Mobile terminal

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal. Provided is a mobile terminal comprising: a display unit having a window; a main body on which the display unit is seated, wherein an internal space is formed between the main body and the display unit; a sliding unit having a first battery accommodated therein, wherein the sliding unit implements a first state where the sliding unit is inserted into the internal space and a second state where the sliding unit is extracted from the internal space; and a second battery provided in the internal space to supply electric power when the first battery is extracted, wherein in the first state, wireless communication for mobile communication and an operation by software are performed using the first battery, and in the second state, the wireless communication for mobile communication is interrupted, and the operation by the software is performed using the second battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2015/004524, filed on May 7, 2015, which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2015-0039075, filed on Mar. 20, 2015, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal that enables insertion and removal of a battery.

BACKGROUND ART

Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players.

Efforts are ongoing to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components.

Conventionally, in order to replace a battery on a mobile terminal, the battery cover should be removed, but an embedded battery is not replaceable, thus leading to a problem with the battery's capacity.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem and other problems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that allows for easy replacement of a battery.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a mobile terminal including: a display portion with a window; a main body portion where the display portion rests, with an inner space formed between the main body portion and the display portion; a sliding portion that is brought into a first position for insertion into the inner space and a second position for removal from the inner space, and that accommodates a first battery; a second battery that is provided in the inner space and supplies electric power to the mobile terminal when the first battery is removed, wherein, in the first position, wireless communications for mobile communication and software operations are enabled by the first battery, and, in the second position, wireless communications for mobile communication are interrupted and software operations are enabled by the second battery.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the main body portion may comprise: a case with a rear and a side protruding from the rear towards the front; and a bracket affixed to the inner side of the case, wherein a guide rail is formed along the length, on the inner side of the case, and the sliding portion moves along the guide rail.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal may further comprise a slide button that is exposed to the exterior of the main body portion to selectively lock the sliding portion, wherein the sliding portion comprises: a first accommodating portion that is curved to accommodate the first battery, has horizontally extending flaps at both ends, and moves on the guide rail when fastened to the main body portion; and a second accommodating portion that is placed under the first accommodating portion and has a main antenna for performing a wireless communication function.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal may further comprise a locking device that is provided on the bracket, is placed between the slide button and the sliding portion, and selectively locks the sliding portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the locking device may comprise: a locking member whose one end is caught on a pushing protrusion protruding inwards from the slide button, and whose the other end is fastened to the sliding portion, both of which rotate about a rotary shaft; and a first elastic member that is attached to the locking member and provides torque to the locking member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the other end of the locking member may take the shape of a hook, and the hook may be selectively caught on a protuberance formed at the top of the sliding portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first elastic member may be a torsion spring.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the locking device may comprise: a plate member with elasticity that makes contact with a pushing protrusion protruding inwards from the slide button; a moving member that is provided on the inside of the plate member, with one end being pressed by the pushing protrusion and the other end having a shaft; a second elastic member that surrounds the shaft of the moving member and provides restoring force to the moving member; a base member that surrounds the moving member and the second elastic member and has a first through hole at one end through which the shaft passes and a second through hole at the other end through which an end of the moving member makes contact with the plate member; and a link member that rotates about a stationary shaft provided at the center of the second elastic member, with one end being attached to the other end of the moving member and the other end being fastened to the sliding portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a bump may be formed on the plate member to detect movement of the pushing protrusion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a hook may be formed at the other end of the link member, and the sliding portion may have a protuberance that is caught on the hook.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the moving member may comprise: an exposure portion that is exposed externally through the second through hole; and an expanded portion that extends from the exposure portion, has a larger area than the exposure portion, and is caught in the second through hole.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a long hole may be formed at one end of the link member and fastened to the moving member by a fixing pin.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a third elastic member may be provided under the bracket and provides restoring force to the sliding portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the display portion may comprise: a display module provided on the back of the window; and a main circuit board provided on the back of the display module, wherein a first contact terminal of the first battery and a first connector making contact with the first contact terminal are provided on one side of the main circuit board.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a flexible circuit board may be provided in the first accommodating portion, a second contact terminal may be provided at an end of the flexible circuit board, and a second connector electrically connected to the second contact terminal may be provided on one side of the main circuit board.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the guide rail may comprise: a guide protruding from the inner side of the case; and a rail that is provided within the guide and has a groove along the length in which the flaps of the sliding portion are inserted, wherein the rail is made of a plastic material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, ribs protruding towards the inside of the groove may be formed on the rail so as to hold the sliding portion when fastened to the main body portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a stopper may be provided at the sliding portion, and a stopper rib is formed on the guide rail to catch the stopper to thereby restrict the movement of the sliding portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a first magnet member may be provided in the second accommodating portion, and a second magnet member may be provided at a position in the main body portion that corresponds to the first magnet member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the main body portion may have a Hall sensor to detect a change in magnetism on the first magnet member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the case may be made of a metallic material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an antenna made of a metallic material may form the exterior on one side of the second accommodating portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second accommodating portion may comprise a lighting portion made of a transparent or opaque material at the region of contact with the main body portion, and a light source may be provided in the second accommodating portion to send light to the outside through the lighting portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a module may be provided in the second accommodating portion to allow for mounting of a different module each time the sliding portion is replaced.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the antenna may have a different frequency range depending on the sliding portion.

The advantages of a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same according to the present invention will be described below.

At least one of the embodiments of the present invention, a battery can be replaced easily because a sliding portion accommodating the battery is taken out by pressing a slide button on a side of the mobile terminal.

At least one of the embodiments of the present invention, a battery can be replaced even if a case has a uni-body metal design, and no battery cover is required, thereby simplifying the structure of the mobile terminal and reducing the thickness of the mobile terminal.

At least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the sliding portion is equipped with a module whose function varies depending on the sliding portion, and therefore the module may have a different function each time the sliding portion is replaced.

At least one of the embodiments of the present invention, an antenna provided on the outer surface of the sliding portion has a different frequency range depending on the sliding portion, and therefore the same mobile terminal may be used in different regions immediately, simply by replacing the sliding portion. That is, each country or region uses a different radio frequency range, and a plurality of sliding portions130may be made in such a manner that their antenna uses a different frequency range for a certain country or region. Thus, simply by replacing the sliding portion130with another sliding portion with an antenna with a frequency range required for the region where the user is located, wireless communications for mobile communication in that region are made available on the same mobile terminal.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1Ais a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure.FIGS. 1B and 1Care conceptual diagrams of an example of a typical mobile terminal when viewed from different directions.

The controller180typically functions to control overall operation of the mobile terminal100, in addition to the operations associated with the application programs. The controller180may provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are input or output by the various components, or activating application programs stored in the memory170.

Further, the controller180controls some or all of the components shown inFIG. 1Ain order to drive application programs stored in the memory170. Further, in order to drive the application programs, the controller180may operate at least two of the components included in the mobile terminal100in a combined manner.

At least some of the above components may operate in a cooperating manner, so as to implement an operation or a control method of the mobile terminal according to various embodiments to be explained later. The operation or the control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory170.

Hereinafter, the above components will be explained in more detail with reference toFIG. 1Abefore various embodiments implemented through the aforementioned mobile terminal100are explained.

The mobile communication module112can transmit and/or receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like. Such network entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like).

Examples of such wireless Internet access include Wireless LAN (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like. The wireless Internet module113may transmit/receive data according to one or more of such wireless Internet technologies, and other Internet technologies as well.

In some embodiments, the display unit151may be implemented as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images.

Here, the terminal body may be understood to indicate the mobile terminal100regarded as at least one integrated body.

The mobile terminal100may be provided with the display unit151, the first and second audio output modules152a,152b, the proximity sensor141, the illumination sensor142, the optical output unit154, the first and second cameras121a,121b, the first and second manipulation units123a,123b, the microphone122, the interface unit160, etc.

As shown inFIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile terminal100will be explained under an assumption that the display unit151, the first audio output module152a, the proximity sensor141, the illumination sensor142, the optical output unit154, the first camera121a, and the first manipulation unit123aare located on a front surface of the terminal body, the second manipulation unit123b, the microphone122and the interface unit160are located on a side surface of the terminal body, and the second audio output module152band the second camera121bare located on a rear surface of the terminal body.

The first and second manipulation units123aand123bare examples of the user input unit123, which may be manipulated by a user to provide input to the mobile terminal100. The first and second manipulation units123aand123bmay also be commonly referred to as a manipulating portion, and may employ any tactile method that allows the user to perform manipulation such as touch, push, scroll, or the like. The first and second manipulation units123aand123bmay also employ any non-tactile method that allows the user to perform manipulation such as proximity touch, hovering, or the like. The drawing illustrates the first manipulation unit123aas a touch key, but possible alternatives include a mechanical key, a push key, a touch key, and combinations thereof.

A power supply unit190(refer toFIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal100may include a battery191, which is mounted in the terminal body or detachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery191may receive power via a power source cable connected to the interface unit160. Also, the battery191can be recharged in a wireless manner using a wireless charger. Wireless charging may be implemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments related to a mobile terminal with the above configuration, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention.

FIG. 2is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of using a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to replace a main battery that supplies electric power to a mobile terminal, a battery tray may be inserted into or removed from the main body of the mobile terminal. That is, as shown inFIG. 2, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention allows a sliding portion130for accommodating a battery to be inserted into or taken out from the bottom of the mobile terminal. The sliding portion130has a structure that prevents the sliding portion130from being fully taken out of the mobile terminal.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display portion151with a window151a, a main body portion104where the display portion151rests, with an inner space formed between the main body portion104and the display portion151, and a sliding portion130that is brought into a first position for insertion into the inner space and a second position for removal from the inner space, and that accommodates a first battery191. The sliding portion130may be inserted into or taken out from the bottom of the main body portion104. A variety of electronic parts are provided in the inner space, and a metallic intermediary frame151c(seeFIG. 15) may be provided for rigidity. However, when the main body portion104is formed from a metallic material, the main body portion104may add rigidity and therefore the intermediary frame151may be unnecessary.

Moreover, in an embodiment of the present invention, the display portion151, which is placed towards the front, and the main body portion104, which covers the rear of the display portion151and forms the inner space, form the exterior of the mobile terminal, and the sliding portion130forms the exterior of the bottom of the mobile terminal.

The second position refers to a position in which the first battery191is separated from the main body portion104. The mobile terminal is powered off when the first battery191is separated. To prevent this, in an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal includes a second battery192that is provided in the inner space and supplies electric power to the mobile terminal when the first battery191is removed. In this case, the first battery191is a main battery that activates the mobile terminal, and the second battery192is an auxiliary battery reserved for when the first battery191is not present.

That is, as shown inFIG. 3, the display portion151according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a window151aand a display module151bplaced under the window151a. The window151aand the display module151bare approximately rectangular in shape like the mobile terminal. A main circuit board181is provided on the back of the display module151b, and a plurality of electronic parts are mounted on the main circuit board181. Hereinafter, the window151a, display module151b, and main circuit board181will be collectively referred to as the display portion151. In this case, the main circuit board181does not necessarily have the same shape as the window151aor the display module151b, and may have an approximately ‘’-shape or ‘C’-shape, as shown inFIG. 13.

A top antenna106is provided at the top of the display151. The top antenna106functions mostly as an LTE/WCDMA Rx Only antenna, a GPS antenna, or a BT/WiFi antenna. Moreover, a main antenna136(seeFIG. 13) is provided at the bottom of the display portion151, more specifically, at the sliding portion130to be described later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the first position, wireless communications for mobile communication and software operations are enabled by the first battery191, and, in the second position, wireless communications for other types of communication than mobile communication and software operations are enabled by the second battery192. That is, applications embedded in the mobile terminal work normally in the first and second positions, whereas wireless communications for mobile communication are interrupted in the second position.

Wireless signals used in wireless communications for mobile communication may include sent and received audio signals, sent and received video call signals, or various forms of data in sent and received text/multimedia messages.

To this end, a mobile communication module112is provided. The mobile communication module112sends and receives wireless signals to and from at least one among a base station, an external terminal, and a server, over a mobile communication network which is constructed according to technical standards or communication schemes for mobile communication (e.g., Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA 2000), Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) etc.).

Generally, when the battery is removed from the main body of the mobile terminal in order to replace the battery, the mobile terminal is powered off, and when the battery is reloaded, the applications boot up as the power is turned on. This means that the applications need to boot up each time the battery is replaced, which takes much time until the mobile terminal gets back to normal operation and requires the applications installed on the mobile terminal to be re-executed.

However, as in an embodiment of the present invention, the second battery192may supply electric power to the mobile terminal while the first battery191, i.e., the main battery, is being replaced. In this case, electric power continues to be supplied without being disconnected, and only a minimum amount of electric power needed for operation is supplied and wireless communications for mobile communication are interrupted. In an embodiment of the present invention, since the main antenna136for mobile communication is provided at the sliding portion130, short-range wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth are still available although wireless communications for mobile communication are interrupted.

In conclusion, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first position refers to a position in which the first battery191is mounted on the mobile terminal and works normally, and the second position refers to a position in which the first battery191is separated from the mobile terminal. That is, the first position refers to a position in which all functions work normally, and the second position refers to a position in which wireless communications, i.e., wireless calls, using the main antenna136placed at the bottom of the mobile terminal are interrupted, Bluetooth/WiFi functions work normally, and the applications installed on the mobile terminal work normally.

Moreover, in an embodiment of the present invention, the main body portion104includes a case104bwith a rear and a side protruding from the rear towards the front, and a bracket104aaffixed to the inner side of the case104b.

That is, in an embodiment of the present invention, the case104baccommodates the display portion151, the sliding portion130is inserted into an inner space between the case104band the display portion151, and a variety of electronic parts are provided in the inner space. Thus, the case104bprotrudes by a certain height towards the front from the rear. The protruding portion forms a side of the mobile terminal. The top antenna106and the sliding portion130are attached to the top and bottom of the case104b, respectively, and the top antenna106and the sliding portion130form the top and bottom sides of the mobile terminal. Thus, the case104bhas an approximately ‘’-shape or ‘C’-shape, with a portion protruding towards the front from both opposite ends of the main surface.

As shown inFIGS. 1D and 1E, in an embodiment of the present invention, the case104bis illustrated as being a uni-body. However, an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, but a front case101, a rear case102, and a rear cover103may form the exterior of the mobile terminal, as shown inFIGS. 1B and 1C.

Moreover, the bracket104ais provided on the inner side of the case104b, and a variety of electronic parts may be provided on the bracket104a. In an embodiment of the present invention, a space for accommodating the second battery192or a space for accommodating a locking device155or165may be formed.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, a guide rail145is formed along the length of the mobile terminal, on the inner side of the case104b, and the sliding portion130moves along the guide rail145.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view taken along AA ofFIG. 1D. Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the sliding portion130includes a first accommodating portion131that is curved to accommodate the first battery191, has horizontally extending flaps131aat both ends, and moves on the guide rail145when fastened to the main body portion104, and a second accommodating portion132that is placed under the first accommodating portion131and has a main antenna for performing a wireless call function. It can be seen that a cross-section of the first accommodating portion131has an approximately ‘’-shape or ‘C’-shape. In this manner, the first accommodating portion131is curved in one direction to thereby accommodate the first battery191, and the flaps131aextending along the width of the mobile terminal at both ends of the first accommodating portion131are movable on the guide rail145.

The guide rail145includes a guide1451protruding from the inner side of the case104band a rail1452that is provided within the guide1451and has a groove along the length in which the flaps131aof the sliding portion130are inserted. The guide1451may protrude inwards from the main surface of the case104b, and be made of a metallic material like the case104b, and the rail1452may be made of a plastic material. The reason why the rail1452is made of a plastic material is to reduce frictional sound between the flaps131and the rail1452when the first accommodating portion131is made of a metallic material. Accordingly, if the first accommodating portion131is made of a plastic material, the rail1452may be made of a metallic material.

The guide1451protrudes in an l′-shape from the inner side of the case104bto keep the rail1452from coming off easily. The rail1452has a fine groove1452aalong the length of the mobile terminal so that the flaps131aof the first accommodating portion131can move while inserted in the groove1452a. The rail1452may be separated from the guide1451, and an outwardly curved portion1452bis formed at the top and bottom edges of the rail1452so that the rail1452is fastened to the guide1451. To this end, the rail1452needs to be made longer than the guide1451.

Although an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with respect to the guide rail145provided on the inner side of the case104b, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the intermediary frame151cmay be provided on the back of the display portion151and the guide rail145may be provided on the intermediary frame151c.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a slide button107or107′ that is exposed to the exterior of the main body portion104to selectively lock the sliding portion130. The slide button107or107′ is vertically movable.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal further includes a locking device155or165that is placed between the slide button107or107′ and the sliding portion130and selectively locks the sliding portion130.

FIGS. 5 to 7are views of a locking device155according to a first embodiment.FIGS. 9A to 9Care views of a locking device165according to a second embodiment. The locking device155according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5is a view illustrating the sliding portion130that is locked by the locking device155according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a view illustrating the sliding portion130that is unlocked by the locking device155according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view of the locking device155according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 5 and 6depict the sliding portion130attached to the main body portion104—that is, the bracket104aattached to the case104band the main circuit board181attached to the bracket104a.

As shown inFIG. 5, the locking device155according to the first embodiment include a locking member156that is provided on the bracket104a, with one end being caught on a pushing protrusion107aprotruding inwards from the slide button107, and the other end being fastened to the sliding portion130, both of which rotate about a rotary shaft159, and a first elastic member157that is attached to the locking member156and provides torque to the locking member156. A torsion spring may be used as the first elastic member157to provide torque to the locking member156. The locking member156is approximately vertical, with the rotary shaft159at the center.

The other end of the locking member156takes the shape of a hook156a, and the hook156ais selectively caught on a protuberance133formed at the top of the sliding portion130.

Referring toFIG. 7, the locking device155includes a cylindrical base portion126protruding from the bracket104a, a locking member156that has a hollow space on the inside, corresponding in size to the cylindrical shape, and that is fitted to the base portion126, and a first elastic member157that is fitted to the base portion126and fixed to two ends of the locking member156to rotate the locking member156. In this case, a rotary shaft159may be provided that is exposed to the front through the base portion126from the back of the base portion126. The rotary shaft159is fixed to the bracket104aby a screw159a. Moreover, an E-ring158or an O-ring is provided between the screw159aand the locking member156. The first elastic member157has stationary portions157aand157bthat extent outward from the center at a given angle. A fine groove156cis formed on the locking member156so that the stationary portions157aand157bare caught on the locking member156.

Additionally, stationary serrations125for fixing the stationary portions157aand157bare formed on the bracket104a. In order to adjust elasticity, a plurality of stationary serrations125may be formed to have various angles from the rotary shaft159.

In the first position, the hook156ais caught on the protuberance133to allow the sliding portion130to be inserted and fixed onto the terminal. A third elastic member171is provided under the bracket104a. The third elastic member171provides restoring force to the sliding portion130. Thus, in the first position, the restoring force of the third elastic member171causes the sliding portion130to move down, but the hook156aof the locking member156keeps the sliding portion130from moving.

The third elastic member171is fitted to a protrusion171aprotruding from the bracket104aand fixed in place, and does not come off easily. Also, the third elastic member171rests on an accommodating portion171b, as shown inFIG. 6.

Further, the second battery192is provided on one side at the top of the third elastic member171. The second battery192is electrically connected to the main circuit board181by a connection cable193.

Afterwards, as shown inFIG. 6, when the locking member156is unlocked from the protuberance133by moving down the slide button107, the locking member156rotates about the rotary shaft159by the first elastic member157. Hereupon, the sliding portion130moves downward by the restoring force of the third elastic member171. Accordingly, a first connector172on the bracket104aand a first contact terminal191a(seeFIG. 3) of the first battery191are electrically disconnected, thereby turning off the power supply from the first battery191. Besides, an electrical disconnection occurs between the display portion151—more specifically, a second connector175at the bottom of the main circuit board181—and a second contact terminal134at the second accommodating portion132. The second contact terminal134has a plurality of electrodes134a.

The second contact terminal134and the second connector175may make frontal contact or lateral contact with each other. For example, it will be understood thatFIG. 6illustrates frontal contact andFIG. 13illustrates lateral contact. The type of contact depends on where on the second contact terminal134the electrodes134aare provided. That is, the electrodes134amake lateral contact when they are provided on the side of the second contact terminal134, and make frontal contact when they are provided on the front of the second contact terminal134.

The second contact terminal134is for electrically connecting a flexible circuit board187in the second accommodating portion132to the main circuit board181, in order to activate the electrical elements accommodated in the second accommodating portion132.

A jut156bis formed on the edge of the locking member156. When switching to the second position, the jut156bdescends as the locking member156rotates, thus bringing itself into contact with the pushing protrusion107a.

FIGS. 9A to 9Care views illustrating an operative mechanism in which the sliding portion130is unlocked by the locking device165according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The locking device165according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided on the inside of the slide button107′. The locking device165includes a plate member167with elasticity that makes contact with a pushing protrusion107a′ protruding inwards from the slide button107′, a moving member168that is provided on the inside of the plate member167, with one end being pressed by the pushing protrusion107a′ and the other end having a shaft168c, a second elastic member169that surrounds the shaft168cof the moving member168and provides restoring force to the moving member168, a base member166that surrounds the moving member168and the second elastic member169and has a first through hole166aat one end through which the shaft168cpasses and a second through hole166bat the other end through which an end of the moving member168makes contact with the plate member167, and a link member164that rotates about a stationary shaft162, with one end being attached to the other end of the moving member168and the other end being fastened to the sliding portion130.

The stationary shaft162refers to an immobile shaft, and the link member164rotates about the stationary shaft162. As the moving member168moves, one end of the link member164moves and the other end of the link member164rotates away from the protuberance133. A long hole163ais formed at one end of the link member164and fastened to the moving member168by a fixing pin163. That is, the link member164is fixed to the moving member168by the fixing pin163, and the fixing pin163may be finely moved within the long hole163aby the distance the moving member168moves.

A bump167ais formed on the plate member167to detect movement of the pushing protrusion107a. A hook164ais formed at the other end of the link member164, and the sliding portion130has a protuberance133that is caught on the hook164a. The plate member167may be a leaf spring, and a projecting member161keeps the plate member167from coming off.

Moreover, the moving member168includes an exposure portion168athat is exposed externally through the second through hole166b, and an expanded portion168bthat extends from the exposure portion168a, has a larger area than the exposure portion168a, and is stuck in the second through hole166b.

Referring toFIGS. 9A to 9C, the operative mechanism of the locking device165according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.FIG. 9Ashows the first position.FIGS. 9B and 9Cshow a process of transition to the second position.

As shown inFIG. 9A, in the first position, the pushing protrusion107a′ formed on the inside of the slide button107′ is positioned atop the bump167a, and is caught on the bump167aand therefore cannot descend. In this case, the hook164ais caught on the protuberance133of the sliding portion130, thus keeping the sliding portion130from being separated from the main body portion104.

Afterwards, when the user lowers the slide button107′ to replace the first battery191, the pushing protrusion107a′ passes the bump167aand is located at the moving member168. The plate member167is provided between the pushing protrusion107a′ and the moving member168and takes the shape of a thin plate with elasticity.FIG. 9Billustrates the slide button107′ that is just ready to be pushed.

When the user presses the slide button107′, the pushing protrusion107a′ presses the plate member167and the plate member167presses the moving member168. The moving member168moves inwards as it recovers elasticity by means of the second elastic member169. The second elastic member169fitted to the shaft168cis provided between the moving member168and the inside wall of the base member166. As the moving member168moves to the inside of the main body portion104, the link member164rotates about the stationary shaft162and the hook164ais therefore spaced apart from the protuberance133.

Once the protuberance133is released from the hook164a, the sliding portion130moves downward by the elasticity of the third elastic member171. As such, the first battery191accommodated in the sliding portion130may be replaced.

FIG. 10is a view illustrating a structure in which the sliding portion130is caught on the case104baccording to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11shows a front view and partial exploded view of the guide rail145according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10illustrates the sliding portion130being taken out from the main body portion104and the first accommodating portion131being caught on the bottom of the main body portion104, which depicts a structure for keeping the sliding portion130from being fully separated from the main body portion104.

That is, referring toFIG. 10, an outwardly protruding stopper135is provided at the top of the sliding portion130, and a stopper rib145dis formed on the guide rail145to catch the stopper135to thereby restrict the movement of the sliding portion130. Since the stopper135is formed at the top of the sliding portion130and sloped downward, the sliding portion130is fastened to the main body portion104to allow for easy assembly as the stopper135is pushed inward when it slides and to keep the stopper135from coming off easily as it is caught on the stopper rib145dwhen the sliding portion130is taken out.

Referring toFIG. 11, ribs145aand145bprotruding towards the inside of the groove1452aare formed on the rail1452so as to hold the sliding portion130when fastened to the main body portion104. The ribs145aand145bhave a structure for narrowing the movement path of the flaps131a. The ribs145aand145bare formed near the stopper ribs145to prevent vertical movement between the sliding portion130and the guide rail145which may occur when the sliding portion130is taken out.

Moreover, the groove1452aat the top of the rail1452may be tapered toward the end in order to restrict excessive movement of the flaps131aof the sliding portion130. That is, a sloping portion145cgradually protrudes inward from the groove1452aof the rail1452. Thus, when the sliding portion130slides to the top of the rail1452, excessive movement is restricted by the frictional force between the sloping portion145cof the rail1452and the flaps131aof the sliding portion130. Moreover, the sloping portion145cfunctions to hold the sliding portion130so that the sliding portion130is slowly taken out when removed.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of the bottom of a mobile terminal from which an antenna has been removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 13is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the side of the bottom.FIG. 14is a plan view of the second connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of the bottom of a mobile terminal from which a decoration member136has been removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 13is a view illustrating an electrical connection between the main circuit board181and the flexible circuit board187when the sliding portion130with the decoration member136is fastened to the main body portion104.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the flexible circuit board187electrically connected to the main circuit board181is provided in the first accommodating portion131so as to activate a variety of electronic parts in the second accommodating portion132. The flexible circuit board187is externally exposed by a connecting portion187a, and the exposed portion is electrically connected to the second connector175shown inFIG. 10. The connection may be established by contact terminals such as C-clips or pogo pins.

FIG. 14illustrates contact terminals using C-clips.FIG. 14depicts the second connector175connected to the main circuit board181, which shows that a plurality of contact terminals176are provided. As the plurality of contact terminals176make contact with a second contact terminal134provided in the first accommodating portion131, the flexible circuit board187and the main circuit board181are electrically connected. The second contact terminal134has a plurality of electrodes134aso as to make contact with the contact terminals176.

The decoration member136is an aluminum-containing metal sheet, and acts as a radiator for an antenna. The metal sheet is provided on the bottom of the rear of the sliding portion130, and mainly functions to enable wireless communications for mobile communication. That is, the metal sheet functions as the main antenna136of the mobile terminal.

Therefore, when the sliding portion130is taken out from the main body portion104, the main antenna136too is taken out and calls are interrupted. In this case, electric power is supplied to the main antenna136by a feed terminal188. The feed terminal188may be in the form of C-clips or pogo pins.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the case104bis made of a metallic material, and when the case104bmade of a metallic material is located near the main antenna136, this affects the antenna performance. To prevent this, in an embodiment of the present invention, a strip-shaped blocking member132amay be provided at the top of the second accommodating portion132.

The blocking member132amay be made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material, and may be made of the same or similar material as the second accommodating portion132. The second accommodating portion132may have a light source189ato illuminate the outside through the blocking member132a. The light source189amay perform a function for indicating the insertion or removal of the sliding portion130. For example, when the sliding portion130is inserted into the main body portion104and the first connector172and the first contact terminal191aof the first battery191make contact with each other, the light source189ais activated to indicate to the user that the first battery191is connected. That is, the second accommodating portion132includes a lighting portion132amade of a transparent or opaque material at the region of contact with the main body portion104, and a light source189ais provided in the second accommodating portion132to send light to the outside through the lighting portion132a. That is, the blocking member may be the lighting portion, and the lighting portion may be provided separately from the lighting portion.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 11, a first magnet member182is provided in the second accommodating portion132, and a second magnet member183is provided at a position in the main body portion104that corresponds to the first magnet member182so that the sliding portion130is completely fastened to the main body portion104. It is needless to say that a metal member may be used in place of the second magnet member183. The first and second magnet members182and183may be formed as a pair on two sides.

The main body portion104may have a Hall sensor184to detect a change in magnetism on the first magnet member182. By using the Hall sensor184, fastening of the sliding portion130is detected and indicated to the user by illumination through the lighting portion132a.

A module189bmay be provided in the second accommodating portion132. A plurality of sliding portions130each having a module for performing a particular function may be provided, which allows for mounting of a different module189beach time the sliding portion130is replaced. The module189bmay be a module related to healthcare, such as a fingerprint recognition sensor or a heartbeat sensor. When a sliding portion130with a fingerprint recognition module is fastened to the main body portion104, the user can be identified by a fingerprint imprinted on the surface of the second accommodating portion132. Using fingerprint identification, the user can unlock their password the instant the user's fingerprint is touched, without having to enter in the password, thus activating the applications.

Moreover, the main antenna136may have a different frequency range depending on the sliding portion130. Since the sliding portion130is equipped with an antenna with a particular frequency range, the same mobile terminal can be used in a number of countries or regions simply by replacing the sliding portion130. That is, each country or region uses a different radio frequency range, and a plurality of sliding portions130may be made in such a manner that their antenna uses a different frequency range for a certain country or region. Thus, simply by replacing the sliding portion130with another sliding portion with an antenna with a frequency range required for the region where the user is located, wireless communications for mobile communication in that region may be made available on the same mobile terminal.

FIG. 15is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom. As shown inFIG. 15, in an embodiment of the present invention, an identity module186may be provided on the intermediary frame151con the back of the display portion151. The identity module186is a chip that stores various information to authenticate the use of the mobile terminal100, and may include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), etc. A device (hereinafter, identification device) with an identity module may be made in the form of a smart card. The identity module186may be connected to the terminal100via an input/output port119to be described below.

The input/output port119may serve as a passage through which electric power from an external cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal100when the mobile terminal100is connected to the cradle, or serve as a passage through which various command signals input from the cradle by the user are sent to the mobile terminal100. The various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for detecting that the mobile terminal100has been mounted correctly at the cradle.

Various embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform various methods presented herein. Examples of possible machine-readable mediums include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, the other types of storage mediums presented herein, and combinations thereof. If desired, the machine-readable medium may be realized in the form of a carrier wave (for example, a transmission over the Internet). The processor may include the controller180of the mobile terminal. The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embodiments of the present invention may be applicable to a mobile terminal for easily replacing a battery.