KR101929811B1 - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, including a terminal body having a front surface, a rear surface and a side surface, a housing accommodated in the terminal body and accommodating at least one electronic element, a main circuit board disposed adjacent to the housing, A flexible printed circuit board formed to surround at least a part of an outer surface of the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device and having one end connected to the main circuit board, A dome switch supported by the housing, and a proximity sensor formed on the flexible printed circuit board facing the front surface and sensing light incident on the front surface.
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Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal including a composite module in which a plurality of electronic elements are integrally formed.

A mobile terminal is a portable electronic device that is portable and has one or more functions of voice and video call function, information input / output function, and data storing function.

As the functions of the mobile terminal are diversified, the mobile terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia device having complicated functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, and reception of a game and a broadcast.

Various new attempts have been made in terms of hardware or software to implement the complex functions of multimedia devices.

In addition, mobile terminals are regarded as personal items for expressing their individuality, and various design forms are required. The design form also includes structural changes and improvements for the user to more conveniently use the mobile terminal.

As the functions performed by the mobile terminal are diversified, the number of elements disposed inside the terminal body is increasing. Further, as the main body of the terminal becomes slimmer, it becomes difficult to secure the mounting space of each electronic element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art,

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal including a terminal body, a housing, and a main circuit board. Flexible printed circuit boards, dome switches, and proximity sensors. The terminal body has a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface. The housing is housed in the terminal body, and houses at least one electronic element. The main circuit board is disposed adjacent to the housing and controls signals of the electronic device. The flexible printed circuit board is formed to surround at least a part of the outer surface of the housing, and is electrically connected to the electronic device, and one end thereof is connected to the main circuit board. The dome switch is formed on the flexible printed circuit board facing the side surface and is supported by the housing. The proximity sensor is formed on the flexible printed circuit board facing the front surface and detects light incident on the front surface.

As one example related to the present invention, the electronic device includes at least one of a speaker and a motor.

As one example related to the present invention, first and second connecting members extending from the speaker and the motor to the outer surface of the housing, respectively, and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board,

As one example related to the present invention, the motor is detachably formed from the motor fixing portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a housing rib is formed on an outer surface of the housing to protrude from an outer surface of the housing to enclose at least one surface of the motor,

As an example related to the present invention, the mobile terminal includes a wire portion connected to the motor and transmitting and receiving signals. And a soldering portion connected to the flexible printed circuit board and contacting the wire portion to transmit the signal is formed.

As an example related to the present invention, the mobile terminal includes a plug groove formed to insert a plug from one surface of the housing. The flexible printed circuit board is formed on one side of the housing to overlap with the plug groove to transmit and receive a signal of the plug.

As one example related to the present invention, a plug jack is disposed adjacent to the housing and formed with a groove for inserting an earphone plug, and formed integrally with the proximity sensor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the body portion includes a support portion protruding from one end portion and configured to support the plug jack. The flexible printed circuit board is coupled to a surface of the plug jack module facing the front surface, and is formed to wind the support portion.

As an example related to the present invention, the housing is formed of a dielectric material, and the housing includes a conductive pattern formed to transmit and receive a radio signal on the outer surface

In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal includes a fixing groove portion formed on an outer surface of the housing to correspond to a pattern of the flexible printed circuit board to prevent movement of the flexible printed circuit board.

The present invention can integrate the electronic device by housing a plurality of electronic devices in a single housing of the mobile terminal and connecting them to one flexible printed circuit board. Therefore, a separate structure for fixing the electronic device is unnecessary, which simplifies the internal structure and improves the assemblability.

In addition, electronic elements to which signals are input by stimulation and coupling from the outside of the terminal main body are attached to the outer surface of the housing, so that a separate supporting structure is unnecessary.

Further, the flexible printed circuit board is formed so as to surround the outer surface of the housing, and all the electronic elements are sequentially connected to transmit signals to the main circuit board. The internal structure can be simplified.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A. FIG.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the mobile terminal of Figure 2b.
4A is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to one embodiment of a mobile terminal.
Figure 4b is a front perspective view of the composite module of Figure 4a.
5A is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to another embodiment of the mobile terminal.
Figure 5b is a front perspective view of the composite module of Figure 5a.
5C is a front perspective view showing a structure in which the plug jack of the composite module of FIG. 5B is separated.
6 is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to another embodiment of the mobile terminal;

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are given to different embodiments in the same or similar configurations. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

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

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented. Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving 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 broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals 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. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only Broadcast-Handheld (ISDB-T), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. WLAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

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

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as " proximity touch & The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called " contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact of an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various commands A signal may be a path through which the signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

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

1, 2A and 2B, the mobile terminal 200 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, and a swing type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled. Further, the mobile terminal described herein may be any portable electronic device having a camera and flash, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a Personal Digital Assistants ), A PMO (Portable Multimedia Player), and the like.

The terminal body includes a case (which may be referred to as a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) that forms an appearance. The case may be divided into a front case 201 and a rear case 202 covering a surface opposite to the front case and a battery cover 203 covering the rear case 202 and constituting an outer appearance of the terminal body. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 201 and the rear case 202. The cases may be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The front of the terminal body includes a display unit 210, a first sound output unit 211, a signal input unit 217, a front camera unit 216, and a proximity sensor 212.

The display unit 210 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) module, and an e-paper for visually expressing information. The display unit 210 may include touch sensing means for inputting data by a touch method. Hereinafter, the display unit 210 including the touch sensing unit will be referred to as a 'touch screen'. If any one of the touches on the touch screen 210 is touched, the contents corresponding to the touched position are input. The content input by the touch method may be a character or a number, an instruction in various modes, or a menu item that can be designated. The touch sensing means is formed in a translucent manner so that the display portion can be seen, and a structure for enhancing the visibility of the touch screen in a bright place may be included. 2A, the touch screen 210 occupies most of the front surface of the front case 201. [

The first sound output unit 211 may be implemented as a receiver for delivering a call sound to a user's ear or a loud speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds.

The front camera unit 216 processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 210. [

The image frame processed by the front camera 216 can be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The front camera 216 may be provided in two or more depending on the use environment.

The signal input unit 217 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 200 and may include a plurality of input keys. The input keys may also be referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user has a tactile sense and operates in a tactile manner.

For example, a dome switch or touch screen capable of receiving a command or information by a push or touch operation of a user, a touch pad, or a wheel, a jog type or a joystick for rotating a key . The contents input by the signal input unit 217 can be variously set. For example, to enter start, end, scroll, and the like.

The proximity sensor 212 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal or a body of the touch screen, which is enclosed by a touch screen formed on the display unit 210. The proximity sensor 212 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact by using electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 212 has a longer lifetime than the contact-type sensor and its utilization is also higher.

Examples of the proximity sensor 212 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic.

An ear jack (not shown), which can insert a side key 214, interface units 215 and 225, an acoustic input unit 213, and an earphone plug, is disposed on the side surface of the front case 201.

The side key 214 may be collectively referred to as an operation unit and is capable of receiving a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 200. The side key 214 may be employed in any manner as long as the user is operating in a tactile manner with a tactile impression. The content input by the side key 214 can be variously set. For example, by the side key 214, it is possible to control the image input units 216 and 221, adjust the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 211, or switch the display unit 210 to the touch recognition mode Command can be input.

The sound input unit 213 may be implemented, for example, in the form of a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface units 215 and 225 are paths for enabling the mobile terminal 200 related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface units 215 and 225 may include a connection terminal for connecting to an earphone by wire or wireless, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA Port), a Bluetooth port, A wireless LAN port, etc.), or power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 200. The interface units 215 and 225 may be implemented in the form of a socket for receiving an external card such as a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) or a User Identity Module (UIM) or a memory card for storing information.

The ear jack is formed so that a plug such as an earphone can be inserted from the outside of the terminal main body. The acoustic signal can be transmitted through the plug connected to the ear jack.

A power supply unit 240 and a rear camera unit 221 are disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body.

A flash (not shown) and a mirror (not shown) may be disposed adjacent to the rear camera unit 221. The flash illuminates the subject toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the rear camera unit 221.

The mirror allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like in the case where the user intends to photograph (self-photograph) himself / herself by using the rear camera unit 221. [

The rear camera unit 221 may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the front camera unit 216 disposed on the front side and may be a camera having different pixels from the front camera unit 216. [

For example, the front camera unit 216 has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in the case of a video call or the like and transmit the face to the other party. The rear camera unit 221 photographs a general subject and immediately transmits It is preferable to have a high pixel. The front and rear camera units 216 and 221 may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

The battery 240 supplies power to the mobile terminal 200. The battery 240 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be detached from the terminal body.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the mobile terminal of Figure 2b.

2B and 3, the mobile terminal includes a rear case 202, a frame 202 'covering the rear case 202, a main circuit board 282, an antenna unit 266, and a composite module 400 ).

The rear case 202 supports various electronic components. For example, the rear camera 221, the antenna 226, and the like are disposed in the rear case 202.

Various electronic devices are disposed on one surface of the main circuit board 282, and a metallic shield can (not shown) may be mounted to protect the electronic device.

The main circuit board 282 may be configured as an example of a controller 180 (see FIG. 1) for operating various functions of the mobile terminal 200. A plurality of the main circuit boards 282 are provided to perform the function of the controller 180 by combining the main circuit boards 282.

The antenna unit 226 is mounted on one end of the mobile terminal 200 and transmits and receives a radio signal for a call.

The composite module 400 is disposed on one side of the mobile terminal 200 and is fixed by the rear case 202. At least one electronic device is formed in the composite module 400, and a flexible printed circuit board is formed and electrically connected to the main circuit board 282.

Hereinafter, the specific structure of the composite module 400 will be described.

4A is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to an embodiment of the mobile terminal. 4B is a front perspective view of the composite module of FIG. 4A.

4A and 4B, the composite module 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 401, a speaker 420, a motor 430, a plug groove 402, a dome switch 440, A proximity sensor 460, and a flexible printed circuit board 410. However, the constituent elements included in the composite module 400 are not limited thereto, and other constituent elements may be added or omitted.

The housing 400 is formed to be fixed to one side of the rear frame 202. The housing 400 includes a first surface 401a facing a front surface of the mobile terminal 200, a second surface 401b facing a rear surface of the mobile terminal 200, 401a, and 401b, respectively.

A fixing hole 409 is formed through the housing 400 to fix the housing 400 to the rear frame 202. And a fastening member passing through the fastening hole 409 and engaged with the rear frame 202. [

A fixing groove 410 is formed on the outer surface of the housing 400 to fix the flexible printed circuit board 410 in a predetermined pattern to prevent movement. The fixing groove 410 may be formed to have a substantially same plane as the outer surface of the housing 400. The flexible printed circuit board 410 is seated on the fixing groove 410.

Therefore, a separate bonding part for fixing the flexible printed circuit board 410 to the outer surface of the housing 401 is unnecessary, and it is not protruded from the outer surface, thereby preventing damage due to friction.

The plug hole 402 is formed to have a predetermined length in one area of the third surface 401c of the housing 400. The plug hole 402 is formed so that an earphone plug (not shown) inserted from the side of the mobile terminal 200 can be inserted.

And a first connecting member 451 is formed on the second surface 401b in the longitudinal direction of the plug hole 402. [ The first connection member 451 may be formed of a circuit board or a flexible circuit board. The first connection member 451 transmits sound signals when the earphone plug (not shown) is coupled to the plug hole 402. The first connection member 421 is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 410 to transmit and receive the acoustic signal.

The speaker 420 and the motor 430 may be mounted inside the housing 401. For example, a housing part for housing the speaker 420 and the motor 430 may be formed in the housing 401.

The speaker 420 emits various kinds of sounds such as a notification sound and a reproduction sound to the front of the mobile terminal 200. The speaker 420 may also function as a receiver for transmitting a call sound to a user's ear. The motor 430 transmits vibration to the mobile terminal 400 through the housing 400.

And second and third connecting members 421 and 431 extending from the speaker 420 and the motor 430 to transmit signals. The second and third connection members 421 and 431 may be formed of a circuit board or a flexible circuit board. The second and third connection members 421 and 431 protrude outward from the inside of the housing 401 and are electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 410 to transmit and receive signals.

As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 410 is formed in the fixing groove 403. That is, the flexible printed circuit board 410 is formed to surround the outer surface of the housing 400. The flexible printed circuit board 410 is integrally formed without a broken area.

For example, one end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 is formed on the third surface 401c and connected to the first connection member 451 of the plug hole 402, 2 connection member 421 and the third connection member 431 of the motor 430 in order. Further, it may be further extended to be formed on the third surface 401c and extend to the first surface 401a.

A connector 411 is formed at the other end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 so as to be connected to the main circuit board 282. That is, it is preferable that the connector 411 formed at the end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 is extended adjacent to the main circuit board 282.

At least one electronic device is coupled to the flexible printed circuit board 410 to transfer signals between the electronic devices and the main circuit board 282.

The dome switch 440 is formed on the flexible printed circuit board 282 formed on the third surface 401c. The dome switch 440 may be directly attached to the flexible printed circuit board 282. That is, the contact terminal may be formed on the flexible printed circuit board 282, which is in contact with the dome switch 440 and has a variable resistance.

The dome switch 440 is formed such that a signal is inputted by external pressure. That is, the dome switch 440 is supported by the outer surface of the housing 401, and the inner surface of the dome switch 440 is contacted with the contact terminal by the pushing, so that a signal is input.

Since the dome switch 440 is supported by the housing 401, it is not necessary to form a separate support member, and a separate circuit board for connecting the contact terminal for generating the signal is not required. Therefore, the internal structure can be simplified.

The proximity sensor 460 is formed on the flexible printed circuit board 410 formed on the first surface 401a because the proximity sensor 460 should be formed adjacent to the display unit 210. [

Since the flexible printed circuit board 410 extends to the first surface 401a, a separate connection member for electrically connecting to the main circuit board 282 spaced apart from the display unit 210 is unnecessary. Further, a separate supporting structure for supporting the proximity sensor 460 is not required. Therefore, the internal structure can be simplified.

The proximity sensor 460 and the dome switch 440 should be formed adjacent to the surface of the mobile terminal 200 so as to receive a stimulus from the outside of the mobile terminal 200. [ According to the embodiment of the present invention, a separate structure extending to a predetermined length is not required to be electrically connected to the main circuit board 282.

Further, the flexible printed circuit board 282 surrounds the housing 401 and is less likely to be damaged. Therefore, the performance of the proximity sensor 460 and the dome switch 440 can be improved.

An end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 which is in turn connected to an earphone plug (not shown), a speaker 420, a motor 430, a dome switch 440 and a proximity sensor 460 inserted in the plug hole 402 The connector 411 is connected to the main circuit board 282 to transmit and receive signals of the elements.

The electronic devices are disposed at appropriate positions inside the mobile terminal 200 and are formed adjacent to each other on the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 401 and successively joined to the flexible printed circuit board 410. Therefore, since the elements are arranged intensively and the additional structure is omitted, an internal space can be ensured.

Therefore, the size of the mobile terminal 200 can be reduced and formed more slimly.

5A is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to another embodiment of the mobile terminal. Figure 5b is a front perspective view of the composite module of Figure 5a.

3, 5A and 5B, the composite module 400 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 401, a speaker 420, a motor 430, a storage rib 404 of a motor, a dome switch 440, a proximity sensor 530, a flexible printed circuit board 410, a plug jack 501 and a support 405.

The mobile terminal 200 according to the present embodiment may be configured such that the pattern of the storage rib 404 of the motor, the plug jack 501 and the proximity sensor 530, the support portion 405 and the flexible printed circuit board 410, 4A and 4B, and the description thereof is omitted in Figs. 4A and 4B.

The motor 430 may be detachably attached to the outer surface of the housing 401. The storage rib 404 is formed to protrude from the second surface 401b of the housing 401 and to cover at least a part of the side surface of the motor 430. [ The motor 430 is fixed by the storage rib 404 so as not to move.

The motor 430 is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 410 by a wire portion 432 and a soldering portion 433. The soldering portion 433 may be formed on the first surface 401a. The soldering portion 433 is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 410 formed on the first surface 401a. One end of the wire portion 432 is connected to the soldering portion 433 to transmit and receive a signal to the flexible printed circuit board 410.

That is, the motor 430 may be detachable from the soldering part 433 to separate the motor 430 from the housing 410. Therefore, the motor 430 can be replaced.

Generally, the motor 430 is more likely to be damaged due to impact than other electronic components. The motor 430 is detachably attached to the housing 401 so that the motor 430 can be replaced. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the entire composite module 400.

The plug jack 501 is formed separately from the housing 401, which is formed so that the earphone plug or the like is inserted to transmit a signal. The plug jack 501 and the proximity sensor 503 may be integrally formed.

That is, the plug connector 501 coupled to the proximity sensor 503 is coupled to the housing 401 without forming a groove into which the plug is inserted in the housing 401, thereby forming the composite module 400 can do.

A fourth connecting member 510 is formed on a surface of the plug jack 501 facing the front surface of the mobile terminal 200. The fourth connection member 510 may be formed of a circuit board or a flexible circuit board. The fourth connection member 510 is connected to one end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 to transmit a signal. And the proximity sensor 503 is formed on the fourth linking member 510.

As shown in the figure, a flexible printed circuit board 410 connected to the dome switch 440 is formed on the second surface 401b and extends to the first surface 401a, Lt; / RTI >

A support portion 405 is formed to support the plug jack 501 adjacent to the housing 401.

5C is a front perspective view showing a structure in which the plug jack of the composite module of FIG. 5B is separated.

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, the plug jack 501 is connected to a flexible printed circuit board 410 extending from the housing 401. That is, the housing 401 and the plug jack 501 are connected by the flexible printed circuit board 410.

A support portion 405 is formed from the housing 401 to the plug jack 501 so as to be adjacent to the third surface. The support portion 405 overlaps and supports the one surface of the plug jack 501.

The flexible printed circuit board 410 between the housing 401 and the plug jack 501 is formed so as to surround the support portion 405 and engages with the fourth connection member 510. The end of the support portion 405 is bent to support the plug jack 501 so as not to be separated from the housing 401.

The sensor receiving groove 406 is formed so that the first surface 401a of the housing 401 is recessed so that the proximity sensor 503 can be received. Therefore, the proximity sensor 503 does not protrude to the outer surface of the housing 401, and the damage due to external friction can be reduced.

The flexible printed circuit board 410 is connected to the proximity sensor 503 of the first surface 401a and the plug jack 501 and extends to the second surface 401b. The flexible printed circuit board 410 may be formed on the second surface 401b so as to overlap the speaker 420 built in the housing 401. [ The flexible printed circuit board connected to the dome switch 440 is connected to the second connection member 421 extending from the speaker 420 and is coupled to the soldering part 433. An end of the flexible printed circuit board 410 is formed with a connector 411 and is electrically connected to the main circuit board 282 to transmit and receive signals of the elements.

A plurality of electronic elements are disposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 401 to intensively utilize the space and the flexible printed circuit board surrounding the outer surface of the housing 401 transmits all the signals of the electronic elements, No separate connection structure is required.

In addition, since it is not necessary to form the plug insertion groove in the housing 401 by using the proximity sensor 503 and the plug jack 501 module, the manufacturing process of the composite module 400 can be simplified.

 6 is a rear perspective view of a composite module according to another embodiment of the mobile terminal;

Referring to FIG. 6, the composite module 400 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 401, a speaker 420, a motor 430, a plug groove 402, a dome switch 440, a proximity sensor 460 A flexible printed circuit board 410, and a conductive pattern 470. 4A and 4B, except for the conductive pattern, which is similar to the components of the mobile terminal 200 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the description thereof differs from FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Referring to FIG. 6, the housing 401 is formed of a dielectric carrier, and the conductive pattern 470 is formed on the second surface 401b of the housing 401 to transmit and receive a radio signal. The conductive pattern 470 may constitute a part of the antenna device of the mobile terminal 200.

However, since the electric elements adjacent to the conductive pattern 470 affect the performance of the antenna, electronic elements formed on the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 401 form a sufficient distance from the conductive pattern 470 .

That is, the conductive pattern 470 is further included in the remaining space of the outer surface of the housing 401 to intensively utilize the space.

The mobile terminal described above can be applied to not only the configuration and method of the embodiments described above but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments It is possible.

Claims (11)

A terminal body having a front surface, a rear surface and a side surface;
A housing, housed in the terminal body, for housing at least one electronic element;
A main circuit board disposed adjacent to the housing and controlling a signal of the electronic device;
A flexible printed circuit board formed to surround at least a part of an outer surface of the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device and having one end connected to the main circuit board;
A dome switch formed on the flexible printed circuit board facing the side and supported by the housing; And
And a proximity sensor formed on the flexible printed circuit board facing the front surface and sensing light incident on the front surface,
Wherein a fixing groove is formed on an outer surface of the housing so as to correspond to the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is seated in the fixing groove. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one of a speaker and a motor. 3. The method of claim 2,
And first and second connection members extending from an outer surface of the housing to the speaker and the motor, respectively, and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board. The method of claim 3,
And the motor is detachably formed from the housing. 5. The method of claim 4,
And a storage rib protruding from an outer surface of the housing to surround at least one surface of the motor for fixing the motor to the outer surface of the housing. delete The method according to claim 1,
And a plug groove formed to insert a plug from one surface of the housing,
Wherein the flexible printed circuit board is formed to transmit and receive signals of the plug to one surface of the housing overlapping with the plug groove. The method according to claim 1,
And a plug jack disposed adjacent to the housing and formed with a groove for inserting the earphone plug, the plug jack being integrally formed with the proximity sensor. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the housing includes a support protruding from one end portion and configured to support the plug jack,
Wherein the flexible printed circuit board is coupled to a surface of the plug jack module facing the front surface, and is formed to wind the support portion. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the housing is formed of a dielectric material, and the housing includes a conductive pattern formed to transmit and receive a radio signal on the outer surface. delete

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