Case module having auto-folder function and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention is related to a case module and a method for controlling the cover rotation of the case module, comprising a case, the case comprising a motor, the motor enabling a cover to rotate, said cover opening when a forward rotation switch is turned on, said cover closing when a reverse rotation switch is turned on; a buffer, the buffer generating a forward rotation signal or a reverse rotation signal, the forward rotation signal and the reverse rotation signal corresponding to the turn-on state of said forward rotation switch or said reverse rotation switch, respectively; and a driving unit, the driving unit rotating said motor, said motor using a signal from said buffer as an input. The case module and the controlling method thereof in accordance with the present invention control the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the DC motor and have the cover open and close according to the rotation of the DC motor by use of the driving circuit such that the inconvenience of having to manually open and close the cover is eliminated.

1 . A case module, comprising: 
 a case, the case comprising a motor, the motor enabling a cover to rotate, said cover opening when a forward rotation switch is turned on, said cover closing when a reverse rotation switch is turned on;    a buffer, the buffer generating a forward rotation signal or a reverse rotation signal, the forward rotation signal and the reverse rotation signal corresponding to the turn-on state of said forward rotation switch or said reverse rotation switch, respectively; and    a driving unit, the driving unit rotating said motor, said motor using a signal from said buffer as an input.    
   
   
       2 . The case module of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a housing, the housing comprising a receptacle, the receptacle being isolated from the outside by said cover; and    hinges, the hinges connecting said cover to said housing, said cover rotating about the hinges,    wherein said motor is disposed inside said hinges, the motor rotating the cover.    
   
   
       3 . The case module of  claim 2 , wherein said reverse rotation switch is turned on when said cover opens and is turned off when said cover covers said housing.  
   
   
       4 . The case module of  claim 3 , wherein said buffer generates said forward rotation signal when both said forward rotation switch and said reverse rotation switch are turned on.  
   
   
       5 . The case module of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a cover open state sensing unit, the cover open state sensing unit generating an open signal by sensing the opening of said cover to a predetermined angle,    wherein said buffer generates a stop signal, the stop signal stopping the rotaion of said motor in accordance with said open signal.    
   
   
       6 . The case module of  claim 5 , wherein said cover open state sensing unit comprises: 
 a voltage source, the voltage source providing an open voltage;    a sensor PCB (printed circuit board), the sensor PCB generating said open signal by sensing said open voltage at a predetermined location; and    a conductive arm, the conductive arm rotating by the rotation of said motor, the conductive arm connecting said voltage source and said sensor PCB at said predetermined location.    
   
   
       7 . The case module of  claim 2 , wherein said driving unit comprises: 
 a first driving unit, the first driving unit rotating said motor in the forward direction in accordance with said forward rotation signal from said buffer; and    a second driving unit, the second driving unit rotating said motor in the reverse direction in accordance with said reverse rotation signal from said buffer.    
   
   
       8 . The case module of  claim 2 , wherein said driving unit rotates said motor in the forward direction or the reverse direction in accordance with said forward rotation signal or said reverse rotation signal, respectively, the driving unit being an H-bridge circuit.  
   
   
       9 . The case module of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a magnet, the magnet forming a certain intensity of magnetic field, the magnet being disposed in either said cover or said housing; and    a hall sensor, the hall sensor sensing said magnetic field, the hall sensor being disposed in the other of said cover or said housing where said magnet is disposed, the location of the hall sensor corresponding to the location of said magnet,    wherein said hall sensor generates a signal as said magnet nears said hall sensor, the hall sensor delivering said signal to said buffer, the signal stopping the reverse rotation of said motor.    
   
   
       10 . The case module of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a drawer, the drawer being housed in said housing, the drawer having a small storage space; and    a main switch, the main switch structurally opening said storage,    wherein said drawer turns off said forward rotation switch when said drawer is housed in said housing and turns on said forward rotation switch when said drawer is released from said housing.    
   
   
       11 . A method for controlling the cover rotaton of a case module, the case module comprising a motor, a forward rotation switch, and a reverse rotation switch, the motor rotating a cover, the switches opening or closing said cover, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) generating a forward rotation signal when said forward rotation switch is turned on;    (b) rotating said motor in the forward direction in accordance with said forward rotation signal;    (c) said cover being opened in accordance with the forward rotation of said motor;    (d) sensing the opening of said cover to a predetermined angle; and    (e) generating a stop signal, the stop signal stopping the forward rotation of said motor.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said case module further comprises: 
 a cover open state sensing unit, the cover open state sensing unit generating an open signal by sensing the opening of said cover to said predetermined angle,    wherein said step (d) generates a stop signal, the stop signal stopping the rotaion of said motor in accordance with said open signal.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cover open state sensing unit comprises: 
 a voltage source, the voltage source providing an open voltage;    a sensor PCB (printed circuit board), the sensor PCB generating said open signal by sensing said open voltage at a predetermined location; and    a conductive arm, the conductive arm rotating by the rotation of said motor, the conductive arm connecting said voltage source and said sensor PCB at said predetermined location.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said step (c) turns on said reverse rotation switch when said cover opens.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (f) generating a reverse rotation signal when said forward rotation switch is turned off, the reverse rotation signal rotating said motor in the reverse direction;    (g) rotating said motor in the reverse direction in accordance with said reverse rotation signal;    (h) said cover covering said housing in accordance with the reverse rotation of said motor; and    (i) generating said stop signal, the stop signal stopping the reverse rotation of said motor.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said case module further comprises: 
 a magnet, the magnet forming a certain intensity of magnetic field, the magnet being disposed in either said cover or said housing; and    a hall sensor, the hall sensor sensing said magnetic field, the hall sensor being disposed in the other of said cover or said housing where said magnet is disposed, the location of the hall sensor corresponding to the location of said magnet,    wherein said step (f) generates said stop signal as said magnet nears said hall sensor.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said case module further comprises: 
 a drawer, the drawer being housed in said housing, the drawer having a small storage space; and    a main switch, the main switch structurally opening said storage,    wherein said drawer turns off said forward rotation switch when said drawer is housed in said housing and turns on said forward rotation switch when said drawer is released from said housing.