KR101513621B1 - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sliding device comprising a first body and a second body which are operatively coupled to an open or closed state by sliding and at least one of the first and second bodies when in the open or closed state, And an elastic module for restricting the flow of the first and / or second bodies.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE TERMINAL [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a slide type portable terminal in which a body is slidably opened and closed with respect to another body.

A portable terminal is a portable electronic apparatus which is portable and has one or more functions of voice and video call function, information input / output function, and data storing function.

As the functions of the portable terminal are diversified, the portable terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia device having complicated functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of music or video file, reception of a game, and reception of a broadcast.

Various new attempts have been made in terms of hardware or software to implement the complex functions of such multimedia devices. For example, a user interface environment is provided for a user to easily and conveniently search for or select a function.

In addition to the above-mentioned attempts, a method of further improving the function of the hardware, for example, a combination of robust hardware, and the like can be considered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal in which the flow of the body is relieved or prevented in an open state or a closed state.

Another object of the present invention is to make it easier to manage the tolerance of the portable terminal in which the flow of the body is limited.

In order to achieve the above object, a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first body, a second body, and an elastic module. The first and second bodies are combined to implement an open or closed state by sliding. The resilient module is configured to elastically pressurize at least one of the first and second bodies when in the open or closed state to limit the flow of the first and / or second body.

According to an aspect of the invention, the elastic module includes a protrusion and an elastic structure. The protrusions are formed to protrude from any one of the first and second bodies. The resilient structure is formed on the other of the first and second bodies and is configured to elastically press the protrusion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first body defines both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusions are formed in the region adjacent to one end of the first body. The elastic structure portion is formed at a portion corresponding to the protrusion in the open state of the second body. The projections and resilient structures may be spaced apart with a distance (STROKE) between the open and closed states, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the elastic modules are formed in the unexposed regions of the first and second bodies that cover the first and second bodies in an open state and a closed state. The elastic module may include first and second resilient structural portions. The first and second resilient structural portions are respectively formed in the first and second bodies and are formed to elastically press against each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a slide module. A slide module is disposed between the first and second bodies and is configured to slideably engage the first and second bodies. The protrusions and resilient structural portions of the elastic module may be formed on both sides of the mutually facing surfaces of the first and second bodies symmetrically about the slide module.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the resilient structural portion is formed to be inclined with respect to the sliding direction. The elastic structural part is formed in such a manner that elastic deformation due to contact with the protruding portion gradually occurs when sliding in the open state. The elastic structure may be integrally formed with a case that forms an outer appearance of the other of the first and second bodies.

The portable terminal according to the present invention configured as described above mitigates or prevents the flow of the first and second bodies due to the setting gaps of the first and second bodies by the elastic module. In addition, the reliability of the portable terminal can be improved through this.

Also, the elastic structure portion is formed so that elastic deformation gradually occurs, and tolerance management is easier. Thus, the defective rate for manufacturing the portable terminal can be lowered.

Further, the elastic structure part is formed integrally with the case that forms the appearance of the body, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

Hereinafter, a portable terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are given to different embodiments in the same or similar configurations. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

1 is a perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The portable terminal of the present invention includes a first body 110 and a second body 120 coupled to each other to realize an open state or a closed state by sliding.

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal includes a first body 110 and a second body 120 that is slidable along at least one direction on the first body 110. However, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and can be applied to various types of portable terminals such as a bar type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type.

The first body 110 may be referred to as a closed configuration in which the first body 110 and the second body 120 are overlapped with each other and the first body 110 may be referred to as a second body 120 ) May be referred to as an open configuration.

The portable terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, but the standby mode is also released by the operation of the user. In addition, the portable terminal operates mainly in a communication mode in an open state, but may be switched to a standby mode by a user's operation or a predetermined period of time.

A casing (a casing, a housing, a cover, etc.) constituting an outer appearance of the first body 110 is formed by a front case 111 and a rear case 112. Various electronic components are installed in the space formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112. The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 113, the sound output unit 114, the first image input unit 115, or the first operation unit 116 may be disposed in the first body 110, specifically, the front case 111. [

The display unit 113 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) module, and a TOLED (Transparent OLED) module for visually expressing information.

The display unit 113 may further include a touch screen to enable information input by a user's touch. In addition, the display unit 113 may be configured to generate various tactile effects that a user can feel at the time of touch. This can be implemented by a haptic module that interlocks with the display unit 113. [ A typical example of a haptic effect generated by a haptic module is vibration. The haptic module may be variously arranged according to the configuration of the portable terminal as well as the display unit 113. [

The sound output unit 114 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker.

The first image input unit 115 may be implemented as a camera module for capturing an image or a moving image of a user.

The first operation unit 116 receives a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The front case 121 and the rear case 122 may form the case of the second body 120, as in the case of the first body 110. [

The second operation unit 123 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 120, specifically, the front case 121.

The third operation unit 124, the first sound input unit 125, and the interface 126 may be disposed in at least one of the front case 121 and the rear case 122. [

The first to third operating portions 116, 123, and 124 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

For example, the operation unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch screen or a touch pad capable of receiving commands or information by a push or touch operation of a user, or may be a wheel, a jog type, a joystick, Or the like.

In terms of functions, the first operation unit 116 is for inputting commands such as start, end, and scrolling, and the second operation unit 123 is for inputting numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. Also, the third operation unit 124 may operate as a hot-key for performing a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 115 or the like.

The first sound input unit 125 may be implemented in the form of a microphone, for example, to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface 126 allows the portable terminal related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface 126 may be a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short range communication (for example, an IrDA port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port a wireless Lan port), or power supply terminals for supplying power to the portable terminal.

The interface 126 may be a card socket that accepts an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), a memory card for information storage, and the like.

A power supply 127 for supplying power to the portable terminal is mounted on the rear case 122 side. The power supply 127 may be detachably coupled to a rechargeable battery for charging, for example.

2 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second image input unit 128 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the rear case 122 of the second body 120. The second image input unit 128 may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (see FIG. 1), and may be a camera having different pixels from the first image input unit.

For example, the first image input unit 115 has low pixels so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the second image input unit 128 photographs a general object, It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is often not transmitted.

A flash 129 and a mirror 130 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 128. The flash 129 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 128. The mirror unit 130 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to take a picture of himself / herself (self-photographing) using the second image input unit 128.

And the second sound output unit 131 may be further disposed in the rear case 122. [

The second sound output unit 131 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 114 (see FIG. 1), and may be used for talking in a speakerphone mode.

On one side of the rear case 122, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 132 may be arranged in addition to an antenna for communication. The antenna 132 may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the second body 120.

A part of the slide module 140 that slidably connects the first body 110 and the second body 120 is disposed on the rear case 112 side of the first body 110. [

The other part of the slide module 140 may be disposed on the front case 121 side of the second body 120 and may not be exposed to the outside as in this figure.

In the above description, the second image input unit 128 and the like are disposed in the second body 120, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the configurations 128 to 132 described as being arranged in the rear case 122, such as the second image input unit 128, is connected to the first body 110, mainly the rear case 112 It is also possible to mount it. In such a case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) arranged in the rear case 112 in the closed state is protected by the second body 120. Further, the first image input unit 115 may be rotatably formed so that the second image input unit 128 can be photographed up to the second image input unit 128, even if the second image input unit 128 is not separately provided.

3 is an exploded view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1 separated into a first body 110 and a second body 120. FIG.

A slide module 140 is mounted between the first body 110 and the second body 120. The slide module 140 guides the first body 110 to slide relative to the second body 120. The slide module 140 may be formed such that when the user pushes the first body 110 slightly, the first body 110 slides on the second body 120 by itself.

The slide module 140 includes a first slide member 141 fixed to the first body 110. The second slide member 142 is slidably engaged with the first slide member 141. The second slide member 142 is fixed to the fixed portion 143 of the second body 120. An elastic member may be mounted between the first and second slide members 141 and 142. The elastic member elastically deforms when the first slide member 141 slides relative to the second slide member 142. [ The elastic member is formed to continuously move the first slide member 141 in the direction in which the first slide member 141 is moved by the restoring force when the first slide member 141 moves a certain distance. The slide module 140 is formed so as to be stopped at a predetermined position when the portable terminal is opened in a closed state while sliding. Referring to this figure, the second slide member 142 is stopped adjacent to one end of the first slide member 141, and this state is opened. If the second slide member 142 stops adjacent to the other end of the first slide member 141, this state will be closed.

An elasticity module 150 is disposed between the first and second bodies 110 and 120 to limit the flow of the first and / or second bodies 110 and 120. The elastic module 150 includes a protrusion 151 and an elastic structure 152.

The protrusion 151 protrudes from any one of the first and second bodies 110 and 120. Referring to this figure, a protrusion 151 is formed in the first body 110. The protrusion 151 may protrude from one surface of the rear case 112 facing the second body 120. The protruding portion 151 may be integrally formed with, for example, the rear case 112, or may be separately provided in the rear case 112.

 The elastic structure part 152 is formed on the other one of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 and is formed to elastically press the projection part 151. [ Referring to this figure, referring to this figure, an elastic structure 152 is formed in the second body 120. The elastic structure 152 may be provided on one surface of the front case 121 facing the first body 110.

The elastic structure part 152 may be integrally formed with the front case 121. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the elastic module 150 is reduced. The protruding portion 151 may be formed of a material having a higher rigidity than the elastic structural portion 152. So that elastic deformation of the elastic structure 152 is more easily generated.

However, the slide module 140 is not limited to the rear case 112 of the first body 110 and the front case 121 of the second body 120. For example, the elastic module 150 may also be formed on at least a portion of the slide module 140. The protrusion 151 can be attached to the first slide member 141 by a method such as adhesion, heat fusion, injection, or the like. The elastic structure portion 152 may be formed in the form of a leaf spring that is bent at a portion of the second slide member 142, for example. Accordingly, the elastic module 150 can be integrated with the slide module 140.

The protrusion 151 and the elastic structure 152 may be formed on both sides of the opposing surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 symmetrically about the slide module 140. Thus, the first body 110 is prevented from shaking to the left and right after being opened to the second body 120.

The first body 110 forms both ends in the longitudinal direction and the protrusion 151 is formed in the region 133 adjacent to the one end of the first body 110. The elastic structure portion 152 is formed at a portion corresponding to the protruding portion 151 in a state where the portable terminal device is open. The elastic structure 152 elastically presses the first body 110 to restrict the flow of the first and / or second bodies 110 and 120 in an open state.

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first body 110 is slid in a state of FIG.

A predetermined gap G is formed between the first and second bodies 110 and 120 so that the first body 110 is smoothly moved with respect to the second body 120. [ (R) by a predetermined amount about one end of the first slide member 141 (see FIG. 3) or one end of the first body 110 in the open state by the setting gap G.

Referring to these drawings, the elastic structure 152 may be formed in the form of a leaf spring protruding from the second body 120. The resilient structural portion 152 and the protruding portion 151 are each formed so that the projecting height is smaller than the set gap G. [ The sum of the projecting heights of the elastic structure portion 152 and the projecting portion 151 is formed to be larger than the setting gap G. [ The elastic structure 152 and the protrusion 151 form an overlap L of a predetermined size. The elastic structure portion 152 is elastically deformed by the overlap L to elastically press the protrusion 151. [

The elastic structure 152 elastically presses the protrusion 151 to relieve or prevent the flow of the first body 110 by the rotation R. [ In addition, the reliability of the portable terminal can be improved through this.

The elastic structure part 152 is formed to be inclined with respect to the sliding direction M of the first body 110. During the sliding from the closed state to the closed state, the elastic structural part 152 starts to contact the protruding part 151, and the elastic deformation due to the contact gradually increases. The elastic structure portion 152 has the largest elastic deformation in the open state.

By the elastic mechanism, when the first body 110 slides and is opened, the protrusion 151 and the elastic structure 152 collide with each other to mitigate or prevent the occurrence of an impact.

In addition, even if the overlap L is larger, the sliding operation of the portable terminal is not affected. If the sum of the projecting heights of the elastic structural part 152 and the protruding part 151 is smaller than the set gap G, the elastic structural part 152 and the protruding part 151 are not brought into contact with each other. Therefore, tolerance management of the elasticity module 150 is important. If the overlap L is sufficiently large, the permissible range of allowance for manufacturing the elastic structure portion 152 and the protrusion 151 becomes wider. Therefore, tolerance management of the mobile terminal is easier. Thus, the defective rate for manufacturing the portable terminal can be lowered.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are formed with unexposed regions 134 covering the first and second bodies 110 and 120 in the open state and the closed state, respectively. The elastic module 150 is formed in the unexposed region 134 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views showing a closed state and an open state of another embodiment of the portable terminal of FIG.

The protrusions 251 formed on both sides of the first body 210 symmetrically with respect to the slide module 140 (see FIG. 3) are formed of first to third protrusions 251a, 251b and 251c. The first to third protrusions 251a, 251b, and 251c are spaced apart from each other with a distance (S. STROKE) between the open state and the closed state.

The elastic structural parts 252 formed on both sides of the second body 220 in correspondence with the protrusions 251 are formed of the first and second elastic structural parts 252a and 252b. The first and second resilient structural portions 252a and 252b are spaced apart with a distance S between the open and closed states.

Referring to these drawings, the first and second elastic structural parts 252a and 252b are in contact with the second and third protrusions 251b and 251c in the closed state, respectively, and are in contact with the first and second protrusions 251a and 251b , 251b. Thus, the protrusion 251 and the resilient structural portion 252 elastically press the first body 210 at all four points, regardless of whether it is open or closed. Through which the flow of the first body 210 in the open state can be more tightly limited. Also, the first body 210 can be prevented from being shaken with respect to the second body 220 even when the first body 210 is closed.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the portable terminal of FIG.

The elastic modules 350 include first and second resilient structural portions 352 ', 352 which elastically press against each other. The first and second elastic structural parts 352 'and 352 are formed in the first and second bodies 310 and 320, respectively. The elastic module 350 may be formed to disperse the elastic force pressing the first body 310.

The first and second elastic structural parts 352 'and 352 may be formed to correspond to the protruding part 151 and the elastic structural part 152, respectively, in the embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. It will be understood by those skilled in the art without further explanation.

Referring to this figure, the first and second elastic structural parts 352 ', 352 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance S (see FIG. 5B) between the open state and the closed state.

7 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

7, the portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module 161, operation units 116, 123 and 124, image input units 115 and 128, an acoustic input unit 125, a display unit 113, A sensing unit 166, an interface 126, a broadcast receiving module 165, a memory 164, a power supply unit 127, and a control unit 170. [

The control unit 170 typically controls the overall operation of the portable terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like.

In addition to the normal function control, the control unit 170 further controls the operation of the portable terminal related to the present invention.

The wireless communication module 161 transmits / receives a wireless signal to / from a mobile communication base station through an antenna. A transmission unit 162 for transmitting and receiving voice data, character data, video data, and control data under the control of the control unit 170 and for modulating and transmitting a signal to be transmitted for this purpose; 163).

The operation units 116, 123, and 124 are configured as shown in FIG. 1, and provide the control unit 170 with key input data that the user inputs for controlling the operation of the terminal. The operation units 116, 123, and 124 include a dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The image input units 115 and 128 process image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data that can be displayed on the display unit 113 and output to the display unit 113.

The image frames processed by the image input units 115 and 128 are stored in the memory 164 under the control of the control unit 170 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless transmission /

The sound input unit 125 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data is converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the wireless communication module 161 in the communication mode, and is output to the wireless communication module. In the record mode, processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 164.

The sound input unit 125 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display unit 113 displays and outputs information processed in the portable terminal. For example, when the portable terminal is in the call mode, the control unit 170 displays a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to the call. When the portable terminal is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the control unit 170 displays and displays the photographed image, the UI, and the GUI. When the display unit 113 includes a touch screen, the display unit 113 is used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output units 114 and 131 receive sound data received from the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the control unit 170 in the call signal reception mode, the communication mode or the recording mode, the voice recognition mode, Converts the stored sound data and outputs it to the outside.

In addition, the sound output units 114 and 131 output sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 114 and 131 include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 166 senses the current state of the portable terminal, such as the opening / closing state of the portable terminal, the position of the portable terminal, whether or not the user touches the portable terminal, and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal. For example, if the portable terminal is in the form of a slide phone, it senses whether the slide phone is opened or closed, and outputs the sensing result to the controller 170 to control the operation of the terminal. And a sensing function related to whether or not the power supply 127 is powered on, whether the interface 126 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The interface 126 may be any type of interface card such as a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (e.g. a memory card, a SIM / UIM card) It serves as an interface with the device. The interface 126 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device, transfers the data to each component in the portable terminal, or transmits data in the portable terminal to an external device.

The memory 164 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 170 and may have a function for temporarily storing input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, .

In the memory 164, a program for controlling the operation of the portable terminal related to the present invention is stored

Such memory 164 includes the concept of a generally known hard disk, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 165 receives broadcast signals transmitted through satellite or terrestrial waves and converts the received broadcast signals into broadcast data formats that can be output to the sound output units 114 and 131 and the display unit 113 and outputs them to the controller 170. Further, the broadcast receiving module 165 receives additional data (e.g., EPG (Electric Program Guide), channel list, etc.) related to broadcasting. The broadcast data and the additional data converted by the broadcast receiving module 165 may be stored in the memory 164.

The power supply unit 127 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 170 and supplies power required for operation of the respective components.

The above-described portable terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments.

1 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1;

3 is an exploded view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1 separated into a first body and a second body.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional views illustrating a closed state and an open state of the portable terminal of FIG. 1;

5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views illustrating a closed state and an open state of another embodiment of the portable terminal of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the portable terminal of FIG. 1;

7 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

Claims (12)

A first body and a second body movably coupled to each other between a closed state and an open state; And an elastic member disposed between the first body and the second body for slidingly coupling the first and second bodies, and elastically applying the elastic force in a sliding direction when the first body and the second body relatively slide over a predetermined distance A slide module; And And an elastic module elastically pressing at least one of the first and second bodies to restrict the flow of the first and second bodies in the closed state or the open state, The elastic module comprises: A protrusion protruding from the first body; And And an elastic structure provided on the second body and configured to elastically press the protruded outer surface of the protrusion, The protrusion has a second protrusion and a first protrusion and a third protrusion respectively disposed on both sides of the second protrusion along the longitudinal direction of the first body, Wherein the elastic structure portion includes first and second elastic structural portions configured to elastically press the two protrusions out of the first through third protrusions in the closed state and the open state, In the closed state, the first elastic structure is configured to elastically press the second projection, and the second elastic structure is configured to elastically press the third projection, In the open state, the first elastic structure is configured to elastically press the first protrusion, and the second elastic structure is configured to elastically press the second protrusion, Wherein the elastic structure is formed to be inclined upward with respect to the sliding direction so that elastic deformation of the first body due to contact with the protrusion is gradually generated when the first body receives elastic force by the elastic member, . delete delete delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the elastic module is formed in a non-exposed region of the first body and the second body covering the first body and the second body in the open state and the closed state. delete delete The method according to claim 1, The elastic module comprises: Wherein the first and second bodies are provided on both sides of the mutually facing surfaces of the first and second bodies symmetrically with respect to the slide module. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the elastic structure is formed integrally with a case having an outer appearance of the other of the first and second bodies. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first and third protrusions are spaced apart from each other with a distance (STROKE) between the closed state and the open state about the second protrusion, Wherein the first and second elastic structural parts are spaced apart from each other by a distance (STROKE) between the closed state and the open state.

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