KR102073570B1 - A key engaging mechanism and portable terminal having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same, which can prevent corrosion of internal electrical material by a gas or a liquid flowing through a gap between a key and a window. The present invention relates to a key coupling of a mobile terminal. An apparatus comprising: a bracket provided inside a mobile terminal, a receiving portion having at least one first coupling portion on an upper surface of the bracket, a protrusion resting on the receiving portion, and a first edge on an edge extending from the bottom surface of the protrusion. And a key guide frame coupled to the receiving portion along the side circumference of the protrusion and the key having a second engaging portion engaged with the engaging portion, thereby restraining the key to the receiving portion.

Description

KEY ENGAGING MECHANISM AND PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same, and in particular, a key coupling device and a portable device having the same, which can prevent corrosion of an internal electric material by a gas or a liquid flowing through a gap between a key and a window. It relates to a terminal.

The term "portable terminal" in a conventional concept refers to an electronic device that a user can carry and perform wireless communication with a counterpart. Such portable terminals are becoming smaller, slim, grip, and lighter in consideration of portability, and are tending toward multimedia for pursuing more various functions.

In particular, more and more portable terminals will be used for miniaturization, light weight, multifunction, and versatility, and will be modified to adapt to various multimedia environments and Internet environments.

In addition, conventional portable terminals are being converted into structures capable of communicating high-speed data in addition to voice communication functions. In other words, as the needs of consumers increase, services will be provided using a wireless communication technology that transmits high-speed data.

A general portable terminal essentially includes a data input / output device, a speaker device, a microphone device, an antenna device, and the like. Recently, in the case of a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a virtual keyboard displayed on a touch screen is emerging as a data input device, and a keypad assembly composed of a plurality of existing keys is omitted, and one key is used as a practical data input device. It is provided. The home key is a data input device for inputting desired data by pressing operation.

1A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a key coupling device coupled to a bracket, which is adopted in a conventional mobile terminal, and FIG. 1B is a view showing that the key coupling device shown in FIG. 1A is fastened to the rear surface of the bracket. Top view schematically showing the structure.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a conventional key coupling device has a hole 11 and 12 formed at an edge of a key 10 fastened by a screw with holes 14 and 15 formed in a bracket 13. The edge of the key 10 penetrates through the holes 14 and 15 formed in the bracket 13 and is bent from the upper surface of the bracket 13 to the rear surface, whereby the key 10 is fixed to the bracket 13.

As described above, the conventional bracket 13 includes holes 14 and 15 in an area facing the edge area for fixing the key 10. Such a structure causes the following problems.

That is, the holes 14 and 15 of the bracket 13 are formed in the lower portion adjacent to the gap between the open portion of the window and the key 10. The back of the bracket 13 is provided with electrical objects such as a main circuit board or a USB port.

Due to such a structure, a foreign material, such as liquid or gas, introduced from the outside through a gap between the open portion of the window and the key may directly penetrate the holes 14 and 15 formed in the bracket 13.

That is, a serious error occurs such that electrical objects mounted on the rear surface of the bracket 13 are corroded chemically, or an abnormality occurs in the electrical driving.

Accordingly, there is a need for an invention of a key coupling device that can protect an electric object from an external foreign matter flowing in the vicinity of a key without affecting the operation and operation of the portable terminal.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a key coupling device that can protect the internal electrical material of the portable terminal from the liquid or gas flowing from the outside.

Still another object of the present invention is to improve the safety and durability of the mobile terminal by pursuing a simple structure and convenience of operation, and supplementing the rigidity of the key coupling device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a key and a key guide frame having little physical or electrical influence on the operation and operation of a mobile terminal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a key coupling device capable of preventing window cracks.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a key coupling device which can improve the feeling of body contact with the edge surface of the window opening part during key operation.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that those skilled in the art may better understand it from the following detailed description of the invention. In addition to these features and advantages, further features and advantages of the present invention which form the subject of the claims of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the key coupling device of the portable terminal, the key coupling device of the portable terminal, the bracket provided in the inside of the portable terminal, at least on the upper surface of the bracket Along the side circumference of the key and the protrusion having a receptacle having one first engaging portion, a protrusion seated on the receiving portion, and a second engaging portion engaged with the first engaging portion at an edge extending from the bottom surface of the protrusion. It is coupled to the receiving portion, characterized in that it comprises a key guide frame for restraining the key to the receiving portion.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a portable terminal having a key coupling device includes a first coupling portion on an upper surface of the portable terminal having a key coupling device. A bracket including a through hole spaced a predetermined distance from the coupling portion, a key circuit board coupled to the upper surface of the bracket, a main circuit board electrically connected to the key circuit board through the through hole, and a protrusion seated on the key circuit board. And a key having a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion at an edge extending from the protrusion, a window having an open portion exposing an upper surface of the protrusion, and a side surface of the protrusion between the opening portion and the key. The key guide frame is disposed along the circumference and the bottom surface is in close contact with the upper surface of the bracket to spatially isolate the through hole from the open portion. It is characterized by including.

The key coupling device and the portable terminal having the same according to the present invention, by combining the key only on the upper surface of the bracket, excluding the hole formed in the conventional bracket, the liquid or gas introduced from the outside of the internal electrical material of the portable terminal It can prevent the phenomenon which penetrates into.

In addition, the key guide frame according to the present invention can spatially isolate and isolate a through hole in which an area provided with a key and an internal main circuit board are exposed.

In addition, the present invention can provide a key guide frame with little physical or electrical influence on the operation and operation of the mobile terminal by independently coupling the key guide frame vertically downward between the key and the window opening.

In addition, by fixing the key guide frame to protrude above the upper surface of the window, and provided with an elastic material, it is possible to improve the window crack by receiving a line strike than the upper surface of the window when the unpacked fall.

In addition, the present invention can improve the feeling when the body is in contact with the edge surface of the window when the key guide frame by fastening by fitting to the bracket.

1A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a key coupling device coupled to a bracket, which is employed in a conventional mobile terminal, from an upper surface of the bracket.
Figure 1b is a top view schematically showing a structure in which a conventional key coupling device is fastened to the back of the bracket.
2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a main part of a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 and 4 are top views illustrating a part of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a top view showing a key circuit board provided on a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a top view illustrating a key and a key guide frame provided on a key circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this case, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by like reference numerals as much as possible. And a detailed description of known functions and configurations that can blur the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

In the key coupling device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, a key guide frame includes a through hole for coupling a key to an upper surface of a bracket and electrically connecting a key circuit board and a main circuit board provided on the upper and rear surfaces of the bracket. It is a key coupling device that can prevent corrosion of the internal electrical material by liquid or gas flowing through the gap between the window opening and the key by spatially isolating and isolating.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal may include a tablet PC, a mobile communication terminal, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, an IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000) terminal, and CDMA. (Code Division Multiple Access) terminal, WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) terminal, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) terminal, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) terminal, Enhanced Data GSM Envisonment (EDGE) terminal, UMTS (Universal Mobile) The present invention can also be applied to all information communication devices and multimedia devices such as Telecommunication Service terminals, Digital Broadcasting terminals, and automated teller machines (ATMs), and applications thereof.

2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a main part of a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 and 4 are top views illustrating a part of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a top view showing a key circuit board provided on a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a top view illustrating a key and a key guide frame provided on a key circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a key coupling device and a portable terminal having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 7 illustrate a bracket 20, a key circuit board 40, a main circuit board 80, a key 50, a window 70, and a key guide frame 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although only the local portion of the mobile terminal provided with the key 50 is shown and described, the key 50 of the embodiment can be mounted and modified in any part of the mobile terminal. It will be self explanatory.

2, a portable terminal having a key coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket 20, a key printed circuit board 40, and a main printed circuit board. , 80), a key 50, a window 70, and a key guide frame 60.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bracket 20 has a flat surface 28 in which a portion to which a key 50 and a portion of a key circuit board 40 facing the key 50 is to be seated is recessed to a predetermined depth. ) May be included. The flat surface 28 may be an area recessed to a sufficient depth such that even when the protrusion 52 is fastened to the bracket 20, the top surface of the protrusion 52 is substantially flat with the top surface of the window 70.

Hereinafter, the flat surface 28 and the first coupling portion of the bracket 20 will be defined as an accommodating portion 22 encompassing an area of the bracket 20 to which the key 50 is fastened.

In particular, the bracket 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a first coupling portion on the flat surface 28 or on the upper surface of the bracket 20 adjacent to the flat surface 28. At least one first coupling part may be formed at a predetermined interval around the flat surface 28.

The first coupling part may be provided with hooks 24 and 26 protruding to a predetermined height. The hooks 24 and 26 may be engaged with the hook holes 58 and 59 formed at the edges extending from the protrusions 52, thereby fixing the key 50 to the bracket 20. The height of the hooks 24 and 26 is preferably formed lower than the height of the protrusions 52.

Alternatively, the first coupling portion may be provided with planar regions 17 and 18 having a flat surface as shown in FIG. 4. The planar regions 17, 18, which are the first engagement portions, can be attached to the second engagement portions by at least one adhesive component of tape, bond, bonding, and combinations thereof.

5 and 7, the upper surface of the bracket 20 may be coupled to the key circuit board 40, and the rear surface of the bracket 20 may be coupled to the main circuit board 80. The bracket 20 may be coupled to the key circuit board 40 and the main circuit board 80 by an adhesive component such as a tape and a bond, and the uneven structure, the hook and the hook hole ( hook holes), or they may be fastened by structural coupling such as screw assembly.

Meanwhile, the bracket 20 may include a through hole 30 on one side for electrical connection between the key circuit board 40 and the main circuit board 80. In particular, the bracket 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to block the through hole 30 from the gas or liquid flowing through the opening 72 of the window 70, a predetermined distance from the receiving portion 22. Characterized by forming a through hole 30 in a portion of the edge of the bracket 20 spaced apart.

That is, the receiving portion 22 to which the key 50 is fastened to the through hole 30 in order to prevent corrosion of the electrical material 90 by the gas or liquid introduced through the open portion 72 of the window 70. It can be formed spaced apart from the predetermined interval.

Here, the electrical material 90 may refer to electrical components provided in the portable terminal, such as a main circuit board 80 and a USB port for electrical driving of the portable terminal.

The key circuit board 40 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a general hard type printed circuit board (PCB). A plurality of circuits and microchips may be provided on the upper surface of the key circuit board 40, and the rear surface of the key circuit board 40 may be coupled in close contact with the upper surface of the bracket 20. In this case, the key circuit board 40 may be fixed to the bracket 20 by an adhesive such as a tape or a bond, or may be coupled by fastening a hook and a hook groove.

As the key 50 is pressed, the key circuit board 40 may receive a command signal corresponding to the key 50. For example, the command signal may be converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to a circuit formed on the key circuit board 40. The command signal transmitted to the circuit of the key circuit board 40 may be transmitted to the main circuit board 80 electrically connected to the key circuit board 40.

Referring to FIG. 6, the key 50 may include a protrusion protruding upward from the bottom surface of the bracket 20 and an edge region extending from the center area to the bottom surface of the bracket 20. have.

The protrusion of the key 50 may be formed of a material having elasticity such as rubber or silicone so that the protrusion may be elastically deformed when the user presses the upper surface of the protrusion with a finger and then restored when the user releases the finger. . Such driving enables the protrusion of the key 50 to transmit a command signal input from the user to the key circuit board 40.

In particular, the edge region of the key 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include at least one second coupling portion. The second coupling part may be referred to as an area coupled to face the first coupling part provided in the bracket 20.

In detail, the second coupling part extends from the bottom surface of the key 50 and may be formed in a part of the edge region extending to be in close contact with the bracket 20. At least one second coupling part may correspond to the first coupling part, and may be provided at predetermined intervals in the edge area. The first and second coupling parts may be disposed in opposite directions with respect to the protrusion of the key 50, and may be disposed in a diagonal direction about the protrusion of the key 50.

On the other hand, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the direction of the first and second coupling portions may not be limited thereto. In addition, the number or separation distance of the first and second coupling parts may not be limited.

The second coupling part may be provided with hook holes 58 and 59 corresponding to the hooks 24 and 26 which are the first coupling parts shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the second coupling part may be provided as an adhesive plane area facing the adhesive plane areas 17 and 18 which are the first coupling parts shown in FIG. 6.

However, the bracket 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has holes 14 and 15 drilled in the bracket 13 to fasten the key 10 to the bracket 13, as shown in FIG. 1A. It is preferable to exclude.

That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the hooks 50 and 26 provided on the upper surface of the bracket 20 and the hook holes 58 and 59 provided in the key 50 are fastened to the brackets 20. By fixing to the holes 14 and 15 drilled in the existing bracket 13 can be excluded. Alternatively, the holes may be excluded by providing the adhesive plane regions 17 and 18 instead of the hooks 24 and 26 and the hook holes 58 and 59.

Since the holes 14 and 15 drilled in the conventional bracket 13 are formed in the lower part of the window opening part in position, and structurally formed as the holes in which the rear surface of the bracket 13 is exposed, the opening part and the key of the window are opened. There was a problem that the water or gas flowing from the gap in between immediately penetrated.

Due to such a problem, a serious error may occur such that the electrical material 90 provided on the rear surface of the bracket 13 is chemically corroded by the moisture, liquid, or gas, or an abnormality occurs in the electrical driving.

However, the embodiment of the present invention is a means for fixing the key 50 to the bracket 20, as shown in Figure 6 hooks protruding on the upper surface of the bracket 20, without forming a hole in the bracket 20 By engaging the 24 and 26 with the hook holes 58 and 59 provided in the key 50, the bracket 20 facing the lower part of the window opening 72 can be kept smooth without holes. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the hole may be removed from the bracket 20 by attaching the adhesive plane region of the key 50 facing the planar region of the edge of the bracket 20.

That is, the bracket 20 facing the lower portion of the window opening portion 72 may be a structure that closes the electrical material 90 provided on the rear surface of the bracket 20 from the window opening portion 72.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if liquid or gas flows from the gap between the opening portion 72 and the key 50 of the window, the electrical material 90 provided on the rear surface of the bracket 20 is closed on the bracket 20. By blocking and insulating by, it is possible to prevent the electrical material 90 from being corroded by an external liquid or gas or an electrical malfunction.

The key guide frame 60 may be coupled to the receiving portion 22 around the side surface 52 of the protrusion to fix the key 50 to the upper surface of the bracket 20. The key guide frame 60 may be fixed by fitting to an upper surface of the bracket 20.

At this time, the upper surface of the bracket 20 in contact with the key guide frame 60 may be injection molded so that there is no gap with each other when fastening. That is, the bottom surface of the key guide frame 60 may be formed to be in close contact with the receiving portion 22. In addition, since the key guide frame 60 is coupled to the accommodation portion 22, the key guide frame 60 may be spaced apart from the through hole 30 by a predetermined interval.

That is, the key guide frame 60 may be closely coupled to the bracket 20 vertically and downwardly to isolate and separate the through hole 30 from the open portion 72.

Therefore, the through hole 30 is not only spaced apart from the receiving portion 22 by a predetermined distance, but is also spatially isolated from the opening portion 72 by the key guide frame 60 so that the outside flows through the opening portion 72. It can be blocked from the penetration of material.

In addition, since the key guide frame 60 is independently coupled vertically downward between the key 50 and the window opening portion 72, the key guide frame 60 may have little physical or electrical influence on the operation and operation of the mobile terminal.

In addition, since the key guide frame 60 is fixed to the bracket 30, the user may feel stable when the body comes into contact with the edge of the window 60 during key operation.

In addition, the key guide frame 60 is fixed to protrude relatively than the upper surface of the window 60, it may be provided with an elastic material. Accordingly, the key guide frame 60 is preliminarily hit by the key guide frame 60 than the upper surface of the window 60 during the unpacked fall, thereby preventing the window crack phenomenon. As the elastic material, at least one of rubber, silicon, urethane, and a combination thereof may be used.

The key guide frame 60 may be provided with at least one of a plastic resin (PC, ABS, GF, PC + GF, etc.), a metal material (SUS, Al, Mg, etc.), or a combination thereof.

On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the specification and drawings are merely presented specific examples to easily explain the technical contents of the present invention and help the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention can be implemented.

10: key 11, 12: hole in the key edge area
13: Bracket 14, 15: Hole in the bracket
16: key circuit board 17, 18: adhesive plane area
20: bracket 22: receiving portion
24, 26 hook 28: flat surface
30: through hole 40: key circuit board
50: key 52: protrusion
60: key guide frame 70: window
72: window opening

Claims (14)

In the key coupling device of a mobile terminal,
A bracket disposed on the portable terminal and including a rear surface in contact with the inside of the portable terminal and an upper surface in contact with the outside of the portable terminal;
An accommodation portion including a flat surface recessed below the top surface and at least one first coupling portion extending from the flat surface in at least some regions of the top surface of the bracket;
A key circuit board at least partially seated on the flat surface of the housing portion;
A key including a protrusion that is seated through the flat surface at an upper portion of the key circuit board, and a second coupling portion extending from the protrusion to engage with the first coupling portion;
A key guide frame coupled to the accommodating part along a side circumference of the protruding part to constrain the key to the accommodating part and expose the protruding part and at least a part of the protruding part through an open part of a window disposed on an upper surface of the bracket; And
And a through hole formed from an upper surface to a rear surface of the bracket at a position spaced apart from the accommodation portion to which the key and the key guide frame are coupled.
The key circuit board is electrically connected to a main circuit board disposed inside the mobile terminal through the through hole.
The key guide frame is arranged so that the bottom surface is in close contact with the receiving portion, thereby spatially isolating and blocking the through hole from the opening of the window,
At least a portion of the key guide frame, the key coupling device of the portable terminal, characterized in that the protruding from the upper surface of the window so as to receive a line strike than the window when the portable terminal falls.
delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein the through hole,
And a hole facing one end of the key circuit board.
delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion,
A key bonding device for a portable terminal, characterized in that attached to each other by at least one of a tape, an adhesive bond, bonding, and a combination thereof. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion,
And a hook protruding from an upper surface of the bracket, and wherein the second coupling part includes a hook hole engaged with the hook.
The method of claim 8, wherein the hook,
And a height formed on an upper surface of the bracket is lower than a height of a protrusion seated on the flat surface. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the key guide frame,
Key combination device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that provided with any one of a plastic resin, a metal material and a combination thereof.
In the mobile terminal,
A bracket disposed on the portable terminal, the bracket including a rear surface in contact with the inside of the portable terminal and an upper surface in contact with the outside of the portable terminal;
A receiving portion including a flat surface recessed lower than the upper surface in at least a portion of the upper surface of the bracket and at least one first coupling portion extending from the flat surface;
A key circuit board at least partially seated on the flat surface of the housing portion;
A key including a protrusion that is seated through the flat surface at an upper portion of the key circuit board, and a second coupling portion extending from the protrusion to engage with the first coupling portion;
A key guide frame coupled to the accommodating part along a side circumference of the protrusion to constrain the key to the accommodating part;
A through hole formed from an upper surface to a rear surface of the bracket at a position spaced apart from the accommodation portion to which the key and the key guide frame are coupled; And
A window disposed on an upper surface of the bracket, the window including an opening to expose at least a portion of the protrusion and the key guide frame to the outside;
The key circuit board is electrically connected to the main circuit board disposed inside the mobile terminal through the through hole.
The key guide frame is arranged so that the bottom surface is in close contact with the receiving portion, thereby spatially isolating and blocking the through hole from the opening of the window,
At least a portion of the key guide frame, characterized in that the mobile terminal is disposed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the window so as to receive a line strike than the window, when the portable terminal falls.
delete The method of claim 12, wherein the key guide frame,
A mobile terminal, characterized in that formed of at least one of rubber (silber), silicon (silicon), or urethane (urethane).

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