KR20100033279A - Slide module and portable terminal having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A slide module and a portable terminal with the same are provided to include an elastic force providing unit providing bigger electric force in a same volume, thereby thinly forming the thickness of the portable terminal. CONSTITUTION: A first slide member and second slide member(141,142) are connected each other so that relative sliding is possible. A first arm member and second arm member(144,145) are respectively connected with the first or second slide member in one side and connected in other end so that relative movement is possible. An elastic force providing unit(150) adds elastic force to either the first slide member or the second slide member by the relative movement of the first and the second arm member. The first arm member and the second arm member are combined to be relatively rotated. At least one part of the elastic force providing unit is rolled by the relative rotation of the first arm member and the second arm member.

Description

SLIDE MODULE AND PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a slide module which allows a body to slide and move with respect to another body.

A portable terminal is a portable electronic device that is portable and has one or more functions such as voice and video call, information input and output, and data storage.

As the functions are diversified, for example, the portable terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia player having complex functions such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or a video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast.

Various new attempts have been applied 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 search for or select a function easily and conveniently.

In addition, while the portable terminal is regarded as a personal portable device for expressing its own personality, various design forms are required. The thickness of the mobile terminal is also one of those design forms. Accordingly, a method of making the thickness of the portable terminal thinner, for example, a thinner slide module may be considered.

One object of the present invention is to provide a slide module and a portable terminal having the same that can be formed thinner than the conventional.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slide module having improved operation reliability and a portable terminal having the same.

A slide module according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object includes a first and second slide members, first and second arm members and an elastic force providing unit. The first and second slide members are connected to each other to allow relative sliding. The first and second arm members are respectively coupled to the first or second slide member on one side and to each other to be relatively movable on the other side. The elastic force providing unit is formed to apply an elastic force to any one of the first and second slide members by relative movement of the first and second arm members.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second arm members engage with each other to rotate relative. The first and second arm members may be formed in a plate shape. The elastic force providing portion is formed so that at least a portion thereof can be wound by relative rotation of the first and second arm members. The elastic force providing unit may include a spring. The spring is formed in the shape of a spiral wound from the outer circumference to the center on the same plane.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one end of the spring may be located in the central portion of the spiral form. At least one of the first and second arm members may be formed with a restriction that restricts the movement of the spring by the elastic force of the spring. The other end of the spring may be formed to be located in an area outside the outer circumference.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second arm members are overlapped while being spaced apart from each other on the other side of the first and second arm members. The elastic force providing part may be located at an overlapping portion of the first and second arm members. Through-holes may be formed in the overlapping portions of the first and second arm members, respectively. The first and second arm members may be connected through a connecting shaft passing through the through hole. An insertion portion wound in a circular band shape may be formed in an area adjacent to one end of the spring to insert the connecting shaft.

A mobile terminal related to another embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module, an input device, a display device, a first body and a second body, and the slide module. The wireless communication module transmits and receives a wireless signal, the input device receives information for control, and the display device displays image information. Each of the first and second bodies includes at least one of the wireless communication module, the input device, and the display device. The slide module is formed to relatively slide the first and second bodies.

The portable terminal according to the present invention configured as described above forms a thinner slide module by the elastic force providing unit. In addition, the elastic force providing unit includes a spiral-shaped spring formed on the same plane, to provide a greater elastic force in the same volume. Through this, the thickness of the mobile terminal can be formed thinner.

In addition, the reliability of the spring is further improved by overlapping the first and second arm members and arranging the spring in the overlapped portion. This improves the assembly of the slide module.

Hereinafter, a slide module and a portable terminal having the same 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 assigned to the same or similar configurations in different embodiments, and the description thereof is replaced with the first description. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates 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 first and second bodies 110 and 120 coupled to implement an open state or a closed state by sliding.

Referring to this figure, the portable terminal includes a first body 110 and a second body 120 configured to be slidable in at least one direction on the first body 110. However, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and may be applied to various types of portable terminals such as a bar type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and the like.

A state in which the first body 110 is disposed to overlap the second body 120 may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 110 may be referred to as the second body 120. The exposed state of at least a portion of the N may be referred to as an open configuration.

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

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming the exterior of the first body 110 is formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112. The cases may be formed by injecting a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

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

The display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) module, a transparent OLED (TOLED) module, and the like, which visually express information.

In addition, the display unit 113 may further include a touch screen to enable input of information by a user's touch. In addition, the display 113 may be formed to generate various tactile effects that a user can feel when touched. This may be implemented by a haptic module linked to the display 113. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module. The haptic module may be disposed in various ways according to the configuration of the portable terminal as well as the display 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 in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video of a user.

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

Like the first body 110, the front case 121 and the rear case 122 may form a case of the second body 120.

The second manipulation 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 on at least one of the front case 121 and the rear case 122.

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

For example, the operation unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch screen that can receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, a touch pad, or a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a manipulation method such as a joystick. Or the like.

In functional terms, the first operation unit 116 is for inputting a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 123 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. In addition, the third manipulation unit 124 may operate as a hot-key that performs a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 115.

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 serves as a passage for allowing a portable terminal related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface 126 may be wired or wirelessly, and a connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port ( wireless LAN port), or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

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

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

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

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 be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (refer to FIG. 1) and having different pixels from the first image input unit.

For example, the first image input unit 115 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the second image input unit 128 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 129 and the mirror unit 130 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 128. The flash 129 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 128. The mirror unit 130 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user by using the second image input unit 128.

The second sound output unit 131 may be further disposed on the rear case 122.

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

An antenna 132 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the rear case 122 in addition to an antenna for a call or the like. The antenna 132 may be installed to be pulled out of the second body 120.

A portion of the slide module 140 that slidably couples the first body 110 and the second body 120 to the rear case 112 side of the first body 110 is disposed.

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 shown in the drawing.

In the above description, the second image input unit 128 is disposed on the second body 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, at least one or more of the components 128 to 132 described as disposed on the rear case 122, such as the second image input unit 128, may be disposed on the first body 110, mainly the rear case 112. It is also possible to be mounted. In such a case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) arranged in the rear case 112 in the closed state are protected by the second body 120. In addition, even if the second image input unit 128 is not separately provided, the first image input unit 115 may be rotatably configured to allow shooting up to the shooting direction of the second image input unit 128.

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

The 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 in relation to the second body 120.

The slide module 140 includes a first slide member 141 fixed to the first body 110. The second slide member 142 is coupled to the first slide member 141 so as to be slidable. The second slide member 142 is fixed to the fixing part 143 of the second body 120. The first and second slide members 141 and 142 may be integrally formed with the first and second bodies 110 and 120, respectively.

The slide module 140 includes first and second arm members 144 and 145 (see FIG. 4). The first and second arm members 144 and 145 are respectively coupled to the first or second slide members 141 and 142 on one side, and are coupled to each other to be relatively movable on the other side.

An elastic force is applied to any one of the first and second slide members 141 and 142 by the relative movement of the first and second arm members 144 and 145 between the first and second arm members 144 and 145. An elastic force providing unit 150 (refer to FIG. 5) is formed to apply the force.

The slide module 140 is formed to be stopped at a predetermined position when the portable terminal slides from the closed state to the open state. Referring to this figure, the second slide member 142 is stopped adjacent to one end of the first slide member 141, and this time is in an open state.

4A through 4C are conceptual views illustrating an operation of the slide module 140 of FIG. 3.

4A shows the slide module 140 when the portable terminal is open. The first and second arm members 144 and 145 are coupled to each other so as to be relatively rotatable.

4B shows the slide module 140 when the portable terminal is sliding. The first and second arm members 144 and 145 rotate relative to each other by sliding the second slide member 142. The elastic force providing unit 150 is formed to be at least partially wound by the relative rotation of the first and second arm members 144 and 145.

The elastic force providing unit 150 includes a spiral spring 151 (refer to FIG. 5) wound from the outer circumference to the center portion, and is formed to provide elastic force to the second slide member 142 by winding the spring 151. Can be. As a result, the elastic force providing unit 150 generates an elastic force that continues to move in the direction in which the second slide member 142 moves when the second slide member 142 moves a predetermined distance.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the second slide member 142 stops adjacent to the other end of the first slide member 141, which is a closed state of the portable terminal.

5 is an exploded view showing the elastic force providing unit 150 of the slide module 140 of FIG.

The first and second arm members 144 and 145 are formed in a plate shape. The first and second arm members 144 and 145 may be formed of a metal plate, for example, a plate made of SUS (Stainless Steel). The first and second arm members 144 and 145, which are connected to the first and second slide members 141 and 142 on the one side, respectively, are overlapped while being spaced apart from each other on the other side.

The elastic force providing unit 150 is positioned at an overlapping portion of the first and second arm members 144 and 145. The elastic force providing unit 150 includes a spiral spring 151 formed on the same plane. The spring 151 may be formed in a quadrilateral cross section. However, the cross section of the spring 151 is not limited thereto, and a circular cross section may be used.

The spring 151 has at least one end 151a positioned at the center of the spiral shape. The other end 151b of the spring 151 is formed to be located in an area outside the outer circumference.

As the spring 151 is disposed in the overlapped portions of the first and second arm members 144 and 145 in this way, the warpage of the spring 151 that may occur during the operation of the slide module 140 is suppressed. . Therefore, the reliability of the spring 151 is further improved. In addition, the first and second arm members 144 and 145 not only form a symmetrical structure but also appear to have the same shape even when flipped over. Accordingly, the first and second arm members 144 and 145 may be assembled upside down, and the assemblability of the first and second arm members 144 and 145 may be improved.

Through-holes 146a and 146b are formed in the overlapping portions of the first and second arm members 144 and 145, respectively. The first and second arm members 144 and 145 are connected through the connecting shaft 152 penetrating the through holes 146a and 146b. The spring 151 may be connected to the connecting shaft 152. In the region adjacent to one end of the spring 151, an insertion portion 153 wound in a circular band shape is formed to insert the connecting shaft 152.

A stepped region 147 may be formed in the first arm member 144 to surround the through hole 146a. The connecting shaft 152 may be formed, for example, as a rivet. One end of the connecting shaft 152 may be formed like a rivet head and may be seated in the stepped region 147.

At least one of the first and second arm members 144 and 145 is formed with limiting portions 148a and 148b for restricting the movement of the spring 151 by the elastic force of the spring 151. Referring to this figure, the first arm member 144 may be formed with a first limiting portion 148a which is formed by cutting a part of the stepped region 147. At least a portion of the spring 151 is disposed to be caught by the first restriction portion 148a.

The second arm member 145 has a second limiting portion 148b protruding from one surface of the second arm member 145 in the direction of the spring 151 so as to catch a portion adjacent to the other end 151b of the spring 151. Can be formed. Even though the first and second arm members 144 and 145 rotate relative to each other by the interaction of the first and second restricting portions 148a and 148b, the spring 151 is wound without rotation.

When the first and second arm members 144 and 145 rotate relative to each other, the spring 151 is wound like a spring. The spring 151 is wound around the first and second arm members 144 and 145 according to the relative rotation angle. The bending moment is generated in the spring 151 in the winding direction corresponding to the winding degree. The spring 151 exerts an elastic force on the first and second arm members 144 and 145 by the bending moment. As a result, the second slide member 142 connected to the first or second arm members 144 and 145 receives an elastic force when the portable terminal is slid.

Since the spring 151 is formed on the same plane, the slide module 140 including the spring 151 may be thinner than the slide module using the coil spring. In addition, the thickness of the mobile terminal can be made thinner.

Stoppers (not shown) may be formed on the first and second arm members 144 and 145 to limit the range of relative movement. The stopper may be formed on the first and second arm members 144 and 145 so as to contact each other when the first and second arm members 144 and 145 rotate by a predetermined range.

6A and 6B are exploded views and partial views showing modifications of the elastic force providing unit 250 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the elastic force providing part 250 includes a spring fixing part 254 on which a spring 251 is mounted. The spring fixing part 254 may be formed as a body having a gap 256 formed therein, and one end of the spring 251 may be inserted into the gap 256.

The first or second arm members 244 and 245 have coupling portions 255 having shapes corresponding to those of the spring fixing portion 254. Referring to this figure, the spring fixing portion 254 is coupled to the coupling portion 255 of the first arm member 244.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a portion adjacent to one end 351a of the spring 351 is welded to the first arm member 344 to be integral with the first arm member 344. A welding guide 344a protruding from one surface of the first arm member 344 may be formed in the first arm member 344 to be welded to the spring 351. The other end of the spring 351 may be formed to engage the second limiting portion 146b shown in the embodiment with reference to FIG. 5. Through this, an integral elastic force providing part may be formed.

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

Referring to FIG. 7, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module 161, an operation unit 116, 123, 124, an image input unit 115, 128, an audio input unit 125, a display unit 113, and an audio output unit. It includes the 114 and 131, the sensing unit 166, the interface 126, the broadcast receiving module 165, the memory 164, the power supply unit 127, and the controller 170.

The controller 170 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, it performs related control and processing for voice call, data communication, video call and so on.

In addition to the normal function control, the controller 170 additionally controls the operation of the mobile terminal related to the present invention.

The wireless communication module 161 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the controller 170, the transmitter 162 is responsible for transmitting and receiving voice data, text data, video data, and control data, and modulates and transmits a signal to be transmitted, and a receiver for demodulating the received signal. 163).

The operation units 116, 123, and 124 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the control unit 170 with key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. The operation units 116, 123, and 124 are composed of a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), 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 a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data displayable 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 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless transceiver 161 under the control of the controller 170.

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

The sound input unit 125 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display 113 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the control unit 170 displays and outputs a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal is in the video call mode or the photographing mode, the mobile terminal displays and outputs the captured image, UI, or GUI under the control of the controller 170. 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 may receive sound data or memory 164 received from the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the control unit 170 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The stored sound data is converted and output to the outside.

In addition, the sound output units 114 and 131 output sound signals related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound and a message reception sound) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 114 and 131 may include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 166 detects a current state of the portable terminal such as an open / closed state of the portable terminal, a position of the portable terminal, presence or absence of a user contact, and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal. For example, when the portable terminal is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed is sensed so as to output a sensing result to the controller 170 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 127 is supplied with power, whether the interface 126 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The interface 126 may be connected to a mobile terminal using a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (eg, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), or the like. It serves as an interface with the device. The interface 126 receives data from an external device or receives power and transfers the data to each component inside the mobile terminal or transmits data within the mobile terminal to the external device.

The memory 164 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 170, and provides a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

In addition, the memory 164 stores a program for controlling the operation of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

This memory 164 includes concepts such as hard disks, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like, which are generally known.

The broadcast receiving module 165 receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial wave, converts the broadcast signal into a broadcast data format that can be output to the sound output units 114 and 131 and the display unit 113, and outputs the broadcast signal to the controller 170. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 165 receives additional data related to the broadcast (for example, an EPG (electric program guide), a channel list, etc.). The broadcast data and additional data converted by the broadcast receiving module 165 may be stored in the memory 164.

The power supply unit 127 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 170 to supply power for operation of each component.

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

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 mobile terminal of FIG.

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

4A to 4C are conceptual views illustrating the operation of the slide module of FIG. 3.

5 is an exploded view showing an elastic force providing unit of the slide module of FIG.

6A and 6B are exploded views and partial views showing modifications of the elastic force providing unit associated with the present invention.

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

Claims (12)

First and second slide members connected to each other to allow relative sliding; First and second arm members each coupled to the first or second slide member on one side and coupled to each other to be relatively movable on the other side; And And an elastic force providing unit formed to apply an elastic force to any one of the first and second slide members by relative movement of the first and second arm members. The method of claim 1, The first and second arm members are coupled to each other to rotate relative, The elastic force providing unit is a slide module, characterized in that formed to be wound at least a portion by the relative rotation of the first and second arm member. The method of claim 1, The first and the second arm member is a slide module, characterized in that formed in the form of a plate. The method of claim 1, The elastic force providing unit slide module including a spring formed in a spiral shape wound around the center from the outer periphery on the same plane. The method of claim 4, wherein The spring module is characterized in that at least one end is located in the center of the spiral form. The method of claim 3, At least one of the first and second arm member is a slide module, characterized in that the restriction is formed to limit the movement of the spring by the elastic force of the spring. The method of claim 4, wherein Slide the other end of the spring is formed so as to be located in an area outside the outer circumference. The method of claim 1, And the first and second arm members overlap each other while being spaced apart from each other on the other side of the first and second arm members. The method of claim 8, The elastic force providing unit is a slide module, characterized in that located on the overlapping portion of the first and second arm member. The method of claim 8, Through holes are formed in the overlapping portions of the first and second arm members, respectively. The first and the second arm member is a slide module, characterized in that connected through the connecting shaft passing through the through hole The method of claim 10, And an insertion portion wound in a circular strip shape to insert the connecting shaft in an area adjacent to one end of the spring. A wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal; An input device for receiving information for control; A display device for displaying image information; First and second bodies each including at least one of the wireless communication module, an input device, and a display device; And A mobile terminal is formed to relatively slide the first and second body, and comprising a slide module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images