CN105939410B - Mobile terminal including the cap unit with key apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile terminal comprising a cover unit (4) arranged to block an opening (6) in a mobile terminal housing (8) in the assembled state of the mobile terminal (2) , and is arranged to allow access to the interior (10) of the mobile terminal (2) through the opening (6) when removed from the opening (6), wherein the mobile terminal cover unit (4) comprises a At least one key arrangement (12, 18) for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal (2).

Description

Mobile terminal including cover unit with key device

technical field

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal comprising a cover unit arranged to block an opening in a mobile terminal housing in the mobile terminal and arranged to allow access to the interior of the mobile terminal through the opening when removed from the opening.

Background technique

Mobile terminals, such as mobile phones, mobile user equipment, personal digital assistants, mobile computers, tablet computers, notebook computers, etc., usually include at least one component, such as a battery, SIM card, memory card, etc., which need to be protected from Affected by the environment outside the mobile terminal, as the environment may contain eg particles or moisture, and at the same time these parts need to be easily accessible from outside the mobile terminal for eg replacement purposes.

In order to simultaneously protect and allow easy access to component parts such as memory cards within the mobile terminal, a removable cover for the component parts to be protected and accessed, covering the access opening in the mobile terminal housing, may be arranged on the mobile terminal . If the mobile terminal is to be used in a dusty and/or very humid environment, a dust and/or gas-proof seal may be arranged between the mobile terminal housing and the cover, thereby preventing dust and/or moisture from passing through The access opening enters the interior of the mobile terminal housing to further protect the interior of the mobile terminal housing during use. Such a seal may be arranged by arranging a cover of rubber material, which is arranged in the assembled state of the mobile terminal to cover the access opening, and butt against the outer mobile terminal housing surface along the edge of the access opening in a sealing manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that can make the mobile terminal casing better waterproof, that is, prevent moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal from the outside of the mobile terminal casing.

This object is achieved by arranging a mobile terminal comprising a cover unit arranged to block an opening in the mobile terminal housing in the mobile terminal and arranged to allow passage through when removed from the opening The opening enters the interior of the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal cover unit further includes at least one key for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal.

By arranging at least one key arrangement in the mobile terminal cover unit, the key arrangement being arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal, the number of keys in the mobile terminal housing for being arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal is reduced The number of openings of the device, since the functionality of the latter type of key device arranged in an opening that is itself separated from the cover opening can be changed from that of the former type of key device arranged in the same opening as the cover unit replace. By reducing the number of openings in the mobile terminal casing, fewer openings in the mobile terminal casing need to be sealed to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal, thereby improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal casing.

Another advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing of the embodiments of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the degree of freedom in designing the mobile terminal housing is increased because less of the mobile terminal is exposed to the outer surface of the mobile terminal. The profile of the mobile terminal has an influence, thereby reducing the design restriction of the opening in the mobile terminal casing to the design freedom of the mobile terminal casing.

Another advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing of embodiments of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the cost for sealing the interior of the mobile terminal from the external environment can be reduced.

Another advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing of the embodiments of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing, the impact of the openings on the strength of the mobile terminal housing can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention also reduce the cost of sealing the opening or openings in the mobile terminal housing.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, all key devices arranged in the openings themselves separated from the cover openings are completely eliminated, thus achieving better waterproofing of the mobile terminal casing, and at the same time achieving a minimalist design of the outer surface profile of the mobile terminal, because in this In this case, the casing of the mobile terminal includes only one opening to be sealed to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the mobile terminal, and the opening can be arranged at a preferred position on the casing of the mobile terminal. For example, it is possible to arrange said openings with dimensions such that all parts of the mobile terminal that are required to be accessible from the outside, such as a replaceable battery and/or a replaceable SIM card and/or a replaceable memory card, etc., can be Access is through the same opening in the mobile terminal housing. The same cover unit may be arranged to allow access to the interior of the mobile terminal through the opening when removed from the opening, which opening may be substantially blocked by the cover unit in the assembled state of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal cover unit may comprise only a single key arrangement for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal, eg for controlling the function of powering up the mobile terminal, wherein power down may eg be controlled by using virtual keys , the virtual keys are located on at least a part of a capacitive touch panel used as an image output device on the mobile terminal. If the single key device is of this type, it does not need to extend all the way through the cover unit and can therefore be arranged on the single cover unit in a watertight manner, and if possible other devices such as microphones and/or speakers etc. are also watertight If the mobile terminal is arranged on the mobile terminal, for example, on the casing and/or on the cover unit, only one opening of the entire mobile terminal casing in which a part of the mobile terminal is movably arranged needs to be sealed, thereby greatly improving the mobile terminal casing. water proof.

Sealing between the mobile terminal housing and a cover unit arranged to substantially block an opening in the mobile terminal housing in the assembled state of the mobile terminal, either by a sealing member integrated in the mobile terminal housing and/or integrated in the cover unit The sealing member in and/or the separate sealing member is implemented.

Accordingly, the mobile terminal cover unit is arranged to enable access to at least one component part arranged within the mobile terminal housing, and to protect the component part or parts from the environment outside the mobile terminal housing, and to control the movement of the mobile terminal at least one function.

The functions controlled by the keys on the mobile terminal may be, for example, speaker volume and/or microphone volume and/or power on and/or power off of the mobile terminal, camera functions, and the like.

In addition to preventing moisture such as water and/or other fluids from entering the interior of the mobile terminal in its assembled state, the cover unit may also prevent dust particles and/or other solids and/or gases from entering the interior of the mobile terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key device is a physical key.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the key device is a virtual key.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate and explain various embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows the mobile terminal in its assembled state;

- Figure 2 shows a mechanical solution according to an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the cover unit shown in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the cover unit in an exploded view;

- Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the cover unit in an exploded view, and

- Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the cover unit in an exploded view.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows the mobile terminal 2 in assembled form, wherein the mobile terminal 2 includes a cover unit 4 arranged to block an opening 6 in the mobile terminal housing 8 in the mobile terminal 2 and arranged to The opening 6 when removed allows access to the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 through the opening 6 , wherein the mobile terminal cover unit 4 includes at least one key arrangement 12 for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal 2 .

As can be seen in the figures, the cover unit 4 is at least partially insertable into the opening 6 in the mobile terminal 2 .

The cover unit 4 may eg be detachably arranged on the mobile terminal 2 or be pivotably attached to the mobile terminal 2 eg using a hinge or slidably attached to the mobile terminal 2 eg in a sliding tray manner.

By arranging the mobile terminal 2 including the cover unit 4 as mentioned above, the goal of providing a mobile terminal 2 that enables the mobile terminal casing 8 to be more waterproof, that is, prevents moisture from escaping from the outside of the mobile terminal casing 8 is achieved. Enter the interior of the mobile terminal 2 .

By arranging at least one key arrangement 12 in the mobile terminal cover unit 4, the key arrangement 12 being arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal 2, the reduction in the mobile terminal housing 8 for being arranged to control at least one function on the mobile terminal The number of openings of the functional key arrangement, since the functionality of the latter type of key arrangement arranged in an opening that is itself separated from the cover opening can be changed by the functionality of the former type arranged in the same opening 6 as the cover unit 4 A functional replacement for the key device.

By reducing the number of openings in the mobile terminal housing 8, fewer openings in the mobile terminal housing 8 need to be sealed to prevent moisture from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2, thereby improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing 8.

Another advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal casing 8 according to the embodiment of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal casing 8, the degree of freedom in designing the mobile terminal casing 8 is increased, since there are fewer parts of the mobile terminal 2 4 has an effect on the profile of the outer surface 14 of the mobile terminal 2, thereby reducing the design restriction of the opening in the mobile terminal casing 8 to the design freedom of the mobile terminal casing 8.

Another advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing 8 according to embodiments of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing 8, the cost for sealing the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 from the external environment 16 can be reduced be reduced.

A further advantage of improving the waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing 8 according to embodiments of the present invention is that by reducing the number of openings required in the mobile terminal housing 8, the impact of openings on the strength of the mobile terminal housing 8 can be reduced.

The embodiments of the present invention also reduce the cost of sealing the opening 6 or openings in the mobile terminal housing 8 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , two key arrangements 12 , 18 are shown on the cover unit 4 .

According to the embodiment of the present invention, all key devices arranged in the openings which are themselves separated from the cover opening 6 are completely eliminated, thus achieving better waterproofing of the mobile terminal housing 8 and at the same time achieving extreme improvement in the profile of the outer surface 14 of the mobile terminal 2 Simple design, since in this case the mobile terminal housing 8 includes only one opening 6 to be sealed to prevent moisture from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2, which opening 6 can be arranged at a preferred location on the mobile terminal housing 8. For example, arranging said opening 6 with dimensions such that all parts accessible from the outside 16 are required in the mobile terminal 2, such as a replaceable battery and/or a replaceable SIM card and/or a replaceable memory card, etc., Access is through the same opening 6 in the mobile terminal housing 8 . The same cover unit 4 may be arranged to allow access to the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 through the opening 6 when removed from the opening 6 which may be blocked in the mobile terminal 2 by the cover unit 4 . Said mobile terminal cover unit 4 may comprise only a single key arrangement 12 for controlling at least one function on the mobile terminal 2, eg for controlling the function of powering up the mobile terminal, wherein power down may be eg by using virtual keys 20, the virtual keys are located on at least a part of the capacitive touch panel 22 used as an image output device on the mobile terminal 2. If the single key arrangement 12 is of this type, it does not need to extend all the way through the cover unit 4 and can therefore be arranged on the single cover unit 4 in a watertight manner, and if possible other means such as microphones and/or speakers etc. is arranged on the mobile terminal 2 in a watertight manner, eg on the housing and/or on the cover unit, then only one opening 6 of the entire mobile terminal housing 8 in which a part 4 of the mobile terminal 2 is movably arranged needs to be sealed , thereby greatly improving the waterproofness of the mobile terminal casing 8 .

The sealing between the mobile terminal housing 8 and the cover unit 4 arranged to block the opening 6 in the mobile terminal housing 8 in the mobile terminal 2 may be implemented by a sealing member 23 which may be integrated in the mobile terminal housing and/or integrated in the cover unit and/or as a separate sealing member.

Thus, the mobile terminal cover unit 4 is arranged to enable access to at least one component part arranged within the mobile terminal housing 8 and to protect said component part or parts from the environment 16 outside the mobile terminal housing 8, and At least one function of the mobile terminal 2 is controlled.

The functions controlled by the keys on the mobile terminal may be, for example, speaker volume and/or microphone volume and/or power on and/or power off of the mobile terminal, camera functions, and the like.

In addition to preventing moisture such as water and/or other fluids from entering the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 in the assembled state of the mobile terminal 2, the cover unit 4 may also prevent dust particles and/or other solids and/or gases from entering the mobile terminal 2. Inside 10 of Terminal 2.

FIG. 2 shows a mechanical solution according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the interior 10 of the mobile terminal 2 is exposed, according to which embodiment the key arrangements 12 , 18 comprise physical keys 24 , 26 . According to this embodiment, the detection switches 28 , 30 are arranged to detect movement of the physical keys 24 , 26 . According to this embodiment, the cover unit 4 comprises a cover 32 , wherein further at least a part of the physical keys 24 , 26 is movably arranged relative to the cover 32 .

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the cover unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 viewed from another angle. As can be seen in the figures, the cover unit 4 includes a cover 32 and at least one physical key 24 , 26 movable relative to the cover 32 . The stop member 34 may be arranged to prevent separation of the keys 24 , 26 from the cover 32 .

The cover 32 and the at least one key 24 , 26 are assembled together into a portion in which the at least one key is movable relative to the cover 32 . A printed circuit board (PCB) or flexible printed circuit (FPC) can be added to the unit by means of solder switches that can be connected to corresponding parts inside the mobile terminal in the assembled state of the mobile terminal. Alternatively, a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board may be arranged inside the mobile terminal. It is possible to use different types of detection switches. The keys 24, 26 may be of different types, such as a hardtop with a keytop portion of silicone rubber or other soft material bonded together, or a hardtop with a backside and a single key mounted therebetween, or bonded together or ultrasonically Units welded into one unit.

As mentioned above, the movement of the at least one physical key 24, 26 is arranged to affect a detection switch, wherein the detection switch may be arranged in the cover unit 4 and may be arranged on a PCB or FPC, the printed circuit board or A flexible printed circuit board is arranged in the cover unit 4 . Alternatively, the detection switch may be arranged inside the mobile terminal and may be arranged on a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board, which is arranged inside the mobile terminal.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the cover unit 4 in an exploded view, according to which the key arrangement 12, 18 comprises physical keys 24, 26, wherein movement of at least one of the physical keys 24, 26 is arranged to affect Resistive touch sensor 34 .

The resistive touch sensor 34 has two layers that are not in contact with each other in the rest position, wherein the outer layer is a flexible layer coated on the inner side with a conductor such as indium tin oxide, and the inner layer is made of oxide such as A support layer such as glass with a conductor such as indium tin coated on its outer surface. Non-conductive separate "dots", such as mica or silica, are arranged between the outer and inner layers. When the outer flexible layer is pressed against the inner layer, the resulting voltages can be measured in more than one direction, and by comparing these voltages to the starting voltage, the points on the outer layer that are pressed can be calculated.

The resistive touch sensor 34 may be a resistive touch panel, and may be further arranged in the cover unit 4 . The resistive touch sensor 34 may be connected to a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board disposed inside the mobile terminal.

Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the detection switch shown in FIG. 3 is replaced by a resistive touch sensor 34 . The feel of keystrokes can be integrated into this embodiment by adding a dome to the resistive touch sensor.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the cover unit 4 in an exploded view, according to which the key arrangement 12 , 18 comprises physical keys 24 , 26 , wherein the at least one physical key 24 , 26 is arranged with a capacitor 36 , 38 , and wherein movement of the physical keys 24 , 26 is arranged to affect the capacitive touch sensor 40 .

The capacitive touch sensor 40 includes a support portion such as a glass plate with a conductive coating on one side. The circuit pattern around the support portion places an electrical charge on the support portion surface, which is disturbed by, for example, a finger or another member, resulting in electrical disturbance of the charge when touching or nearly touching the screen.

The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be a capacitive touch panel, and may be further arranged in the cover unit 4 .

The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be arranged on the side of the cover unit 4 facing the inside of the mobile terminal, or on the side of the cover unit 4 facing the outside of the mobile terminal, or in between. The capacitive touch sensor 40 may be connected to a PCB or FPC arranged inside the mobile terminal, and may be further connected to a main electrical board of the mobile terminal.

Comparing the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the detection switch shown in FIG. 3 is replaced by a capacitive touch sensor 40 . The feel of keystrokes can be integrated into this embodiment by adding a dome to the capacitive touch sensor.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the cover unit 4 in an exploded view, wherein the key arrangement 12 includes virtual keys 42 . The virtual keys 42 may be arranged on at least a portion of the capacitive touch sensor 44, wherein further, the capacitive touch sensor 44 may be a capacitive touch panel.

The capacitive touch sensor 44 may be arranged in the cover unit 4 and may be further arranged on the side of the cover unit 4 facing the inside of the mobile terminal, or on the side of the cover unit 4 facing the outside of the mobile terminal.

The capacitive touch sensor 44 may be connected to a PCB or FPC arranged inside the mobile terminal, and may be further connected to a main electrical board of the mobile terminal.

This solution does not require any moving parts in the cover unit 4 since no mechanical movement is required in the cover unit 4 to activate the capacitive touch sensor when using eg a finger to activate the capacitive touch sensor 44 . The capacitive touch sensor 44 can be mounted on either side of the cover and can also be moulded into the cover unit 4, ie overmoulded with a plastic material.

Other types of mechanical keys and/or virtual keys are also possible. For example, the virtual key may also include an infrared sensor, wherein the infrared sensor may be an infrared touch sensor.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the scope of the present invention. within the scope of protection.

Claims (13)

1. A mobile terminal comprising a cover unit (4) arranged to block an opening (6) in a mobile terminal housing (8) in the mobile terminal (2) and arranged to be used when Removal from said opening (6) allows access to the interior (10) of said mobile terminal (2) through said opening (6), characterized in that said mobile terminal cover unit (4) comprises at least one key arrangement (12, 18), the key device is used to control at least one function on the mobile terminal (2); the cover unit (4) is at least partially inserted into the opening ( 6), wherein the cover unit (4) comprises a cover (32) and a key device (12, 18), the key device (12, 18) protruding from the cover (32); wherein movement of the key arrangement (12, 18) is arranged to affect the detection switch (28, 30); Wherein the detection switches (28, 30) are arranged inside the mobile terminal, and the replaceable SIM card and/or the replaceable memory card is arranged between the two detection switches (28, 30). 2. A mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the key arrangement (12, 18) comprises a physical key (24, 26). 3. A mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the cover unit (4) comprises a cover (32), and wherein at least a portion of the physical keys (24, 26) is movable relative to the cover (32) ground layout. 4. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the key devices (12, 18) are two volume keys and are symmetrically distributed at both ends of the cover unit (4). 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover unit (4) is substantially in the shape of a long strip, and in the installed state, the long side of the cover unit is parallel to the plane where the display screen of the mobile terminal is located. 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein in the assembled state of the mobile terminal, the cover unit (4) is exposed to the surface of the casing (8) and the side surface where the opening (6) is located In the same plane or protruding from the side, or embedded in the opening. 7. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover (32) and the key arrangement (12, 18) are assembled together as one part, the key arrangement (12, 18) having a A hardtop with a keytop portion of silicone rubber or other soft material together, or a hardtop with a backside and a single key mounted in between, or a unit glued or ultrasonically welded together into one unit. 8. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the projection of the cover unit (4) on the surface where the key devices (12, 18) are located is substantially elongated, and the long side of the elongated shape is straight line. 9. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover unit (4) is disposed on a side surface of the mobile terminal, and the side surface is substantially perpendicular to a surface of a display screen of the mobile terminal. 10. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein sealing between the mobile terminal housing (8) and the cover unit (4) of the opening (6) is performed by a sealing member (23), the sealing member ( 23) Integrated in the mobile terminal housing (8) and/or in the cover unit (4) and/or as a separate sealing member. 11. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover unit (4) is pivotably or slidably attached to the mobile terminal (2). 12. A mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the opening (6) is arranged in a dimension such that a replaceable SIM card and/or a replaceable memory card of the mobile terminal (2) passes through the opening (6) ) into the mobile terminal (2). 13. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover unit (4) is detachably arranged on the mobile terminal.