WO2021117950A1

WO2021117950A1 - Electronic device comprising flexible display

Info

Publication number: WO2021117950A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/017690
Authority: WO
Inventors: 차영도; 정찰기
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2019-12-13
Filing date: 2019-12-13
Publication date: 2021-06-17

Abstract

An electronic device according to various embodiments may comprise: a first frame; a second frame which at least partially overlaps the first frame and is arranged movably relative to the first frame; a flexible display which enlarges or reduces a screen output area visible through the front surface of the electronic device, on the basis of a relative movement between the first frame and the second frame; a frame fixing member which restricts the relative movement between the first frame and the second frame by using magnetic force; and a moving member which moves the position of the frame fixing member. Various other embodiments are also possible.

Description

Electronic device including flexible display

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device including a flexible display.

With the recent development of digital technology, mobile communication terminals, smart phones, tablets, personal computers, notebooks, personal digital assistants, wearable devices, or digital cameras. Various types of electronic devices, such as a digital camera, are widely used.

As the performance of the electronic device is improved, the demand for a large-area display capable of more efficiently providing various functions is increasing. On the other hand, electronic devices are required to be miniaturized and thinned for easy portability, which conflicts with conventional electronic devices having large-area displays.

Accordingly, by utilizing a flexible display having sufficient elasticity (eg, a foldable display, a rollable display), at least a portion of the display is folded, bent, or rolled when carrying, and, if necessary, An electronic device of a method in which the foldable, bent, or rolled display can be unfolded and used is under review.

When the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device is expanded or reduced using the flexible display, it is necessary to provide a device capable of maintaining the electronic device in the expanded or reduced state according to user convenience.

For example, in the automatic mode, the electronic device may automatically control the area of the front screen output area, and in this case, the frame position of the electronic device so that the area of the front screen output area is not changed by an external force may need to be fixed (or fastened).

Meanwhile, in the electronic device, in the manual or semi-automatic mode, it is necessary to release the fixing of the frame position in the automatic mode so that the user can manually or semi-automatically change the area of the front screen output area according to the user's convenience there may be

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide improved usability of an electronic device including a flexible display.

According to an aspect of an electronic device according to various embodiments for achieving the above or other object, the electronic device includes: a first frame; a second frame at least partially overlapping the first frame and arranged to be movable relative to the first frame; a flexible display configured to expand or reduce a screen output area viewed through a front surface of the electronic device based on a relative movement between the first frame and the second frame; a frame fixing member for limiting relative movement between the first frame and the second frame by using a magnetic force; and a moving member for moving the position of the frame fixing member.

For example, the frame fixing member may include a first magnetic body disposed on the first frame; and a second magnetic material disposed on the second frame.

For example, the moving member may release a position fix between the first frame and the second frame by moving the position of the second magnetic body.

For example, the first magnetic body is formed by alternating N-pole magnetic elements and S-pole magnetic elements, and the second magnetic body is formed by alternating S-pole magnetic elements and N-pole magnetic elements. can be

For example, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material are adjacent to each other so that, when the relative movement between the first frame and the second frame is restricted, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material. The magnetic elements may be arranged to have different polarities.

For example, when the position of the frame fixing member is moved by the moving member, the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body are adjacent to each other so that a repulsive force acts between the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body. The magnetic elements may be arranged to have the same polarity.

For example, the moving member may include a driving actuator, and the driving actuator may be connected to the frame fixing member to move the frame fixing member by linearly moving the frame fixing member.

For another example, the moving member may include a telescoping element that expands and contracts according to a change in temperature, and the telescoping element is connected to the frame fixing member to move the position of the frame fixing member based on an electrical signal. .

For example, the moving member may further include an elastic element disposed on the other side of the frame fixing member connected to the elastic element, wherein the elastic element is located at a designated position of the frame fixing member in a state where the elastic element is relaxed. It is possible to support the frame fixing member so as to be disposed in the.

For example, the electronic device according to various embodiments may further include a controller, and the controller may move the position of the frame fixing member by using the moving member based on an external input signal.

For example, when determining that the screen output area is in a state for manually expanding or reducing the screen output area based on the external input signal, the controller may use the moving member to move the position of the frame fixing member. can

For example, the controller may move the position of the frame fixing member by using the moving member based on whether any one of at least one preset application is executed.

For example, the moving member may move the position of the frame fixing member in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the second frame moves relative to the first frame.

For example, the frame fixing member may limit relative movement between the first frame and the second frame in a state in which the screen output area is minimized.

According to another aspect of the electronic device for achieving the above or other object, an electronic device according to various embodiments may include a first frame; a second frame moving relative to the first frame; a flexible display configured to expand or reduce a screen output area viewed through a front surface of the electronic device based on a relative movement between the first frame and the second frame; a first magnetic body disposed inside the first frame; It is disposed inside the second frame to face the first magnetic material, and when the screen output area is reduced, the relative movement of the first frame and the second frame is restricted based on the magnetism with the first magnetic material. , a second magnetic material; and a moving member configured to move the position of the second magnetic body by using a shape memory alloy material that expands and contracts based on a change in temperature.

For example, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material are formed by alternately arranging a plurality of magnetic elements having different polarities, and the movable member may include the second frame relative to the first frame. The position of the second magnetic body may be moved in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may selectively expand or reduce the front screen output area using the flexible display. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of using a large-area display while being portable to a user.

In addition, improved usability can be provided in an electronic device including a flexible display through the function of fixing or unfixing the frame position so that the screen output area of the electronic device is not arbitrarily expanded or reduced regardless of the user's intention. have.

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

2A is a front perspective view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment;

2B is a front perspective view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment;

3A is a rear view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment;

3B is a rear view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

4 is a diagram for describing an operation and structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

5 is a diagram for describing an operation and structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

6 is a diagram for describing an operation and structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a driving method of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a driving method of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar components are assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have a meaning or role distinct from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical spirit disclosed herein is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including an ordinal number, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another component, it is understood that the other component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that the other element does not exist in the middle.

The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, terms such as "comprises" or "have" are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but one or more other features It should be understood that this does not preclude the existence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, personal digital assistants (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system, and a slate PC. ), tablet PCs, ultrabooks, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatch, smart glass, head mounted display), digital TV, It may include at least one of a desktop computer or digital signage.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic device 100 according to various embodiments includes a wireless communication unit 110 , an input unit 120 , a sensing unit 140 , an output unit 150 , an interface unit 160 , and a memory 170 . ), a control unit (or a controller) 180 and a power supply unit 190 may include at least one.

The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include other components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1 , and may include only some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 .

The wireless communication unit 110 is connected between the electronic device 100 and the wireless communication system, between the electronic device 100 and another electronic device (not shown) (eg, the electronic device 100 ), or with the electronic device 100 . It may include one or more modules, enabling wireless communication between external servers. The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for connecting the electronic device 100 to one or more networks. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 includes at least one of a broadcast reception module 111 , a mobile communication module 112 , a wireless Internet module 113 , a short-range communication module 114 , and a location information module 115 . can do.

The input unit 120 may include an image input unit (eg, the camera 121) for receiving an image signal input, an audio input unit (eg, a microphone 122) for receiving an audio signal input, or a user input. at least one of the user input units 123 for For example, the user input unit 123 may receive a user touch input through a touch sensor (or a touch panel) provided in the display 151 or may receive a user input through a physical key. Information (eg, voice data, image data, etc.) collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed as a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information in the electronic device 100 , surrounding environment information surrounding the electronic device 100 , and user information.

For example, the sensing unit 140 detects at least one of a proximity sensor 141 , an illumination sensor 142 , a touch sensor, or a fingerprint recognition sensor. may include In addition, the sensing unit 140 includes an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a gravity sensor (G-sensor), a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, and an infrared sensor. (IR sensor: infrared sensor), ultrasonic sensor, optical sensor, battery gauge, environmental sensor (e.g., barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, radiation detection sensor, thermal sensor, gas detection sensor, etc.), or a chemical sensor (eg, electronic nose, healthcare sensor, biometric sensor, etc.).

Meanwhile, the electronic device 100 disclosed in the present specification may combine and utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors.

The output unit 150 may output information related to sight, hearing, or touch. For example, the output unit 150 may include at least one of a display 151 , a sound output module 152 , a haptic module 153 , and an optical output unit 154 .

In an embodiment, the display 151 may form a layered structure with the touch sensor or be integrally formed to implement a touch screen that simultaneously provides a touch input function and a screen output function. For example, the touch screen not only functions as the user input unit 123 providing an input interface between the electronic device 100 and the user, but also serves as the output unit 150 providing an output interface between the electronic device 100 and the user. can function.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, or stored in advance in the memory 170 to the outside. have. For example, the sound output module 152 may output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the electronic device 100 . For example, the sound output module 152 may include at least one of a receiver, a speaker, and a buzzer.

The haptic module 153 may generate various tactile effects that the user can feel. A representative example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module 153 may include vibration. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated through the haptic module 153 may be determined by a user's selection or setting of the controller 180 . For example, the haptic module 153 may synthesize and output different vibrations or output them sequentially.

The light output unit 154 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event by using the light of the light source of the electronic device 100 . For example, the event generated in the electronic device 100 may include at least one of a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notification, an email reception, and information reception through an application.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a passage with various types of external devices connected to the electronic device 100 . For example, the interface unit 160 may include a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, and a device equipped with an identification module. It may include at least one of a connecting port, an audio I/O (Input/Output) port, a video I/O (Input/Output) port, and an earphone port. In response to an external device being connected to the interface unit 160 , the electronic device 100 may perform a specific function or control related to the connected external device.

The memory 170 may store data related to various functions of the electronic device 100 . For example, the memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs (or applications) driven in the electronic device 100 , data for operation of the electronic device 100 , and commands. For example, at least some of the application programs may be downloaded from an external server through wireless communication. Alternatively, in another example, at least some of the application programs may be stored in advance in the memory 170 for a specific function (eg, a call reception, a transmission function, a message reception function, a transmission function) of the electronic device 100 . . The application program stored in the memory 170 may be driven to, for example, perform a predetermined operation (or function) of the electronic device 100 based on the controller 180 .

The controller 180 (eg, a controller) may control the overall operation of the electronic device 100 . For example, the controller 180 processes signals, data, information, etc. input or output through components of the electronic device 100 , or by driving an application program stored in the memory 170 to provide information to the user or It can handle specific functions.

For example, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components of the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 to drive an application program stored in the memory 170 . In order to drive the application program, the controller 180 may operate by combining at least two or more of the components included in the electronic device 100 with each other.

The power supply unit 190 may receive external or internal power to supply power to each component included in the electronic device 100 based on the control of the control unit 180 . The power supply 190 may include a battery. The battery may include a built-in battery or a removable battery.

At least some of the above-described components of the electronic device 100 may operate in cooperation with each other to implement the operation, control, or control method of the electronic device 100 according to various embodiments described below. have. Also, the operation, control, or control method of the electronic device 100 may be implemented by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170 .

The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may have a bar shape. However, it is not limited to such a shape and may have various shapes within a range that does not contradict the characteristics of the present invention.

The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may include, as a display 151 , a rollable, bending, or foldable flexible display (eg, display 151). can

For example, the flexible display may be manufactured on a thin and flexible substrate so that it can be bent, bent, folded, twisted, or rolled like paper while having the screen output characteristics of a conventional flat panel display.

For example, the flexible display may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen. For example, the controller 180 may sense a touch input through the flexible touch screen of the flexible display and perform various functions corresponding to the touch input.

For example, the electronic device 100 may further include a deformation detecting means capable of detecting deformation of the flexible display. For example, the electronic device 100 may detect a deformation of the flexible display through at least one configuration of the sensing unit 140 . For example, the controller 180 changes and outputs information displayed on the flexible display based on the deformation of the flexible display sensed through at least one of the deformation detecting means or the sensing unit 140 , or outputs a predetermined control signal. can create

The state transformation of the flexible display, for example, expansion or contraction of the screen output area viewed through the front surface of the electronic device 100 may occur based on an external force by the user, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 100 may change the state of the flexible display (eg, expand or reduce the screen output area) based on an input through the input unit 120 or a specific application command, and a driving unit for this (not shown) may be included.

2A and 2B are front perspective views of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are rear views of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A to 3B , the electronic device 100 according to various embodiments is of a flexible type so that a screen output area (eg, a front area 151F) that can be viewed through the front can be expanded or reduced. of the display 151 (eg, the display 151 of FIG. 1 ).

For example, the display 151 is bent, rolled, or folded about one axis (eg, the winding area 151C), and as the bending, rolling, or folding axis moves, the electronic device ( 100), the screen output area viewed through the front side may be expanded or reduced.

2A and 3A are diagrams illustrating a state in which a front screen output area is reduced in the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 2B and 3B are front views of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment. It is a diagram showing the expanded state of the screen output area of .

The display 151 includes a front area 151F facing the front surface (eg, the first surface) of the electronic device 100 and a rear area 151R facing the rear surface (eg, the second surface) of the electronic device 100 . ), and a wound region 151C between the front region 151F and the rear region 151R.

For example, the front area 151F may include a front screen output area viewed through the front surface of the electronic device 100 . The rear area 151R may include a rear screen output area viewed through the rear surface of the electronic device 100 .

According to various embodiments, the front region 151F may include a fixed region 151U and a variable region 151X.

The fixed area 151U may include a display area viewed from the front of the electronic device 100 even when the front area 151F is reduced to the minimum.

The variable area 151X may include an area additionally viewed from the front surface of the electronic device 100 as the front area 151F is expanded. An area of the variable region 151X may vary according to a degree to which an axis on which the display 151 is bent, rolled, or folded is moved.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include frame components for moving a bending, rolling, or folding axis of the display 151 .

For example, the electronic device 100 may include a first frame 210 and a second frame 220 as a frame for supporting the display 151 and other internal components of the electronic device 100 . have.

The first frame 210 is positioned to correspond to the variable region 151X and may support the variable region 151X. The second frame 220 is positioned to correspond to the fixed area 151U and may support the fixed area 151U.

The second frame 220 may move away from or closer to the first frame 210 by moving relative to the first frame 210 .

As the second frame 220 moves relative to the first frame 210 , the area of the front area 151F or the rear area 151R of the display 151 may increase or decrease.

For example, the second frame 220 is relatively moved in a direction away from the first frame 210 (eg, a +x direction), thereby displaying the existing wound area 151C or the back area 151R. A portion can be drawn out to the front as the variable region 151X. In this case, the area of the front area 151F may be increased and the area of the rear area 151R may be reduced.

Conversely, when the second frame 220 moves relative to the first frame 210 in a direction (eg, a -x direction), the variable region 151X is rolled into the rear surface of the electronic device 100 . , the front area 151F may be reduced and the rear area 151R may be expanded accordingly. For example, when the front area 151F is reduced as described above, the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be positioned so that a substantial portion overlaps.

According to an embodiment, the rear region 151R may be viewed from the rear of the electronic device 100 through the rear window 251 having a light transmission characteristic. For example, the electronic device 100 may output predetermined image information through the rear region 151R on the rear surface of the electronic device 100 .

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include at least one camera 121 on the rear surface of the second frame 220 . As described above, when the second frame 220 is relatively moved in a direction away from the first frame 210 , the area of the rear region 151R is reduced while being overlapped with the first frame 210 . At least a portion of the second frame 220 may be exposed to the outside.

The camera 121 positioned on the second frame 220 may be exposed to the outside through at least a portion of the second frame 220 exposed to the outside. For example, the user may perform photographing using the camera 121 on the rear surface of the second frame 220 in a state in which the front area 151F is expanded.

Meanwhile, in the electronic device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment, unlike those illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 3B , the first frame 210 supports the fixed area 151U, and the second frame 220 supports the variable area. (151X) may be disposed in a form to support. In addition, the wound area 151C of the display 151 may be located on the side of the second frame 220 , and the rear camera 121 may be arranged on the first frame 210 .

In this case, when the second frame 220 moves relative to the first frame 210 in a direction away from it, a portion of the display located on the side and rear of the second frame 220 is drawn out to the front, so that the front variable The area of the region 151X may be expanded. In addition, the camera 121 disposed on the first frame 210 may be exposed to the outside on the rear surface of the electronic device 100 .

4 to 6 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation and structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 and 5 are diagrams schematically illustrating an internal structure in a state in which a front screen output area (eg, a front area 151F, see FIGS. 2A and 2B ) is reduced in the electronic device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment; For example, it may correspond to the state of the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A .

6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the inside of an expanded state of the front screen output area in the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment, for example, the state of the electronic device 100 shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B . can respond to

As described above, the area of the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device 100 may vary based on the relative position between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 .

For example, the electronic device 100 moves the second frame 220 away from or closer to the first frame 210 (eg, in order to expand or reduce the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device 100 ). +x direction or -x direction), it may be moved relative to the first frame 210 .

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include a frame fixing member. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the electronic device 100 may restrict relative movement between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 using the

frame fixing members

310 and 320 . Through this, the electronic device 100 may fix the relative position between frames so that the front screen output area, that is, the front area 151F of the display 151 is not expanded or reduced.

For example, in the automatic mode, the electronic device 100 may automatically control the relative movement between the first frame 210 and the second frame 20 and the area of the screen output area on the front of the electronic device 100 . can In this case, the electronic device 100 may fix the relative position between the

frames

210 and 220 at a designated position so that the second frame 220 does not move relative to the first frame 210 by an external force. have.

The frame fixing member may include a first magnetic body 310 and a second magnetic body 320 . For example, the first magnetic body 310 may be disposed inside the first frame 210 , and the second magnetic body 320 may be disposed inside the second frame 220 .

The first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be disposed to face each other while the front screen output area is reduced. For example, the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be configured in a form in which a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in a line along the y-axis direction.

For example, each of the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be formed by alternately disposing magnetic elements having different polarities.

For example, the first magnetic material 310 may be configured in a form in which N-pole

magnetic elements

310a and 310c and S-pole

magnetic elements

310b and 310d are alternately arranged in a line. In addition, the second magnetic material 320 may be configured in a form in which S-pole

magnetic elements

320a and 320c and N-pole

magnetic elements

320b and 320d are alternately arranged in a line.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the electronic device 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, based on the attractive force between the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 , the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 are relative to each other. position can be fixed

For example, when the relative movement between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 is restricted as shown in FIG. 4 , each of the first magnetic body 310 and the second magnetic body 320 is The magnetic elements may be arranged such that adjacent magnetic elements (eg, magnetic elements facing each other in the x-axis direction) have different polarities so that attractive forces act therebetween.

For example, a magnetic element 310a of the first magnetic body 310 having an N pole polarity may be opposite to a magnetic element 320a of the second magnetic body 320 having an S pole polarity. For example, a magnetic element 310b of the first magnetic material 310 having an S pole polarity may face a magnetic element 320b of the second magnetic material 320 having an N pole polarity. In addition, the magnetic element 310c of the first magnetic material 310 having the N-pole polarity may be opposite to the magnetic element 320c of the second magnetic material 320 having the S-pole polarity.

As described above, the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 are disposed so that magnetic elements having different polarities are opposed to each other, so that attractive forces may act between them. In this case, a significant external force may be required to separate the second magnetic body 320 from the first magnetic body 310 in the +x direction.

Meanwhile, the electronic device 100 may release the relative movement restriction between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 as shown in FIG. 5 .

For example, in the manual or semi-automatic mode, the electronic device 100 releases the relative movement restriction between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 , and the user directly outputs the screen on the front of the electronic device 100 . The area, that is, the area of the front area 151F of the display 151 may be expanded or reduced.

The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may include a moving member for moving the position of the frame fixing member.

For example, in the state of FIG. 5 , the movable member moves the position of the frame fixing member (eg, the second magnetic body 320 ) in the y-axis direction to thereby move the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 . It is possible to release the position fixation between the

For example, the second magnetic material 320 may be disposed inside the receptacle 325 to move in the y-axis direction inside the second frame 220 . The receptacle 325 may include a space for accommodating the second magnetic material 320 , and may be provided to be movable in the y-axis direction, that is, the +y direction or the -y direction within the second frame 220 . .

The moving member may move the second magnetic body 320 by a predetermined distance in the y-axis direction. For example, the moving member may move the second magnetic body 320 by a distance corresponding to the length of one magnetic element in the +y direction or the -y direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the position fix between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 is released, each of the first magnetic body 310 and the second magnetic body 320 is The magnetic elements may be arranged such that adjacent magnetic elements (eg, magnetic elements facing each other in the x-axis direction) have the same polarity so that a repulsive force acts therebetween.

For example, a magnetic element 310a of the first magnetic material 310 having an N-pole polarity may be opposite to a magnetic element 320b of the second magnetic material 320 having an N-pole polarity. Also, the magnetic element 310b of the first magnetic body 310 having the S pole polarity may face the magnetic element 320c of the second magnetic body 320 having the S pole polarity. Also, the magnetic element 310c of the first magnetic body 310 having the N-pole polarity may be opposite to the magnetic element 320d of the second magnetic body 320 having the N-pole polarity.

As described above, in the state of FIG. 5 , the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 are disposed to face each other on the x-axis, with magnetic elements having the same polarity, respectively, the first magnetic material 310 A repulsive force may act between the and the second magnetic body 320 . Accordingly, the second magnetic body 320 is separated from the first magnetic body 310 , and the position fix between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be released.

When the position fix between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 is released as shown in FIG. 5, the electronic device 100 moves the second frame 220 as shown in FIG. The area of the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device 100 may be freely changed.

Meanwhile, the electronic device 100 moves the position of the second frame 220 from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 5 , and then moves the position of the second magnetic body 320 to the position of FIG. 4 using a moving member. By moving to , the position between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 can be fixed again.

In this specification, the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 are shown in the form of each of four magnetic elements, but the number of magnetic elements and the arrangement of the polarity of each magnetic element according to various embodiments are It is not limited thereto. For example, 310a and 310c of the first magnetic material 310 may each have an S pole polarity, and 310b and 310d may each have an N pole polarity. In this case, 320a and 320c of the second magnetic material 320 are The

N poles

320b and 320d may each have an S pole polarity. In addition, the number of magnetic elements constituting the first magnetic body 310 and the second magnetic body 320 may be applied in various numbers based on the magnitude of the magnetic force for fixing the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 . can

7A and 7B , the electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may include a driving actuator 410 as a moving member.

The driving actuator 410 is connected to a frame fixing member (eg, a second magnetic material 320 or a receptacle 325 in which the second magnetic material 320 is accommodated), and when driving, the frame fixing member is x It can be controlled to move linearly along the axial direction. For example, the driving actuator 410 may position the second magnetic body 320 in the state of FIG. 7A or the state of FIG. 7B .

For example, in the state of FIG. 7A, the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be arranged such that magnetic elements having different polarities are opposed to each other in the y-axis direction (see FIG. 4), A relative position between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be fixed.

For example, in the state of FIG. 7B , the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be disposed such that magnetic elements having the same polarity are opposed to each other in the y-axis direction (see FIG. 5 ), and the first The frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be in a state of being movable along the x-axis direction without being fixed.

8A and 8B , the electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may include at least one of a stretchable element 420 and an elastic element 430 as a moving member for moving the frame fixing member. have.

The stretchable element 420 may be stretched (contracted or relaxed) according to a change in temperature. For example, the stretchable element 420 may be formed using a shape memory alloy material and contract or relax under certain temperature conditions.

The electronic device 100 may reduce or increase the length of the stretchable element 420 by generating a temperature change in the stretchable element 420 as an electrical signal is applied to the stretchable element 420 .

The elastic element 420 may be connected to the second magnetic body 320 or one end of the receptacle 325 in which the second magnetic body 320 is accommodated.

For example, in the state of FIG. 8A , when an electrical signal is applied to the elastic element 420, the temperature of the elastic element 420 increases based on the electrical signal and the elastic element 420 contracts. , thus, as shown in FIG. 8B , the second magnetic body 320 (or the receptacle in which the second magnetic body 320 is accommodated) connected to the elastic element 420 may move in the +y direction.

For example, in the state of FIG. 8A , the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be disposed such that magnetic elements having different polarities face each other in the y-axis direction, based on the attractive force between the magnetic elements. Thus, the positions of the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be fixed.

For example, in the state of FIG. 8B , the first magnetic material 310 and the second magnetic material 320 may be disposed such that magnetic elements having the same polarity face each other in the y-axis direction. Accordingly, the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be movable along the x-axis direction without being fixed to each other.

Meanwhile, an elastic element 430 may be disposed at the other end of the second magnetic body 320 (or the receptacle 325 in which the second magnetic body 320 is accommodated).

The elastic element 430 has one end fixed to one side of the second frame 220 (eg, the protrusion 435 of the second frame 220), and the other end of the second magnetic body (or receptacle 325) and can be connected

The elastic element 430 is, for example, partially stretched in the +y direction when the second magnetic body 320 (or the receptacle 325 ) moves in the +y direction according to the contraction of the elastic element 420 in the -y direction. may cause elasticity.

The elastic element 430 has a temperature lowered over time, and when the elastic element 420 relaxes back to the state of FIG. 8A , the second magnetic body 320 (or the receptacle 325 ) based on the elastic force. )) to a designated position (eg, the position shown in FIG. 8A ).

The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may include a controller (eg, the controller 180 of FIG. 1 ).

The controller may control an operation of the moving member based on an external input signal.

For example, the controller may acquire an external input signal using at least one of the input unit 120 ( FIG. 1 ) and the sensing unit 140 ( FIG. 1 ). For example, the external input signal may correspond to user input information.

The controller may determine whether the acquired external input signal is a signal for manually (or semi-automatically) performing a relative movement operation between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 .

For example, the controller may determine whether to automatically perform the relative movement between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 or manually (or semi-automatically) based on the external input signal. . That is, the controller may determine, based on the external input signal, whether to automatically expand or reduce the area of the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device 100 or manually (or semi-automatically) allow the area to be expanded.

For example, the controller may include a key input for a physical key provided on the outside of the electronic device 100 , a touch input for a touch sensor (eg, a long touch, repeated touch, multi-touch, force touch, hovering, etc.), or Detects an external input signal that meets a condition for moving the position of the frame fixing member based on a preset condition among various types of external input signals such as grip sensing for the sensing unit 140 on one side of the electronic device 100 . In this case, the position of the frame fixing member may be controlled by using the moving member.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device 100 may control the position of the frame fixing member based on whether at least one application is executed.

For example, the controller may control the position of the frame fixing member (eg, the second magnetic body 320 ) by using the moving member when detecting whether any one of at least one preset application is being executed. have.

According to various embodiments, the frame fixing member may attach the second frame 220 to the first frame in a state in which the screen output area of the front surface of the electronic device 100 is minimized (eg, FIGS. 2A and 3A ). By fixing to 210 , relative movement between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may be restricted.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential quality of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are intended to explain, not to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

In an electronic device,

first frame;

a second frame at least partially overlapping the first frame and arranged to be movable relative to the first frame;

a flexible display configured to expand or reduce a screen output area viewed through a front surface of the electronic device based on a relative movement between the first frame and the second frame;

a frame fixing member for limiting relative movement between the first frame and the second frame by using a magnetic force; and

and a moving member for moving the position of the frame fixing member.
The method of claim 1,

The frame fixing member,

a first magnetic body disposed on the first frame; and

and a second magnetic material disposed on the second frame.
The method of claim 1,

wherein the moving member releases a position fix between the first frame and the second frame by moving the position of the second magnetic body.
3. The method of claim 2,

The first magnetic body is formed by alternately disposing an N-pole magnetic element and an S-pole magnetic element,

The second magnetic body is formed by alternately disposing an S-pole magnetic element and an N-pole magnetic element.
5. The method of claim 4,

The first magnetic body and the second magnetic body,

When the relative movement between the first frame and the second frame is restricted, adjacent magnetic elements are disposed to have different polarities so that an attractive force acts between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material.
5. The method of claim 4,

The first magnetic body and the second magnetic body,

When the position of the frame fixing member is moved by the moving member, adjacent magnetic elements are disposed to have the same polarity so that a repulsive force acts between the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body.
The method of claim 1,

The moving member includes a driving actuator,

and the driving actuator is connected to the frame fixing member to move the frame fixing member in a linear motion to move the position of the frame fixing member.
The method of claim 1,

The moving member includes a telescoping element that expands and contracts according to a change in temperature,

The elastic element is connected to the frame fixing member to move the position of the frame fixing member based on an electrical signal.
9. The method of claim 8,

The moving member further includes an elastic element disposed on the other side of the frame fixing member connected to the elastic element,

and the elastic element supports the frame fixing member so that the frame fixing member is disposed at a designated position in a state in which the elastic element is relaxed.
The method of claim 1,

further comprising a controller,

The controller is

An electronic device that moves a position of the frame fixing member by using the moving member based on an external input signal.
11. The method of claim 10,

The controller is

and moving the position of the frame fixing member by using the moving member when it is determined that the screen output area is manually expanded or reduced based on the external input signal.
11. The method of claim 10,

The controller is

An electronic device for moving a position of the frame fixing member by using the moving member based on whether any one of at least one preset application is executed.
The method of claim 1,

The moving member is

and moving the position of the frame fixing member in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the second frame relative to the first frame moves.
In an electronic device,

first frame;

a second frame moving relative to the first frame;

a flexible display configured to expand or reduce a screen output area viewed through a front surface of the electronic device based on a relative movement between the first frame and the second frame;

a first magnetic body disposed inside the first frame;

It is disposed inside the second frame to face the first magnetic material, and when the screen output area is reduced, the relative movement of the first frame and the second frame is restricted based on the magnetism with the first magnetic material. , a second magnetic material; and

and a moving member configured to move a position of the second magnetic body by using a shape memory alloy material that expands and contracts based on a temperature change.
15. The method of claim 14,

The first magnetic material and the second magnetic material are formed by alternately disposing a plurality of magnetic elements having different polarities,

wherein the moving member moves the position of the second magnetic body in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the second frame moves relative to the first frame.