WO2021246747A1

WO2021246747A1 - Easily-unfolded foldable device

Info

Publication number: WO2021246747A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/006778
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김민욱; 허창룡; 허훈도; 김중현; 프루신스키발레리; 윤병욱; 현석
Original assignee: 삼성전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2020-06-05
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Also published as: KR20210151567A

Abstract

Provided, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, are: a foldable device comprising a foldable housing; and a means for enabling a user to easily unfold the foldable device. For example, the foldable device may be configured so as to enable: the movement of magnetic members which are installed inside a housing so as to maintain a folded state of the foldable device; or the adjustment of a magnetic force of the magnetic members. The foldable device may be comparatively easily unfolded according to a change in the relative positions of the magnetic members, or to a change in the magnetic force between the magnetic members. The foldable device, according to various embodiments, comprises: a foldable housing comprising a first housing, and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing; a first magnetic member positioned in the first housing; an operation part positioned at at least a portion of a lateral surface of the second housing; and a second magnetic member movably positioned inside the second housing and connected to the operation part, wherein, when the foldable housing is folded, the second magnetic member moves with respect to the first magnetic member according to the pressing of the operation part, and according to the movement of the second magnetic member, the magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may change. Other embodiments are possible.

Description

Foldable device for easy unfolding

The present disclosure relates to a foldable device that can be folded or unfolded, and more particularly, to a method by which a user can easily unfold the foldable device.

With the development of mobile communication technology and semiconductor technology, a user can consume various contents (eg, movie or web surfing) through a mobile device. Accordingly, the display of the mobile device is getting larger so that it can provide a lot of information or a large screen on one screen.

A foldable device may provide a wide screen while providing relatively good portability. According to folding and unfolding of the foldable device, the display of the foldable device may also be folded or unfolded. A user can carry the foldable device in a folded state, and if necessary, unfold the foldable device to use a large screen.

A foldable display provided in a foldable device may have its own restoring force. For example, a foldable display in a folded state tends to unfold, and accordingly, the foldable device may not be able to maintain the folded state. The foldable device may use magnetic attraction force between magnetic members to maintain the folded state. For example, magnetic members may be respectively positioned at portions facing each other when folded in the foldable device. For example, when the foldable device is folded, the foldable device may maintain the folded state due to magnetic attraction between the magnetic members.

Although it is possible to maintain the folded state of the foldable device by magnetic attraction, a force stronger than magnetic attraction may be required to unfold the foldable device in the folded state. If it is not easy to change the state (eg, folded state, unfolded state) of the foldable device, the user experience may be impaired or it may be difficult to maintain the state. For example, if the user tries to unfold the foldable device with one hand, the foldable device may unfold before the foldable device in the unfolded state is stably gripped, and the foldable device may fall out of the user's hand. have.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in a foldable device including a foldable housing, a foldable device that provides sufficient coupling force to maintain a designated state of the foldable device, but allows a user to relatively easily change state device can be provided.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below. There will be.

In one embodiment, a foldable device includes: a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing; a first magnetic member positioned within the first housing; an operation part positioned on at least a portion of a side surface of the second housing; and a second magnetic member movably located inside the second housing and connected to the movable part, wherein when the foldable housing is folded, the second magnetic member is moved to the second magnetic member according to the pressing of the movable part. It moves with respect to the first magnetic member, and a magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may change according to the movement of the second magnetic member.

In one embodiment, a foldable device includes: a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing; an accommodating space accommodating an input device within the first housing, the input device including a first magnetic member; and a second magnetic member positioned in the second housing, the second magnetic member being positioned within a range of a magnetic field of the first magnetic member of the input device inserted into the receiving space when the foldable housing is folded. have.

In one embodiment, a foldable device includes: a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatable with respect to the first housing; a first magnetic member positioned within the first housing; a second magnetic member positioned within the second housing, the second magnetic member disposed at a position corresponding to the first magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded Element; and a second flexible element positioned on a portion of a side surface of the second housing and adjacent to the first flexible element positioned on the first housing when the foldable housing is folded.

In one embodiment, a foldable device includes: a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing; an electromagnet positioned within the first housing; and a magnetic member movably positioned inside the second housing, wherein when the foldable housing is folded: when a current in a first direction is supplied to the electromagnet, an attractive force acts between the electromagnet and the magnetic member, , when a current in a direction opposite to the first direction is supplied to the electromagnet, the magnetic member may move and move away from the electromagnet.

According to various embodiments, the user can easily unfold the foldable device, which is stably folded by magnetic attraction, using one hand or using a relatively weak force. Also, the foldable device according to various embodiments may provide users with improved usability of the foldable device.

Effects obtainable in the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below. will be.

1 is a diagram illustrating an unfolded state of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment.

2 is a view illustrating a folded state of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 illustrates magnetic elements positioned within a foldable housing in one embodiment.

5 illustrates a state in which the magnetic member moves according to the pressing of the moving part according to an exemplary embodiment.

6 illustrates a first example of an operation part according to an exemplary embodiment.

7 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an operation part according to an exemplary embodiment.

8 illustrates a foldable device including an electromagnet in one embodiment.

9 shows a first embodiment of an electromagnet according to an embodiment.

10 shows a second embodiment of an electromagnet according to an embodiment.

11 illustrates an example in which a magnetic member is movable within a housing in a foldable device according to an embodiment.

12 illustrates a foldable device configured as a foldable housing in which an input device can be accommodated, according to an embodiment.

13 illustrates a foldable device in which a magnetic member included in an input device includes an electromagnet according to an exemplary embodiment.

14 illustrates a foldable device comprising a flexible element disposed on at least a portion of a side surface of a housing in one embodiment.

15 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable device taken along line I-I of FIG. 14 .

16 illustrates a principle in which the foldable device can be unfolded according to relative movement between the foldable housings in one embodiment.

17 illustrates components that help unfold the foldable device 1500 (eg, the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment.

18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the foldable device 1500 of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment.

1 is a diagram illustrating an unfolded state of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a view illustrating a folded state of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment.

1 and 2 , in one embodiment, the foldable device 10 includes a foldable housing 200, a hinge cover 230 that covers a foldable portion of the foldable housing 200, and It may include a flexible or foldable display 100 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “display” 100 ) disposed in a space formed by the foldable housing 200 . In the present disclosure, the surface on which the display 100 is disposed is defined as the first surface or the front surface of the foldable device 10 . In addition, the opposite surface of the front surface is defined as the second surface or the rear surface of the foldable device 10 . In addition, a surface surrounding the space between the front and rear surfaces is defined as a third surface or a side surface of the foldable device 10 .

In one embodiment, the foldable housing 200 includes a first housing structure 210 , a second housing structure 220 including a sensor area 224 , a first rear cover 280 , and a second rear surface. A cover 290 may be included. The foldable housing 200 of the foldable device 10 is not limited to the shape and combination shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and may be implemented by a combination and/or combination of other shapes or parts. For example, in another embodiment, the first housing structure 210 and the first rear cover 280 may be integrally formed, and the second housing structure 220 and the second rear cover 290 may be integrally formed. can be formed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 are disposed on both sides about the folding axis (axis A), and have a shape that is entirely or substantially symmetrical with respect to the folding axis A can have As will be described later, the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 may determine whether the state of the foldable device 10 is an unfolded state (eg, a flat state), a folded state (eg, a folded state), or Depending on whether they are in an intermediate state (eg, an intermediate state), an angle or distance formed from each other may vary. In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing structure 220, unlike the first housing structure 210, further includes the sensor area 224 in which various sensors are disposed, but in other areas, the shape is symmetrical to each other. can have

In an embodiment, the first housing structure 210 has a first surface 211 that faces the front of the electronic device 10 in an unfolded state of the electronic device 10 , and is opposite to the first surface 211 . a second surface 212 facing the direction, and a first side member 213 surrounding at least a portion of the space between the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 . In one embodiment, the first side member 213 includes a first side member 213a disposed parallel to the folding axis (axis A), and a first side member extending from one end of the first side member 213a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis. It may include a second side surface 213b and a third side surface 213c extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (A axis) from the other end of the first side surface 213a.

In an embodiment, the second housing structure 220 has a third surface 221 disposed to face the front of the electronic device 10 in an unfolded state of the electronic device 10 , and the third surface 221 is opposite to the third surface 221 . A fourth surface 222 facing the direction, and a second side member 223 surrounding at least a portion of the space between the third surface 221 and the fourth surface 222 may be included. In one embodiment, the second side member 223 is a fourth side member 223a disposed parallel to the folding axis (A axis), and a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (A axis) from one end of the fourth side surface 223a It may include a fifth side surface 223b extending toward the , and a sixth side surface 223c extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (A axis) from the other end of the fourth side surface 223a. In an embodiment, the third surface 221 may face the first surface 211 in the folded state.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 may together form a recess for accommodating the display 100 . For example, the recess may have substantially the same size as the display 100 . In the illustrated embodiment, due to the sensor area 224 , the recess may have two or more different widths in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A.

For example, the recess may include a first portion 210a parallel to the folding axis A of the first housing structure 210 and a second portion formed at an edge of the sensor region 224 of the second housing structure 220 . The first width w1 between 220a and the third part 210b of the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 do not correspond to the sensor area 224 of the folding axis A It may have a second width w2 formed by the fourth parallel portion 220b. In this case, the second width w2 may be formed to be longer than the first width w1. In other words, the first portion 210a of the first housing structure 210 and the second portion 220a of the second housing structure 220 having a mutually asymmetric shape form a first width w1 of the recess. and the third portion 210b of the first housing structure 210 and the fourth portion 220b of the second housing structure 220 having a mutually symmetrical shape form a second width w2 of the recess. can In an embodiment, the second portion 220a and the fourth portion 220b of the second housing structure 220 may have different distances from the folding axis A. The width of the recess is not limited to the illustrated example. In various embodiments, the recess may have a plurality of widths due to the shape of the sensor region 224 or the portion having the asymmetric shape of the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 .

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 may be formed of a metal material or a non-metal material having a rigidity of a size selected to support the display 100 .

In an embodiment, the sensor area 224 may be formed to have a predetermined area adjacent to one corner of the second housing structure 220 . However, the arrangement, shape, and size of the sensor area 224 are not limited to the illustrated example. For example, in other embodiments, the sensor area 224 may be provided at another corner of the second housing structure 220 or any area between the top and bottom corners. In one embodiment, components for performing various functions embedded in the foldable device 10 are provided through the sensor area 224 or through one or more openings provided in the sensor area 224 . It may be exposed on the front of the foldable device 10 . In various embodiments, the components may include various types of sensors. The sensor may include, for example, at least one of a camera (eg, the camera module 423 of FIG. 3 ), a receiver, a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an iris recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an indicator.

In an embodiment, the first rear cover 280 is disposed on one side of the folding shaft on the rear surface of the foldable device 10 and may have, for example, a substantially rectangular periphery, 1 The edge may be surrounded by the housing structure 210 . Similarly, the second rear cover 290 may be disposed on the other side of the folding shaft of the rear surface of the foldable device 10 , and an edge thereof may be surrounded by the second housing structure 220 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the first rear cover 280 and the second rear cover 290 may have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the folding axis (A axis). However, the first back cover 280 and the second back cover 290 do not necessarily have symmetrical shapes, and in another embodiment, the foldable device 10 includes the first back cover 280 of various shapes. and a second rear cover 290 . In another embodiment, the first rear cover 280 may be integrally formed with the first housing structure 210 , and the second rear cover 290 may be integrally formed with the second housing structure 220 . have.

In one embodiment, the first back cover 280 , the second back cover 290 , the first housing structure 210 , and the second housing structure 220 are various parts (eg, the foldable device 10 ). : It is possible to form a space in which a printed circuit board or battery) can be placed. In an embodiment, one or more components may be disposed or visually exposed on the rear surface of the foldable device 10 . For example, at least a portion of the sub-display 190 may be visually exposed through the first rear area 282 of the first rear cover 280 . In another embodiment, one or more components or sensors may be visually exposed through the second back area 292 of the second back cover 290 . In various embodiments, the sensor may include a proximity sensor, and the component may include a camera, and/or a flash.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the hinge cover 230 is disposed between the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 to cover internal parts (eg, a hinge structure). can In an embodiment, the hinge cover 230 includes the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 210 according to a state (eg, a flat state or a folded state) of the foldable device 10 . 2 It may be covered by a portion of the housing structure 220 or exposed to the outside.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the foldable device 10 is in an unfolded state, the hinge cover 230 may not be exposed because it is covered by the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 . have. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , when the foldable device 10 is in a folded state (eg, a fully folded state), the hinge cover 230 is formed between the first housing structure 210 and the second It may be exposed to the outside between the housing structures 220 . For example, when the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 are in an intermediate state that is folded with a certain angle, the hinge cover 230 is the first housing structure A portion may be exposed to the outside between the 210 and the second housing structure 220 . However, in this case, the exposed area may be smaller than in the fully folded state. In an embodiment, the hinge cover 230 may include a curved surface.

In an embodiment, the display 100 may be disposed on a space formed by the foldable housing 200 . For example, the display 100 may be seated on a recess formed by the foldable housing 200 and constitute most of the front surface of the foldable device 10 .

Accordingly, the front surface of the foldable device 10 may include the display 100 and a partial area of the first housing structure 210 and a partial area of the second housing structure 220 adjacent to the display 100 . In addition, the rear surface of the foldable device 10 includes a first rear cover 280 , a partial region of the first housing structure 210 adjacent to the first rear cover 280 , a second rear cover 290 , and a second rear surface. A partial region of the second housing structure 220 adjacent to the cover 290 may be included.

In an embodiment, the display 100 may refer to 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 100 includes the folding area 103 , the first area 101 disposed on one side (the left side of the folding area 103 shown in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the folding area 103 , and the other side. It may include a second region 102 disposed on (the right side of the folding region 103 shown in FIG. 1 ).

The division of regions of the display 100 shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary, and the display 100 may be divided into a plurality (eg, four or more or two) regions according to a structure or function. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the region of the display 100 may be divided by the folding region 103 extending parallel to the y-axis or the folding axis (A-axis), but in another embodiment, the display ( 100) may be divided into regions based on another folding region (eg, a folding region parallel to the x-axis) or another folding axis (eg, a folding axis parallel to the x-axis).

In an embodiment, the first region 101 and the second region 102 may have a shape that is entirely/substantially symmetrical with respect to the folding region 103 . However, unlike the first region 101 , the second region 102 may include a notch cut according to the presence of the sensor region 224 , but in other regions, the first region 102 . The region 101 may have a substantially symmetrical shape. In other words, the first region 101 and the second region 102 may include a portion having a shape symmetric to each other and a portion having a shape asymmetric to each other. In an embodiment different from the illustrated embodiment, the second region 102 may include a punch hole. A light receiving unit of a sensor (eg, an image sensor, a proximity sensor) disposed on the rear surface of the display may be disposed to be aligned with the punch hole.

Hereinafter, the operation of the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 according to the state of the foldable device 10 (eg, a flat state and a folded state) and the display 100 ) is described for each area.

In an embodiment, when the foldable device 10 is in a flat state (eg, FIG. 1 ), the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 are positioned at a first angle (eg, about 180 degrees) and may be disposed to face substantially the same direction. The surface of the first area 101 and the surface of the second area 102 of the display 100 form a first angle (eg, about 180 degrees) with each other, and in substantially the same direction (eg, the front side of the foldable device) direction) can be directed. The folding area 103 may form the same plane as the first area 101 and the second area 102 . In another embodiment, when the foldable device 10 is in an unfolded state, the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 rotate at a second angle (eg, about 360 degrees) with respect to each other. can do. For example, the surface of the first area 101 and the surface of the second area 102 of the display 9100 may face in substantially opposite directions (eg, opposite directions).

In an embodiment, when the foldable device 10 is in a folded state (eg, FIG. 2 ), the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 may be disposed to face each other. . The surface of the first area 101 and the surface of the second area 102 of the display 100 may face each other while forming a narrow angle (eg, between 0 and 10 degrees). For example, at least a portion of the folding area 103 may be formed of a curved surface having a predetermined curvature.

In an embodiment, when the foldable device 10 is in a folded state (eg, FIG. 2 ), the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 are at a certain angle to each other. angle) (eg, about 90 degrees). The surface of the first region 101 and the surface of the second region 102 of the display 100 may form an angle greater than that in the folded state and smaller than that in the unfolded state. At least a portion of the folding region 103 may be formed of a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and the curvature in this case may be smaller than that in a folded state.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes two

housing structures

210 and 220 rotatable with respect to each other, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes It may include three or more housing structures that are rotatable relative to each other. For example, the electronic device may include a first housing structure, a second housing structure, and a third housing structure. The first housing structure and the second housing structure may be connected by a first hinge structure, and the second housing structure and the third housing structure may be connected by a second hinge structure. In one embodiment, the first housing structure and the third housing structure may be infolded and/or outfolded relative to the second housing structure. For example, when the first housing structure and the third housing structure are folded, the first housing structure may be disposed on the rear surface of the second housing structure, and the third housing structure may be disposed on the front surface of the second housing structure.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable device according to an exemplary embodiment; At least one of the components of the foldable device 10 of FIG. 3 may be similar to at least one of the components of the foldable device 10 of FIGS. 1 to 2 , and a redundant description will be omitted below. .

Referring to FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the foldable device 10 includes a display unit 20 , a bracket assembly 30 , a substrate unit 400 , a first housing structure 210 , and a second housing structure 220 . ), a first back cover 280 and a second back cover 290 may be included. In this document, the display unit 20 may be referred to as a display module or a display assembly.

In an embodiment, the display unit 20 may include the display 100 and one or more plates or layers 140 on which the display 100 is mounted. In an embodiment, the plate 140 may be disposed between the display 100 and the bracket assembly 30 . The display 100 may be disposed on at least a portion of one surface of the plate 140 (eg, the surface facing the +z direction with respect to FIG. 3 ). The plate 140 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the display 100 . For example, a portion of the plate 140 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the notch 104 of the display 100 .

In one embodiment, the bracket assembly 30 includes a first bracket 310 , a second bracket 320 , a hinge structure 300 disposed between the first bracket 310 and the second bracket 320 , a hinge A hinge cover 230 that covers the structure 300 when viewed from the outside, and a wiring member 330 that crosses the first bracket 310 and the second bracket 320 (eg, flexible circuit board (FPC), flexible) printed circuit) may be included.

In an embodiment, the bracket assembly 30 may be disposed between the plate 140 and the substrate 400 . For example, the first bracket 310 may be disposed between the first area 101 of the display 100 and the first substrate 410 . The second bracket 320 may be disposed between the second region 102 of the display 100 and the second substrate 420 .

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the wiring member 330 and the hinge structure 300 may be disposed inside the bracket assembly 30 . The wiring member 330 may be disposed in a direction (eg, an x-axis direction) crossing the first bracket 310 and the second bracket 320 . The wiring member 330 may be disposed in a direction (eg, the x-axis direction) perpendicular to the folding axis (eg, the y-axis or the folding axis A of FIG. 1 ) of the folding area 103 of the foldable device 10 . can

In one embodiment, the substrate unit 400, as mentioned above, the first substrate 410 disposed on the first bracket 310 side and the second substrate disposed on the second bracket 320 side ( 420) may be included. The first substrate 410 and the second substrate 420 include a bracket assembly 30 , a first housing structure 210 , a second housing structure 220 , a first rear cover 280 , and a second rear cover. It may be disposed inside the space formed by 290 . Components for implementing various functions of the foldable device 10 may be mounted on the first substrate 410 and the second substrate 420 .

In one embodiment, the space 225 defined by the second housing structure 220 and the second area 102 of the display 100 includes a first battery 421 , at least one sensor module 422 and/or Alternatively, at least one camera module 423 may be disposed. In an embodiment, at least one sensor module 422 may transmit/receive a signal through the notch 104 of the display 100 . For example, the sensor module 422 may include a proximity sensor that collects or emits light through the notch 104 . In an embodiment, the at least one camera module 423 may photograph a subject outside the electronic device 10 through the second rear area 292 of the second rear cover 290 .

In one embodiment, the second battery 411 and/or the sub-display 190 are disposed in the space 214 defined by the first housing structure 210 and the first area 101 of the display 100 . can be According to an embodiment, the sub-display 190 may be arranged to be visible from the outside through the first rear area 282 of the first rear cover 280 .

In an embodiment, the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 are coupled to both sides of the bracket assembly 30 while the display unit 20 is coupled to each other. can be assembled. As will be described later, the first housing structure 210 and the second housing structure 220 may be coupled to the bracket assembly 30 by sliding from both sides of the bracket assembly 30 .

In one embodiment, the first housing structure 210 may include a first rotation support surface 215 , and the second housing structure 220 supports a second rotation support corresponding to the first rotation support surface 215 . face 216 . The first rotation support surface 215 and the second rotation support surface 216 may include curved surfaces corresponding to the curved surfaces included in the hinge cover 230 .

In one embodiment, the first rotational support surface 215 and the second rotational support surface 216 include the hinge cover ( By covering 230 , the hinge cover 230 may not be exposed to the rear side of the foldable device 10 or may be minimally exposed. Meanwhile, the first rotational support surface 215 and the second rotational support surface 216 are included in the hinge cover 230 when the foldable device 10 is in a folded state (eg, the foldable device of FIG. 2 ). By rotating along the curved surface, the hinge cover 230 may be maximally exposed to the rear surface of the foldable device 10 .

4 illustrates magnetic elements positioned within the foldable housing 501 in one embodiment. 4 is a front view of the foldable device 500 (eg, the foldable device 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 ) in an unfolded state. 5 illustrates a state in which the magnetic member moves according to the pressing of the operation part 540 according to an embodiment. 5 illustrates a state in which the foldable device 500 in a folded state is gripped by a user's hand, and for convenience of explanation, the first housing 502 covering the second housing 503 is omitted from FIG. 5 . At least one of the components of the foldable device 500 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be similar to at least one of the components of the foldable device 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the foldable device 500 may include magnetic members that provide a magnetic force for maintaining the folded state of the foldable housing 501 . In an embodiment, the foldable device 500 may include a first magnetic member 511 and a second magnetic member 512 . For example, the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 may include an electromagnet and/or a permanent magnet. The electromagnet may include a core and a coil wound around the core. The core usually contains a soft magnetic material and is not magnetic when no current is flowing in the coil. When current flows through the coil, the core becomes polarized, and a magnetic field can be created around the core. The polarity of the electromagnet may vary according to the direction of the current flowing through the coil, and the strength of the magnetic field may change according to the strength of the current. For example, when a current in the first direction flows through the coil, one end of the core may become an N pole, and when a current in the second direction flows, it may become an S pole.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device includes an electromagnet, the electronic device may control a current flowing through a coil of the electromagnet to adjust a magnetic force provided by the electromagnet. For example, the electronic device may adjust the strength or direction of a current flowing through the coil by adjusting the voltage input to both ends of the coil.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 511 may be installed inside the first housing 502 (eg, the first housing structure 210 of FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 511 may be installed close to the side surface of the first housing 502 (eg, the first side surface 213a of FIG. 1 ).

In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 512 may be installed inside the second housing 503 (eg, the second housing structure 220 of FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 512 may be installed close to the side surface of the second housing 503 (eg, the fourth side surface 223a of FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 512 may be positioned within a range significantly affected by the magnetic field of the first magnetic member 511 installed in the first housing 502 when the foldable device 500 is folded. For example, the second magnetic member 512 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first magnetic member 511 . Accordingly, when the foldable device 500 is folded, magnetic attraction or repulsion may act between the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 .

In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 512 may be movably installed in the second housing 503 . For example, the second housing 503 may include a receiving space 505 (eg, a cavity) for the second magnetic member 512 , and the second magnetic member 512 may include a receiving space ( 505) may be movable in the receiving space.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 500 may include an operating part (eg, a button) on a side surface of the second housing 503 . The second magnetic member 512 may be positioned under the operation part 540 (ie, in the -x direction). In an embodiment, the moving part 540 or a member extending from the moving part 540 may be connected to the second magnetic member 512 . In an embodiment, the moving part 540 (or another element connected to the moving part 540 ) may be physically connected to the second magnetic member 512 . For example, when the motion part 540 is pressed in the -x direction, at least a part of the motion part 540 may come into contact with the second magnetic member 512 , and the second magnetic member 512 may cause the motion part 540 to be pressed. It can move in any direction (eg -x direction). In an embodiment, the position of the second magnetic member 512 in the second housing 503 may be changed according to the operation of the moving part 540 . For example, the second magnetic member 512 is located in the first area in the second housing 503 when the moving part 540 is not pressed, and the second housing 503 when the moving part 540 is pressed. It may be located in a second region within. For example, when the external force pressing the moving part 540 is released, the second magnetic member 512 may be positioned in the first area within the second housing 503 again. The first region and the second region in which the second magnetic member 512 is positioned may at least partially overlap when viewed in the z-x plane. The present invention is not limited thereto, and the first region and the second region may be formed as mutually independent spaces.

According to an embodiment, since the first magnetic member 511 is fixed to the first housing 502 , when the second magnetic member 512 moves according to the operation of the moving part 540 , the second magnetic member 512 . A position relative to the first magnetic member 511 may vary. Accordingly, the strength and/or direction of the magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 may vary according to the operation of the moving part 540 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , when the moving part 540 is pressed, the second magnetic member 512 may move with respect to the first magnetic member 511 . In an embodiment, as the second magnetic member 512 moves, the force acting between the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 may change. For example, a force acting between the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 may be changed from attractive force to repulsive force according to the operation of the moving part 540 . The foldable device 500 may change from a folded state to an unfolded state or an intermediate state by a repulsive force generated between the magnetic members.

In an embodiment, the elastic member 550 may be connected to at least a portion of the second magnetic member 512 (or the operating part 540 ). The elastic member 550 may provide an elastic force to the second magnetic member 512 . For example, when the second magnetic member 512 moves in the -x direction according to the operation of the moving part 540 , the elastic member 550 moves the second magnetic member 512 toward the original position (eg, the +x direction). ) can provide an elastic force to restore. For example, when the force pressing the moving part 540 disappears, the second magnetic member 512 may return to its original position by the elastic member 550 .

In an embodiment, the elastic member 550 may include one or more springs. The spring may be disposed between the second magnetic member 512 and the internal structure 506 of the second housing 503 to provide a restoring force when the second magnetic member 512 moves. In the illustrated embodiment, two springs are connected to the second magnetic member 512 , but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, one or three or more springs may be connected to the second magnetic member 512 . can

In an embodiment, the

magnetic members

511 and 512 may include a programmable (or coded) magnet. For example, the first magnetic member 511 and/or the second magnetic member 512 may include a programmable magnet. When the

magnet members

511 and 512 are programmable magnets, they may be set to perform a specified operation according to a change in positions of the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 . For example, when the second magnetic member 512 is in the first position P1 with respect to the first magnetic member 511, it may be designed to act as an attractive force. Also, the second magnetic member 512 may be designed to act as a repulsive force when the second magnetic member 512 is in the second position P2 with respect to the first magnetic member 511 . In an embodiment, the

magnetic members

511 and 512 may be formed of a first magnetic member pair 510 including the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 . For example, if the first pair of magnetic members 510 is configured as a pair of programmable magnets, even if the second magnetic member 512 moves a relatively short distance, the force acting between the magnetic members may change from attractive force to repulsive force. . Accordingly, the space required for the operation of the second magnetic member 512 may be reduced, and the internal space of the foldable device 500 may be efficiently utilized.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 may include four divided polarities. The division form of the

magnetic members

511 and 512 of FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 5 . In another embodiment, the

magnetic members

511 and 512 may be divided into various numbers other than four. In another embodiment, the first magnetic member 511 may have a different division shape from that of the second magnetic member 512 .

In an embodiment, the foldable device 500 may include one or more pairs of magnetic members in addition to the first pair of magnetic members 510 including the first magnetic member 511 and the second magnetic member 512 .

According to the illustrated embodiment, the foldable device 500 has a second magnetic field positioned on at least a portion of an upper portion of the foldable housing 501 (eg, a portion spaced apart from the first pair of magnetic members 510 in the +y direction). member pair 520 . For example, the second pair of magnetic members 520 may include a third magnetic member 521 and a fourth magnetic member 522 . The third magnetic member 521 may be positioned on at least a portion of an upper portion of the first housing 502 , and the fourth magnetic member 522 may be positioned on at least a portion of an upper portion of the second housing 503 . When the foldable device 500 is folded, a magnetic attraction may act between the third magnetic member 521 and the fourth magnetic member 522 . In an embodiment, the third magnetic member 521 may include a permanent magnet and the fourth magnetic member 522 may include a metal element (eg, a metal frame) that may be attached to the magnet.

In another embodiment, the third magnetic member 521 and the fourth magnetic member 522 may include permanent magnets. When the third magnetic member 521 and the fourth magnetic member 522 are permanent magnets, the third magnetic member 521 and the fourth magnetic member 522 are magnetic members when the foldable device 500 is folded. It may be located inside the foldable housing 501 so that an attractive force acts between the 521 and 522 . For example, the third magnetic member 521 may be installed in the first housing 502 such that a first magnetic pole (eg, an N pole) faces the front, and the fourth magnetic member 522 is The second magnetic pole (eg, S pole) may be installed in the second housing 503 to face the front.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the foldable device 500 may include a third pair of magnetic members 530 positioned on at least a portion of the lower side of the foldable housing 501 . The third pair of magnetic members 530 may include a fifth magnetic member 531 and a sixth magnetic member 532 . The third pair of magnetic members 530 may be substantially the same as the second pair of magnetic members 520 except for an installation position. For example, the fifth magnetic member 531 may be installed in the first housing 502 such that the first magnetic pole (eg, N pole) faces the front side, and the sixth magnetic member 532 is the second magnetic pole (eg, N pole). Example: S pole) may be installed in the second housing 503 to face the front.

In an embodiment, when the foldable device 500 is folded, the second pair of magnetic members 520 and the third pair of magnetic members 530 may provide only magnetic attraction, unlike the first pair of magnetic members 510 . can The magnetic members constituting the second pair of magnetic members 520 and the third pair of magnetic members 530 have a unique polarity, are fixedly installed in the foldable housing 501 and perform a specified operation (eg: manpower) can be carried out.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the foldable device 500 includes three pairs of

magnetic members

510 , 520 , and 530 , but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 . For example, at least one of the second pair of magnetic members 520 and the third pair of magnetic members 530 may be omitted. As another example, the foldable device 500 may include an additional pair of magnetic members (not shown).

In an embodiment, in order to unfold the foldable device 500 from a folded state, the magnetic force provided by the first pair of magnetic members 510 , the second pair of magnetic members 520 , and the third pair of magnetic members 530 is greater than that of the foldable device 500 . power may be required. When the foldable device 500 is folded, the first pair of magnetic members 510 provides a magnetic force that varies according to the operation of the movable part 540 , and thus the foldable device 500 according to the operation of the movable part 540 . can be changed to an unfolded state or an intermediate state. For example, the foldable device 500 may be unfolded simultaneously with the operation of the operation part 540 .

For example, if the magnetic repulsive force provided by the first pair of magnetic members 510 when the moving part 540 is pressed is greater than the magnetic attraction provided by the other pairs of

magnetic members

520 and 530, the moving part 540 is The foldable device 500 may be unfolded according to the pressing of . For another example, if the magnetic repulsive force provided by the first pair of magnetic members 510 when the moving part 540 is pressed is less than the magnetic attraction provided by the other pairs of

magnetic members

520 and 530, the moving part ( Even when the 540 is pressed, the foldable device 500 may maintain a folded state. However, the user may open the foldable device 500 by applying a smaller force than when the moving part 540 is not pressed.

Meanwhile, the display 504 of the foldable device 500 (eg, the display 100 of FIG. 1 ) may have a characteristic of being unfolded again when folded. Accordingly, the display 504 operates when the sum of the force to unfold the foldable device 500 and the repulsive force provided by the first pair of magnetic members 510 is greater than the magnetic attraction provided by the other pairs of

magnetic members

520 and 530 . The foldable device 500 may be unfolded according to the pressing of the part 540 .

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the operation part 540 may include a flexible element. In an embodiment, the movable part 540 may form at least a portion of a side surface of the foldable device 500 . For example, a portion of the side surface of the second housing 503 adjacent to the second magnetic member 512 may include a flexible material, and a corresponding portion (eg, a portion adjacent to the second magnetic member 512 ). ) may perform a function similar to or identical to that of the operation part 540 capable of moving the second magnetic member 512 . In an embodiment, the flexible material may include a polymer and/or a flexible metal. However, in the present disclosure, the implementation example of the operation part 540 is not limited thereto, and the operation part 540 is a relative of the second magnetic member 512 with respect to the first magnetic member 511 according to the operation of the operation part 540 . It can be implemented in various ways so that the position can be changed.

6 illustrates a first example of an operation part according to an exemplary embodiment. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of an operation part according to an embodiment. 6 and 7 illustrate a state in which the foldable device 600 in a folded state is gripped by a user's hand, and for convenience of explanation, the first housing (eg, the first housing of FIG. 4 ) in FIGS. 6 and 7 . (502)) is omitted. At least one of the components of the

foldable devices

600 and 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be similar to at least one of the components of the foldable devices 500 of FIGS. 4 and 5 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the moving part 640 may include the same material as the second housing 603 . For example, when the second housing 603 includes metal, the moving part may include metal. Including the same material as the second housing 603 may improve the aesthetics of the appearance of the foldable device 600 .

In an embodiment, the foldable device 600 may include a slit 601 between the moving part 640 and the second housing 603 for the operation of the moving part 640 . In an embodiment, a flexible material such as polymer or silicone may fill the slit 601 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the operation part 740 may be implemented as a part physically separated from the second housing 703 . For example, the second housing 703 may include an opening 704 on a side surface, and the operation part 740 may be installed in the opening 704 .

8 illustrates a foldable device 800 including an electromagnet in one embodiment. The foldable device 800 may include an electromagnet for maintaining the folded state of the foldable device 800 . 9 shows a first embodiment of an electromagnet according to an embodiment. 10 shows a second embodiment of an electromagnet according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 may include at least one pair of

magnetic members

810 , 820 , and 830 . In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 may include a first pair of magnetic members 810 . In an embodiment, the first pair of magnetic members 810 may include a first magnetic member 811 and a second magnetic member 812 . In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 may be respectively installed in the first housing 802 and the second housing 803 .

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 811 may include an electromagnet. For example, the electromagnet may include

cores

841 and 851 and conductive wires 842 and 852 (eg, a coil wound around the core) capable of magnetizing the

cores

841 and 851 . When a current (eg, the current I in FIG. 9 ) flows through the conductor, the

cores

841 and 851 are magnetized, so that the electromagnet may have polarities (eg, N pole and S pole). According to an embodiment, the foldable device 800 may control an electromagnetic force by controlling a current passing through the conductors 842 and 852 (eg, a coil). For example, the polarity of an electromagnet can be changed by controlling (eg changing) the direction of movement of the current.

If the strength of the current flowing through the conductor is changed, the strength of the magnetic field caused by the electromagnet may be changed. In the present disclosure, that current is supplied to the magnetic member may be understood to mean that current is supplied to a conductive wire (eg, a coil) constituting the magnetic member that is an electromagnet. According to one embodiment, when a current is supplied to the conductor, a magnetic field may be formed around the conductor according to Biot-Savart law, and the magnitude of the magnetic field is proportional to the current and the square of the distance from the conductor can be inversely proportional to

In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 812 may include a metal element. For example, the metal element may include a ferromagnetic material (eg, iron, nickel, cobalt) to be attached to the first magnetic member (eg, an electromagnet).

In an embodiment, when current is supplied to the first magnetic member 811 in the folded state, a magnetic attraction may act between the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 that are electromagnets. This is because the second magnetic member 812 that is a metal element may be magnetized by the first magnetic member 811 . In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 is disposed between the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 by controlling the intensity of the current supplied to the first magnetic member 811 which is an electromagnet. The magnitude of the applied magnetic force can be adjusted. For example, the foldable device 800 may eliminate or weaken the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 by not supplying current to the first magnetic member 811 . can The foldable device 800 may change the state (eg, an unfolded state, a folded state, and an intermediate state) of the foldable device 800 by controlling the intensity of a current supplied to the magnetic member. For example, the foldable device 800 can be easily unfolded.

In an embodiment, if the second magnetic member 812 includes a permanent magnet, the foldable device 800 may be easily unfolded when a current is supplied to the first magnetic member 811 . Since the permanent magnet has a unique polarity, an attractive or repulsive force may act between the permanent magnet and the first magnetic member 811 according to a direction of a current flowing through the first magnetic member 811 . In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 may generate a repulsive force between the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 by controlling the direction of the current supplied to the first magnetic member 811 . . The foldable device 800 may provide a force to unfold the foldable housing 801 through the first pair of magnetic members 810 , and the foldable device 800 may be easily unfolded.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the foldable device 800 may further include a second pair of magnetic members 820 . The second pair of magnetic members 820 may include a third magnetic member 821 and a fourth magnetic member 822 . In an embodiment, the third magnetic member 821 may include an electromagnet, and the fourth magnetic member 822 may include a permanent magnet and/or a metal element. When a current is supplied to the third magnetic member 821 in the folded state, an attractive force may act between the third magnetic member 821 and the fourth magnetic member 822 . When the supply of current to the third magnetic member 821 is stopped, the attractive force may not act or a weakened attractive force may act between the third magnetic member 821 and the fourth magnetic member 822 .

According to the illustrated embodiment, the foldable device 800 may further include a third pair of magnetic members 830 . The third pair of magnetic members 830 may include a fifth magnetic member 831 and a sixth magnetic member 832 . The third pair of magnetic members 830 may be substantially the same as the first pair of magnetic members 810 and/or the second pair of magnetic members 820 except for the location in which they are installed. For example, the fifth magnetic member 831 may include an electromagnet.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 controls at least a portion of the first magnetic member 811 , the second magnetic member 821 , or the third magnetic member 831 that is an electromagnet so that the foldable device 800 is formed. The magnetic force that maintains the folded state can be adjusted. For example, the foldable device 800 may control only the current supplied to the first magnetic member 811 while maintaining the current supplied to the second magnetic member 821 and the third magnetic member 831 . .

In an embodiment, the foldable device 800 may control the electromagnet in response to a user input. For example, in response to a pressing (eg, a pressure sensor) of an operating part (eg, the operating part 540 of FIG. 5 ) included in the foldable device 800 , the foldable device 800 supplies current to the electromagnet can control As another example, when a user's fingerprint is input through a fingerprint sensor (eg, an electrostatic sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor) included in the foldable device 800 , the foldable device 800 controls the current supplied to the electromagnet can do. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the foldable device 800 includes three pairs of

magnetic members

810 , 820 , and 830 , but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, the foldable device 800 may include only a portion of the first pair of magnetic members 810 , the second pair of magnetic members 820 , or the third pair of magnetic members 830 . In another embodiment, the foldable device 800 may include four or more pairs of magnetic members (not shown).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the three magnetic element pairs 810 , 820 , and 830 include an electromagnet, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the foldable device 800 may include an electromagnet in some of the magnetic member pairs. For example, the second pair of magnetic elements 820 and/or the third pair of magnetic elements 830 may include a permanent magnet installed in the first housing 802 and another permanent magnet installed in the second housing 803 . have. For example, when the foldable device 800 is folded, an attractive force may act between permanent magnets included in the pair of magnetic members. As another example, the second pair of magnetic elements 820 and/or the third pair of magnetic elements 830 may include permanent magnets and metal elements. When the foldable device 800 is folded, an attractive force may act between the permanent magnet included in the magnetic member pair and the metal element.

In an embodiment, when the second pair of magnetic members 820 and the third pair of magnetic members 830 do not include an electromagnet, the second pair of magnetic members 820 and the third pair of magnetic members 830 are configured in a foldable housing ( 801) may provide a force to maintain the folded state. When the remaining pairs of

magnetic members

820 and 830 in addition to the first pair of magnetic members 810 always provide attractive force to the foldable device 800 in the folded state, the first magnetic member ( ) of the first pair of magnetic members 810 ( Even if the supply of current to the 811 is stopped, the folded state of the foldable device 800 may be maintained. However, since the force for maintaining the folding of the foldable device 800 is weak compared to when current is supplied to the first magnetic member 811 , the foldable device 800 can be unfolded relatively easily.

Although the pair of magnetic elements in FIG. 8 includes a single electromagnet, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the pair of magnetic elements may include two electromagnets. For example, both the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 constituting the first pair of magnetic members 810 may include an electromagnet. The foldable device 800 may adjust the magnetic force between the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 by controlling the current supplied to the first magnetic member 811 and the second magnetic member 812 . have.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the magnetic member may include a cylindrical core 841 and a coil 842 wound around the core 841 . In an embodiment, the core 841 may include a soft magnetic material having high permeability and low coercive force. For example, the core 841 may include a ferrous metal.

According to an embodiment, the magnetic member may include a solenoid in which a coil is wound around a cylindrical magnetic material (eg, iron, nickel, cobalt). As another example, the magnetic member may form a magnetic field using only a wound coil (eg, a cylindrical coil).

According to one embodiment, when a current flows in the direction of the arrow in the coil 842 wound around the cylindrical core 841, one end 841a of the core may have an N pole, and the other end 841b may have an S pole. . In another embodiment, when current flows in the direction opposite to the arrow, one end 841a of the core may have an S pole, and the other end 841b may have an N pole. For example, in the magnetic member (eg, a solenoid) of FIG. 9 , a magnetic field may be uniformly formed inside the magnetic member, and a magnetic field may hardly be generated outside the magnetic member.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in an embodiment, the magnetic member may be implemented as a bar-type core 851 and a conductive wire 852 disposed on the core 851 . For example, the conductive wire 852 may be disposed on one surface of the bar-shaped core 851 in a predetermined pattern. In an embodiment, when the conductive wire 852 is formed on a two-dimensional plane, the space inside the housing may be efficiently utilized.

In an embodiment, the magnetic member may include a plurality of bar-shaped cores (including conductive wires disposed on the cores). When a plurality of bar-shaped cores are stacked (eg, a plurality of layers), a strong magnetic force may be generated even with a magnetic member having a relatively small size. For example, by using a plurality of bar-shaped cores, the length of the conducting wire in a limited space may be formed longer than that of a single bar-shaped core.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the conductive wire 852 of the magnetic member runs back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (eg, y-direction) of the core 851 (eg, ±x-direction). may include However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the shape (eg, width, direction) of the pattern may vary. For example, the conductive wire 852 may include a pattern that moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

11 illustrates an example in which the magnetic member is movable within the housing in the foldable device 900 according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 900 may include at least one pair of

magnetic members

910 , 920 , and 930 that provides a force for maintaining the folding of the foldable housing 901 . In an embodiment, the first pair of magnetic members 910 may include a first magnetic member 911 and a second magnetic member 912 . When the foldable device 900 is folded, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 to maintain the folded state of the foldable device 900 .

In an embodiment, at least one of the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 may be movably installed in the foldable housing 901 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing 903 may include an accommodating space 904 for the second magnetic member 912 therein, and the second magnetic member 912 is disposed in the space within the foldable housing 901 . can move The first magnetic member 911 may be fixed in the first housing 902 .

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 911 may include an electromagnet and the second magnetic member 912 may include a permanent magnet or a metal element. In an embodiment, when the foldable device 900 is folded, an attractive force between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 may be Repulsive force may act.

In an embodiment, when a current in the first direction (eg, the arrow direction in FIG. 9 ) flows in the coil of the first magnetic member 911 , an attractive force is generated between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 . can work Due to the attractive force between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 , the second magnetic member 912 may be located in a portion of the accommodation space 904 close to the first magnetic member 911 . As long as the current in the first direction is maintained in the coil of the first magnetic member 911 , the first pair of magnetic members 910 may provide a force for maintaining the folded state of the foldable housing 901 .

In an embodiment, when a current in a second direction opposite to the first direction (eg, the arrow direction in FIG. 9 ) flows through the coil of the first magnetic member 911 , the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 are ), a repulsive force may act between them. Due to the repulsive force between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 , the second magnetic member 912 may move to a portion of the accommodation space 904 far away from the first magnetic member 911 . As the second magnetic member 912 moves away from the first magnetic member 911 , an attractive force may no longer act between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 . Accordingly, the foldable device 900 can be unfolded relatively easily.

In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 912 may include an electromagnet. The foldable device 900 includes a first magnetic member 911 and a second magnetic member 911 such that an attractive or repulsive force is generated between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 (such that). 912) can be individually controlled. For example, when the foldable device 900 is to be maintained in a folded state, the foldable device 900 controls the direction of current applied to the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 to An attractive force may be applied between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 . In order to unfold the foldable device 900 , the foldable device 900 controls the directions of currents applied to the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 to form the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 911 . A repulsive force may be applied between the magnetic members 912 . When a repulsive force is applied between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 , the second magnetic member 912 may move and move away from the first magnetic member 911 . As the second magnetic member 912 moves away from the first magnetic member 911 , an attractive force may no longer act between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 . Accordingly, the foldable device 900 can be unfolded relatively easily.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second magnetic member 912, which is a magnet, moves according to the polarity change of the first magnetic member 911, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the first magnetic member ( 911 may move according to a change in polarity of the first magnetic member 911 . For example, the first magnetic member 911 may be movably installed in the first housing 902 , and the second magnetic member 912 may be fixed to the second housing 903 . The polarity of the first magnetic member 911 may be changed according to the direction of the current supplied to the first magnetic member 911 . An attractive force or a repulsive force may arise between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 according to a change in the polarity of the first magnetic member 911 . When a repulsive force acts between the first magnetic member 911 and the second magnetic member 912 , the first magnetic member 911 may move in the first housing 902 by the repulsive force.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the foldable device 900 may further include a second pair of magnetic members 920 and a third pair of magnetic members 930 . The second pair of magnetic members 920 and the third pair of magnetic members 930 shown in FIG. 11 may be substantially the same as the second pair of magnetic members 820 and the third pair of magnetic members 830 of FIG. 8 . . Therefore, the overlapping description will be omitted.

12 illustrates a foldable device 1000 including a foldable housing 1001 in which the input device 1100 can be accommodated according to an embodiment. 13 illustrates a foldable device 1000 in which a magnetic member included in the input device 1200 includes an electromagnet according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an embodiment, the

input devices

1100 and 1200 may include a stylus pen.

In one embodiment, the first housing 1002 may include a receiving space 1004 for the stylus pen 1100 therein. The accommodation space 1004 may extend into the first housing 1002 from an opening formed in a side surface of the first housing 1002 (eg, the third side surface 213c of FIG. 1 ). The stylus pen 1100 may be inserted into the accommodating space 1004 through an opening formed in a side surface of the first housing 1002 or may be separated to the outside.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1000 may include at least one pair of

magnetic members

1010 and 1020 that provides a force for maintaining the foldable housing 1001 in folding. In an embodiment, the foldable device 1000 may include a first pair of magnetic members 1010 . In an embodiment, the first pair of magnetic members 1010 may include a first magnetic member 1111 and a second magnetic member 1012 . In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 1111 may include a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic member 1012 may include a permanent magnet or a metal element. In another embodiment, the first magnetic member 1111 may include a metal element, and the second magnetic member 1012 may include a permanent magnet. When the foldable device 1000 is folded, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 , so that the first pair of magnetic members 1010 maintains the folding of the foldable housing 1001 . can provide the power to

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 1111 may be located inside the stylus pen 1100 that may be inserted into the accommodation space 1004 of the first housing 1002 . In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 1012 may be installed in the second housing 1003 . Since the stylus pen 1100 can be inserted into the first housing 1002 or separated from the first housing 1002, the magnetic force between the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 is also applied to the stylus pen 1100. may vary depending on the position of the first housing 1002. For example, in a state in which the stylus pen 1100 is accommodated in the first housing 1002 , an attractive force may act between the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 . In this case, the first pair of magnetic members 1010 may provide a force for maintaining the folding of the foldable housing 1001 . When the stylus pen 1100 is separated from the first housing 1002 , the foldable device 1000 can be unfolded relatively easily.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 may be programmable magnets. When the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 include a programmable magnet, even if the second magnetic member 1012 moves a relatively short distance with respect to the first magnetic member 1111, the first magnetic member ( The force acting between the 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 may change rapidly. In one embodiment, the second magnetic member 1012 is movable in the second housing 1003 so as to be movable in the second housing 1003 according to the operation of the moving part physically connected to the second magnetic member 1012 . can be installed. When the foldable device 1000 is in the folded state, the position of the second magnetic member 1012 with respect to the first magnetic member 1111 may vary according to the operation of the moving part. As the position of the second magnetic member 1012 with respect to the first magnetic member 1111 changes, the direction of the magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 may also change. For example, when the moving part is not pressed, an attractive force may act between the first magnetic member 1111 and the second magnetic member 1012 , and when the moving part is pressed, a repulsive force may act. In an embodiment, the second magnetic member 1012 and the operating part connected to the second magnetic member 1012 are substantially the same as the second magnetic member 512 and the operating part 540 of FIGS. 4 to 7 . can be implemented.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1000 may further include a second pair of magnetic members 1020 in addition to the first pair of magnetic members 1010 . In an embodiment, the second pair of magnetic members 1020 may include a third magnetic member 1021 and a fourth magnetic member 1022 . In an embodiment, the third magnetic member 1021 and the fourth magnetic member 1022 may include permanent magnets. When the foldable device 1000 is folded, an attractive force acts between the third magnetic member 1021 and the fourth magnetic member 1022 , so that the second pair of magnetic members 1020 maintains the foldable housing 1001 . can provide the power to For example, the third magnetic member 1021 is installed in the first housing 1002 so that the N pole faces the front side, and the fourth magnetic member 1022 is the second housing 1003 so that the S pole faces the front side. can be installed on As the foldable device 1000 is folded, the N pole of the third magnetic member 1021 and the S pole of the fourth magnetic member 1022 come closer, and the third magnetic member 1021 and the fourth magnetic member 1022 There may be a force of attraction between them.

In an embodiment, even if the first pair of magnetic members 1010 does not provide the magnetic attraction, the second pair of magnetic members 1020 may provide the magnetic attraction. Accordingly, even if the stylus pen 1100 is separated from the first housing 1002 , the foldable device 1000 may not be unfolded immediately. However, since the first pair of magnetic members 1010 does not provide magnetic attraction, the foldable device 1000 may be unfolded relatively easily.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the first magnetic member 1211 positioned on the stylus pen 1200 may include an electromagnet. In one embodiment, the second magnetic member 1012 may include a permanent magnet or a metal element. When a current is applied to the electromagnet, an attractive force may act between the first magnetic member 1211 and the second magnetic member 1012 .

In an embodiment, when the second magnetic member 1012 is a permanent magnet, the first pair of magnetic members 1010 ′ may provide a repulsive or attractive force to the foldable housing 1001 . In an embodiment, the polarity of the first magnetic member 1211 may vary depending on the direction of the current flowing through the coil of the first magnetic member 1211 . Therefore, when the second magnetic member 1012 is a permanent magnet, a repulsive force or attractive force will act between the first magnetic member 1211 and the second magnetic member 1012 depending on the direction of the current supplied to the first magnetic member 1211. can

Referring to FIG. 13 , the stylus pen 1200 may further include a fifth magnetic member 1231 . The fifth magnetic member 1231 may constitute the third magnetic member pair 1030 together with the sixth magnetic member 1032 positioned in the second housing 1003 . In an embodiment, the fifth magnetic member 1231 may include an electromagnet. In an embodiment, the sixth magnetic member 1032 may include a permanent magnet or a metal element. When a current is applied to the electromagnet, an attractive force may act between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the sixth magnetic member 1032 .

In an embodiment, when the sixth magnetic member 1032 is a permanent magnet, the third pair of magnetic members 1030 may provide a repulsive force or attractive force to the foldable housing 1001 . In an embodiment, the polarity of the fifth magnetic member 1231 may vary depending on the direction of the current flowing through the coil of the fifth magnetic member 1231 . Therefore, when the sixth magnetic member 1032 is a permanent magnet, a repulsive force or attractive force may act between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the sixth magnetic member 1032 depending on the direction of the current supplied to the fifth magnetic member 1231 . can

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1000 controls the first magnetic member 1211 and/or the fifth magnetic member 1231 that are electromagnets to adjust the magnitude of the force maintaining the folded state of the foldable device 1000 . can According to an embodiment, when the foldable device 1000 is folded, the first magnetic member 1211 may have an attractive force between the first magnetic member 1211 and the second magnetic member 1012 . The current flowing through the coil can be controlled. In an embodiment, in order to unfold the foldable device 1000 , the foldable device 1000 includes a coil of the first magnetic member 1211 such that a repulsive force is applied between the first magnetic member 1211 and the second magnetic member 1012 . The current flowing through it can be controlled. When a repulsive force is generated between the first magnetic member 1211 and the second magnetic member 1012 , the force for maintaining the folded state of the foldable device 1000 may be lost or weakened. Accordingly, the foldable device 1000 can be easily unfolded.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the foldable device 1000 is folded, the foldable device 1000 may be moved between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the fifth magnetic member 1231 so that an attractive force acts between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the sixth magnetic member 1032 . The current flowing through the coil can be controlled. In an embodiment, in order to unfold the foldable device 1000 , the foldable device 1000 includes a coil of the fifth magnetic member 1231 such that a repulsive force acts between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the sixth magnetic member 1032 . The current flowing through it can be controlled. When a repulsive force is generated between the fifth magnetic member 1231 and the sixth magnetic member 1032 , the force for maintaining the folded state of the foldable device 1000 may be lost or weakened. Accordingly, the foldable device 1000 can be easily unfolded.

In an embodiment, even if the first pair of magnetic members 1010 and/or the third pair of magnetic members 1030 do not provide the magnetic attraction, the second pair of magnetic members 1020 may provide the magnetic attraction. Accordingly, even if the magnitude or direction of the current flowing through the first magnetic member 1211 and/or the fifth magnetic member 1231 changes, the foldable device 1000 may not be unfolded immediately. However, since the first pair of magnetic members 1010 and/or the third pair of magnetic members 1030 do not provide magnetic attraction, the foldable device 1000 can be unfolded relatively easily.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1000 may control the electromagnet in response to a user input. For example, in response to a pressing of an operation part included in the foldable device 1000 , the foldable device 1000 controls the current supplied to the first magnetic member 1211 and/or the fifth magnetic member 1231 . can do. As another example, when a user's fingerprint is input through a fingerprint sensor included in the foldable device 1000 , the foldable device 1000 supplies the first magnetic member 1211 and/or the fifth magnetic member 1231 . current can be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the stylus pen 1200 may be accommodated in the accommodation space 1004 or may be drawn out of the electronic device 1000 from the accommodation space 1004 . When the stylus pen 1200 is completely accommodated in the accommodation space 1004 , the first pair of magnetic members 1010 and/or the third pair of magnetic members 1030 may provide a magnetic attraction. In an embodiment, when at least a portion of the stylus pen 1200 is pulled out of the housing 1001 , the first pair of magnetic members 1010 or the third pair of magnetic members 1030 may not provide a magnetic attraction. Accordingly, the foldable housing 1001 may be maintained in a folded state or unfolded depending on whether the stylus pen 1200 is accommodated. For example, when the stylus pen 1200 is accommodated in the foldable housing 1001 , the stylus pen 1200 may provide a magnetic attraction for maintaining the foldable housing 1001 in a folded state. When the user pulls the stylus pen 1200 out of the housing 1001 , the magnetic attraction that maintains the folding of the foldable housing 1001 disappears, and as a result, the foldable housing 1001 can be unfolded.

According to an embodiment, the positions and/or the number of the

magnetic members

1111 , 1012 , 1021 , 1022 , 1211 , 1231 , and 1032 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and the positions of the magnetic members according to various embodiments are not limited thereto. and/or the number may be changed. For example, at least one seventh magnetic member (not shown) may be further included in the interior of the first housing 1002 adjacent to the accommodation space 1004 . The foldable device 1000 may perform at least the functions of the first magnetic member 1211 and/or the fifth magnetic member 1231 by using at least one seventh magnetic member (not shown) adjacent to the receiving space 1004 . Some can be done. For example, when the stylus pen 1200 is separated from the first housing 1002 to the outside, at least one seventh magnetic member (not shown), the second magnetic member 1012 and/or the sixth magnetic member ( 1032), the polarity of at least one or more seventh magnetic members (not shown) may be controlled so that a repulsive force or attractive force acts therebetween.

According to an embodiment, at least one or more seventh magnetic members (not shown) may be configured in various shapes. For example, it may include an electromagnet, a programmable magnet, a permanent magnet, or a metal element.

14 illustrates a foldable device comprising a flexible element disposed on at least a portion of a side of a housing in one embodiment. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable device taken along line I-I of FIG. 14 .

Referring to FIG. 14 , in an embodiment, the foldable device 1300 may include a flexible element 1310 on the side of the housing. In an embodiment, the foldable device 1300 may include a first flexible element 1311 and/or a second flexible element 1312 on sides of the first housing 1302 and/or the second housing 1303 . have. In an embodiment, the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 may be located close to the front surface of the foldable device 1300 among the side surfaces of the foldable housing 1301 . For example, a portion of the flexible element 1310 may be viewed at least partially from the front surface of the foldable device 1300 .

Referring to FIG. 15 , in an embodiment, the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 include the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 when the foldable housing 1301 is folded. 1312 may be configured to create a gap 1320 between them. In an embodiment, when the foldable device 1300 is folded, at least a portion of the first flexible element 1311 and at least a portion of the second flexible element 1312 may be exposed to the gap 1320 . In an embodiment, when the foldable housing 1301 is folded, the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 may face each other with a gap 1320 interposed therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the foldable housing 1301 may include

recesses

1304 and 1305 in a portion of the side surface. According to one embodiment, a flexible element 1310 may be positioned in the

recess

1304 , 1305 . For example, the first housing 1302 and/or the second housing 1303 may include a first recess 1304 and/or a second recess 1305 on the side, and the first recess ( A first flexible element 1311 and/or a second flexible element 1312 may be coupled to 1304 and/or second recess 1305 . In an embodiment, the flexible element 1310 may be configured such that a portion of the flexible element 1310 exposed to the outside of the foldable device 1300 is smoothly connected to the surface of the foldable housing 1301 . For example, the flexible element 1310 (eg, an operating part) may form a part of a side surface of the foldable device 1300 . The embodiment of FIG. 15 is merely an example, and in other embodiments, the shape of the flexible element 1310 may vary.

In an embodiment, the flexible element 1310 may include a material that can be relatively easily deformed. For example, flexible element 1310 may include a polymer or silicone. As another example, the flexible element 1310 may include a flexible metal.

As the gap 1320 between the foldable housings 1301 increases, the user can easily apply a force to unfold the foldable housing 1301 with his or her finger. In an embodiment, the flexible element 1310 may widen the gap 1320 between the foldable housing 1301 . A user may apply a force to the flexible element 1310 by inserting a finger into the gap 1320 between the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 . The flexible element 1310 may be deformed by a user's finger, and the gap 1320 between the first flexible element 1311 and the second flexible element 1312 may be wider. By using the flexible element 1310 , the user can relatively easily unfold the foldable device 1300 with one hand.

According to an embodiment, the foldable device 1300 shown in FIG. 14 may include magnetic members therein. In an embodiment, the inside or the exterior of the foldable device 1300 may be implemented the same as or similar to those of FIGS. 4 to 13 . For example, the foldable device 1300 may include at least one of the first pair of magnetic members 510 , the second pair of magnetic members 520 , and the third pair of magnetic members 530 illustrated in FIG. 4 . have.

16 illustrates a principle in which the foldable device 1400 can be unfolded according to relative movement between the foldable housings 1401 in one embodiment.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1400 may include at least one magnetic member 1410 . For example, the foldable device 1400 may include a first magnetic member 1411 installed in the first housing 1402 and a second magnetic member 1412 installed in the second housing 1403 . When the foldable device 1400 is in the folded state, an attractive force may act between the first magnetic member 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 . The foldable housing 1401 may maintain a folded state by the attractive force between the magnetic members.

In an embodiment, the magnetic force between the

magnetic members

1411 and 1412 may vary according to movement (eg, slide and/or tilt) of the first housing 1402 with respect to the second housing 1403 . For example, a weakened attractive force or a repulsive force may act between the magnetic members according to the movement of the first housing 1402 . When the magnetic force between the

magnetic members

1411 and 1412 is changed, the foldable housing 1401 may be unfolded with a relatively small force.

In an embodiment, an external force acts on the foldable device 1400 to slide the first housing 1402 relative to the second housing 1403 by a predetermined distance d. When the first housing 1402 slides relative to the second housing 1403 , the magnetic force between the first magnetic member 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 may change. For example, when the first magnetic member 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 are permanent magnets, before the first housing 1402 slides, the N pole and the S pole of the first magnetic member 1411 are the first The second magnetic member 1412 may be adjacent to the S pole and the N pole, respectively. When the first housing 1402 slides with respect to the second housing 1403 , the S pole of the first magnetic member 1411 moves away from the N pole of the second magnetic member 1412 , or the second magnetic member 1412 . can be close to the S pole of Accordingly, a weakened attractive or repulsive force may act between the first magnetic member 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 . For example, the size (eg, length, or area), and/or characteristic (eg, electromagnetic force) of the first magnetic member 1411 and/or the second magnetic member 1412 included in the foldable device 1400 . , permeability, or coercive force), a predetermined distance d related to a change in magnetic force between the first magnetic member 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 may be changed. Also, the predetermined distance d may be changed based on a distance (eg, an arrangement distance) between the first magnetic rich 1411 and the second magnetic member 1412 .

In an embodiment, when an external force is applied to the foldable device 1400 , an angle between the first housing 1402 and the second housing 1403 may be changed. For example, in one embodiment, when the first housing 1402 slides with respect to the second housing 1403 by a predetermined distance d, the angle between the first housing 1402 and the second housing 1403 may change. can A magnetic force between the magnetic members may change according to a change in an angle between the first housing 1402 and the second housing 1403 . For example, when the angle between the first housing 1402 and the second housing 1403 in the folded state is the first angle θ1 (eg, less than 3 degrees), the first magnetic member 1411 and the second An attractive force may act between the magnetic members 1412 . When an external force acts on the foldable device 1400 and the angle between the first housing 1402 and the second housing 1403 becomes a second angle θ2 (eg, 5 degrees or more), the magnetic members 1411, 1412), a weakened attractive or repulsive force may act. In one embodiment, the first angle (θ1) and the second angle (θ2) may be an angle associated with a predetermined distance d from the first housing 1402 to the second housing 1403. Example For example, the second angle θ2 may be changed according to a predetermined distance d to be slid in the foldable device 1400 .

17 illustrates components that help unfold the foldable device 1500 (eg, the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the foldable device 1500 of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the foldable device 1500 may include a pair of operating parts on side surfaces of the

housings

1510 and 1520 . The first operating part 1531 may be located on the side surface 1511 of the first housing 1510 , and the second operating part 1532 may be located on the side surface 1521 of the second housing 1520 . In an embodiment, the first operation part 1531 and the second operation part 1532 may be disposed at positions corresponding to each other. For example, the height in the y-axis direction of the first moving part 1531 with respect to the lower surface 1512 of the first housing 1510 is relative to the lower surface 1522 of the second housing 1520 of the second moving part 1532 . It may be the same as the height in the y-axis direction.

In an embodiment, the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may be movably coupled to the

housings

1510 and 1520 . In an embodiment, when an external force (eg, user's press) in the direction of the arrow A is applied to the moving

parts

1531 and 1532, the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may descend into the

housings

1510 and 1520. have. When no external force is applied to the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 , the outer surfaces of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may form a continuous and smooth surface with the side surfaces of the

housings

1510 and 1520 .

Referring to FIG. 18 , in an embodiment, when the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 are pressed, some of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 fall to form a recessed space in the side surface of the

housings

1510 and 1520 . can When the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 are pressed, a step may be generated between the outer surfaces of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 and the surfaces of the

housings

1510 and 1520 . When the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 are pressed, a recessed space defined by an outer surface and a step difference of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may be formed on the side surfaces 1511 and 1521 of the

housings

1510 and 1520 .

In an embodiment, the first operating part 1531 includes a first end 1531a close to the rear surface 1513 of the first housing 1510 , and a front surface 1514 of the first housing 1510 at the first end 1531a. ) may include a second end (1531b) extending toward the. The first operating part 1531 may descend by an external force in the arrow direction A to form a first recessed space 1541 in the side surface 1511 of the first housing 1510 . In an embodiment, the second operating part 1532 includes a third end 1532a close to the front surface 1524 of the second housing 1520 , and a rear surface 1523 of the second housing 1520 at the third end 1532a. ) extending toward a fourth end 1532b. When an external force in the direction of the arrow A is applied to the second operation part 1532 , the third end 1532a may descend to form a second recessed space 1542 on the side surface 1521 of the second housing 1520 . have.

In an embodiment, the pivot axis of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may be located closer to the

rear surfaces

1513 and 1523 than the

front surfaces

1514 and 1524 of the

housings

1510 and 1520 . In an embodiment, the pivot axis of the first moving part 1531 may be located close to the first end 1531a , and the pivot axis of the second moving part 1532 may be located close to the fourth end 1532b . For example, when an external force is applied to the first operating part 1531 , the second end 1531b descends a longer distance than the first end 1531a, and when an external force is applied to the second operating part 1532 , the second The third end 1532a may descend a longer distance than the fourth end 1532b.

In an embodiment, in a state in which the first housing 1510 and the second housing 1520 face each other (the folded state of the foldable housings 1510 and 1520), the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 are shown in the direction of the arrow A When an external force is applied, a first recessed space 1541 and a second recessed space 1542 may be formed between the first housing 1510 and the second housing 1520 . As the

operation parts

1531 and 1532 provide the first recessed space 1541 and the second recessed space 1542 , the user's finger moves the space 1541 between the first housing 1510 and the second housing 1520 . , 1542) can go relatively deeper. Accordingly, the user can relatively easily unfold the foldable device 1500 by using only one finger (eg, a thumb) while holding the foldable device 1500 with one hand.

In an embodiment, the foldable device 1500 may include

elastic members

1551 and 1552 connected to one end of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 . One end of the

elastic members

1551 and 1552 may be connected to the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 , and the other end may be installed in the

housings

1510 and 1520 . For example, the second end 1531b of the first operating part 1531 is connected to the first elastic member 1551 , and the third end 1532a of the second operating part 1532 is connected to the second elastic member ( 1552). When the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 are pressed, the

elastic members

1551 and 1552 are compressed and may provide an elastic force to the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 . When the force pressing the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 disappears, the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may return to their original positions by the elastic force provided by the

elastic members

1551 and 1552 .

In an embodiment, the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may be implemented as non-conductive members disposed between side frames. For example, the first housing 1510 may include two or more metal frames on the side surfaces 1511 , and a non-conductive member may be disposed between the frames. A non-conductive member between the metal frames may function as a moving part. In an embodiment, the metal frame forming the side surfaces of the

housings

1510 and 1520 may be used as a radiator of an antenna used for wireless communication. For example, the metal frame may be connected to a communication circuit and/or a ground inside the electronic device through a conductive path. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the position or shape of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 and the shape of the

housings

1510 and 1520 are not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 . For example, the surfaces of the

housings

1510 and 1520 may be formed to be rounded without angular corners. The moving part may have a shape matching the surface shape of the

housings

1510 and 1520 . For example, the outer surfaces of the moving

parts

1531 and 1532 may have substantially the same curvature as the side surfaces 1511 and 1521 of the

housings

1510 and 1520 .

In one embodiment, the foldable device (eg, foldable device 500 of FIG. 4 ) includes a first housing (eg, first housing 502 of FIG. 4 ) and a second rotatably connected to the first housing a foldable housing including a housing (eg, the second housing 503 of FIG. 4 ); a first magnetic element positioned within the first housing (eg, first magnetic element 511 in FIG. 4 ); an operating part (eg, the operating part 540 of FIG. 4 ) positioned on at least a portion of a side surface (eg, the fourth side 223a of FIG. 1 ) of the second housing; and a second magnetic member (eg, the second magnetic member 512 of FIG. 4 ) movably positioned inside the second housing and connected to the moving part, wherein when the foldable housing is folded, the The second magnetic member may move with respect to the first magnetic member according to the pressing of the moving part, and a magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may change according to the movement of the second magnetic member.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may include a programmable magnet.

In an embodiment, when the second magnetic member is positioned in a first portion inside the second housing (eg, the first position P1 in FIG. 5 ), between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member When an attractive force acts and the second magnetic member is positioned at a second portion inside the second housing (eg, the second position P2 in FIG. 5 ) according to the operation of the moving part, the first magnetic member A repulsive force may act between and the second magnetic member.

In an embodiment, the moving part may include a flexible element, and the moving part may form a part of a side surface of the foldable housing.

In an embodiment, the foldable device further includes a slit (eg, a slit 601 in FIG. 6 ) at a boundary between the movable part and the second housing, the slit includes a flexible material, and the movable part includes the It may include the same material as the side surface of the second housing.

In an embodiment, the foldable device may further include an elastic member (eg, the elastic member 550 of FIG. 4 ) that is located in the second housing and provides an elastic force to the movable part when the movable part moves. have.

In an embodiment, the foldable device includes a third magnetic member positioned within the first housing (eg, the third magnetic member 521 of FIG. 4 ), and a fourth magnetic member positioned within the second housing (eg, FIG. 4 ). A fourth magnetic member 522) may be further included, and when the foldable housing is folded, a magnetic attraction may be generated between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member is located close to a side surface of the first housing (eg, the first side surface 213a of FIG. 1 ), and the second magnetic member is located close to a side surface of the second housing (eg, FIG. 1 ). It may be located close to the fourth side 223a of 1).

In an embodiment, the foldable device (eg, foldable device 1200 of FIG. 12 ) includes a first housing (eg, first housing 1002 of FIG. 12 ) and a second rotatably coupled to the first housing. a foldable housing including a housing (eg, the second housing 1003 of FIG. 12 ); a receiving space (eg, receiving space 1004 in FIG. 12 ) for accommodating an input device (eg, input device 1100 in FIG. 12 ) in the first housing, and a first magnetic member (eg, in FIG. 12 ) inside the input device 12 of the first magnetic element 1111); and a second magnetic member positioned within the second housing (eg, the second magnetic member 1012 of FIG. 12 ), wherein the second magnetic member is inserted into the receiving space when the foldable housing is folded. The magnetic field of the first magnetic member may be located within a range.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member includes a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic member includes a permanent magnet or a metal element, and when the input device is inserted into the receiving space and the foldable housing is folded, An attractive force may act between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

In an embodiment, the foldable device further includes an operating part (eg, the operating part 540 of FIG. 4 ) located on a side surface of the second housing and functionally connected to the second magnetic member, wherein the second magnetic member is movably located inside the second housing, and when the foldable housing is folded, the second magnetic member moves with respect to the first magnetic member according to the pressing of the moving part, and the second magnetic member The magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may change according to the movement of the .

In an embodiment, when the second magnetic member is positioned in the first portion inside the second housing, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and according to the operation of the moving part, the When the second magnetic member is positioned at the second portion inside the second housing, a repulsive force may act between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

In an embodiment, the first magnetic member includes an electromagnet (eg, the first magnetic member 1211 of FIG. 10 ) including a core and a coil wound around the core, and the second magnetic member is a permanent magnet or a metal element, wherein when the input device is inserted into the accommodation space and the foldable housing is folded, the magnetic force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member according to the strength or direction of the current flowing through the coil. can

In an embodiment, the foldable device includes a third magnetic member positioned within the first housing (eg, the third magnetic member 1021 of FIG. 12 ), and a fourth magnetic member positioned within the second housing (eg, FIG. 12 ). 12), and a magnetic attraction may be generated between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded.

In one embodiment, a foldable device (eg, foldable device 1400 in FIG. 14 ) includes a first housing (eg, first housing 1302 in FIG. 14 ) and a second housing rotatable with respect to the first housing ( Example: a foldable housing including the second housing 1303 of FIG. 14 ; a first magnetic member positioned within the first housing (eg, the first magnetic member 511 of FIG. 4 ); a second magnetic member positioned within the second housing (eg, the second magnetic member 512 of FIG. 4 ), the second magnetic member disposed at a position corresponding to the first magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded; a first flexible element (eg, the first flexible element 1311 of FIG. 14 ) positioned on a portion of a side surface of the first housing; and a second flexible element positioned on a part of a side surface of the second housing and adjacent to the first flexible element positioned on the first housing when the foldable housing is folded (eg, the second flexible element of FIG. 14 ( 1312)) may be included.

In an embodiment, the first flexible element and the second flexible element include a gap between the first flexible element and the second flexible element when the foldable housing is folded (eg, a gap 1320 in FIG. 15 ). and at least a portion of the first flexible element and at least a portion of the second flexible element may be exposed to the gap when the foldable housing is folded.

In an embodiment, the first flexible element and/or the second flexible element may include a polymer or a metal.

In one embodiment, the foldable device (eg, the foldable device 900 of FIG. 11 ) includes a first housing (eg, the first housing 902 of FIG. 11 ) and a second rotatably connected to the first housing a foldable housing including a housing (eg, second housing 903 in FIG. 11 ); an electromagnet (eg, the first magnetic element 911 of FIG. 11 ) positioned within the first housing; and a magnetic member (eg, the second magnetic member 912 of FIG. 11 ) movably positioned inside the second housing, wherein when the foldable housing is folded: a current in a first direction flows through the electromagnet When supplied, an attractive force acts between the electromagnet and the magnetic member, and when a current in a direction opposite to the first direction is supplied to the electromagnet, the magnetic member may move and move away from the electromagnet.

In an embodiment, the magnetic member may include at least one of a programmable magnet, a metal element, an electromagnet, or a permanent magnet.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure 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 disclosure is not limited to the above-described devices.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure 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. In this disclosure, “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 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 be used simply to distinguish the element from other elements in question, and may refer to elements in other aspects (e.g., importance or order) is not limited. 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.

Claims

In a foldable device,

a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing;

a first magnetic member positioned within the first housing;

an operation part positioned on at least a portion of a side surface of the second housing; and

and a second magnetic member movably positioned inside the second housing and connected to the moving part,

When the foldable housing is folded, the second magnetic member moves with respect to the first magnetic member according to the pressing of the moving part, and the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member according to the movement of the second magnetic member A foldable device that changes the magnetic force acting between them.
According to claim 1,

wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member comprise a programmable magnet.
3. The method of claim 2,

When the second magnetic member is positioned in the first portion inside the second housing, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member,

A repulsive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member when the second magnetic member is positioned in the second portion inside the second housing according to the operation of the moving part.
According to claim 1,

The movable part includes a flexible element, and the movable part forms a part of a side surface of the foldable housing.
According to claim 1,

Further comprising a slit at the boundary between the moving part and the second housing,

The slit includes a flexible material, and the movable part includes the same material as a side surface of the second housing.
According to claim 1,

a third magnetic member positioned within the first housing; and

a fourth magnetic member positioned within the second housing;

A foldable device, wherein a magnetic attraction is generated between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded.
In a foldable device,

a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing;

an accommodating space accommodating an input device within the first housing, the input device including a first magnetic member; and

a second magnetic member positioned within the second housing, the second magnetic member positioned within a range of a magnetic field of the first magnetic member of the input device inserted into the receiving space when the foldable housing is folded block device.
8. The method of claim 7,

the first magnetic member comprises a permanent magnet;

the second magnetic member comprises a permanent magnet or metal element;

When the input device is inserted into the accommodation space and the foldable housing is folded, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
9. The method of claim 8,

It is located on the side of the second housing and further comprises an operation part functionally connected to the second magnetic member,

the second magnetic member is movably positioned inside the second housing;

When the foldable housing is folded, the second magnetic member moves with respect to the first magnetic member according to the pressing of the moving part, and the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member according to the movement of the second magnetic member A foldable device that changes the magnetic force acting between them.
10. The method of claim 9,

When the second magnetic member is positioned in the first portion inside the second housing, an attractive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member,

A repulsive force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member when the second magnetic member is positioned in the second portion inside the second housing according to the operation of the moving part.
8. The method of claim 7,

The first magnetic member includes an electromagnet including a core and a coil wound around the core,

the second magnetic member comprises a permanent magnet or metal element;

When the input device is inserted into the accommodating space and the foldable housing is folded, a magnetic force is applied between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member according to the strength or direction of a current flowing through the coil.
8. The method of claim 7,

a third magnetic member positioned within the first housing; and

a fourth magnetic member positioned within the second housing;

A foldable device, wherein a magnetic attraction is generated between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded.
In a foldable device,

a foldable housing comprising a first housing and a second housing rotatable relative to the first housing;

a first magnetic member positioned within the first housing;

a second magnetic member positioned in the second housing, the second magnetic member being disposed at a position corresponding to the first magnetic member when the foldable housing is folded;

a first flexible element positioned on a portion of a side surface of the first housing; and

and a second flexible element positioned on a portion of a side surface of the second housing and adjacent to the first flexible element positioned on the first housing when the foldable housing is folded.
14. The method of claim 13,

the first flexible element and the second flexible element are configured to create a gap between the first flexible element and the second flexible element when the foldable housing is folded,

and at least a portion of the first flexible element and at least a portion of the second flexible element are exposed to the gap when the foldable housing is folded.
In a foldable device,

a foldable housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing;

an electromagnet positioned within the first housing; and

a magnetic member movably positioned within the second housing;

When the foldable housing is folded:

When a current in the first direction is supplied to the electromagnet, an attractive force acts between the electromagnet and the magnetic member,

When a current in a direction opposite to the first direction is supplied to the electromagnet, the magnetic member moves and moves away from the electromagnet.