Mobile Terminal Back Input Part Bezel Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals face challenges in reducing the width of the bezel while maintaining user input functionality, as conventional input methods often require additional protrusions that compromise the slim design and display area.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring a back input part with a first button part and a second button part, integrated with a support member, light source, and light guide, allowing for push inputs without increasing the bezel width, and utilizing a flexible printed circuit board to connect switches and a light source for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manipulation unit is provided separately from a touch screen, then user input functionality is improved, but the display area is reduced and the terminal design becomes less slim
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the manipulation unit from the front surface (2D plane) to the back surface of the terminal, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to resolve the conflict between input functionality and display area. This allows the front surface to be fully dedicated to display while the back surface accommodates physical buttons.
2Ease of operation
If a manipulation unit is provided separately from a touch screen, then user input functionality is improved, but the terminal design becomes less slim with protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the manipulation unit to the back surface, the patent eliminates front-surface protrusions that would compromise the slim profile. The buttons are integrated into the back housing, maintaining a sleek front appearance while preserving tactile input capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If touch patterns are formed on both sides of a touch screen, then user input functionality is improved, but the bezel width is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 2D touch screen interface to a 3D solution by placing physical buttons on the back surface. This eliminates the need for extensive touch patterns on the front screen, allowing for narrower bezels while maintaining robust input functionality through tactile feedback.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a slim bezel design by relocating input functions to the back side, enhancing user convenience through tactile differentiation and illumination, while maintaining operational functionality even if one printed circuit board is non-functional.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed on one side of the switches or on both sides of the switches
Implementation Method 2
a light guide formed to cover at least a portion of the switches and connected to the light source to emit light from the light source
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising: a terminal body having a display part on the front side thereof; and a back input part exposed to the back side of the body and having a first button part for receiving a push input of a first function, wherein the first button part comprises: an exposed part having a colored layer and exposed to the outside; a knob part formed on the back side thereof so as to fix the exposed part; and a body part covering the knob part and formed to be integrated with the exposed part. In addition, the mobile terminal, according to the present invention, comprises: a touch sensing part disposed under a window and having touch patterns divided into a plurality of touch areas so as to sense a touch; a first signal transmitting part passing through an edge area of the touch sensing part, and connected with the touch patterns in part of the touch sections and then joined at one side of the touch sensing part; a second signal transmitting part passing through the edge area of the touch sensing part, and connected with the touch patterns in the remaining touch areas and then joined on the other side of the touch sensing part; a first flexible printed circuit board and a second flexible printed circuit board to which the first and second signal transmitting parts are respectively connected; and a first connector and a second connector for respectively connecting the first and second flexible printed circuit boards and a printed circuit board.