MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20120329531A1
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Published: 12/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Kyungui, Lee, Gyutaek, Lee, Jaeeon
• Granted Patent: US 8,947,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components

Abstract

A mobile terminal is disclosed. The present invention includes a front case, a rear case mounted to the front case, a controller provided between the front case and the rear case, a power supply provided in the rear case and a cover member provided on the rear case, the cover member comprising an insulating layer configured to oppose the power supply and a conductive layer located on the insulating layer such that the conductive layer is externally exposed, wherein the conductive layer is electrically connected to the controller for wireless communication.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

a front case;

a rear case mounted to the front case;

a controller provided between the front case and the rear case;

a power supply provided in the rear case; and

a cover member provided on the rear case, the cover member comprising an insulating layer configured to oppose the power supply and a conductive layer located on the insulating layer such that the conductive layer is externally exposed,

wherein the conductive layer is electrically connected to the controller for wireless communication.

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein:

the conductive layer is formed of a conductive ink or a metal-based material; and

the insulating layer is formed of a resin material.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the conductive layer forms a prescribed pattern on the insulating layer.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the conductive layer is configured to provided at least a GPS antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth™

antenna or an NFC antenna.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the conductive layer comprises a first conductive layer formed on a first region of the insulating layer and a second conductive layer formed on a second region of the insulating layer.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second conductive layers provides at least a GPS antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth™

antenna or an NFC antenna.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein:

the cover member comprises a contact terminal electronically connected to the conductive layer;

the controller comprises a connecting terminal electrically connected to the contact terminal; and

the connecting terminal is exposed to the contact terminal by penetrating a perforating hole provided in the rear case.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the connecting terminal comprises a clip configured to be inserted in or projected out of the perforating hole according to a status of contact between the connecting terminal and the contact terminal.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the cover member further comprises:

a color layer provided between the insulating layer and the conductive layer; and

a transparent resin layer located on the conductive layer.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the color layer is spaced apart by a specific interval from the conductive layer.

11. A mobile terminal comprising:

a front case;

a rear case mounted to the front case;

a controller provided between the front case and the rear case;

a wireless communication unit electrically connected to the controller;

a power supply provided in the rear case; and

a cover member provided on the rear case, the cover member comprising an insulating layer opposing the power supply and a conductive layer enclosing the insulating layer such that the conductive layer is externally exposed,

wherein at least one portion of the insulating layer is externally exposed by penetrating the conductive layer.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein:

the conductive layer comprises a conductive ink or a metal-based material; and

the insulating layer comprises a resin material.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein:

the conductive layer comprises a plurality of penetrating holes; and

the insulating layer comprises a plurality of projections each of which is inserted in a corresponding one of the plurality of penetrating holes.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein:

each of a plurality of projections is configured to have a cross-sectional area decrease in a direction of its insertion into the corresponding one of the plurality of penetrating holes; and

each of the plurality of penetrating holes is configured to match the cross-sectional area of the corresponding one of the plurality of projections.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of projections is configured to connect the wireless communication unit to an outer environment.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the conductive layer and the insulating layer are formed by injection molding.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein:

the cover member comprises a contact terminal electrically connected to the conductive layer; and

the contact terminal is electrically connected to the controller for wireless communication.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein:

the controller comprises a connecting terminal electrically connected to the contact terminal; and

the connecting terminal is exposed to the contact terminal by penetrating a perforating hole provided in the rear case.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein the connecting terminal comprises a clip configured to be inserted in or projected out of the perforating hole according to a status of contact between the connecting terminal and the contact terminal.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the conductive layer is configured to provide at least a GPS antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth™

antenna or an NFC antenna.