KR20100059087A - Switch assembley and portable terminal having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A switch assembly and a portable terminal including the same are provided to form a slim electrical connection by forming a connection route of a plurality of terminals along a same surface. CONSTITUTION: A switch assembly includes first and second terminals(152,153) and a switch(151). The first and the second terminals are formed on a single-side of an insulating member. The second terminal is arranged on a hollow area limited by the first terminal. The second terminal includes a plurality of terminals. A connection route of a plurality of terminals is formed along the single-side of the insulating member. The switch covers up the first and the second terminal. The switch electrically connects the first and the second terminal by an elastic deformation.

Description

SWITCH ASSEMBLEY AND PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a switch assembly for receiving a command for control and a portable terminal having the same.

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.

Many new attempts are being applied to these multimedia devices in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment is provided for a user to easily and conveniently search for or select a function.

In addition, while the portable terminal is regarded as a personal portable device for expressing its own personality, various design forms are required. The design form also includes structural changes and improvements for the user to use the mobile terminal more conveniently.

As one of such structural changes and improvements, a method of further improving an input device for implementing a function of a portable terminal may be considered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal with high performance reliability of the input device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal which is more reduced manufacturing costs.

In order to achieve this object of the present invention, the switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first and second terminal portion and a switch. The first and second terminal portions are formed on one surface of the insulating member, respectively. The switch is arranged to be stacked with the first and second terminal portions, and is formed to electrically connect the first and second terminal portions by elastic deformation. The first terminal portion is formed to define a hollow region in which the second terminal portion is disposed. At least a portion of the first terminal portion is formed to open the hollow region in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating member. The first terminal portion may include a plurality of portions that open the hollow region.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second terminal portion includes a plurality of terminals, and a connection path of the plurality of terminals is formed along one surface of the insulating member. The connection path may be formed to penetrate the portion that opens the hollow region.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second terminal portions includes a plurality of terminals, and a connection path of each of the plurality of terminals forming the first and second terminal portions is formed along one surface of the insulating member.

According to another aspect of the invention, the switch is formed in the shape of a dome. The edge of the switch corresponds to the first terminal portion, and the center of the switch is disposed to correspond to the second terminal portion. The switch may be coupled to the first terminal portion, and may be formed to be in contact with the second terminal portion by elastic deformation by pressing. The switch may be formed to be in contact with the first and second terminal parts by being coupled to the insulating member and elastically deformed by pressing.

A portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module, a display unit, and an operation unit including the switch assembly. The wireless communication module transmits and receives a wireless signal, the display unit displays image information, and the operation unit is configured to receive a command for control.

The present invention can form a slimmer electrical connection by the connection path of the control panel terminals is formed along the same plane. Through this, the switch assembly and the portable terminal having the same can be made slimmer.

In addition, the present invention can form a simple electrical connection as the connection path is formed along the same plane. Through this, the performance reliability of the input device may be higher. In addition, a portable terminal can be implemented to reduce manufacturing costs.

Hereinafter, a switch assembly related to the present invention and a portable terminal having the same will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying 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.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are merely given in consideration of ease of preparation of the present specification, and do not impart any particular meaning or role by themselves. Therefore, it should be noted that "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

The portable terminal can be implemented in various forms. For example, a terminal described herein includes a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and the like. And fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal is a portable terminal. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the following description may also be applied to fixed terminals, except for components specifically configured for mobile use.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module 161, an operation unit 116, 117, an image input unit 115, 121, an audio input unit 118, a display unit 113, The sound output unit 114, the sensing unit 166, the interface 119, the broadcast receiving module 165, the memory 164, the power supply unit 120, and the controller 160 are included.

1 illustrates a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. The mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or the mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

The controller 160 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like.

The wireless communication module 161 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna unit. For example, under the control of the controller 160, 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 and 117 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the control unit 160 with key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. Manipulators 116 and 117 are configured as dome switches. The operation unit may be composed of a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The image input units 115 and 121 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 121 may be stored in the memory 164 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the controller 160.

The sound input unit 118 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 161 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 118 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 160 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 160. 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 unit 114 controls the sound data or the memory 164 received from the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the control unit 160 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 unit 114 outputs a sound signal related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the portable terminal 100.

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 160 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 120 is supplied with power or whether the interface 119 is coupled to an external device.

The interface 119 may be connected to a mobile terminal such as 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 119 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the portable terminal or transmits data within the portable terminal to the external device.

The memory 164 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 160, and provides a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). Can be done.

In addition, the memory 164 stores a program for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 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 unit 114 and the display unit 113, and outputs it to the control unit 160. 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 120 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 160 to supply power for operation of each component.

2 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the portable terminal 100 includes a terminal body 110 of a 'bar' type. However, the present invention is not limited to the bar type portable terminal disclosed in FIG. 2, but is a 'folder' type in which two terminal bodies are foldably connected, but a 'slide' is slidably connected. The present invention can also be applied to a portable terminal having a different type or form factor such as a type.

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming the exterior of the terminal 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 111a may be further disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112. The cases 111, 111a and 112 may be formed by injecting synthetic resin, or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti), or a ceramic.

The front case 111 may include a display unit 113, a first sound output unit 114, a first image input unit 115, or a first manipulation unit 116.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) module, an e-paper, a transparent OLED (TOLED), and the like, which visually express information. In addition, the display unit 151 may be configured to receive information or a control command by a user's touch by including a touch sensing means. The touch sensing means may include a transparent electrode film disposed inside the window, and a resistive film type or an electrostatic type may be applied.

The first sound output unit 114 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker, and the first image input unit 115 may be in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video for a user. Can be implemented.

The first operation unit 116 receives a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The second manipulation unit 117, the sound input unit 118, and the interface 119 may be disposed on at least one of the front case 111 and the rear case 112.

The first and second manipulators 116 and 117 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 pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or may be implemented by a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a method such as a joystick. Can be.

In functional terms, the first manipulation unit 116 may be for inputting a command such as a start, end, scroll, or the like, or for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. The second manipulation unit 117 may operate as a hot-key that performs a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 115.

The sound input unit 118 may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface 119 serves as a passage for allowing the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface 119 is wired or wirelessly, a connection terminal for connecting with 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 the like, or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100.

The interface 119 may be a card socket for receiving an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), a memory card for storing information.

3 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal 100 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second image input unit 141 may be additionally mounted on the bottom of the rear case 112. The second image input unit 121 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (refer to FIG. 2) and having different pixels from the first image input unit 115.

For example, the first image input unit 115 has a low pixel so that it is easy to photograph a user's face and transmit the image to a counterpart in the case of a video call, and the second image input unit 121 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 122 and the mirror unit 123 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 121. The flash 122 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 121. The mirror unit 123 allows the user to see the user's face or the like when the user wants to photograph himself (self-photographing) using the second image input unit 121.

The terminal body may be provided with an antenna unit for a call, Bluetooth communication, or GPS communication. The rear case 112 may include an antenna 124 for receiving broadcast signals in addition to the antenna unit. The antenna 124 may be installed to be pulled out of the terminal body 110.

The power supply unit 120 for supplying power to at least one component of the portable terminal 100 is configured at the rear case 112 side. The power supply unit 120 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery to supply power. The battery may be detachably coupled for charging or the like.

An antenna 116 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the terminal body 110 in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna 116 may be rotatably installed after being drawn out or drawn out to the rear case 112.

4 is an exploded perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 2.

The circuit board 130 is mounted inside the terminal body 110.

The circuit board 130 may be equipped with a display 113a, a speaker 114a, a camera 115a, and the like.

A window 113b having a light transmissive area is formed on the front surface of the front case 111 to protect the display 113a. The front case 111 is coupled to a bracket 113c formed to support the display 113a. The bracket 113c may be formed of stainless steel, and may be formed in a strip-shaped polygonal shape to support the edge of the display 113a.

The speaker 114a and the camera 115a are disposed at one side of the display 113a. A sound discharge hole 114b and a camera window 115b corresponding to the speaker 114a and the camera 115a are formed in front of the front case 111, respectively. The speaker 114a and the sound discharge hole 114b may be classified as the sound output unit 114 (see FIG. 2), and the camera 115a and the camera window 115b may be classified as the image input unit 115 (see FIG. 2). have.

An antenna 140 for wireless communication of the mobile terminal 100 may be disposed at one corner of the terminal cases 111, 111a, and 112. 4 shows that the circuit board 130 is disposed at the lower rear side. The power supply unit 141 of the antenna 140 is formed in a spring shape to be connected to and connected to the circuit board 130.

The switch assembly 150 is formed on the circuit board 130, and the keypad 116a is mounted on the front case 111 to correspond to the switch assembly 150. The keypad mounting hole 116b is formed on the front surface of the front case 111 so that the keypad 116a may be exposed. The keypad 116a, the keypad mounting hole 116b, and the switch assembly 150 may be classified into the operation unit 116.

The switch assembly 150 may include a switch 151 and terminal portions 152, 153 (refer to FIG. 6) disposed under the switch 151 and covered by the switch 151. The terminal parts 152 and 153 may be electrically connected through the connection path 154.

5 is a plan view of the circuit board 130 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit board 130 taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

The circuit board 130 is formed by printing a circuit pattern on the insulating member 131 forming the appearance.

First and second terminal parts 152 and 153 are formed on one surface of the insulating member 131, and the switch 151 is disposed to be stacked with the first and second terminal parts 152 and 153.

The switch 151 is formed to electrically connect the first and second terminal portions 152 and 153 by elastic deformation. Referring to the drawings, the switch 151 is formed in a dome shape to form a dome switch.

The switch 151 is coupled to the first terminal portion 152 and is elastically deformed by pressing to contact the second terminal portion 153. The switch 151 may be formed of, for example, a conductive material that remembers a shape. The switch 151 is disposed such that an edge thereof corresponds to the first terminal portion 152 and a center thereof corresponds to the second terminal portion 153.

When the user presses the switch 151 downward, the dome-shaped switch 151 is elastically deformed in a concave state in a convex state with the center portion descending while being connected with the first terminal unit 152. Through this, the switch 151 is pressed to the second terminal portion 153 in the dome shape to electrically connect the first and second terminal portions 152 and 153. When the pressing force is removed, the switch 151 is restored to its original convex state, and the contacts of the first and second terminal parts 152 and 153 are dropped.

The first terminal portion 152 is formed to surround the second terminal portion 153. The second terminal portion 153 may be formed in a circular shape, for example. The first terminal portion 152 is formed to define the hollow region 155. The second terminal portion 153 is disposed in the hollow region 155.

The first terminal portion 152 is formed to open at least a portion of the hollow region 155 in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating member 131. As an example of satisfying the above condition, the first terminal portion 152 may be formed in a horseshoe shape and may be an edge of the hollow region 155. Referring to the drawings, a portion 156 for opening the hollow region is formed on one surface of the insulating member 131. The opening 156 may then be abbreviated as an opening 156.

The first and second terminal parts 152 and 153 may have a plurality of terminals, respectively.

The connection paths 154a of the terminals 152a, 152b, 153c, and 153d forming the first terminal unit 152 may be formed along one surface of the insulating member 131.

The connection paths 154b of the plurality of terminals 153a, 153b, 153c, and 153d forming the second terminal portion 153 are formed along the same surface of the surface on which the connection path 154a of the first terminal portion 152 is formed. The plurality of terminals 153a, 153b, 153c, and 153d are connected through the opening 156.

As such, the connection paths 154a and 154b of the terminals 152 and 153 are formed along the same surface, thereby making a slimmer and simpler electrical connection. If the connection paths 154a and 154b of the terminals 152 and 153 formed on the same surface are formed through different surfaces, the thickness of the insulating member 131 will be thick and the connection paths will be complicated to realize this. . In addition, a portable terminal can be implemented through which the manufacturing cost is reduced.

7 is a plan view illustrating a modification of the circuit board 130 of FIG. 4.

Referring to this drawing, the first terminal portion 252 forms a plurality of openings 256. For example, two openings 256 may be provided at upper and lower sides of the first terminal unit 252.

Through this, the electrical connection patterns of the first and second terminal parts 252 and 253 may be implemented in various ways. For example, the connection paths 254b of the plurality of terminals 253a, 253e, 253f, 253g, and 253h forming the second terminal portion 253 pass through the opening 256 to connect the first terminal portion 252. It may be formed perpendicular to the path 254a.

8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating modified examples of the switch assembly 150 in the circuit board 130 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the first terminal portion 352 and the switch 351 are joined by an adhesive layer 358, for example, an adhesive tape. Through this, the switch 351 is formed to be lifted with respect to the first and second terminal portions 352 and 353. A connection path between the first and second terminal parts 352 and 353 may be formed through the excited space.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the switch 451 is coupled to the insulating member 431 and elastically deformed by pressing to contact the first and second terminal parts 452 and 453, respectively. As shown, the switch 451 may be connected by the insulating member 431 and the adhesive layer 458. The height of the adhesive layer 458 may be formed to be higher than the heights of the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453. The excited space can be formed through this.

As shown, the switch 451 is formed to completely surround both the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453 so that the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453 are included in the switch 451. Through this, the switch 451 is formed to be electrically separated from the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453, respectively.

As the central portion of the switch 451 is lowered by the user's pressing operation, the convex shape is elastically deformed into the concave shape, so that the switch 451 is connected to both the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453 and thus the switch 451. ) Electrically connects the first and second terminal portions 452 and 453.

In the switch assembly 450 according to the present modification, the switch 451 and the first and the second and second members may be formed even if foreign matter is caught in a portion where the switch 451 and the insulating member 431 are coupled or plastic deformation occurs in the switch 451. The electrical contact between the terminal portions 452 and 453 is less affected. Through this, the reliability of the switching operation of the switch assembly 450 may be increased.

The switch assembly and the portable terminal having the same are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments are configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. May be

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

2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention;

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2;

4 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2;

5 is a plan view of the circuit board of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit board taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

7 is a plan view illustrating a modification of the circuit board of FIG. 4.

8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the switch assembly in the circuit board of FIG. 6.

Claims (9)

First and second terminal portions formed on one surface of the insulating member; A switch disposed to be stacked with the first and second terminal parts, the switch being configured to electrically connect the first and second terminal parts by elastic deformation; The first terminal portion, And a hollow region in which the second terminal portion is disposed, and at least in part, open the hollow region in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating member. The method of claim 1, The second terminal portion has a plurality of terminals, The connection path of the plurality of terminals is characterized in that the switch assembly is formed along one surface of the insulating member. The method of claim 2, The connection path is characterized in that the switch assembly is formed so as to pass through the opening portion. The method of claim 1, The first and second terminal units are each provided with a plurality of terminals, The switch assembly of the plurality of terminals forming the first and second terminal portion is characterized in that formed along one surface of the insulating member. The method of claim 1, And the first terminal portion has a plurality of portions for opening the hollow region. The method of claim 1, The switch is formed in the shape of a dome, And an edge of the switch corresponding to the first terminal portion and a center of the switch corresponding to the second terminal portion. The method of claim 6, The switch is coupled to the first terminal portion, the switch assembly characterized in that it is formed to be in contact with the second terminal portion elastically deformed by the pressure. The method of claim 6, The switch is coupled to the insulating member, the switch assembly characterized in that it is formed to be in contact with the first and second terminal portion by elastic deformation by pressing. A wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal; A display unit displaying image information; And A portable terminal comprising an operation unit having a switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to receive a command for control.

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