Mobile communication terminal with hinge apparatus
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorChang-Bai Won
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A folding type mobile communication terminal, wherein a hinge apparatus rotatively couples an upper body to a lower body, is disclosed. The hinge apparatus includes first and second hinge housings, first and second hinge members, a coupling hinge member, a spring, and rotation control device. The first and second hinge members are inserted into the first and second hinge housings, respectively. The coupling hinge member is disposed between the first and second hinge members. Relationships between the first and second hinge members and the coupling hinge member include interlocking features assisted by the elastic force of the spring. A user manipulates the rotation control device to effect an opening angle of the folding type terminal.
Claims24
A mobile communication terminal comprising:
- a first body;
- a second body;
- and
- a hinge apparatus, which rotatively couples the first body to the second body, the hinge apparatus comprising:
- a first hinge unit;
- a second hinge unit;
- a coupling hinge member disposed between the first and second hinge units;
- and
- a rotation control device.
A folding type mobile communication terminal, wherein a hinge apparatus rotatively couples a first body to a second body, the hinge apparatus comprising:
- a first hinge housing formed approximate to a side edge of the first body;
- a first hinge member inserted into the first hinge housing;
- a second hinge housing formed approximate to a bottom edge of the second body;
- a second hinge member inserted into the second hinge housing;
- a coupling hinge member disposed between the first and second hinge members;
- a spring disposed adjacent to the second hinge member in the second hinge housing;
- a shaft disposed in the second hinge housing, wherein the shaft passes through the spring, second hinge member and coupling hinge member;
- and
- a rotation control device.
A method of unfolding a folding type mobile communication terminal to a maximum opening angle, the method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a rotation control device in a predetermined direction so that a first hinge member is forced towards an outer edge of the terminal, wherein a coupling hinge member is displaced into a first hinge housing;
- lifting a first body of the terminal, which is rotatively coupled to a second body, so that a convex portion of the coupling hinge member passes over a convex portion of a second hinge member;
- and
- releasing the first body of the terminal so that a spring housed in a second hinge housing expands and forces the convex portion of the coupling hinge member to completely pass over the convex portion of the second hinge member, thereby completely unfolding the terminal.
A method of unfolding a folding type mobile communication terminal to a desired opening angle, the method comprising the steps of:
- rotation a rotation control device in a predetermined direction so that a first hinge member is forced away from an outer edge of the terminal, wherein a coupling hinge member is displaced into a second hinge housing;
- lifting a first body of the terminal, which is rotatively coupled to a second body, so that a protrusion on the coupling hinge member engages a groove on the first hinge member;
- and
- releasing the first body of the terminal at the desired opening angle, wherein an elastic force generated by a spring housed in a second hinge housing presses the coupling hinge member against the first hinge member, thereby creating a frictional force to maintain the desired opening angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.