Patent Description:
A display device is a device having a function of receiving, processing, and displaying a video that a user may watch. For example, the display device receives a broadcast selected by the user from broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station, separates a video signal from the received signals, and displays the separated video signal on a display.

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

Recently, a flexible display, which has sufficient elasticity, and thus, be able to be deformed largely, has been developed. A size of the mobile terminal may be varied using a deforming property of the flexible display. In the mobile terminal having such a variable structure, a change in the structure of the mobile terminal must be performed stably. Further, a support structure and the like of the variable display unit may be a problem.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are documents of the related art.

One purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile terminal that may improve durability of a flexible display unit by not restricting a point where the flexible display unit is bent to a specific position.

Another purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile terminal including a support structure of a flexible display unit that may stably support the flexible display unit when the flexible display unit is extended.

Another purpose of the present disclosure is to prevent a flexible display unit from being damaged by an external impact on a side where the flexible display unit is bent.

One aspect of the present disclosure proposes a mobile terminal including a first frame, a second frame slidably-movable in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the first frame, a slide frame movable in the first direction or in the second direction with respect to the second frame, a flexible display unit including a first region coupled to the first frame, a second region coupled to the slide frame, and a third region positioned between the first region and the second region and bent while surrounding the second frame, a driving unit disposed to be positionally biased in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the driving unit provides a force to the second frame to move, and a linear guide positioned between the first frame and the second frame and guiding the movement of the second frame in the first direction or in the second direction.

In one implementation, the linear guide may include a pair of linear guides respectively disposed at both ends of each of the first frame and the second frame in the third direction.

In one implementation, the linear guide may include a guide rail coupled to one of the first and second frames and extending in the first direction, and a guide block coupled to the other of the first and second frames and having a guide groove defined therein for inserting the guide rail therein, and the guide rail may have a plurality of screw holes defined therein for coupling with one of the first and second frames.

In one implementation, the linear guide may include a bearing ball or a polyoxymethylene (POM) rail of the guide block positioned between the guide rail and the guide block.

In one implementation, the driving unit may include a motor coupled to the first frame, a planetary gear connected to the motor, a pinion gear receiving a force through the planetary gear, and a rack gear fastened to the second frame and extending in the first direction, wherein the rack gear is engaged with the pinion gear to receive a rotational force of the pinion gear and convert the rotational force into a linear motion.

In one implementation, a first end of the display unit may form a curved face in the second direction, and the first frame may further include a curved face bracket for supporting a rear face of the first end of the display unit and a display decor opposite to the curved face bracket and covering a front face of the first end of the display unit.

In one implementation, the first frame includes a first front portion to be coupled with a first region of the display unit and may include a first rear portion spaced apart from the first front portion in a rearward direction, the second frame includes a second front portion positioned on a rear face of the first front portion and may include a second rear portion for covering a portion of a rear face of the first rear portion, and the mobile terminal may further include an optical component disposed in an exposed rear portion of the first rear portion not overlapping the second rear portion.

In one implementation, the mobile terminal may further include an electronic component disposed between the first front portion and the first rear portion and a separating plate for covering a front face of the electronic component, and the second front portion may move between the first front portion and the separating plate.

In one implementation, the slide frame may be slidably coupled to a rear face of the second rear portion in the first direction, and
the second frame may further include a rear face cover for covering the slide frame and a portion of the display unit positioned on the second rear portion.

In one implementation, the mobile terminal may further include a display flexible substrate extending from an end of the second region of the display unit and a main board mounted on the first frame, and the display flexible substrate may be rolled on the roller and fastened to the main board.

The first frame further includes the first front portion positioned on a rear face of the first region of the flexible display unit, and the support frame has a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the first front portion.

In one implementation, a moving distance in the first direction of the second frame with respect to the first frame may be equal to a moving distance in the first direction of the slide frame with respect to the second frame.

In one implementation, the first frame may include an exposed rear portion not overlapping the flexible display unit, and the mobile terminal may further include a camera positioned on the exposed rear portion.

In one implementation, the second frame may further include a side frame located at an end of the second frame in the first direction and covering at least a portion of the third region of the flexible display unit.

The mobile terminal of the present disclosure reduces a friction between the first frame and the second frame through a simple slide structure, so that conversion between a first state and a second state is easy.

In addition, the mobile terminal of the present disclosure may support an extended flexible display unit through a link.

In addition, a first link may cover an interior of the mobile terminal so as not to be exposed in the second state, and a second link may include a elastic member to guide the state conversion of the mobile terminal to be achieved semi-automatically.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function. In the present disclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected with" another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected with" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

1A is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure.

The mobile terminal <NUM> is shown having components such as a wireless communication unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, an interface unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a power supply unit <NUM>. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown having wireless communication unit <NUM> configured with several commonly implemented components. It is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

The mobile communication module <NUM> can 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 <NUM>), EV-DO(Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA(High Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-A(Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like).

Such cameras <NUM> may process image frames of still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video or image capture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on the display unit <NUM> or stored in memory <NUM>. In some cases, the cameras <NUM> may be arranged in a matrix configuration to permit a plurality of images having various angles or focal points to be input to the mobile terminal <NUM>. As another example, the cameras <NUM> may be located in a stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The sensing unit <NUM> is typically implemented using one or more sensors configured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, and the like. For example,, the sensing unit <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as a proximity sensor <NUM> and an illumination sensor <NUM>, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera <NUM>), a microphone <NUM>, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor, and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal <NUM> may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit <NUM>, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit <NUM>, and combinations thereof.

The controller <NUM> typically functions to control overall operation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, in addition to the operations associated with the application programs. The controller <NUM> may provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are input or output, or activating application programs stored in the memory <NUM>.

To drive the application programs stored in the memory <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may be implemented to control a predetermined number of the components mentioned above in reference with FIG. Moreover, the controller <NUM> may be implemented to combinedly operate two or more of the components provided in the mobile terminal <NUM> to drive the application programs.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment. Further, <FIG> shows perspective views respectively illustrating a first state and a second state viewed from one side of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment. Further, <FIG> shows rear face views respectively illustrating a first state and a second state of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment. Further, <FIG> shows cross-sectional views respectively taken along a line A-A and a line B-B of <FIG>. In these drawings, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show a first state of the mobile terminal, and <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show a second state of the mobile terminal.

As shown, a mobile terminal <NUM> in a first state is contracted, and has a smaller size than the mobile terminal <NUM> in a second state. In addition, a size of a display unit <NUM> located disposed on a front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> also becomes smaller than that of the display unit <NUM> in the second state. The mobile terminal <NUM> of the first state is expanded in a first direction D1 to be in the second state. In the second state, a size of the mobile terminal <NUM> and a size of the front face of the display unit <NUM> become larger than that in the first state as shown in <FIG>, and a size of the rear face of the display unit <NUM> is reduced as shown in <FIG>. That is, the display unit <NUM> positioned on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the first state moves to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the second state.

In a following description, a direction in which the mobile terminal <NUM> and the display <NUM> thereof are extended or enlarged is referred to as a first direction D1, a direction in which the mobile terminal <NUM> and the display <NUM> thereof are contracted or retracted, or reduce to be converted into the first state from the second state is referred to as a second direction D2, and a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions D1 and D2 is referred to as a third direction.

As such, the display unit may use a flexible display unit <NUM> that may be bent such that the position of the display unit may be varied. The flexible display is a lightweight, unbreakable, and durable display that is built on a thin and flexible substrate that may be bent, crooked, folded, twisted, or rolled while retaining properties of a conventional flat panel display.

In addition, an electronic paper is a display technology to which properties of general ink are applied. The electronic paper may be different from the conventional flat panel display in using reflected light. The electronic paper may change information using a twisted ball or electrophoresis using a capsule.

In a state in which the flexible display unit <NUM> is not deformed (e.g., a state of having an infinite curvature radius, hereinafter referred to as a basic state), a display region of the flexible display unit <NUM> becomes flat. In a state in which the flexible display unit <NUM> is deformed by an external force from the basic state (e.g., a state of having a finite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a deformed state), the display region may become a curved face. As shown, information displayed in the deformation state may be visual information output on the curved face. Such visual information is implemented by independently controlling light emission of sub-pixels arranged in a matrix. The sub-pixel refers to a minimum unit for implementing one color.

The flexible display unit <NUM> may be in a curved state (e.g., a vertically or horizontally curved state) rather than a flat state in the basic state. In this case, when the external force is applied to the flexible display unit <NUM>, the flexible display unit <NUM> may be deformed into the flat state (or a less curved state) or more curved state.

The flexible display unit <NUM> may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen. When a touch is made on the flexible touch screen, the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) may perform control corresponding to such touch input. The flexible touch screen may be configured to detect the touch input in the deformed state as well as in the basic state.

The touch sensor detects the touch (or touch input) applied on the touch screen using at least one of various touch schemes such as a resistive film scheme, a capacitance scheme, an infrared scheme, an ultrasonic wave scheme, a magnetic field scheme, and the like.

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

Further, the mobile terminal <NUM> may have a deformation detection means for detecting the deformation of the flexible display unit <NUM>. Such deformation detection means may be included in the sensing unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The deformation detection means may be disposed in the flexible display unit <NUM> or a case (first to second frames <NUM> to <NUM> to be described later) to detect information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit <NUM>. In this connection, the information related to the deformation may include a direction in which the flexible display unit <NUM> is deformed, a degree of the deformation, a deformed position, a deformed time, an acceleration at which the deformed flexible display unit <NUM> is restored, and the like. In addition, the information related to the deformation may be various information that may be detected due to the bending of the flexible display unit <NUM>.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may change information displayed on the flexible display unit <NUM> or generate a control signal for controlling a function of the mobile terminal <NUM> based on the information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit <NUM> detected by the deformation detection means.

The state conversion (first or second state) of the flexible display unit <NUM>, i.e., the size change at the front and rear faces of the mobile terminal <NUM> of the display unit <NUM> based on the size change of the mobile terminal <NUM> may be performed manually by a force applied by the user, but may be not limited to such manual scheme. For example, when the mobile terminal <NUM> or the flexible display unit <NUM> is in the first state, the mobile terminal <NUM> or the flexible display unit <NUM> may be converted into the second state by the user or an application command without the external force applied by the user. As such, in order for the flexible display unit <NUM> to be automatically deformed without the external force, the mobile terminal <NUM> may include a driving unit <NUM> to be described later.

The flexible display unit <NUM> of the present disclosure is bent <NUM> degrees while being rolled on a side of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the first direction. Thus, a portion of the display unit <NUM> is disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> based on such side, and the other portion thereof is disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>. A portion of the display unit <NUM> located on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> may be fixed to the front face so as not to move. Further, the other portion thereof located on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> may be movable to the rear face.

In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be rolled on or released from the side. Accordingly, the portion disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> moves, so that the size of the portion disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> may be adjusted. Since the area of the flexible display unit <NUM> is determined and the flexible display unit <NUM> is formed of one continuous body, an area of the portion on the rear face decreases as an area of the portion on the front face increases. Such a display unit <NUM> may be rolled in a second frame <NUM>, which is movable relative to a first frame <NUM> to be described later, more correctly, on one of sides of the second frame <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> may be withdrawn or pulled out from or inserted or pushed into the second frame <NUM> while being rolled in the second frame <NUM> along a moving direction of the second frame <NUM> to adjust the area of the display unit <NUM> on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>. Such operation will be described in more detail below along with other relevant components of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Typically, an antenna is disposed in the case or the housing of the mobile terminal <NUM>, but a portion where the antenna is installed in the case or the housing may be limited because of the flexible display unit <NUM> that covers not only the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> but also the rear face thereof. For this reason, the antenna may be implemented on the flexible display unit <NUM>. An antenna on display (AOD) is an antenna in which a transparent film is formed by stacking an electrode layer and a dielectric layer that have patterns engraved thereon, respectively. The antenna on display may be implemented thinner than an antenna implemented using a laser direct structuring (LDS) technology using a conventional copper nickel plating scheme, so that the antenna on display may not be exposed to the outside without affecting a thickness. In addition, the antenna on display may transmit and receive a signal directly to or from the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the antenna on display may be used in the mobile terminal <NUM> in which the display unit <NUM> is located on the both faces of the mobile terminal <NUM> as in the present disclosure.

The mobile terminal <NUM> of the present disclosure includes frames <NUM> and <NUM> in which components are mounted, and the frames <NUM> and <NUM> of the present disclosure may vary in size in the first direction as shown in <FIG>. One or more frames <NUM> and <NUM> move relative to each other, and sizes thereof may vary in the first direction. Electronic components are mounted in the frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the flexible display unit <NUM> is located out of the frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

Since the mobile terminal <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the flexible display unit <NUM>, the flexible display unit <NUM> may be combined in a form surrounding front faces and rear faces of the frames <NUM> and <NUM>. The frame may include the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> moving in the first direction with respect to the first frame <NUM>. The first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> include front portions, a rear portions, and side portions, respectively, and are coupled to each other. Thus, the mobile terminal <NUM> may have a hexahedral outer shape by such coupled first and second frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

First, the first frame <NUM> corresponds to a main body of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and may have a space therein for accommodating various components. In addition, the first frame <NUM> may accommodate the second frame <NUM> movably coupled to the first frame <NUM> in such a space. More specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first frame <NUM> may include a first front portion <NUM> disposed at a front portion of the mobile terminal <NUM> and supporting the front face of the display unit <NUM> and a first rear portion <NUM> disposed at a rear portion of the mobile terminal and on which various components are mounted.

The first front portion <NUM> and the first rear portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined spacing to define a predetermined space therebetween, and may be connected to each other by a side portion <NUM>. The side portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the first rear portion <NUM> or the first front portion <NUM>. The camera <NUM>, the audio output module <NUM>, and the input/output terminal <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the power supply unit <NUM> may be accommodated as components of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the space in the first frame <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may be a circuit board <NUM> including a processor and an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal, and the power supply unit <NUM> may be a battery <NUM> and related components. In addition, the driving unit <NUM> that controls the slide movement of the second frame <NUM>, which will be described later, may also be accommodated in the first frame <NUM>.

As described above, the display unit <NUM> has the continuous body, and thus, may be disposed on both the front face and the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> while being rolled in the mobile terminal <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> may include the front face positioned at the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, the rear face positioned at the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the side face positioned between the front face and the rear face thereof and surrounding the side face of the mobile terminal. The front face and the rear face of the display unit <NUM> are flat, and the side face of the display unit <NUM> may form a curved face. When the flexible display unit <NUM> may be damaged when being bent. Thus, the flexible display unit <NUM> may be formed to be bent with a predetermined curvature.

The display unit <NUM> may be divided into a fixed portion and a variable portion. The fixed portion means a portion fixed to the frame. Because of being fixed to the frame, the fixed portion maintains a constant shape without changing a bending degree. On the other hand, the variable portion means a portion in which a bending angle or a position of the bent portion changes. The variable portion in which the position or bending angle of the bent portion changes requires a structure for supporting a rear face of the variable portion in response to the change.

The fixed portion is coupled to the first frame of the display unit and is always positioned on the front face of the display unit to form a portion of the front face of the display unit. The variable portion includes a side face located at a side portion of the mobile terminal, and a position of the side face varies depending on the position of the second frame. Based on a side face, an area of a portion disposed on the front face of the display unit and an area of a portion disposed on the rear face of the display unit vary. That is, a portion of the variable portion may be the front face and another portion of the variable portion may be the rear face based on the first and second states. The variable portion is positioned in the first direction with respect to the fixed portion relative to the mobile terminal, and an end of the variable portion is bent toward the rear face of the mobile terminal and slides on the rear face of the second frame.

The end of the variable portion of the display unit is coupled with a slide frame that guides the variable portion to slide move on the rear face of the second frame, and the slide frame moves in the first direction at the same time as the second frame moves in the first direction. As a result, a moving distance of the slide frame with respect to the first frame is twice as a moving distance of the second frame with respect to the first frame. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the first rear portion <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> includes an exposed rear portion <NUM> that is exposed to the outside without being covered by the display unit <NUM> even in the first state. The physical input unit <NUM> for the manipulation of the mobile terminal <NUM> such as various buttons, switches, the camera <NUM>, and a flash, and the sensing unit <NUM> such as the proximity sensor <NUM> or a fingerprint sensor may be arranged on the exposed rear portion <NUM>. The first rear portion <NUM> except for the exposed rear portion <NUM> may be covered by the display unit <NUM> in the first state as shown in <FIG>, and may be exposed rearwardly in the second state as shown in <FIG>.

In a conventional bar-shaped terminal, a display unit is provided only on a front face of the terminal. Therefore, a main camera is placed on a rear face of the terminal in order for the user to capture an object at an opposite side while looking through the display unit. On the other hand, an additional auxiliary camera is required to be disposed on the front face of the terminal in order for the user to capture himself or herself while viewing himself or herself through the display unit.

However, the display unit <NUM> is positioned both the front face and the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> of the present disclosure. Therefore, when the user captures himself or herself, a display unit on the same face as the camera <NUM>, that is, the portion of the display <NUM> on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the drawing may be used. Further, when the user captures the object on the opposite side of the user, a display unit on the opposite face of the camera <NUM>, that is, the portion of the display unit <NUM> on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the drawing may be used. For this reason, the mobile terminal <NUM> may capture the object on the opposite side of the user and capture the user using the single camera <NUM>. The camera may include a plurality of cameras having different angles of view, such as wide angle, super wide angle, and telephotographic cameras. In addition to the camera, a proximity sensor, the audio output module, and the like may be positioned on the exposed rear portion <NUM>, and an antenna <NUM> may be installed on the exposed rear portion <NUM>. In order to protect the camera, the sensor, and the like of the exposed rear portion <NUM> and in consideration of a design of an outer shape thereof, an exposed decor <NUM> may be attached on the exposed rear portion <NUM>.

The side portion <NUM> may extend along edges of the first front portion <NUM> and the first rear portion <NUM> to surround the first frame <NUM>, and may form the outer shape of the mobile terminal <NUM>. However, as mentioned above, since the second frame <NUM> is accommodated in the first frame <NUM> and is movably coupled thereto, in order to allow the movement of the second frame <NUM> relative to the first frame <NUM>, a portion of the first frame <NUM> needs to be opened. As shown in <FIG>, as an example, the second frame <NUM> is movably coupled to one of both side portions of the first frame <NUM>, so that the side portion <NUM> may not be formed on the side portion in the first direction, and thus, the portion of the first frame <NUM> may be opened. Accordingly, the first frame <NUM> may include a substantially closed first side portion 101a and a second side portion 101b, which is disposed to be opposite to the first side portion 101a and is opened. The side portion <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the mobile terminal <NUM>, so that an interface unit <NUM> for connecting a supply port or an ear jack, the user input unit <NUM> such as a volume button, or the like may be disposed on the side portion <NUM>. When containing a metal material, the side portion <NUM> may serve as an antenna.

The second frame <NUM> may include a second front portion <NUM> disposed at the front portion of the mobile terminal <NUM> and a second rear portion <NUM> disposed at the rear portion of the mobile terminal <NUM>. Like the first front portion <NUM> and the first rear portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>, the second front portion <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> may be formed of plate-shaped members that are generally flat. In addition, the second frame <NUM> also accommodates various components, and must not interfere with the components accommodated in the first frame <NUM> during the movement. Accordingly, the second front portion <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> may be coupled to each other in a state of being spaced apart from each other to define a predetermined space therebetween, and may have shapes that do not interfere with the components in the first frame <NUM>.

In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be bent <NUM> degrees while being rolled in the second frame <NUM> to be disposed on both the front face and the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>. For such an arrangement of the display unit <NUM>, the second frame <NUM> may include a roller <NUM> rotatably disposed therein. The roller <NUM> may be disposed at any position inside the second frame <NUM>. However, the display unit <NUM> should be spread flat on the front face and the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> to provide a good quality screen to the user. Further, for such spread, a proper tension must be provided on the display unit <NUM>. In order to provide the proper tension, the roller <NUM> may be disposed at a first directional end of the second frame <NUM>. The roller <NUM> may extend in the third direction, and may be rotatably coupled to the second frame <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> may be rolled around the roller <NUM> while being gently bent with a predetermined curvature. The flexible display unit <NUM> may include a first face on which a video is output and exposed to the outside and an inner face facing the frame at the opposite side. The roller <NUM> may be installed to rotate freely in the second frame <NUM> while being in contact with the inner face of the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the roller <NUM> may actually move the display unit <NUM> in a lateral direction of the mobile terminal <NUM>, that is, in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. As will be described later, when the second frame <NUM> slides, because of the tension applied by the second frame <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> moves to the front face or the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> in different directions (i.e., the first direction D1 or the second direction D2) relative to the second frame <NUM>. The roller <NUM> may guide such movement while rotating.

In addition, the roller <NUM> is disposed on a first side portion 102a of the second frame <NUM>, and the first side portion 102a actually corresponds to an outermost side portion of the mobile terminal <NUM>. When the first side portion 102a of the second frame <NUM> is exposed, the display unit <NUM> rolled on the roller <NUM> may be damaged. Accordingly, the second frame <NUM> may include a side frame <NUM> disposed on the first side portion 102a.

The side frame <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction of the second frame <NUM> to cover the first side portion 102a, thereby protecting the roller <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> rolled thereon.

Because the side face is rolled by the roller, the side face is bent with the predetermined curvature, and an inner face of the side frame may include a curved face corresponding to the curvature of the side face.

Because of the side frame <NUM>, the second frame <NUM> may have the substantially closed first side portion 102a, and the side frame <NUM> may substantially form the outer shape of the mobile terminal <NUM> together with the side portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>. In addition, the second frame <NUM> may include a second side portion 102b that is disposed opposite the first side portion 102a to minimize interference with the components within the first frame <NUM> during the movement, and is opened.

Such a second frame <NUM> is movably coupled to the first frame <NUM>, and thus may slide in the predetermined first or second direction D1 or D2 relative to the first frame <NUM>. More specifically, the second frame <NUM> may be movably coupled to the first frame <NUM> through the side portion of the first frame <NUM>, more precisely, through the opened second side portion 101b, as shown. More specifically, the second side portion 102b of the second frame is disposed relatively adjacent to the first side portion 101a of the first frame <NUM> which is closed. Accordingly, the first side portion 102a of the second frame may be disposed to be opposite to the first side portion 101a. Accordingly, the second side portion 102b is inserted into the first frame <NUM> through the side portion of the first frame, that is, the second side portion 101b thereof. The first side portion 102a is not inserted into the first frame <NUM> but is always located outside the first frame <NUM>, thereby forming the outer shape of the mobile terminal <NUM> as described above. However, when necessary, such first side portion 102b of the second frame <NUM> may also be inserted into the first frame <NUM>.

Because of such positional relationship, the second frame <NUM> may extend from or contract to the first frame <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the first frame <NUM>. That is, the first and second directions D1 and D2 may basically be directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the first frame <NUM>. Further, the first and second directions D1 and D2 may also be described as the lateral direction or the horizontal direction of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the first frame <NUM>. In addition, during the movement in the first direction D1, the second frame <NUM> extends from the first frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the first direction D1 may be a direction in which the second frame <NUM> moves away from the first frame <NUM>, that is, moves outwardly of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the first frame <NUM>. On the other hand, during the movement in the second direction D2, the second frame <NUM> contracts to the first frame <NUM>. Thus, the second direction D2 is a direction opposite to the first direction D1, so that the second direction D2 may be a direction in which the second frame <NUM> moves to become closer to the first frame <NUM>, that is, moves inwardly of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the first frame <NUM>. When being moved in the first direction D1, such second frame <NUM> extends and applies a force to the portion of the display unit <NUM> disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, so that the portion of the display unit <NUM> may be disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and a region for such additional arrangement may be defined. Thus, the second frame <NUM> may convert the mobile terminal <NUM> into the second state with the display unit <NUM> with the relatively extended front face by moving in the first direction D1. On the other hand, when being moved in the second direction D2, the second frame <NUM> contracts into an original state thereof, and applies a force to the portion of the display unit <NUM> disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> to return to the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> again. Thus, the second frame <NUM> may convert the mobile terminal <NUM> into the first state with the display unit <NUM> with the relatively contracted front face by moving in the second direction D2. Accordingly, the second frame <NUM> selectively exposes the display unit <NUM> to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> depending on the moving direction (i.e., the first or second direction D1 and D2). Accordingly, the mobile terminal <NUM> may be converted into the first or second state defined above.

During the expansion and the contraction in such first and second directions D1 and D2, the second frame <NUM> may overlap the first frame <NUM>, more precisely, the first front portion <NUM> and the first rear portion <NUM> thereof so as not to interfere with the first frame <NUM>. More specifically, the display unit <NUM> may be coupled to and supported by the first front portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>, as described above. Accordingly, the display unit <NUM> does not need to be additionally supported by the second front portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>. Rather, when the second front portion <NUM> is interposed between the first front portion <NUM> and the display unit <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> may be deformed or damaged because of friction with the second front portion <NUM>, which is repeatedly moved. Thus, the second front portion <NUM> may be disposed below the first front portion <NUM>, or may be interposed between two first front portions <NUM>. The second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> may be disposed rearward of the first rear portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>. That is, the front face of the second rear portion <NUM> may face the rear face of the first rear portion <NUM>. In addition, the rear face of the first rear portion <NUM> may be in contact with the front face of the second rear portion <NUM> to stably support the movement of the second frame <NUM>. Because of such arrangement, the second rear portion <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the first frame, more precisely, of the first rear portion <NUM>, and may be coupled to the display unit <NUM>.

In addition, the second frame <NUM> may extend and contract the size of the mobile terminal <NUM> itself, particularly the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> by the extension and the contraction in the first and second directions D1 and D2. Thus, the display unit <NUM> must move by such extended or reduced front face size to obtain the intended first and second states. However, when being fixed to the second frame <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> may not be moved smoothly to be adapted for the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> that is extended or contracted. For this reason, the display unit <NUM> may be movably coupled to the second frame <NUM>.

More specifically, the display unit <NUM> may include a first side edge (or side end) 151d disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> and a second side edge 151e opposite to the first side edge 151d and disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>. The first side edge <NUM> may be disposed on the front face of the first frame <NUM>, that is, the front face of the first front portion <NUM> thereof, and may be disposed adjacent to the side portion of the mobile terminal <NUM>, that is, the first side portion 101a of the first frame. On the other hand, since the second side edge 151e is adjacent to the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>, the second side edge 151e may is be coupled the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> to be movable in the first and second directions D1 and D2. In addition, since the display unit <NUM> is not structurally strong, a slide frame <NUM> may be coupled to the second side edge 151e. The slide frame <NUM> may be formed of a plate-shaped member extending in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Accordingly, the second frame <NUM> may be coupled to the second frame, that is, the second rear portion <NUM> thereof to be movable in the first and second directions D1 and D2 instead of the second side edge 151e. In addition, the second frame <NUM> may include a slot <NUM> extending in the lateral direction of the mobile terminal <NUM> or the second frame <NUM>, that is, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. Further, the slide frame <NUM> may be stably moved while being guided by the slot <NUM>. The slide frame <NUM> may include, for example, a projection inserted into the slot <NUM> for the movement along the slot <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in connection with such configuration of the first to third frames <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> may include a first region 151a extending from one side thereof, that is, the first side edge 151d toward the opposite second side edge 151e by a predetermined length, and a second region 151b disposed opposite the first region 151a, and extending from the second side edge 151e toward the first side edge 151d by a predetermined length. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may include a third region 151c disposed between the first and second regions 151a and 151b. Such first to third regions 151a, 151b, and 151c may be connected to each other, and may form a continuous body of the display unit <NUM>. In addition, as described above, for the movement of the third region 151c toward the front face or the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> depending on the moving direction of the second frame <NUM>, the first region 151a may be fixed so as not to move to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the second region 151b may be provided to be movable on the rear face of the mobile terminal. Such configuration of the display unit <NUM> will be described in more detail below.

The first region 151a may be disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, more specifically, the first frame <NUM>, that is, on the front face of the first front portion <NUM>. The first region 151a is fixed to the first frame <NUM>, that is, the front face of the first front portion <NUM> so as not to be moved during the movement of the second frame <NUM>, and thus, the first region <NUM> may always be exposed to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The third region 151c may be adjacent to the first region 151a in a direction of the second side edge 151e, and may extend into the second frame <NUM> and rolled on the roller <NUM>. The third region 151c may consecutively extend out of the second frame <NUM> again and partially cover the second frame <NUM>, that is, the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM>. Further, the second frame <NUM>, that is, the second rear portion <NUM>, is adjacent to the first frame <NUM>, that is, the first rear portion <NUM> and together forms the rear case of the mobile terminal <NUM>, so that it may be described that the third region 151c is also disposed on the rear face of the first frame <NUM>.

The second region 151b may be adjacent to the third region 151c in the direction of the second side edge 151e and may be disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>, more specifically, on the second frame, that is, the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> thereof. The second region 151b may be coupled to the slide frame <NUM> without being directly coupled to the second frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the slot <NUM> extending in the lateral direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal <NUM>) to the second frame <NUM>, that is, to the second rear portion <NUM> is defined. Further, the slide frame <NUM> may move along the slot <NUM>. In <FIG>, it is shown that the slot <NUM> is defined in the rear face of the second frame <NUM>, but may be defined in the side face of the second frame <NUM>.

Although the second region 151b may move in the first or second direction D1 or D2 with respect to the second frame <NUM> together with the slide frame <NUM>, the movement of the second region <NUM> may be restricted within the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> by the slot <NUM>. That is, the second region <NUM> does not move out of the second frame <NUM> even when the second frame <NUM> is extended or contracted, and may move along the slot <NUM> within the second frame <NUM> by the extended or contracted distance of the second frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the second region <NUM> may always be exposed to the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

As a result, the first region 151a may be disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> and may be always exposed to the front face regardless of the movement of the second frame <NUM>, and the second region 151b may be disposed on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> and may be always exposed to the rear face regardless of the movement of the second frame <NUM>. In addition, the third region 151c may be disposed between the first and second regions 151a and 151b, and may be selectively placed on the front face or the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> depending on the moving directions D1 and D2 of the second frame <NUM>.

Because of such selective placement of the third region 151c, as shown in <FIG>, the first rear portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the mobile terminal <NUM> because the first rear portion <NUM> is covered by the second and third regions 151b and 151c and the second rear portion <NUM> of the display unit <NUM> in the first state, but, in the second state, the third region 151c moves to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> also moves in the first direction D1. In addition, the second front portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> is hidden by the first front portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM> in the first state, but, in the second state, moves out of the first frame <NUM> to support the third region 151c of the display unit <NUM> disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

In order to prevent the second front portion <NUM> from affecting the internal components during the slide movement, a separating plate <NUM> may be further disposed rearward of the second front portion <NUM> and fastened with the first front portion <NUM>. The second front portion <NUM> may move between the first front portion <NUM> and the separating plate <NUM> based on the slide movement of the second frame.

However, the third region 151c may be rolled on the roller <NUM> and bent in the second frame <NUM>. When converting from the first state to the second state, the third region 151c may extend from the second frame <NUM> to the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> while being rolled on the roller <NUM> in one direction. On the other hand, when converting from the second state to the first state, the third region 151c may be retracted from the front face of the mobile terminal <NUM> to the second frame <NUM> while being rolled on the roller <NUM> in the opposite direction, and at the same time, may return to the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> from the second frame <NUM>.

A specific location of the foldable mobile terminal in a form of being spread like a book is easily damaged because only the specific location is folded repeatedly. On the other hand, the deformed portion of the flexible display unit <NUM>, that is, a portion rolled on the roller <NUM>, may vary based on the first and second states of the mobile terminal <NUM>, that is, the movement of the second frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the mobile terminal <NUM> of the present disclosure may significantly reduce deformation and fatigue repeatedly applied to a specific portion of the display unit <NUM>, thereby preventing damage to the display unit <NUM>.

Based on the above-described configuration, overall operations of the mobile terminal <NUM> will be described as follows. As an example, the state conversion may be performed manually by the user, and an operation of the mobile terminal <NUM> during such manual state conversion will be described. However, operations of the first to third frames <NUM> to <NUM> and the display unit <NUM>, which will be described below, may be performed in the same manner when a power source other than a user's force is used, for example, when the driving unit <NUM> to be described below is applied.

A rear face cover <NUM> may be further disposed on a rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> such that the rear face of the display unit positioned on the rear face of the mobile terminal <NUM> is not exposed to the outside. The rear face of the display unit may be used in the first state when the rear face cover <NUM> uses a transparent material, and the rear face of the display unit may be covered such that the movement of the slide frame <NUM> is not exposed when the rear face cover <NUM> uses an opaque material. That is, the second region and the third region of the slide frame <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> may move in the first direction and in the second direction in a space between the second rear portion <NUM> and the rear face cover <NUM>. The exposed decor <NUM> may be further attached to the exposed rear portion of the first rear portion <NUM> to protect the camera <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, and the like. The exposed decor <NUM> may be partially coated on a plate-shaped member made of a transparent glass material to cover the internal components, and may be not coated only on a required portion to allow light to reach the camera <NUM>, the flash or the sensing unit <NUM>, and the like.

It is difficult to connect the side frame <NUM>, which is located on a side face in the first direction on which the second frame <NUM> is located, with a interior of the mobile terminal directly, so that it is difficult to dispose an user input unit. Accordingly, a user input unit <NUM> such as a volume button may be disposed on a side face adjacent the first frame <NUM> in the second direction.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating various embodiments of the side frame <NUM> of the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> associated with the present disclosure. Further, <FIG> illustrates cross-sectional views respectively taken along a line E-E, a line F-F, and a line G-G of <FIG>. The side frame <NUM> may contain an opaque material or a transparent material, or may be formed by mixing the opaque material and the transparent material with each other. As shown in <FIG>, a transparent portion 1024b may be formed in a middle of an opaque portion 1024a in a form of a window, or the transparent portion 1024b may be formed to have a wide area as shown in <FIG>. An image or text output through the flexible display unit <NUM> may be viewed through the transparent portion 1024b.

User input may be performed on the side face using the touch sensor of the flexible display unit <NUM>. A side case may contain a conductive material for the touch input. A protrusion may be formed on a portion containing the conductive material, so that the user may touch the protrusion to input a user command.

An inner face of the side frame <NUM> corresponding to a curvature of the flexible display unit <NUM> rolled on the roller <NUM> may have a middle portion that is formed more thicker as shown in <FIG>, so that the side frame <NUM> may secure rigidity while having a natural curved face.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the transparent portion 1024b of a predetermined pattern may be formed to drive the flexible display unit <NUM>, thereby providing a notification to the user. For example, when there is a phone call, the flexible display unit <NUM> may be driven to sequentially emit light.

Alternatively, when there is a notification push of a message or application, the flexible display unit <NUM> rolled on the roller <NUM> may provide the notification by emitting light of a specific color. Therefore, the user may receive the notification using the flexible display unit <NUM> without the separate optical output module <NUM>. In this connection, light may spread softly on the transparent portion 1024b using a translucent material rather than the transparent material.

As shown in <FIG>, a width of an area of the side frame <NUM> in a thickness direction may be reduced to implement a terminal having an edge region extending from an end of the display unit to a portion in a side direction.

The side frame <NUM> may prevent a breakage that occurs when the bent face of the flexible display unit <NUM> is exposed to the outside using an out-folding scheme, so that a durability of the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> may be improved.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of the roller <NUM> and the flexible display unit <NUM> as well as the side frame <NUM>. The flexible display unit <NUM> of the present disclosure may include a display panel <NUM> for outputting the video and a back plate <NUM> for supporting a rear face of the display panel <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM>, which is a flexible video display device, may be, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The back plate <NUM> may be formed on the rear face of the display panel <NUM>, and may use a metal plate that has a rigidity to support the display panel <NUM> and is able to be bent when the display panel <NUM> is bent.

The back plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> may be attached with each other using an adhering member. The adhering member may use a double-sided tape such as OCA, which is stretchable within a predetermined range, such as a foam material. Therefore, the adhering member may offset pushing between the back plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> due to a difference in radius of curvature therebetween.

A region of the back plate <NUM> corresponding to the third region may have a groove defined in a surface thereof extending in the third direction such that the bending occurs naturally during the bending deflection of the third region.

The back plate <NUM> has the rigidity but areas of the display panel <NUM> other than the supported end thereof may sag, so that a support frame <NUM> located in an area corresponding to the third region 151c may be further disposed to support the areas of the display panel <NUM> other than the supported end.

The support frame <NUM> may include a plurality of rigid bars 1515a in a form of a bar extending in the third direction, which are consecutively arranged in the first direction. Since a width thereof in the first direction is not large, the rigid bar 1515a may be formed in a thickness to have a predetermined rigidity while minimizing an affect on the bending deflection of the flexible display unit <NUM> to support the rear face of the flexible display unit <NUM>. The rigid bar 1515a may have a trapezoidal or triangular cross section such that an area of a portion adhere to the back plate <NUM> is larger than an area of an opposite face in order to avoid interference between the rigid bars 1515a especially when the back plate <NUM> is bent.

The rigid bar 1515a may be formed using a plastic injection-molding scheme, and when necessary, as shown in <FIG>, a metal member 1515b may be inserted inside the rigid bar 1515a to reinforce the rigidity of the support frame <NUM>.

The support frame <NUM> has a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the first front portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the conversion from the first state into the second state, the second front portion <NUM> positioned inside the first front portion <NUM> is positioned on the rear face of the second region 151b of the flexible display unit <NUM>. A space having a size corresponding to a thickness of the first front portion <NUM> is defined between the second front portion <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>, so that the third region 151c of the flexible display unit <NUM> sags.

The support frame <NUM> supports the third region 151c of the flexible display unit <NUM> while filling the space between the second front portion <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. Preferably, the support frame <NUM> may have a thickness corresponding to the space between the second front portion <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>, that is, the thickness of the first front portion <NUM>.

When the support frame <NUM> has sufficient rigidity, the second front portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> may be omitted. In this case, the thickness of the support frame <NUM> may be defined regardless of the first front portion <NUM> of the first frame.

The roller <NUM> is in contact with a rear face of the support frame <NUM>. Further, in order for the flexible display unit <NUM> to be rolled on the roller <NUM> without being pushed, a first tooth 1028a may be formed on a surface of the roller <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and a second tooth 1515c to be engaged with the first tooth 1028a may be formed on a surface of the support frame <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the first tooth 1028a may have a width corresponding to a spacing between two adjacent rigid bars 1515a. The roller <NUM> may rotate in a state in which each protrusion 1028a is inserted between the two adjacent rigid bars 1515a.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a rear face cover <NUM> for covering the rear face of the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> may be further included. At least a portion of the rear face cover <NUM> is transparent, so that video output from the flexible display unit <NUM> positioned at the rear face may be identified. At least a portion for covering the first rear portion <NUM> corresponding to the camera <NUM>, the flash, or the like may be formed to be transparent.

The rear face cover <NUM> may be coupled to the first frame <NUM> to cover the first rear portion <NUM>, and may be spaced apart from the first rear portion <NUM> by a spacing corresponding to thicknesses of the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>, the slide frame <NUM>, and the flexible display unit <NUM>. The rear face cover <NUM> may cover the flexible display unit <NUM> when the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> is in the first state, and may cover the first rear portion <NUM> exposed after the flexible display unit <NUM> is moved forwardly in the second state.

The rear face cover <NUM> may be coupled to the second frame <NUM>. In this case, the rear face cover <NUM> may cover an entirety of the rear face of the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> in the first state, but may move together with the second frame <NUM> to cover the second region 151b of the flexible display unit <NUM> coupled to the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> and the slide frame <NUM> in the second state. <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an assembly sequence of a mobile terminal. <FIG> is a view illustrating a method for coupling the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>, the display unit <NUM>, and the slide frame <NUM> with each other. In the second frame <NUM>, the slide frame <NUM> is coupled to the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> positioned at the rear face, and the slide frame <NUM> moves along the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> and the rear face of the display unit <NUM>.

The first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> is a portion fixed to the first frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a portion where the front face and the side face of the display unit <NUM> are connected with each other is rolled on the roller <NUM> and forms a curved face. Further, the portion of the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> opposite to the portion where the front face and the side face of the display unit <NUM> are connected with each other in the second direction may also formed to have a curved face, so that left and right portions of the front face may be symmetrical.

When the curved face is located at the end of the display unit <NUM>, the screen may look wide, but the display unit <NUM> receives a force as the second frame <NUM> moves, and the region of the front face of the display unit <NUM> varies. Since the force is applied to the first region of the display unit <NUM> when the second frame <NUM> and the slide frame <NUM> are moved, a structure that strongly supports the first region is required. As shown in <FIG>, a curved face bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> to be against the force applied to the display unit <NUM> when converting from the first state to the second state.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the curved face bracket <NUM> is coupled to a rear face of the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM>. The first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> may be pressed using a jig in a pressing scheme to attach the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> to the curved face bracket <NUM>. The second side edge 151e of the display unit <NUM> may be coupled to the slide frame <NUM>, and the slide frame <NUM> may be fastened to the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> and move in the first direction and the second direction. A display flexible substrate <NUM> connecting the display unit <NUM> and a main board <NUM> with each other may be located on the rear face of the display unit <NUM>.

A portion of the display unit <NUM> near the second side edge 151e may be rolled on the roller <NUM> and positioned on the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM>, and the other portion thereof may be disposed forwardly of the second rear portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> such that the slide frame <NUM> is positioned on the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM>.

The rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> may be mounted to face a bottom, and the display unit <NUM> may be disposed as shown in <FIG> such that a portion rolled on the roller <NUM> forms <NUM> degrees. Then, the battery <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, the main board <NUM>, and the like may be mounted on the first rear portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>, and then the first rear portion <NUM> may be mounted on the second rear portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The first rear portion <NUM> may be disposed on the front face of the second rear portion <NUM> to overlap the second rear portion <NUM>. Further, a rack gear <NUM> to be engaged with a motor <NUM> and a pinion gear <NUM> mounted on the first rear portion <NUM> may be fastened to the front face of the second rear portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first rear portion <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> may be arranged in a shape corresponding to the second state. In this connection, the first region and the third region of the display unit <NUM> may extend in the vertical direction as shown in <FIG>, and may expose the front faces of the first rear portion <NUM> and the second rear portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the display flexible substrate <NUM> may be connected to a front face of the main board mounted on the first rear portion <NUM>. One end of the display flexible substrate <NUM> may extend from an end, that is, a second end of the second region, be rolled on the roller <NUM>, and then be bent forwardly to be connected to the main board. As shown in <FIG>, the second front portion <NUM> may be disposed on the front face of the first rear portion <NUM> and fastened to a guide rail <NUM>. Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the second front portion <NUM> may be slid to the front face of the second rear portion <NUM> to engage the second rear portion <NUM> and the second front portion <NUM> with each other.

The separating plate may be further disposed on the rear face of the second front portion <NUM> to separate the electronic components mounted on the second front portion <NUM> from the electronic components mounted on the first rear portion <NUM>. Since the separating plate is located rearward of the first front portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, after fastening the separating plate with the first rear portion <NUM>, the guide rail <NUM> of the second front portion <NUM> may be inserted into a guide block <NUM> in a slide scheme. Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, when the first front portion <NUM> is fastened with the first rear portion <NUM>, the second front portion <NUM> is moved between the first front portion <NUM> and the separating plate. The first front portion <NUM> is where the first region of the display unit <NUM> is located as will be described below, and the second front portion <NUM> has a region directly facing the display unit <NUM> in the second state as shown in <FIG>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the first end of the display unit <NUM> is inserted into a first side portion 101a of the first frame <NUM>. The curved face bracket <NUM> coupled to the first end of the display unit <NUM> is fastened with the first rear portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>. In order to stably fix the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM> and protect the curved portion, a display decor <NUM> may be fitted to abut an outer face of the first side edge 151d of the display unit <NUM>.

In the display of the present disclosure, the portion rolled on the roller <NUM> and bent is not simply bent, but moves sequentially. To this end, as the second frame <NUM> moves, a force may be applied to the display unit <NUM>. Since a force pulled by the driving unit <NUM> is greatly applied to the bent portion, the portion rolled on the roller <NUM> or the curved portion of the first end of the display unit <NUM> is fragile. The curved portion of the first end may be reinforced by a structure fixed at the rear face and the front face such that the force by the driving unit <NUM> may be dispersed without being concentrated in one place.

The third region rolled on the roller <NUM> bends, and when it is converted into the second state, moves from the rear face to the front face. Since the second front portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> is positioned on the extended front face and the second front portion <NUM> is spaced apart from the display unit <NUM> farther than the first front portion <NUM>. the third region may add the support frame <NUM> having a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the first front portion <NUM> to the rear face. As shown in <FIG>, a groove <NUM>' extending in the third direction may be formed in the rear face of the support frame <NUM> such that the support frame <NUM> bends corresponding to the deformation of the display unit <NUM>. When a width g of the groove <NUM>' is small, a bending deflection of the support frame <NUM> does not occur in correspondence to the bending deflection of the display unit <NUM>, and thus a stress may be applied to the display unit <NUM>. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the sufficient width g of the groove <NUM>' extending in the third direction formed in the support frame <NUM> such that the support frame <NUM> may bend naturally in correspondence with the bending deflection of the third region.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of a driving unit according to one embodiment of the roll-slide mobile terminal <NUM> associated with the present disclosure.

When the user extends the flexible display unit <NUM> by holding and pulling the second frame <NUM>, the flexible display unit <NUM> may be distorted or the first frame <NUM> or the second frame <NUM> may be damaged. Therefore, the driving unit <NUM> may be used to convert the state from the first state to the second state or vice versa.

The driving unit <NUM> slides the second frame <NUM> in the first direction relative to the first frame <NUM>, and simultaneously slides the slide frame <NUM> in the first direction relative to the second frame <NUM>.

When the state is converted from the first state to the second state, when the second frame <NUM> moves by a first distance d, the flexible display unit <NUM> moves by a second distance 2d corresponding to twice the first distance. In order for the end of the flexible display unit <NUM> to move by the second distance, the slide frame <NUM> must also move the same distance as the second frame <NUM> from the second frame <NUM>.

Accordingly, the driving unit <NUM> may use a linear motor <NUM> that operates linearly to compensate for such deformation. The linear motor <NUM> may include a first bracket <NUM> fixed to a first body, a second bracket <NUM> that slides in the first direction with respect to the first bracket <NUM>, and a third bracket <NUM> that slides in the first direction with respect to second bracket <NUM>. Since a length of the contracted driving unit <NUM> cannot be wider than a width in the third direction of the first frame <NUM>, so that the linear motor <NUM> may be configured in at least three stages.

The driving unit <NUM> mounted inside the first frame <NUM> should be fastened with the slide frame <NUM> positioned on the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>. Therefore, a fastener for fastening the third bracket <NUM> with the slide frame <NUM> is disposed by passing through the slide slot <NUM> defined in the second frame <NUM>. The fastener moves the slide frame <NUM> while moving along the slide slot <NUM> in the first direction, and the third region 151c of the flexible display unit <NUM> sequentially moves forwardly.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the driving unit <NUM> of a mobile terminal. Referring to <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may be disposed at an upper portion without being positioned at a central portion. A space having a large area is required to arrange the components such as the battery. When the driving unit <NUM> is placed in the central portion, it is difficult to mount the battery. As shown in <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may be disposed to be positionally biased in the third direction, and instead, a pair of linear guides <NUM> for guiding the movement of the second frame <NUM> in the first direction or the second direction may be further arranged at both ends of the mobile terminal in the third direction, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of motors <NUM> may be arranged to apply sufficient driving force to move the second frame <NUM>. As a size thereof is large, the motor <NUM> may provide a larger force, but a thickness of the mobile terminal may also become large. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, both ends in a thickness direction of the motor are formed in a cut shape to reduce the thickness while ensuring performance. A rotational force of the motor <NUM> may be directly transmitted to the pinion gear <NUM> of the rack-pinion gears <NUM> and <NUM> for moving the second frame <NUM> in the first direction, but as shown in <FIG>, a planetary gear <NUM> may be further disposed between the pinion gear <NUM> and the motor <NUM>.

In the planetary gear <NUM> transmitting the force of the motor <NUM>, a plurality of disc gears are engaged with each other. The number of revolutions of the pinion gear <NUM> relative to the number of revolutions of the motor <NUM> may be adjusted by adjusting a size of the planetary gear <NUM> and the number of teeth. The planetary gear <NUM> may be used to effectively transmit the rotational force of the motor <NUM> to the pinion gear <NUM>.

<FIG> shows cross-sectional views respectively taken along a line C-C and a line D-D of <FIG>, which are cross-sectional views of the rack-pinion gear portion. <FIG> shows the first state, and <FIG> shows the second state. In the first state, the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> are kept in an overlapped state. When the motor <NUM> of the driving unit <NUM> is operated and the pinion gear <NUM> is revolved (counterclockwise in the drawing), the rack gear <NUM> moves in a rightward direction as shown in <FIG>. The pinion gear <NUM> is fixed to first frame <NUM>, and the rack gear <NUM> is fixed to the second frame <NUM>. Although the rack gear <NUM> is illustrated as being positioned in the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> in the drawings, the rack gear <NUM> may be coupled to the second front portion <NUM>.

When the second frame <NUM> and the rack gear <NUM> move in the first direction as shown in <FIG>, the third region of the display unit <NUM> moves in a forward direction, the slide frame <NUM> moves in the first direction from the rear face of the second rear portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>, and the area of the portion of the display unit <NUM> located at the rear face of the mobile terminal is reduced.

<FIG> illustrate various embodiments of the linear guide <NUM> of the mobile terminal. As described above, the pair of linear guides <NUM> of the present disclosure may be disposed at the both ends of the mobile terminal in the third direction, that is, an upper end and a lower end thereof, to complement the function of the single driving unit <NUM> positionally biased to one side. The linear guide <NUM> may include the guide rail <NUM> extending in the first direction and the guide block <NUM> moving along the guide rail <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> may be disposed in the first frame <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> may be disposed in the second frame <NUM> and vice versa. In the present embodiment, the guide rail <NUM> may be disposed in the second frame <NUM> to cover upper and lower portions of the extended portion of the second frame <NUM> in the second state.

After the guide block <NUM> is coupled to the first frame <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> is coupled to the second frame <NUM>, the guide block <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> may be slide-fastened with each other. However, for convenience of the fastening, the guide block <NUM> may be first fixed to the first frame <NUM> while the guide block <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> are fastened with each other, and then the second frame <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> may be fixed with each other using a screw <NUM>. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of screw holes <NUM> may be defined in a portion of the guide rail <NUM> to be coupled to the second frame <NUM>.

The guide block <NUM> may include a guide groove <NUM> defined therein into which the guide rail <NUM> is inserted. Further, the guide groove <NUM> and an insertion portion <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM> may have an embossing and an engraving formed therein, so that the guide block <NUM> may be prevented from being separated from the guide rail <NUM>. In addition, in order to minimize a friction between the guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM>, a member having a small friction force or a ball bearing <NUM> may be inserted between the guide groove <NUM> of the guide block <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM>. As a material having the small friction force, a member <NUM> having strong abrasion resistance, low frictional resistance, and self-lubrication, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), may be added inside the guide groove <NUM>.

<FIG> is an embodiment in which the screw <NUM> is fastened in a lateral direction of the guide rail <NUM>. Further, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the screw <NUM> is fastened to a rear face of the guide rail <NUM>. In a case of <FIG>, a size of the mobile terminal in a width direction may be reduced, and in the embodiment of <FIG>, a height of the mobile terminal may be reduced. The guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> may be arranged in a thickness direction of the mobile terminal, or may be arranged side by side in the third direction. Taking <FIG> as an example, a vertical direction in the drawing may be the vertical direction of the mobile terminal, or may be the thickness direction of the mobile terminal.

When assembling, the fastening of the second front portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM> with the guide rail <NUM> may be performed after mounting the second front portion <NUM> on the front face of the first rear portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As such, in a bottom-up scheme of stacking up components from the rear face, it is easier to perform the fastening of the screw <NUM> from the front face in the rear face direction. Thus, the guide block <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> may be arranged in the third direction in the embodiment of <FIG>, and may be arranged in the thickness direction of the mobile terminal <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the insertion portion <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM> has a T-shape and the guide block <NUM> includes the guide groove <NUM> in a shape surrounding the insertion portion <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> of such shapes have a larger contact area between the guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> than in the above-described embodiment, so that the guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> may be more stably supported, but a frictional force may occur. In order to prevent this, the polyoxymethylene material may be formed on a portion of the guide block <NUM> in contact with the guide rail <NUM> in a double injection-molding scheme to reduce the frictional force. A groove may be defined in a top face of the guide block <NUM> such that the polyoxymethylene adheres well to the guide block <NUM>, and the polyoxymethylene may be also injected into the groove in the top face of the block to form a POM rail as shown in <FIG>. The guide rail <NUM> may be extrusion-molded by drawing a metallic material, or a plate-shaped member may be press-bent to implement the T-shape. It is possible to implement a beam-shaped member having a T-shaped cross section by folding the plate-like member in half and extending the end outward. The plate-shaped member may be folded in half and an end thereof may be extended outward to implement a beam-shaped member.

The mobile terminal of the present disclosure as described above may secure a component mounting space therein through the driving unit <NUM> positionally biased to one side. The second frame <NUM> may stably move in the first direction through the linear guide <NUM> that guides the movement of the second frame <NUM> in the first direction.

In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be stably fixed through the fixing structure such that the display unit <NUM> may be prevented from damaging by the force applied to the bent curved face of the display unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A mobile terminal (<NUM>) comprising:
a first frame (<NUM>) including a first front portion (<NUM>);
a second frame (<NUM>) slidably-movable with respect to the first frame (<NUM>) in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction and includes a second front portion (<NUM>);
a slide frame (<NUM>) movable with respect to the second frame (<NUM>) in the first direction or in the second direction;
a flexible display unit (<NUM>) including a first region (151a) coupled to the first front portion (<NUM>) of the first frame (<NUM>), a second region (151b) coupled to the slide frame (<NUM>), and a third region (151c) positioned between the first region (151a) and the second region (151b), wherein the third region (151c) is bent while being rolled in the second frame (<NUM>);
a support frame (<NUM>) coupled to a second side of the third region (151c) of the flexible display unit (<NUM>),
a driving unit (<NUM>) disposed to be positionally biased in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the driving unit (<NUM>) provides a force to control a slide movement of the second frame (<NUM>); and
a linear guide (<NUM>) positioned between the first frame (<NUM>) and the second frame (<NUM>), wherein the linear guide (<NUM>) guides a movement of the second frame (<NUM>) in the first direction or in the second direction,
wherein the second front portion (<NUM>) is positioned at a rear side of the first front portion (<NUM>) or the support frame (<NUM>); and
wherein the support frame (<NUM>) has a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the first front portion (<NUM>).