Patent Description:
Terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. Furthermore, mobile terminals may be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals according to whether or not it can be directly carried by a user.

The functions of mobile terminals have been diversified. For example, the functions may include data and voice communication, photographing and video shooting through a camera, voice recording, playing a music file through a speaker system, and displaying an image or video on a display module. Some terminals further include an electronic game play function or perform a multimedia player function. In particular, in recent years, mobile terminals may receive multicast signals that provide visual content such as broadcast, video or television programs.

As it becomes multifunctional, for example, such a terminal is allowed to capture still images or moving images, play music or video files, play games, receive broadcast and the like, so as to be implemented as an integrated multimedia player.

In particular, in the case of a foldable mobile terminal, a structure for folding a body and a support structure of a rear surface of a flexible display may conflict with each other or may be insufficient. Accordingly, a problem of reducing rigidity in a folded portion of the flexible display may occur.

For instance, <CIT> relates to a foldable device having two bodies that respectively support a first part and a second part of a flexible display and can be moved between a folded and an unfolded position. A movable supporting member continuously near-supports a third part of the flexible display between the first and second parts when the bodies change from the folded position to the unfolded position.

<CIT> relates to a hinge for a mobile terminal with a flexible screen, the hinge comprising a left supporting plate, a middle supporting plate and a right supporting plate which are rotatably and sequentially connected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable mobile terminal with a flexible display that has an improved support for the folding portion of the flexible display.

This object is solved by the present invention as defined by the independent claims.

A display support of a mobile terminal according to the present invention supports a flexible display when the mobile terminal is in a first state. Accordingly, a rear space of the flexible display may be supported between a first body and a second body in the first state, thereby allowing the flexible display to be stably disposed without being pushed back even when the flexible display is pressed or touched.

In addition, the display support may be spaced apart from the flexible display in a second state, and accordingly, unnecessary pressure does not occur at a folded portion of the flexible display in the second state in which the first body and the second body are folded.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal associated with the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Even in different embodiments according to the present disclosure, the same or similar reference numerals are designated to the same or similar configurations, and the description thereof will be substituted by the earlier description. Unless clearly used otherwise, expressions in the singular number used in the present disclosure may include a plural meaning. A suffix "module" and "unit" used for constituent elements disclosed in the following description is merely intended for easy description of the specification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaning or function.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a mobile terminal <NUM> associated with an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> are views showing a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The mobile terminal <NUM> may include a wireless communication unit <NUM>, an audio/video (A/V) input unit <NUM>, a user input unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an interface unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a power supply unit <NUM>, and the like. However, the constituent elements as illustrated in <FIG> are not necessarily required, and the mobile terminal <NUM> may be implemented with greater or less number of elements than those illustrated elements.

The wireless communication unit <NUM> may include one or more modules allowing radio communication between the mobile terminal <NUM> and a wireless communication system, or allowing radio communication between the mobile terminal <NUM> and a network in which the mobile terminal <NUM> is located. For example, the wireless communication unit <NUM> may include a broadcast receiving module <NUM>, a mobile communication module <NUM>, a wireless Internet module <NUM>, a short-range communication module <NUM>, a location information module <NUM>, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module <NUM> receives broadcast signals and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and transmits to the mobile terminal <NUM>. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal and a data broadcast signal as well as a broadcast signal in a form that a data broadcast signal is coupled to the TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may mean information regarding a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, and the like. The broadcast associated information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. The broadcast associated information may be provided via a mobile communication network, and received by the mobile communication module <NUM>.

The broadcast associated information may be implemented in various formats. For instance, broadcast associated information may include Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module <NUM> may be configured to receive digital broadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems. Such broadcast systems may include Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module <NUM> may be configured to be suitable for every broadcast system transmitting broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcasting systems.

Broadcast signals and/or broadcast associated information received via the broadcast receiving module <NUM> may be stored in a memory <NUM>.

The mobile communication module <NUM> transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one a base station, an external terminal and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video (telephony) call signal, or various formats of data according to transmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module <NUM> refers to a module for supporting wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or externally installed on the mobile terminal <NUM>. A variety of wireless Internet access techniques may be used, such as WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro (Wireless Broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), and the like.

The short-range communication module <NUM> refers to a module for supporting a short-range communication. Here, it may be used a short-range communication technology including Bluetooth, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, and the like.

The location information module <NUM> is a module for acquiring a location of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and there is a GPS module as a representative example.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the A/V(audio/video) input unit <NUM> receives an audio or video signal, and the A/V (audio/video) input unit <NUM> may include a camera <NUM> and a microphone <NUM>. The camera <NUM> processes a image frame, such as still picture or video, acquired by an image sensor in a video phone call or image capturing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on a display module <NUM>.

The image frames processed by the camera <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted to an external device through the wireless communication unit <NUM>. Two or more cameras <NUM> may be provided according to the use environment of the mobile device. Specifically, referring to (c) of <FIG>, the camera <NUM> may be provided in a region exposed to an outside of a first body <NUM>. In addition, referring to <FIG>, a second camera <NUM>' may be further provided on an inner side surface of the first body.

The microphone <NUM> receives an external audio signal through a microphone in a phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and the like, and processes the audio signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted and outputted into a format that is transmittable to a mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module <NUM> in the phone call mode. The microphone <NUM> may include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit <NUM> may generate input data to control an operation of the terminal. The user input unit <NUM> may be configured by including a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (pressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. Specifically, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, the user input unit <NUM> may be provided as a key button.

The sensing unit <NUM> detects a current status of the mobile terminal <NUM> such as a location of the mobile terminal <NUM>, an orientation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the like, and an acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal <NUM> to generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal <NUM>. Furthermore, the sensing unit <NUM> may sense whether or not the interface unit <NUM> is coupled to an external device or the like.

On the other hand, the sensing unit <NUM> may further include a proximity sensor <NUM> and an illuminance sensor <NUM>, an acceleration sensor <NUM>, and a gyro sensor <NUM>.

The output unit <NUM> is configured to provide an output for audio signal, video signal, or alarm signal, and the output unit <NUM> may include the display module <NUM>, an audio output module <NUM>, an alarm <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, and the like.

The display module <NUM> displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal <NUM>. For example, when the mobile terminal <NUM> is in a phone call mode, the display module <NUM> may display a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) associated with a call. When the mobile terminal <NUM> is in a video call mode or image capturing mode, the display module <NUM> may display a captured and/or received image, a UI or GUI.

The display module <NUM> may be implemented using one or more suitable display devices. Examples of such suitable display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a <NUM>-dimensional (3D) display.

Some of those displays may be configured with a transparent or optical transparent type to allow viewing of the exterior through the display module, which may be called transparent displays. An example of the typical transparent displays may include a transparent LCD (TOLED), and the like. A rear structure of the display module <NUM> may also be configured with a light transmission type. Under this configuration, the user can view an object positioned at a rear side of the terminal body through a region occupied by the display module <NUM> of the terminal body.

Two or more display modules <NUM> may be implemented according to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal <NUM>. For instance, a plurality of the display modules may be arranged on one surface to be spaced apart from or integrated with each other, or may be arranged on different surfaces on the mobile terminal <NUM>.

When the display module <NUM> and a touch sensitive sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a "touch sensor") have an interlayer structure (hereinafter, referred to as a "touch screen"), the display module <NUM> may be used as an input device rather than an output device. The touch sensor may be implemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of a pressure applied to a specific part of the display module <NUM>, or a capacitance occurring from a specific part of the display module <NUM>, into electric input signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also a touch pressure.

When there is a touch input to the touch sensor, a signal (signals) corresponding thereto may be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller may process the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data to the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may sense which region of the display module <NUM> has been touched.

Referring to <FIG>, a proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed at an inner region of the mobile terminal <NUM> covered by the touch screen, or adjacent to the touch screen. The proximity sensor indicates a sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed, or an object disposed near a surface to be sensed, by using an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor has a longer lifespan and a more enhanced utility than a contact sensor.

The proximity sensor may include an optical transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and so on. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, proximity of a pointer to the touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagnetic field. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorized into a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of brief explanation, a status that the pointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen without contact will be referred to as "proximity touch", whereas a status that the pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will be referred to as "contact touch". For the position corresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such position corresponds to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to the touch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer.

The proximity sensor senses proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving status, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch and the sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto the touch screen.

The audio output module <NUM> may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit <NUM> or stored in the memory <NUM>, in a call-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and so on. The audio output module <NUM> may output an audio signal associated with a function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal <NUM>. The audio output module <NUM> may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and so on.

The alarm <NUM> outputs a signal notifying the occurrence of an event in the mobile terminal <NUM>. The example of an event occurred from the mobile terminal <NUM> may include call received, message received, key signal input, touch input, and so on. The alarm <NUM> may output not only video or audio signals, but also other types of signals such as signals notifying the occurrence of events in a vibration manner. Since the video or audio signals may be output through the display module <NUM> or the audio output unit <NUM>, the display module <NUM> and the audio output module <NUM> may be classified as part of the alarm <NUM>.

A haptic module <NUM> may generate various tactile effects the that user may feel. A representative example of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module <NUM> includes vibration. Vibration generated by the haptic module <NUM> may have a controllable intensity, a controllable pattern, and so on. For example, different vibrations may be output in a synthesized manner or in a sequential manner.

Besides vibration, the haptic module <NUM> may generate various other tactile effects, including an effect by stimulation such as a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a spray force or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suction opening, a touch on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth using an element that can absorb or generate heat, and the like.

The haptic module <NUM> may be configured to transmit tactile effects through a user's direct contact, or a user's muscular sense using a finger or a hand.

The memory <NUM> can store programs to support operations of the controller <NUM> and store input/output data (for example, phonebook, messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory <NUM> may store data related to various patterns of vibrations and sounds outputted upon the touch input on the touch screen.

The memory <NUM> may be implemented using any type of suitable storage medium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX memory), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. Also, the mobile terminal <NUM> may operate in connection with a web storage device that performs the storage function of the memory <NUM> over the Internet.

The interface unit <NUM> serves as an interface for all external devices connected to the mobile terminal <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in (c) of <FIG>, the interface unit <NUM> may include wired/wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired/wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for coupling devices having an identification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module may be configured as a chip for storing various information required to authenticate an authority to use the mobile terminal <NUM>, which may include a User Identity Module (UIM), a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and the like. A device having the identification module (hereinafter, an "identification device") may be fabricated in the form of a smart card. Hence, the identification device may be connected to the mobile terminal <NUM> via a port.

When the mobile terminal <NUM> is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit <NUM> may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied to the mobile terminal <NUM> therethrough or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Such various command signals or power inputted from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal has accurately been mounted on the cradle.

The controller <NUM> typically controls the overall operations of the mobile terminal <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> performs the control and processing associated with telephony calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller <NUM> may include a multimedia module <NUM> which provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module <NUM> may be configured as part of the controller <NUM> or as a separate component.

Referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may include two controllers. For example, the controller <NUM> may include a main controller 180a and an auxiliary controller 180b. Through these two controllers, various operations of the mobile terminal may be performed more quickly and stably.

The controller <NUM> can perform a pattern recognition processing so as to recognize handwriting or drawing input performed on the touch screen as a text or image.

The power supply unit <NUM> may receive external or internal power to provide power required by various components under the control of the controller <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> may include a battery, which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

Furthermore, the power supply unit <NUM> may include a connection port. The connection port may be configured as one example of the interface unit <NUM> to which an external (re)charger for supplying power to recharge the battery is electrically connected.

Here, the power supply unit <NUM> may receive power, transferred from an external wireless power transmitter, using at least one of an inductive coupling method which is based on magnetic induction or a magnetic resonance coupling method which is based on electromagnetic resonance.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software, hardware, or any combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first body, a second body configured to be rotatable relative to the first body, and a flexible display DP continuously disposed on the first body and the second body.

The mobile terminal <NUM> according to the present invention includes a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM> configured to be rotatable relative to each other. In other words, it is configured with a flexible display DP and a foldable mobile terminal <NUM>. In this case, the mobile terminal <NUM> is disposed in a first state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are disposed parallel to each other, and a second state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are disposed to face each other.

Specifically, (a) of <FIG> shows a first state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are disposed in parallel to each other, that is, an unfolded state. (c) of <FIG> shows a second state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are disposed to face each other, that is, a folded state. (b) of <FIG> is a transition state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are switched to each other from the first state to the second state.

Referring to <FIG>, when the mobile terminal <NUM> is in the first state, a transparent area (TA) may be provided on the front surface. The transparent area (TA) is a portion that can be visually recognized from the outside even in the second state, and a lower area of the flexible display DP in (a) of <FIG> may be visually recognized from the outside.

A flexible display DP integrally configured with the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> is disposed on the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. Furthermore, a front side decor <NUM> may be disposed between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> for a finish of a space between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> in the first state.

A hinge decor <NUM> which will be described later may be disposed behind the front side decor <NUM>. The hinge decor <NUM> serves to shield a space generated as the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> change from the first state to the second state. A hinge assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the hinge decor <NUM> described above.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge assembly <NUM> is disposed between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> is rotatably configured to allow the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> to achieve the first state and the second state. The hinge assembly <NUM> will be described in detail below.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a hinge assembly of the mobile terminal illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view showing a state in which a display support is separated from the hinge assembly illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view for explaining the hinge assembly illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view for explaining the movement of a support bridge and a display support in a first state and a second state in a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hinge assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a body rotator <NUM>, a support bridge <NUM>, and a display support <NUM>.

The body rotator <NUM> includes a pair of body rotators <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. The body rotator <NUM> is connected to the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. Specifically, the body rotator <NUM> may be connected to the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> by a coupling member (not shown) connected to a body rotator hole <NUM>.

The body rotator <NUM> includes a left body rotator <NUM> and a right body rotator 310R. The body rotator <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> in a width direction and coupled at both sides, thereby allowing the hinge assembly <NUM> to stably support the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> in the process of switching from the first state to the second state.

Each of the left body rotator <NUM> and the right body rotator 310R includes a first body rotator 310a connected to the first body <NUM> and a second body rotator 301b connected to the second body <NUM>. In addition, a support frame <NUM> may be further provided at a lower end of the body rotator <NUM>. Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the support frame <NUM> may be provided at the lower end of the body rotator <NUM>.

The first body rotator 310a and the second body rotator 310b rotate in engagement with each other. Specifically, referring to (a) of <FIG>, a rotating portion <NUM> is provided. The rotating portion <NUM> has a protrusion shape protruding downward so as to cross each other at the first body rotator 310a and the second body rotator 310b.

The rotating portion <NUM> may move on the support frame <NUM> in a process in which the body rotator <NUM> is mutually switched between a first state and a second state to guide the rotation of the body rotator <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the first body rotator 310a and the second body rotator 310b may each have cross protrusions <NUM> that partially protrude toward each other. The cross protrusion <NUM> may also guide the first body rotator 310a and the second body rotator 310b to stably rotate with each other.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, the support frame <NUM> and a sub-plate <NUM> may be coupled to each other through a coupling hole <NUM>. The sub-plate <NUM> will be described in detail later.

The support bridge <NUM> is disposed between a pair of body rotators <NUM>. The support bridge <NUM> connects the body rotators <NUM> to each other. Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the support bridge <NUM> may connect the body rotator <NUM> and/or the slot body <NUM> spaced apart from each other.

The support bridge <NUM> may be integrally coupled with the body rotator <NUM>. Accordingly, the support bridge <NUM> rotates together as the body rotator <NUM> is rotated. In other words, the support bridge <NUM> is rotated together with the body rotator <NUM> in the process of switching states to each other between the first state and the second state.

At this time, the support bridge <NUM> is horizontally disposed in the first state and vertically disposed in the second state. Specifically, referring to <FIG>, the support bridge <NUM> is disposed in a horizontal state in the first state as shown in (b) of <FIG>. Furthermore, in the second state as shown in (d) of <FIG>, the support bridge <NUM> is disposed in a vertical state.

The display support <NUM> is disposed to overlap with the support bridge <NUM> in a width direction of the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. Specifically, referring to <FIG>, the display support <NUM> is disposed to overlap with the support bridge <NUM> in a width direction of the first body <NUM>.

In addition, the display support <NUM> is configured to be movable in connection with the movement of the support bridge <NUM>. Specifically, the display support <NUM> moves up and down as the support bridge <NUM> is switched from the first state to the second state.

For example, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the display support <NUM> is disposed between the support bridges <NUM> in the first state. Furthermore, as shown in (d) of <FIG>, the display support <NUM> is moved to be disposed under the support bridge <NUM> in the process of switching to the second state.

The display support <NUM> is disposed to support the flexible display in the first state, and moved to be spaced apart from the flexible display in the second state.

Specifically, referring to (a) of <FIG>, in the first state, the display support <NUM> is disposed between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. In addition, the display support <NUM> is disposed to support the flexible display from the rear surface.

Furthermore, referring to (g) of <FIG>, in the second state, the display support <NUM> is moved in a direction of being spaced apart from the flexible display.

The display support <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> supports the flexible display when the mobile terminal <NUM> is in the first state. Accordingly, a rear space of the flexible display is supported between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> in the first state, thereby allowing the flexible display to be stably disposed without being pushed back even when the flexible display is pressed or touched.

In addition, the display support <NUM> is spaced apart from the flexible display in the second state. Accordingly, in the second state in which the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are folded, unnecessary pressure may not occur at a folded portion of the flexible display. Furthermore, the hinge decor <NUM> may be pressed by a third plate <NUM> of the display support <NUM>, thereby preventing the hinge decor <NUM> from being pushed inward by an external force in the second state.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, it may further include a pair of slot bodies <NUM> disposed between a pair of body rotators <NUM> and configured to rotate together with the body rotators <NUM>. The slot body <NUM> may be integrally coupled with the body rotators <NUM> and the support bridge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the display support <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present invention, includes a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM>, and a third plate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> is disposed to be elongated at the center.

The second plate <NUM> has a larger width than the first plate <NUM> at both ends of the first plate <NUM>. The second plate <NUM> must support the flexible display in the first state, and thus preferably has a larger width than the first plate <NUM>. In addition, in this aspect, the second plate <NUM> extends to be adjacent to the body rotator <NUM>.

The third plate <NUM> is disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>. The third plate <NUM> has a larger width than the second plate <NUM>. The third plate <NUM> has the largest width.

The third plate <NUM> may be pressed upward and downward by the support <NUM> protruding from the support bridge <NUM>. The third plate <NUM> is disposed to have a large width to be connected to the support portion <NUM> protruding from the support bridge <NUM>. Furthermore, in order to receive a pressure applied to the display support <NUM> by the support portion <NUM> of the support bridge <NUM>, the third plate <NUM> has a predetermined thickness downward.

The display support <NUM> further includes a hook portion <NUM> extending to a lower portion of the third plate <NUM>, and having a hook protruding toward a hook groove <NUM> at an end thereof. Furthermore, it further includes a sub-plate <NUM> disposed under the second plate <NUM> and provided with the hook groove <NUM> concave therein. The display support <NUM> is configured such that the hook portion <NUM> is caught in the hook groove <NUM> to move integrally with the sub-plate <NUM>.

The support bridge <NUM> may include a bridge portion <NUM>, a connection portion <NUM> and a support portion <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, the bridge portion <NUM> is disposed to be elongated in a width direction of the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>. In addition, the connection portion <NUM> extends toward the display support <NUM> at both ends of the bridge portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> is bent to extend from the connection portion <NUM> so as to support a lower surface of the third plate <NUM> in the first state, and is switched to the second state to rotate so as to press an upper surface of the third plate <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to (b) of <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> may include a first portion 333a extending downward from the connection portion <NUM>, and a second portion 333b protruding from the first portion 333a toward the display support <NUM>. A connection surface 333c defined as a curved line connecting the first portion 333a and the second portion 333b may be disposed.

As illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, in the first state, a second surface 335b of the support portions <NUM> of the support bridge <NUM> may support a lower surface of the third plate <NUM> of the display support <NUM>. Furthermore, the connection portion <NUM> of the support bridge <NUM> may be supported by the hinge decor <NUM>.

Through this, even when the display support <NUM> is pressed downward, the display support <NUM> may be supported by the support of the support bridge <NUM> and the hinge decor <NUM>.

(c) of <FIG> is a moving view of the support bridge <NUM> in the process of switching from the first state to the second state. As the support bridge <NUM> rotates, the connection surface 333c of the support bridge <NUM> may press an upper surface 343e of the third plate <NUM>. The display support <NUM> may be moved downward by pressing the support bridge <NUM>.

(d) of <FIG> is a state of being switched to the second state. The first portion 333a of the support bridge <NUM> may press an upper surface of the third plate <NUM> of the display support <NUM>. Accordingly, even when the display support <NUM> is pressed from a side of the hinge decor <NUM> in the second state, it may be possible to reduce the hinged decor <NUM> from being moved inward.

(e) of <FIG> shows an initial stage of a process of switching from the second state to the first state. At this time, the display support <NUM> may move upward as the hinge decor <NUM> moves upward.

(f) of <FIG> is a late stage of a process of switching from the second state to the first state. At this time, the second portion 333b of the support bridge <NUM> may be inserted toward a lower surface of the display support <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> may further include a hinge decor <NUM> disposed on a rear surface of the display support <NUM>. Both ends of the hinge decor <NUM> may be disposed under the connection portion <NUM> of the support bridge <NUM> in the first state, and the hook portion <NUM> of the display support <NUM> may be supported at a central portion thereof in the second state.

Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge decor <NUM> may be disposed on a rear surface of the hinge assembly <NUM>. Furthermore, referring to <FIG>, the hook portion <NUM> of the display support <NUM> may be supported in the second state.

The third plate <NUM> may be composed of two or more surfaces to which upper and lower surfaces thereof are connected such that the support portion <NUM> is easily rotated in the process of switching the state of the support bridge <NUM> between the first state and the second state.

Specifically, referring to (b) of <FIG>, the third plate <NUM> may include a lower surface 343a, a side surface 343b, an upper surface 343c and a lower side surface 343d and an upper side surface 343e connected to the lower surface 343a and the upper surface 343c. At this time, the upper surface 343e and the lower surface 343d of the third plate <NUM> may connect the side surface 343b of the third plate <NUM> to the upper surface 343c and the lower surface 343a of the third plate <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> may further include a holding unit for free-stopping the body rotator <NUM> in the process of switching from the first state to the second state.

Referring to <FIG>, the holding unit includes a moving cam <NUM> supported by the slot body <NUM> at one end thereof, and a spring <NUM> supported by the moving cam <NUM> at one end thereof, and supported by the support bridge <NUM> at the other end thereof.

The moving cam <NUM> rotates as the slot body <NUM> rotates from the first state to the second state to press the spring <NUM>. In other words, the moving cam <NUM> may rotate to move in a direction of pressing the spring <NUM>. Accordingly, as compressed, the spring <NUM> may press the slot body <NUM> and the support bridge <NUM>, respectively. As the spring <NUM> presses both the slot body <NUM> and the support bridge <NUM>, an external force required for the rotation of the slot body <NUM> and the support bridge <NUM> may increase. Accordingly, when there is no external force, it may be configured to reduce additional rotation.

Referring to <FIG>, a gear portion <NUM> may be further included between the body rotator <NUM> and the slot body <NUM>. The gear portion <NUM> may include a first gear portion 362a and a second gear portion 362b.

The first gear portion 362a may guide the slot body <NUM> to be switched in a vertical direction as it rotates. The second gear portion 362b may guide the sub-plate <NUM> to move downward.

<FIG> is a view showing a rear surface of a hinge assembly to describe a support bridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a view showing a state in which the support bridge is separated from the hinge assembly to describe the support bridge of the hinge assembly in <FIG>.

The support bridge <NUM> may further include a support bridge binding portion <NUM> surrounding at least part of the body rotator <NUM> and the slot body <NUM> so as to be coupled to each other.

The support bridge binding portion <NUM> may include a first surface 335a, a second surface 335b, and a third surface 335c.

Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first surface 335a surrounds one surface of the slot body <NUM>. Furthermore, the second surface 335b is bent from the first surface 335a, and configured to surround one surface of the slot body <NUM> adjacent to the other surface of the slot body <NUM>, and one surface of the body rotator <NUM>. The third surface 335c is bent from the second surface 335b, and configured to surround one surface of the body rotator <NUM> adjacent to the other surface of the body rotator <NUM>.

At this time, the first to third surfaces 335a to 335c of the support bridge binding portion <NUM> may be configured in a "U" shape. In addition, the slot body <NUM> and the body rotator <NUM> may be inserted into the support bridge binding portion <NUM>.

The slot body <NUM> may be configured to have a thickness capable of being in contact with the second surface 335b from an end portion of the first surface 335a within the support bridge binding portion <NUM>. Specifically, referring to <FIG>, one end portion of the slot body <NUM> is disposed at the same position as the end portion of the first surface 335a. Furthermore, it may be disposed to have a thickness corresponding to an inner length of the first surface 335a so as to be in contact with an inside of the second surface 335b.

The body rotator <NUM> may include a protruding portion <NUM> protruding from one side thereof so as to be contact with the second surface 335b. Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the protruding portion <NUM> may protrude from a rear surface of the body rotator <NUM> toward the second surface 335b.

It may further include a coupling pin <NUM> disposed between the first surface 335a and the third surfaces 335c and inserted through the slot body <NUM> and the body rotator <NUM>.

The coupling pin <NUM> may be inserted into a through hole (not shown) disposed in the slot body <NUM> and the body rotator <NUM> to integrally couple the slot body <NUM> and the body rotator <NUM>. The coupling pin <NUM> may be disposed so as not to be released to the outside by the support bridge binding portion <NUM>.

The support bridge binding portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to integrally couple the body rotator <NUM>, the slot body <NUM>, and the support bridge <NUM>. Furthermore, the integrity of the body rotator <NUM> and the slot body <NUM> may be increased through the coupling pin <NUM> passing through the body rotator <NUM> and the slot body <NUM>.

Through this, even when an impact is applied to the hinge assembly <NUM> from the outside, it may be possible to reduce the hinge assembly <NUM> itself from being distorted or some components thereof from being released, thereby increasing the rigidity of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the support bridge binding portion <NUM> may further include a fourth surface 335d bent at the first surface 335a, and configured to surround another surface of the slot body <NUM>, and a fifth surface 335e bent at the fourth surface 335d to surround still another surface of the slot body <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, the support bridge binding portion <NUM> may include the fourth surface 335d surrounding another surface in which the slot body <NUM> is not in contact with the first to third surfaces 335a to 335c, and the fifth surface 335e surrounding a surface of the slot body <NUM> crossing the fourth surface 335d.

In addition, a through hole 335eh capable of coupling to a groove disposed in the slot body <NUM> may be disposed on the fifth surface 335e. As the coupling member is inserted through the through hole 335eh, the slot body <NUM> and the support bridge <NUM> may be more firmly coupled to each other.

Claim 1:
A mobile terminal, comprising:
a first body (<NUM>);
a second body (<NUM>) configured to be rotatable relative to the first body (<NUM>);
a flexible display (DP) continuously disposed on the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>); and
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) configured to move the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>) between a first state in which the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>) are disposed in parallel to each other and a second state in which the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>) are disposed to face each other,
characterized in that
the hinge assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a pair of body rotators (<NUM>) disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>);
a support bridge (<NUM>) disposed between the pair of body rotators (<NUM>) to connect the body rotators (<NUM>) to each other, the support bridge (<NUM>) comprising two portions respectively associated with the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>); and
a display support (<NUM>) disposed to overlap with the support bridge (<NUM>) in a width direction of the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>), and configured to be movable in connection with the movement of the support bridge (<NUM>), and
wherein the display support (<NUM>) is disposed to support the flexible display (DP) in the first state, and moved to be spaced apart from the flexible display (DP) in the second state, and
wherein
in the first state, the display support (<NUM>) is disposed between the support bridge portion (<NUM>) associated with the first body (<NUM>) and the support bridge portion (<NUM>) associated with the second body (<NUM>) to support the flexible display, and the support bridge portions (<NUM>) support a respective lower surface of the display support (<NUM>) to maintain the display support (<NUM>) horizontally,
in the process of switching from the first state to the second state, the display support (<NUM>) is moved to be disposed under the support bridge portions (<NUM>), and
in the second state, the support bridge portions (<NUM>) are disposed vertically about the display support (<NUM>) placed under the support bridge portions (<NUM>).