KR20220125477A - Foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable electronic device according to various embodiments comprises: a display including a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area; a first housing covering the first area of the display; a second housing covering the second area of the display; and a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing and located in at least a part of the folding area of the display. The hinge structure includes: a hinged cover having a folding axis and including a first cover portion and a second cover portion; a rotating body rotating around the folding axis between a first position where the first area of the display and the second area of the display face each other and a second position where the first area of the display and the second area of the display do not face each other, and supporting the display; and an elastic support elastically transformed, supporting the rotating body, and suppressing or retarding the rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position. The elastic support includes: a first support part supported from the first cover portion; a second support part supported from the second cover portion; and a contact part connected to the first support part and the second support part and in contact with the rotating body. Accordingly, a degree of freedom in the design of the display can be secured.

Description

FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The following various embodiments relate to a foldable electronic device.

A foldable electronic device for folding and unfolding a flexible display using a hinge structure is being developed. When the display is folded in the foldable electronic device, a reaction force to unfold the display occurs. There is a need for a foldable electronic device that includes a structure that supports a display to maintain the display in a folded state.

According to various embodiments, it is possible to provide a foldable electronic device that improves the efficiency of a small mounting space of the foldable electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a foldable electronic device that improves the support force of a display to be unfolded by a reaction force generated during folding.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device includes: a display including a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area; a first housing covering a first area of the display; a second housing covering a second area of the display; and a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure positioned in at least a portion of a folding area of the display, the hinge structure having a folding axis and comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion a hinged cover; rotate about the folding axis between a first position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display face and a second position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display do not face; a rotating body supporting the display; and an elastic support member that elastically deforms and supports the rotary body and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotary body from the first position to the second position, wherein the elastic support body is supported from the first cover part a first support that becomes; a second support portion supported from the second cover portion; and a contact part connected to the first support part and the second support part and in contact with the rotating body.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device includes: a display including a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area; a first housing covering a first area of the display; a second housing covering a second area of the display; and a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing and positioned in at least a portion of a folding area of the display, wherein the hinge structure has a folding axis and comprises a first cover portion and a second cover portion a hinged cover comprising; rotate about the folding axis between a first position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display face and a second position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display do not face; a rotating body supporting the display; And elastically deformed to support the rotating body and may include an elastic support for suppressing or delaying the rotation from the first position to the second position of the rotating body.

A hinge structure according to various embodiments may include a hinge cover having a folding axis and including a first cover portion and a second cover portion; a rotating body rotating about the folding axis between a first position and a second position different from the first position; and an elastic support member that elastically deforms and supports the rotary body and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotary body from the first position to the second position, wherein the elastic support body is formed from the first cover portion a first support portion supported; a second support portion supported from the second cover portion; and a contact part connected to the first support part and the second support part and in contact with the rotating body.

According to various embodiments, the display may be strongly supported in a limited space without damaging the foldable electronic device, and the folded state of the display may be maintained even under a low temperature condition and a condition in which the reaction force of the display increases.

According to various embodiments, a degree of freedom in design of the display may be secured.

According to various embodiments, stability when the foldable electronic device is dropped may be secured by improving the flow of the foldable electronic device in a state in which the display is folded.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
2A is a diagram of an unfolded foldable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.
2B is a diagram of a foldable electronic device in a folding form according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is an exploded view of a foldable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.
4A is a perspective view of a portion of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.
4B is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge structure in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment.
4C is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge structure in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment.
4D is an exploded perspective view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.
4E is a cross-sectional view taken from 4E-4E of the hinge structure of FIG. 4C in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment.
4F is a cross-sectional view of the hinge structure in which the rotating body of FIG. 4E rotates from the folding position to the unfolding position.
4G is a cross-sectional view taken from 4G-4G of the hinge structure of FIG. 4B in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.
7A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 7b is a view showing the elastic support of Figure 7a.
8A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment.
8B is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body rotates from a folding position to an intermediate position according to an embodiment.
9A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment.
9B is a plan view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment.
9C is a plan view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment.
9D is a rear view of a hinge structure illustrating an actuator for operating a slider according to an exemplary embodiment.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

Referring to FIG. 1 , in a network environment 100 , an electronic device 101 communicates with an electronic device 102 through a first network 198 (eg, a short-range wireless communication network) or a second network 199 . It may communicate with at least one of the electronic device 104 and the server 108 through (eg, a long-distance wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 through the server 108 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 includes a processor 120 , a memory 130 , an input module 150 , a sound output module 155 , a display module 160 , an audio module 170 , and a sensor module ( 176), interface 177, connection terminal 178, haptic module 179, camera module 180, power management module 188, battery 189, communication module 190, subscriber identification module 196 , or an antenna module 197 . In some embodiments, at least one of these components (eg, the connection terminal 178 ) may be omitted or one or more other components may be added to the electronic device 101 . In some embodiments, some of these components (eg, sensor module 176 , camera module 180 , or antenna module 197 ) are integrated into one component (eg, display module 160 ). can be

The processor 120, for example, executes software (eg, a program 140) to execute at least one other component (eg, a hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 connected to the processor 120. It can control and perform various data processing or operations. According to an embodiment, as at least part of data processing or operation, the processor 120 stores a command or data received from another component (eg, the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190 ) into the volatile memory 132 . may be stored in , process commands or data stored in the volatile memory 132 , and store the result data in the non-volatile memory 134 . According to an embodiment, the processor 120 is a main processor 121 (eg, a central processing unit or an application processor) or a secondary processor 123 (eg, a graphic processing unit, a neural network processing unit) a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor). For example, when the electronic device 101 includes the main processor 121 and the sub-processor 123 , the sub-processor 123 uses less power than the main processor 121 or is set to be specialized for a specified function. can The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented separately from or as a part of the main processor 121 .

The secondary processor 123 may, for example, act on behalf of the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (eg, sleep) state, or when the main processor 121 is active (eg, executing an application). ), together with the main processor 121, at least one of the components of the electronic device 101 (eg, the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) It is possible to control at least some of the related functions or states. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (eg, image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (eg, camera module 180 or communication module 190). have. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (eg, a neural network processing device) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. Artificial intelligence models can be created through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, in the electronic device 101 itself on which the artificial intelligence model is performed, or may be performed through a separate server (eg, the server 108). The learning algorithm may include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but in the above example not limited The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. Artificial neural networks include deep neural networks (DNNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), restricted boltzmann machines (RBMs), deep belief networks (DBNs), bidirectional recurrent deep neural networks (BRDNNs), It may be one of deep Q-networks or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the above example. The artificial intelligence model may include, in addition to, or alternatively, a software structure in addition to the hardware structure.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device 101 (eg, the processor 120 or the sensor module 176 ). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software (eg, the program 140 ) and instructions related thereto. The memory 130 may include a volatile memory 132 or a non-volatile memory 134 .

The program 140 may be stored as software in the memory 130 , and may include, for example, an operating system 142 , middleware 144 , or an application 146 .

The input module 150 may receive a command or data to be used by a component (eg, the processor 120 ) of the electronic device 101 from the outside (eg, a user) of the electronic device 101 . The input module 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (eg, a button), or a digital pen (eg, a stylus pen).

The sound output module 155 may output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device 101 . The sound output module 155 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from or as a part of the speaker.

The display module 160 may visually provide information to the outside (eg, a user) of the electronic device 101 . The display module 160 may include, for example, a control circuit for controlling a display, a hologram device, or a projector and a corresponding device. According to an embodiment, the display module 160 may include a touch sensor configured to sense a touch or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electric signal or, conversely, convert an electric signal into a sound. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 acquires a sound through the input module 150 , or an external electronic device (eg, a sound output module 155 ) connected directly or wirelessly with the electronic device 101 . The electronic device 102) (eg, a speaker or headphones) may output a sound.

The sensor module 176 detects an operating state (eg, power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an external environmental state (eg, a user state), and generates an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the sensed state. can do. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, It may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols that may be used by the electronic device 101 to directly or wirelessly connect with an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 102 ). According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

The connection terminal 178 may include a connector through which the electronic device 101 can be physically connected to an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 102 ). According to an embodiment, the connection terminal 178 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (eg, a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (eg, vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus that the user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sense. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The camera module 180 may capture still images and moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to the electronic device 101 . According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device 101 . According to an embodiment, the battery 189 may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary cell, a rechargeable secondary cell, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 is a direct (eg, wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108). It can support establishment and communication performance through the established communication channel. The communication module 190 may include one or more communication processors that operate independently of the processor 120 (eg, an application processor) and support direct (eg, wired) communication or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 is a wireless communication module 192 (eg, a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (eg, : It may include a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). A corresponding communication module among these communication modules is a first network 198 (eg, a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (eg, legacy It may communicate with the external electronic device 104 through a cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (eg, a telecommunication network such as a LAN or a WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (eg, a single chip) or may be implemented as a plurality of components (eg, multiple chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module 192 uses subscriber information (eg, International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196 within a communication network such as the first network 198 or the second network 199 . The electronic device 101 may be identified or authenticated.

The wireless communication module 192 may support a 5G network after a 4G network and a next-generation communication technology, for example, a new radio access technology (NR). NR access technology includes high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and access to multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency) -latency communications)). The wireless communication module 192 may support a high frequency band (eg, mmWave band) to achieve a high data rate, for example. The wireless communication module 192 uses various techniques for securing performance in a high-frequency band, for example, beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), all-dimensional multiplexing. It may support technologies such as full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), an array antenna, analog beam-forming, or a large scale antenna. The wireless communication module 192 may support various requirements defined in the electronic device 101 , an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 104 ), or a network system (eg, the second network 199 ). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 includes a peak data rate (eg, 20 Gbps or more) for realizing eMBB, loss coverage (eg, 164 dB or less) for realizing mMTC, or U-plane latency for realizing URLLC ( Example: Downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) can be supported.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to the outside (eg, an external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a conductor formed on a substrate (eg, a PCB) or a radiator formed of a conductive pattern. According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas (eg, an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network such as the first network 198 or the second network 199 is connected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module 190 . can be selected. A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, other components (eg, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiator may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module 197 .

According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module comprises a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first side (eg, bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high frequency band (eg, mmWave band); and a plurality of antennas (eg, an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent to a second side (eg, top or side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high frequency band. can do.

At least some of the components are connected to each other through a communication method between peripheral devices (eg, a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)) and a signal ( e.g. commands or data) can be exchanged with each other.

According to an embodiment, the command or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 through the server 108 connected to the second network 199 . Each of the external electronic devices 102 or 104 may be the same as or different from the electronic device 101 . According to an embodiment, all or part of the operations executed by the electronic device 101 may be executed by one or more external electronic devices 102 , 104 , or 108 . For example, when the electronic device 101 needs to perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or other device, the electronic device 101 may perform the function or service itself instead of executing the function or service itself. Alternatively or additionally, one or more external electronic devices may be requested to perform at least a part of the function or the service. One or more external electronic devices that have received the request may execute at least a part of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit a result of the execution to the electronic device 101 . The electronic device 101 may process the result as it is or additionally and provide it as at least a part of a response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used. The electronic device 101 may provide an ultra-low latency service using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include an Internet of things (IoT) device. The server 108 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or neural networks. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 may be included in the second network 199 . The electronic device 101 may be applied to an intelligent service (eg, smart home, smart city, smart car, or health care) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

The electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be a device of various types. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (eg, a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance device. The electronic device according to the embodiment of the present document is not limited to the above-described devices.

The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of the noun corresponding to the item may include one or more of the item, unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "A , B, or C," each of which may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", or "first" or "second" may simply be used to distinguish an element from other elements in question, and may refer elements to other aspects (e.g., importance or order) is not limited. It is said that one (eg, first) component is “coupled” or “connected” to another (eg, second) component, with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively”. When referenced, it means that one component can be connected to the other component directly (eg by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The term “module” used in various embodiments of the present document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, for example, and interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. can be used A module may be an integrally formed part or a minimum unit or a part of the part that performs one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

According to various embodiments of the present document, one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (eg, internal memory 136 or external memory 138) readable by a machine (eg, electronic device 101) may be implemented as software (eg, the program 140) including For example, the processor (eg, the processor 120 ) of the device (eg, the electronic device 101 ) may call at least one of the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This makes it possible for the device to be operated to perform at least one function according to the called at least one command. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (eg, electromagnetic wave), and this term is used in cases where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and It does not distinguish between temporary storage cases.

According to an embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. The computer program product is distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (eg compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or through an application store (eg Play Store™) or on two user devices ( It can be distributed (eg downloaded or uploaded) directly, online between smartphones (eg: smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (eg, module or program) of the above-described components may include a singular or a plurality of entities, and some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in other components. . According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations among the above-described corresponding components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (eg, a module or a program) may be integrated into one component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each component of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. . According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component are executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations are executed in a different order, omitted, or , or one or more other operations may be added.

2A is a diagram of an unfolded foldable electronic device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a diagram of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment.

2A and 2B , the foldable electronic device 201 according to an embodiment is rotatably coupled through a hinge actuator (eg, the hinge actuator 364 of FIG. 3 ) to be folded with respect to each other. A display 261 disposed in a space formed by a pair of housings 210 and 220 , a hinge cover 265 covering foldable portions of the pair of housings 210 and 220 , and a single housing 210 , 220 . ) (eg, a flexible display or a foldable display). In this document, the surface on which the display 261 is disposed may be defined as the front surface of the foldable electronic device 201 , and the opposite surface of the front surface may be defined as the rear surface of the foldable electronic device 201 . Also, a surface surrounding the space between the front and rear surfaces may be defined as a side surface of the foldable electronic device 201 .

In one embodiment, the pair of housings 210 and 220 includes a first housing 210 , a second housing 220 , a first rear cover 240 and a second rear cover including a sensor region 231 ( 250) may be included. The pair of housings 210 and 220 of the electronic device 201 is not limited to the combination and/or combination of shapes or parts shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and may be formed by a combination and/or combination of other shapes or parts. may be implemented.

In an embodiment, the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may be disposed on both sides about the folding axis A, and may be disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the folding axis A. In an embodiment, the angle or distance between the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may vary depending on whether the electronic device 201 is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state. In an embodiment, the first housing 210 includes a sensor area 231 in which various sensor modules (eg, the sensor modules 176 of FIG. 1 ) are disposed, unlike the second housing 220 , but other In the region, the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may have mutually symmetrical shapes. In some embodiments, the sensor region 231 may be disposed on at least a partial region of the second housing 220 . In some embodiments, the sensor area 231 may be replaced with at least a partial area of the second housing 220 . For example, the sensor area 231 may include a camera hall area, a sensor hall area, an under display camera (UDC) area, and/or an under display sensor (UDS) area.

In an embodiment, the first housing 210 may be connected to a hinge actuator (eg, the hinge actuator 364 of FIG. 3 ) in an unfolded state of the electronic device 201 . The first housing 210 has a first surface 211 that faces the front of the electronic device 201 , a second surface 212 and a first surface 211 that face the opposite direction of the first surface 211 . and a first side portion 213 surrounding at least a portion of the space between the second surface 212 and the second surface 212 . The first side portion 213 includes a first side surface 213a disposed parallel to the folding axis A, and a second side surface extending from one end of the first side surface 213a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A. 213b and a third side surface 213c extending from the other end of the first side surface 213a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A and parallel to the second side surface 213b. The second housing 220 may be connected to a hinge actuator (eg, the hinge actuator 364 of FIG. 3 ) in an unfolded state of the electronic device 201 . The second housing 220 has a third surface 221 disposed to face the front of the electronic device 201 , a fourth surface 222 and a third surface 221 facing the opposite direction of the third surface 221 . and a second side portion 223 surrounding at least a portion of the space between the fourth surface 222 and the second side portion 223 . The second side portion 223 includes a fourth side surface 223a disposed parallel to the folding axis A, and a fifth side surface extending from one end of the fourth side surface 223a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A. 223b and a sixth side surface 223c extending from the other end of the fourth side surface 223a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A and parallel to the fifth side surface 223b. The first surface 211 and the third surface 221 may face each other when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 201 may include a recess-shaped accommodating part 202 for accommodating the display 261 through structural coupling of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 . . The receptacle 202 may have substantially the same size as the display 261 . In an embodiment, due to the sensor area 231 , the receiving part 202 may have two or more different widths in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A. For example, the accommodating part 202 may be parallel to the folding axis A of the first part 210a formed at the edge of the sensor area 231 of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 . The first width W1 between the second portion 220a, the third portion 210b and the second portion parallel to the folding axis A without overlapping the sensor region 231 of the first housing 210 It may have a second width W2 between the fourth parts 220b of the housing 220 . Here, the second width W2 may be greater than the first width W1 . In other words, the receiving portion 202 has a first width W1 from the first portion 210a of the first housing 210 having a mutually asymmetric shape to the second portion 220a of the second housing 220 and It may be formed to have a second width W2 from the third portion 210b of the first housing 210 to the fourth portion 220b of the second housing 220 . The first portion 210a and the third portion 210b of the first housing 210 may be formed at different distances from the folding axis A. Meanwhile, the width of the accommodating part 202 may not be limited to the illustrated example. For example, the receiving part 202 may have three or more different widths due to the shape of the sensor area 231 or the asymmetric shape of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 .

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may be formed of a metallic material or a non-metallic material having any rigidity suitable for supporting the display 261 .

In an embodiment, the sensor area 231 may be formed adjacent to one corner of the first housing 210 . However, the arrangement, shape, or size of the sensor area 231 may not be limited to the illustrated example. In some embodiments, the sensor area 231 may be formed in another corner of the first housing 210 or any area of the upper corner and the lower corner. In some embodiments, the sensor region 231 may be disposed on at least a partial region of the second housing 220 . In some embodiments, the sensor region 231 may be formed to extend between the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 .

In an embodiment, the electronic device 201 is configured to perform various functions disposed to be exposed on the front surface of the electronic device 201 through the sensor area 231 or through at least one opening formed in the sensor area 231 . It may include at least one component. For example, the component may include at least one of a front camera module, a receiver, a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an iris recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an indicator.

In one embodiment, the first back cover 240 may be disposed on the second side 212 of the first housing 210 and may have substantially rectangular edges. At least a portion of edges of the first back cover 240 may be surrounded by the first housing 210 . The second back cover 250 may be disposed on the fourth side 222 of the second housing 220 and may have substantially rectangular edges. At least a portion of the edges of the second back cover 250 may be surrounded by the second housing 220 .

In one embodiment, the first rear cover 240 and the second rear cover 250 may have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the folding axis (A). In another embodiment, the first back cover 240 and the second back cover 250 may have different shapes. In another embodiment, the first housing 210 and the first rear cover 240 may be integrally formed, and the second housing 220 and the second rear cover 250 may be integrally formed.

In an embodiment, the first housing 210 , the second housing 220 , the first rear cover 240 , and the second rear cover 250 may be coupled to each other through a structure coupled to various components of the electronic device 201 . (eg, a printed circuit board, the antenna module 197 of FIG. 1 , the sensor module 176 of FIG. 1 , or the battery 189 of FIG. 1 ) may be provided. In an embodiment, at least one component may be visually exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 201 . For example, at least one component may be visually exposed through the first rear area 241 of the first rear cover 240 . Here, the component may include a proximity sensor, a rear camera module and/or a flash. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the sub-display 262 may be visually exposed through the second rear area 251 of the second rear cover 250 . In an embodiment, the electronic device 201 may include a sound output module (eg, the sound output module 155 of FIG. 1 ) disposed through at least a partial area of the second rear cover 250 .

In an embodiment, the display 261 may be disposed in the receiving portion 202 formed by the pair of housings 210 and 220 . For example, the display 261 may be arranged to occupy substantially most of the front surface of the electronic device 201 . The front surface of the electronic device 201 includes a region in which the display 261 is disposed, a partial region (eg, an edge region) of the first housing 210 adjacent to the display 261 , and a partial region (eg, an edge region) of the second housing 220 . : edge region). The rear surface of the electronic device 201 includes a first rear cover 240 , a partial region (eg, an edge region) of the first housing 210 adjacent to the first rear cover 240 , a second rear cover 250 and a second 2 It may include a partial area (eg, an edge area) of the second housing 220 adjacent to the rear cover 250 . In an embodiment, the display 261 may be a display in which at least a partial area can be deformed into a flat surface or a curved surface. In an embodiment, the display 261 displays the first area 261a on the first side (eg, the right side) based on the folding area 261c and the folding area 261c and the second area 261a based on the folding area 261c. The second region 261b on the side (eg, the left side) may be included. The first region 261a may be positioned on the first surface 211 of the first housing 210 , and the second region 261b may be positioned on the third surface 221 of the second housing 210 . However, the region division of the display 261 is exemplary, and the display 261 may be divided into a plurality of regions according to the structure or function of the display 261 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2A , the area of the display 261 may be divided by the folding area 261c extending parallel to the Y-axis or the folding axis A, but other folding areas (eg: The area of the display 261 may be divided based on a folding area extending parallel to the X-axis) or another folding axis (eg, a folding axis parallel to the X-axis). Region division of the display 261 as described above is only a physical division by a pair of housings 210 and 220 and a hinge actuator (eg, the hinge actuator 364 of FIG. 3 ), and substantially a pair of The display 261 may display substantially one screen through the housings 210 and 220 and the hinge structure. In an embodiment, the first region 261a may include a notch region formed along the sensor region 231 , but may have a substantially symmetrical shape to the second region 261b in other regions. . In another embodiment, the first region 261a and the second region 261b may have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the folding region 261c.

In one embodiment, hinge cover 265 is disposed between first housing 210 and second housing 220 and is configured to cover a hinge actuator (eg, hinge actuator 264 in FIG. 3 ). can The hinge cover 265 may be hidden by at least a portion of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 or exposed to the outside according to the operating state of the electronic device 201 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2A , when the electronic device 201 is in an unfolded state, the hinge cover 265 is hidden by the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 and is not exposed to the outside. 2B , when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state, the hinge cover 265 may be exposed to the outside between the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 . . Meanwhile, when the electronic device 201 is in an intermediate state in which the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 form an angle with each other, at least a portion of the hinge cover 265 is formed between the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 . It may be exposed to the outside between the housings 220 . In this case, an area exposed to the outside of the hinge cover 265 may be smaller than an area exposed to the hinge cover 265 when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state. In one embodiment, the hinge cover 265 may have a curved surface.

When the operation of the electronic device 201 according to an embodiment is described, when the electronic device 201 is in an unfolded state (eg, the state of the electronic device 201 of FIG. 2A ), the first housing 210 and The second housing 220 may form an angle of about 180 degrees with each other, and the first area 261a and the second area 261b of the display 261 may be oriented in the same direction. The first area 261a and the second area 261b of the folding area 261c of the display 261 may be substantially coplanar with the first area 261a and the second area 261b. In another embodiment, when the electronic device 201 is in the unfolded state, the first housing 210 rotates with respect to the second housing 220 at an angle of about 360 degrees to thereby the second surface 212 and the fourth surface. The first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may be reversely folded so that 222 faces each other. Meanwhile, when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state (eg, the electronic device 201 of FIG. 2B ), the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may face each other. The first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may form an angle of about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, and the first area 261a and the second area 261b of the display 261 may face each other. can At least a portion of the folding area 261c of the display 261 may be deformed into a curved surface. Meanwhile, when the electronic device 201 is in an intermediate state, the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may form a specific angle with each other. An angle formed by the first area 261a and the second area 261b of the display 261 is greater than an angle when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state, and when the electronic device 201 is in an unfolded state may be smaller than the angle of At least a portion of the folding area 261c of the display 261 may be deformed into a curved surface. In this case, the curvature of the curved surface of the folding area 261c may be smaller than the curvature of the curved surface of the folding area 261c when the electronic device 201 is in a folded state.

3 is an exploded view of a foldable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a foldable electronic device 301 (eg, the foldable electronic device 201 of FIGS. 2A and 2B ) according to an embodiment includes a display 361 (eg, the display 261 of FIGS. 2A ). )), the first housing 310 (eg, the first housing 210 of FIGS. 2A and 2B ), the second housing 320 (eg, the second housing 220 of FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and the second housing 320 ). A hinge structure 363 connecting the first housing 310 and the second housing 320 may be included. The hinge structure 363 may include a hinge actuator 364 and a hinge cover 365 (eg, the hinge cover 265 of FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The hinge actuator 364 includes a fixture 367 installed on the hinge cover 365 and a first region 361a of the display 361 installed on the fixture 367 (eg, the first region of FIG. 2A ). 261a) and the second region 361b (eg, the second region 261b of FIG. 2A ) may include a pair of support plates 368 and 369 respectively. The hinge cover 365 may connect the first housing 310 and the second housing 320 . The hinge cover 365 may have a folding axis A on which the first housing 310 and the second housing 320 rotate with each other. The pair of support plates 368 and 369 rotate about the folding axis A to support the first area 361a and the second area 361b of the display 361 , and the first area of the display 361 . The region 361a and the second region 361b may be folded and unfolded based on the folding axis A.

In one embodiment, the hinge cover 365 may have an internal space 366 in which the fixing body 367 is installed. Although the fixture 367 may substantially occupy most of the interior space 366 , the hinge cover 365 and the fixture 367 among the interior space 366 may depend on the shape and/or function of the fixture 367 . There may be a narrow space not occupied by the fixture 367 therebetween.

In an embodiment, the hinge actuator 364 , the hinge cover 365 , and the display 361 may be arranged so that the respective folding axes A coincide with each other. For example, the fixture 367 is installed in at least a part of the inner space 366 of the hinge cover 365 , and the pair of support plates 368 and 369 are the folding axes A of the hinge cover 365 . It may be located on both sides based on the hinge cover 365 (eg, in the Z-axis direction). The first area 361a of the display 361 is disposed on the first support plate 368 of the pair of support plates 368 and 369 , and the second area 361b of the display 361 is the pair of support plates 368 and 369 . It is disposed on the second support plate 369 of the support plates 368 and 369, and the folding area 361c of the display 361 (eg, the folding area 261c of FIG. 2A ) is on the fixture 367 ( For example, in the Z-axis direction).

4A is a perspective view of a portion of a hinge structure according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge structure in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment. 4C is a perspective view of a portion of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4D is an exploded perspective view of the hinge structure according to an embodiment.

4E is a cross-sectional view of the hinge structure of FIG. 4C in which the rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment, as viewed from 4E-4E, and FIG. 4F is a hinge structure in which the rotating body of FIG. 4E rotates from the folding position to the unfolding position. 4G is a cross-sectional view viewed from 4G-4G of the hinge structure of FIG. 4B in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment.

4A to 4G , the hinge structure 463 (eg, the hinge structure 363 of FIG. 3 ) according to an embodiment includes an internal space 466 (eg, the internal space 366 of FIG. 3 ). a hinge cover 465 (eg, the hinge cover 365 of FIG. 3) having a hinge cover 465 (eg, the hinge actuator 464 of FIG. 3) installed in the inner space 466 (eg, the hinge actuator 464 of FIG. 3) and an elastic support ( 491) may be included. Hinge actuator 464 includes a fixture 467 (eg, fixture 367 in FIG. 3 ), a pair of support plates 468 , 469 (eg, a pair of support plates 368 , 369 in FIG. 3 ). )) and a rotating body 481 may be included.

In one embodiment, the hinge cover 465 may include a first cover portion 476 , a pair of second cover portions 478 , and a pair of stepped portions 477 . For example, the first cover portion 476 may be defined as a bottom portion of the hinge cover 465 , and the second cover portion 478 may be defined as a sidewall portion of the hinge cover 465 . The first cover portion 476 , the pair of second cover portions 478 , and the pair of stepped portions 477 may define an interior space 466 of the hinge cover 465 . The first cover portion 476 and the pair of second cover portions 478 may form an outer curved profile of the hinged cover 465 . A pair of stepped portions 477 is provided between the first cover portion 476 and one of the second cover portions 478 , and between the first cover portion 476 and the other second cover portion 478 . can be formed in each. For example, any one step portion 477 protrudes in one direction (eg, X direction) from any one second cover portion 478 , and the other stepped portion 477 is the second second cover portion 478 . It may protrude in another direction (eg, -X direction) from the cover part 478 .

In an embodiment, the first cover part 476 may include a first fixing area FA1 in which the elastic support 491 is fixedly installed. The first fixing area FA1 may have a shape FR recessed in an inner direction (eg, a -Z direction) of the first cover part 476 . Accordingly, a step may be formed between an area other than the first fixing area FA1 of the first cover part 476 and the first fixing area FA1 . The first fixing area FA1 may include a first fastening portion F1 coupled to the elastic support 491 and a protrusion F2 engaged with the elastic support 491 .

In an embodiment, the second cover part 478 may include a second fixing area FA2 in which the fixing body 467 is fixedly installed. The second fixing area FA2 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the fixing body 467 without interfering with the operation of the rotating body 481 . The second fixing area FA2 may include a second coupling part F3 coupled to the fixing body 467 .

In one embodiment, the second cover portion 478 may include a partition F4. The partition F4 may physically separate an area other than the second fixed area FA2 (eg, the stepped portion 477 ) and the second fixed area FA2 of the second cover portion 478 . The partition F4 may extend in one direction (eg, the X direction or the -X direction) from the second cover portion 478 . Also, the partition F4 may extend in another direction (eg, the Z direction) along the second cover portion 478 . The partition F4 may not extend into the first fixed area FA1. The partition F4 may not extend out of the hinge cover 465 .

The fixture 467 includes a pair of first fixing regions 471a and 471b, a pair of second fixing regions 472a and 472b, a pair of first fixing regions 471a and 471b, and a pair of second fixing regions 471a and 471b. A pair of connection regions 473a and 473b connecting the fixing regions 472a and 472b may be included.

Any one of the first fixing areas 471a of the pair of first fixing areas 471a and 471b is connected to the second fixing area FA2 of any one of the second cover parts 478 by any one of the second fastening parts. It is fixed through (F3), and the other first fixing area 471b of the pair of first fixing areas 471a and 471b is the second fixing area FA2 of the other second cover part 478 . It may be fixed through the other fastening portion (F3).

The second fixing region 472a of any one of the pair of second fixing regions 472a and 472b is located opposite to the one of the first fixing regions 471a and the second cover part 478 of the other one At least a portion is installed in the second fixing area FA2 of Located on the opposite side, at least a part of the second fixing area FA2 of any one of the second cover parts 478 may be installed.

In an embodiment, the pair of first fixing regions 471a and 471b and the pair of second fixing regions 472a and 472b may be formed in a point-symmetrical structure. One first fixing region 471a may be connected to another second fixing region 472b, and the other first fixing region 471b may be connected to any one second fixing region 472a. .

In an embodiment, the size of the pair of first fixing regions 471a and 471b may be greater than the size of the pair of second fixing regions 472a and 472b.

One connection region 473a of the pair of connection regions 473a and 473b connects any one first fixing region 471a and any one second fixing region 472a, and the pair of connection regions The other connection region 473b among the 473a and 473b may connect the other first fixing region 471b and the other second fixing region 472b. The pair of connection regions 473a and 473b may be formed opposite to each other.

In one embodiment, the pair of connection regions 473a and 473b may have a shape recessed between the pair of first fixing regions 471a and 471b and the pair of second fixing regions 472a and 472b. have. In some embodiments, the pair of connection regions 473a and 473b may have a pair of curved portions R1 and R2 and a planar portion R3 between the pair of curved portions R1 and R2.

In one embodiment, the fixture 467 is disposed between the pair of first fixing regions 471a, 471b and the pair of second fixing regions 472a, 472b and the pair of connecting regions 473a, 473b. It may include a pair of open regions 474a and 474b formed therebetween. The pair of open areas 474a and 474b may accommodate a pair of rotating bodies 481 . Any one of the open areas 474a among the pair of open areas 474a and 474b is any one of the first fixing areas 471a, any one of the second fixing areas 472a and any one of the connecting areas 473a. is defined to be surrounded by, and the other open area 474b is surrounded by the other first fixing area 471b, the other second fixing area 472b and the other connecting area 473b. can be defined.

The fixture 467 may include a pair of guide rails 475a and 475b formed in the pair of connection areas 473a and 473b around the pair of open areas 474a and 474b. The pair of guide rails 475a and 475b may guide the rotation of the pair of rotating bodies 481 . The first set of guide rails 475a are formed to protrude from any one connection area 473a around any one open area 474a, and the second set of guide rails 475b are formed to protrude from the other open area (474a). 474b) may be formed to protrude from the other connection region 473b. The pair of guide rails 475a and 475b may form a curved profile of the pair of rotating bodies 481 . In another embodiment, the pair of guide rails 475a and 475b may be formed one by one instead of in a set form in the pair of connection areas 473a and 473b around the pair of open areas 474a and 474b.

The fixture 467 has a projection P protruding from each of the pair of connection regions 473a and 473b in a direction different from the projection direction (eg, Y direction or -Y direction) of the pair of guide rails 475a and 475b. ) may be included. The protrusion P is formed from the first protrusion P1 protruding in a first direction (eg, -Z direction) along the second cover portion 478 and the first protrusion P1 along the first cover portion 476 . A second protrusion P2 protruding in a second direction different from the first direction (eg, an X direction or a -X direction) may be included. In one embodiment, the second protrusion P2 defines a free space (eg, the free space CS of FIG. 4E ) capable of accommodating at least a portion of the elastic support 491 together with the first cover portion 476 . can do. In some embodiments, a width (eg, a length in the Y direction) of the first protrusion P1 may be greater than or equal to a width of the second protrusion P2 .

In an embodiment, the rotating body 481 may support the display while folding and unfolding the display (eg, the display 361 of FIG. 3 ). In an embodiment, the hinge structure 463 may include a pair of rotating bodies 481 . One rotating body 481 supports the first area of the display (eg, the first area 361a of FIG. 3 ), and the other rotating body 481 supports the second area of the display (eg, FIG. 3 ). of the second region 361b). The pair of rotating bodies 481 is formed by folding a pair of housings (eg, a pair of housings 210 and 220 of FIG. 2B ) in an electronic device (eg, the electronic device 201 of FIG. 2B ) to form a display. In a first position (eg, the position of the rotating body 481 in FIG. 4C ) where the first region and the second region face each other, and in an electronic device (eg, the electronic device 201 in FIG. 2A ), a pair of housings (eg, : The pair of housings 210 and 220 of FIG. 2A are unfolded to form a first area (eg, the first area 261a of FIG. 2A ) and a second area of the display (eg, the display 261 of FIG. 2A ) A folding axis (eg, folding axis A in FIG. 2A ) between second positions (eg, a position of the rotating body 481 in FIG. 4B ) where regions (eg, second region 261b in FIG. 2A ) do not face ) can be rotated around In this document, the first position may be defined as a folding position, and the second position may be defined as an unfolding position or an intermediate position. Here, the intermediate position may indicate a position between the folding position and the unfolding position, and may indicate the position of the rotating body in a state in which the first region and the second region of the display form a specific angle.

The rotating body 481 has a first surface 482, a second surface 483, a flat concave surface 484 between the first surface 482 and the second surface 483, a first curved side surface 485a, It may have a second curved side surface 485b, a curved concave surface 485c between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b, and a cylindrical curved surface 486 .

The first surface 482 and the second surface 483 of the rotation body 481 may be defined as the front surface of the first side of the rotation body 481 and the front surface of the second side of the rotation body 481 , respectively. The first surface 482 and the second surface 483 may be spaced apart from each other. In one embodiment, the first side 482 and the second side 483 may be substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the first side 482 and the second side 483 may be substantially coplanar. In an embodiment, the size of the first surface 482 may be greater than the size of the second surface 483 . In one embodiment, the first side 482 and the second side 483 may be substantially planar. In an embodiment, the first surface 482 may have a first area 482a and a second area 482b. The first region 482a is adjacent to the central portion of the rotating body 481 close to the second face 483 , and the second region 482a is the distal end of the rotating body 481 away from the second face 483 . may be adjacent to the part. In one embodiment, the first face 482 may include a notch 482c. The notch 482c is configured to catch the resilient support 491 when the rotating body 481 is in the folded position (see FIG. 4E ), and is elastic when the rotating body 481 starts to move out of the folded position. It may be configured to release the support 491 (see FIG. 4F ). In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the folded position, the notch 482c may remain in contact with the elastic support 491 . In an embodiment, the second surface 483 may include a coupling portion 489 . The coupling portion 489 may be coupled to the pair of support plates 468 and 469 . A plurality of coupling portions 489 may be formed over the second surface 483 .

The first curved side 485a may form a substantially curved profile along the flat concave surface 484 from the first region 482a of the first side 482 . The second curved side 485b may form a substantially curved profile along the circumferential curved surface 486 from the second area 482b of the first side 482 to the second side 483 . The first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b may be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction of the rotating body 481 . The curved concave surface 485c may be formed between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b. A pair of guide rails 475a and 475b of the fixture 467 may be interposed between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b on the curved concave surface 485c. When the pair of rotating bodies 481 rotate about the folding axis (eg, the folding axis (A) in FIG. 2A ) within the pair of open areas 474a and 474b of the fixed body 467, the rotating body ( The curved concave surface 485c of the 481 may move along the pair of guide rails 475a and 475b of the fixture 467 .

The cylindrical curved surface 486 may form a curved profile along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 481 . A circumferential curved surface 486 may extend between the first surface 482 and the second surface 483 . In an embodiment, the cylindrical curved surface 486 may include a recess 487 formed in an inward direction of the rotating body 481 . The recess 487 is configured to receive the resilient support 491 when the rotating body 481 is in the unfolded position (see FIG. 4G ), and is resilient when the rotating body 481 begins to move out of the unfolded position. It may be configured to release the support 491 . In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the unfolded position, the recess 487 may remain in contact with the elastic support 491 . In one embodiment, the cylindrical curved surface 486 may include a friction reducing portion 488 that reduces friction between the cylindrical curved surface 486 and the elastic support 491 when in contact with the elastic support 491 . The friction reducing part 488 may be formed on at least a portion of the cylindrical curved surface 486 along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 481 . In one embodiment, the friction reducing portion 488 may be formed on the circumferential curved surface 486 between the notch 482c and the recess 487 . In an embodiment, the friction reducing part 488 may include a lubricating layer. For example, the lubricating layer may include oil, grease, and other lubricating materials. In other embodiments, the friction reducing portion 488 may be formed in the contact portion 498 rather than the cylindrical curved surface 486 . In another embodiment, the friction reducing portion 488 may be formed on both the cylindrical curved surface 486 and the contact portion 498 .

In one embodiment, the elastic support 491 may elastically support the rotating body 481 . The elastic support 491, when the rotating body 481 is in the folding position, deviates from the folding position (eg, the position of the rotating body 481 in FIG. 4C) to the unfolding position (eg, the rotating body 481 in FIG. 4B) ) may inhibit or delay the rotation of the rotating body 481 toward the position). In other words, the elastic support 491 may cancel the reaction force of the display (eg, the display 261 ) by suppressing or delaying the movement of the rotating body 481 in the folded position. In one embodiment, the elastic support 491 is to be disposed in a limited space between the first cover portion 476 of the hinge cover 465 and the fixture 467 within the interior space 466 of the hinge cover 465. can In this case, the folded state of the display may be maintained even when the electronic device (eg, the electronic device 201 ) is in a low-temperature environment or the reaction force of the display (eg, the display 261 ) increases. In addition, the degree of freedom of the display layer constituting the display may be secured. In addition, even when the electronic device (eg, the electronic device 201 of FIG. 2B ) falls when it is in a folded state, the electronic device may be stabilized by improving the flow of the electronic device.

In an embodiment, the elastic support 491 may perform at least two-dimensional elastic behavior. For example, the elastic support 491 may include a first support portion 492 supported from the first cover portion 476 , and a second support portion supported from a fixture 467 provided at least partially in the second cover portion 478 . 495 and a contact portion 498 connected to the first support portion 492 and the second support portion 495 , respectively, and at least partially in contact with the rotating body 481 .

In one embodiment, the elastic support 491 may be formed of a material that is elastically deformable while having suitable rigidity to support the rotating body 481 . For example, the elastic support 491 may be formed of stainless steel.

The first support part 492 may include a first fixing part 493 and a first connection part 494 . The second support 495 may include an end portion 496 and a second connection 497 .

The first fixing part 493 may be fixed to the first cover part 476 . The first fixing part 493 may extend in one direction (eg, X direction) and/or in another direction (eg, Y direction) along the first cover part 476 . For example, the first fixing part 493 may have a plate shape. In an embodiment, the first fixing part 493 may be installed in the first fixing area FA1 of the first cover part 476 . For example, the first fixing part 493 is fastened to the first fastening part F1 through a first fixing part 493a having an opening 493c engaged with the protrusion F2 and a fastening member 493e. A second fixing part 493b having a connection portion 493d and connected to the first fixing part 493a may be included. In an embodiment, the fastening member 493e may include a screw, a hook, an uneven coupling structure, a separate fixing structure, and a plurality of different coupling structures. In an embodiment, the first fixing part 493a and the second fixing part 493b may be integrally formed.

The first connection part 494 may connect the first fixing part 493 and the contact part 498 . The first connection part 494 may be inclined with respect to the first fixing part 493 and may extend from an end of the first fixing part 493 . When the rotating body 481 rotates from the folding position (eg, FIG. 4C ) to the unfolding position (eg, FIG. 4B ), the angle between the first connecting part 494 and the first fixing part 493 decreases. The first connection part 494 may be elastically deformed with respect to the first fixing part 493 . In an embodiment, the first connection part 494 and the first fixing part 493 may form an acute angle.

End portion 496 may be supported from second cover portion 478 via fixture 467 . In one embodiment, the end portion 496 may be supported from the second protrusion P2 of the fixture 467 . In one embodiment, the end portion 496 may contact the second protrusion P2 . In some embodiments, when the rotating body 481 is rotated from a folded position (eg, FIG. 4C ) to an unfolded position (eg, FIG. 4B ), the end portion 496 is a second projection ( It can be released from P2).

The second connection portion 497 may connect the end portion 496 and the contact portion 498 . The second connection portion 497 may have a variety of profiles running from the end portion 496 to the contact portion 498 . For example, the second connection portion 497 may include a first extension portion 497a connected to the contact portion 498 and extending from the contact portion 498 in a first direction (eg, the X direction or the -X direction) and the first extension portion 497a. A second extension portion 497b extending between the extension portion 497a and the end portion 496 in a second direction different from the first direction (eg, about ±45° on the XZ plane) may be included. When the rotating body 481 rotates from the folding position (eg, FIG. 4C) to the unfolding position (eg, FIG. 4B), the angle formed by the first extension part 497a and the second extension part 497b increases. In order to do so, the first extension 497a and the second extension 497b may be elastically deformed. In an embodiment, the angle formed by the first extension part 497a and the second extension part 497b may be an obtuse angle.

In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in a folded position (eg, FIG. 4C ), the contact portion 498 may be caught by the notch 428c. In one embodiment, while the rotating body 481 rotates from the folding position (eg, FIG. 4C ) to the unfolding position (eg, FIG. 4B ), the contact portion 498 is the circumferential curved surface 486 of the rotating body 481 . ) can be in contact with In some embodiments, friction between the contact portion 498 and the circumferential curved surface 486 may be reduced via the friction reducing portion 488 while the rotating body 481 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position. In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the unfolded position, the contact portion 498 may be received in the recess 487 . In some embodiments, when the rotating body 481 is in the unfolded position, the contact portion 498 may remain in contact with the recess 487 .

4E to 4G , according to the operation of the hinge structure 463 according to an embodiment, the rotating body 481 is a first area (eg, the display 261 of FIG. 2A ) of the display. : a folding position (eg, FIG. 4E ) in which the first region 261a of FIG. 2A ) and the second region (eg the second region 261b of FIG. 2A ) substantially face each other, the first region of the display and It can rotate between an intermediate position (eg, FIG. 4F ) where the second regions form a particular angle with each other, and an unfolded position (eg, FIG. 4G ) in which the first and second regions of the display are not substantially facing each other. .

In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the folding position (eg, FIG. 4E ), the rotating body 481 is rotated by the reaction force of the display to the folding axis (eg, the folding axis (A) of FIG. 2A , FIG. 4E ) A force to rotate about the axis in the Y direction of For example, the first connecting portion 494 remains inclined at a first angle a with respect to the first fixing portion 493, and the end portion 496 is fixed to the second protruding portion P2, The contact portion 498 may be caught by the notch 482c of the rotating body 481 . Accordingly, the rotating body 481 moves from the first cover portion 476 in a first direction (eg, Z direction) and from the second cover portion 478 in a second direction (eg, -X direction) to the elastic support 491 . ) can be supported by

When the rotating body 481 rotates from a folding position (eg, FIG. 4E ) to an intermediate position (eg, FIG. 4F ), for example, the first area and the second area of the display move away from each other by a user's forcing force. Starting, the first connecting portion 494 is inclined with respect to the first fixing portion 493 at a second angle b less than the first angle a, and the end portion 496 is separated from the second projection P2. Unsupported and moved into the free space CS defined between the second protrusion P2 and the first fixing area FA1 of the first cover portion 476, the contact portion 498 is released from the notch 482c A state in contact with the cylindrical curved surface 486 may be maintained. At this time, friction between the contact portion 498 and the cylindrical curved surface 486 may be reduced through the friction reducing portion 488 formed on the cylindrical curved surface 486 . On the other hand, while the end portion 496 is disengaged from the second protrusion P2 and moves into the free space CS, the end portion 496 is formed with a certain component (eg, the first cover portion 476), The stepped portion 477 , the second cover portion 478 , and the second protrusion P2 may not meet each other. In other words, while the elastic support 491 is elastically deformed, the elastic support 491 can prevent damage to components around it.

In one embodiment, the clearance CS may be designed based on the stretch back length (STL) of the end portion 496 at which the end portion 496 does not damage the surrounding components. For example, the extended rear length STL is (i) the distance H between the first fixed area FA1 and the upper surface of the first extended portion 497a when the rotating body 481 is in the folded position (H) ( Example: the total height of the elastic support 491) and the distance L between the ends of the notch 482c viewed in the normal direction of the first fixing area FA1 when the rotating body 481 is in the folding position (L) A value obtained by multiplying the first value (H-L), which is the difference, by the cotangent value of the second angle (b), and (ii) the first fixed area FA1 and the first extension part ( 497a) may be related to a value obtained by multiplying the second value (H), which is the distance (H) between the upper surfaces, by the cotangent value of the first angle (a). For example, the stretch posterior length (STL) of the end portion 496 may be determined by the following equation.

[Equation 1]

On the other hand, the stretch posterior length (STL) as described above is not limited by the above equation, and parameters related to the stretch posterior length (STL) and their correlation may vary depending on the material constituting the elastic support 491 . .

When the rotating body 481 is rotated from an intermediate position (eg, FIG. 4F ) to an unfolded position (eg, FIG. 4G ), for example, a first region and a second region of the display are substantially non-facing and are substantially about each other. When forming a 180 degree angle, the first connecting portion 494 is tilted with respect to the first fixing portion 493 at a third angle c that is greater than the second angle b and less than the first angle a, At least a portion of the end portion 496 remains within the clearance CS, and the contact 498 may be received into the recess 487 along the circumferential curved surface 486 . At this time, the contact portion 498 may be maintained in contact with the surface constituting the recess 487 . Accordingly, the elastic support 491 may be caught in the recess 487 .

5 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the hinge structure 563 (eg, the hinge structure 463 of FIG. 4G ) according to an embodiment includes a rotating body 581 (eg, the rotating body 481 of FIG. 4G ) and a contact part ( 498) can have a variety of structures to reduce friction between them. For example, when the body of rotation 581 is in the unfolded position (eg, FIG. 4G ), the body of rotation 581 is spaced apart from the notch 582c (eg, the notch 482c of FIG. 4G ) and is cylindrical. A recess 587 formed inwardly of the curved surface 586 (eg, the cylindrical curved surface 586 of FIG. 4G ) and not substantially in contact with the contact portion 498 may be included. In addition, when the rotating body 581 is in the unfolded position, the end portion 496 is not disposed in the free space CS, but is fixed to the second protrusion P2 and the second cover by the second protrusion P2. may be supported from portion 478 .

6 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the hinge structure 663 (eg, the hinge structure 463 of FIG. 4E ) according to an embodiment, the end portion 496 may be fixed to a portion other than the protrusion P. For example, end portion 496 may be secured to protrusion 679 protruding from second cover portion 478 when rotating body 481 is in a folded position (eg, FIG. 4E ). Here, the shape of the protrusion 679 of the second cover portion 478 may correspond to the shape of the second protrusion P2 illustrated in FIG. 4E . The protrusion 679 of the second cover portion 478 may extend along the first cover portion 476 and define the free space CS together with the first fixing area FA1 . When the rotating body 481 rotates from the folding position to the unfolding position, the end portion 496 is released from the protrusion 679 of the second cover portion 478 to move into the free space CS. In this case, the end portion 496 may not meet the components around the free space CS. In an embodiment, the shape of the protrusion P of the fixture 467 may correspond to the shape of the first protrusion P1 illustrated in FIG. 4E . In an embodiment, the protrusion P of the fixture 467 may be positioned or seated on at least a portion of the protrusion 679 of the second cover portion 478 . In some embodiments, the protrusion P of the fixture 467 may be seamlessly connected to at least a portion of the protrusion 679 of the second cover portion 478 .

7A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7A , the hinge structure 763 according to an embodiment may include an elastic support 791 (eg, an elastic support 491) of various structures capable of elastically supporting the rotation body 481 . can For example, the elastic support 791 may include a first support 792 supported from the first cover portion 476 (eg, the first support 492 ), and a second support supported from the second cover portion 478 . 795 (eg, second support 495 ) and contact 798 (eg, contact 498 ) between first and second support 792 and second support 795 in contact with cylindrical curved surface 486 ). may include.

The first support part 792 may include a first fixing part 793 (eg, the first fixing part 493 ) and a first connection part 794 (eg, the first connection part 494 ). The second support part 795 may include a second fixing part 796 and a second connection part 797 (eg, the second connection part 497).

The first fixing part 793 may be fixed to the first cover part 476 . In an embodiment, the first fixing part 793 may be fixed to the first fixing area FA1 of the first cover part 476 . In one embodiment, the first fixing portion 793 is limited by the stepped portion 477 between the first cover portion 476 and the second cover portion 478 and may be supported by the stepped portion 477 . . In one embodiment, the first fixing portion 793 may extend along the first cover portion 476 . In an embodiment, the first fixing part 793 may extend only to a portion of the first fixing area FA1.

The first connection part 794 may connect the first fixing part 793 and the contact part 798 . In an embodiment, the first connection part 794 may be inclined with respect to the first fixing part 793 and may extend from an end of the first fixing part 793 . A first connecting portion 794 and a first fixed portion 793 as the contact portion 798 moves along the circumferential curved surface 486 while the rotating body 481 rotates from the folded position through the intermediate position to the unfolded position. While the angle between the decreases, when the contact portion 798 enters the recess 487, the angle between the first connection portion 794 and the first fixing portion 793 increases so that the first connection portion 794 is 1 It may be elastically deformed with respect to the fixing part 793 . In an embodiment, the first connection part 794 and the first fixing part 793 may form an acute angle. In one embodiment, the first connection portion 794 may be configured as one section extending from the first fixing portion 793 to the contact portion 798 . In other words, the first connector 794 may have a substantially linear profile. In one embodiment, the protrusion P of the fixture 467 has a length (eg, the length of the protrusion P) of the step portion 477 between the first cover portion 476 and the second cover portion 478 . : The length of the stepped portion 477 viewed in the X direction) may be formed to be substantially the same. In one embodiment, the protrusion P of the fixing body 467, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first fixing area FA1 of the first cover part 476 (eg, the Z direction), the first fixing A surface substantially parallel to the surface of the area FA1 and substantially flat may be formed.

The second fixing portion 796 may be supported directly from the second cover portion 478 . Here, 'directly supported' may mean that the support between the second fixing part 796 and the second cover part 478 is made without the mediation of other components. In an embodiment, the second fixing part 796 may extend in one direction (eg, -X direction) toward the second cover part 478 . In an embodiment, the second fixing part 796 may be accommodated in the receiving space RS formed in the second cover part 478 . In an embodiment, the movement of the second fixing part 796 may be limited by the peripheral surface of the accommodation space RS formed in the cover part 478 . In one embodiment, the second fixing portion 796 may be positioned on the stepped portion 477 between the first cover portion 476 and the second cover portion 478 .

The second connection part 797 may connect the second fixing part 796 and the contact part 798 . In one embodiment, the second connection portion 797 may be configured as one section extending from the second fixing portion 796 to the contact portion 798 . In other words, the second connector 797 may have a substantially linear profile. In an embodiment, the second connection part 797 may be inclined with respect to the second fixing part 796 . A second connecting portion 797 and a second fixing portion 796 as the contact portion 798 moves along the circumferential curved surface 486 while the rotating body 481 rotates from the folded position through the intermediate position to the unfolded position. The angle between the second connection part 797 and the second fixing part 796 may decrease when the contact part 798 enters the recess 487 while increasing. In an embodiment, the second connection part 797 and the second fixing part 796 may form an obtuse angle.

The contact portion 798 may be caught at an end of the rotating body 481 when the rotating body 481 is in the folded position. This may be realized by a geometry in which the contact portion 798 is inclined with respect to the first connection portion 794 and also inclined with respect to the second connection portion 797 when the rotating body 481 is in the folded position. When the rotating body 481 is about to rotate from the folding position to the unfolding position, the supporting force of the first supporting part 792 acts greater than the supporting force of the second supporting part 795, so that the rotating body 481 from the folding position to the unfolding position ( 481) may be inhibited or delayed. On the other hand, when a moment greater than or equal to the threshold value is generated with respect to the rotating body 481 , the rotating body 481 overcomes the supporting force of the first supporting part 792 and the supporting power of the second supporting part 795 , and the folding axis (eg, FIG. 2A ) starts to rotate about the folding axis (A) of can

Figure 7b is a view showing the elastic support of Figure 7a.

Referring to FIG. 7B , the elastic support 791 may have a curved profile structure. A portion between the first fixing portion 793 and the first connecting portion 794 of the elastic support 791 is formed as a curved portion having a first radius of curvature r1, and the first connecting portion 794 and the contact portion 798 The portion in between is formed as a curved portion having a second radius of curvature r2, and the portion between the second fixing portion 796 and the second connecting portion 797 is formed as a curved portion having a third radius of curvature r3. and a portion between the second connecting portion 797 and the contact portion 798 may be formed as a curved portion having a fourth radius of curvature r4. In an embodiment, the first radius of curvature r1 may be less than or equal to the third radius of curvature r3. In an embodiment, the first radius of curvature r1 may be less than or equal to the second radius of curvature r2. In an embodiment, the third radius of curvature r3 may be less than or equal to the fourth radius of curvature r4. In an embodiment, the fourth radius of curvature r4 may be less than or equal to the second radius of curvature r2. In one embodiment, the first connection portion 794 and the second connection portion 797 may be formed in a substantially linear profile.

8A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which a rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which a rotating body is rotated from a folding position to an intermediate position according to an embodiment.

8A and 8B , the hinge structure 863 according to an embodiment may include a lever-type elastic support member 891 . For example, the resilient support 891 may include an end portion 896 positioned over the first cover portion 876 , a contact portion 898 that contacts the rotating body 481 , and an end portion 896 and contact portion 898 . It may include a connecting portion 897 connecting the two and an elastic body 894 elastically supporting the connecting portion 897 . In one embodiment, the end portion 896 , the connection portion 897 , and the contact portion 898 may be integrally formed. Hinge cover 865 (eg, hinge cover 465) includes a first cover portion 876 (eg, first cover portion 476) and a second cover portion 878 (eg, second cover portion 478). )) may be included. The first cover portion 876 may support the elastic support 891 .

In one embodiment, the connection part 897 is connected to the first extension part 897a extending in the first direction (eg, the X direction) and the first extension part 897a in a second direction crossing the first direction. A second extension portion 897b extending in (eg, +Z/-Z direction) may be included. A second extension 897b may extend between the end portion 896 and the first extension 897a. In an embodiment, the connection part 897 may include a protrusion 897c protruding from the first extension part 897a in a second direction (eg, a +Z/−Z direction). In one embodiment, the connecting portion 897 may include an inclined surface 897d that is inclined with respect to the first extension 897a toward the contact portion 898 .

In one embodiment, the elastic body 894 may be positioned between the first cover portion 876 and the first extension portion 897a. The elastic body 894 may elastically support a portion of the first extension 897a (eg, a portion opposite to the end to which the second extension 897b is connected) with respect to the first cover portion 876 . In an embodiment, the elastic body 894 may include a spring and/or other elastic material structure.

In one embodiment, the contact portion 898 may include a first contact surface 898a and a second contact surface 898b. When the rotating body 481 is in the folded position (eg, FIG. 8A ), the first contact surface 898a is the first area 482a and the second area 482b of the first side 482 of the rotating body 481 . ) in contact with the second region 482b. On the other hand, while the rotating body 481 departs from the folding position and rotates to the unfolded position through an intermediate position (eg, FIG. 8B ), that is, between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b. While the curved concave surface 485c moves along the guide rail 475a, the contact between the first contact surface 898a and the second region 482b is released, and the second contact surface 898b moves to the rotating body 481 may be in contact with the circumferential curved surface 486 of In one embodiment, the first contact surface 898a may be at least a portion of an end surface of the first connection portion 897a, and the second contact surface 898b is at least one of a surface between the first contact surface 898a and the inclined surface 897d. may be some

In one embodiment, the first cover portion 876 may include a separation preventing structure 876 - 1 configured to prevent separation of the elastic body 894 . In one embodiment, the escape prevention structure 876-1 is formed in one direction (eg, Z) from a portion of the first cover portion 876 in a form in which the elastic body 894 surrounds the departure prevention structure 876-1. direction) can protrude. In one embodiment, the protrusion height of the departure prevention structure 876-1 is, while the rotating body 481 is rotated from the folding position (eg, FIG. 8A) to the unfolding position through the intermediate position (eg, FIG. 8B), It may be set not to meet the first connection part 897a.

In an embodiment, the first cover portion 876 may include a support structure 876 - 2 supporting the elastic support 891 . In one embodiment, the support structure 876 - 2 is, while the rotating body 481 is rotated from the folding position (eg, FIG. 8A ) to the intermediate position (eg, FIG. 8B ) to the unfolding position, the first connection part In order to maintain the balance of the 897a, it may have a pivot center of the first connection portion 897a. In an embodiment, the support structure 876 - 2 may support a central portion of the first connection part 897a. In one embodiment, the support structure 876 - 2 may be located in a central region of the first cover portion 876 . In an embodiment, the support structure 876 - 2 may be integrally formed with the first cover portion 876 .

In an embodiment, the support structure 876 - 2 includes a first surface SF1 , a second surface SF2 opposite to the first surface SF1 , and the first surface SF1 and the second surface SF2 . It may include an apex portion (AP) in between. The apex portion AP may have a pivot center capable of maintaining the balance of the first connection portion 897a. In an embodiment, the first surface SF1 may be inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the first cover part 876 . In another embodiment, the first surface SF1 may be substantially perpendicular to the first cover portion 876 . In an embodiment, the second surface SF2 may be inclined at a second inclination angle with respect to the first cover part 876 . In another embodiment, the second surface SF2 may be substantially perpendicular to the first cover portion 876 . In an embodiment, the first inclination angle of the first surface SF1 and the inclination angle of the second surface SF2 may be substantially the same. In another embodiment, the first inclination angle of the first surface SF1 may be different from the inclination angle of the second surface SF2. In an embodiment, the apex portion AP may be formed as a curved surface having a set radius of curvature.

According to the operation of the hinge structure 863 according to an embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the folding position (eg, FIG. 8A ), the elastic support 891 is the display ( For example, it is possible to suppress or delay the deviating of the rotating body 481 from the folding position by the reaction force of the display 261). The elastic body 894 elastically supports a portion of the first connecting portion 897a, and the first contacting surface 898a of the contacting portion 898 is a second region ( 482b) can be maintained. On the other hand, for example, when the rotating body 481 starts to rotate from the folding position to the intermediate position (eg, FIG. 8B ) by the force of the user, the first contact surface 898a and the first surface 482 Contact between the second regions 482b is released, and the second contact surface 898b can be maintained in contact with the cylindrical curved surface 486 along the cylindrical curved surface 486 . As the first connection part 897a is inclined to one side (eg, the left side of FIG. 8B ) with respect to the apex part AP by the rotation of the rotating body 481 , the elastic body 894 may be compressed. Although not shown, when the rotating body 481 rotates from the intermediate position to the unfolding position, the elastic body 894 pushes up the first connection part 897a and the first connection part 897a may find a balance.

9A is a cross-sectional view of a hinge structure in which a rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a plan view of a hinge structure in which a rotating body is in a folding position according to an embodiment. 9c is a plan view of a hinge structure in which the rotating body is in an unfolded position according to an embodiment, and FIG. 9d is a rear view of the hinge structure showing an actuator for operating the slider according to an embodiment.

9A to 9D , the hinge structure 963 according to an embodiment may include a slide-type elastic support body 991 . For example, the elastic support 991 may be disposed between the pair of second cover portions 978 (eg, second cover portions 478) of the hinge cover 965 (eg, hinge cover 465) and between the second cover portions 478 A slider 997 configured to slide over one cover portion 976 (eg, the first cover portion 476 ), a contact portion 998 connected to the slider 997 and in contact with the rotating body 481 , and a third cover portion and an elastic body 994 positioned between 979 and plate 997a. In one embodiment, the third cover portion 979 may extend onto the first cover portion 976 (eg, in the Z direction) and be formed between the pair of second cover portions 978 . In an embodiment, the elastic body 994 may elastically support one surface of the plate 997a with respect to the third cover portion 979 . In an embodiment, the elastic body 994 may include a spring and/or other elastic material structure. In one embodiment, the slider 997 and the contact portion 998 may be integrally formed.

In an embodiment, the third cover portion 979 may include a separation preventing structure 976 - 1 configured to prevent separation of the elastic body 994 . In one embodiment, the departure prevention structure 976-1 is formed in one direction (eg, Y) from a portion of the third cover portion 979 in a form in which the elastic body 994 surrounds the departure prevention structure 976-1. direction) can protrude. In an embodiment, the protrusion height of the escape prevention structure 976 - 1 may be set to a length at which the slider 997 does not meet the departure prevention structure 976 - 1 when the elastic body 994 is compressed.

In one embodiment, the slider 997 includes a plate 997a sliding along the longitudinal direction (eg, Y direction) of the hinge cover 965 on the recessed area FA1 of the first cover part 976 . may include In one embodiment, the plate 997a may have a substantially flat shape. In one embodiment, the width of the plate 997a may be substantially equal to the width of the recessed area FA1 of the first cover portion 976 . In one embodiment, the slider 997 may include an inclined surface 997d that is inclined with respect to the plate 997a towards the contact 998 .

In one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in a folded position (eg, FIG. 9A ), the contact portion 998 is a first area 482a and a second of the first surface 482 of the rotating body 481 . may be configured to contact a second region 482b of the region 482b. On the other hand, when the rotating body 481 is deviated from the folding position, the contact between the contact portion 998 and the second region 482b is released, and the rotating body 481 is moved from the intermediate position to the unfolding position (eg, FIG. 9C ). When in any position in between, the contact portion 998 may be configured to not contact the second region 482b. In one embodiment, the contact portion 998 may be at least a portion of a side surface of the plate 997a.

The first cover portion 976 may support at least a portion of the plate 997a. In one embodiment, the first cover portion 976 is arranged in one direction (eg, X-direction) of the first cover portion 976 and supports the first portion and the second portion of the plate 997a, respectively. A pair of support structures 976-2 may be included. In an embodiment, the first portion and the second portion of the plate 997a may be formed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval, or may be formed side by side in one direction (eg, X direction) of the first cover portion 976 . In an embodiment, the pair of support structures 976 - 2 may be integrally formed with the first cover portion 976 . In another embodiment, the first cover portion 976 may include a single support structure 976 - 2 formed in a region (eg, a central region) of the first cover portion 976 . In some embodiments, the first cover portion 976 may include three or more support structures 976 - 2 arranged in one direction (eg, the X direction) of the first cover portion 976 .

In an embodiment, the support structure 976-2 includes a first surface SF1, a second surface SF2 opposite to the first surface SF1, and the first surface SF1 and the second surface SF2. It may include an apex portion (AP) in between. The apex portion AP may maintain contact with one surface (eg, a lower surface) of the plate 997a. In an embodiment, the first surface SF1 may be inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the first cover portion 976 . In another embodiment, the first surface SF1 may be substantially perpendicular to the first cover portion 976 . In an embodiment, the second surface SF2 may be inclined at a second inclination angle with respect to the first cover portion 976 . In another embodiment, the second surface SF2 may be substantially perpendicular to the first cover portion 976 . In an embodiment, the first inclination angle of the first surface SF1 and the inclination angle of the second surface SF2 may be substantially the same. In another embodiment, the first inclination angle of the first surface SF1 may be different from the inclination angle of the second surface SF2. In an embodiment, the apex portion AP may be formed as a curved surface having a set radius of curvature.

In an embodiment, the hinge structure 963 may include an actuator 999 configured to move the slider 997 along a longitudinal direction (eg, a Y direction) of the hinge cover 965 . The actuator 999 is mounted on the slot 999b and the slot 999b formed on the outer surface opposite to the recessed area FA1 of the hinge cover 965 and connected to the slider 997 and the slot 999b Accordingly, it may include an opening/closing part 999a movable between the folding position and the unfolding position. In an embodiment, the opening/closing unit 999a may control the movement of the slider 997 by a mechanical opening/closing method or an electrical/electronic opening/closing method. In some embodiments, the opening/closing portion 999a may have a shape of a slide-type button, a push-type button, and/or other mechanical button. In some embodiments, the opening/closing unit 999a may be configured as a touch sensor that recognizes a user's touch.

According to the operation of the hinge structure 963 according to an embodiment, when the rotating body 481 is in the folding position (eg, FIG. 9A ), the elastic support 991 is the display ( 481 ) supported by the rotating body 481 . For example, it is possible to suppress or delay the deviating of the rotating body 481 from the folding position by the reaction force of the display 261). When the user operates the opening/closing part 999a from the folding position to the unfolding position through the intermediate position, the slider 997 moves in the direction in which the elastic body 994 is compressed (eg, -Y direction in FIG. 9C), and the contact part ( 998 and the second region 482b of the first surface 482 of the rotating body 481 may be released. When the contact between the contact portion 998 and the second region 482b is released, the curved concave surface 485c between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b moves along the guide rail 475a. While the rotating body 481 can be rotated to the unfolding position through the intermediate position. On the other hand, when the user operates the opening/closing unit 999a from the unfolding position to the folding position through the intermediate position, the slider 997 moves in the direction in which the elastic body 994 is extended (eg, the Y direction in FIG. 9C ), and the contact unit Contact may be formed between 998 and the second region 482b of the first face 482 of the rotating body 481 . When the contact between the contact portion 998 and the second region 482b is formed, the curved concave surface 485c between the first curved side surface 485a and the second curved side surface 485b moves along the guide rail 475a. While the rotating body 481 can be rotated from the unfolding position to the folding position through the intermediate position.

The foldable electronic device 201 according to various embodiments includes a first area 261a, a second area 261b, and a folding area 261c between the first area 261a and the second area 261b. a display 261 comprising; a first housing 210 covering a first area 261a of the display 261; a second housing 220 covering the second area 261b of the display 261; and a hinge structure 363 connecting the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 and located in at least a part of the folding area 261c of the display 261, wherein the hinge structure ( 363 includes hinge covers 365, 465 having a folding axis A and comprising a first cover portion 476 and a second cover portion 478; A first position where the first area 261a of the display 261 and the second area 261b of the display 261 face each other and the first area 261a of the display 261 and the display 261 a rotating body 481 that rotates about the folding axis A and supports the display 261 between second positions where the second region 261b of the second region 261b does not face; and an elastic support member 491 that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body 481 and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body 481 from the first position to the second position, The support 491 includes a first support 492 supported from the first cover portion 476; a second support (495) supported from the second cover portion (478); and a contact part 498 connected to the first support part 492 and the second support part 495 and in contact with the rotating body 481 .

According to an embodiment, the first support part 492 includes a first fixing part 493 fixed to the first cover part 476; and a first connection part 494 connecting the first fixing part 493 and the contact part 498 .

According to an embodiment, the first fixing part 493 may extend along the first cover part 476 .

According to an embodiment, the first connection part 494 may be inclined at a first angle a with respect to the first fixing part 493 .

According to one embodiment, when the rotating body 481 rotates from the first position to the second position, the first connection part 494 is at the first angle ( It may be configured to be inclined at a second angle (b) smaller than a).

According to an embodiment, the hinge structure 463 may further include a friction reducing part 488 for reducing friction between the rotating body 481 and the contact part 498 .

According to an embodiment, the friction reducing part includes a recess 587 formed in the rotating body 581, and when the rotating body 581 is in the second position, the contact part 498 is formed in the recess ( 587) may be configured not to contact.

According to an embodiment, the hinge structure 463 further includes a fixing body 467 installed on the hinge cover 465 and guiding the rotation of the rotating body 481 , and the second support part 495 . ) is an end portion 496 supported from the fixture 467; and a second connection portion 497 connecting the end portion 496 and the contact portion 498 .

According to an embodiment, the fixture 467 defines a free space CS between the first cover part 476 and the second cover part 478 and supports the end part 496 . It may include a protrusion (P2).

According to an embodiment, when the rotating body 481 rotates from the first position to the second position, the end portion 496 is released from the protrusion P2 and moves to the free space CS. can be configured.

According to an embodiment, when the end portion 496 moves into the free space CS, the end portion 496 does not meet the first cover portion 476 and the second cover portion 478 . can be configured.

According to an embodiment, the second connection part 497 may include a first extension part 497a extending in a first direction from the contact part; and a second extension portion 497b extending in a second direction different from the first direction between the first extension portion 497a and the end portion 496 .

According to another embodiment, the first support portion 792 includes a first fixing portion 793 fixed to the first cover portion 476; and a first connecting portion (794) connecting the first fixing portion (793) and the contact portion (498), wherein the second supporting portion (795) is a second high portion fixed to the second cover portion (478) government (796); and a second connection part 797 connecting the second fixing part 796 and the contact part 498 .

According to an embodiment, the first connection part 794 may be inclined with respect to the first fixing part 793 , and the second connection part 797 may be inclined with respect to the second fixing part 796 .

According to an embodiment, the contact portion 798 may be inclined with respect to the first connection portion 794 and the second connection portion 797 , respectively.

According to an embodiment, the first fixing part 793 may extend along the first cover part 476 , and the second fixing part 796 may extend toward the second cover part 478 . have.

According to an embodiment, the second cover part 478 may include an accommodation space RS for accommodating the second fixing part 796 .

According to an embodiment, the hinge cover 465 may further include a stepped portion 477 formed between the first cover portion 476 and the second cover portion 478 .

The foldable electronic device 201 according to various embodiments includes a first area 261a, a second area 261b, and a folding area 261c between the first area 261a and the second area 261b. a display 261 comprising; a first housing 210 covering a first area 261a of the display 261; a second housing 220 covering the second area 261b of the display 261; and a hinge structure 363 connecting the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 and located in at least a part of the folding area 261c of the display 261, wherein the hinge structure ( 363 includes hinge covers 365, 465 having a folding axis A and comprising a first cover portion 476 and a second cover portion 478; A first position where the first area 261a of the display 261 and the second area 261b of the display 261 face each other and the first area 261a of the display 261 and the display 261 a rotating body 481 that rotates about the folding axis A and supports the display 261 between second positions where the second region 261b of the second region 261b does not face; and an elastic support 491 that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body 481 and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body 481 from the first position to the second position.

A hinge structure according to various embodiments may include a hinge cover 465 having a folding axis A and including a first cover portion 476 and a second cover portion 478; a rotating body (481) rotating about the folding axis (A) between a first position and a second position different from the first position; and an elastic support member 491 that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body 481 and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body 481 from the first position to the second position, The support 491 includes a first support 492 supported from the first cover portion 476; a second support (495) supported from the second cover portion (478); and a contact part 498 connected to the first support part 492 and the second support part 495 and in contact with the rotating body 481 .

Claims (20)

a display comprising a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area;
a first housing covering a first area of the display;
a second housing covering a second area of the display; and
a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing and positioned in at least a portion of a folding area of the display;
including,
The hinge structure is
a hinge cover having a folding axis and comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion;
rotate about the folding axis between a first position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display face and a second position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display do not face; a rotating body supporting the display; and
an elastic support member that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position;
including,
The elastic support is
a first support portion supported from the first cover portion;
a second support portion supported from the second cover portion; and
a contact part connected to the first support part and the second support part and in contact with the rotating body;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. The method of claim 1,
the first support
a first fixing part fixed to the first cover part; and
a first connection part connecting the first fixing part and the contact part;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first fixing part extends along the first cover part. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first connection part is inclined at a first angle with respect to the first fixing part. 5. The method of claim 4,
When the rotating body rotates from the first position to the second position, the first connection part is configured to be inclined at a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the first fixing part. The method of claim 1,
The hinge structure may further include a friction reducing part for reducing friction between the rotating body and the contact part. 7. The method of claim 6,
The friction reducing portion includes a recess formed in the rotating body,
and wherein the contact portion does not contact the recess when the rotating body is in the second position. The method of claim 1,
The hinge structure further includes a fixing body installed on the hinge cover and guiding the rotation of the rotating body,
the second support
an end portion supported from the fixture; and
a second connecting portion connecting the end portion and the contact portion;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. 9. The method of claim 8,
and the fixing body includes a protrusion that defines a free space between the first cover part and the second cover part and supports the end part. 10. The method of claim 9,
and when the rotating body rotates from the first position to the second position, the end portion is released from the protrusion and moves to the free space. 11. The method of claim 10,
The foldable electronic device is configured such that when the end portion moves into the free space, the end portion does not meet the first cover portion and the second cover portion. 9. The method of claim 8,
The second connection part
a first extension portion extending in a first direction from the contact portion; and
a second extension extending in a second direction different from the first direction between the first extension and the end portion;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. 3. The method of claim 2,
the second support
a second fixing part fixed to the second cover part; and
a second connection part connecting the second fixing part and the contact part;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. 14. The method of claim 13,
The first connection part is inclined with respect to the first fixing part, and the second connection part is inclined with respect to the second fixing part. 15. The method of claim 14,
The contact portion is inclined with respect to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, respectively. 14. The method of claim 13,
The first fixing part extends along the first cover part, and the second fixing part extends toward the second cover part. 17. The method of claim 16,
The second cover part includes an accommodating space for accommodating the second fixing part. 14. The method of claim 13,
The hinge cover may further include a step portion formed between the first cover portion and the second cover portion. a display comprising a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area;
a first housing covering a first area of the display;
a second housing covering a second area of the display; and
a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing and positioned in at least a portion of a folding area of the display;
including,
The hinge structure is
a hinge cover having a folding axis and comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion;
rotate about the folding axis between a first position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display face and a second position in which the first region of the display and the second region of the display do not face; a rotating body supporting the display; and
an elastic support member that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position;
A foldable electronic device comprising a. a hinge cover having a folding axis and comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion;
a rotating body rotating about the folding axis between a first position and a second position different from the first position; and
an elastic support member that elastically deforms and supports the rotating body and suppresses or delays rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position;
including,
The elastic support is
a first support portion supported from the first cover portion;
a second support portion supported from the second cover portion; and
a contact part connected to the first support part and the second support part and in contact with the rotating body;
A hinge structure comprising a.

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