KR20050090202A - Key input device for mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key input device of a portable terminal configured to promptly select and confirm keys for performing menu and operation mode functions of the terminal. To this end, the present invention relates to a data input device of a portable terminal using keys. A wheel housing having a connection terminal, a wheel key rotatably coupled to the wheel housing in an upward and downward direction to rotate about a wheel axis, and penetrated in a longitudinal direction to a center of the wheel key to provide the wheel axis; And a wheel shaft configured to rotate the wheel key in the wheel housing and a lengthwise direction in the wheel key, the wheel key being electrically connected to the connecting terminal as the wheel key is rotated in the wheel housing to generate an electrical signal. Consists of at least one fog pin with a plurality of connection terminals to turn on or off In this way, it is possible to quickly select and confirm the keys for performing the menu and operation mode functions of the terminal, thereby improving the convenience of using the product as well as providing a feeling of clicking due to a fog pin. There is an advantage that can be improved.

Description

Key input device of mobile terminal {KEY INPUT DEVICE FOR MOBILE PHONE}

The present invention relates to a key input apparatus of a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a key input apparatus of a portable terminal configured to promptly select and confirm a key for performing a menu and an operation mode function of the terminal.

Typically, a bar-type wireless terminal means that a single housing is configured as a bar-type, and a flip-type wireless terminal means that a flip or cover is rotatably configured by a hinge device in a bar-type housing, and a folder-type By wireless terminal it is meant that the folder is configured in a folding manner by rotatably connected by a hinge to a single bar-shaped housing. The above-mentioned conventional portable terminals essentially have an antenna device, a data input / output device, and a data transmission / reception device. Of course, the data input device is commonly used as a keypad for inputting data mainly by a finger pressing operation, a touch pad or a touch screen is also used.

Basically, the keypad used for data input consists of an arrangement of a plurality of keys. These keys are composed of a call start button (SND) key, a cancel key, a modification key (CLR), a numeric key, a letter key, an end (END) key, a function key, a power (PWR) key, and the like.

Looking at the structure of a portable terminal having the key, as follows. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the conventional foldable portable terminal is divided into a main body 1 and a folder 2. The main body 1 is equipped with a key button 1a, a four-way adjustment key 1b and a microphone 1c. The folder 2 is provided with a liquid crystal display 2a and a speaker 2b. A hinge device 3 is provided between the main body 1 and the folder 2 so as to be rotatable upward from the main body 1. An antenna 4 is provided on the top of the body 1.

Four-way adjustment key (1d) of the top, bottom, left and right to perform a variety of functions with the key button (1a) is provided.

However, the key button and the four-way control key provided in the conventional portable terminal main body is not only an easy operation process for finding and pressing a complicated button from selection to confirmation according to various operation mode functions of the menu. In the case of quick change, the operation is slow because the button has to be moved to a provided position and there is a problem that the operation of the quick function switching is impossible.

In addition, it is difficult to quickly switch the mode from the menu of the conventional mobile terminal to the selection and confirmation of the operation mode function, and thus there is a disadvantage that the fast mobile Internet search is not possible according to the key button function.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above conventional problems, an object of the present invention, by providing a wheel key that can be rotated up and down in the portable terminal, the key of performing the menu and operation mode functions of the terminal An object of the present invention is to provide a key input device of a portable terminal so as to move quickly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable key capable of improving the operation of the key by configuring a wheel key capable of up and down rotation and having at least one dome switch for left and right movement. It is to provide a key input device of the terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a data input device of a portable terminal using a key,

A wheel housing having a plurality of connection terminals;

A wheel key rotatably coupled to the wheel housing in an upward and downward direction to rotate about a wheel axis;

A wheel shaft longitudinally coupled to a central portion of the wheel key to provide the wheel shaft, the wheel shaft being rotatable in the wheel housing; And

At least one fog pin provided in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key and having a plurality of connection terminals electrically connected to the connection terminals to generate or block an electrical signal as the wheel keys are rotated in the wheel housing; It is characterized by being configured.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 13, the key input device 10 of the portable terminal includes a wheel housing 20, a wheel key 30, a wheel shaft 40, and at least one fog pin 50. .

The wheel housing 20 is electrically connected to a plurality of connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a provided in each fog pin 50, and at the same time, an electrical signal is printed on a printed circuit board of the terminal body 1 It is provided with a plurality of connecting terminals 25 to apply to (not shown).

The wheel key 30 is coupled to the wheel housing 20 so as to be rotatable up and down about the wheel axis A1.

The wheel shaft 40 provides the wheel shaft A1 and is longitudinally coupled to a central portion of the wheel key 30 so that the wheel key 30 is rotatable in the wheel housing 20. .

Each of the fog pins 50 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 25 as the wheel key 30 is rotated by the wheel shaft A1 to generate or block an electrical signal. 30) is provided in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, a pair of side coupling portions 21 are formed at both ends of the wheel housing 20 so as to engage the wheel key 30 therebetween and to engage with each other to be rotatable.

In addition, a rotation hole 22 is formed at the center of each side coupling portion 21 so as to be rotatably coupled with the rotation protrusion 41 formed on the wheel shaft 40.

In addition, a plurality of terminal holes 23 are formed around the circumference of the rotating hole 22 to include the respective connection terminals 25.

In addition, a plurality of detachable grooves 24 are provided between the respective terminal holes 23 so that the plurality of connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a provided in the respective fog pins 50 can be separated and combined. Is formed.

In addition, at least one contact protrusion 26 is further formed on the bottom surface of each side coupling part 21 to be in contact with each dome switch 70.

In addition, each of the detachable grooves 24, the plurality of connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a in the detachable groove 24 is clicked when detached and coupled to feel the rotation of the wheel key 30. It is supposed to be.

In addition, the plurality of terminal holes 23 and the removable grooves 24 are provided at equiangular intervals along the circumference of the rotation hole 22.

The wheel key 30 includes a wheel side through hole 31, a pin hole 32, and at least one pin groove 33 and 34.

The wheel side through hole 31 is formed at the center of the wheel key 30 so as to penetrate the wheel shaft 40.

The pin hole 32 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30 so as to penetrate with the first fog pin 51 and is formed around the circumference of the wheel side through hole 31.

The first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30 to be engaged with the second and third fog pins 52 and 53, and at the same time, the wheel side through holes 31 are formed. It is formed around the circumference of.

In addition, the pin holes 32 and the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 are provided at both left and right sides of the wheel-side through hole 31.

The first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 are provided symmetrically with each other in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30.

In addition, a partition 60 is formed between the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 to separate the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 from each other.

The fog pin 50 includes first, second and third fog pins 51, 52 and 53 and a fog spring 54.

The first fog pin 51 is detached from each of the detachable grooves 24 to be electrically connected to the connection terminal 25 or coupled to each of the detachable grooves 24 to block the electric signal. It is penetrated by the pin hole 32 of 30.

A pair of first connection terminals 51a are provided at both ends of the first fog pin 51 so as to be separated from and coupled to the respective detachable grooves 24.

The second and third fog pins 52 and 53 are coupled to the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 so as to prevent the application of a signal according to the connection with the connection terminal 25 and are separated from each other. It is to be separated and coupled to each of the removable grooves 24.

One end of the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 is provided with second connection terminals 52a and 53a to be detached from and coupled to the respective detachable grooves 24.

The fog spring 54 moves the connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a left and right in the direction of the wheel axis A1 in accordance with the rotation of the wheel key 30. Each of the fog pins 50 is provided inside the body to provide elastic force so as to be detachable from and coupled thereto.

In addition, at least one dome switch 70 is provided at left and right sides of the wheel housing 20 to enable left and right movements.

In addition, a plurality of embossing protrusions 35 are formed around the outer circumference of the wheel key 30 along the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30 to facilitate rotation of the wheel key 30.

The operation of the key input device of the portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 as follows.

2 to 3, the key input device 10 of the portable terminal includes a wheel housing 20, a wheel key 30, a wheel shaft 40, and at least one fog pin 50.

In this state, at both ends of the wheel housing 20, a pair of side coupling portions 21 protrude from each other so as to engage the wheel keys 30 and to be rotatable at the same time.

The center of the pair of side coupling portion 21 is formed with a rotation hole 22 is coupled to the wheel shaft 40, the circumference of the rotary hole 22 is provided with the respective connecting terminal 25 Since a plurality of terminal holes 23 are formed, the connection terminals 25 are fitted into the plurality of terminal holes 23.

In this case, a plurality of detachable grooves 24 are provided between the terminal holes 23 so as to detach and couple the plurality of connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a provided in the respective fog pins 50. ) Is formed.

In this state, the wheel key 30 is rotatably coupled between the side engaging portions 21 of the wheel housing 20.

At this time, the wheel shaft 40 is coupled to the central portion of the wheel key 30 in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30 to provide the wheel shaft A1.

The wheel shaft 40 is penetrated through the wheel side through hole 31 formed in the center of the wheel key 30.

In this state, both ends of the wheel shaft 40, the rotary protrusion 41 is formed so as to be coupled to the rotary hole 22 formed in the center of each side coupling portion 21, the rotary protrusion 41 Is coupled to the rotatable hole 22 to be rotatable.

At this time, the pin hole 32 and the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key 30 in the wheel key 30.

The first hole pin (32) is separated from each of the removable grooves 24 and electrically connected to the connection terminal 25 or coupled to each of the removable grooves 24 to block electrical signals. 51 is through-coupled.

Both ends of the first fog pin 51 are provided with first connection terminals 51a to be separated from and coupled to the respective detachable grooves 24.

The second and third fog pins 52 and 53 are fitted into the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 is provided with second connection terminals 52a and 53a electrically connected to the connection terminal 25. An electrical signal applied when the terminal 25 is electrically connected to the terminal 25 may be prevented by the partition 60 formed between the first and second pin grooves 33 and 34.

The second connection terminals 52a and 53a are provided at one ends of the second and third fog pins 52 and 53.

In this state, the wheel key 30 is engaged between the side engaging portions 21 of the wheel housing 20, and at the same time the first, second, third, fog pins 51, 52, 53 The first and second connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a of the coupling to the removable groove 24.

Here, the order of the electrical connection signal between the detachable groove 24 and the connection terminal 25 of the wheel housing 20 and the first connection terminal 51a of the wheel key 30 will be described as follows.

7 and 9, it is assumed that the ground signals of the respective connection terminals 25 provided in the wheel housing 20 are ①, ②, ③, ④, and the wheel key 30 is the wheel shaft A1. Rotation in the lower direction around the center, the first connecting terminal 51a of the wheel key 30 is detached from the detachable groove 24 of the wheel housing 20 and at the same time the connecting terminal of the wheel housing 20 It is electrically connected to (25).

As shown in Fig. 8, the electrical connection signal is moved in the order of ① → ② → ③ → ④ → ①.

At this time, when the first connection terminal 51a is rotated and coupled to each of the removable grooves 24, the electrical signal is blocked.

As such, the first connection terminal 51a of the wheel key 30 is detached from the detachable groove 24 of the wheel housing 20 and electrically connected to the connection terminal 25, and the detachable groove 24 is provided. ), The electrical signal is blocked.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, when the wheel key 30 is rotated in an upward direction about the wheel axis A1 in reverse, as shown in FIG. 10, the first connection terminal 51a and the wheel housing. Electrically connected to each connection terminal 25 of (20), this electrical connection signal is moved in the order ① → ④ → ③ → ② → ①.

In this way, the terminal body 1 receives an electrical connection signal between the first connecting terminal 51a of the first fog pin 51 and the connecting terminal 25 of the wheel housing 20 according to the rotation direction of the wheel key 30. Is applied to a printed circuit board (not shown), wherein the user can select an operation mode function of the terminal body 1.

12 and 13, since at least one dome switch 70 is provided at the lower left and right sides of the wheel housing 20, the left and right movements of the wheel housing 20 are pressed to press the dome. A contact portion (not shown) provided in the switch 70 is connected to apply an electrical signal by contact operation to the printed circuit board (not shown) in the terminal body 1 as well.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the first connection terminal 51a of the first fog pin 51 is detached from each of the detachable grooves 24 as the wheel key 30 rotates, and thus the connection terminal 25 is used. ) Is electrically connected to, and when coupled to the plurality of detachable grooves 24, the electrical connection is lost.

As such, the first connection terminal 51a gives a feeling of a click when detached from and coupled to the plurality of detachable grooves 24 to increase the rotational feeling of the wheel key 30.

At this time, as the wheel key 30 rotates, the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 provided on the opposite side of the first fog pin 51 also have the wheel shaft of the wheel key 30 ( Rotate together around A1).

In this case, second connection terminals 52a and 53a are provided at one end of the second and third fog pins 52 and 53, and the second connection terminals 52a and 53a are respectively detachable grooves ( Departure from the 24 and is electrically connected to the connecting terminal 25 of the wheel housing (20).

In this case, the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 are separated from each other by a partition 60 formed between the second and third pin grooves 33 and 34 of the wheel key 30. Signal transmission due to electrical connection between the connection terminals 52a and 53a and the connection terminal 25 can be prevented.

Here too, the second connection terminals 52a and 53a of the second and third fog pins 52 and 53 are separated from and coupled to the detachable groove 24 to enhance the rotational feeling of the wheel key 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the connection terminals 51a, 52a, 53a in the direction of the wheel axis A1 is disposed in the body of each fog pin 50 in accordance with the rotation of the wheel key 30. A fog spring 54 is provided to move left and right to electrically connect with each of the connection terminals or to provide elastic force to be detachable from and coupled to each of the detachable grooves 24.

The key input device of the portable terminal of the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

For example, the present invention need not be limited to a foldable terminal, and can be applied to all portable terminals.

As described above, according to the key input device of the mobile terminal according to the present invention,

The mobile terminal is equipped with a wheel key that can be rotated in the up, down, left and right directions to quickly select and confirm a key that performs the menu and operation mode functions of the terminal, thereby improving convenience for use of the product. In addition to having a fog pin, there is an effect that can improve the click feeling according to the rotation.

1 is a perspective view of a folder of a folder-type terminal is opened in a conventional portable terminal,

2 is an exploded perspective view of a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a perspective view illustrating a state before coupling of a wheel housing and a wheel key of a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of a wheel housing and a wheel key in a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a cut perspective view illustrating a coupling state of a wheel key and a fog pin in a key input device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a cut perspective view illustrating a state in which a fog pin of a wheel key is coupled to a detachable groove of a wheel housing of a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a cut perspective view illustrating a state in which a fog pin of a wheel key is connected to a wheel housing and a connection terminal of a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a view illustrating a connection operation sequence when the wheel key is rotated downward in the configuration of a key input device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a side view illustrating a connection operation sequence when the wheel key is rotated downward in the configuration of a key input device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a view illustrating a connection operation sequence when the wheel key is rotated upward in the configuration of a key input device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a side view illustrating a connection operation sequence when the wheel key is rotated upward in the configuration of a key input device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a view showing a dome switch in a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

13 is a perspective view of an open state of a folder to which a key input device of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

Claims (10)

In the data input device of a mobile terminal using a key, A wheel housing having a plurality of connection terminals; A wheel key rotatably coupled to the wheel housing in an upward and downward direction to rotate about a wheel axis; A wheel shaft longitudinally coupled to a central portion of the wheel key to provide the wheel shaft, the wheel shaft being rotatable in the wheel housing; And At least one fog pin provided in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key and having a plurality of connection terminals electrically connected to the connection terminals to generate or block an electrical signal as the wheel keys are rotated in the wheel housing; Key input device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that configured. 2. The key input device of claim 1, wherein a pair of side coupling portions are formed at both ends of the wheel housing so as to engage the wheel keys with each other and to be rotatable with each other so as to be rotatable. The rotating hole is formed in the center of each side coupling portion to be rotatably coupled with the rotating projection formed on the wheel shaft, A plurality of terminal holes are formed around the circumference of the rotating hole to include the respective connecting terminals. A plurality of detachable grooves are formed between each terminal hole so as to separate and couple each connection terminal provided in the fog pin. At least one contact protrusion is further formed on the bottom surface of each side coupling portion to be in contact with each dome switch. 4. The key input device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of terminal holes and the removable grooves are provided at equal angle intervals along the circumference of the rotation hole. The wheel-side through hole of claim 1, wherein the wheel key comprises: a wheel-side through hole formed at a central portion of the key to penetrate the wheel shaft; A pin hole formed in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key around the circumference of the wheel side through hole and penetratingly coupled to the fog pin; And a first and second pin groove formed around the circumference of the wheel-side through hole in the longitudinal direction of the wheel key and engaged with the fog pin. The key input device of claim 5, wherein the pin holes and the first and second pin grooves are formed at both left and right sides of the wheel-side through hole. 6. The key input device of claim 5, wherein a partition is further formed between the first and second pin grooves to separate the fog pins from each other. The first fog pin of claim 1, wherein the fog pin is penetrated through the pin hole of the wheel key and separated from the detachable groove to be electrically connected to the connection terminal, and coupled to the detachable groove to block an electrical signal. and, Second and third fog pins provided in the first and second pin grooves of the wheel key and separated from each other by the partition to prevent the application of a signal when the connection terminal is connected; Is provided inside the respective fog pin body to move the respective connection terminals left and right in accordance with the rotation of the wheel key to electrically connect to each of the connection terminals or to be detachable and coupled to the detachable groove Key input device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that provided with a fog spring providing. The method of claim 8, wherein the pair of first connection terminals which are provided at both ends of the first fog pin to be separated and coupled to the removable groove, And a second connection terminal provided at one end of the second and third fog pins to be separated from and coupled to the detachable groove. The key input device of claim 1, wherein at least one dome switch is provided at lower left and right sides of the wheel housing to enable left and right movements of the wheel housing.