U.S. patent application number 12/245878 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for sliding mechanism apparatus and appliance integrated with the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to P & Tel Inc.. Invention is credited to Han Sang Lee.
Application Number | 20090029748 12/245878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34994044 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090029748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Han Sang |
January 29, 2009 |
SLIDING MECHANISM APPARATUS AND APPLIANCE INTEGRATED WITH THE
SAME
Abstract
Disclosed is a sliding mechanism apparatus used for slidably
opening and closing a slider-type cellular phone. A guide member
and a slider member are engaged with each other so as to enable to
slide relative to each other. The end of one arm of a first torsion
spring is connected to the slider member near the left edge
thereof. The end of the other arm thereof is coupled to the right
half area of the guide member. The end of one arm of a second
torsion spring is connected to the slider member near the right
edge thereof. The end of the other arm thereof is coupled to the
left half area of the guide member. From the expanded original
state of the first and second torsion springs, if an external force
is exerted on the slider member or the guide member, the torsion
springs are compressed into an acute angle and then spread again by
means of the elastic force thereof. In this way, the slider member
can move to the lowermost position or the lowermost position. In
the first and second torsion springs, the distance between the ends
of two arms is larger than at least half of the width of the slider
member. Therefore, the first and second torsion springs can
maximally utilize the width of the guide member while turning,
thereby extending the maximum travel distance of the slider
member.
Inventors: |
Lee; Han Sang; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Assignee: |
P & Tel Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34994044 |
Appl. No.: |
12/245878 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10589010 |
Aug 10, 2006 |
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PCT/KR05/00389 |
Feb 11, 2005 |
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12245878 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.4 ;
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3833 20130101;
H04M 1/0237 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/575.4 ;
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2004 |
KR |
P.10-2004-0008663 |
Apr 9, 2004 |
KR |
P.10-2004-0024432 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
KR |
P.10-2004-0078473 |
Dec 2, 2004 |
KR |
P.10-2004-0100583 |
Claims
1. A sliding mechanism apparatus comprising: a) a guide member; b)
a slider member coupled to the guide member so as to enable to
slide thereon in a linear direction; c) a first spring disposed in
a space between the slider member and the guide member, wherein one
end of the first spring is connected to a first position placed
near a left edge of the guide member, and the other end of the
first spring is connected to a second position of the slider
member; and d) a second spring disposed in a space between the
slider member and the guide member, wherein one end of the second
spring is connected to a third position placed near a right edge of
the guide member, and the other end of the second spring is
connected to a fourth position of the slider member.
2. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the first spring is a first torsion spring including a first coil
wound in a circular form and two first arms extended from both ends
of the first coil by a certain length, the end of one of the two
first arms is connected to a first position placed near a left edge
of the guide member, and the end of the other first arm is
connected to a second position of the slider member and the second
spring is a second torsion spring including a second coil wound in
a circular form and two second arms extended from both ends of the
second coil by a certain length, the end of one of the two second
arms is connected to a third position placed near a right edge of
the guide member, and the end of the other second arm is connected
to a fourth position of the slider member.
3. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the second position is placed within a right half area of the
slider member and the fourth position is placed within a left half
area of the slider member, and a distance between the first
position and the second position is the same as a distance between
the third position and the fourth position.
4. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the second position is placed within a right half area of the
slider member and the fourth position is placed within a left half
area of the slider member, and the guide member formed of a first
rectangular plate is provided with a first and second guide rail
extended along a left and right edge on the top face of the first
rectangular plate and having a height so as to allow for a free
movement for the first and second torsion spring, the first and
second guide rail is provided with a first and second guide rail
groove extended along the outer lateral face thereof, and a first
connection hole and a second connection hole are formed
respectively in the first position of the first guide rail and the
third position of the second guide rail; and wherein the slider
member formed of a second rectangular plate is provided with a
first and second rail formed along a left and right edge on the
bottom face of the second rectangular plate so as to be engaged
with the first and second guide rail groove respectively, and a
third and fourth connection hole is formed respectively in the
second and fourth position of the second rectangular plate such
that a bent end portion of the first and second torsion spring is
inserted respectively into the third and fourth connection
hole.
5. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the second position is placed within a right half area of the
slider member and the fourth position is placed within a left half
area of the slider member, and the guide member is provided with a
first and second guide bar extended along both lateral faces of a
first rectangular plate, and a first connection hole and a second
connection hole are formed in the first position and the third
position placed in both edges of the first rectangular plate; and
wherein the slider member is provided with a coupling hand formed
in a left and right edge of a second rectangular plate so as to
slidably grip the first and second guide bar, and a third and
fourth connection hole is formed respectively in the second and
fourth position placed in the second rectangular plate.
6. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the slider member and the guide member are provided, in the outer
face thereof, with a plurality of screw holes for attaching
respectively a first and second component of an appliance using a
screw.
7. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the slider member and the guide member constitute part of a first
and second component of an appliance such that the first and second
components of the appliance can be opened and closed relatively to
each other in a sliding mode.
8. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the guide member includes a rectangular plate having a first and
second guide dam along both longitudinal edges thereof and a first
and second guide bar installed in parallel to the first and second
guide dam, and the slider member is provided with a first and
second slide-coupling hand formed to the left and right thereof,
the first and second slide-coupling hand including a first and
second guide hole inserted respectively into the first and second
guide bar and a first and second rail engaged with the first and
second guide dam provided in the left and right side so as to face
each other.
9. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the first and second guide dam are structured in such a manner i)
that the dam is protruded along both lateral edges of the
rectangular plate in the form of a continuous straight line, or ii)
that the dam is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion
along both lateral edges of the rectangular plate such that the
upper portion is protruded rearwards of the lateral face to thereby
support a bottom face of the first and second slide-coupling hand
and the lower portion is protruded frontward of the lateral face to
thereby be inserted into the first and second rail.
10. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the second position and the fourth position are placed respectively
in a left half area and a right half area of the slider member.
11. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the first and second guide hole for the first and second guide bar
to be inserted thereinto is provided with a cylinder-shape bearing
in the inner wall thereof so as to allow for a smooth sliding
movement of the guide bar, and the first and second guide bar each
is provided with a buffer rubber at both end portions thereof such
that the buffer rubber is hit with an end of the bearing when the
slider member slides and hits the top face or the bottom face of
the guide member, thereby alleviating sliding impact between the
slider member and the guide member.
12. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a
resilient contact plate is fixed to a certain desired area in an
inner face of at least one of the guide member and the slider
member, the slider member and the guide member remain in an
electrical contact with each other by means of the contact plate
even when in a relative sliding motion, and at least one of the
guide member and the slider member is electrically connected to a
reference potential point of a device in which the guide member and
the slider member are installed.
13. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a
variable link is fixed to a central position of the slider member
in such a way that the center portion of the link is rotatably
fixed through a link shaft thereof, the variable link having two
arms extended to the left and right from the center portion thereof
by a certain length, the second position of the slider member is
the left end portion of the variable link and the fourth position
of the slider member is the right portion of the variable link.
14. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the guide member and the slider member are slidably engaged in such
a manner i) that the rectangular plate of the guide member is
provided with a first and second guide dam at the left and right
side thereof, and the slider member is provided with a first and
second rail at the left and right side thereof so as to slidably
engaged with the first and second guide dam; and/or ii) that the
guide member is provided with a first and second guide bar
installed in parallel at the left and right side of the rectangular
plate, and the slider member is provided with a first and second
guide hole to be inserted respectively into the first and second
guide bar.
15. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the first and second guide dam is protruded along both lateral
edges of the rectangular plate in the form of a straight line
having a "" shape cross-section, and the first and second rail is
protruded only in a front and rear portion thereof excepting an
intermediate portion thereof so as to be engaged with the first and
second guide dam.
16. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the variable link is further provided with a pivot guide projection
having a first slant face and a second slant face formed at both
sides of the link shaft so as to face each other, the first slant
face rotates contacted with the variable arm of the first torsion
spring, and the second slant face rotates contacted with the
variable arm of the second torsion spring.
17. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the variable arms of the first and second torsion spring, which are
fixed to the variable link, are bent outwardly, thereby further
expanding an angle between the arms of the first and second torsion
spring.
18. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of the first spring and the second spring is a
cylinder-type spring structured such that the length thereof can be
extended and retracted resiliently, wherein both ends of the
cylinder-type spring are pivotably connected to the left and right
side edge or the right and left side edge of the guide member and
the slider member.
19. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the cylinder-type spring comprises a cylinder connected to one of
the guide member and the slider member, a coil spring housed inside
the cylinder, and a rod resiliently supported by the coil spring
and connected to the other one of the guide member and the slider
member.
20. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the cylinder-type spring comprises a cylinder connected to one of
the guide member and the slider member, a coil spring housed inside
the cylinder, a rod resiliently supported by the coil spring, and a
variable link rotatably connected to the other one of the guide
member and the slider member through a link shaft positioned in the
center of the variable link and pivotably connected to the rod at a
position spaced apart from the link shaft in such a way as to move
with the rod.
21. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the first spring is a first cylinder-type spring structured such
that the length thereof can be extended and retracted resiliently,
wherein both ends of the first cylinder-type spring are pivotably
connected respectively to a first position placed near a right edge
of the guide member and to a second position placed within a left
half area of the slider member and the second spring is a second
cylinder-type spring structured such that the length thereof can be
extended and retracted resiliently, wherein both ends of the second
cylinder-type spring are pivotably connected respectively to a
third position placed near a left edge of the guide member and to a
fourth position placed within a right half area of the slider
member.
22. The sliding mechanism apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
resilient contact plate is fixed to a certain desired area in an
inner face of at least one of the guide member and the slider
member, the slider member and the guide member remain in an
electrical contact with each other by means of the contact plate
even when in a relative sliding motion, and at least one of the
guide member and the slider member is electrically connected to a
reference potential point of a device in which the guide member and
the slider member are installed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional under 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.53(b) of prior application Ser. No. 10/589,010, filed Aug.
10, 2006, by Han Sang Lee, entitled SLIDING MECHANISM APPARATUS AND
APPLIANCE INTEGRATED WITH THE SAME, the entire contents of all of
which are incorporated herein by reference
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a sliding mechanism
apparatus and an appliance thereof. More specifically, the
invention relates to a sliding mechanism apparatus applicable to
various slider-type devices such as a wireless communication
terminal, in which the resilient force of a torsion spring is
utilized to thereby improve the operational convenience thereof,
and an appliance using such a sliding mechanism apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Portable communication terminals such as a cellular phone
have been changing its external form or shape. For example, a
flip-type, a bar-type, and a folder-type cellular phone have been
known. Recently, a slider-type cellular phone has been
commercialized and attracted attentions. In general, a slider-type
portable terminal is comprised of a main body and a cover slidably
engaged with the main body. That is, the cover opens and closes the
main body while sliding upwards and downwards along the main
body.
[0004] Regarding the sliding mechanism enabling such a sliding
movement, also various modes have been proposed. It includes a
sliding mechanism using a sliding space and a guide rail, a sliding
mechanism using a rack and a pinion, an especially designed sliding
mechanism using a slider structure supported by a base plate, a
guide hole for guiding the slider structure and a leaf spring. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,027 discloses a sliding mechanism,
where a cover including a latch, a latch catch and an actuator is
slidably coupled to a housing such that the cover is opened and
closed by means of a tension spring.
[0005] However, the conventional sliding mechanisms do not have any
means for providing a moving force for sliding, and thus the slider
cover is made to move only as much as a user pushes up or down.
That is, it can travel only a short distance at a time. In
addition, the main body and the cover of a cellular phone are
combined with each other through a single sliding structure. Thus,
the sliding structure may be easily damaged by an external impact
so that the cover can be released from the main body, thereby
failing to provide a good durability.
[0006] Furthermore, the above conventional sliding device is
composed of a guiding base member and a slider member slidably
engaged therewith. Commonly, the guiding base member is coupled to
the rear face of the cover of a cellular phone and the slider
member is attached to the upper portion of the front face in the
main body thereof. That is, the guiding base member and the slider
member are fabricated separately from the main body and the cover
of a cellular phone and then combined thereto respectively using a
bolt. Accordingly, the main body and the cover of the cellular
phone must be provided with resting places for the guiding base and
slider members and also bolt holes for connection with each other.
Therefore, it leads to a complicated coupling structure, which will
result in complicated molding dies, thereby consequently increasing
the manufacturing cost of the sliding device and extending the
assembling time therefor.
[0007] The above matters are considered as fundamental problems
with the conventional sliding mechanisms. As such, there is a need
to provide a novel sliding mechanism and an appliance implementing
the novel mechanism, which has a more simplified structure and
provides an improved assembling efficiency,
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to
solve the above problems in the prior art, and it is an object of
the invention to provide a sliding mechanism apparatus suitable for
manufacturing a miniaturized cellular phone, in which a slider
member and a guide member are engaged with each other so as to
perform a relative sliding, a user moves the slider member by a
certain distance along the guide member and then the slider member
spontaneously runs the remaining distance by the elastic force of a
torsion spring, and in particular, a long moving distance can be
achieved, relatively to the width of the slider member.
[0009] A second object of the invention is to provide a sliding
mechanism apparatus, in which a slider member and a guide member
are engaged with each other so as to perform a relative sliding, a
user moves the slider member by a certain distance along the guide
member and then the slider member spontaneously runs the remaining
distance i.e., to the destination position by means of the elastic
force of a torsion spring, and in particular, a coupling and guide
structure comprised of a guide bar and a guide hole is provided,
along with a guide dam and a guide rail engaged therewith, thereby
avoiding an escape and distortion while sliding, and thus enabling
a more firm and stable operation of the mechanism.
[0010] A third object of the invention is to provide a sliding
mechanism apparatus, in which a resilient contact plate is
interposed so that an electrical contact can be maintained between
the slider member and the guide member while sliding relative to
each other, thereby avoiding disturbance caused by electromagnetic
waves.
[0011] A fourth object of the invention is to provide a sliding
mechanism apparatus, in which one end of a pair of torsion springs
is pivotably attached to both end of a variable link such that a
dead point occurring at a balancing area of the elastic forces of
the two torsion springs can be minimized to thereby prevent a
halting phenomenon and extend the operable distance.
[0012] A fifth object of the invention is to provide an appliance
integrated with a sliding mechanism apparatus, in which a guide
rail structure and a slider structure slidably engaged with the
guide rail structure are integrally formed and coupled to the main
body and the cover of the device so as to correspond to each other,
thereby simplifying the structure of device and improving the
assembling efficiency therefor.
Technical Solution
[0013] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one
aspect of the invention, there is provided a sliding mechanism
apparatus comprising: a guide member; a slider member coupled to
the guide member so as to enable to slide thereon in a linear
direction; a first torsion spring including a first coil wound in a
circular form and two first arms extended from both ends of the
first coil by a certain length, wherein the first torsion spring is
disposed in a space between the slider member and the guide member,
the end of one of the two first arms is connected to a first
position placed near a left edge of the guide member, and the end
of the other first arm is connected to a second position placed
within a right half area of the slider member; and a second torsion
spring including a second coil wound in a circular form and two
second arms extended from both ends of the second coil by a certain
length, wherein the second torsion spring is disposed in a space
between the slider member and the guide member, the end of one of
the two second arms is connected to a third position placed near a
right edge of the guide member, and the end of the other second arm
is connected to a fourth position placed within a left half area of
the slider member.
[0014] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, a distance between
the first position and the second position is preferred to be
substantially the same as a distance between the third position and
the fourth position.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the sliding mechanism
apparatus, the guide member formed of a first rectangular plate is
provided with a first and second guide rail extended along a left
and right edge on the top face of the first rectangular plate and
having a height so as to allow for a free movement for the first
and second torsion spring, the first and second guide rail is
provided with a first and second guide rail groove extended along
the outer lateral face thereof, and a first connection hole and a
second connection hole are formed respectively in the first
position of the first guide rail and the third position of the
second guide rail. In addition, the slider member formed of a
second rectangular plate is provided with a first and second rail
formed along a left and right edge on the bottom face of the second
rectangular plate so as to be engaged with the first and second
guide rail groove respectively, and a third and fourth connection
hole is formed respectively in the second and fourth position of
the second rectangular plate such that a bent end portion of the
first and second torsion spring is inserted respectively into the
third and fourth connection hole.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the sliding mechanism
apparatus, the guide member is provided with a first and second
guide bar extended along both lateral faces of a first rectangular
plate, and a first connection hole and a second connection hole are
formed in the first position and the third position placed in both
edges of the first rectangular plate. In addition, the slider
member is provided with a coupling hand formed in a left and right
edge of a second rectangular plate so as to slidably grip the first
and second guide bar, and a third and fourth connection hole is
formed respectively in the second and fourth position placed in the
second rectangular plate.
[0017] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the slider member
and the guide member are provided, in the outer face thereof, with
a plurality of screw holes for attaching respectively a first and
second component of an appliance using a screw. On the other hand,
the slider member and the guide member may constitute part of a
first and second component of an appliance such that the first and
second components of the appliance can be opened and closed
relatively to each other in a sliding mode.
[0018] As described above, in the sliding mechanism apparatus of
the invention, when no external force is exerted, the slider member
remains placed in the uppermost position or the lowermost position,
relative to the guide member, and the first and second torsion
spring remains in its original state, i.e., spread adequately at a
desired obtuse angle. At this state, if an external force is
exerted on the slider member or the guide member, the two arms of
the first and second torsion springs coupled to the slider member
are turned and folded into an acute angle. As the external force is
continued to the extent to overcome the elastic force of the first
and second torsion spring, the turning angle of the first and
second torsion spring becomes at least 90.about.180 degrees,
relatively to the original state, and the torsion springs spread
again into the original obtuse angle, due to the elastic force
thereof. Through this course of action, the slider member travels
to the lowermost position or the uppermost position. That is, when
an external force is exerted to the extent to overcome the elastic
force of the first and second torsion springs, the slider member
comes to run from the uppermost position to the lowermost position,
or vice versa.
[0019] In particular, the positions in the slider member, to which
the first and second torsion spring is coupled, correspond to
beyond the widthwise centerline of the guide member, as viewed from
the end of one arm connected near the edge of the guide member.
Therefore, the first and second torsion spring can be turned and
pivoted while maximally utilizing the width of the guide member. As
the result, the moving distance of the slider member, i.e., the
distance between the uppermost position and the lowermost position
can become extended, relatively to the width of the slider member.
In this way, the sliding mechanism apparatus is applied to a
slider-type cellular phone, thereby enabling the design of a
shorter, smaller, thinner cellular phone.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a sliding mechanism apparatus comprising: a guide member
including a rectangular plate having a first and second guide dam
along both longitudinal edges thereof, and a first and second guide
bar installed in parallel to the first and second guide dam; a
slider member coupled with the guide member so as to enable a
relative linear movement with respect to each other, wherein the
slider member is provided with a first and second slide-coupling
hand formed to the left and right thereof, the first and second
slide-coupling hand including a first and second guide hole
inserted respectively into the first and second guide bar and a
first and second rail engaged with the first and second guide dam
provided in the left and right side so as to face each other; a
first torsion spring including a first coil wound in a circular
form and two first arms extended from both ends of the first coil
by a certain length, wherein the first torsion spring is disposed
in a space between the slider member and the guide member, the end
of one of the two first arms is connected to a first position
placed near a left edge of the guide member, and the end of the
other first arm is connected to a second position placed within a
right half area of the slider member; and a second torsion spring
including a second coil wound in a circular form and two second
arms extended from both ends of the second coil by a certain
length, wherein the second torsion spring is disposed in a space
between the slider member and the guide member, the end of one of
the two second arms is connected to a third position placed near a
right edge of the guide member, and the end of the other second arm
is connected to a fourth position placed in the slider member.
[0021] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the first and
second guide dam are structured in such a manner i) that the dam is
protruded along both lateral edges of the rectangular plate in the
form of a continuous straight line, or ii) that the dam is divided
into an upper portion and a lower portion along both lateral edges
of the rectangular plate such that the upper portion is protruded
rearwards of the lateral face to thereby support a bottom face of
the first and second slide-coupling hand and the lower portion is
protruded frontward of the lateral face to thereby be inserted into
the first and second rail.
[0022] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the first and
second guide hole for the first and second guide bar to be inserted
thereinto is provided with a cylinder-shape bearing in the inner
wall thereof so as to allow for a smooth sliding movement of the
guide bar, and the first and second guide bar each is provided with
a buffer rubber at both end portions thereof such that the buffer
rubber is hit with an end of the bearing when the slider member
slides and hits the top face or the bottom face of the guide
member, thereby alleviating sliding impact between the slider
member and the guide member.
[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a device using a sliding mechanism apparatus. The sliding
mechanism apparatus includes a guide member and a slider member
engaged with the guide member so as to slide linearly thereon,
wherein a resilient contact plate is fixed to a certain desired
area in an inner face of at least one of the guide member and the
slider member, the slider member and the guide member remain in an
electrical contact with each other by means of the contact plate
even when in a relative sliding motion, and at least one of the
guide member and the slider member is electrically connected to a
reference potential point of the device.
[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a sliding mechanism apparatus in which a slider member
slides linearly on a guide member including a rectangular plate.
The mechanism of the invention comprises: a first and second guide
bar installed in parallel along both lateral edges of the guide
member; and a first and second slide-coupling hand positioned
respectively in a left and right edge of the slider member and
including a first and second guide hole into which the first and
second guide bar is inserted respectively so as to allow for a
sliding movement of the slider member.
[0025] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the first and
second guide bar are attached to both lateral edges of the
rectangular plate in such a way to be closely contacted thereto or
spaced apart therefrom, and the first and second guide hole are
opened at one end thereof so as to wrap around a certain portion of
the first and second guide bar.
[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a sliding mechanism apparatus comprising: a guide member
formed of a plate material having generally a rectangular shape; a
slider member engaged with the guide member so as to enable a
relative linear sliding movement; a variable link fixed to a
central position of the slider member in such a way that the center
portion of the link is rotatably fixed through a link shaft
thereof, the variable link having two arms extended to the left and
right from the center portion thereof by a certain length; a first
torsion spring including a first coil wound in a circular form and
a first fixed and first variable arm extended from both ends of the
first coil by a certain length, wherein the first torsion spring is
placed between the slider member and the guide member, a fixed end
of the first fixed arm is connected near a right edge of one of the
guide member and slider member, and a fixed end of the first
variable arm is pivotably connected to the left end portion of the
variable link; and a second torsion spring including a second coil
wound in a circular form and a second fixed and second variable arm
extended from both ends of the second coil by a certain length,
wherein the second torsion spring is placed between the slider
member and the guide member, a fixed end of the second fixed arm is
connected to a left edge of the other one of the guide member and
the slider member, and a fixed end of the second variable arm is
pivotably connected to the right end portion of the variable
link.
[0027] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the guide member
and the slider member are slidably engaged in such a manner i) that
the rectangular plate of the guide member is provided with a first
and second guide dam at the left and right side thereof, and the
slider member is provided with a first and second rail at the left
and right side thereof so as to slidably engaged with the first and
second guide dam; and/or ii) that the guide member is provided with
a first and second guide bar installed in parallel at the left and
right side of the rectangular plate, and the slider member is
provided with a first and second guide hole to be inserted
respectively into the first and second guide bar.
[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a sliding mechanism apparatus comprising: a guide member
formed of a plate material having generally a rectangular shape; a
slider member engaged with the guide member so as to enable a
relative linear sliding movement; and a cylinder-type spring
disposed between the slider member and the guide member and
structured such that the length thereof can be extended and
retracted resiliently, wherein both ends of the cylinder-type
spring are pivotably connected to the left and right side edge or
the right and left side edge of the guide member and the slider
member.
[0029] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the cylinder-type
spring comprises a cylinder connected to one of the guide member
and the slider member, a coil spring housed inside the cylinder,
and a rod resiliently supported by the coil spring and connected to
the other one of the guide member and the slider member.
Alternatively, the cylinder-type spring may comprise a cylinder
connected to one of the guide member and the slider member, a coil
spring housed inside the cylinder, a rod resiliently supported by
the coil spring, and a variable link rotatably connected to the
other one of the guide member and the slider member through a link
shaft positioned in the center of the variable link and pivotably
connected to the rod at a position spaced apart from the link shaft
in such a way as to move with the rod.
[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a sliding mechanism apparatus comprising: a guide member
formed of a plate having generally a rectangular shape; a slider
member engaged with the guide member so as to enable a relative
linear sliding movement; a first cylinder-type spring disposed
between the slider member and the guide member and structured such
that the length thereof can be extended and retracted resiliently,
wherein both ends of the first cylinder-type spring are pivotably
connected respectively to a first position placed near a right edge
of the guide member and to a second position placed within a left
half area of the slider member; and a second cylinder-type spring
disposed between the slider member and the guide member and
structured such that the length thereof can be extended and
retracted resiliently, wherein both ends of the second
cylinder-type spring are pivotably connected respectively to a
third position placed near a left edge of the guide member and to a
fourth position placed within a right half area of the slider
member.
[0031] In the above sliding mechanism apparatus, the first and
second cylinder-type spring each comprises a cylinder connected to
one of the guide member and the slider member, a coil spring housed
inside the cylinder, and a rod resiliently supported by the coil
spring and connected to the other one of the guide member and the
slider member. Alternatively, the first and second cylinder-type
spring each may comprise a cylinder connected to one of the guide
member and the slider member, a coil spring housed inside the
cylinder, a rod resiliently supported by the coil spring, and a
variable link rotatably connected to the other one of the guide
member and the slider member through a link shaft positioned in the
center of the variable link and pivotably connected to the rod at a
position spaced apart from the link shaft in such a way as to move
with the rod.
[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided an appliance integrated with a sliding mechanism
apparatus. The appliance comprises: a main body including at least
one coupling hand, the coupling hand being protruded frontward and
having a guide hole in a sliding direction; and a cover having a
sliding space depressed in the rear face thereof so as to slidably
accommodate the coupling hand of the main body, wherein the sliding
space is provided with at least one guide bar, which is inserted
into the guide hole of the coupling hand to thereby guide sliding
of the main body.
[0033] In the above appliance, the cover is provided with a guide
rail in the sliding space of the rear face thereof so as to be
protruded along the sliding direction, and the main body is
provided with a guide dam formed at a lateral face of the coupling
hand thereof so as to be engaged with the guide rail.
[0034] In the above appliance, at least one torsion spring is
disposed in the sliding space, and one end of the torsion spring is
pivotably coupled to the main body and the other end thereof is
pivotably coupled to the cover.
[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided an appliance integrated with a sliding mechanism
apparatus. The appliance comprises: a main body having buttons and
at least one straight sliding space in a sliding direction, the
sliding space being formed in either the right or left side or both
sides of the front face of the main body along the peripheral area
thereof, a guide bar being mounted in the sliding space along the
sliding direction; and a cover having at least one coupling hand in
the rear face thereof, the coupling hand being received inside the
sliding space of the main body and having a guide hole formed so as
to be inserted into the guide bar, which thereby is slid and
guided.
[0036] In the above appliance, the sliding space is formed, in
pairs, in the left and right side of the main body in such a way to
be depressed so as to have a "U" shaped cross-section, and the
coupling hand is formed, in pairs, at a position corresponding to
the sliding space, the lateral face of the coupling hand being
placed inwards of the lateral face of the cover. Alternatively, the
sliding space may be formed, in pairs, in a left and right side of
the main body in such a way to be depressed to have an "L" shaped
cross-section and be opened to the left and right lateral face, and
the coupling hand is formed, in pairs, at a position corresponding
to the sliding space, the lateral face of the coupling hand being
aligned with the lateral face of the cover.
[0037] According to another embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a slider-type appliance having a main body and a cover to
be opened and closed while sliding on the main body, wherein at
least one straight sliding space is provided in a sliding direction
along at least one of the left and right lateral faces of one of
the main body and the cover, and a guide bar is installed in the
sliding space along the sliding direction; and wherein the other
one of the main body and the cover is received inside the sliding
space while wrapping around a certain portion of the lateral face
of the one of the main body and the cover, and at least one
coupling hand is provided in the rear face thereof, the coupling
hand having a guide hole formed so as to be inserted into the guide
bar and slidably guided.
[0038] In the above appliance, the sliding space is formed, in
pairs, in the left and right thereof in such a way to be depressed
so as to have a "" shaped cross-section, and the coupling hand is
formed, in pairs, in a position corresponding to the sliding space
in such a way to enclose the pair of sliding spaces.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0039] As described above, according to the invention, a cellular
phone having a relatively small width W can achieve a desired
maximum sliding distance L, thereby enabling to meet recent design
requirements for cellular phones, pursuing a shorter, smaller and
thinner type.
[0040] In addition, when the upper body of the cellular phone is
tried to be pushed up to the uppermost state from the lowermost
state, or vice versa, a user does not need to push up the upper
body all the way up to the uppermost position or the lowermost
position. That is, if the user pushed up or down the slider or
guide member approximately halfway the maximum travel distance L,
the slider or guide member can travel the remaining distance to
thereby reach the uppermost or lowermost position, by means of the
resilient force of the torsion spring. Thus, an operational
convenience is provided when in use.
[0041] In particular, when sliding, the first and second guide bar
and the first and second guide hole are mainly cooperated with each
other to move relatively to each other, and the first and second
guide dam and the first and second guide rail are also cooperated
with each other so as not to be deviated or distorted from the
horizontal movement thereof, thereby enabling a smooth and stable
sliding motion of the slider and guide members.
[0042] Furthermore, the guide bar of the guide member and the guide
hole of the slider member are provided with a bearing and a buffer
rubber respectively, thereby alleviating contacting impact when
sliding, and reducing noise therefrom.
[0043] In addition, a resilient contact plate is interposed between
the slider member and the guide member so that the electrical
contact therebetween can be maintained while sliding, thereby
avoiding communication disorders, which may be caused by
electromagnetic waves.
[0044] In the sliding mechanism apparatus of the invention, a pair
of torsion springs is provided. The end portions of a variable arm
are pivotably connected to both end of a variable link, which is
provided in the slider member or the guide member. Thus, a dead
point, which is likely to occur at a balancing area between elastic
forces of the two torsion springs, can be minimized, thereby
avoiding the halting phenomenon when sliding and thus extending the
operational distance thereof. In addition, the variable arms of the
torsion springs are bent outwardly at a certain angle such that the
space required for pivot movement of the torsion springs can be
minimized, thereby providing benefits in miniaturization therefor
and reducing spring fatigue.
[0045] According to the invention, the end portions of the fixed
arms in the torsion springs are bent beforehand to form a latching
tip, and the guide member or the slider member is provided with an
elongated hole formed in a radial direction of rotation circle of
the fixed arm. Then, the latching tip is inserted into the
elongated hole, thereby simplifying the assembling work and not
necessitating a clearance between the elongated hole and the fixed
arm. Thus, when the fixed arm turns, wobbling phenomenon can be
avoided and thus friction can be minimized, along with reduction in
the noises and fatigue.
[0046] Furthermore, the rail in the slider member, which is
slidably engaged with the guide dam in the guide member, is
structured in such a manner that it is protruded so as to be
engaged with the guide dam only at the front and rearward certain
portions thereof, i.e. the intermediate portion of the rail is
omitted. Thus, a slight distortion or bending in the guide member
having an elongated rectangular plate shape does not interrupt the
smooth sliding of the slider member, thereby enhancing the
flexibility of the guide and coupling configuration thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more
fully understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0048] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0049] FIGS. 2 to 5 are plan views showing the assembled sliding
mechanism apparatus of FIG. 1, running between the uppermost
position and the lowermost position thereof;
[0050] FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan view and rear view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to a second embodiment of the
invention where the mechanism is assembled;
[0051] FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively assembled and exploded
perspective views of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG.
8;
[0053] FIGS. 11 to 14 are plan views showing the assembled sliding
mechanism apparatus of FIG. 8, running between the uppermost
position and the lowermost position thereof;
[0054] FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively an assembled perspective
view and an exploded perspective view of a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIGS. 17 and 18 are cross-sections taken along the lines B-B
and C-C respectively in FIG. 15;
[0056] FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively an assembled perspective
view and an exploded perspective view of a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0057] FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken along the line D-D in FIG.
19;
[0058] FIGS. 22 and 23 are respectively an exploded perspective
view and an assembled cross-section of a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
[0059] FIGS. 24 and 25 are assembled cross-sections of FIG. 22;
[0060] FIG. 26 is an assembled perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 27 is a cross-section taken along the line E-E line in
FIG. 26;
[0062] FIG. 28 is an assembled perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the
invention;
[0063] FIG. 29 is a cross-section taken along the line F-F in FIG.
28;
[0064] FIGS. 30 to 32 are plan views explaining a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;
[0065] FIGS. 33 and 34 are a cross-sectional view and a bottom view
explaining a fixing configuration of the fixed arm of a torsion
spring in the invention;
[0066] FIGS. 35 to 37 show a motion trajectory of torsion springs
in two different embodiments of the present invention;
[0067] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a modification of the
variable link in FIGS. 30 to 32;
[0068] FIGS. 39 and 40 are plan views showing the operation of a
sliding mechanism apparatus using the variable link of FIG. 38;
[0069] FIGS. 41 and 42 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 35 to 40;
[0070] FIGS. 43 and 44 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to an
eleventh embodiment of the invention;
[0071] FIGS. 45 and 46 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a
twelfth embodiment of the invention;
[0072] FIGS. 47 and 48 are respectively an assembled and exploded
view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a thirteenth
embodiment of the invention.
[0073] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
variable link according to the invention;
[0074] FIG. 50 is a cross-section showing a cylinder-type spring,
which can replace the torsion spring illustrated previously;
[0075] FIGS. 51 and 52 illustrate sliding mechanism apparatus
according to another embodiment of the invention, where the
cylinder-type spring of FIG. 50 is applied;
[0076] FIG. 53 is an exploded perspective view of an appliance
integrated with a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a
fourteenth embodiment of the invention;
[0077] FIG. 54 is a front view of the assembled appliance of FIG.
53;
[0078] FIG. 55 is a cross-section taken along the line G-G in FIG.
54;
[0079] FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of an appliance
according to another embodiment of the invention, where a guide bar
sliding mechanism is applied;
[0080] FIG. 57 is a front view of the assembled device of FIG. 56,
showing the sliding mechanism schematically;
[0081] FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment where a torsion spring is installed to obtain the
operational force of the sliding mechanism;
[0082] FIG. 59 is a front view showing an appliance integrated with
a sliding mechanism apparatus according to another embodiment of
the invention;
[0083] FIG. 60 is a cross-section taken along the line H-H in FIG.
59;
[0084] FIG. 61 is a cross-section of an appliance integrated with a
sliding mechanism apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0085] FIG. 62 is a cross section showing another embodiment of the
guide rail and the guide groove in FIG. 61;
[0086] FIG. 63 is a cross-section showing yet another embodiment of
the guide rail and the guide groove in FIG. 61; and
[0087] FIG. 64 is a cross-section of an appliance integrated with a
sliding mechanism apparatus according to a further embodiment of
the invention.
BEST MODE FOR INVENTION
[0088] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereafter
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0089] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
invention, where the sliding mechanism apparatus of the invention
is denoted at 100. The sliding mechanism apparatus 100 of this
embodiment includes a slider member 110, a first torsion spring
120, a second torsion spring 130, and a guide member 140.
[0090] The guide member 140 is comprised of a rectangular plate 142
and a first and second guide rails 144a and 144b elongated along
both opposing parallel edges thereof. The first and second guide
rails have a desired width and height respectively. In the outer
face of the first guide rail 144a and the second guide rail 144b is
formed respectively a first and second guide rail groove 146a, 146b
in the longitudinal direction thereof. In addition, approximately
in the middle of the first guide rail 144a is formed a V-shape
groove 149a, and a connection hole 148a is formed at the apex of
the V-shape groove 149a. Similarly, in the second guide rail 144b
are formed a V-shape groove 149b and a connection hole 148a.
However, the positions of the two connection holes 148a and 148b
are offset by a certain length. The V-shape grooves 149a and 149b
formed in front of the connection holes 148a and 148b functions not
to impede the pivot motion of the first torsion spring 120 and the
second torsion spring 130. In the rear face of the guide member 140
is formed a connection hole for fixing the upper body of a cellular
phone (a cover: not shown), for example, a plurality of connection
holes having a thread formed therein (not shown, refer to a
connection hole 245 formed a guide member 249 in FIG. 7).
[0091] The slider member 110 is coupled to the guide member 140 so
as to enable to slide in a linear direction. For this purpose, the
slider member 110 is comprised of a rectangular plate 112 and a
first and second rail 114a, 114b protruded along both opposing
parallel edges thereof. The first rail 114a and the second rail
114b are slidably engaged respectively with the first guide rail
groove 146a and the second guide rail groove 146b of the guide
member 140. The rectangular plate 112 of the slider member 110 has
two connection holes 118a and 118b formed near the central area
thereof so as to be placed spaced apart from each other having a
central line CL in-between, which divides the width of the slider
member into two equal portions. In the rear face of the slider
member 110 are formed a plurality of connection holes 116a to 116d
for fixing the lower body (a main body: not shown) of a cellular
phone.
[0092] The first torsion spring 120 includes a first coil 122 wound
generally in a circular form, and two arms 124a and 124b extended
from both ends of the first coil 122 by a certain length
respectively. The end portion of the two arms 124a and 124b are
bent at a right angle. The first torsion spring 120 is to be
disposed in a space formed between the slider member 110 and the
guide member 140 when they are engaged with each other. In
addition, in the first torsion spring 120, the end portion of one
arm 124a thereof is pivotably inserted into the connection hole
148a and the end portion of the other arm 124b is pivotably
inserted into the connection hole 118b of the slider member
110.
[0093] Similar to the first torsion spring 120, the second torsion
spring 130 is comprised of a second coil 132 and two arms 134a and
134b extended therefrom by a certain distance. The end portion of
the arm 134a, 134b is bent. In the second torsion spring 130, the
end portion of one arm 134a is pivotably inserted into the
connection hole 148b of the guide member 140 and the end portion of
the other arm 134b is pivotably inserted into the connection hole
118a of the slider member 110.
[0094] In the first torsion spring 120, the angle formed by the two
arms 124a and 124b is preferred to be as wide as possible when no
external force is exerted thereto. The second torsion spring 130 is
the same as above. It is because the wider the angle between the
two arms is, the longer distance the slider member 120 can run.
[0095] As described above, the sliding mechanism apparatus 100 is
assembled and then the upper body and the lower body of a cellular
phone are thread-connected to the guide member 140 and the slider
member 110 respectively, thereby completing a slider-type cellular
phone (not shown).
[0096] FIGS. 2 to 5 are plan views showing the assembled sliding
mechanism apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, running between the uppermost
position and the lowermost position thereof. When no external force
is exerted, the torsion springs 120 and 130 are forced to spread as
wide as possible. Thus, when no external force is exerted, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, the slider member 110 is biased extremely
towards the upper side of the guide member 140 (hereinafter,
referred to as an "uppermost position or state"), or as shown in
FIG. 5, the slider member 110 is biased extremely towards the lower
side of the guide member 140 (hereinafter, referred to as a
"lowermost position or state").
[0097] For example, at the uppermost state of FIG. 2, if a user
exerts an external force to the upper and lower bodies of the
cellular phone in opposite directions, then the slider member 110
moves downwards and the guide member 140 moves upwards. During this
course of action, the first torsion spring 120 and the second
torsion spring 130, which has been spread at an obtuse angle, are
folded at an acute angle and the coils 122 and 132 of the two
torsion springs 120 and 130 are placed in the lower half area of
the guide member 140, as shown in FIG. 3. When the external force
is continued, the slide member 110 moves further downwards and the
coils 122 and 132 of the two torsion springs 120 and 130 are placed
in the upper half area of the guide member 140, as shown in FIG. 4.
After the coils 122 and 132 of the two torsion springs 120 and 130
are advanced into the upper half area of the guide member 140, the
slider member 110 is spontaneously moved into the lowermost state,
as shown in FIG. 5, due to the restoring force of the torsion
springs 120 and 130, without necessity of exerting a further
external force.
[0098] In this way, the slider member 110 travels from the
uppermost position to the lowermost position. The positional change
from the lowermost state to the uppermost state can be performed in
the reverse order of the above, i.e., from FIG. 5 to FIG. 2.
[0099] At the uppermost state or the lowermost state, the two
torsion springs 120 and 130 is forcibly biased upwardly or
downwardly by means of their resilient force, thereby carrying out
a latch function.
[0100] It should be noted in particular that the sliding mechanism
apparatus 110 is designed such that the moving distance L of the
slider member 110 relative to the width W of the guide member 140
can be maximized. In order to lengthen the maximum moving distance
L of the slider member 110, the transversal spacing of the slider
member 110 needs to be utilized maximally. For this purpose, the
invention is especially designed, with respect to the connection
positions of the two torsion springs 120 and 130 to the slider
member 110 and the guide member 140. Specifically, in case where
the end of one arm 124a in the first torsion spring 120 is placed
near the edge of the guide member 140, the end of the other arm
124b thereof is placed within the left half area of the slider
member 110 (within the area below the centerline CL in FIG. 2).
Similarly, the arm 134b of the second torsion spring 130 is placed
within the right half area of the slider member 110.
[0101] Dissimilar to the above mode (hereinafter, referred to as a
"first mode"), if the arm 124b of the first torsion spring 120 is
connected within the right half area of the slider member 110 and
the arm 134b of the second torsion spring 130 is connected within
the left half area of the slider member 110 (hereinafter, referred
to as a "second mode"), the maximum moving distance L of the slider
member 110 will be reduced significantly, as compared to the above
first mode. This is because the transversal spacing (the width W)
of the guide member 140 fails to be utilized in a maximal
manner.
[0102] The maximum moving distance L of the slider member 110 and
the width of the guide member 140 are related with each other. If
the width W is reduced, the maximum moving distance L is
restricted. The first mode is more favorable rather than the second
mode, in order to obtain the maximum moving distance L with a
reduced width W of the guide member 140. It is because the first
mode utilizes the width W (transversal spacing) in a maximum
fashion when the two torsion springs 120 and 130 are compressed and
expanded while pivoting.
[0103] The cellular phone needs to be designed in a shorter,
smaller and thinner form. The first mode is more preferable in
order to obtain a desired maximum moving distance L while
minimizing the width W of the slider member 110 and the guide
member 140. Thus, when designing a cellular phone, the first mode
is more suitable to conform to the shorter, smaller and thinner
type of cellular phone.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0104] FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan view and rear view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to a second embodiment of the
invention where the mechanism is assembled and denoted at 200. The
structure and coupling mode of a slider member 210 and a guide
member 240 differ from the first embodiment.
[0105] The guide member 240 is formed of a rectangular plate 242
with a first and second guide bar 244a, 244b extended along the
opposing parallel sides thereof. Near the middle of both edges of
the rectangular plate 242 is formed V-shape grooves offset by a
certain distance, at the apex of which a connection hole 248a, 248b
is formed respectively. One arm 224a of a first torsion spring 220
and one arm 234a of a second torsion spring 230 are pivotably
inserted into the two connection holes 248a and 248b
respectively.
[0106] The slider member 210 is formed of a rectangular plate 212,
in opposing parallel edges of which a slide-coupling hand 244a,
244b is formed in such a way as to be slidably inserted into the
first and second guide bar 244a, 244b respectively. In addition, in
the rectangular plate of the slider member 210 is formed a
connection hole 218a, to which the other arm of the first torsion
spring 220 is coupled, and a connection hole 218b, to which the
other arm of the second torsion spring 230 is coupled.
[0107] The position of the two connection holes 248a and 248b in
the guide member 240 and the position of the two connection holes
218a and 218b are configured in the same manner as in the previous
first embodiment. In addition, similar to the first embodiment, the
rear faces of the guide member 240 and the slider member 210 are
provided with a plurality of connection holes 245 and 214b for
combining the upper body and lower body of a cellular phone.
Furthermore, the sliding mechanism apparatus 200 according to the
second embodiment is operated in the same manner as in the first
embodiment, and thus details thereon will not be repeated here.
[0108] Additionally, in the previously mentioned first embodiment,
the widthwise spacing between the first connection hole 118a of the
slider member 110 and the second connection hole 118b of the guide
member 140 is preferred to be the same as the widthwise spacing
between the second connection hole 118b of the slider member 110
and the first connection hole 148a of the guide member 140. If the
two widthwise spacing is different from each other, the slide
member 110 becomes biased to the right and left thereof so that a
smooth sliding motion can not be achieved. This point is applied to
the second embodiment in the same way.
[0109] FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a sliding mechanism apparatus
according to a third embodiment of the invention where the
mechanism is denoted at 300. FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively
assembled and exploded perspective views of a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to the third embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 8.
[0110] The sliding mechanism apparatus 300 of this embodiment
comprises a guide member 310, a slider member 320 sliding on the
guide member 310, and a first and second torsion spring 330, 340
assisting in the sliding movement of the slider member 320.
[0111] Specifically, the guide member 310 is comprised of a
rectangular plate 312 and a first and second guide bar 350a, 350b
mounted along both opposing parallel lateral faces of the
rectangular plate 312. The first and second guide bar 350a, 350b is
spaced apart by a certain distance from both lateral faces of the
rectangular plate 312. Both ends of the guide bar are fixed to an
upper and lower finishing crossbar 314, 316. In this embodiment,
the first and second guide bar 350a, 350b is formed of a rod having
a circular cross-section, but may be formed of a rod having a
rectangular cross-section or a polygonal cross-section. The upper
and lower ends of the first and second guide bar 350a, 350b is
covered with a buffer rubber and then inserted and fixed into the
upper and lower finishing crossbar 314, 316. The upper and lower
buffer rubbers 352a, 352a', 352b, 352b' has a cap-like shape so as
to cover the end portion of the first and second guide bar 350a,
350b. The buffer rubber functions to prevent the guide member 310
and the slide member 320 from being collided directly and further
maintain the parallelism of the first and second guide bar 350a,
350b during sliding of the slide member 320.
[0112] Approximately at the middle of both edges of the rectangular
plate 312 is provided a connection hole 312a, 312b respectively
formed near the edge so as to be offset to each other by a certain
distance. Into the two connection holes 312a and 312b are pivotably
inserted one arm 332a of the first torsion spring 330 and one arm
342a of the second torsion spring 340. In the guide member 310 are
formed connection holes 314a, 314b, 316a and 316b for fixing the
upper body (commonly referred to as a "cover": not shown) of a
cellular phone. The connection holes 314a, 314b, 316a, 316b are
preferred to be formed one at the left and right side of the upper
and lower finishing crossbar, i.e., one at each corner, totally
four (4) connection holes. As illustrated, when the upper body is
moved to the uppermost position relative to the lower body, the
upper finishing crossbar 314 is exposed. Thus, inside the
connection holes 314a and 314b formed in the left and right side of
the upper finishing crossbar 314 is formed a female thread, through
which the upper body can be bolt-fastened thereto, thereby not
allowing the connection holes 314a, 314b to be exposed to the
outside. The connection holes 316a and 316b, which are provided to
the right and left of the lower finishing crossbar 316 and not
exposed all the time, are more preferred to be made in the form of
a through-hole, which can be used for a bolt-nut fastening.
[0113] In both lateral faces of the rectangular plate 312 are
formed a first and second guide dams 318a and 318b, which faces
respectively the first and second guide bars 350a and 350b. More
specifically, the first guide dam 318a facing the first guide bar
350a and the second guide dam 318b facing the second guide bar 350b
form a pair of parallel linear projections, which are extended
along the lateral sides of the rectangular plate 312.
[0114] The slider member 320 is combined with the guide member 310
so as to enable to slide in a linear direction. For this purpose,
the slider member 320 is provided with a first and second
slide-coupling hand 324a, 324b formed along both opposing parallel
edges of a rectangular base plate 322. In the first and second
slide-coupling hand 324a, 324b is formed respectively a first and
second guide hole 326a, 326b, which is inserted into the first and
second guide bar 350a, 350b respectively so as to be slid thereon.
The first and second guide hole 326a, 326b is provided with
bearings 327a, 327a', 327b, 327b' inserted and mounted, in pairs,
respectively at the upper and lower side thereof, in order to
alleviate friction with the first and second guide bar 350a, 350b
when sliding thereon. Among the bearings 327a, 327a', 327b, 327b',
the upper bearings 327a, 327b is slightly protruded from the slide
member 320 and the lower bearings 327a', 327b' are completed
inserted and sunken inside the slide member 320. Correspondingly,
an upper and lower buffer rubbers 352a, 352a', 352b, 352b' are
covered on the upper and lower end portions of the first and second
guide bars 350a and 350b of the guide member 310. The upper buffer
rubbers 352a, 352b are completely inserted and sunken under the
surface of the upper finishing crossbar 314 by a certain depth, and
the lower buffer rubbers 352a' and 353b' is slightly protruded from
the surface of the lower finishing crossbar 316. Thus, the buffer
rubbers 352a and 352b is prevented from being exposed in the upper
finishing crossbar 316, which may be exposed when sliding, thereby
not spoiling the appearance thereof. By means of the above
construction, the guide member 310 and the slider member 30 are not
directly contacted, but the corresponding upper and lower bearings
327a, 327a', 327b, 327b' and the upper and lower buffer rubbers
353a, 352a', 352b, 352b' are contacted with each other, thereby
lessening impact in-between and noise therefrom.
[0115] The first and second slide-coupling hand 324a, 324b is
provided with a first and second rail 328a, 328b protruded inwards
thereof and facing each other. The first rail 328a and the second
rail 328b are slidably engaged respectively with the first guide
dam 318a and the second guide dam 318b of the guide member 310.
Here, a certain clearance is provided between the first and second
rail 328a, 328b and the first and second guide dam 318a, 318b
engaged therewith, so that they are not contacted with each other
when sliding. The sliding movement is executed predominantly by the
first and second guide bar 350a, 350b and the first and second
guide hole 326a, 326b, and the first and second guide dam 318a,
318b and the first and second rail 328a, 328b function to prevent
the sliding motion from being tilted or deviated from its
horizontal movement, thereby enabling a stable travelling of the
slider member 320 along the guide member 310.
[0116] In the central area of the rectangular base plate 322 of the
slider member 320 are formed two connection holes 329a and 329b, to
which one end of the first and second torsion spring 330 and 340 is
fixed respectively. Each of two connections holes 329a, 329b is
placed spaced apart from the centerline CL, which divides the width
of the slider member 320 into two equal portions. Similarly, in the
slider member 320 are formed a plurality of connection holes 320a
to 320d for fixing the lower body (not shown) of a cellular
phone.
[0117] The first torsion spring 330 is comprised of a first coil
334 wound generally in a circular form and two arms 332a and 332b
extended from the first coil 334 by a certain desired distance. The
end of the arms 332a, 332b is bent approximately at a right angle.
The first torsion spring 330 is disposed in a space formed between
the slider member 320 and the guide member 310 engaged with each
other. In addition, the end of one arm 332a is pivotably inserted
into the connection hole 312a of the guide member 310, and the end
of the other arm 332b thereof is pivotably inserted into the
connection hole 329a of the slider member 320.
[0118] Similar to the first torsion spring 330, the second torsion
spring 340 is comprised of a second coil 344 and two arms 342a and
342b extended therefrom by a certain length. The ends of the two
arms 342a and 342b are bent. The end of one arm 342a of the second
torsion spring 340 is pivotably inserted into the connection hole
312b of the guide member 310 and the end of the other arm 342b
thereof is pivotably inserted into the connection hole 329b of the
slider member 320.
[0119] In the first torsion spring 330, the angle between the two
arms 332a and 332b is preferred to be as wide as possible when no
external force is exerted thereto. The second torsion spring 340 is
the same as above. It is because the wider the angle between the
two arms is, the longer distance the slider member 320 can
travel.
[0120] As described above, the sliding mechanism apparatus 300 is
assembled and then the upper body and the lower body of a cellular
phone are thread-connected to the guide member 310 and the slider
member 320 respectively, thereby completing a slider-type cellular
phone (not shown). Typically, when a slider-type cellular phone is
used, the lower body thereof is gripped by a user's hand and the
upper body corresponding to the cover thereof is pushed upwardly.
Practically, therefore, the guide member fixed to the upper body
moves on the slider member fixed to the lower body. As described
above, optimally the guide member and the slider member are fixed
to the upper body and the lower body respectively of a cellular
phone. However, since the slider member and the guide member
perform a movement relatively to each other, the guide member may
be attached to the lower body and the slider member may be attached
to the upper body, without causing any operational
interference.
[0121] FIGS. 11 to 14 are plan views showing the assembled sliding
mechanism apparatus 300 of FIG. 8, running between the uppermost
position and the lowermost position thereof. When no external force
is exerted, the torsion springs 330 and 340 are forced to spread as
wide as possible. Thus, when no external force is exerted, as
illustrated in FIG. 11, the slider member 320 is biased extremely
towards the upper side of the guide member 310 (hereinafter,
referred to as a "lowermost position or state"), or as shown in
FIG. 14, the slider member 320 is biased extremely towards the
lower side of the guide member 310 (hereinafter, referred to as an
"uppermost position or state"). Here, assuming that the slider
member 320 is fixed and the guide member 310 is moved on the slider
member 320, the terms "uppermost position or state" mean where the
guide member 310 is positioned relatively at the lowest position
when the slider member 320 is placed in the highest side of the
guide member 310. The term "lowermost position or state" means the
opposite state.
[0122] For example, at the lowermost state of FIG. 11, if a user
exerts an external force to the upper and lower bodies of the
cellular phone in opposite directions, then the slider member 320
moves downwards and the guide member 310 moves upwards. During this
course of action, the first torsion spring 330 and the second
torsion spring 340, which has been spread at an obtuse angle, are
folded at an acute angle and the coils 334 and 344 of the two
torsion springs 330 and 340 are placed in the upper half area of
the guide member 310, as shown in FIG. 12. When the external force
is continued, the guide member 310 moves further upwards and the
coils 334 and 344 of the two torsion springs 330 and 340 are placed
in the lower half area of the guide member 310, as shown in FIG.
13. After the coils 334 and 344 of the two torsion springs 330 and
340 are advanced into the lower half area of the guide member 310,
the guide member 310 is spontaneously moved into the uppermost
state, as shown in FIG. 14, due to the restoring force of the
torsion springs 330 and 340, without necessity of exerting a
further external force.
[0123] In particular, the two torsion springs 330 and 340 biases
the guide member 310 upwards or downward by means of its resilient
force, so that the guide member can remain stopped in the uppermost
position or the lowermost position.
[0124] Through the above course of action, the guide member 310
travels from the lowermost position to the uppermost position. The
positional change from the uppermost state to the lowermost state
can be performed in the reverse order of the above, i.e., from FIG.
14 to FIG. 11.
[0125] FIGS. 15 to 18 show a sliding mechanism apparatus according
to a fourth embodiment of the invention where the mechanism is
denoted at 400. FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively an assembled
perspective view and an exploded perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the
invention. FIGS. 17 and 18 are cross-sections taken along the lines
B-B and C-C respectively in FIG. 15. This embodiment differs from
the third embodiment in the structure of a first and second guide
dam 418a, 418b of a guide member 410 and a first and second rail
428a, 428b of a slider member 420, and their connection mode.
[0126] More specifically, a first and second guide dam 418a, 418b,
which are formed in parallel along both lateral edges of the
rectangular plate 412, are respectively divided into an upper first
and second guide dam 418a', 418b' and a lower first and second
guide dam 418a'', 418b''. The upper first and second guide dam
418a', 418b' is protruded from the rear side (opposite side of the
slider member) and the lower first and second guide dam 418a'',
418b'' is protruded from the front side (the slider member side).
In particular, the upper first and second guide dam 418a', 418b'
protruded backwards is formed over the 1/3.about.1/4 length of the
rectangular plate 412, and the lower first and second guide dam
418a'', 418b'' is formed over the remaining length thereof. The
upper first and second guide dam 418a', 418b' is made to have a
length shorter than that of the slider member 420, so that a
certain lower end portion of the first and second rail 428a, 428b
can be engaged with the lower first and second guide dam 418a'',
418b'' when the slider member 420 is placed in the uppermost of the
guide member 410. In addition, the upper finishing crossbar 414 is
provided with an engaging dam 414', 414'' protruded towards the
rectangular plate 412 so as to have the same height and thickness
as the lower first and second guide dam 418a'', 418b'', such that
an upper certain portion of the first and second rail 428a, 428b is
engaged therewith to thereby prevent from being released
therefrom.
[0127] The first and second rail 428a, 428b of the slider member
420 is engaged with the lower first and second guide dam 418a'',
418b'' while accommodating them thereinside, and the upper first
and second guide dam 418a', 418b' is closely contacted with the
bottom face of the first and second rail 428a, 428b to thereby
support the slider member 420. For this purpose, the bottom portion
of the first and second rail 428a, 428b, which is to be contacted
with the upper first and second guide dam 418a', 418b', is made to
have a thinner thickness.
[0128] This embodiment has the same construction as in the third
embodiment, excepting the above-mentioned features, and details on
the same features will not be repeated here. However, in the third
embodiment, the lower finishing crossbar 316 is fabricated
separately from the rectangular plate 312 and fastened thereto
using a bolt, but in the fourth embodiment, the upper finishing
crossbar 414 is fabricated separately and fastened using a bolt
419.
[0129] FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively an assembled perspective
view and an exploded perspective view of a sliding mechanism
apparatus 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken along the line D-D in FIG. 19. The
fifth embodiment is structured almost in the same manner as in the
third embodiment, excepting a slight difference in the shapes of a
guide member 510 and the slider member 520. However, in the third
embodiment, the upper and lower bearing is protruded at one side
thereof from the slider member and at the other side thereof sunken
into the slider member, and correspondingly the upper and lower
buffer rubber is buried, at one side thereof, into the guide member
by a certain depth and, at the other side thereof, protruded from
the guide member. Dissimilarly, in this embodiment, an upper and
lower bearings 527a, 527a', 527b, 527b' are all sunken inside and a
buffer rubbers 552a, 552a', 552b, 552b' to be contacted with the
bearings are all protruded. In this case, the appearance may be
slightly spoiled, but the operation thereof doe not cause any
problem. That is, when the upper body of a cellular phone slides
upwards, the upper buffer rubber 552a, 552b comes to be exposed so
that it might spoil the external appearance thereof. However, on
the contrary, in case where the buffer rubber is installed so as to
protrude, the assembling procedure can be simplified to thereby
improve the assembling efficiency, as compared with the case of
burying the buffer rubber. In addition, the upper and lower
bearings may be all protruded, and the corresponding upper and
lower buffer rubbers may be all buried, so as to be contacted with
each other.
[0130] On the other hand, the fifth embodiment as described above
may be slightly modified into those constructions shown in FIGS. 22
and 23.
[0131] FIGS. 22 and 23 are respectively an exploded perspective
view and an assembled cross-section of a sliding mechanism
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. As
illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, a first and second slide-coupling
hand 624a, 624b, which is provided in both sides of a rectangular
base plate 622 in a slider member 620, is formed so as to be
shorter than the length of the rectangular base plate 622, not over
the entire length thereof. Thus, when in the uppermost or lowermost
position, the rectangular base plate 622 of the slider member 620
can run beyond an upper and lower finishing crossbar 614, 618, thus
extending the sliding distance of a slider-type cellular phone.
That is, if the rectangular base plate 622 of the slider member 620
and the guide bar 650a, 650b of the guide member 610 have the same
length as in the fifth embodiment, a more extended operating
distance can be achieved.
[0132] Further, the slider member 620 and the guide member 610 are
formed of a conductive metallic material and are all a mobile
member, which can affect the transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic wave of a cellular phone. In order to minimize the
effect of these two members on the transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic wave of a cellular phone, the electric potential of
the two members needs to be made the same as the reference
potential of the cellular phone. As one approach for this purpose,
the two members are electrically connected respectively to the
reference potential point of the cellular phone. As an alternative,
the conductive slider member 620 and the guide member 610 are made
to be electrically contacted with each other, even while carrying
out a sliding movement, thereby avoiding a potential difference
between the two members, and at the same time, the electrically
integrated two members are electrically connected to the reference
potential point of the cellular phone. That is, as shown in FIGS.
24 and 25, preferably, a contact plate 660 is fixed to the inner
side of the rail 628a of the slider member 620, which faces the
guide dam 618a of the guide member 610, thereby allowing for an
electrical contact between the two members. Here, the contact plate
660 is preferred to be formed of a leaf spring having resilience.
Thus, when the slider member 620 and the guide member 610 preform a
relative sliding movement, the contact plate 60 fixed inner side of
the rail 628a is moved while maintaining an elastic contact with
the guide dam 628a. The contact plate 660 may be fixed by means of
a fastener member such as a small bolt or screw, or may be welded
to the slider member. The contact plate 660 may be installed in any
places, so long as it can electrically connect the slider member
and the guide member with each other. This contact plate may be
applied to the previous third to fifth embodiments as well.
[0133] FIG. 26 is an assembled perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus 700 according to a seventh embodiment of the
invention, and FIG. 27 is a cross-section taken along the line E-E
line in FIG. 26. In this embodiment, which is modified from the
third embodiment, a guide dam 718a, 718b of a guide member 710 is
protruded along both lateral edges of the rectangular plate 712,
and a guide bar 750a, 750b is combined so as to be closely
contacted with the side face of the guide dam 718a, 718b. Here, the
side face of the guide dam 718a, 718b is provided with an inserting
groove 719a, 719b conforming to the curvature of the guide bar
750a, 750b, a certain portion of which thereby can be inserted. On
the other hand, the pair of first and second guide holes 726a,
726b, which are combined with the pair of first and second guide
bar 750a, 750b, are formed inwards of the slide-coupling hands
724a, 724b and facing each other. The first and second guide hole
726a, 726b is opened inwards thereof so as to have an arcuate
cross-section and wraps around part of the surface of the first and
second guide bar 750a, 750b. In this way, the first and second
guide hole 726a, 726b is opened towards one lateral side thereof to
thereby substantially constitute a groove, but is defined as a
hole, for the purpose of convenience of describing and defining
terms. In addition, outwards of the guide hole 726a, 726b are
formed guide rails 728a, 728b to be engaged with the guide dams
718a, 718b.
[0134] According to the above-described construction, a double
guiding structure is formed in such a manner that the
slide-coupling hands 724a, 724b of the slider member 720 wrap
around a certain portion of the guide bars 750a, 750b, and at the
same time the guide rail 728a, 728b is engaged with the guide dam
718a, 718b of the guide member 710. This structure is operated
almost the same manner as in the third embodiment and thus provides
almost the same effect as in the third embodiment. Therefore,
specific explanations thereon will not be repeated here.
[0135] FIG. 28 is an assembled perspective view of a sliding
mechanism apparatus 800 according to an eighth embodiment of the
invention, and FIG. 29 is a cross-section taken along the line F-F
in FIG. 28. In this embodiment, the guide dam and guide rail
structures are removed, and the relative sliding of a guide member
810 and a slider member 820 is guided through the engaging
structure of guide bars 850a, 850b and guide holes 826a, 826b. In
this sliding and guiding structure, the stability therefor is
slightly inferior to the previous embodiments, but the slider
member can be slid and guided without any hitch.
[0136] FIGS. 30 to 32 are plan views explaining a sliding mechanism
apparatus 900 according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.
[0137] As illustrated in the figures, a slider member 920 is
slidably coupled with a guide member 910. Between the guide member
910 and the slider member 920 is inserted a first and second
torsion spring 930, 940, which provides a driving force for a
sliding motion. That is, the first and second torsion spring 930,
940 forms an obtuse angle by a pair of arms 932a, 932b, 942a, 942b
extended from the coil portion 934, 944 thereof. One arm 932a, 942a
is fixed to the guide member 910 and the other arm 932b, 942b is
fixed to the slider member 920. When the guide member 910 and the
slider member 920 start a relative sliding motion, the arms 932a,
932b, 942a, 942b of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940
are compressed into an acute angle and then return to the original
state (obtuse angle), depending on the position thereof. Therefore,
if the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 goes beyond the
compression limit therefor, then they are restored and expanded
out, thus providing a moving force to enable to reach the final
destination point thereof.
[0138] As mentioned in the background art section, appliances such
as a cellular phone or the like using a sliding mechanism have
become gradually miniaturized. Thus, in order to reduce the width
of the sliding mechanism apparatus and increase the sliding
distance, the end portion of the arms of the first and second
torsion spring, which is fixed to the central area of the slider
member, is placed in both side of the widthwise centerline (which
is parallel to the sliding direction) in such a way that they are
spaced apart from the centerline and offset to each other. As the
result, when the slider member slides on the guide member, a dead
point (halting section) occurs a lot. In the present invention, the
end of the other variable arm 932b, 942b of the first and second
torsion spring 930, 940 is not fixed directly to the slider member
920. In order to solve the above problem, however, they are
pivotably fixed to a variable link 950 so as to face each other
with the link shaft 952 placed in-between. The variable link 950 is
configured so as to pivot at a certain angle approximately at a
central area of the slider member 920.
[0139] More specifically, the variable link 950 is rotatably fixed,
at its center, to the central area of the slider member 950 through
the link shaft 952. With the link shaft 952 placed in-between, the
end of the variable arm 932b of the first torsion spring 930 is
pivotably coupled to the left of the variable link 950, and the end
of the variable arm 942b of the second torsion spring 940 is
pivotably coupled to the right of the variable link 950. Here, the
variable arm 932b, 942b of the first and second torsion spring 930,
940 is slightly bent such that the operation angle of the springs
is reduced to thereby lessen the fatigue. Also, when the first and
second torsion spring 930, 940 is pivoted, interference with the
variable link 950 can be avoided, thereby overcoming the spatial
limitation and improving the restoring force of spring. According
to the above coupling structure of the variable link 950, the
fixing point (pivot axis) of the end portion of the variable arms
932b, 942b of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 is
varied as the guide member 910 and the slider member 920 slides
relative to each other. Here, the end portions of the fixed arms
932a, 942b of the first and second spring 930, 940 are rotatably
fixed at both edges of the guide member 910 in such a way as to be
slightly offset from the middle of the edges and rotate at its own
position. In this embodiment, the fixed arm 932a of the first
torsion spring 930 is fixed, in the left edge of the guide member
910, at a position slightly lower than the lengthwise centerline of
the guide member 910. The fixed arm 942a of the second torsion
spring 940 is fixed, in the right edge of the guide member 910, at
a position slightly higher than that of the fixed arm 932a of the
first torsion spring 930.
[0140] When the slider member 920 is placed in the lowermost
position, the variable link 950, to which the variable arm 932b,
942b of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 is fixed, is
inclined at a certain angle relative to the vertical line, as shown
in FIG. 30. At this time, the tilt angle .theta. of the variable
link 950 is preferred to be 20.about.60 degrees, more preferably
30.about.50 degrees. At this state, when the slide member 920
slides on the guide member 910 upwardly, the first and second
torsion spring 930, 940 is compressed such that the variable arms
932b, 942b thereof pushes the connection points of the variable
link 950, which thereby rotates about the link shaft 952 clockwise
to reach almost a horizontal state. Accordingly, the coil portion
934, 944 of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 is rotated
along a certain trajectory. As the result, a halting phenomenon
occurs at a point where the first and second torsion spring 930,
940 has the same restoring force, but in opposite directions to
each other. According to the invention, when the restoring forces
of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 become identical to
each other, the variable link 950 is turned in cooperation with the
action of the coil portions 934, 944 such that the restoring forces
can be exerted in a same direction, thereby avoiding creation of
dead points. Therefore, when the slide member 920 slides on the
guide member 910 or vice versa, the halting phenomenon, which
occurs where the spring forces of the two torsion springs are
balanced, can be prevented. That is, as shown in FIG. 31, when the
forces of the first and second torsion spring 930, 940 are
balanced, the variable link 950 comes to place in the horizontal
level, which is approximately perpendicular to the sliding
direction. Thus, the restoring forces of the two springs 930, 940
are made to exert in the same direction, i.e., in the sliding
direction, so that the sliding movement can be continued, without a
halting action. As the result, the slider member 920 comes to reach
the uppermost position on the guide member 910, as shown in FIG.
32. In the uppermost state, the first and second torsion spring 930
is expanded into their original states, i.e., into the obtuse
angle. At this state, the variable arm 932b pulls down the left
fixing point of the variable link 950 and the variable arm 942b of
the second torsion spring 940 pulls up the right fixing point of
the variable link 950, thereby turning the variable link
counterclockwise about the link shaft 952. In addition, the
variable arm 942b of the second torsion spring 940 is caught in the
link shaft 952 of the variable link 950 and thus the right fixing
point, to which the variable arm 942 is fixed, is pulled up to
thereby strengthen the turning force of the variable link.
Therefore, at the uppermost position, the variable link 950 remains
tilted at a certain angle, preferably, 30.about.50 degrees.
Resultantly, the sliding (travelling) distance is extended by a
displacement in the sliding direction, correspondingly to the
change of the variable link 950 from the horizontal level to a
tilted state. In view of the above results, the turning angle of
the variable link 950 can be designed, considering the fact that,
at the uppermost or the lowermost position, the closer the variable
link 950 is tilted to the vertical line, the longer the sliding
distance is extended.
[0141] In particular, in the first and second torsion spring 930,
940, the ratio of the length of the fixed arm 932a, 942a to that of
the variable arm 932b, 942b is preferred to be 1.5.about.2:1. In
addition, the variable arms 932b, 942b of the first and second
torsion spring 930, 940 fixed to the variable link 950 are bent so
as to expand the angle formed by the variable arms 932b, 942b.
Therefore, during the action of the torsion springs 930 and 940,
interference with the variable link 950 can be minimized and
consequently the spatial limitation can be alleviated.
[0142] FIGS. 33 and 34 are a cross-sectional view and a bottom view
explaining the fixing configuration of a fixed arm of a torsion
spring in the invention, which is a modified structure to solve the
prior art problem in connecting a fixed end of the conventional
torsion spring. In FIGS. 33 and 34, only the first torsion spring
is illustrated since the second torsion spring has the same fixing
structure as the first one.
[0143] Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the fixed arm 932a of the
torsion spring 930 is pivotably fixed to a fixed point of the guide
member 910 in such a way that an elongated hole 912 is formed in
the guide member 910 in the radial direction of rotation and the
bent end of the fixe arm 932a of the torsion spring 930 is inserted
into the elongated hole 912 so as to be retreated to the rearmost
of the hole 912 by means of the resilience of the spring, thus
being fixed. Then, the bent end 932a' thereof is placed inside a
guide groove 914 formed in the rear face of the elongated hole 912
and fixed thereto. Since the spring force always acts outwardly
(the arrow a), the fixed arm 932a is prevented from being escaped
when turning at its own position. Here, the length l.sub.1 of the
elongated hole 912 is made slightly longer than the length l.sub.2
of the bent end 932a', and the width of the elongated hole 912 is
made almost the same as the diameter of the fixed arm 932a, thereby
avoiding wobbling of the fixed arm 932a in the widthwise direction
after being inserted. Thus, as depicted in the one-dot chain line
in FIG. 33, if the bent end 932 is inserted from above and then
released, the compressed spring is spread and at the same time the
bent end 932a' advances forward to thereby be caught onto the guide
groove 914. That is, the end of the fixed arm 932 is bent
beforehand and then can be simply inserted into the elongated hole
912 formed in the radial direction, thereby enabling a simple and
easy fixing of torsion springs in the miniaturized sliding shutter
structure, as compared with the conventional way. In the
conventional method, a fixed arm is inserted into a circular
connection hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of the
fixed arm (iron wire) and then its end portion is bent from the
behind and fixed. In particular, in this connection structure, the
elongated hole 912 is formed in the radial direction of rotation
and the resilient force of the bend end 932a' acts outwards, so
that the fixed arm 932a is biased outwards inside the elongated
hole 912 and thus always closely contacted against the outermost
inner wall of the elongated hole 912. Also, the fixed arm 932a is
inserted so as not to be wobbled in the widthwise direction, so
that friction can be minimized when the fixed arm 932a turns and
thus the friction noise can be reduced. Furthermore, since the bent
end 932a' is not wobbled in the connection area and turns at its
own position in a stable manner, thereby extending the service life
thereof, due to reduction in load and fatigue when in use.
[0144] FIGS. 35 to 37 show a motion trajectory of torsion springs
in two different modes of the present invention, where the solid
line indicates a first mode having a variable link and the dot line
indicates a second mode without having a variable link. In the
figures, assuming that the first and second modes of the invention
employ torsion springs having a same spring force, the trajectories
at the lowermost, middle, and uppermost state only are illustrated.
Here, the angle of uncompressed spring is 130 degrees and the angle
of maximally compressed spring is 20 degrees. When the slider
member slides on the guide member, the trajectories of the first
and second torsion springs are shown in FIGS. 35 to 37 and the
resultant compression angle is summarized in the following
table.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Torsion spring angles in the first and
second mode of the invention First mode Second mode .alpha..sub.1
110.degree. .beta..sub.1 95.degree. .alpha..sub.2 130.degree.
.beta..sub.2 120.degree. .alpha..sub.3 65.degree. .beta..sub.3
45.degree. .alpha..sub.4 65.degree. .beta..sub.4 45.degree.
.alpha..sub.5 130.degree. .beta..sub.5 120.degree. .alpha..sub.6
120.degree. .beta..sub.6 115.degree.
[0145] In the above table, .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.3,
.alpha..sub.5 indicate an angle between the fixed arm 932a and the
variable arm 932b of the first torsion spring 930 at the lowermost,
middle, uppermost position thereof and its value is 110, 65, and
130 degrees respectively. It means that the angle between the arms
is variable within 65 degrees. In addition, .alpha..sub.2,
.alpha..sub.4, .alpha..sub.6 indicate an angle between the fixed
arm 942a and the variable arm 942b of the second torsion spring 940
at the lowermost, middle, uppermost position thereof and its value
is 130, 65, and 120 degrees respectively. It means that the angle
between the arms is variable within 65 degrees, which is the
maximum operation angle.
[0146] In contrast, in case of the second mode, the angle
.beta..sub.1, .beta..sub.3, .beta..sub.5 of the first torsion
spring 30 at the lowermost, middle, uppermost position is 95, 45,
and 120 degrees respectively, and it is operated within 75 degrees
of maximum operation angle. Similarly, the angle .beta..sub.2,
.beta..sub.4, .beta..sub.6 of the first torsion spring 40 at the
lowermost, middle, uppermost position is 120, 45, and 115 degrees
respectively, and it is operated within 75 degrees of maximum
operation angle.
[0147] As described above, in the first mode of the invention, the
first torsion spring 930 has a maximum 65 degrees of operation
angle. In contrast, the second mode of the invention has a maximum
75 degrees of operation angle, which is 10 degrees more than the
present invention. Thus, the second mode causes more fatigue. In
case of the second torsion spring 940, 40, the first mode has a
maximum 65 degrees of operation angle, but the second mode has a
maximum 75 degrees of operation angle, which is 10 degrees more
than the first mode and thus leads to more fatigue when in use. In
addition, the second one is operated in a wider range of
compression angle (120.about.45 degrees), rather than the first
mode (130.about.65 degrees), based on the original angle of 130
degrees.
[0148] Furthermore, the variable link 950 remains tilted at the
lowermost position, while sliding, assumes a horizontal level, and
remains tilted in the opposite direction at the uppermost position.
At this time, the tilting is executed by means of the restoring
force and interference of the torsion springs 930, 940. At the
lowermost state, the variable arm 932b of the first torsion spring
930 pulls down the left side of the variable link 950 and the
variable arm 943b of the second torsion spring 940 pushes up the
right side of the variable link 950, thereby biasing the variable
link counterclockwise about the link shaft 952. In addition, at the
uppermost position, the variable arm 932b of the first torsion
spring 930 pulls down the left side of the variable link 950 and
the variable arm 942b of the second torsion spring 940 pushes up
the right side of the variable link 950, thereby biasing the
variable link counterclockwise about the link shaft 952. Therefore,
at the lowermost position, the sliding distance is extended
downwards by a distance d1, as compared with the second mode having
a fixed end. At the uppermost state, the sliding distance is
extended upwardly by a distance d2. If the distances d1 and d2 are
identical, the first mode of mechanism can extend the sliding
distance by twice d1 (or d2), relatively to the second mode
mechanism according to the invention. It should be noted that both
the above modes are included in the present invention, which solves
the prior art problems.
[0149] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a modification of the
variable link in FIGS. 30 to 32, and FIGS. 39 and 40 are plan view
showing the operation of a sliding mechanism apparatus using the
variable link of FIG. 38.
[0150] In this embodiment, in the face of the variable link 950a,
which faces the variable arms 932b, 942b of the first and second
torsion spring 930, 940, is formed a pivot guide projection 954,
preferably which enables a more smooth tilting of the variable link
950a at the uppermost position and the lowermost position. The
pivot guide projection 954 is provided with a first slant face 954a
and a second slant face 954b, which face each other with the link
shaft 953 in-between. At the lowermost state, the first slant face
954a is contacted with the variable arm 932b of the first torsion
spring 930, thereby pivoting the variable link 950a. At the
uppermost position, the second slant face 954b is contacted with
the variable arm 942b of the second torsion spring 940, thereby
pivoting the variable link 950a.
[0151] By means of the pivot guide projection 954 having the first
slant face 954a and the second slant face 954b, the variable link
950a performs a more reliable and smooth tilting (pivoting) at the
uppermost position and the lowermost position. For example, when
the slider member 920 slides on the guide member 910 to reach the
uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 39, the end portion of the
variable 942b of the second torsion spring 940 is turned while
pressing the facing second slant face 954b of the pivot guide
projection 954, thereby turning the variable link 950a about the
link shaft 952. Accordingly, the slider member 920 can come to
further slide as much as the variable link 950a is pivoted to
extend the sliding distance. On the contrary, when the slider
member 920 slides down on the guide member 910 to reach the
lowermost state, as shown in FIG. 40, the variable arm 932b of the
first torsion spring 930 is turned while pressing the first slant
face 954a, thereby pivoting the variable link 950a about the link
shaft 952. In this case, similarly, the slider member 920 further
slides as much as the variable link 950a is pivoted to extend the
sliding distance. The mechanism of the invention extends the
sliding distance as much as the variable link 950a is pivoted in
the sliding direction, at the uppermost and lowermost state.
[0152] FIGS. 41 and 42 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of the tenth embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 35 to 40.
[0153] In this embodiment, the guide member 910 is provided with a
first and second guide bar 912a, 912b spaced apart from both edges
thereof, and a first and second guide dam 914a, 914b formed at both
lateral edges thereof. The slider member 920 is provided with
coupling hands 922a and 922b at both edges thereof, which are
slidably joined with the guide member 910. The coupling hands 922a
and 922b are provided with a first and second guide hole 924a, 924b
through which the first and second guide bar 912a, 912b passes, and
a first and second rail 926a, 926b into which the first and second
guide dam 914a, 914b is inserted.
[0154] In the above connection configuration of the guide member
910 and the slider member 920, a first and second torsion spring
930, 940 is disposed between the guide member and the slider member
such that the operating force can be increased when sliding
relative to each other. In the first and second torsion spring 930,
940, one end thereof is pivotably fixed approximately at the middle
of both edges of the guide member 910 and the other end thereof is
pivotably fixed to the slider member 920 through a variable link
950a.
[0155] The variable link 950a is rotatably connected approximately
to the central area of the slider member 920 through the link shaft
952, and the variable ends of the first and second torsion spring
930, 940 are coupled to both ends of the variable link 950a. The
variable link of this embodiment employs the previous variable link
950 or 950a, of which structure and operation has been explained
above and will not be repeated here.
[0156] The first and second torsion spring 930, 940 is comprised of
a central coil portion 934, 944 and a pair of straight arms 932a,
932b, 942a, 942b extended from the coil portion 934, 944 and
forming a certain angle. The end portions of these arms 932a, 932b,
942a, 942b are fixed to the guide member 910 and the slider member
920. In particular, the end portion of the arm 932b, 942b is not
directly fixed to the guide member 920, but pivotably coupled
thereto through a variable link 950a. Therefore, when the slider
member 920 slides on the guide member 910 or vice versa, the first
and second torsion spring 930, 940 is turned while compressing and
expanding, and accordingly, the variable link 950a is tilted and
returned repeatedly on the slider member 920 within a certain range
of angle. Resultantly the sliding distance is lengthened and the
halting phenomenon at a dead point can be avoided. The principle
thereof has been described above in detail.
[0157] FIGS. 43 and 44 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to an
eleventh embodiment of the invention.
[0158] This embodiment has almost the same structure as in the
previous embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 41 and 42. In this
embodiment, a first and second guide holes 1024a, 1024b of the
slider member 1020 moves along a first and second guide bar 1012a,
1012b provided in both sides of the guide member 1010.
Additionally, a first and second rail 1026a, 1026b is guided and
moved along a first and second guide dam 1014a, 1014b of the guide
member 1010. At this time, the driving force for sliding is
provided through the first and second torsion spring 1030, 1040 and
the variable link 1050, which are connected to the guide member
1010 and the slider member 1020 in the same manner as in the
previous embodiment. In the sliding mechanism apparatus having the
above double-guiding configuration, the first and second torsion
spring 1030, 1040, which is a major feature of the invention, may
employ a variable link 1050 to provide a variable shaft structure
in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Thus, details
thereon will not be repeated here.
[0159] FIGS. 45 and 46 are respectively an assembled and exploded
perspective view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a
twelfth embodiment of the invention.
[0160] In this embodiment, a first and second guide bar 112a, 112b
is mounted on both edges of the guide member 1110, and the slider
member 1020 is provided with a coupling hand 1122a, 1122b having a
first and second guide hole 1124a, 1124b formed therein so as to be
slidably engaged with the first and second guide bar 1112a, 1112b.
In addition, the fixed arm 1132a, 1142a of a first and second
torsion spring 1130, 1140 is connected to the guide member 1110 so
as to rotate about its connection point. The variable arm 1132b,
1142b thereof is coupled to the slider member 1020 through a
variable link 1050 so as to be pivoted while moving the supporting
point (pivot axis). In this embodiment, the variable and fixing
configuration of the torsion springs 1130 and 1140, which
constitutes the major feature of the invention, employs the
principles of FIGS. 30 to 32 as they are, excepting the
slide-guiding structure. The coupling structure of the fixed end of
the torsion springs 1130 and 1140 employs those of FIGS. 33 and 34.
These are described above in detail and thus will not be repeated
here.
[0161] FIGS. 47 and 48 are respectively an assembled and exploded
view of a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a thirteenth
embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the fixed arm and
the variable arm of the first and second torsion spring is
connected to the slider member and the guide member respectively,
the opposite to the previous embodiments. Thus, the variable link
is coupled with the guide member.
[0162] As illustrated, the variable link 1250 is rotatably fixed
approximately to the center of the guide member 1210 through the
link shaft 1252. In the first and second torsion spring 1230, 1240,
the end portion of the variable arm 1232b, 1242b is pivotably
coupled to both sides of the variable link 1250, and the end
portion of the fixed arm 1232a, 1242a is pivotably connected near
the widthwise left and right edge of the slider member 1220. The
above construction of this embodiment is operated in the same way
as in the previous embodiments. In this embodiment, the arms 1232a,
1232b, 1242a, 1242b of the first and second torsion spring 1230,
1240 are connected in the opposite manner to the previous
embodiments, and the variable link 1250 is fixed to the guide
member 1210. However, the operation and effect therefor are the
same as in the previous embodiments and thus will not be described
here.
[0163] In this embodiment, additionally, the guide member 1210 is
provided with a guide dam 1214a, 1214b having a "" shaped
cross-section formed at both edges thereof, and the slider member
1220 is provided with a rail 1226a, 1226b at both sides thereof so
as to be engaged correspondingly with the "" shape guide dam 1214a,
1214b. In the above structure, the rails 1126a, 1226b are not
formed over the entire section. That is, the rails 1126a, 1126b are
formed in such a way as to be protruded only at both front and rear
portions thereof by a certain length, thereby preventing the
sliding of the slider member 1210 from being interrupted, even when
the guide member 1210 is slightly distorted or bent.
Conventionally, an elongated rail is formed in the slider member so
as to be protruded over the entire length of both edges thereof and
these rails are engaged with the guide member over the entire
length thereof. Thus, even in case where the guide member is
slightly bent, the sliding of the slider member is interrupted
disadvantageously. In the present invention, as described above,
the rails 1226a, 1226b are formed in the front and rear portion of
the slider member 1220, and thus the slider member 1220 comes to be
engaged, only at the upper and lower portions thereof, with the
guide member 1210, thereby enabling a smooth sliding, even when the
guide member 1210 is slightly bent.
[0164] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
variable link according to the invention. The variable link is
preferred to have a straight form, i.e., a rectangular shape, but
may have various other forms. For example, FIG. 49 illustrates a
variable link 1250a having the shape of a circular disk, and a
first and second torsion spring is coupled to both sides of the
circular variable link 1250a, with a center placed in-between.
[0165] The variable link may have the form of a lozenge, a square,
an oval, or the like, along with the above circular shape or
straight form.
[0166] FIG. 50 is a cross-section showing a cylinder-type spring,
which can replace the torsion spring illustrated previously. FIGS.
51 and 52 illustrate sliding mechanism apparatus according to
another embodiment of the invention, where the cylinder-type spring
of FIG. 50 is applied. In particular, as shown in FIG. 51, two
cylinder-type springs may be applied to the left and right of the
mechanism, and a single cylinder-type spring may be employed, as
shown in FIG. 52.
[0167] In stead of the torsion spring as illustrated above, a
cylinder-type spring of FIG. 50 may be employed. As shown in FIG.
50, the cylinder-type spring 1360 is comprised of a cylinder 1362
having an opening 1362a at one end thereof, a coil spring 1364
received inside the cylinder 1362, and a rod 1366 inserted into the
coil spring 1364 in such a way that part of the rod 1366 is
protruded to the outside through the opening 1362a. In particular,
in the surface of the rod 1366 is formed a latching projection
1366a such that one end of the coil spring 1364 is caught by the
latching projection 1366a and the other end thereof is restricted
by the closed end of the cylinder 1362, thereby providing a
restoring force of the spring when the rod 1366 is retracted. In
addition, preferably the latching projection 1366a of the rod 1366
is designed such that it is restricted by an opening 1362a side
projection to thereby prevent the rod 1366 from being released from
the cylinder 1362. Furthermore, a fixing portion 1362b, 1366b is
provided respectively at one end of the cylinder 1362 and the
opposite side end of the rod. In the fixing portions 1362b and
1366b is formed fixing hole 1362c, 1366c respectively. These fixing
holes 1362c, 1366c are engaged with fixing plates 1370a, 1370b of
the slider member 1320 and the guide member 1360 such that the
cylinder-type spring 1360 is pivotably combined therewith.
[0168] The first and second torsion spring in the previous
embodiment can be replaced by the above described cylinder-type
spring. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 51, a first and second
cylinder-type spring 1460a, 1460b may be coupled to the slider
member 1420 and the guide member 1410 in the same positions as in
case of the torsion springs and according to the connection method
as shown in FIG. 50. At this time, one end of the first and second
cylinder-type spring 1460a, 1460b is pivotably connected to both
sides of a variable link 1452. Here, the first cylinder-type spring
1460a connected to the left side of the guide member 1410 is
connected to the left side of the link shaft 1452 in the variable
link 1450 so as to be movable within the left half area of the
slider member 1420. The second cylinder-type spring 1460b connected
to the left side of the guide member 1410 is coupled to the right
side of the link shaft 1452 in the variable link 1450 so as to be
movable within the right half area of the slider member 1420. In
this way, a pivotable variable link 1450 is employed to thereby
extend the moving range of the cylinder-type spring. Needless to
say, one end of the first and second cylinder-type spring may be
pivotably connected to the slider member directly, without using a
variable link.
[0169] In another embodiment, a single piece of cylinder-type
spring 1560 is employed. That is, as shown in FIG. 52, the
cylinder-type spring 1560 can be combined with the slider member
1520 and the guide member 1510 through a variable link 1550 so as
to be operated in the same way. In case where a single
cylinder-type spring 1560 is employed, it may be coupled directly
to the guide member 1510 or the slider member 1520, without any
intermediate variable link 1550.
[0170] As described above, the duel type using two cylinder-type
springs as shown in FIG. 51 and the mono-type using a single
cylinder-type spring as shown in FIG. 52, they are all operated in
the same manner as in the previous embodiments, by means of the
variable link. The operation thereof will not be described here.
However, the torsion spring generates the operational force by
means of the compression and expansion between the two arms
thereof, in contrast, the cylinder-type spring provides the
operational force by means of the retraction and expansion of the
rod into and from the cylinder.
[0171] FIG. 53 is an exploded perspective view of an appliance
integrated with a sliding mechanism apparatus according to a
fourteenth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 54 is a front view of
the assembled appliance of FIG. 53, and FIG. 55 is a cross-section
taken along the line G-G in FIG. 54. This example illustrates a
slider-type cellular phone as the appliance, and a sliding
mechanism apparatus using a guide bar is integrated with the
slider-type cellular phone.
[0172] As previously mentioned, a cellular phone is comprised of a
main body 2100 and a cover 2200 mounted above the main body 2100
and sliding thereon. In order for the cover 2200 to be slid on the
main body 2100, a sliding mechanism is installed between the cover
2200 and the main body 2100. This is, in this embodiment, a guide
rail structure is formed in the rear face of the cover 220. A
slider structure to be slid on the guide rail structure is formed
in the upper portion of the front face of the main body 2100, which
faces the rear face of the cover 2200. In the above guide rail
structure, most of their elements are formed integrally in the rear
face of the cover 2200. The slider structure in the main body 2100
is formed of a separate plate material and mounted on the upper
portion of the front face of the main body 2100.
[0173] More specifically, in the rear face of the cover 2200 is
provided a sliding space 2210, in which the slide structure of the
main body 2100 is accommodated so as to enable to slide in the
sliding direction. The sliding space 2210 formed to be depressed in
the rear face of the cover 2200 is designed, considering a sliding
distance in the sliding direction. Inside the sliding space 2210, a
pair of guide bars 2220a, 2220b is mounted adjacent to the right
and left side wall thereof. In order to fix the guide bars 2220a,
2220b to the cover 2200, one end of the guide bar 2220a, 2220b is
inserted into a fixing hole 2212a, 2212b, which is formed in the
rear face of the cover so as to be opened towards the inside of the
sliding space 2210. The other end of the guide bar 2220a, 2220b is
inserted into a fixing hole 2232a, 2232b formed in a gripping plate
2230, which is then attached to the upper end portion of the
sliding space 2210 and fixed using a bolt 2240 or the like. At this
time, both ends of the guide bar 2220a, 2220b is covered with a
rubber packing 2222a, 222b, 2224a, 2224b and inserted and fixed
into the fixing hole 2212a, 2212b, 2232a, 2232b. Alternatively, the
guide bars 2220a and 2220b may be inserted directly into the fixing
holes 2212a, 2212b, 2232a, 2232b without the rubber packing. The
former case is more preferable in order to compensate for an
assembling clearance and provide a buffering force when sliding.
Needless to say, in case where the fixing holes 2212a and 2212b is
formed in the lower portion of the sliding space and the gripping
plate 2230 is constructed in the upper portion of the sliding
space, the same operation and effects can be achieved, as in the
above describe guide rail structure.
[0174] The front face of the main body 2100, which corresponds to
the sliding space in the rear face of the cover 2200, is provided
with a sliding structure, where the guide rail structure slides.
The sliding structure is formed of a slider member 2110 fabricated
separately from the main body 2100. This slider member 2110 is
fixed to the upper portion of the front face of the main body 2100
by means of a bolt 2102. The slider member 2110 is provided with a
pair of left and right coupling hands 2120a, 2120b in the sliding
direction. In the coupling hands 2120a and 2120b is formed a guide
hole 2122a, 2122b along the sliding direction, into which the left
and right guide bar 2220a, 2220b mounted in the rear face of the
cover 2200 is inserted respectively. Alternatively, the above
sliding structure may be constructed integrally with the main body
2100, which will be hereinafter detailed, in conjunction with FIG.
56.
[0175] In addition, according to the invention, a rail guide
structure is provided, along with the above guide bar structure.
More specifically, in the sliding space 2210 in the rear face of
the cover 2200, a guide rail 2214a to 2214f is formed in the left
and right side wall of the sliding space 2210 in such a way to be
protruded inwards of the sliding space 2210. Correspondingly, in
the coupling hands 2120a and 2120b of the main body 2100, which is
to be accommodated into the sliding space of the cover 2200, is
formed a guide dam 2124a to 2124b in the outer lateral face thereof
so as to be engaged with the guide rails 2214a to 2214f. As shown
in FIG. 53, the guide rails 2214a to 2214f are divided into an
upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion along
the sliding direction. In particular, the spacing between the guide
rails 2214a to 2214f is configured such that a guide dams 2124a and
2124b to be engaged with the guide dams 2124a, 2124b can be
inserted into the sliding space 2210 from the front side thereof.
As above, the guide rail 2214a to 2214f is provided in the upper,
intermediate and lower side of the sliding space 2210 to thereby
strengthen the retention between the main body and the cover 2200
in the uppermost and lowermost static positions. More clearly, when
the cover 2200 is placed in the lowermost position, i.e., the cover
2200 covers the main body 2100, the upper guide rail 2214a, 2214b
descends to thereby be engaged with the guide dam 2124a, 2124b of
the coupling hand 2120a, 2120b, thereby strengthening the retention
force between the main body 2100 and the cover 2200 and preventing
them from being released from each other, due to an external impact
or the like. When the cover 2200 is placed in the uppermost
position, i.e., the cover 2200 is slid upwards to open the main
body 2100, the lower guide rail 2214e, 2214f ascends to thereby be
engaged with the guide dam 2124a, 2124b of the coupling hand 2120a,
2120b, thereby reinforcing the retention force between the main
body 2100 and the cover 2200. When in use, usually the cover 2200
of a cellular phone remains in the uppermost position or the
lowermost position, and thus only if the guide rail 2214a to 2214f
is constructed at the above two places, the retention force can be
strengthened. Alternatively, the guide rail may be formed, in
multiple pieces, at regular intervals along the sliding direction,
or may be formed in a continuous form so as to be protruded along
the sliding direction. As described above, preferably, the guide
bar and the guide rail are employed together as a sliding and
guiding structure in order to guarantee a linear and straightened
movement when sliding.
[0176] In this embodiment, the sliding space 2210 is formed in a
single piece of space to thereby accommodate the pair of coupling
hands 2120a, 2120b together. However, the sliding space 2210 may be
structured in the form of two separate straight grooves so as to
accommodate the coupling hand 2120a, 2120b individually.
Furthermore, the guide dam 2124a, 2124b may be formed in the
coupling hand 2120a, 2120b in such a way to be protruded inwards
thereof, and the guide rail 2214a to 2214f may be formed inside the
sliding space 2210 so as to be engage with the inwardly protruded
guide dam.
[0177] FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of an appliance
according to another embodiment of the invention, where a guide bar
sliding mechanism is applied. FIG. 57 is a front view of the
assembled device of FIG. 56, schematically showing the sliding
mechanism.
[0178] In the sliding mechanism of this embodiment, the guide bar
is structured and operated in the same manner as those described in
connection with FIGS. 53 to 55, and details thereon will not be
repeated here.
[0179] In this embodiment, the slider structure itself is formed
integrally with the main body 2100a, dissimilar to the separate
slider member in the previous embodiment, thereby simplifying the
structure of a cellular phone and improving the assembling
efficiency. In this integral construction, a pair of coupling hands
2120c and 2120d is provided in the front face of the main body
2100a in such a way to be protruded from both sides of the upper
portion thereof. The coupling hands 2120c and 2120d are structured
and shaped in the same way as in the previous embodiment.
[0180] In this embodiment, the rail guide structure may be omitted
and only the guide bar 2220c, 2220d and the guide hole 2122c, 2122d
may be used to achieve an accurate sliding motion. That is, the
guide rail 2214g to 2214l and the guide dam 2124c, 2124d can be
removed, without causing any operational hitch. If the rail guide
structure is added, a more precision and stable operation can be
guaranteed, but it may lead to a rather complicated manufacturing
die and assembling work.
[0181] FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment where a torsion spring is installed to increase the
operational force of the sliding mechanism. In this embodiment, a
pair of torsion springs is added to the embodiment of FIGS. 53 to
55 to thereby enhance the driving force for the sliding
movement.
[0182] Hereinafter, the same constitutional elements as in the
previous embodiment will be briefly described since they have been
previously explained in detail.
[0183] The cover 2200b is provided with a sliding space 2210b
formed in the rear face thereof so as be depressed therein, and a
pair of left and right coupling hands 2120e, 2120f are inserted
into the sliding space 2210b. Here, a guide bar 2220e, 2220f
provided in the left and right side of the sliding space 2210b is
inserted into a guide hole 2122e, 2122f of the coupling hands
2120e, 2120f. In addition, a guide rail 2214m to 2214r provided in
the left and right ends of the sliding space 2210b is engaged with
the guide dam 2124e, 2124f. Then, by the sliding space 2210b in the
rear face of the cover 2200b and the coupling hands 2120e and 2120f
in the front face of the main body 2100b is defined a space, where
a first and second torsion spring 2300a, 2300b is disposed.
[0184] The first torsion spring 2300a is comprised of a first coil
2310a wound generally in a circular form and two arms 2320a and
2330a extended from both ends of the first coil 2310a by a certain
length. The end portion of the two arms 2320a, 2330a are bent
approximately at a right angle. The end of one arm 2320a is
pivotably inserted and fixed into a connection hole 2216a, which is
formed in the left intermediate portion of the sliding space 2210b,
and the end of the other arm 2330a is pivotably inserted and fixed
into a connection hole 2130a, which is formed approximately in the
center of the coupling hand 2120e, 2120f of the main body
2100b.
[0185] The second torsion spring 2300b is structured in the same
way as in the first one, excepting the fixing position of the both
ends thereof. The second torsion spring 2300b is comprised of a
second coil 2310b and two arms 2320b and 2330b extended from both
ends of the second coil 2310b by a certain length. The end portion
of the two arms 2320b, 2330b are also bent. The end of one arm
2320b is pivotably inserted and fixed into a connection hole 2216b,
which is formed in the right intermediate portion of the sliding
space 2210b, and the end of the other arm 2330b is pivotably
inserted and fixed into a connection hole 2130b, which is formed
approximately in the center of the coupling hand 2120e, 2120f of
the main body 2100b.
[0186] In the first torsion spring 2300a, the angle formed by the
two arms 2320a and 2330a is preferred to be as wide as possible
when no external force is exerted thereto. The second torsion
spring 2300b is the same as above. It is because the wider the
angle between the two arms is, the longer distance the slider
structure can slide.
[0187] The configuration and operation of the first and second
torsion springs 2300a and 2300b are previously described in detail
and thus will not be repeated here.
[0188] FIG. 59 is a front view showing an appliance integrated with
a sliding mechanism apparatus according to another embodiment of
the invention. FIG. 60 is a cross-section taken along the line H-H
in FIG. 59. In this embodiment, dissimilar to the previous
embodiment, the guide rail structure is formed in the main body of
a cellular phone, and the slider structure is formed in the cover
of the cellular phone.
[0189] As illustrated, in the front face of the main body 2100c,
excepting the area where buttons 2104c are provided, a sliding
space 2140a, 2140b depressed to have a "U" shaped cross-section is
formed, in pairs, adjacent to the left and right edge thereof. A
guide bar 2150a, 2150b is mounted in the sliding space 2140a, 2140b
respectively, i.e., both upper and lower ends of the guide bar
2150a, 2150b are fixed in the same manner as in the previous
embodiment, preferably in the center of the sliding space 2140a,
2140b. In the side wall of the sliding space 2140a, 2140b is
provided a guide rail 2142a, 2142b protruded from the side wall
near the front surface of the main body. This guide rail 2142a,
2142b may be formed only in an upper and lower portion of the
sliding space 2140a, 2140b, or may be formed over the entire
section of the sliding space 2140a, 2140b. In addition, the guide
rail 2142a, 2142b may be formed in either the inward wall or the
outward wall of the sliding space 2140a, 2140b, or may be formed in
both of the inward and outward walls thereof.
[0190] In the rear face of the cover 2200c is formed a coupling
hand 2250a, 2250b to be inserted into the left and right sliding
space 2140a, 2140b in such a manner to be protruded in a position
corresponding to the sliding spaces. Thus, the coupling hands 2250a
and 2250b are inserted into the sliding space 2140a, 2140b
respectively and slides along the sliding spaces 2140a, 2140b. When
inserted into the sliding space 2140a, 2140b, the coupling hands
are inserted into guide bars 2150a, 2150b and engaged with guide
rails 2142a, 2142b, thereby providing an adequate retention force
for stable sliding. For this purpose, the coupling hand 2250a,
2250b is provided with a guide hole 2252a, 2252b formed in a
vertical (sliding) direction, and a guide dam 2254a, 2254b formed
in an area corresponding to the guide rail 2142a, 2142b so as to be
engaged therewith.
[0191] As described above, a pair of sliding spaces 2140a, 2140b
and guide rails 2142a, 2142b may be formed integrally with the main
body 2100c, i.e., integrally formed, in pairs, at the left and
right side in the front face thereof, and the guide bar 2150a,
2150b may be mounted inside the sliding space 2140a, 2140b, thereby
providing a guide rail structure. Similarly, the slider structure
may be formed integrally with the cover 2200c. That is, a pair of
left and right coupling hands 2250a and 2250b may be formed in the
rear face of the cover 2200c so as to be protruded therefrom, and
when molding, the guide hole 2252a, 2252b and the guide dam 2254a,
2254b may be made to be integrally formed with the coupling hand
2250a, 2250b. Thus, the assembling procedure can be simplified and
the part price can be reduced. On the other hand, the above slider
structure may be designed in such a manner that a plate-like slider
member having a coupling hand at both sides thereof is fabricated
and then attached to the rear face of the cover.
[0192] The above-described mechanism may be modified in various
ways. Several examples are explained below, with reference to FIGS.
61 and 64.
[0193] FIG. 61 is a cross-section of an appliance integrated with a
sliding mechanism apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 62 is a cross section showing another embodiment of
the guide rail and the guide groove in FIG. 61. FIG. 63 is a
cross-section showing yet another embodiment of the guide rail and
the guide groove in FIG. 61.
[0194] These embodiments of FIGS. 61 to 63 are slightly modified
from those illustrated in FIGS. 59 to 60. As shown in FIG. 61, the
sliding space 2140c, 2140d are extended to the lateral face of the
main body 2100d so as to be open thereto and have an "L" shape
cross-section. The coupling hand 2250c, 2250d corresponding thereto
is formed so as to be aligned with the lateral face of the cover
2200d and, at the same time, extended towards the rear face
thereof. In this case, the lateral face of the main body 2100d and
that of the cover 2200d are aligned with each other, but the pair
of left and right coupling hands 2250c and 2250d constitutes part
of the lateral face of the cover 2200d and encloses part of the
lateral face of the main body 2100d. Here, as shown in FIG. 62, the
guide rail 2142c may be formed in the outer side face of the main
body 2100d, and the guide dam 2254c may be formed in the inner side
face of the coupling hand 2250c, 2250d of the cover 2200d so as to
face the guide rail 2142c and be engaged therewith. Alternatively,
as shown in FIG. 63, the guide rail and dam structure may be
constructed in the opposite manner to that of FIG. 62.
[0195] FIG. 64 is a cross-section of an appliance integrated with a
sliding mechanism apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0196] As depicted, the sliding mechanism apparatus of the
invention of the invention may be implemented in the lateral face
of an appliance. More specifically, a sliding space 2140e, 2140f
having a "" shape cross section is formed in both lateral faces of
the main body 2100e of a cellular phone and a guide bar 2150e,
2150f is mounted in the respective sliding spaces 2140e, 2140f by
fixing both ends of the guide bar.
[0197] The cover 2200e is structured such that the area thereof is
made to be larger than the main body 2100e, the lateral face
thereof is extended in such a way to enclose the lateral face of
the main body 2100e, and the left and right coupling hand 2250e,
2250f is bent inwardly so as to be inserted into the sliding space
2140e, 2140f respectively. In this way, the lateral face of the
cover 2200e is bent to thereby form the coupling hands 2250e,
2250f, in which a guide hole 2252e, 2252f is formed. The guide hole
2252e, 2252f is inserted into the guide bar 2150e, 2150f
respectively. Therefore, the coupling hand 2250e, 2250f slides
along the guide bar 2150e, 2150f inserted into the guide hole
2252e, 2252f, and consequently the cover 2200e comes to slide on
the main body 2100e.
[0198] At the same time, in the upper end or lower end of one side
of both sides of the sliding spaces 2140e, 2140f may be formed a
guide rail (not shown), or which may be formed over the entire
sliding length. In addition, in the side face of the coupling hand
2250e, 2250f may be formed a guide dam (not shown) so as to
correspond to the guide rail of the main body 2100e and be engaged
therewith. Thus, along with the relative sliding of the guide bar
2150e, 2150f and the guide hole 2252e, 2252f, the guide dam is
guided along the guide rail and thus the coupling hand 2250e, 2250f
travels inside the sliding space 2140e, 2140f, thereby enabling a
more stable sliding movement.
[0199] On the contrary, the sliding spaces 2140e and 2140f may be
formed in the lateral face of the cover 2200e and the coupling
hands 2250e and 2250f may be formed in the main body 2100e, in
order to achieve the same operation and effects as above.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0200] As described above, in the appliance integrated with a
sliding mechanism apparatus according to the invention, a guide
rail structure and a slider structure slidably engaged with the
guide rail structure are integrally formed and coupled to the main
body and the cover of the device so as to correspond to each other.
Thus, the guide rail and slider structures formed of plate
materials do not need to be fabricated, thereby reducing the number
of parts to be assembled and thus simplifying the assembling
procedures. Consequently, the sliding mechanism apparatus of the
invention contributes to simplify the structure of appliances and
improve the assembling efficiency therefor, which will result in a
reduction in the manufacturing cost and time.
[0201] In the description, the sliding mechanism apparatus has been
explained, illustrating a cellular phone, but not limited thereto.
That is, the sliding mechanism apparatus may be applied to a
variety of devices, as long as they are comprised of two
components, which are desired to slidably open and close relative
to each other.
[0202] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to several preferred embodiments, the description is
illustrative of the invention and not to be construed as limiting
the invention. Various modifications and variations may occur to
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *