Hereinafter, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It is to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments but includes all changes, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In describing the present invention, the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components may not be limited by the terms. The terms may only be used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.
The term " and / or " may include any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.
When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may be present in between Can be understood. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that an element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it can be understood that no other element exists in between.
The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In the present application, the terms "comprises", "having", and the like are used interchangeably to designate one or more of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries can be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and are, unless expressly defined in the present application, interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense .
In addition, the following embodiments are provided to explain more fully to the average person skilled in the art. The shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings and the like can be exaggerated for clarity.
The configurations described herein can be applied to various terminals. For example, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a portable multimedia player (PMP)
In addition, although the configuration described herein is preferably applied to a mobile communication terminal, it may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like.
1 to 3 are views for explaining a schematic configuration of a mobile communication terminal.
1 and 2, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention may have a bar shape. The shape of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the bar type but may be various types such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled have.
The mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention may include a side cover 210 positioned adjacent to the display unit 151 and the display unit 151. The assembled side cover 210 may be exposed to the outside.
Although not shown, various driving boards and electronic components for operating the mobile communication terminal 100 may be disposed inside the side cover 210.
The display unit 151 may be included in a display module, and the display unit 151 may be referred to as a display panel. Hereinafter, the display unit 151 may be the same as the display panel included in the display module. The display module may include a drive IC for supplying a predetermined driving signal to the display unit 151 as well as the display unit 151.
The display unit 151 may display various kinds of information required for the operation of the mobile communication terminal 100. [ In addition, the display unit 151 may represent a 2D image and / or a 3D image.
The side cover 210 may include a portion located on the rim of the display portion 151. In other words, the side cover 210 may include a portion covering a side surface of the display portion 151.
In addition, a front cover 600 of a film material or a glass material for protecting the display unit 151 may be disposed in front of the display unit 151. Such a front cover 600 may be referred to as a window substrate.
An electrode for touch sensing and / or an electrode for proximity sensing may be formed on the front cover 600.
1 and 2, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention includes an audio output unit 152, a front camera 280a, user input units 281 and 284, a microphone 122, A camera 280b, and an interface unit 170, as shown in FIG.
In addition, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention may include a home key 500. In addition, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention may further include an identification module (not shown).
The home key 500 can be used when returning to a main screen preset in operation of the mobile communication terminal 100. Or to change the state of the mobile communication terminal 100 from a stand-by state to an active state.
For example, when the user selects the home key 500 during the web surfing by accessing a predetermined web site using the mobile communication terminal 100, the screen of the mobile communication terminal 100 displays a video The image of the main screen can be displayed. Alternatively, if the user selects the home key 500 when the standby mode is maintained while the power of the mobile communication terminal 100 is on, the mobile communication terminal 100 Can be switched from the standby mode to the active mode. In the active mode, the mobile communication terminal 100 may be used to perform functions such as connection to a network, outgoing call, and incoming call. The function of the home key 500 may not be limited thereto.
The sound output unit 152 may be a speaker for outputting a condensed sound or the like. A plurality of sound output units 152 may be provided. For example, although not shown, the sound output unit 152 may include a first sound output unit for outputting a synthesized sound, a second sound output unit for outputting sounds according to various applications such as a ring tone, It is possible to include a part.
The front camera 280a can photograph a subject such as a user located in front of the mobile communication terminal 100. [ For example, a user located in front of the mobile communication terminal 100 can conduct a video call with another user using his / her own image captured by the front camera 280a.
The user input units 281 and 284 may be means for inputting a command for controlling the operation of the mobile communication terminal 100. [ These user input units 281 and 284 may include various operation units. For example, the user input units 281 and 284 may include a touch input unit 281 and a side key 284. Here, the touch input unit 281 may be used to detect proximity touch and / or touch touched by the user, and may be located on the front side of the mobile communication terminal 100 for the convenience of the user. The side key 284 may be located on the side of the mobile communication terminal 100.
The touch input unit 281 may include a capacitive touch sensor. In this case, when the user touches the area corresponding to the touch input unit 281, a predetermined command can be executed. In addition, when a command input, that is, a touch is detected by the user, light may be generated in the touch input unit 281, thereby allowing the user to confirm the area touched by the user.
The user input units 281 and 284 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be a tactile manner in which the user operates with a tactile impression. For example, the side key 284 of the user input 281 may be a physical button.
The user inputs 281 and 284 can be frequently used or assigned major functions. For example, functions such as start and / or termination of the mobile terminal 100 and / or application, sound conditioning, and the like may be assigned to the user inputs 281 and 284.
The side key 284 can have a function of adjusting the volume of the mobile communication terminal 100 and the like. The user can easily operate the mobile communication terminal 100 using the side key 284 while holding the mobile communication terminal 100. [
The microphone 122 may be a device for acquiring a voice or the like of the user.
The mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention may further include a back cover 220. Here, the rear cover 220 may be connected to the side cover 210. A battery 270 may be disposed between the rear cover 220 and the front cover 600, for example, between the rear cover 220 and the display unit 151, though not shown.
The rear cover 220 protects the battery 270 mounted on the mobile communication terminal 100 from impact and restrains the battery 270.
The mobile communication terminal 100 may include a rear camera 280b.
The rear camera 280b can photograph a subject such as a user located behind the mobile communication terminal 100. [ For example, the user can photograph a subject located behind the mobile communication terminal 100 while checking the image displayed on the display unit 151 using the rear camera 280b.
At least one of the rear camera 280b and the front camera 280a may be installed in the mobile communication terminal 100 to be able to rotate or pop-up.
In addition, although not shown, a flash and / or a mirror may be disposed around at least one of the rear camera 280b and the front camera 280a. The flash can illuminate the subject toward the subject during shooting to make it easier to identify the subject.
The interface unit 170 can be used to receive data, power, etc. from the outside. The interface unit 170 may be disposed on a side surface of the mobile communication terminal 100. 2, the interface unit 170 is not shown for convenience of explanation.
Although not shown, the mobile communication terminal 100 may further include an antenna. The antenna may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the body of the mobile communication terminal 100.
Further, although not shown, a touch sensor for touch operation may be disposed in front of or behind the display unit 151.
And another sound output unit 252 may be disposed behind the mobile communication terminal 100. [ Another sound output unit 252 may be used for the implementation of the speakerphone mode during a call.
In addition, a rear input module 233 may be disposed at the rear of the mobile communication terminal 100. The rear input module 233 may be positioned adjacent to the rear camera 280b exposed on the rear surface of the mobile communication terminal 100. [
The rear input module 233 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile communication terminal 100. The contents input as the rear input module 233 can be variously set. For example, commands such as power on / off, start, end, scrolling, etc., adjustment of the size of sound output from the sound output units 152 and 252, or switching to the touch recognition mode of the display module 151 Command can be input.
The rear input module 233 of the present invention can be implemented as a push input type.
The rear input module 233 may be disposed so as to overlap the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100. [ For example, the rear input module 233 may be disposed at the rear upper end of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 so that the user can easily operate the detection of the user when the user holds the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 with one hand .
The rear input module 233 is provided on the rear surface of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 so that a new type of user interface using the rear input module 233 can be realized.
3 is an exploded view of the mobile communication terminal 100. As shown in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal 100 may include a circuit board (PCB) 300.
The circuit board 300 may be mounted on the front cover 600 or the rear cover 220, or may be mounted on a separate structure. The separate structure may be a frame (Frame) 204.
Hereinafter, a structure in which the front cover 600, the side cover 210, and the rear cover 220 are separately provided will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the front cover 600 and the side cover 210 may be integrally formed, and the side cover 210 and the rear cover 220 may be integrally formed.
The circuit board 300 may include a controller for operating various functions of the mobile communication terminal 100. To this end, various electronic devices may be mounted on the circuit board 300.
A plurality of circuit boards 300 are provided, and various functions can be performed by combining them.
The rear cover 220 may be provided with a space for receiving the battery 270.
The battery 270 may be detachably attached to the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 and may be embedded in the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100.
A rear input module 233 may be provided on the rear surface of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 to be operable to receive a control command. The rear cover 220 may have a through hole 203a corresponding to the rear input module 233. The rear input module 233 may be exposed to the rear of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 through the through hole 203a.
The rear input module 233 may be disposed so as to overlap the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100. [ For example, the rear input module 233 may be disposed at the rear upper end of the main body of the mobile terminal 100 so that the user can easily manipulate the main body of the mobile terminal 100 by using the detection when the user holds the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 with one hand. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the rear input module 233 may be changed.
The rear input module 233 is provided on the rear surface of the main body of the mobile communication terminal 100 so that a new type of user interface using the rear input module 233 can be realized.
The detailed structure of the rear input module 233 will be described later in more detail.
One of the front cover 600, the side cover 210 and the rear cover 220 of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present invention is referred to as a first cover, 1 can be said to be a second cover against the cover.
For example, the front cover 600 may be the first cover and the rear cover 220 may be the second cover.
Alternatively, the front cover 600 is a first cover, and the common cover (not shown) in which the rear cover 220 and the side cover 210 are integrated may be a second cover.
4 to 14 are views for explaining the configuration of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention in more detail. In the following, the description of the parts described in detail above can be omitted.
Hereinafter, the case of the hatch key 500 disposed on the front cover 600 will be described as an example, but the following description can be applied to various keys operating in a push-pull manner.
Referring to FIG. 4, at least one opening may be formed in the front cover 600. For example, the front cover 600 may be provided with an acoustic opening 620 corresponding to the acoustic output section 152.
The sound output from the sound output unit 152 may be output through the sound opening 620. [
In addition, the front cover 600 may be provided with an opening 610 corresponding to the home key 500. The home key 500 may be positioned corresponding to the opening 610 of the front cover 600.
The opening 610 of FIG. 4 may correspond to the through-hole 203a of FIG.
4, it can be seen that the groove key 500 is located within the opening 610 of the front cover 600, as in the case of FIG.
Hereinafter, the case where the hometown key 500 and the rubber 830 are separately provided will be described, but the hometown key 500 and the rubber 830 may be integrally formed.
The home key 500 may be exposed to the outside of the front cover 600.
A contact electrode 820 may be disposed on the substrate 810 and a dome 800 covering the contact electrode 820 may be disposed on the substrate 810.
The dome 800 may correspond to the home key 500 in a vertical direction (DRV). In other words, the dome 800 can overlap the home key 500 in the vertical direction (DRV).
A rubber (830) may be disposed under the homen key (500).
A switch of the type shown in FIG. 4 may be referred to as a dome switch.
When the user presses the home key 500, the pressure applied to the home key 500 can be applied to the rubber 830. [ Then, the rubber 830 presses the dome 800 by the pressure, so that the dome 800 can contact the contact electrode 820 while being bent.
When the dome 800 contacts the contact electrode 820, a predetermined electric signal is generated, and the electric signal can be transmitted to the driving unit. In this process, the switching operation can be executed.
Here, the substrate 810 may be positioned between any first cover and a second cover. For example, the substrate 810 may be positioned between the front cover 600 and the rear cover 220 as described above, or between the front cover 600 and the common cover.
In addition, the substrate 810 described below may correspond to the circuit board 300 described above.
Alternatively, the substrate 810 may be provided separately from the circuit board 300. As described above, when the substrate 810 is provided separately from the circuit board 300, the substrate 810 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 300. For example, the contact electrode 820 formed on the substrate 810 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 300.
Cushioning portions 900A and 900B may be disposed on the substrate 810 so as to be adjacent to the dome 800. The buffer portions 900A and 900B may be positioned adjacent to the dome 800 in a horizontal direction (DRH).
The buffering parts 900A and 900B may support the key, e.g., the hammock 500, to prevent the hammock 500 from slipping.
The first buffer part 900A may be positioned on one side of the dome 800 and the second buffer part 900B may be located on the other side of the dome 800 to more effectively maintain the balance of the home key 500. [ Here, the height of the first buffer part 900A and the height of the second buffer part 900B may be substantially the same. The gap D1 between the dome 800 and the first cushioning portion 900A may be substantially equal to the distance D2 between the dome 800 and the second cushioning portion 900B.
The buffer portions 900A and 900B may overlap the key 500 in the vertical direction DRV. In other words, when the user presses the home key 500, the rubber 830 can contact the buffer parts 900A and 900B.
Alternatively, when the home key 500 and the rubber 830 are integrally formed, the home key 500 can contact the buffer parts 900A and 900B when the user applies pressure to the home key 500. A part of the rubber 830 is omitted even when the rubber 830 is disposed at the lower part of the home key 500 so that when the user presses the home key 500, 900B.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case where the rubber 830 contacts the buffer parts 900A and 900B when the user presses the home key 500 will be mainly described.
Considering that the rubber 830 or the home key 500 contacts the buffer parts 900A and 900B when the user applies pressure to the home key 500, In order to make contact with the electrode 820, the repulsive force of the buffer parts 900A and 900B may preferably be smaller than the operating force of the dome 800.
For example, suppose that the repulsive force of the buffer parts 900A and 900B is 10 and the operating force of the dome 800 is 20.
Under this condition, when the user applies a force of 15 to the hammock 500, the hammock 500 or the rubber 830 is lowered to the cushioning parts 900A and 900B as in the case of Fig. Can be contacted. Since the force 15 applied by the user is larger than the repulsive force 10 of the buffer parts 900A and 900B, the buffer parts 900A and 900B can be pressed by the force 15 applied by the user.
Thereafter, as the buffer parts 900A and 900B are compressed, the hammock 500 continues to be lowered, and the rubber 830 or the hammock 500 can be lowered and brought into contact with the dome 800.
In this case, since the force 15 applied by the user is smaller than the operating force 20 of the dome 800, the dome 800 can be held without being bent.
In this case, the height of the buffer parts 900A and 900B measured from the substrate 810 is higher than the height of the dome 800. [
On the other hand, the height of the buffer parts 900A and 900B measured from the substrate 810 may be smaller than the height of the dome 800.
In this case, the dome 800 can be contacted first while the hammock 500 or the rubber 830 descends by the force 15 applied by the user. Even in this case, since the operating force 20 of the dome 800 is larger than the force 15 applied by the user, the dome 800 can be held without being bent.
Assume that the user applies a force of 30 to the hometry 500 under the condition that the repulsive force of the buffer parts 900A and 900B is 10 and the operating force of the dome 800 is 20, unlike the example described above.
In such a case, as in the case of FIG. 6B, the hammock 500 or the rubber 830 may be lowered to apply pressure to the buffer parts 900A and 900B and the dome 800. As shown in FIG.
In this case, since the force 30 applied by the user is larger than the operating force 20 of the dome 800, the dome 800 is bent, so that the dome 800 can contact the contact electrode 820.
As described above, when the repulsive force of the buffer parts 900A and 900B is smaller than the repulsive force of the dome 800, the buffer parts 900A and 900B effectively restrict unnecessary movements such as the protrusions of the home key 500, It is possible to effectively implement the function of the dome 800 as a switch.
Unlike the present invention, in the case where the buffer parts 900A and 900B are omitted, the hometown 500 and / or the rubber 830 may be swung as in the case of FIG. In this way, when the unnecessary movement such as the jogging of the home key 500 occurs, the operation feeling of the key may be deteriorated.
The buffer parts 900A and 900B may include any materials as long as they have elasticity.
For example, the buffer portions 900A and 900B may include a resilient material such as a sponge.
Alternatively, as in the case of Fig. 8, the buffer parts 900A and 900B may be made of a spring. In such a case, the buffer portions 900A and 900B may be made of a metallic material.
Alternatively, the buffer parts 900A and 900B can be manufactured in the form of a clip.
For example, as in the case of FIG. 9, the buffer portions 900A and 900B may include a head portion (HP), a connection portion (CP), and a bottom portion (BP) .
The head portion HP may include a portion parallel to the substrate 810.
The pedestal portion BP includes a portion parallel to the substrate 810 and may be connected to the substrate 810. [
The connecting portion CP can connect the head portion HP and the receiving portion BP at the first end portion E1 of the buffer portions 900A and 900B.
Here, the second end portion E2 of the buffering portions 900A, 900B is open, and the open portions of the buffering portions 900A, 900B can be directed to the dome 800. This structure can be referred to as a C type clip.
The second end portions of the cushioning portions 900A and 900B having such a structure can overlap with the hippocampus 500.
10A, when the user applies pressure to the hometown key 500, the hometown 500 or the rubber 830 is lowered to the head part HP of the buffer parts 900A and 900B Pressure can be applied.
Since the second end portions of the buffer portions 900A and 900B are open, the head portion HP can be lowered at the second end portions of the buffer portions 900A and 900B. In this case, the hometome 500 or the rubber 830 presses the dome 800 and the dome 800 is bent to contact the contact electrode 820.
Thereafter, when the user releases the pressure, the head part HP can be returned to the previous shape by the elasticity of the buffer parts 900A and 900B as in the case of FIG. 10B.
Even when the buffer parts 900A and 900B have a C clip shape, the shapes of the buffer parts 900A and 900B can be variously changed.
11, the head portion HP of the buffer portions 900A and 900B includes the first head portion HP1, the second head portion HP2, and the third head portion HP3, for example. can do.
Here, the first head portion HP1 and the second head portion HP2 may be parallel to the substrate 810. [ In addition, the third head portion HP3 can connect the first head portion HP1 and the second head portion HP2. The second head portion HP2 is positioned closer to the dome 800 than the first head portion HP1 and the second head portion HP2 is positioned closer to the dome 800 than the first head portion HP1 and the hinge 500 and / RTI ID = 0.0 > 830 < / RTI >
On the other hand, the buffer parts 900A and 900B may include a metallic material. In addition, buffer portions 900A and 900B can be disposed on the substrate 810. [
As described above, when the buffer parts 900A and 900B include a metallic material, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunction due to static electricity.
For example, at least a portion of the cushioning portions 900A and 900B may contact the dome 800 when the user presses the dome 800 by applying pressure to the dome key 500. Then, static electricity generated by the user's contact can be transferred to the substrate 810 on the buffer parts 900A and 900B. Here, if the substrate 810 is grounded, the static electricity can be removed.
In order to use the buffer parts 900A and 900B for blocking static electricity as described above, a part of the rubber 830 is omitted so that the buffer parts 900A and 900B can contact the hammock 500, . In this case, the width L1 of the hometry key 500 in the horizontal direction DRH may be larger than the width L2 of the rubber 830.
Alternatively, although not shown, the rubber 830 may be omitted, and the function of the rubber 830 may be replaced by the hometown 500.
Alternatively, it is possible for at least a part of the buffer parts 900A and 900B to contact the hometry key 500 without the user applying pressure to the hometome key 500.
On the other hand, the positions and / or the numbers of the buffer parts 900A and 900B can be changed according to at least the shape and / or size of the homen key 500.
For example, as in the case of FIG. 13, when the width W2 of the hottest key 500 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the width W2 in the second direction Second Direction, DR2) is smaller than the width (W1). Here, the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 can be regarded as the horizontal direction DRH.
In this case, the first buffer portion 900A, the dome 800, and the second buffer portion 900B may be arranged in the second direction DR2.
Also in this case, the clearance D3 between the first buffer portion 900A and the dome 800 can be substantially equal to the clearance D4 between the second buffer portion 900B and the dome 800.
On the other hand, as in the case of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the size of the home key 500 is sufficiently large.
In this case, the first buffer part 900A1 and the second buffer part 900B1 can be arranged in the first direction DR1 with the dome 800 interposed therebetween.
In addition, the third buffer part 900A2 and the fourth buffer part 900B2 can be arranged in the second direction DR2 with the dome 800 interposed therebetween.
The number and position of the buffer parts in the present invention are not limited thereto.
15 to 19 are views for explaining the rear input module in more detail. Hereinafter, the description of the parts described in detail above will be omitted. Buffering can also be applied to these rear input modules.
Referring to FIG. 15, the side cover 210 is provided with a mounting portion 202a on which a rear input module 233 is installed. The mounting portion 202a is formed in a recessed shape on one side to receive the rear input module 233 and has a bottom surface.
In this figure, the mounting portion 202a is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the terminal main body.
A fastening hole 202b for fastening the rear input module 233 is formed in the mounting portion 202a. The plurality of fastening holes 202b are formed at predetermined intervals. Meanwhile, as shown in the drawing, a hole 202d corresponding to the rear camera 280b may be formed on the mounting portion 202a.
According to this arrangement relationship, the rear camera 280b is disposed in the rear input module 233, and a unified feeling can be given to the rear surface of the terminal main body, so that a more advanced rear design can be realized.
The rear input module 233 installed in the mounting portion 202a includes a button frame 234, a button portion 235, a flexible circuit board 236 and a switch 237. [ Here, the button unit 235 may correspond to the hometown key 500 described above.
As described above, the rear input module 233 has a modular structure including a button portion 235 for receiving a control command and a flexible circuit board 236 for generating a signal by a pressing operation It is possible.
The button frame 234 has a through hole 234a for receiving the button portion 235 and is mounted on the mounting portion 202a. The button frame 234 has a fastening hook 234b corresponding to the fastening hole 202b so that when the button frame 234 is mounted on the fastening hole 202a the fastening hook 234b can be fastened to the fastening hole 202b . The button frame 234 may be formed of a synthetic resin material, a metal material, or the like.
The button frame 234 may have a hole 234c corresponding to the hole 202d of the mounting portion 202a so that at least a part of the camera module 221 'is exposed to the outside. The hole 234c may be provided with a light-transmissive image window 234d which covers and protects the rear camera 280b.
Although not shown in the figure, a raised spot separating the area of the button part 235 and the area of the rear camera 280b is protruded between the through hole 234a and the hole 234c in the button frame 234 . With the jaw, the user can check the position of the button part 235 and operate it by only the tactile sense in a state where the user looks at the display part 151 on the front side. In addition, when the mobile terminal 100 is placed on the floor, the jaw contacts the floor, so that an external force can be prevented from being applied to the button portion 235 and the rear camera 280b adjacent to the jaw.
The button portion 235 is configured to be exposed to the outside through the through-hole 234a so as to be pressed and operated. The button unit 235 may be configured to receive a control command by a touch operation as well as a pressing operation. That is, the button unit 235 may be configured by a combination of a touch key and a touch key.
A flexible circuit board 236 having a switch 237 (see Figs. 17 to 18) is disposed between the button portion 235 and the side cover 210. Fig. The flexible circuit board 236 may be attached to the back surface of the button portion 235. The flexible circuit board 236 is electrically connected to the circuit board 281 to transmit a control command corresponding to a pressing operation of the button unit 235 to a control unit (not shown).
Here, the switch 237 may be formed in the same shape as the rubber 830 described above.
In addition, buffer portions 900A and 900B may be disposed in an adjacent region of the switch 237. [ Since the buffer parts 900A and 900B have been described in detail above, further explanation is omitted.
A switch 237 is provided on the back surface of the flexible circuit board 236 so as to face the bottom surface of the mounting portion 202a. The switch 237 is configured to be pressed by the bottom surface of the mounting portion 202a to generate a signal corresponding thereto when the button portion 235 is pressed.
Thus, as the rear input module 233 is modularized including the flexible circuit board 236, the rear input module 233 can be advantageously measured and managed in association with the click operation even when the rear input module 233 is not coupled to the terminal body.
FIG. 16 is a front view of the rear input module 233 shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a rear view of the rear input module 233 shown in FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the rear input module 233 of FIG. 15 taken along line VII-VII, and FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the rear input module 233 of FIG. 15 taken along line VIII-VIII.
16 to 19, the button unit 235 may include a plurality of keys that can be pressed. In this embodiment, the button unit 235 includes a center key 235a and a side key 235b.
The center key 235a is configured to receive the push input of the first function. For example, the first function may be a function related to on / off of the power supply or activation of the display unit 151. [ In this case, the center key 235a may be the power key of the mobile terminal 100. [
The side key 235b is configured to receive a push input of a second function different from the first function. The side keys 235b can be configured to be tilted to both sides with respect to the center key 235a. At this time, the side key 235b may be formed to generate a control command which is contrary to each other when one side or the other side is pressed. For example, the second function may be a function related to the size adjustment of the sound output from the mobile terminal 200.
The side key 235b is inserted into the through hole 234a of the button frame 234 and is completely surrounded by the button frame 234 and is engaged with the button frame 234 so as not to be disengaged from the through hole 234a 235b '. The side key 235b has a receiving hole 235c for receiving the center key 235a and is configured to completely surround the outer circumference of the center key 235a received in the receiving hole 235c .
On the other hand, at least a part of the side key 235b may be inclined toward the center key 235a such that the center key 235a and the side key 235b are smoothly connected to each other. Thus, the user can recognize the operation position of the specific key by touch.
The flexible circuit board 236 may be provided with a light source 238 configured to illuminate the button unit 235. An example of the light source 238 is a light emitting diode (LED) having a high luminance. As illustrated, the light sources 238 may be provided at positions corresponding to both sides of the center key 235a and the side key 235b, respectively. Unlike the present embodiment, the light source 238 may be arranged to correspond only to the center key 235a and to illuminate only the center key 235a.
In this embodiment, the light source 238 is arranged so as to overlap with the switch 237 in the thickness direction of the flexible circuit board 236. The control unit may control the light source 238 to emit light when the switch 237 is pressed and may control the light source 238 to emit light in a specific mode regardless of the pressing of the switch 237. [ For example, when an event occurs while the rear surface of the terminal body is laid facing upward, the controller may illuminate the key through the light source 238 so that the user can recognize the occurrence of the event.
On the other hand, a receiving groove 235g for receiving the light source 238 is formed on the back surface of the button portion 235. [ (Not shown) having a concavo-convex shape can be formed on the inner wall of the receiving groove 235g so that light emitted from the light source 238 can be uniformly spread on the button portion 235. [ The convexo-concave portion may be formed in a shape corresponding to the receiving groove 235g in the mold, or may be formed through a post-process.
Referring to FIG. 15, the center key 235a includes a body 235d inserted into the receiving hole 235c of the side key 235b and a cover 235f coupled to the body 235d. The body 235d is formed of a light-transmitting material and has a mounting groove 235e. The receiving groove 235g described above is formed on the back surface of the body 235d to receive the light source 238. [ The cover 235f is mounted on the mounting groove 235e and is formed of an opaque material. The cover 235f is surrounded by the center key 235a so that the light source 238 can illuminate the center key 235a in a loop shape.
The side key 235b may include a transparent portion 235b "for transmitting light emitted from the light source 238. For example, the side key 235b may be formed of a transparent material such as a specific symbol, The light emitting portion except the transparent portion 235b "may be formed by printing or in-mold injection.
On the other hand, the flexible circuit board 236 is attached to the back surface of the button portion 235 as described above. A guide protrusion 235j to be inserted into the guide hole 236g of the flexible circuit board 236 may protrude from the rear surface of the button portion 235 so as to define a mounting position of the flexible circuit board 236. [ Although not shown in the figure, the end of the guide protrusion 235j may be fused by heat to prevent the flexible circuit board 236 from coming off.
The flexible circuit board 236 may include a first circuit portion 236a, a second circuit portion 236b, and a third circuit portion 236c. The first circuit portion 236a is disposed on the back surface of the center key 235a and the second circuit portion 236b and the third circuit portion 236c are extended from the first circuit portion 236a in a branched form on both sides, 235b, respectively. The switch 237 is provided in each of the first to third circuit portions 236a, 236b, and 236c.
A cut-out portion 236d in the form of an incision is provided between the first circuit portion 236a and the second circuit portion 236b and between the first circuit portion 236a and the third circuit portion 236c to prevent the adjacent switch 237 from being pressed . Therefore, independent operation of the corresponding switch 237 is enabled when the center key 235a or the side key 235b is depressed.
19, a side cover 210 is provided on the mounting portion 202a so that the flexible circuit board 236 and the circuit board 281, which are disposed on both sides of the side cover 210, can be connected to each other, A through hole 202c is formed. In this figure, the hole 202c is formed on the inner wall of the mounting portion 202a. The hole 202c may be formed on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 202a.
The flexible circuit board 236 has an extension portion 236e extending through the hole 202c to the circuit board 281 and a connector 236f for connection with the circuit board 281 is provided on the extension portion 236e. . The side wall of the button frame 234 facing the hole 202c is provided with a groove 236e through which the extension portion 236e can pass so that the extension portion 236e can be inserted directly into the hole 202c through the side wall of the button frame 234. [ (234e) are formed.
With this structure, interference between the flexible circuit board 236 and other mechanism structures (the button frame 234, the mounting portion 202a, etc.) can be minimized, and the rear input module 233 with the flexible circuit board 236 ) Is installed on the main body of the terminal and is electrically connected to the circuit board 281 can be more easily assembled.
As described above, it is to be understood that the technical structure of the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present invention.
It should be understood, therefore, that the embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, And all changes or modifications derived from equivalents thereof should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.
