CN1852340A - Hinge apparatus and portable terminal having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinge device and a portable terminal including a pair of cases configured to be opened or closed, and one of the cases is arranged parallel to one side of the other case according to a user's preference, And the portable terminal is rotated 90° according to the user's preference, so that the user can enjoy viewing the screen of the display device horizontally. Accordingly, a user can conveniently watch a screen provided through a multimedia service. The hinge arrangement rotates one housing so that the housing is arranged parallel to one side of the other housing, the hinge arrangement provides a driving force applied in a direction corresponding to rotating the housing to perform a semi-automatic operation and The direction of providing convenience to users is the same or opposite.

Description

Hinge device and portable terminal having the same

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to a portable terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge device in which a pair of hinge axes allows opening/closing of a folder type terminal and rotation of one case to align with another case and a portable terminal having the same. One side parallel position.

Background technique

Generally, a "portable terminal" refers to an electronic device that provides electronic communication between a user and a service provider. Various applications such as voice communication, short message service, mobile banking service, watching TV, online game service, and video-on-demand service are provided to users using the portable terminal.

Conventional portable terminals can be classified into various types according to their appearance. For example, a portable communication terminal can be classified into a bar type terminal, a clamshell type terminal, and a folder type terminal according to its appearance. In a bar type terminal, input/output devices such as a communication circuit, a transmitting unit, and a receiving unit are mounted in a single housing. In a clamshell type terminal, a flip cover is installed into a bar type terminal. In a folder type terminal, a pair of housings is opened and closed by rotation, and input/output devices are suitably arranged in the pair of housings. Recently, a slide type terminal has been developed to improve portability and convenience of use, and the slide type terminal satisfies various user preferences together with a folder type terminal.

Mobile communication services using portable terminals have been diversified, such as music videos, games, video on demand (VOD), and digital mobile broadcasting. However, since a display device of a portable terminal is often manufactured to be longer than it is wide, a screen provided by a multimedia service cannot be realized to be suitable for an aspect ratio of the display device. Also, even when a screen suitable for the aspect ratio of the display device is displayed on the display device, if the portable terminal is rotated, the display device is placed horizontally. As a result, users often cannot view the screen comfortably. In addition, even if the portable terminal is configured such that only the display device can be rotated, the user may feel inconvenience when operating the portable terminal.

Therefore, there is a need for a hinge device that enables a picture provided by multimedia services such as video on demand (VOD) and digital mobile broadcasting to be realized to be suitable for an aspect ratio of a display device.

Contents of Invention

An aspect of the present invention is to provide at least the above-mentioned 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 and a portable terminal having the same, in which a screen provided by a multimedia service such as video on demand (VOD) and digital mobile broadcasting is implemented to fit the width and height of a display device ratio, and the user can comfortably watch the screen.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal including a rotation limiter, wherein a pair of cases are rotatably coupled to each other such that the cases rotate about first and second axes, respectively. When the user wants to rotate one of the cases about the first hinge axis, the movement about the second hinge axis is restricted, thereby smoothly performing the opening/closing operation.

To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a portable terminal including a first case and a second case that rotates in a direction approaching or away from the first case while rotating about a first hinge axis. The second shell is rotatably coupled with the first shell such that the second shell rotates about a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the first hinge axis. The hinge device is connected with the first shell and the second shell. The hinge device includes: a hinge case, located on the first case, extending along the direction of the second hinge axis; a hinge shaft, connected with the hinge case, extending along the direction of the second hinge axis and rotating about the second hinge axis; a hinge cover , on the hinge axis, rotates about the second hinge axis. The third housing is configured to surround at least a portion of the hinge cover and the hinge housing, and to rotate together with the hinge cover about the second hinge axis. The second shell is combined with the third shell and rotates about the first hinge axis. After the second shell is rotated in a direction away from the first shell, the second shell is arranged parallel to one side of the first shell as the third shell is rotated about the second hinge axis.

In order to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a portable terminal including a first case and a second case, the second case rotates in a direction approaching and away from the first case while rotating about a first hinge axis, and can Rotationally coupled to the first shell such that the second shell rotates about a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the first hinge axis. A hinge unit combines the first shell and the second shell. The portable terminal includes: a stationary groove formed on the surface of the first case; a third case disposed in the hinge device and extending along the direction of the first hinge axis, the third case is located and rotatably connected to the on the stationary groove, allowing the second shell to rotate about the first hinge axis. One end of the third shell is connected to the first shell and rotates about the second hinge axis. After the second shell is rotated in a direction away from the first shell, the second shell is arranged parallel to one side of the first shell as the third shell is rotated about the second hinge axis.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which disclose exemplary embodiments of the present invention

Description of drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partially cutaway assembly perspective view of the hinge device of Figure 1;

3 and 4 are partially cutaway perspective views sequentially showing the operation of the hinge device of FIG. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cam diagram showing the operation of the hinge cam of the hinge device of Fig. 1;

6 is a perspective view of a portable terminal having the hinge device of FIG. 1;

7 is a front view showing a second case of the portable terminal of FIG. 6 rotated about a first hinge axis;

Figure 8 is a front view of the second housing of Figure 7 showing rotation about the second hinge axis;

9 is an exploded perspective view of a portable terminal including a rotation limiter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a sectional view showing a pogo pin of the portable terminal of FIG. 9 assembled into a first case;

11 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation of placing a third case of the portable terminal of FIG. 9 on the first case;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a third case of the portable terminal of FIG. 9 is placed on the first case.

Throughout the drawings, like numerals are understood to refer to like elements, features, and structures.

Detailed ways

Matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the 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 hinge device 100 of a portable terminal according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a hinge case 101 , a hinge shaft 102 , a hinge cover 103 and a third case (see 104 in FIG. 6 ). The first hinge axis A1 extends along the first direction, and the second hinge axis A2 extends perpendicular to the first hinge axis A1. The third case 104 accommodates the hinge cover 103 and constitutes a part of the portable terminal having the hinge device 100 . The hinge device 100 rotatably connects a pair of cases of the portable terminal. The hinge arrangement allows the terminal to be opened/closed about the first hinge axis A1 and the second hinge axis A2. The hinge arrangement also allows the positioning of one shell parallel to one side of the other shell.

The hinge housing 101 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The hinge case 101 extends along the direction of the second hinge axis A2, and provides a space with one end open and the other end closed. On the inner peripheral surface of the hinge case 101 , at least one guide groove 113 extends in the direction of the second hinge axis A2 and at least one first engaging arm 115 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case 101 . In FIG. 1 , a pair of first engagement arms 115 intersect at approximately 90° at the closed end of hinge housing 101 . Stopper ribs 117 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge housing 101 . The stopper rib 117 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge housing 101 and is connected to the first joint arm 115 to improve structural stability. The hinge case 101 is fixed in one of the pair of cases, and includes an open end protruding to the outside of the case. The first engaging arm 115 provides a member for fixing the hinge case 101 to the case of the portable terminal.

The hinge shaft 102 extends in the direction of the second hinge axis A2 and protrudes from the closed end of the hinge case 101 through the hinge case 101 . The E-ring 121 is engaged on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft 102 protruding from the closed end of the hinge housing 101 . Accordingly, the hinge shaft 102 is connected with the hinge housing 101 and rotates about the second hinge axis A2. A washer 123 is interposed between the end surface of the hinge housing 101 and the E-ring 121 for reducing friction that may occur therebetween.

The hinge cover 103 is placed on one end of the hinge shaft 102 for closing the open end of the hinge case 101 and rotates together with the hinge shaft 102 about the second hinge axis A2. The hinge cover 103 is fixed to the hinge shaft 102 by a fixing member, such as a screw 191 , which passes through the hinge cover 103 from the top of the hinge cover 103 and is screwed into one end of the hinge shaft 102 . The tip portion of the hinge shaft 102 is polygonal in shape, and part of the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion is formed to be curved; however, any suitable shape or arrangement of shapes may be used. A groove (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the tip of the hinge shaft 102 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the hinge cover 103 for rotating the hinge cover 103 together with the hinge shaft 102 .

The hinge cover 103 includes a sleeve 131 for surrounding a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case 101 . The hinge cover 103 also includes a dummy hinge 135 protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover 103 in the direction of the first hinge axis A1 and a second engagement arm 133 . The second joint arm 133 extends along the direction of the first hinge axis A1. When the hinge cover 103 is fixed to the hinge shaft 102 , the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case 101 by a predetermined interval. When the hinge cover 103 rotates about the second hinge axis A2, the sleeve 131 interferes with the stop rib 117, thereby limiting the rotation range of the hinge cover 103.

A slit (see 139 in FIG. 4 ) is formed on the hinge cover 103 . The slit 139 extends through the second engaging arm 133 , the sleeve 131 and the dummy hinge 135 , and connects the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 .

The third case (see 104 in FIG. 6 ) includes a lower case frame 104a and an upper case frame 104b. The third case 104 extends along the direction of the first hinge axis A1 , and a pair of side hinge arms 141 are formed to face each other at both ends of the upper portion of the third case 104 . The other of the pair of cases rotates about the first hinge axis A1 while being supported by the side hinge arm 141 . In other words, the side hinge arm 141 is located on the first hinge axis A1, thereby providing the other housing of the portable terminal with a hinge axis. At this time, the dummy hinge 135 , which is exposed to the inner wall of one of the side hinge arms 141 and connected with the third case 104 , serves as a case connection member of the portable terminal.

The lower case frame 104 a is rotatably coupled to the hinge case 101 , and the upper case frame 104 b is assembled with the lower case frame 104 a so as to surround the hinge cover 103 . The second engaging arm 133 of the hinge cover 103 is fixed in the inner wall of the third case 104 . Accordingly, the third housing 104 rotates together with the hinge cover 103 about the second hinge axis A2. The open end of the hinge case 101 is located inside the third case 104 through one end of the lower case frame 104a.

At this time, the interior of the case of the fixed hinge case 101 and the interior of the third case 104 are connected by the slit 139 . In other words, since the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case 101 and the inner peripheral surface of the slit 139 are separated, the space therebetween is connected to the inside of the case where the hinge case 101 is fixed. The outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 is located inside the third case 104 and connected to the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 by the slit 139 . Therefore, the interior of said case of the fixed hinge case 101 is connected to the interior of the third case 104 .

The first hinge cam 151 , the second hinge cam 153 and the elastic member 199 are received in the hinge case 101 for generating a driving force to rotate the hinge cover 103 .

The first hinge cam 151 is located on the hinge shaft 102 and rotates together with the hinge shaft 102 about the second hinge axis A2. A fixing groove 159 having a shape corresponding to that of a top end portion of the hinge shaft 102 is formed at one end of the first hinge cam 151 . The fixing groove 159 is engaged with the top end portion of the hinge shaft 102 , and thus, the first hinge cam 151 rotates together with the hinge shaft 102 about the second hinge axis A2 . A first protruding portion 155 a is formed at the other end of the first hinge cam 151 . The first protruding portion may be of any suitable shape, such as a dome, a cone, an irregular shape, a raised surface or a frusto-conical shape. FIG. 5 is a cam curve diagram of the first hinge cam 151 . Referring to FIG. 5, the first protruding portion 155a is formed over a range of about 180° from the lowest point L at one end through the highest point H to the lowest point L at the other end along the circumference of the first hinge cam 151, and The range is symmetrical about the highest point H.

The second hinge cam 153 is rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft 102 while facing the first hinge cam 151 . A second protruding portion 155b is formed at one end of the second hinge cam 153 . The second protrusion may be of any suitable shape, such as domed, conical, irregular, raised surface or frusto-conical. When the second hinge cam 153 rotates on the hinge shaft 102, the second protrusion part 155b contacts and slides along the curved surface of the first protrusion part 155a. A guide protrusion 157 corresponding to the guide groove 113 of the hinge case 101 is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second hinge cam 153 . As the guide protrusion 157 is engaged in the guide groove 113 so that the guide protrusion 157 can move in a straight line, the second hinge cam 153 moves in a straight line within the hinge housing 101 .

The elastic member 199 is located on the hinge shaft 102 and provides an elastic force applied in a direction to make the second hinge cam 153 contact the first hinge cam 151 . One end of the elastic member 199 is supported by the inner wall of the closed end of the hinge housing 101, and the other end of the elastic member 199 is supported by the other end of the second hinge cam 153 for providing elastic force. Preferably, the elastic member 199 is a compression coil spring.

As the hinge shaft 102 rotates, the second protrusion part 155b contacts and slides along the curved surface of the first protrusion part 155a over a predetermined area. At this time, since the elastic member 199 applies elastic force in a direction in which the second hinge cam 153 contacts the first hinge cam 151, the hinge shaft 102 and the first hinge cam 151 rotate in the hinge case 101, so that the second protrusion 155b The highest point H moves toward the lowest point L of the first protruding portion 155a.

As a result, the first hinge cam 151, the second hinge cam 153, and the elastic member 199 generate a driving force, and the hinge device 100 uses the driving force to arrange the third housing 104 in the direction of the lowest point L according to the position where the third housing 104 is rotated. .

3 and 4 are partial sectional perspective views sequentially showing the operation of the hinge device of FIG. 1 . In FIG. 3 , the hinged cover 103 is rotated by 90° about the second hinge axis A2 from the initial assembly position. 3 and 5, in the initial assembly position, the second protruding portion 155b is located at a position close to the lowest point L of one end of the first protruding portion 155a, when the hinge cover 103 rotates 90° with respect to the second hinge axis A2, The highest point H of the protruding portion 155b is located at the position of the highest point H of the first protruding portion 155a.

When the hinge cover 103 is rotated up to 90° from the initial assembly position, the second protruding portion 155b moves along a curved surface between the lowest point L of one end of the first protruding portion 155a and the highest point H of the first protruding portion 155a. At this time, a driving force applied in a direction to move the second protruding portion 155b back to the lowest point L of one end of the first protruding portion 155a is generated by the elastic force of the elastic member 199 . Accordingly, the driving force exerts pressure on the first hinge cam 151 and the hinge shaft 102 .

In Figure 4, the hinged cover 103 is rotated 180° from the initial assembled position. Once the second protruding portion 155b moves 90° or more from the initial assembly position, the second protruding portion 155b contacts and slides along the curved surface of the first protruding portion 155a from the highest point H of the first protruding portion 155a to the first driving portion The lowest point L at the other end of 155a. At this time, a driving force applied in a direction to move the second protruding portion 155b to the lowest point L of the other end of the first protruding portion 155a is generated by the elastic force of the elastic member 199 . Accordingly, the driving force exerts pressure on the first hinge cam 151 and the hinge shaft 102 .

When the hinge cover 103 is rotated 180° from the initial assembly position about the second hinge axis A2, the sleeve 131 is locked by the stop rib 117, thereby limiting the rotation of the hinge cover 103. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the second protruding portion 155b is located on the curved surface between the highest point H of the first protruding portion 155a and the lowest point L of the other end of the first protruding portion 155a. Therefore, the hinge cover 103 can be kept in a fixed state by the driving force generated by the elastic member 199 and the rotation restriction by the sleeve 131 and the stopper rib 117 .

By adjusting the angle range formed by the first protruding portion 155a, when the hinge cover 103 rotates 180°, the highest point H of the second protruding portion 155b can be located on the lowest point L of the first protruding portion 155a. However, the hinged cover 103 should remain in a fixed state after being rotated by 180°.

In other words, even when the sleeve 131 is locked by the stop rib 117 in the hinge device 100, the movement of the hinge cover 103 is limited by the driving force generated by the first hinge cam 151, the second hinge cam 153 and the elastic member 199 . However, if the hinge cover 103 can remain in a fixed state after being rotated by 180°, it is not necessary to maintain a state in which the driving force generated by the first hinge cam 151 , the second hinge cam 153 and the elastic member 199 is applied.

When the hinge cover 103 is rotated back to the initial assembly position after being rotated by 180°, the driving force generated by the first hinge cam 151 , the second hinge cam 153 and the elastic member 199 is applied in the same manner. In other words, when the hinge cover 103 is rotated from the rotational position of 180° to the rotational position of 90°, the driving is generated in a direction such that the second protruding portion 155b is located in the lowest point L of the other end of the first protruding portion 155a force. When the hinge cover 103 is rotated from the 90° rotation position to the initial fitting position, a driving force is generated in a direction to locate the second protrusion portion 155b in the lowest point L of one end of the first protrusion portion 155a.

If there were no members for restricting the rotation of the hinge cover 103 like the sleeve 131 and the stopper rib 117, the range of movement of the second protruding portion 155b would fall between the lowest points L of both ends of the first protruding portion 155a. Therefore, a driving force can be generated by rotating over 180° on the hinge shaft 102 .

Hereinafter, the portable terminal 200 having the hinge device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .

As described in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the portable terminal 200 having the hinge device 100 includes a first case 210 and a second case 202 connected by the hinge device 100 .

The first case 201 includes a keyboard area 211a, an audio device area 211b, and a stationary groove 219 on one face. The first case 201 also includes a transmission unit 215 in which a microphone is built. A keyboard 213 including a plurality of keys is installed in the keyboard area 211a. The keypad 213 may include 3×4 number/character input keys, a menu search/selection key, a send key and an end key of a common portable terminal. In the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard 213 includes QWERTY input keys, menu search/selection keys, and function keys of a general personal computer. The number keys are preferably assigned to some of the QWERTY input keys to perform communication functions such as call number entry. The audio device area 211b is located at one end of the keyboard area 211a. A pair of speaker devices 217 are installed in the audio equipment area 211b and spaced apart from each other. The stationary groove 219 is steppedly formed on the surface of the first case 201 to provide a space for the hinge device 100 , more specifically, the third case 104 . When the third case 104 is seated on the stationary groove 219 , one end thereof is rotatably connected to one end of the stationary recess 219 and a pair of side hinge arms 141 protruding from the surface of the first case 201 .

When the third shell 104 is located on the stationary groove 219, the hinge device 100 is shown in FIG. 2 . At this time, the second protruding portion 155b is located on a curved surface between the lowest point L of one end of the first protruding portion 155a and the highest point H of the first protruding portion 155a. Therefore, the third shell 104 is still located in the stationary groove 219 . When the hinge cover 103 is rotated 180° from the position in the stationary groove 219, the sleeve 131 is locked by the stop rib 117, thereby limiting the rotation range of the hinge cover 103 within 180°.

The second housing 202 includes an intermediate hinge arm 225 formed at one end thereof. The middle hinge arm 225 is rotatably connected between the pair of side hinge arms 141 . In other words, the side hinge arm 141 rotatably supports both sides of one end of the second case 202 , more specifically, supports both sides of the middle hinge arm 225 , thereby providing the first hinge axis A1 . A display device 221 and a receiving unit 223 (or an earphone) are mounted on a surface of the second case 202 opposite to the first case 201 .

The hinge case 101 of the hinge device 100 is fixed to the inner side of the upper portion of the first case 201 with its open end protruding on the stationary groove 219 . The hinge cover 103 is rotatably coupled to the hinge case 101 while being accommodated in the third case 104 so as to rotate about the second hinge axis A2. The second case 202 is coupled to the third case 104 so as to rotate about the first hinge axis A1.

As the second case 202 is rotated about the first hinge axis A1, the second case 202 is rotated in a direction away from the first case 201, thereby being opened. FIG. 7 is a front view showing that the second case 202 is rotated about the first hinge axis A1 to be opened. When the second case 202 is rotated in a direction away from the first case 201 , the user can perform general voice communication and short message writing/sending operations using the portable terminal 200 .

In FIG. 7 , if the third case 104 is rotated about the second hinge axis A2 , the display device 221 is opened and the second case 202 is disposed parallel to one side of the first case 201 . At this time, when the second protruding portion 155b rotates 180° from a position close to the lowest point L of one end of the first protruding portion 155a and passes through the highest point H, the second protruding portion 155b is located at the other end close to the first protruding portion 155a. position of the lowest point L at one end, and move 180° along the curved surface of the first protruding portion 155a. The sleeve 131 is locked by the stop rib 117, thereby restricting further rotation of the hinge cover 103 about the second hinge axis A2.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the second case 202 is disposed parallel to one side of the first case 201, the user places the display device 221 horizontally by placing the portable terminal 200 horizontally.

When the second case 202 is disposed parallel to one side of the first case 201, the speaker device 217 is covered by the second case 202, but sound can be sufficiently provided to the user. In addition, when the display device 221 is placed horizontally and the user watches a music video, more improved sound, such as stereo sound, may be provided to the user through the pair of speaker devices 217 . The audio device region 211b may be formed in a stepped shape with respect to the keypad region 211a for supporting the outer side surface of the second case 202 .

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a portable terminal 300 including a rotation limiter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first case 201, a second case 202, a third case 104 and a spring pin 149, the third case 104 is rotatably combined with the first case 201 , and the spring pin 149 is used to temporarily limit the rotation of the third case 104 . The portable terminal 300 is different from the portable terminal 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in that the portable terminal 300 includes the spring pin 149 . Therefore, common components are given the same reference numerals, and a detailed description of the structure of the common components will not be repeated.

The portable terminal 300 includes a first hinge axis A1 and a second hinge axis A2. When the third case 104 is positioned on the first case 201 and the second case 202 is folded onto the first case 201 , the first hinge axis A1 is located at one end of the first case 201 and extends along the horizontal direction of the first case 201 . The second hinge axis A2 extends perpendicular to the surface of the first housing 201 and provides the first hinge axis A1 with an axis of rotation. In other words, the first hinge axis A1 intersects the second hinge axis A2 and the first hinge axis A1 rotates about the intersection point.

The second case 202 is opened from or closed on the first case 201 by rotating about the first hinge axis A1, and is arranged substantially parallel to one side of the first case 201 by rotating about the second hinge axis A2. .

A stationary groove 219 is formed on the surface of the first case 201 . The stationary groove 219 is stepped with respect to the surface on which the keyboard 213 is installed, and provides a space for the third case 104 .

A rotation hole 143 to which the third case 104 can be rotatably coupled and a fixing hole 145 for fixing the spring pin 149 are formed on the stationary groove 219 . The spring pin 149 has a built-in compression spring, and it is combined with the fixing hole 145 . The first end of the spring pin 149 is provided with the elastic force of the built-in compression spring, thereby protruding from the stationary groove 219 . The second housing 202 includes an intermediate hinge arm 225 at one end thereof.

The third case 104 includes a pair of side hinge arms 141 and extends in the direction of the first hinge axis A1. The first end of the third case 104 is rotatably combined with the first case 201 through the rotation hole 143 of the stationary groove 219, and one of the side hinge arms 141 is located on the second hinge axis A2. In other words, the third shell 104 rotates on the first shell 201 about the second hinge axis A2. At least a part of the third case 104 is separated from the first case 201 by rotation about the second hinge axis A2.

An engagement groove (see 147 of FIG. 11 ) is formed in the bottom surface of the other end (second end) of the third case 104 . When the third housing 104 is seated on the stationary groove 219 , the spring pin 149 is engaged in the engagement groove 147 . Therefore, in order to separate the third housing 104 from the stationary groove 219, a sufficiently large external force to separate the spring pin 149 from the engaging groove 147 should be applied.

10 to 12 show the continuation of the third shell 104 entering the stationary groove 219 in succession.

When the third case 104 is separated from the stationary groove 219 , the first end of the spring pin 149 protrudes from the stationary groove 219 . When the third case 104 enters the stationary groove 219, the bottom surface of the third case 104 collides with the first end of the spring pin 149, and thus, the first end of the spring pin 149 is depressed. The first end of the spring pin 149 engages in the engagement groove 147 once the third housing 104 has fully entered the stationary groove 219 and the engagement groove 147 faces the first end of the spring pin 149 .

A guide groove (not shown) may be formed on the bottom surface of the third case 104 along the movement locus of the spring pin 149 . From the moment the third shell 104 enters the stationary groove 219 and interferes with the first end of the spring pin 149 , the inner wall of the guide groove starts to press the first end of the spring pin 149 . Accordingly, the first end of the spring pin 149 is retracted toward the stationary groove 219 .

When the third case 104 is located on the stationary groove 219 and the second case 202 is folded onto the first case 210, if the user wants to open the portable terminal 300 by rotating the second case 202 about the first hinge axis A1, the spring pin 149 is engaged in the engaging groove 147, thereby restricting the movement of the third case 104. Accordingly, opening/closing may be smoothly performed by rotation of the second housing 202 about the first hinge axis A1 without moving the third housing 104 .

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pair of cases can be rotated about two axes, and when the case is placed parallel to one side of the other case, a user can use a horizontal viewing function if necessary. Accordingly, a user can conveniently watch a screen provided through a multimedia service. Also, in the horizontal viewing state, since the pair of cases are separately arranged in the upper side and the lower side, the user can conveniently use the keyboard installed in the case of the lower side. In addition, when one case is rotated to a horizontal viewing position, it can be rotated by a driving force provided by the hinge device, thereby conveniently rotating the portable terminal.

Furthermore, by means of the spring pin on the first shell and the engagement groove on the third shell engaged with the spring pin, the movement of the third shell can be restricted during rotation of the second shell about the first hinge axis, thereby Perform the rotation of the second shell smoothly.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and effect may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Changes in details.

Claims (46)

1. A portable terminal, comprising: first shell; The second shell is configured to rotate in directions approaching and away from the first shell while rotating about the first hinge axis, and is rotatably connected with the first shell so that the second shell is about perpendicular to the first hinge axis. the extended second hinge axis rotates; hinge means, comprising a third shell rotating about a second hinge axis, the hinge means connecting the first shell and the second shell, Therein, the second hinge axis extends perpendicularly to the surface of the first housing and provides the first hinge axis with an axis of rotation. 2. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, the hinge device further comprising: a hinge shell, fixed on the first shell, extending along the direction of the second hinge axis, and including an open end; a hinge shaft, connected to the hinge housing, extending along the direction of the second hinge axis and rotating about the second hinge axis; the hinged cover, on the hinge axis, rotates about the second hinge axis, Wherein, the third shell surrounds at least a part of the hinge cover and the hinge shell, and rotates together with the hinge shell about the second hinge axis. 3. The portable terminal of claim 2, wherein the second case is connected with the third case and the second case is rotated about the first hinge axis, after the second case is rotated in a direction away from the first case, along with Rotation of the third shell about the second hinge axis, the second shell being arranged parallel to one side of the first shell. 4. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein the third case extends in a direction of the first hinge axis. 5. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a pair of side hinge arms formed at both ends of the third shell; A middle hinge arm is formed at one end of the second case and is rotatably coupled between the pair of side hinge arms. 6. The portable terminal of claim 5, wherein the pair of side hinge arms are located on the first hinge axis. 7. The portable terminal of claim 5, wherein the third case is located at one end of the first case, and the side hinge arm protrudes from a surface of the first case. 8. The portable terminal of claim 2, wherein the hinge cover is configured to close one end of the hinge case and surround a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the hinge case. 9. The portable terminal of claim 8, further comprising an engagement arm extending from an outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover in a direction of the first hinge axis. 10. The portable terminal of claim 8, further comprising an engagement arm extending from an outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover in a direction of the first hinge axis and fixed in the third case. 11. The portable terminal of claim 2, further comprising at least one engaging arm extending from an outer peripheral surface of the other end of the hinge case and fixed in the first case. 12. The portable terminal of claim 2, wherein the hinge cover is fixed on the hinge shaft by a screw passing through the hinge cover from a top of the hinge cover and screwed into one end of the hinge shaft. 13. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a stop rib protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge housing; a sleeve disposed on the hinge cover for surrounding a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover, Wherein, as the hinge cover rotates about the second hinge axis, the sleeve is locked by the stop rib, thereby limiting the rotation range of the hinge cover. 14. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: the dumb hinge is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover and extends along the first hinge axis; a pair of side hinge arms formed at both ends of the third shell; Wherein the dummy hinge is exposed to an inner wall of one of the side hinge arms. 15. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: The first hinge cam is fixed on the hinge shaft and rotates together with the hinge shaft; the second hinge cam is opposite to the first hinge cam and is rotatably connected with the hinge shaft; The elastic member is located on the hinge shaft and is used for providing elastic force applied along a direction to make the second hinge cam contact the first hinge cam. 16. The portable terminal of claim 15, wherein the elastic member, the second hinge cam, and the first hinge cam are accommodated in the hinge case in sequence, one end of the elastic member is supported by a wall at one end of the hinge case, and the elastic member The other end of the hinge is supported by the second hinge cam, thereby providing elastic force. 17. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: at least one guide groove extending in the direction of the second hinge axis and formed in the inner peripheral surface of the hinge case; a guide protrusion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the second hinge cam and engaged in the guide groove to move in a straight line, Wherein, the second hinge cam reciprocates along a straight line in the hinge housing. 18. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: at least one first protrusion formed in the first hinge cam; at least one second protrusion formed in the second hinge cam, Wherein, as the first hinge cam rotates together with the hinge shaft, the second protrusion moves along the curved surface of the first protrusion from the lowest point of one end of the first protrusion through the highest point of the first protrusion to the first protrusion the lowest point on the other end. 19. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second protrusion moves along the curved surface of the first protrusion from the lowest point of one end of the first protrusion through the highest point of the first protrusion to the first protrusion. At the same time as the lowest point of the other end of the part, the hinge axis rotates 180° or more. 20. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hinge case is substantially cylindrical and includes an open end and another closed end, and the hinge shaft passes through the hinge case along the direction of the second hinge axis to be rotatable with the hinge case. The wall connection of said other closed end of the hinge housing. 21. The portable terminal of claim 20, wherein one end of the hinge shaft protrudes outside the other closed end of the hinge case, and an E-ring is engaged in an outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft. 22. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a sleeve provided on the hinge cover for surrounding a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge case Open predetermined intervals. 23. The portable terminal of claim 22, further comprising: A dumb hinge is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover and extends along the direction of the first hinge axis; a slit formed through the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the sleeve, Wherein, one end of the slit extends to the inside of the dumb hinge. 24. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein one end of the third case is combined with one end of the surface of the first case, and the third case rotates about the second hinge axis. 25. A portable terminal comprising a first case and a second case, the second case rotates in a direction approaching and away from the first case while rotating about a first hinge axis, and is rotatably combined with the first case The second case is caused to rotate about a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the first hinge axis, and the hinge device combines the first case and the second case, the portable terminal includes: a static groove formed on the surface of the first shell; A third shell, arranged in the hinge device, extends along the direction of the first hinge axis, the third shell is located and rotatably connected to the stationary groove so that the second shell rotates about the first hinge axis, Wherein, one end of the third shell is connected with the first shell and rotates about the second hinge axis, and after the second shell rotates in a direction away from the first shell, as the third shell rotates about the second hinge axis, the second shell rotates about the second hinge axis. The shell is arranged parallel to one side of the first shell. 26. The portable terminal of claim 25, wherein the stationary groove is located at one end of the first case and extends in one direction. 27. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: a pair of speaker devices disposed on one side of the first case, wherein when the second case is disposed parallel to one side of the first case, the speakers The device is covered by a second shell. 28. The portable terminal of claim 25, wherein a keypad area and an audio device area are provided on a surface of the first case, and the keypad area and the audio device area are formed in a stepped shape with respect to each other. 29. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 25, wherein the hinge means comprises: a hinge shell, located in the first shell, extending along the direction of the second hinge axis; the hinge shaft, combined with the hinge housing, extends along the direction of the second hinge axis and rotates about the second hinge axis; the hinged cover, on the hinge axis, rotates about the second hinge axis, Wherein, the third shell is configured to surround at least a part of the hinge shell and the hinge cover, and rotate together with the hinge cover about the second hinge axis. 30. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 29, further comprising: The first hinge cam is fixed on the hinge shaft and rotates together with the hinge shaft; a second hinge cam, opposite to the first hinge cam, and rotatably combined with the hinge shaft; The elastic member is located on the hinge shaft and is used for providing elastic force applied along a direction to make the second hinge cam contact the first hinge cam. 31. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 30, further comprising: at least one first protrusion formed in the first hinge cam; at least one second protrusion formed in the second hinge cam, Wherein, as the first hinge cam rotates together with the hinge shaft, the second protrusion moves along the curved surface of the first protrusion from the lowest point of one end of the first protrusion through the highest point of the first protrusion to the first protrusion the lowest point on the other end. 32. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 31, further comprising: a stop rib protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the hinge housing; a sleeve disposed on the hinge cover for surrounding a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hinge cover, Wherein, as the hinge cover rotates about the second hinge axis, the sleeve is locked by the stop rib, thereby limiting the rotation range of the hinge cover. 33. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 32, wherein when the sleeve is locked by the stopper rib, the second protrusion is located between a substantially highest point of the first protrusion and a substantially lowest point of the other end. On the surface of the first protrusion. 34. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: an intermediate hinge arm formed at one end of the second shell; A pair of side hinge arms are formed at both ends of the third case for rotatably supporting the middle hinge arm. 35. The portable terminal of claim 34, wherein the side hinge arm protrudes from the surface of the first case when the third case is located in the stationary groove. 36. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: a spring pin fixed in the stationary groove, the first end of the spring pin protruding from the stationary groove; engaging grooves formed on the surface of the third case, Wherein, when the third case is located on the stationary groove, the first end of the spring pin engages in the engagement groove to limit the rotation of the third case. 37. A portable terminal comprising a first case and a second case configured to rotate in directions approaching and away from the first case while rotating about a first hinge axis, and to be rotatably connected to the first case. A shell is connected so that the second shell rotates about a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the first hinge axis, and the hinge means connects the first shell and the second shell, the portable terminal includes: a spring pin fixed in a stationary groove formed on the first shell, the first end of the spring pin protruding from the stationary groove; a third shell, the first end of which is connected to the first shell, the third shell has at least a portion detachable from the first shell by rotation about the second hinge axis, Wherein, when the third case is located in the stationary groove, the first end of the spring pin engages with the third case to limit the rotation of the third case. 38. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 37, wherein, An engaging groove is formed on the third case, and when the third case is positioned on the stationary groove, the first end of the spring pin is engaged in the engaging groove to limit the rotation of the third case. 39. The portable terminal of claim 38, wherein the second case is connected with the third case and rotates about the first hinge axis, and the third case is about the first hinge axis after the second case is rotated in a direction away from the first case. When the hinge axis is rotated, the first end of the spring pin disengages from the engagement groove, so that the second housing is positioned substantially parallel to one side of the first housing. 40. The portable terminal of claim 38, wherein the third case extends in a direction of the first hinge axis. 41. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 38, further comprising: a pair of side hinge arms formed at both ends of the third shell; A middle hinge arm is formed at one end of the second case and is rotatably coupled between the side hinge arms. 42. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the pair of side hinge arms are located on the first hinge axis. 43. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the third case is located at one end of the first case and the side hinge arm protrudes from a surface of the first case. 44. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein one of the side hinge arms is located on the second hinge axis. 45. The portable terminal of claim 37, wherein the first end of the third case is combined with one end of one side of the first case to be rotated about the second hinge axis. 46. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 37, further comprising: an engaging groove formed on a surface of the third case, wherein when the third case is located in the stationary groove, it rotates about the second hinge axis And separated from the first shell.

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