WO2021045263A1

WO2021045263A1 - Mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2021045263A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/011452
Authority: WO
Inventors: 송인수; 강티모시; 김민수; 이재욱
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2019-09-05
Filing date: 2019-09-05
Publication date: 2021-03-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, comprising: a body including a first frame and a second frame coupled to the first frame so as to be moveable in a first direction with respect to the first frame; a roller rotatably coupled to the second frame; a flexible display unit including a front side portion wound on the roller and positioned at the front of the body, and a back side portion positioned in the direction of the back of the body, wherein the flexible display unit outputs an image on one of the sides thereof; and a driving unit for moving the second frame in the first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, with respect to the first frame, wherein the driving unit comprises: a chain link having one end fastened to the second frame and the other end positioned on the first frame; and a motor for moving the one end of the chain link in the first direction or the second direction, wherein the body converts from a first state to a second state when the second frame moves in the first direction.

Description

Mobile terminal

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a flexible display and variable size.

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 according to whether or not the user can directly carry them.

A display device is a device having a function of receiving, processing, and displaying an image that can be viewed by a user. The display device receives, for example, a broadcast selected by a user among broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station, separates the video signal from the received signal, and displays the separated video signal on the display.

In recent years, due to the development of broadcasting technology and network technology, the functions of the display device have been considerably diversified, and the performance of the device has been improved accordingly. That is, display devices have been developed to provide not only contents to be broadcast but also various other contents to users. For example, the display device may provide game play, music appreciation, internet shopping, user customized information, and the like using various applications as well as programs received from a broadcasting station. In order to perform such extended functions, the display device is basically connected to other devices or networks using various communication protocols, and provides a user with a ubiquitous computing environment. That is, the display device has evolved into a smart device that enables connectivity to a network and always-on computing.

On the other hand, recently, a flexible display has been developed that has sufficient elasticity and is capable of large deformation. The size of the mobile terminal can be varied by using the deformable property of the flexible display. In the mobile terminal having such a variable structure, the change in the structure of the mobile terminal must be made stably, and the support structure of the variable display unit, etc., is a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal having a structure that assists slide movement.

A body including a first frame and a second frame movably coupled to the first frame in a first direction; A roller rotatably coupled to the second frame; One side wound around the roller includes a front portion positioned on the front side of the body, and the other side includes a rear portion positioned in the rear direction of the body, and the other side includes a front portion positioned on the front side of the body and is coupled and extended in the first direction A flexible display unit; And a driving unit for moving the second frame in the first direction with respect to the first frame or in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the driving unit has one end fastened to the second frame The other end is a chain link located in the first frame; And a motor for moving one end of the chain link in the first direction or the second direction, wherein the body is configured to convert from a first state to a second state when the second frame moves in the first direction. It provides a mobile terminal characterized by.

The other end of the chain link may move in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The chain further includes a guide protrusion protruding in a thickness direction of the mobile terminal, and a guide slot formed in the first frame; And a guide protrusion protruding from the chain link in the thickness direction and inserted into the guide slot to move along the guide slot.

The guide slot includes a first slot extending in a third direction; And a second slot extending in a first direction from an end of the first slot.

The second slot may be located at an end portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the chain link may cover an end portion of the second frame in the third direction in the second state.

The connection portion between the first slot and the second slot may have a curved shape.

The chain link includes a plurality of chain blocks including a fastening part, and the fastening part includes a link protrusion protruding in a thickness direction; And a link groove into which the link protrusion of the neighboring chain block is inserted.

The link protrusion and the link groove may have a circular cross section.

It includes a drive gear that transmits the force of the motor, and the chain block may include a toothed portion meshing with the drive gear.

The drive gear may include a bevel gear that converts the rotational force of the motor to rotate about a rotational axis in the thickness direction of the body.

A pair of the fastening portions may be arranged symmetrically in the thickness direction of the body around the toothed portion.

The flexible display unit includes a variable portion that moves in a front or rear direction of the body according to a position of the second frame, is coupled to the other surface of the variable portion, supports the variable portion, and is deformed in response to the deformation of the variable portion It may further include.

The support frame may include a plurality of rigid bars extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged side by side in the first direction; And it may include a flexible portion for coupling the rigid bar.

The other surface of the support frame may be in contact with the chain link.

The mobile terminal of the present invention can protect the inside of the mobile terminal by covering the side of the expanded portion when the state is switched to the second state.

In addition, since the extended flexible display unit can be supported, usability can be improved even in the extended state.

Since a button or an interface unit can be implemented in the vertical direction of the mobile terminal, it is possible to efficiently utilize the space inside the mobile terminal.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, specific embodiments such as the detailed description and preferred embodiments of the present invention should be understood as being given by way of example only.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

2 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing a first state and a second state of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a rear view showing a first state and a second state of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of A-A and B-B of FIG. 3.

6 is an enlarged view of a support frame of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of a driving unit of a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

8 is a front view showing a first state in a state in which the display unit of the mobile terminal is removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a front view illustrating a second state in a state in which the display unit of the mobile terminal is removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an enlarged view illustrating a driving unit of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a view showing a chain block of the chain link of the present invention.

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 constituent elements 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 changes 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. The above 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. It 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 this 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. 1 are not essential for implementing a mobile terminal, and thus, a mobile terminal described in the present specification may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

More specifically, among the above components, the wireless communication unit 110 is provided 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 to enable wireless communication between. In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that connect 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. .

First, referring to the wireless communication unit 110, the broadcast receiving module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110 receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Two or more of the broadcast reception modules may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 for simultaneous broadcast reception or broadcast channel switching of at least two broadcast channels.

The mobile communication module 112 includes technical standards or communication methods for mobile communication (for example, GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000)), EV -DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc.), transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server.

The wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to transmission and reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or external to the mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

Examples of wireless Internet technologies include WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), and the like, and the wireless Internet module ( 113) transmits and receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology in a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

From the point of view that wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. is made through a mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 performs wireless Internet access through the mobile communication network. ) May be understood as a kind of the mobile communication module 112.

The short range communication module 114 is for short range communication, and includes Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and NFC. Near field communication may be supported using at least one of (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technologies. The short-distance communication module 114 may be configured between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100 through wireless area networks. ) And a network in which another mobile terminal 100 or an external server is located may support wireless communication. The local area wireless communication network may be a wireless personal area network (Wireless Personal Area Networks).

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location (or current location) of a mobile terminal, and representative examples thereof include a GPS (Global Positioning System) module or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module. For example, if the mobile terminal utilizes a GPS module, it can acquire the location of the mobile terminal by using a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. As another example, when the mobile terminal utilizes the Wi-Fi module, the mobile terminal may acquire the location of the mobile terminal based on information of the Wi-Fi module and a wireless access point (AP) that transmits or receives a wireless signal. If necessary, the location information module 115 may perform any function among other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 in order to obtain data on the location of the mobile terminal as a substitute or additionally. The location information module 115 is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the mobile terminal, and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or obtains the location of the mobile terminal.

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 camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 or stored in the memory 170. Meanwhile, a plurality of cameras 121 provided in the mobile terminal 100 may be arranged to form a matrix structure, and through the camera 121 forming a matrix structure as described above, various angles or focuses may be applied to the mobile terminal 100. A plurality of image information may be input. In addition, the plurality of cameras 121 may be arranged in a stereo structure to obtain a left image and a right image for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 processes an external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be utilized in various ways according to a function (or an application program being executed) being executed by the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise removal algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 123 is for receiving information from a user, and when information is input through the user input unit 123, the controller 180 can control the operation of the mobile terminal 100 to correspond to the input information. . Such, the user input unit 123 is a mechanical (mechanical) input means (or a mechanical key, for example, a button located on the front, rear or side of the mobile terminal 100, a dome switch (dome switch), a jog wheel, Jog switch, etc.) and a touch-type input means. As an example, the touch input means is composed of a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual key displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or a portion other than the touch screen It may be made of a touch key (touch key) arranged in the. On the other hand, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on the touch screen while having various forms, for example, graphic, text, icon, video, or these It can be made of a combination of.

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. Sensor (G-sensor), gyroscope sensor (gyroscope sensor), motion sensor (motion sensor), RGB sensor, infrared sensor (IR sensor: infrared 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 a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a hap tip module 153, and a 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 may function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user, and may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The sound output unit 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 170 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output unit 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The haptic module 153 generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. A typical example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module 153 may be vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 153 may be controlled by a user's selection or setting by a controller. For example, the haptic module 153 may synthesize and output different vibrations or sequentially output them.

The light output unit 154 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event using light from a light source of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal 100 may include message reception, call signal reception, missed call, alarm, schedule notification, e-mail reception, and information reception through an application.

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 (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.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components described with reference to FIG. 1 in order to drive the application program stored in the memory 170. Further, 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 191, 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 in order 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 an exploded perspective view showing a mobile terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first state and a second state of a barglawbone mobile terminal from one side, and FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a first state and a second state of the mobile terminal. In addition, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the first and second states of the mobile terminal obtained along the lines A-A and B-B of FIG. 2, respectively. In these drawings, FIGS. 3(a), 4(a), and 5(a) show the first state of the mobile terminal, and FIGS. 3(a), 4(b), and 5(b) are Indicate the second state of the mobile terminal.

As shown, the mobile terminal 100 in the first state is contracted and has a smaller size than the mobile terminal 100 in the second state. In addition, the size of the display 151 located in front of the mobile terminal 100 is also smaller than in the second state. On the other hand, the mobile terminal 100 in the first state expands in the first direction D1 and is converted to a second state, and in the second state, the size of the mobile terminal 100 and the front portion of the display unit 151 The size becomes larger than in the first state. In the following description, a direction in which the mobile terminal 100 and its display 151 are extended or enlarged is a first direction D1, and a contact or retract is made to change from the second state to the first state. Alternatively, the reduced direction is referred to as a second direction D2, and a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions D1 and D2 is referred to as a third direction.

The mobile terminal 100 of the present invention has a screen as shown in FIG. 3(b) in a first state in which the display unit 151 is positioned on the front side like a bar-shaped mobile terminal, as shown in FIG. 3(a). You can switch to the second state by expanding. In the second state, the area of the front surface of the display unit 151 is enlarged, and the area of the rear surface of the display unit 151 is reduced as shown in FIG. 4B. That is, the display unit 151, which was located on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 151 in the first state, moves to the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 in the second state.

In this way, the display unit may use the flexible display unit 151 that is bent so that the position of the display unit can be changed. A flexible display refers to a light and durable display that is not easily broken because it is manufactured on a thin and flexible substrate that can be bent, bent, folded, twisted or rolled like paper while maintaining the characteristics of a conventional flat panel display.

In addition, electronic paper is a display technology to which characteristics of general inks are applied, and the point of using reflected light may be different from conventional flat panel displays. Electronic paper can change information using a twist ball or electrophoresis using a capsule.

In a state in which the flexible display unit 151 is not deformed (eg, a state having an infinite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a basic state), the display area of the flexible display unit 151 becomes a flat surface. In a state deformed by an external force in the basic state (for example, a state having a finite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a deformed state), the display area may be a curved surface. As shown, information displayed in the deformed state may be visual information output on a curved surface. Such visual information is implemented by independently controlling light emission of sub-pixels arranged in a matrix form. The unit pixel means a minimum unit for implementing one color.

In the basic state, the flexible display unit 151 may be placed in a curved state (eg, bent vertically or horizontally) rather than a flat state. In this case, when an external force is applied to the flexible display unit 151, the flexible display unit 151 may be deformed into a flat state (or a less curved state) or a more curved state.

Meanwhile, the flexible display unit 151 may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen. When a touch is made to the flexible touch screen, the controller 180 (refer to FIG. 1) may perform a control corresponding to such a touch input. The flexible touch screen may be configured to sense a touch input not only in the basic state but also in the deformed state.

The touch sensor senses a touch (or touch input) applied to the touch screen using at least one of various touch methods such as a resistive film method, a capacitive method, an infrared method, an ultrasonic method, and a magnetic field method.

As an example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the touch screen or a change in capacitance generated at a specific portion into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a location, an area, a pressure when a touch, a capacitance when a touch is touched, and the like at which a touch object applied to the touch screen is touched on the touch sensor.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a deformation detecting means capable of detecting deformation of the flexible display unit 151. Such deformation detecting means may be included in the sensing unit 140 (see FIG. 1).

The deformation detecting means is provided in the flexible display unit 151 or the case (those 1-3 frames 101 to 103 to be described later), and may detect information related to deformation of the flexible display unit 151. Here, the information related to the deformation may include a direction in which the flexible display unit 151 is deformed, a deformed degree, a deformed position, a deformed time, and an acceleration at which the deformed flexible display unit 151 is restored, and the like, In addition, it may be various pieces of information that can be detected due to the bending of the flexible display unit 151.

In addition, the controller 180 may change information displayed on the flexible display unit 151 or change the information displayed on the flexible display unit 151 based on information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit 151 detected by the deformation detecting means. It is possible to generate a control signal to control the function of.

The change in state of the flexible display unit 151 (first or second state), that is, the size change in the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal 100 of the display unit 151 according to the size change of the mobile terminal 100 It can be performed manually by the force exerted by the user, but is not limited to this passive method. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 or the flexible display unit 151 has a first state, it may be deformed by a command of a user or an application to the second state without an external force applied by the user. In this way, in order to automatically deform the flexible display 151 without external force, the mobile terminal 100 may include a driving unit 200 to be described later.

The flexible display unit 151 of the present invention is bent 180 degrees while being rolled on either side of both sides of the mobile terminal 100. Accordingly, a part of the display unit 151 is disposed on the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 based on such a side, and the other part is disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100. A part of the display unit 151 located on the front of the mobile terminal 100 may be fixed to the front so as to be immobile, and the other part of the display unit 151 located on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 may be provided to be movable on the rear surface. I can.

In addition, the display unit 151 may be wound or unwound on the side, and accordingly, a portion disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 is moved to adjust the size of the area disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100 Can be. Since the flexible display unit 151 has a fixed area and consists of one continuous body, the rear area decreases as the front area increases. Such a display unit 151 may be accurately wound on one side of the second frame 102 in the second frame 102 that is movable relative to the first frame 101 to be described later, and the mobile terminal The second frame 102 is wound around the second frame 102 according to the moving direction of the second frame 102 to adjust the area of the display unit 151 in the front of the 100, withdraw or pulled from the second frame 102. out) or inserted or pushed into it. This operation will be described later in more detail along with other related components of the mobile terminal 100.

Typically, the antenna is provided in the case or housing of the mobile terminal 100, but the portion where the antenna is installed in the case or housing is limited by the flexible display unit 151 that covers the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal 100 Can be. For this reason, an antenna may be implemented on the flexible display unit 151. An antenna on display (AOD) is an antenna in which a patterned electrode layer and a dielectric layer are layered to form a transparent film. The built-in display antenna can be implemented thinner than the conventional copper nickel plating method, LDS (laser direct structuring) technology, so it has the advantage that it does not affect the thickness and is not exposed to the exterior. In addition, the display built-in antenna may directly transmit and receive signals from the display unit 151. Accordingly, in the mobile terminal 100 in which the display unit 151 is located on both sides as in the present invention, a display built-in antenna can be used.

2 to 5, a detailed configuration of the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, reference is basically made to FIG. 2 showing the overall configuration, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are referenced to describe detailed features of the corresponding components in the first and second states of the mobile terminal 100 do.

The mobile terminal 100 of the present invention includes a main frame on which components are mounted, and the main frame of the present invention may be variable in size in the first direction as shown in FIG. 2. At least one or more frames may be moved relative to each other, and the size in the first direction may vary. In the main frame, electronic components are mounted inside and a flexible display unit 151 is located outside.

Since the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention includes a flexible display unit, the flexible display unit 151 may be coupled to surround the front and rear surfaces of the main frame. The main frame may include first to third frames 103. A first frame 101 and a second frame 102 moving in a first direction with respect to the first frame 101 and a third frame 103 moving in a first direction with respect to the second frame 102 can do. The first frame 101 and the second frame 102 include a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion, and are coupled to each other. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 can form a hexahedral appearance by the first and second frames 102 combined. Considering the configuration of the illustrated 1-3 frames 101-103, the movement of the second and

third frames

102 and 103 may be a slide movement.

First, the first frame 101 corresponds to the main body of the mobile terminal 100, and a space for accommodating various parts may be formed therein. In addition, the first frame 101 may accommodate a second frame 102 that is movably coupled to the first frame 101 in such a space. In more detail, the first frame 101 includes a first front portion 1011 disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100 and a first front portion 1011 disposed in the rear of the mobile terminal, as well as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. It may include one rear portion 1012 and a second rear portion 1013.

These first front portion 1011, first rear portion 1012, and second rear portion 1013 may be formed of a substantially flat plate-shaped member. The first rear portion 1012 and the second rear portion 1013 may be formed of separate members coupled to each other or may be formed of a single member as shown. The first front portion 1011 and the first rear/second

rear portions

1012 and 1013 may be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals to form a predetermined space, and may be connected to each other by the side portions 1014. The control unit 180 and the power supply unit 190 may be accommodated as parts of the mobile terminal 100 in the space within the first frame 101. For example, the controller 180 may be a circuit board including a processor and an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal, and the power supply unit 190 may be a battery and related parts. In addition, the second frame 102 and the driving unit 200 to be described later may also be accommodated in the first frame 101.

As described above, the display unit 151 has a continuous body and may be disposed on both the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal 100 while being wound in the mobile terminal 100. The display unit 151 may include a front portion positioned at the front of the mobile terminal 100, a rear portion positioned at the rear, and a side portion positioned between the front portion and the rear portion and surrounding the side of the mobile terminal. The front portion and the rear portion may be flat, and the display portion 151 may form a curved surface on the side portion. When the flexible display unit 151 is bent, the flexible display unit 151 may be damaged, and thus, the flexible display unit 151 may be configured to be bent with a predetermined curvature.

The display unit 151 may be divided into a fixed portion and a variable portion. The fixing part means a part fixed to the frame. Since it is fixed to the frame, it is characterized in that the degree of bending does not change and maintains a constant shape. On the other hand, the variable part means a part in which the angle of the bent part is changed or the position of the bent part is changed. The variable portion whose bending position or angle is changed needs a structure to support the rear surface of the variable portion according to the change.

The first area of the display unit 151 may be coupled to the first front portion 1011 corresponding to the front surface of the mobile terminal 100.

On the other hand, as well as shown in FIG. 4, various physical input units 120 and sensor units 140 for manipulation of the mobile terminal 100 may be located at the first rear unit 1012, and the second rear unit The display unit 151 may be disposed only in the unit 1013. The first rear part 1012 does not overlap with the flexible display unit 151 and is always exposed to the outside, regardless of the state of the mobile terminal, so it is close to the input unit 120 such as various buttons, switches, cameras 121, and flashes. A sensor unit 140 such as the sensor 141 may be disposed therein. In a typical bar-type terminal, a display unit is provided only in the front of the terminal. Accordingly, in order to photograph an object on the other side while viewing through the user's display unit, the main camera is disposed on the rear of the terminal. On the other hand, in order to take a picture while viewing the user himself through the display, an additional auxiliary camera is required on the front of the terminal.

However, in the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention, the display unit 151 is located on both the front and rear surfaces thereof. Therefore, when taking a picture of the user himself, a display unit on the same surface as the camera 121, that is, a part of the display unit 151 on the back of the mobile terminal 100 may be used, and when photographing an object opposite the user, the camera ( A display unit on the opposite surface to 121, that is, a part of the display unit 151 on the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 in the drawing may be used. For this reason, the mobile terminal 100 may use one camera 121 to photograph an object located opposite the user or the user. The camera may include a plurality of cameras having different angles of view, such as wide-angle, ultra-wide, and telephoto. A proximity sensor sound output unit, etc. may be located on the first rear part 1012 in addition to the camera, and an antenna 116 may be installed.

The side portion 1014 may extend along the edges of the first front portion 1011 and the first rear portion/second

rear portion

1012 and 1013 so as to surround the circumference of the first frame 101. 100) can be formed. However, as mentioned above, since the second frame 102 is accommodated in the first frame 101 and is movably coupled thereto, the relative movement of the second frame 102 with respect to the first frame 101 Part of the first frame 101 needs to be opened in order to allow for. 2, as an example, since the second frame 102 is movably coupled to either side of the first frame 101, the side portion 1014 is It is not formed and can open it. Accordingly, the first frame 101 may include a first side portion 101a that is substantially closed and a second side portion 101b that is disposed opposite to and opens the first side portion 101a. Since the side portion 1014 is exposed to the outside of the mobile terminal 100, an interface unit 160 for connecting a power port or an ear jack, a user input unit 120 such as a volume button, and the like may be disposed. When including a metal material, the side portion 1014 may serve as an antenna.

The second rear portion 1013 of the first frame 101 may be covered by the display unit, but may be disposed on the front side of the display unit using a transparent material.

The second frame 102 may include a second front portion 1021 disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100 and a third rear portion 1022 disposed behind the mobile terminal 100. Like the first front portion 1011 and the first rear portion 1012 of the first frame 101, the second front portion 1021 and the third rear portion 1023 may be formed of generally flat plate-shaped members. . In addition, the second frame 102 also accommodates various parts, and should not interfere with the parts accommodated in the first frame 101 during movement. Accordingly, the second front portion 1021 and the third rear portion 1022 may be combined in a state spaced apart from each other to form a predetermined space, and may have a shape that does not interfere with the parts in the first frame 101. have.

In addition, the display unit 151 may be bent 180 degrees while being wound in the second frame 102 so as to be disposed on both the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal 100. For such an arrangement of the display 151, the second frame 102 may include a roller 1028 rotatably disposed therein. The roller 1028 may be disposed at any position inside the second frame 102. However, the display 151 must be spread flat on the front and rear of the mobile terminal 100 in order to provide a screen of good quality to the user, and for this deployment, the display 151 must be provided with an appropriate tension. do. In order to provide an appropriate tension, the roller 1028 may be disposed at the end of the second frame 102 in the first direction. The roller 1028 extends in the second direction and may be rotatably coupled to the second frame 102.

The display unit 151 may have a predetermined curvature and may be gently bent and wound around the roller 1028. The flexible display unit 151 may include a first surface on which an image is output and exposed to the outside, and an inner surface facing the frame opposite the first surface. The roller 1028 may be installed to rotate freely on the second frame 102 while contacting the inner surface of the display unit 151. Accordingly, the roller 1028 may actually move the display unit 151 in a lateral direction of the mobile terminal 100, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. As will be described later, when the second frame 102 slides, the display unit 151 is in different directions (that is, in the first direction D1 or In the second direction D2, relative to the second frame 102 is moved to the front or rear surface of the mobile terminal 100, and the roller 1028 can guide this movement while rotating.

In addition, the roller 1028 is disposed on the first side portion 102a of the second frame 102, and the first side portion 102a actually corresponds to the outermost side of the mobile terminal 100. If the first side portion 102a of the second frame 102 is exposed, the display unit 151 wound around the roller 1028 may be damaged. Accordingly, the second frame 102 may include a side frame 1024 disposed on the first side portion 102a.

The side frame 1024 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the second frame 102 to cover the first side portion 102a, thereby protecting the roller 1028 and the display unit 151 wound thereon. have. That is, the side frame 1024 covers a side portion of the display unit 151, and the side portion is located in the third area. The first to third regions do not change in size or position to a designated position on the flexible display unit, but the sizes of the front and rear parts and the positions of the side parts are determined according to the state of the main frame.

The first region and the second region correspond to the above-described fixed portion, and the third region corresponds to the above-described variable portion.

And the location may vary according to the state of the mobile terminal. Since the side portion is wound by a roller, the side portion is bent with a predetermined curvature, and the inner surface of the side frame may include a curved surface corresponding to the curvature of the side portion.

By this side frame 1024, the second frame 102 has a first side part 102a that is substantially closed, and the side frame 1024 is substantially together with the side part 1014 of the first frame 101. As a result, the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 can be formed. In addition, in order to minimize interference with parts in the first frame 101 during movement, the second frame 102 is disposed opposite to the first side portion 102a, and may include a second side portion 102b that is open. have.

Such a second frame 102 is movably coupled to the first frame 101, and thus is configured to slide in a predetermined first or second direction (D1, D2) with respect to the first frame 101. I can. In more detail, the second frame 102 is movably coupled to the first frame 101 through the side of the first frame 101, precisely the open second side 101b, as shown. I can. More specifically, the second side portion 102b of the second frame is disposed relatively adjacent to the first side portion 101a of the closed first frame 101, and thus the first side portion 102a of the second frame ) May be disposed opposite to the first side portion 101a. Accordingly, the second side portion 102b is inserted into the first frame 101 through the side portion of the first frame, that is, the second side portion 101b thereof. The first side portion 102b is not inserted into the first frame 101 and is always positioned outside the first frame 101, thereby forming the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 as described above. However, if necessary, the first side portion 102b of the second frame 102 may also be inserted into the first frame 101.

Due to this positional relationship, the second frame 102 may expand or contract from the first frame 101 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 100 or the first frame 101. That is, the first and second directions D1 and D2 may basically be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 100 or the first frame 101. On the other hand, the first and second directions D1 and D2 may also be described as a lateral direction or a horizontal direction of the mobile terminal 100 or the first frame 101. In addition, in the movement in the first direction D1, the second frame 102 extends from the first frame 101, and accordingly, the second frame 102 in the first direction D1 becomes the first frame 101 It may be a direction moving away from, that is, outwardly of the mobile terminal 100 or the first frame 101. On the other hand, in the movement of the second direction D1, the second frame 102 is contracted to the first frame 101. Accordingly, the second direction D1 is a direction opposite to the first direction D1, so that the second frame 102 is close to the second frame 101, that is, the mobile terminal 100 or the first frame 101 ) Can be the direction of moving inwardly. When moving in the first direction D1, the second frame 102 expands, and a force is applied to a part of the display unit 151 disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 to additionally It is placed on the front side, and an area for such additional arrangement can be formed. Accordingly, the second frame 102 may convert the mobile terminal 100 into a second state having the relatively extended front display unit 151 by moving in the first direction D1. On the other hand, when the second frame 102 is moved in the second direction D2, it contracts to its original state, and moves again by applying a force to a part of the display unit 151 disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100 It can be restored to the rear of the terminal 100. Accordingly, the second frame 102 may convert the mobile terminal 100 into a first state having the relatively reduced front display unit 151 by moving in the second direction D2. Accordingly, the second frame 102 selectively exposes the display unit 151 on the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 according to the moving direction (ie, the first or second directions D1, D2), and moves accordingly. The terminal 100 may be switched to the first or second state defined above.

During such expansion and contraction in the first and second directions (D1, D2), the second frame 102 does not interfere with the first frame 101 so that the first frame 101, specifically its first It may overlap with the front portion 1011 and the first rear portion 1012. In more detail, the display unit 151 may be coupled by and supported by the first front portion 1011 of the first frame 101, as described above, and accordingly, the second frame 102 There is no need to be additionally supported by the second front portion 1021 of the. Rather, when the second front portion 1021 is interposed between the first front portion 1011 and the display unit 151, the display unit 151 is caused by friction with the second front portion 1021 that moves repeatedly. It can be deformed or broken. Accordingly, the second front portion 1021 may be disposed below the first front portion 1011 as well illustrated in FIG. 5. That is, the front surface of the second front portion 1021 may face the rear surface of the first front portion 1011. In addition, in order to stably support the movement of the second frame 102, the rear surface of the first front portion 1011 may contact the front surface of the second front portion 1021.

The third rear portion 1022 of the second frame 102 may be disposed below the second rear portion 1013 of the first frame 101. That is, the front surface of the third rear portion 1022 may face the rear surface of the second rear portion 1013. In addition, in order to stably support the movement of the second frame 102, the rear surface of the second rear portion 1013 may contact the front surface of the third rear portion 1022. By this arrangement, the third rear portion 1022 is exposed to the outside of the first frame, specifically, the second rear portion 1013, and may be coupled to the display unit 151.

Alternatively, when the second rear portion 1013 is made of a transparent material, the second rear portion 1013 may form a rear appearance of the mobile terminal. The second rear portion 1013 is located in the rear direction than the third rear portion 1022 of the second frame, and the flexible display unit is positioned between the second rear portion 1013 and the third rear portion 1022 in the first state. I can.

When the second rear portion 1013 is formed of a material such as transparent glass to form the rear exterior of the mobile terminal, the first rear portion 1012 may be implemented using the same member as the second rear portion 1013. That is, the camera 121, the flash, or the sensing unit 140 may be disposed by partially coating a plate-shaped member made of a transparent glass material so that internal parts are not visible, and omitting the coating only on a necessary part.

In addition, the second frame 102 can expand and contract the size of the mobile terminal 100 itself, especially the front of the mobile terminal 100 by expanding and contracting in the first and second directions (D1, D2). In addition, the display unit 151 needs to be moved by such an expanded or reduced front surface in order to obtain the intended first and second states. However, when fixed to the second frame 102, the display unit 151 cannot be smoothly moved to fit the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 to be expanded or contracted. For this reason, the display unit 151 may be movably coupled to the second frame 102. In more detail, the display unit 151 includes a first end (side edge or side end) 151d disposed on the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 and a second end opposite the side edge or side end 151d. (151e) may be included. The first end 151 is disposed on the front of the first frame 101, that is, the front of the first front portion 1011 thereof, and is a side of the mobile terminal 100, that is, the first side 101a of the first frame. Can be placed adjacent to. On the other hand, since the second end 151e is adjacent to the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 and the third rear portion 1022 of the second frame 102, the second end portion 151e is adjacent to the third rear portion 1022 of the second frame 102. It may be coupled to be movable in the first and second directions D1 and D2. In addition, since the display unit 151 is not structurally strong, the third frame 103 may be coupled to the second end 151e. The third frame 103 may be formed of a plate-shaped member extending long in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 100. Therefore, the third frame 103 may be coupled to the second frame, that is, the third rear portion 1022 thereof, so as to be movable in the first and second directions D1 and D2 in place of the second end 151e. have. In addition, the second frame 102 may include a slot 1025 extending in a lateral direction of the mobile terminal 100 or the second frame 102, that is, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, 103) can be stably moved while being guided by the slot 1025. The third frame 103 may include, for example, a protrusion inserted into the slot 1025 for movement along the slot 1025.

Referring to FIG. 3-5, in connection with the configuration of the 1-3

frames

101, 102, and 103, the display unit 151 faces one side thereof, that is, the first end 151d. A first region 1511 extending in a predetermined length toward the second end portion 151e and disposed opposite to the first region 1511, the first end 151d from the second end 151e. It may include a second region 1512 extending toward a predetermined length. Also, the display unit 151 may include a third area 1513 disposed between the first and

second areas

1511 and 1512. The 1-3

areas

1511, 1512, and 1513 are connected to each other and may form a continuous body of the display unit 151. In addition, as described above, in order to move the third area 1513 to the front or rear side of the mobile terminal 100 according to the moving direction of the second frame 102, the first area 1511 is a mobile terminal. It is fixed so as not to be moved on the front surface of 100, and the second area 1512 may be provided to be movable on the rear surface of the mobile terminal. The configuration of the display unit 151 will be described in more detail below.

The first area 1511 may be disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100, more specifically, in the front of the first frame 101, that is, the first front portion 1011. The first area 1511 is fixed to the front of the first frame 101, that is, the first front part 1011 so that it does not move even when the second frame 102 is moved. It can be exposed to the front. The third region 1513 is adjacent to the first region 1511 and extends into the second frame 102 and may be wound around the roller 1028. The third region 1513 may continuously extend out from the second frame 102 again and partially cover the rear surface of the second frame 102, that is, the third rear portion 1022. On the other hand, the second frame 102, that is, the third rear portion 1022, is adjacent to the first frame 101, that is, the second rear portion 1013 and together form the rear case of the mobile terminal 100, It may be described that the third area 1513 is also disposed on the rear surface of the first frame 101.

The second area 1512 is adjacent to the third area 1513 and may be disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100, more specifically, the second frame, that is, the rear surface of the third rear portion 1022 thereof. . The second region 1512 may be coupled to the third frame 103 without being directly coupled to the second frame 102. As shown in FIG. 4(b), a slot 1025 extending laterally to the second frame 102, that is, the third rear portion 1022 (that is, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 100). ) Is formed and the third frame 103 may move along the slot 1025. Although the slot 1025 is shown to be formed on the rear surface of the second frame 102 in FIG. 4B, it may be formed on the side surface of the second frame 102. The second area 1512 may move in the first or second direction (D1, D2) with respect to the second frame 102 together with the third frame 103, but the movement of the second area 1512 is a slot ( 1025) can be limited to the inside of the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100. That is, the second region 1512 does not move outside the second frame 102 even if the second frame 102 is expanded or contracted, and the second frame 102 is extended or contracted by a distance of the second frame 102. ) Can be moved along the slot 1025. Accordingly, the second area 1512 may be always exposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100.

As a result, the first area 1511 is disposed on the front side of the mobile terminal 100 and is always exposed on the front side regardless of the movement of the second frame 102, and the second area 1512 is the mobile terminal 100. It is disposed on the rear surface of and can be always exposed to the rear surface regardless of the movement of the second frame 102. In addition, the third region 1513 is disposed between the first and

second regions

1511 and 1512, and the front or rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 according to the movement direction D1 and D2 of the second frame 102. Can be selectively placed on.

Due to such a selective arrangement of the third area 1513, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the second rear portion 1013 of the first frame 101 is the display unit 151 in the first state. While covered by the second and

third regions

1512 and 1513 and the third rear portion 1022 in the second state, the third region 1513 moves to the front of the mobile terminal 100, and the third Since the rear part 1022 also moves in the first direction D1, it may be exposed to the outside of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the second front portion 1021 of the second frame 102 is disposed under the first front portion 1011 of the first frame 101 in the first state, but from the first frame 101 in the second state. The third area 1513 of the display unit 151 that has been moved out and disposed in front of the mobile terminal 100 may be supported.

Since the first and

second regions

1511 and 1512 are always disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal 100, the curvature of the first region 1511 and the second region 1512 does not change and maintains a flat basic state. I can. However, the third region 1513 may be bent by winding the roller 1028 in the second frame 102. When switching from the first state to the second state, the third region 1513 may be wound around the roller 1028 in one direction and may extend from the second frame 102 to the front of the mobile terminal 100. On the other hand, when switching from the second state to the first state, the third area 1513 may be retracted from the front of the mobile terminal 100 to the second frame 102 while being wound in the opposite direction to the roller 1028, and at the same time It is possible to return to the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 from the second frame 102. The foldable mobile terminal in the form of an open book like a book tends to damage the specific location because only a specific location is repeatedly folded. On the other hand, the deformation portion of the flexible display unit 151, that is, the portion wound around the roller 1028, may vary according to the movement of the first and second states of the mobile terminal 100, that is, the second frame 102. . Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention can significantly reduce deformation and fatigue repeatedly applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151, thereby preventing damage to the display unit 151.

Based on the above-described configuration, the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100 will be described as follows. As an example, a state change may be performed manually by a user, and the operation of the mobile terminal 100 during this manual state change will be described. However, the operation of the 1-3 frames 101-103 and the display unit 151 described below is when a power source other than the user's power is used, for example, when the driving unit 200 described below is applied. The same can be done for.

3(a), 4(a) and 5(a), the second frame 102 is completely retracted into the first frame 102 in the first state. Accordingly, only the first area 1511 of the display unit 151 fixed to the front of the first frame 101 may be exposed on the front of the mobile terminal 100. The first region 1511 may be fixed and supported on the first frame 101, that is, the first front portion 1011 thereof. In addition, the third area 1513 is mostly disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 together with the second area 1512, and may be disposed in the second frame 102 while being partially wound around the roller 1028. . The third area 1513 on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 may be supported by a second frame, that is, a third rear portion 1022 thereof. The second area 1512 is fixed by the third frame 103 disposed on the second frame (ie, the third rear portion 1022), and may be movably coupled to the second frame 1012. .

In this first state, when the second frame 102 moves in the first direction D1, the mobile terminal 100 may be switched to the second state. 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b), the second frame 102 extends from the first frame 101 by movement in the first direction D1 , It is possible to increase the overall size of the mobile terminal 100, especially the front surface thereof. While moving in the first direction D1, the second frame 102 may apply a force, that is, a tension, to the display unit 151 in the first direction D1. The display unit 151 is fixed to the first frame 101, but is movably coupled to the second frame 102 using the third frame 103, so that it is controlled by the force applied by the second frame 102. The third area 1513 may be rolled out from the roller 1028 of the second frame 102 to the front surface of the mobile terminal 100. That is, the third area 1513 may be withdrawn or pulled out, extended, or moved out from the second frame 102. At the same time, the third area 1513, in particular the portion disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100, is rolled into the roller 1028 of the second frame 102 from the rear surface or the second frame 102 It can be inserted or pushed in, retracted, or moved in. All of the third area 1513 is not drawn out from the second frame 102 to the front of the mobile terminal 100, and a part of the third area 1513 is still rolled by the roller 1028 and the second frame ( 102). In addition, for smooth movement of the third region 1513, the second region 1512 may also move in the first direction D1 with respect to the second frame 102 together with the third frame 103.

In addition, as described above, the second region 1512 and the third frame 103 are constrained by the second frame 102 so that the first direction ( You can move to D1). Accordingly, the second region 1512 and the third frame 103 can be relatively moved in the first direction D1 as well as the second frame 102 as well as the first frame 101, and accordingly, the second frame It can move a distance longer than the moving distance of (102). Accordingly, due to the long movement of the second area 1512 in the first direction D1, the third area 1513 can be smoothly extended to the front of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, in order to move the third region 1513 in proportion to the expansion of the second frame 102, the movement of the second region 1512 and the third frame 103 in the first direction D1 is third. In proportion to the movement of the region 1513 and the second frame 102, it may be performed simultaneously with the movement of the third region 1512 and the second frame 102 in the first direction D1.

When the second frame 102 is completely extended in the first direction D1, the first and

third regions

1511 and 1513 are disposed on the front surface of the mobile terminal 100, and the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 is Only the second area 1512 may be disposed. These first and

third regions

1511 and 1513 may be supported by a first frame (ie, its first front portion 1011) and a second frame (ie, its second front portion 1021 ). In addition, the second frame 102, that is, the third rear portion 1022 thereof, extends in the first direction D1 and exposes the second rear portion 1013 of the first frame, and the moving third area ( 1513) can be supported. Accordingly, in the second state, the mobile terminal 100 may have an extended front display unit 151.

On the other hand, when the second frame 102 moves in the second direction D2 in the second state, the mobile terminal 100 is again shown in FIGS. 3(a), 4(a), and 5(a). It is possible to return to the first state as previously described. The second frame 102 is contracted to the first frame 101 by the movement in the second direction D2, and the overall size of the mobile terminal 100, particularly the front surface thereof, can be reduced. The movement of the display unit 151 while the second frame 102 is moving may be performed in the reverse order to the movement in the first direction D1 described above. Briefly, the third area 1513 may be wound by the roller 1028 of the second frame 102 from the front of the mobile terminal 100 or may be retracted, contracted, or moved into the second frame 102. At the same time, the third area 1513 may be wound, drawn out, expanded, or moved from the roller 1028 of the second frame 102 to the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100. All of the third area 1513 is not drawn out from the second frame 102 to the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100, and a part of the third area 1513 is still rolled by the roller 1028 and the second frame ( 102). In addition, for smooth movement of the third region 1513, the second region 1512 may also move in the second direction D2 with respect to the second frame 102 together with the third frame 103, The second region 1512 and the third frame 103 are constrained by the second frame 102 and may move along with the second frame 102 in the second direction D2 with respect to the first frame 101. Accordingly, the second region 1512 and the third frame 103 can be moved relative to the second frame 102 as well as the first frame 101 in the second direction D2, and accordingly, the second frame A distance longer than the moving distance of 102 can be moved in the second direction D2. Accordingly, due to the long movement of the second area 1512, the third area 1513 can be smoothly returned to the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, in order to move the third region 1513 in proportion to the contraction of the second frame 102, the movement of the second region 1512 and the third frame 103 in the second direction D2 is third. In proportion to the movement of the region 1513 and the second frame 102, it may be performed simultaneously with the movement of the third region 1512 and the second frame 102 in the second direction D2. When the second frame 102 is completely retracted in the second direction D2, the mobile terminal 100 can be switched to the first state as described above, and is relatively A reduced front display unit 151 may be provided.

One surface of the flexible display unit 151 outputs an image and is exposed to the outside, and the other surface may be combined with a frame supporting the flexible display unit 151.

The first area of the flexible display unit 151 is supported by the first frame 101 and the second area is supported by the third frame 103, but the third area is a first frame ( 101) through the third frame (101, 102, 103) is not directly coupled. Since the third region, that is, the variable portion, the bending position or the curvature of the bending deformation is variable, a support frame 230 capable of changing the curvature corresponding thereto is required.

6 is an enlarged view of a support frame 230 of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support frame 230 supports the other surface of the variable portion of the flexible display unit 151 so that a stable touch input is possible even in the variable portion, and the variable portion may be prevented from being damaged by an external force.

In addition, when the second front portion 1021 of the second frame is inside the first front portion 1011 of the first frame in the first state, and moves in the first direction in the second state, the flexible display unit 151 A gap corresponding to the thickness of the first front portion 1011 is generated between the and the second front portion 1021. If the support frame 230 having a thickness corresponding to the gap is used, the problem that the extended front portion is spaced apart from the second front portion 1021 in the second state can be solved.

The support frame 230 may include a plurality of rigid bars 231 arranged in a third direction and a flexible portion 232 connecting the rigid bars 231. The rigid bar 231 may be made of a material having rigidity such as a metal material to support the other surface of the third area of the flexible display unit 151. The flexible part 232 may use a soft material such as silicon, and may be deformed when the flexible display part 151 is wound around a roller and bent.

The flexible portion 232 may be formed to have a thinner thickness than the rigid bar 231 to facilitate bending deformation of the flexible portion 232, and the thin flexible portion 232 has a groove 233 extending in the third direction as shown in FIG. ). A plurality of grooves 233 are arranged side by side in the first direction, and a plurality of grooves 233 formed on the rear surface of the support frame 230 and a protruding portion positioned between the grooves 233 form the flexible rack gear 234. To form.

When the unevenness corresponding to the flexible rack gear 234 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller 1028, the flexible display unit 151 is not slipped from the roller 1028 and can move according to the rotation of the roller 1028.

7 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the driving unit 200 of the mobile terminal 100 related to the present invention. The driving unit 200 of the embodiment of the present invention includes a chain link 203 and a motor 201. The chain link 203 has one end coupled to the second frame 102 and the other end moving in the first frame 101 to move the second frame 102 in the first direction or the second direction. The motor 201 is located in the second frame and provides a driving force to the chain link 203. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of driving units 200 may be disposed in the third direction so that the second frame 102 is not inclined and can move constantly. A part of the motor 201 and the chain link 203 of the driving unit 200 of the present invention may be located between the first front portion 1011 and the second rear portion 1013 of the first frame 101.

8 is a front view showing a first state of the mobile terminal 100 with the flexible display unit 151 removed, and FIG. 9 is a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. A front view showing a second state with the flexible display unit 151 of 100) removed. In the drawings of FIGS. 8 and 9, the driving unit 200 may be disposed in a first direction of the first frame 101 with the upper portion open to the first front portion of the first frame 101.

The chain link 203 of the present invention is elongated in the first direction as shown in FIG. 9 so as to cover the portion exposed to the side in the second state to cover both ends of the second frame in the third direction. I can. In the first state, the chain link 203 is bent as shown in FIG. 8 and is disposed to be elongated in the third direction.

The chain link 203 may be located at the end in the third direction even in the first state. In this case, the space for the chain link 203 to move is located at both ends of the mobile terminal 100 in the third direction. In this case, there is a problem in that it is difficult to arrange an acoustic hole for an audio output unit, an interface unit for cable connection, a button 123, etc. on the side of the mobile terminal 100 in the third direction.

In order to solve the above problem, the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in the first state, the chain link 203 is bent in the third direction instead of being positioned at the end in the third direction. Is placed. In addition, the chain link 203 may cover an end portion of the second frame 102 in the third direction in the second state.

It can be implemented by connecting a plurality of chain blocks (203a) so that the extension direction of the chain link (203) can be changed. In addition, the first frame 101 may include a guide slot 204 to guide the moving direction of the chain link 203 when the state of the mobile terminal 100 changes. The chain link 203 includes a guide protrusion 2034 inserted into the guide slot 204, and the guide protrusion 2034 is inserted into the guide slot 204 and moves along the guide slot 204. The guide protrusion 2034 may be formed on both sides of the chain link 203 in the thickness direction, and correspondingly, the

guide slots

204a and 204b are the first front portion 1011 and the second rear portion of the first frame 101 All can be formed in (1012).

The guide slot 204 includes a first slot 2041 extending in a third direction and a second slot 2042 extending in a second direction, and a connection portion between the first slot 2041 and the second slot 2042 Is connected in a curve so that the chain link 203 can move smoothly along the guide slot 204 when the chain link 203 is switched from the first state to the second state. As shown in FIG. 7, the end of the second slot 2042 is open so that one end of the chain link 203 may be connected to the second frame 102. The second slot 2042 is positioned at an end portion in the third direction and guides the chain link 203 to be positioned at an end portion in the third direction in the second state.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a driving unit 200 of a mobile terminal 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a view showing a chain block 203a of the chain link 203 of the present invention. . The chain link 203 of the present invention includes a plurality of chain blocks 203a, and the chain block 203a is a second frame 102 to cover an end portion in the third direction of the second frame 102 in the second state. It may have a size corresponding to the thickness direction gap between the third rear surface 1022 of the flexible display unit 151 and the rear surface of the flexible display unit 151.

As shown in FIG. 11, the chain block 203a includes a fastening portion, a toothed portion 2033, and a guide protrusion 2034. The fastening portion includes a link protrusion 2031 and a link groove 2032, the link protrusion 2031 and the link groove 2032 are coupled with a neighboring chain block 203a, and the link protrusion 2031 is adjacent to one side. The link groove 2032 and the link groove 2032 of the chain block 203a are coupled to the link protrusion 2031 of the chain block 203a adjacent to the other side. The link protrusion 2031 and the link groove 2032 may be arranged side by side in the direction in which the chain link 203 is extended. As shown in FIG. 11, for a stable fastening of the chain block 203a, a pair of fastening portions may be disposed symmetrically in the thickness direction.

The first part 2035 in which the link protrusion 2031 is formed so that the link protrusion 2031 is inserted into the link groove 2032 has a step 2037 in the thickness direction than the second part 2036 in which the link groove 2032 is formed. Can be formed. By forcibly fitting the chain block 203a, it is possible to connect the link groove 2032 and the link protrusion 2031 of the neighboring chain block 203a. In the fastened state, the step 2037 may have a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the second portion 2036 so that the adjacent first portions 2035 and the adjacent second portions 2036 have the same height.

In order to increase the fastening force between the link groove 2032 and the link protrusion 2031 of the chain block 203a, the first part 2035 in which the link protrusion 2031 is formed and the second part 2036 in which the link groove 2032 is formed are It may be connected to form a step 2037. The first portion 2035 in which the link protrusion 2031 is formed is located inside the second portion 2036 in the thickness direction more than that of the second portion 2036, but may be formed in the opposite direction. The shape of the link groove 2032 and the cross section of the link protrusion 2031 can be formed in a circular shape because the link groove 2032 and the link protrusion 2031 need to be able to rotate while the neighboring chain block 203a is fastened. have.

The link protrusion 2031 may have a height equal to or less than the thickness of the second portion 2036 so as not to protrude from the second portion 2036 after being inserted into the link groove 2032. When the chain block 203a is coupled, the second portion 2036 may be continuously disposed to contact the inner side of the first frame 101 as shown in FIG. 10B. The guide protrusion 2034 may protrude in the thickness direction more than the link protrusion 2031 or the link groove 2032.

The first part 2035 and the second part 2036 of the chain block 203a are located between the first front part 1011 and the second rear part 1013 of the first frame 101, and the guide protrusion 2034 ) May be exposed to the outside of the first frame 101 through the guide slot 204 of the first frame 101. The height of the guide protrusion 2034 may be formed to correspond to the thickness of the first frame 101 so that the guide protrusion 2034 does not further protrude from the guide slot 204. The guide protrusion 2034 exposed to the outside of the first frame 101 through the guide slot 204 may contact the other surface of the support frame in a state in which the mobile terminal 100 is extended in a second state. Since the support frame includes a rigid bar extending in the third direction, the chain link 203 supports the end in the third direction to support the extended flexible display unit 151 (variable portion) so that sagging does not occur.

The chain link 203 must receive a driving force in order to slide from the state of FIG. 8 to the state of FIG. 9 or vice versa. The chain link 203 may include a toothed portion 2033 meshing with the driving gear 202b for transmitting the force of the motor 201. The toothed portion 2033 may be located between the fastening parts arranged symmetrically in the thickness direction as shown in FIG. 11, and as shown in FIG. 10(b), the driving gear 202b is a pair of fastening parts. It is inserted between the teeth and can rotate by engaging with the toothed portion (2033).

As shown in FIG. 10, the driving gear 202 rotates about a rotational axis extending in the thickness direction, and the motor 201 provides rotational force about a rotational axis disposed in the third direction. The rotation axis of the motor 201 may be different in the direction in which the motor 201 is arranged, but considering the size of the motor 201, it is difficult to arrange the rotation axis of the motor 201 in the thickness direction. The driving gear 202 may further include a bevel gear 202a in order to convert it into a rotational force of. The bevel gear 202a is a pair of conical gears and can transmit rotational force by changing the direction of the rotation shaft.

As described above, the mobile terminal of the present invention can protect the inside of the mobile terminal by covering the side of the expanded portion when the state is changed to the second state.

In addition, since the extended flexible display unit can be supported, usability can be improved even in the extended state. Since a button or an interface unit can be implemented in the vertical direction of the mobile terminal, it is possible to efficiently utilize the space inside the mobile terminal.

Therefore, the detailed description above 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 body including a first frame and a second frame movably coupled to the first frame in a first direction;

A roller rotatably coupled to the second frame;

A flexible display unit wound around the roller and including a front portion positioned on a front surface of the body and a rear portion positioned in a rear direction of the body, and outputting an image on one surface;

A driving unit for moving the second frame in the first direction with respect to the first frame or in a second direction opposite to the first direction,

The driving unit,

A chain link having one end fastened to the second frame and the other end positioned on the first frame; And

And a motor for moving one end of the chain link in the first direction or the second direction,

And the body switches from a first state to a second state when the second frame moves in the first direction.
The method of claim 1,

A mobile terminal, wherein the other end of the chain link moves in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.
The method of claim 1,

The chain is

Further comprising a guide protrusion protruding in the thickness direction of the mobile terminal,

A guide slot formed in the first frame; And

And a guide protrusion protruding from the chain link in a thickness direction, inserted into the guide slot, and moving along the guide slot.
The method of claim 3,

The guide slot includes a first slot extending in a third direction; And

And a second slot extending in a first direction from an end portion of the first slot.
The method of claim 4,

The second slot is located at an end portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction,

And the chain link covers an end portion of the second frame in the third direction in the second state.
The method of claim 4,

The mobile terminal, wherein the connection portion between the first slot and the second slot has a curved shape.
The method of claim 1,

The chain link includes a plurality of chain blocks including a fastening portion,

The fastening part

Link protrusions protruding in the thickness direction; And

A mobile terminal comprising a link groove into which the link protrusion of a neighboring chain block is inserted.
The method of claim 7,

The mobile terminal, wherein the link protrusion and the link groove have a circular cross section.
The method of claim 7,

Including a drive gear for transmitting the power of the motor,

The chain block is

Mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a toothed portion meshing with the drive gear.
The method of claim 9,

The drive gear,

And a bevel gear for converting the rotational force of the motor to rotate about a rotational axis in the thickness direction of the body.
The method of claim 9,

A mobile terminal, wherein a pair of the fastening portions are arranged symmetrically in the thickness direction of the body around the toothed portions.
The method of claim 1,

The flexible display unit

Including a variable portion moving in the front or rear direction of the body according to the position of the second frame,

And a support frame that is coupled to the other surface of the variable portion, supports the variable portion, and is deformed in response to the deformation of the variable portion.
The method of claim 12,

The support frame,

A plurality of rigid bars extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged side by side in the first direction; And

Mobile terminal comprising a flexible portion for coupling the rigid bar.
The method of claim 12,

Mobile terminal, characterized in that the other surface of the support frame is in contact with the chain link.