies the rotation force to the tilting unit 230 depending on a tilting degree of the tilting unit 230. Since a configuration of the rotation driving portion 500 is similar to the above-described first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description of the rotation driving portion 500 is omitted.

Also, a selection fixing portion 600 is provided on a rotation axis of the main unit 220 and the tilting unit 230 in the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fixes an attitude of the tilting unit 230 with the rotation driving portion 500. The selection fixing portion 600 prevents the tilting unit 230 from moving, and enables the tilting unit 230 to maintain a stable attitude when the tilting unit 230 is tilted at a predetermined angle.

A detailed configuration and operation process of the selection fixing portion 600 is described below with reference to FIGS. 10 through 17.

A pair of sliding rollers 235 is provided in an upper part of the tilting unit 230, and performs a rolling motion when the cover unit 210 is slid. The pair of sliding rollers 235 minimizes friction generated during a sliding motion, and enables a user to smoothly slide the sliding device with only a small amount of force.

A guide groove corresponding to a width of the pair of sliding rollers 235 is formed in a back surface of the cover unit 210, and performs a guide function by preventing dislocation in a left direction and a right direction, even though the guide groove is not illustrated.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 through 13, a detailed configuration of the selection fixing portion is described.

The selection fixing portion 600 selectively fixes the tilting unit 230 according to whether the cover unit 210 is opened or closed. Specifically, the selection fixing unit 600 includes an anchor 610, a fixing housing 620, and a rotating housing 630 in the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The anchor 610 includes a rotating wing portion 612 rotating engaged with a switch protrusion 218 included in a back side of the cover unit 210, a blade being connected with the rotating wing portion 612 and rotating with the rotating wing portion

612, and a connection axis 616 connecting the rotating wing portion 612 with the blade 614.

The fixing housing 620 and the rotating housing 630 are mutually and rotatably combined, are included in a lower part of the rotating wing portion 612, and accommodate the blade 614.

A fixing-accommodating groove 622 accommodating the connection axis 616 and the blade 614 is formed in the fixing housing 620, and rotating-accommodating grooves 632, 634, and 636 accommodating the connection axis 616 and the blade 614 are formed in the rotating housing 630.

The fixing-accommodating groove 622 is formed corresponding to the blade

614, and is configured to enable a rotation in an axial direction in relation to the blade 614 to be constantly restrained, however, the rotating-accommodating grooves 632, 634, and 636 are configured to enable the rotation in relation to the blade 614 to be selectively restrained.

A detailed form of the rotating-accommodating grooves 632, 634, and 636 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, a first accommodating groove 632 corresponding to the blade 614 is formed, and when an attitude of the blade 614 is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating housing 630, a pair of second accommodating grooves 634 is formed according to the rotation direction so that the rotating housing 630 may axially rotate at a predetermined angle in relation to the blade 614. Also, a third accommodating groove 636 accommodating the connection axis 616 of the anchor 610 is widely formed so that the rotating housing 630 may rotate in relation to the blade 614.

Referring to FIGS. 14 through 17, a selective rotation process of the rotation member 630 according to a rotation of the anchor 610 is described. First, when the cover unit 210 is closed, the anchor 610 and the rotation member 630 are disposed as illustrated in FIG. 14. In the above-described state, the blade 614 is accommodated in the second accommodating groove 634, and the rotating housing 630 may rotate in an axial direction in relation to the blade 614.

Next, when the cover unit 210 starts a sliding motion and is nearly opened, a tilting unit 230 is tilted to a front at a predetermined angle by the above-described rotation driving portion 500, and the rotating housing 630 rotates as illustrated in FIG. 15.

Next, when the sliding of the cover unit 210 is continued, and the cover unit

210 is completely opened, the rotating wing portion 612 is rotated by a switch protrusion 218 included in a back surface of the cover unit 210, and the blade 614 connected with the rotating wing portion 612 is also rotated together as illustrated in FIG. 16.

Also, when the rotating wing portion 612 completely rotates as illustrated in FIG. 17, the blade 614 is fixed in the first accommodating groove 632 corresponding to the rotating wing portion 612, and a rotation of the rotating housing 630 is restrained.

As described above, since the rotation of the rotating housing 630 is restrained, the tilting unit 230 may maintain a state tilted at a predetermined angle, a motion may be restrained, and a stable tilted state may be maintained.

A sliding device according to the present invention which has the above- described configuration has effects described below.

First, the sliding device according to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention may realize various modes by including a cover unit, a main unit, and a tilting unit, and configuring the tilting unit to be tiltable to a front at a predetermined angle.

Also, when the sliding device is applied to a personal portable terminal, call sensitivity may be improved in a transceiving mode, and a grip feeling of a user may be improved.

Second, the sliding device according to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a rotation driving portion applying a rotation force to a tilting unit. Accordingly, the tilting unit may be smoothly tilted to a front, and the sliding device may be conveniently used. In particular, the sliding device may smoothly perform a sliding motion and a tilting motion by configuring a sliding cam and a rotating cam included in the rotation driving portion in a form where a rotation force is changed for each section. Specifically, the sliding device may configure highest surface regions of the sliding cam and the rotating cam of the rotation driving portion as a small inclination angle, thereby significantly reducing friction with the tilting unit due to an opening motion of the cover unit. Also, when the rotation of the tilting unit is progressed, the sliding device enables the sliding cam and the rotating cam to have an appropriate inclination angle, thereby appropriately supporting a weight of the tilting unit, enabling a rotation, and preventing shaking due to a minute vibration.

Third, the sliding device according to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention may fix a state where the tilting unit is tilted to a front by including a selection fixing portion fixing an attitude of the tilting unit, and maintain a stable state of the tilting unit.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tiltable sliding device comprising: a cover unit; a main unit being slidably combined with a back of the cover unit; and a tilting unit being rotatably combined with a side of the main unit according to a sliding direction, and being tiltable to a front at a predetermined angle when the cover unit is slid to an upper part.

2. The tiltable sliding device of claim 1, further comprising: a rotation driving portion being provided on a rotation axis of the main unit and the tilting unit, and applying a rotation force in a direction where a tilting of the tilting unit is performed.

3. The tiltable sliding device of claim 2, wherein the rotation driving portion variously applies the rotation force to the tilting unit depending on a tilting degree of the tilting unit.

4. The tiltable sliding device of claim 2, wherein the rotation driving portion comprises: a sliding cam including a plurality of first gears; a rotating cam including a plurality of second gears corresponding to the plurality of first gears in order to engage with the plurality of first gears; and a contact member enabling the sliding cam and the rotating cam to be mutually contacted by an elastic force.

5. The tiltable sliding device of claim 4, wherein the rotation driving portion further comprises: a housing accommodating the sliding cam, the rotating cam, and the contact member.

6. The tiltable sliding device of claim 4, wherein highest surfaces of each of the plurality of first gears and the plurality of second gears mutually contact when a rotation angle of the main unit and the tilting unit is 0°, and the plurality of first gears and the plurality of second gears are located to be mutually engaged when the rotation angle is a maximum.

7. The tiltable sliding device of claim 1, further comprising: a selection fixing portion being provided on a rotation axis of the main unit and the tilting unit, and fixing an attitude of the tilting unit when a tilting of the tilting unit is performed.

8. The tiltable sliding device of claim 7, wherein the selection fixing portion selectively fixes the tilting unit according to whether the cover unit is opened or closed.

9. The tiltable sliding device of claim 8, wherein the selection fixing portion comprises: an anchor including a rotating wing portion rotatingly engaged with a switch protrusion included in a back side of the cover unit and a blade rotating with the rotating wing portion; a fixing housing being included in a lower part of the rotating wing portion; and a rotating housing being combined with the fixing housing, accommodating the blade with the fixing housing, and being selectively rotatable with respect to the fixing housing depending on the attitude of the blade.

10. The tiltable sliding device of claim 9, wherein the switch protrusion has a cylindrical shape, and the rotating wing portion has an accommodating groove corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the switch protrusion.

11. The tiltable sliding device of claim 9, wherein the anchor rotates 90° in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction depending on a sliding motion of the cover unit.

12. The tiltable sliding device of claim 9, wherein the blade is shaped as a long plate formed in a single direction.

13. The tiltable sliding device of claim 1, wherein an elastic member wound in a spiral form is provided between the cover unit and the main unit.

14. The tiltable sliding device of claim 1, futher comprising: a sliding roller being provided rotatably on at least one of the main unit and the tilting unit, and performing a rolling motion when the cover unit is slid.

15. The tiltable sliding device of claim 14, wherein the sliding roller is provided in the upper part of the tilting unit.