WO2021006394A1

WO2021006394A1 - Mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2021006394A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/008527
Authority: WO
Inventors: 홍장우; 안광현; 손영욱; 한재영; 박민호
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2019-07-10
Filing date: 2019-07-10
Publication date: 2021-01-14

Abstract

Introduced is a mobile terminal comprising: a first body including one surface through which a first display is exposed; a second body including one surface through which a second display is exposed; and a hinge part which connects the first body and the second body, and pivots the first body and the second body relatively to each other, wherein, in a first state where the first body and the second body are folded so as to overlap one another, the hinge part is positioned between the one surface of the first body and the one surface of the second body, and is positioned between the first display and the second display within an area where the one surface of the first body and the one surface of the second body overlap.

Description

[Amendment according to Rule 26 18.07.2019] 　Mobile terminal

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a plurality of display panels.

Terminals can be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals depending on whether they can be moved. Again, mobile terminals can be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals depending on whether the user can directly carry them.

As the functions are diversified, such a terminal is in the form of a multimedia player with complex functions such as, for example, taking photos or videos, playing music or video files, and receiving games and broadcasts. It is being implemented.

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and/or the software part of the terminal. In recent years, in order to realize a more convenient and comfortable multimedia environment, the development of a new type of mobile terminal structure has been actively made.

The present invention is to provide a new structure of a mobile terminal capable of implementing a more convenient user interface environment using two displays.

The present invention is to provide a structure in which two displays are smoothly folded and unfolded while minimizing exposure of a hinge portion for connecting and rotating two displays.

The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first body exposed including a first display value through one surface, a second body exposed including a second display value through one surface, and the first body and the first body. In a first state in which the second body is connected and the first body and the second body are relatively rotated, and the first body and the second body are overlapped and folded, the hinge part is It is located between one surface of the first body and one surface of the second body, and may be located between the first display and the second display in a region where one surface of the first body and the one surface of the second body overlap.

In the first state, the first display and the second display may be exposed to face opposite directions.

A second state in which the first body and the second body are unfolded so that the first display and the second display face the same direction, and

The first body and the second body may be unfolded to further include a third state in which the first display and the second display form an obtuse angle.

The hinge part may include a slide part that is connected to the first body, slides, and a rotation part that is connected to the second body and is coupled to the slide part through a rotation axis.

The slide portion may be fixed by stopping a slide motion at an arbitrary position, and the rotating portion may be fixed by stopping a rotational motion at an arbitrary position.

A cross-section of the rotating part crossing the axis of rotation may have a rectangular shape.

When the slide part slides in a direction parallel to the first display surface of the first body, the rotation part is exposed to the outside of the first body, thereby securing a space for rotation of the rotation part.

A plurality of hinge portions may be disposed, and may be disposed to be symmetric with respect to a center of the first body or the second body in the longitudinal direction.

The first display and the second display may have different sizes.

The second display may have the same length as the first display, but may have a narrow width.

In the first state, the camera module may be disposed in an area where the first body and the second body do not overlap.

The present invention can provide a more convenient user environment by using two displays.

In the present invention, when the mobile terminal is folded, the hinge portion is positioned in a space between two displays to minimize exposure, thereby providing a beautiful appearance.

The present invention can fix the second display at various angles according to the user's usage environment.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a 6 side view of a mobile terminal in a first state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3(a) is a front view when a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a second state, and FIG. 3(b) is a front view when the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a second state It is a bottom view of.

4(a) is a front view when a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a third state, and FIG. 4(b) is a front view when a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a third state It is a bottom view of.

5A to 5F are diagrams illustrating a process in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is converted from a first state to a third state.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably in consideration of only the ease of preparation of the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all modifications included in the spirit and scope of the present invention It should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present application, terms such as "comprises" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, does not preclude in advance.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a control unit 180, and a power supply unit 190. And the like. The components shown in FIG. 1A are not essential for implementing the mobile terminal, and thus, the mobile terminal described in the present specification may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

More specifically, among the components, the wireless communication unit 110 may be configured between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 and an external server. It may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between. In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for connecting the mobile terminal 100 to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a broadcast reception module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, and a location information module 115. .

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting an image signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, or an audio input unit, and a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user, for example, , A touch key, a mechanical key, etc.). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed as a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information in the mobile terminal, information on surrounding environments surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 includes a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, and gravity. G-sensor, gyroscope sensor, motion sensor, RGB sensor, infrared sensor (IR sensor), fingerprint sensor (finger scan sensor), ultrasonic sensor (ultrasonic sensor) , Optical sensor (for example, camera (see 121)), microphone (microphone, see 122), battery gauge, environmental sensor (for example, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, radiation detection sensor, It may include at least one of a heat sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (eg, an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the mobile terminal disclosed in the present specification may combine and utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output related to visual, auditory or tactile sense, and includes at least one of the display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the hap tip module 153, and the light output unit 154 can do. The display unit 151 may implement a touch screen by forming a layer structure or integrally with the touch sensor. Such a touch screen can function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user, and can provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a passage between various types of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 connects a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, and a device equipped with an identification module. It may include at least one of a port, an audio input/output (I/O) port, an input/output (video I/O) port, and an earphone port. The mobile terminal 100 may perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions of the mobile terminal 100. The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs or applications driven by the mobile terminal 100, data for operation of the mobile terminal 100, and commands. At least some of these application programs may be downloaded from an external server through wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 100 from the time of delivery for basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (eg, incoming calls, outgoing functions, message reception, and outgoing functions). Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the mobile terminal 100, and driven by the controller 180 to perform an operation (or function) of the mobile terminal.

In addition to the operation related to the application program, the controller 180 generally controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. The controller 180 may provide or process appropriate information or functions to a user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components or by driving an application program stored in the memory 170.

Also, in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 170, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Furthermore, in order to drive the application program, the controller 180 may operate by combining at least two or more of the components included in the mobile terminal 100 with each other.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to each of the components included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with each other to implement an operation, control, or control method of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments described below. In addition, the operation, control, or control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170.

2 is a 6 side view when the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a first state. Figure 2 (a) is a front view of the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 (b) is a rear view, Figure 2 (c) is a left side view, and Figure 2 ( d) is a right side view. Fig. 2(e) is a plan view, and Fig. 2(f) is a bottom view.

In describing the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment, the left and right directions may be referred to as the width direction of the mobile terminal 300 based on the illustrated state of FIG. 2(a), and the vertical direction may be referred to as the length direction. The left and right directions may be referred to as the thickness direction based on the illustrated state of FIG. 2(c) or 2(d). Such a direction reference is for aiding understanding of the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is not an absolute reference. When any one direction reference is changed, the other direction reference may be changed accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first body 310, a second body 320, and a hinge part 330.

The first body 310 according to an embodiment may include the first display 311 and may be exposed through at least a portion of the first body 310. For example, it may be exposed through one surface of the first body 310 (a front view of FIG. 2A ). The mobile terminal 300 and the first display 311 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to the mobile terminal 100 and the display 151 of FIG. 1. The second body 320 according to an embodiment may include the second display 321 and may be exposed through at least a portion of the second body 320. For example, it may be exposed through one surface of the second body 320 (a front view of FIG. 2B ). The first display 311 and the second display 321 according to an embodiment may have different sizes. For example, as the second body 320 is formed smaller than the first body 310 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second display 321 becomes the first display 311. It can be formed smaller. More specifically, the first body 310 and the second body 320 may have the same length, but the width of the second body 320 may be smaller than the width of the first body 310. Correspondingly, the first display and the second display 321 may have the same length, but the width of the second display 321 may be smaller than the width of the first display 311.

According to the different widths of the first body 310 and the second body 320 according to an embodiment, the first body 310 and the second body 320 do not overlap on the rear surface of the first body 310. A space can be formed. Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2B, an area corresponding to W ₃ *L on the rear surface of the first body 310 may be exposed without overlapping with the second body 320. . A physical user interface (PUI) according to an embodiment may be disposed in the space. For example, the camera module 340 may be disposed. When an image obtained through the camera module 340 is displayed on the first display 311, it can be used as a general camera photographing mode. In addition, as the camera module 340 and the second body 320 are arranged so that they do not overlap, the image obtained through the camera module 340 can be displayed on the second display 321 and can be used as a self-portrait mode. have. That is, one camera module 340 has an effect that can be used in both general and self-photographing modes.

In describing the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment, a case in which the camera module 340 is disposed as an example of a PUI (Physical User Interface) has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Various electronic components can be arranged.

The first body 310 and the second body 320 according to an embodiment may be connected to each other through the hinge unit 330 and may be folded or unfolded by relatively rotating motion. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a state in which the first body 310 and the second body 320 are folded to overlap each other may be referred to as a first state. When the mobile terminal 300 according to the embodiment is in the first state, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may be arranged to face in opposite directions to each other.

The hinge unit 330 according to an embodiment may be disposed between the first display 311 and the second display 321 when the mobile terminal 300 is in the first state, so that it may not be exposed through the front or rear surface. have. More specifically, when the mobile terminal 300 is in the first state, the hinge unit 330 is accommodated in one of the first body 310 or the second body 320 to thereby provide a front or rear surface of the mobile terminal 300. It may not be exposed through. By placing the hinge part 330 between the first display 311 and the second display 321 so that it is not exposed, the first display 311 can be arranged at the center of the first body 310, and the symmetry It is possible to provide an aesthetic feeling by providing a user with an external appearance.

A plurality of hinge units 330 according to an exemplary embodiment may be disposed. Referring to FIG. 2D, two or more hinge units 330 may be disposed, and may be disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the mobile terminal 300 in the longitudinal direction. By arranging the plurality of hinge portions 330 symmetrically, it is possible to stably maintain the coupled state of the first body 310 and the second body 320, and provide an aesthetic feeling by providing a symmetrical appearance to the user. have.

3A is a front view when the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a second state, and FIG. 3B is a mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom view when is in the second state.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a state in which the first body 310 and the second body 320 are unfolded and unfolded without overlapping may be referred to as a second state. When the mobile terminal 300 according to an exemplary embodiment is in the second state, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may substantially form a plane and may be disposed to face the same direction. When the mobile terminal 300 is in the second state, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may be linked to operate as a single screen, or the first display 311 and the second display 321 It can also be operated individually.

4(a) is a front view when the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a third state, and FIG. 4(b) is a mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom view when is in the third state.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second body 320 is rotated with respect to the first body 310 and is unfolded so as not to overlap, but the rotation angle exceeds 180 degrees. The state can be referred to as the third state. When the mobile terminal 300 according to the embodiment is in the third state, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may be arranged to form an obtuse angle. For example, in the third state, the second body 320 is rotated about 200 degrees with respect to the first body 310, and the first display 311 and the second display 321 have an obtuse angle of about 160 degrees. It may be in a formed state.

When the mobile terminal 300 according to an exemplary embodiment is in the third state, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may be interlocked to operate as a single screen, similar to the second state. In addition, the first display 311 and the second display 321 may be operated separately and manipulated through the first display 311 while looking at the second display 321 or vice versa. By making the angle between the first display 311 and the second display 321 at an obtuse angle, the user can be more comfortable, stare at the screen, and perceive a clear screen.

5A to 5F are diagrams illustrating a process in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is converted from a first state to a third state. More specifically, FIG. 5A may represent a case in which the mobile terminal 300 is in the first state, FIG. 5E may represent a case in the second state, and FIG. 5F It can represent the case of the third state.

In the mobile terminal 300 according to an embodiment, the first body 310 and the second body 320 may rotate around the hinge part 330 to be transformed from the first state to the third state. The hinge part 330 according to the embodiment may include a slide part 331 and a rotation part 333, and the mobile terminal 300 by a combined motion in which the slide part 331 and the rotation part 333 move in conjunction with each other. Can be transformed from the first state to the third state.

The slide unit 331 according to an exemplary embodiment may have one side connected to the first body 310 and the other side connected to the rotation unit 333 via a rotation shaft 332. The slide part 331 may slide in a horizontal direction along the surface of the first display 311 to expose the rotation shaft 332 of the rotation part 333 to the outside of the first body 310. In the process of being transformed from the first state to the third state, the first body 310 and the second body 320 may contact each other, but the slide part 331 is a rotating shaft 332 of the first body 310. By moving so as to be exposed to the outside, it is possible to prevent it from becoming non-rotatable.

The rotating part 333 according to an embodiment may have one side connected to the second body 320 and the other side connected to the slide part 331 via the rotation shaft 332. A cross-sectional shape of a portion in which the rotation part 333 surrounds the rotation shaft 332 may be formed in a square shape. Since the square shape has different distances from the center to the corner and the vertex, the distance from the center of rotation to the outer periphery of the rotation unit 333 may be changed in the process of rotating around the rotation shaft 332. When the vertex portion contacts the first body 310 during the rotation of the rotating part 333, the slide part 331 may move to prevent the second body 320 from being in a non-rotating state.

The slide unit 331 and the rotation unit 333 according to the embodiment may be fixed by stopping the slide movement and the rotation movement at any position. Through this, an angle formed by the first body 310 and the second body 320 may be fixed at an arbitrary position according to the user's convenience, thereby providing a comfortable use environment.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms within the scope not departing from the spirit and essential features of the present invention.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A first body exposed including a first display through one surface;

A second body exposed including a second display through one side; And

Including; a hinge part connecting the first body and the second body, and relatively rotating the first body and the second body,

When the first body and the second body are overlapped and folded in a first state, the hinge portion is positioned between one surface of the first body and one surface of the second body, and A mobile terminal positioned between the first display and the second display in an area where one surface of the two-body overlaps.
The method of claim 1,

In the first state, the first display and the second display are exposed to face in opposite directions to each other.
The method of claim 2,

A second state in which the first body and the second body are unfolded so that the first display and the second display face the same direction; And

And a third state in which the first body and the second body are unfolded to form an obtuse angle between the first display and the second display.
The method of claim 3,

The hinge part

A slide unit connected to the first body and slide-moving; And

A mobile terminal comprising a; a rotation unit connected to the second body and coupled to the slide unit and the rotation axis as a medium.
The method of claim 4,

A mobile terminal in which the slide portion is fixed by stopping the slide motion at an arbitrary position, and the rotating portion is fixed by stopping the rotational motion at an arbitrary position.
The method of claim 5,

A mobile terminal having a rectangular cross section crossing the axis of rotation of the rotating part.
The method of claim 6,

A mobile terminal configured to secure a space for rotation of the rotating part by exposing the rotating part to the outside of the first body by sliding the slide part in a direction parallel to the first display surface of the first body.
The method of claim 3,

A mobile terminal disposed in a plurality of hinge parts and disposed to be symmetrical with respect to a center of the first body or the second body in a longitudinal direction.
The method of claim 2,

Mobile terminals having different sizes of the first display and the second display.
The method of claim 9,

The second display has the same length as the first display, but has a narrow width.
The method of claim 10,

In the first state,

A mobile terminal in which a camera module is disposed in an area where the first body and the second body do not overlap.