KR20150067671A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a mobile terminal. The present invention includes: a body for mounting a display on one surface, and a button assembly which is separated from the body to be independently operated, and is fixed to a side of the body. The button assembly includes a fixing plate, a contact surface touching the fixing plate, a flexible PCB which is bent to an end of the contact surface, is extended, and includes an extension surface where a contact terminal is formed, a dome key formed on the contact surface, and a cap which is separated by the flexible PCB and is combined with the fixing plate.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a side key button.

As the functions are diversified, the terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia device having a complex function of, for example, taking pictures or moving pictures, playing music or moving picture files, receiving games and receiving broadcasts have.

The terminal can move And may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. A portable terminal is a portable device having one or more functions capable of performing voice and video communication, capable of inputting / outputting information, and storing data, which can be carried while being portable.

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the terminal. The structural improvement includes changing the structure of the side key buttons of the terminal.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a conventional side key button.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional side key button is formed to surface mount (SMT) on a main PCB. Accordingly, the conventional site key button is determined depending on the mounting height of the main PCB. As shown in the drawing, the switch 180 is disposed to overlap the back surface of the display 152b, 185) becomes thicker and the size (B) of the bezel becomes larger.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] In recent years, the importance of the appearance of a mobile terminal has gradually increased, and various attempts have been made for a structure of a side key button that can make a terminal slimmer and improve the degree of freedom of appearance design.

The present invention is to provide a side key button of a structure that can make the mobile terminal more slim.

In order to solve the above problems, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body on which a display is mounted on one surface, a body that is separated from the body and is independently operable, Wherein the button assembly comprises a flexible circuit board including a stationary plate, a contact surface in contact with the stationary plate, and an extension surface extending bendingly from one end of the contact surface and having contact terminals at one end, And a cap coupled to the fixing plate with the flexible circuit board interposed therebetween.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the contact surface is disposed to overlap with a side surface of the display.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal includes a main circuit board mounted on the inside of the body and having protruding terminals formed on one surface thereof in contact with the contact terminals.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the direction in which the domkey is pressed and the direction in which the protruding terminal protrudes are formed to be perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing plate includes a seating surface which is recessed in the thickness direction of the fixing plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cap includes a flange portion having one surface facing the fixing plate and reciprocating in the thickness direction of the fixing plate, and a button portion protruding from the other surface of the flange portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing plate includes a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the fixing plate, and the cap includes a hook formed to pass through the through hole and to be caught by the fixing plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hook may include an extension portion extending in the thickness direction of the fixing plate longer than the thickness of the fixing plate, and a hook protruding in the width direction of the fixing plate from one end of the extending portion, And a protrusion formed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flange portion and the fixing plate are formed of a metal material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the button portion is formed by injection molding with the flange portion.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above modularizes the side key buttons to increase the assemblability and can check the performance of the key buttons even when the side key buttons are not mounted on the terminal body Therefore, the quality of the terminal can be secured early.

Also, the side key button of the present invention can input a signal only by a button assembly without a surface-mounted switch on a main circuit board. Thus, the side key buttons can be arranged to overlap with the display side, and the space required inside the terminal can be reduced, thereby improving the degree of design freedom of the mobile terminal.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of a conventional side key button.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile terminal equipped with the button assembly of the present invention.
4 is an exploded view of the button assembly of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual view showing a contact surface of the flexible circuit board shown in Fig.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related 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 given to different embodiments in the same or similar configurations. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are given to different embodiments in the same or similar configurations. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, the suffix "module" and " part "for constituent elements used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiment described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, or the like, except when applicable only to the mobile terminal 100. [

2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the mobile terminal 100 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, and a swing type in which two or more bodies are coupled to be movable relative to each other. Further, the mobile terminal 100 described herein may be any portable electronic device having a camera and flash, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a PDA Personal Digital Assistants), PMO (Portable Multimedia Player), and the like.

The terminal body includes a case (which may be referred to as a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) that forms an appearance. The case includes a battery case 103 covering a front case 101 and a surface opposite to the front case 101 and a rear case 102 disposed between the front case 101 and the battery cover 103 Can be distinguished. Various electronic components are installed in a space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [ The cases may be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The front of the terminal body includes a display unit 151, a first sound output unit 152a, a signal input unit, and a front camera unit 121a.

The display unit 151 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) module, and an e-paper for visually expressing information. The display unit 151 may include touch sensing means for inputting data by a touch method. Hereinafter, the display unit 151 including the touch sensing unit will be referred to as a 'touch screen'. If there is a touch on any one place on the touch screen, contents corresponding to the touched position are input. The content input by the touch method may be a letter or a number, an instruction in various modes, a menu item which can be designated, and the like. The touch sensing means is formed in a light-transmissive manner so that the display unit 151 can be seen, and a structure for enhancing the visibility of the touch screen in a bright place may be included. According to FIG. 2A, the touch screen occupies most of the front surface of the front case 101.

The first sound output unit 152a may be implemented as a receiver for delivering a call sound to a user's ear or a loud speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds.

The front camera unit 121a processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the front camera 121a may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The front camera unit 121a may be provided in two or more depending on the use environment.

The signal input unit is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of input keys. The input keys may also be referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user has a tactile sense and operates in a tactile manner.

For example, a dome switch or touch screen capable of receiving a command or information by a push or touch operation of a user, a touch pad, or a wheel, a jog type or a joystick for rotating a key . The contents input by the signal input unit can be variously set. For example, to enter start, end, scroll, and the like.

A side key 132, an interface unit 170, and an acoustic input unit 122 are disposed on a side surface of the rear case 102.

The side key 132 may be collectively referred to as an operation unit and is capable of receiving a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. The side key 132 may be employed in any manner as long as the user is operating in a tactile manner with a tactile impression. The contents input by the side key 132 can be variously set. For example, by the side key 132, commands such as control of the image input unit, size adjustment of the sound output from the sound output unit 152a, or switching to the touch recognition mode of the display unit 151 can be received have.

The sound input unit 122 may be implemented, for example, in the form of a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, or the like.

The interface unit 170 is a channel for allowing the mobile terminal 100 related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an IrDA port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port Wireless LAN Port) or the like, or power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 may be implemented as a socket for receiving an external card such as a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) or a UIM (User Identity Module) or a memory card for storing information.

A power supply unit 191 and a rear camera unit 121b are disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body.

A flash 123 is disposed adjacent to the rear camera unit 121b. The flash 123 illuminates the subject toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the rear camera unit 121b.

A mirror 124 may be disposed adjacent to the flash 123. The mirror allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user wants to photograph himself / herself (self-photographing) using the rear camera unit 121b.

The rear camera unit 121b may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the front camera unit 121a disposed on the front side and may be a camera having pixels different from the front camera unit 121a.

For example, the front camera unit 121a has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in case of a video call or the like and send it to the other party. The rear camera unit 121b photographs a general subject and immediately transmits It is preferable to have a high pixel. The front and rear camera units 121a and 121b may be installed on the terminal body so as to be able to rotate or pop-up.

The battery supplies power to the mobile terminal 100. The battery may be built in the terminal body or may be detached from the outside of the terminal body.

The present invention discloses a new type of button assembly that can be applied to the side key 132.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile terminal equipped with the button assembly 200 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the main body of the terminal includes a case which forms an appearance of the terminal, and a display unit 151 is mounted on one surface of the main body to provide image information. The display unit 151 includes a display 151b disposed inside the main body and a window 151a arranged to overlap with the display 151b. The window 151a may be formed so that the user can touch the window 151a to input a signal.

The button assembly 200 is fixed to the side surface of the main body. The case is formed with a mounting hole 164 on which the button assembly 200 is mounted and the button assembly 200 is disposed on the mounting hole 164. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting hole 164 may be formed to overlap the side surface of the display 151b. In other words, since the button assembly 200 can be disposed to overlap with the side surface of the display 151b, the degree of freedom in designing the terminal can be increased.

A main circuit board 160 is mounted inside the main body. A protruding terminal 162 is formed on the main circuit board 160. The protruding direction B of the protruding terminal 162 may be formed to be orthogonal to the direction A in which the dome key 216 of the button assembly 200 is pressed. That is, since the button assembly 200 of the present invention is electrically connected using the flexible circuit board 210, the direction in which the button assembly 200 is coupled to the main circuit board 160 and the direction in which the buttons are pressed are different from each other . As a result, the side key buttons can be freely arranged without depending on the position of the main circuit board 160.

4 is an exploded view of the button assembly 200 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the button assembly 200 includes a fixing plate 220, a flexible circuit board 210, a cap 230, and the like.

The fastening plate 220 forms the bottom surface of the button assembly 200. In other words, the fixing plate 220 becomes the base of the button assembly 200 and is formed to support the flexible circuit board 210 when the button is pressed. In addition, the fastening plate 220 is coupled to the case to allow the button assembly 200 to be secured to the terminal body. For example, the case may have a groove formed in the width direction of the fixed plate so that the fixed plate 220 may be fixedly engaged with the groove.

At least one through hole 222 may be formed in the fixing plate 220. The through hole 222 penetrates the fixing plate 220 in the thickness direction.

The flexible circuit board 210 includes a contact surface 212 and an extension surface 214. Referring to FIG. 5, a dome key 216 for inputting a signal by pressing operation is formed on one surface of the contact surface 212. That is, a dome key 216 is formed on the one surface by surface mounting technology (SMT).

The dome key 216 is formed to be able to reciprocate by an elastic force. In other words, when pressure is applied to the dome key 216, the dome key 216 moves in the thickness direction of the button assembly 200 and returns to its original position when the pressure disappears.

The extension surface 214 extends from one end of the contact surface 212. The contact surface 212 can be bent and extended from one end of the extended surface 214. [0051] As shown in FIG. A contact terminal (not shown) is formed at one end of the extending surface 214. An input signal from the dome key 216 is transmitted to the main circuit board 160 through the contact terminal.

The cap 230 includes a flange portion 232 and a button portion 234. The flange portion 232 is disposed such that one surface thereof faces the stationary plate 220 and is reciprocally movable in the thickness direction of the stationary plate 220. That is, when the button portion 234 is pressed, the flange portion 232 moves in the direction of the fixed plate 220 to be adjacent to the fixed plate 220. When the button portion 234 is not pressed, And is kept spaced apart from the fixing plate 220.

The button portion 234 is formed to protrude from the other surface of the flange portion 232. The button portion 234 is exposed to the outside through the mounting hole 164 of the case. The button portion 234 may be adhered to the flange portion 232 or may be integrally formed with the flange portion 232. When the user presses the button portion 234, the cap 230 moves toward the fixed plate 220 and presses the dome key 216.

The cap 230 includes a hook 236 that passes through the through hole 222 of the fastening plate 220 and is configured to engage the fastening plate 220.

The hook 236 includes an extension portion 236a extending in the thickness direction of the fixing plate 220 and a projection portion 236b projecting in the width direction of the fixing plate 220 at one end of the extension portion 236a .

The extension portion 236a is longer than the thickness of the fixing plate 220 to allow the cap 230 to move up and down with the fixing plate 220 engaged. The protrusion 236b is caught by the fixing plate 220 to prevent the cap 230 from being separated from the fixing plate 220. [

6 is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly 200 of the present invention.

6, the button assembly 200 includes a fixed plate 220, a flexible circuit board 210 that is seated on the fixed plate 220, and a flexible printed circuit board 210 coupled to the fixed plate 220, Cap 230, and the like.

The fastening plate 220 forms the bottom surface of the button assembly 200. In other words, the fixing plate 220 becomes the base of the button assembly 200 and is formed to support the flexible circuit board 210 when the button is pressed. The fixing plate 220 includes a seating surface 221 which is recessed in the thickness direction. The contact surface 212 of the flexible circuit board 210 is seated on the seating surface 221.

On the contact surface 212 of the flexible circuit board 210, a dome key 216 for inputting a signal by a pressing operation is formed. That is, a dome key 216 is formed on the contact surface 212 by surface mounting technology (SMT). The dome key 216 is formed to be able to reciprocate by an elastic force. In other words, when pressure is applied to the dome key 216, the dome key 216 moves in the thickness direction of the button assembly 200 and returns to its original position when the pressure disappears.

The contact surface 212 is seated on the seating surface 221 of the fixed plate 220. The seating surface 221 has a recessed shape in the thickness direction of the fixing plate 220 and the dome key 216 is disposed on the seating surface 221 so that the thickness of the button assembly 200 can be reduced.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above modularizes the side key buttons to increase the assemblability and can check the performance of the key buttons even when the side key buttons are not mounted on the terminal body Therefore, the quality of the terminal can be secured early.

Also, the side key button of the present invention can input a signal only through the button assembly 200 without a switch mounted on the main circuit board 160. As a result, the side key buttons can be arranged to overlap with the side of the display 151b and the space required inside the terminal can be reduced, thereby improving the degree of freedom of design of the mobile terminal.

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

Claims (10)

A body on which a display is mounted; And
And a button assembly detachably attached to the body and being independently operable and fixed to one side of the body,
The button assembly includes:
A fixing plate;
A flexible circuit board including a contact surface in contact with the fixed plate and an extended surface extending from one end of the contact surface and having contact terminals at one end;
A dome key formed on the contact surface; And
And a cap coupled to the fixing plate with the flexible circuit board interposed therebetween. The method according to claim 1,
The contact surface
And is disposed to overlap with a side surface of the display. The method according to claim 1,
And a main circuit board mounted on the inside of the body, the protrusion terminal being in contact with the contact terminal on one side of the main circuit board. The method of claim 3,
Wherein a direction in which the domkey is pressed and a direction in which the protruding terminal protrudes are formed to be orthogonal to each other. The method according to claim 1,
The fixing plate includes:
And a seating surface which is recessed in a thickness direction of the fixing plate. The method according to claim 1,
The cap
A flange part having one surface facing the fixed plate and reciprocating in the thickness direction of the fixed plate; And
And a button portion protruding from the other surface of the flange portion. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the fixing plate includes a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the fixing plate,
And the cap includes a hook formed to pass through the through hole and to be caught by the fixing plate. 8. The method of claim 7,
The hook
An extension extending in a thickness direction of the fixing plate longer than a thickness of the fixing plate; And
And a protrusion protruding in a width direction of the fixing plate from one end of the extending portion and overlapping with the fixing plate. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the flange portion and the fixing plate are formed of a metal material. 10. The method of claim 9,
The button unit includes:
And the insert part is formed by injection molding with the flange part.

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