Extendable mobile terminal having flexible display unit
The present invention is a mobile terminal capable of switching between a first and second state, expanded in a first direction. The mobile terminal comprising: a body with a first and second frame, which can slide in the first or second direction, a flexible display unit covering one side of the body, with a front and rear surface connected by a side surface, a driving unit for sliding the first frame relative to the second frame using a motor mounted on the second frame. The driving unit includes a motor, a pinion gear, a rack gear and a gear cover covering at least a portion of the rack gear.
1 . A mobile terminal switchable to a first state and to a second state extended in a first direction in the first state, the mobile terminal comprising:
a body including a first frame and including a second frame coupled to a rear face of the first frame to slidably move in the first direction or in a second direction;
a flexible display unit including a front face portion positioned on a front face of the body, a rear face portion positioned on a rear face of the body, and a side face portion connecting the front face portion and the rear face portion and surrounding one side of the body; and
a driving unit configured to slidably move the first frame in the first direction or the second direction with respect to the second frame,
wherein the driving unit includes:
a motor installed in the second frame;
a pinion gear configured to rotate by receiving driving force of the motor;
a rack gear positioned on the rear face of the first frame and configured to be extended in the first direction to perform linear motion by receiving the driving force of the motor through the pinion gear; and
a gear cover configured to cover at a part of the rack gear and provide an open part allowing engagement between the rack gear and the pinion gear, and
wherein the gear cover includes a bending-deformable material and covers the rack gear exposed to an outer side during movement of the first frame in the second direction from the second frame.
2 . The mobile terminal of claim 1 ,
wherein the gear cover is extended up to an end of the rack gear facing in the second direction.
3 . The mobile terminal of claim 1 ,
wherein the gear cover includes a bending-deformable metal plate,
wherein the metal plate includes an end positioned inside the second frame facing in the first direction, and
wherein the metal plate is rolled in the first state and is released in the second state while the number of windings of the metal plate is decreased.
4 . The mobile terminal of claim 1 ,
wherein the gear cove has a tape shape to surround the rack gear in the first direction, and
wherein the gear cover includes an end positioned at the pinion gear facing in the first direction and fixed to the second frame and includes the other end positioned at the pinion gear facing in the second direction and fixed to the second frame.
5 . The mobile terminal of claim 4 ,
wherein the driving unit further includes a gear housing configured to accommodate the pinion gear and fixed to the second frame, and
wherein both ends of the gear cover are fixed to the gear housing.
6 . The mobile terminal of claim 4 , further comprising a cover channel configured to allow the gear cover to pass between the rack gear and the first frame.
7 . The mobile terminal of claim 1 ,
wherein the rack gear further includes a cover rail formed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and extended in the first direction, and
wherein the gear cover includes an end formed in the third direction and inserted into the cover rail.
8 . The mobile terminal of claim 7 , further comprising:
a motor housing fastened to the second frame and configured to allow the motor and the pinion gear to be seated, and
a gear rail fastened to the rack gear and configured to guide linear motion of the rack gear.
9 . The mobile terminal of claim 8 , further comprising a rail bearing positioned between the gear rail and the rack gear.
10 . The mobile terminal of claim 7 , wherein the driving unit includes:
a plurality of motors arranged in parallel in the first direction; and
a plurality of pinion gears configured to provide driving force of the motor to the rack gear.
11 . The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the driving unit is provided in plural and a plurality of driving units is separately arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.