Strap and electronic device including the same

An electronic device includes a strap and a body. The strap includes a battery having a specific width, a specific thickness, and a specific length, a battery bracket having a size approximate to or greater than the size of the battery, seating the battery, and having at least one furrow formed around a part curved with a specific curvature, and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated. The body has a side portion coupled to the at least one strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to a Korean patent application filed on Jun. 14, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number 10-2016-0073773, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to straps capable of supplying power, for example, in a wearable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Conventional portable electronic devices have employed power supplies in the form of batteries. Among the portable electronic devices, a wearable electronic device may include a battery disposed in a body thereof.

Since the size of the body and the size of the battery mounted inside the body are significantly small due to the characteristic of the wearable electronic device, it is difficult to supply power sufficient to drive the electronic device.

SUMMARY

Example aspects of the present disclosure address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strap and an electronic device including the same, capable of more stably supplying power to the electronic device by embedding a battery in the strap disposed at at least one side of the electronic device.

Various example embodiments provide a strap and an electronic device including the same, capable of improving the wearability of the electronic device by maintaining the strap in a curved shape.

Various example embodiments provide a strap and an electronic device including the same, capable of minimizing and/or reducing the failure of the strap by facilitating the manufacturing of a strap body.

Various example embodiments provide a strap and an electronic device including the same, capable of preventing and/or reducing the likelihood of a battery being damaged and handling liquid leakage that may occur when the battery is damaged.

In accordance with an example aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a body housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a direction opposite the first direction of the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space formed between the first surface and the second surface; a display included inside the body housing and exposed through the first surface; a processor included inside the body housing and electrically connected with the display; a wireless communication circuit included inside the body housing; a power management circuit included inside the body housing and electrically connected with the display, the processor, and the wireless communication circuit; and a wearing member (e.g., a strap) coupled to a portion of the body housing, extending in a first direction and configured to be detachably mounted on a portion of a human body of a user, and being bendable in the first direction, wherein the wearing member includes: an electronic component extending in the first direction and including an external surface that includes a repeating pattern including recesses and/or protrusions formed in at least one direction that is different from the first direction; and a polymer surrounding the external surface of the electronic component and forming an external surface of the wearing member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a strap for a wearable electronic device is provided. The strap may include a battery including a case, wherein a plurality of zig-zag patterns are formed on at least a portion of a surface of the case, the zig-zag patterns including hills and valleys, and are disposed in a specific direction; a battery bracket formed in a size approximate to or greater than a size of the battery, wherein the battery is seated on the battery bracket such that the zig-zag patterns of the battery are disposed on an outer portion of the battery; and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated, wherein the battery bracket includes at least one furrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms, such as “first”, “second”, and the like used herein may refer to various elements of various embodiments, but do not limit the elements. Furthermore, such terms may be used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, “a first user device” and “a second user device” may indicate different user devices regardless of the order or priority thereof. For example, “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicate different user devices.

An electronic device according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, e-book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, wearable devices (e.g., head-mounted-devices (HMDs), such as electronic glasses), an electronic apparel, electronic bracelets, electronic necklaces, electronic appcessories, electronic tattoos, smart watches, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

According to another example embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, and the like)), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices), navigation devices, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and gyrocompasses), avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, automatic teller's machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs), or internet of things (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, boilers, and the like), or the like but is not limited thereto.

According to another example embodiment, the electronic devices may include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters, and the like), or the like, but are not limited thereto. In the various embodiments, the electronic device may be one of the above-described various devices or a combination thereof. An electronic device according to an embodiment may be a flexible device. Furthermore, an electronic device according to an embodiment may not be limited to the above-described electronic devices and may include other electronic devices and new electronic devices according to the development of technologies.

FIG. 1Ais a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 1Bis a diagram illustrating another example of the electronic device, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, according to the present disclosure, an electronic device10may include a strap12(or band) and a body11. Additionally, the electronic device10may further include a display15seated on the body11, a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) (not shown) which controls the driving of the display15, a memory which stores data (not shown), a printed circuit board on which the processor and the memory are mounted (not shown), and a main power supply (not shown) which supplies power necessary for the driving of the display15. In addition, the electronic device10may further include a communication antenna (not shown) and a communication processor (not shown) in the case that the electronic device10has a communication function. The strap12may include a battery assembly100which supplies power to the body11. The processor may process the driving of the display15using the power of the battery assembly100or the charging of power into the main power supply. In addition, the processor may process the driving of the electronic device10using the main power supply unit and the battery assembly100. According to various example embodiments, the processor may compare the main power supply unit with the battery assembly100in power intensity. If the power of the battery assembly100is lower than that of the main power supply unit, the processor may insulate (electrically disconnect) the battery assembly100from the main power supply unit. To this end, the electronic device10may further include a switch used for the control of the electrical connection of the battery assembly100.

As illustrated in drawings, in the strap12, a portion, which is engaged with the body11, may be thicker or wider than another portion. The strap12may be engaged with the body11while the strap12is being disposed in at least one direction (e.g., a direction inclined with a specific gradient downward from a top surface of the body11or a lateral direction of the body11). The strap12may be disposed in one direction of a bracket having specific internal stiffness and including at least a portion which is curved. The strap12may be bent in a direction different from an initial disposition direction thereof and at a position different from an initial disposition position thereof by external force. To this end, at least a portion of the strap12may be formed of a flexible material. In drawings, the electronic device10may be illustrated, without limitation, as a watch-type wearable device. Accordingly, the strap12may be provided in such a manner that the electronic device10is wearable on the wrist of a user. An engagement unit13for the wearing on the wrist of the user may be disposed at a lower end portion (an opposite end of the engagement portion engaged with the body11) of the strap12. The engagement unit13may include various structural elements, such as, for example, and without limitation, a first coupling part13aand a second coupling part13bwhich couple paired straps12to each other. According to an example embodiment, the engagement unit13may include a buckle-type structure.

FIG. 2Ais an exploded perspective view of an example strap, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Bis a diagram illustrating an example operating environment of a battery which is applicable to the electronic device, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2A, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device10may include the body11and the straps12.

For example, the body11may include a lower housing11a, an upper housing11b, and a printed circuit board18interposed between the lower housing11aand the upper housing11b. In addition, the body11may further include the display15disposed at one side of the upper housing11b, the main power supply (not shown), and the like. The processor17and the memory16, which are described above, may be mounted on the printed circuit board18.

The upper housing11bmay be coupled to the lower housing11a. The upper housing11bmay include an opening formed in a specific central area thereof such that the display15is exposed through the opening. In addition, the upper housing11bmay further include a bezel provided at a peripheral portion of the opening.

The lower housing11amay include a seating part21and a bottom part22forming the bottom of the seating part21. The seating part21may have at least one of sidewalls (or band-shaped sidewalls) and may be open upward. A portion of the sidewalls forming the seating part21may include, for example, a strap sidewall21aat an area in which the strap12is engaged, a strap engagement part21bengaged with the strap12, and a terminal hole23into which an electrode rod126provided in the strap12is inserted. The number of terminal holes23may correspond to the number of electrode rods126. At least portion of the lower housing11amay be formed of a metallic material or a non-metallic material. The seating part21may be provided at one side thereof with the printed circuit board18on which the above-described processor17is mounted. The printed circuit board18may be provided at one side thereof with an electrical contact electrically connected with the electrode rod126.

The strap12may include a strap cover200and the battery assembly100.

The strap cover200may be engaged with the body11while the strap cover200surrounds the battery assembly100. At least a portion of the strap cover200may be formed of various materials such as, without limitation, a leather material, a polymer material, a rubber material, a fiber material, and the like. For example, the strap cover200may include an upper strap body210, which is engaged with the body11, and a lower strap body220, which is connected with the upper strap body210and longitudinally extends in a direction further away from the body11. In the upper strap body210, at least one of a width and an area of an upper portion engaged with the body11may be greater than at least one of a width and an area of a lower portion engaged with the lower strap body220. According to an example embodiment, the thickness of the upper strap body210may be gradually increased from the lower portion toward the upper portion (e.g., a portion engaged with the body11). In addition, the area of the upper strap body210may be gradually increased from the lower portion toward the upper portion (e.g., the portion engaged with the body11). At least one coupling protrusion201may be provided on a side portion of the upper strap body210such that the coupling protrusion201is inserted into and coupled to the hole provided in the strap engagement part21bof the body11.

According to various example embodiments, the strap12and the body11may be engaged with each other in various engagement manners. For example, at least a portion of the side portion of the upper strap body210may be provided in the form of a protrusion such that the side portion of the upper strap body210is coupled to the strap engagement part21b. The strap engagement part21bmay include at least one recess or hole such that the strap engagement part21bis coupled to the coupling protrusion201. In addition, the coupling protrusion201may be formed on the body11(e.g., on the strap engagement part), and the recess (e.g., a recess substituting for the coupling protrusion201) may be formed in the strap12. According to various embodiments, a spring bar may be mounted on an end portion of the upper strap body210and may be elastically coupled to the strap engagement part21bof the body11. The end portion of the spring bar may be the coupling protrusion201. The coupling protrusion201may elastically operate in a widthwise direction (in detail, the coupling protrusion201may elastically operate to be pressed inward by external force and to protrude outward by a specific distance when the external force is released).

In addition, according to various embodiments, the strap cover200may include an upper strap cover to cover an upper surface (e.g., an upper surface of a wireless charging unit130) of the battery assembly100and a lower strap cover to cover a lower surface (e.g., a lower surface of a battery110) of the battery assembly100. Accordingly, the battery assembly100may be interposed between the upper strap cover and the lower strap cover. According to various embodiments, the strap cover200may contain the battery110and a battery bracket120other than the wireless charging unit130. In addition, the strap cover200may contain the battery110and the battery bracket120therein. The strap cover200may be provided to surround at least a portion of the wireless charging unit130having the form of a solar cell (e.g., to surround a side portion and a rear surface of the solar cell except for a surface of the solar cell exposed to the outside for charging).

According to various embodiments, at least a portion of the strap cover200surrounding the battery assembly100may be formed of a molding material (e.g., a non-conductive molding material or a plastic molding material). To sufficiently form the strap cover200using the molding material in a process of forming the strap cover200, at least a portion of outside-exposed surfaces of the battery110or the battery bracket120(e.g., an outer surface of the battery110or an outer surface of the battery bracket120opposite to mutually facing surfaces of the battery110and the battery bracket120in the state that the battery110is seated on the battery bracket120) may be formed in a pattern to be described in greater detail below with referenceFIGS. 6A and 6B.

The electronic device10may include various arrangement forms of the strap cover200and the battery assembly100. For example, the electronic device10may include the upper strap cover, the battery assembly100(e.g. a solar cell having one surface facing the upper strap cover and a battery having one surface facing the lower strap cover), and the lower strap cover. Alternatively, the electronic device10may include the upper strap cover, the battery assembly100(e.g., a wireless charging unit having one surface facing the upper strap cover and a battery having one surface facing the lower strap cover), and the lower strap cover. In addition, the electronic device10may include the upper strap cover, the battery assembly100(e.g., the battery having one surface facing the upper strap cover and the wireless charging unit having one surface facing the lower strap cover), and the lower strap cover.

The strap cover200may be provided in an integrated type or may separately include the upper strap cover and the lower strap cover as described above, depending on a material of the strap cover200. For example, in the case that the strap cover200is formed of a polymer material, the strap cover200may be formed of a molding material for surrounding an outer portion of the battery assembly100in the state that the battery assembly100is disposed inside the strap cover200. According to various embodiments, the strap cover200may be formed of a leather material. In this case, the upper strap cover and the lower strap cover are separately provided, and the battery assembly100is interposed between the upper strap cover and the lower strap cover. In this state, the edges of the upper strap cover and the lower strap cover are combined with each other in a specific manner (e.g., sewing, bonding-compression, or thermo-compression), thereby forming the strap cover200.

The battery assembly100may include the battery110, the battery bracket120, the wireless charging unit130, and a battery protective circuit140. In addition, the electronic device10may further include water-proof members50, which are coupled to the battery bracket120, and stoppers40which fix the battery bracket120to the lower housing11aof the body11.

For example, the battery110may include a secondary battery. According to an embodiment, the battery110may include a lithium ion battery. For example, the battery110may include an electrolyte, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and a case which surrounds the electrolyte, and the positive electrode, and the negative electrode. Electrode terminals may be provided at a one side of the battery110for charging and discharging power. The battery110has a shape corresponding to the shape of the strap12to have a specific width and a specific length. In this case, the length of the battery110may be greater than the width of the battery110. The battery110may be smaller than the strap12. The battery110may be charged with power by the wireless charging unit130. The battery110may supply power to a bracket header125disposed in the battery bracket120and the components (e.g., the printed circuit board18, the processor17, the display15, and the like) of the body11electrically connected with the bracket heater125.

Referring toFIG. 2B, the electronic device10may include the battery110, a main battery293, a battery controller291, a switch292, the wireless charging unit (e.g., including wireless charging circuitry)130, and a main wireless charging unit (e.g., including wireless charging circuitry)294.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device10may further include the main wireless charging unit294which may include various wireless charging circuitry and may be provided inside the body11. Accordingly, the electronic device10may receive a power signal from a wireless charging device (not illustrated) using the wireless charging unit130disposed in the strap12and thus may charge power into the battery11disposed in the strap12. The power stored in the battery110may be supplied to the main battery293of the body11. According to various embodiments, the main wireless charging unit294of the body11may charge power into the battery110disposed in the strap12. In this operation, the main wireless charging unit294may primarily charge power into the main battery293of the body11. After the charging of the power into the main battery293is completed, the main wireless charging unit294may charge power into the battery110disposed in the strap12.

According to various embodiments, the power signal received by the main wireless charging unit294may be primarily charged into the battery110disposed in the strap12. Then, power stored in the battery110may be supplied to the main battery293of the body11. Regarding the power supply, the electronic device10may have a power path or a power route related to the power supply. The switch292may be interposed between the wireless charging unit130and the main wireless charging unit294. The switch292may electrically connect the wireless charging unit130or the main wireless charging unit294with the battery controller291in response to the control of the battery controller291. At least a portion of the battery controller291may include at least one of an electrical circuit or a processor. The battery controller291may charge power into the battery110or the main battery293using at least one of the wireless charging unit130or the main wireless charging unit294according to a charging condition as described above. Alternatively, the battery controller291may supply power, which is stored in the battery110, to the main battery293based on a remaining power amount of the main battery293.

The battery bracket120may protect the battery110and may maintain the strap12in a specific shape. In addition, the battery bracket120may fix and support the wireless charging unit130. The battery bracket120may include a support body124and the bracket header125.

The support body124may extend with a specific width in a lengthwise direction. The support body124may be formed of a metallic material (e.g., aluminum (Al), an Al alloy, steel use stainless (SUS), or the like). The support body124may include a curved part (or a curved area), which includes at least one furrow (or a rail groove) and forms a specific curved surface, and a flat part (or a flat area) continued to the curved part. The bracket header125may be disposed in the curved part of the support body124. As the bracket header125may be connected with the support body124, the bracket header125may include a path in which the bracket header125is electrically connected with the battery110seated on the support body124.

The bracket header125may include a path in which power wirelessly received by the wireless charging unit130is transmitted to the battery110. In other words, at least a portion of the bracket header125may be formed of a non-metallic material (e.g., plastic or a polycarbonate (PC) material). For example, the electrode rod126may be provided at one side of the bracket header125.

The electrode rod126may be electrically connected with the battery110and may be fixedly inserted into the terminal hole23provided in the lower housing11aof the body110. The support body124of the battery bracket120may have a thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.2 T mm and may be formed of Al, magnesium (Mg), stainless steel (STS), or the like. In the case that the material of the battery bracket120is changed or the size of the strap12is changed, the thickness of the support body124may be changed. In addition, the electronic device10may further include a wire bracket160coupled to at least a portion of the bracket header125.

The wireless charging unit130may include various wireless charging circuitry and be seated on and fixed to one side of the battery bracket120. To this end, the wireless charging unit130may be provided in the form of a panel, which has a specific length and a specific width, corresponding to the battery bracket120. For example, the wireless charging unit130may include a circuit pattern and a support substrate on which the circuit pattern is seated. The circuit pattern may cover a specific frequency band such that the circuit pattern receives power transmitted from the wireless charging device. Although drawings illustrate that the support substrate of the wireless charging unit130is formed in the shape of a flat surface having no recess or hole, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the support substrate of the wireless charging unit130may have the shape corresponding to that of the battery bracket120and thus may include at least one hole. When the wireless charging unit130is combined with the battery bracket120, the hole provided in the support substrate of the wireless charging unit130may be aligned with a hole provided in the battery bracket120. One surface of the wireless charging unit130may be disposed on the upper surface of the battery bracket120, and an opposite surface of the wireless charging unit130may be disposed to face the strap cover200(e.g., the upper strap cover). Accordingly, the wireless charging unit130may receive power wirelessly supplied from the outside of the strap cover200. According to various embodiments, the wireless charging unit130may be disposed inside the battery110. In this case, one surface of the wireless charging unit130may face one side of the battery110and an opposite surface of the wireless charging unit130may face the strap cover200(e.g., the lower strap cover).

The battery protective circuit140is coupled to one side of the battery110to protect the battery110. In other words, the battery protective circuit140may protect the battery110from overcharge, overdischarge, overvoltage, overcurrent, or the like. At least a portion of the battery protective circuit140may be formed of a non-metallic material, and at least a remaining portion of the battery protective circuit140may include a circuit wiring electrically connected with the battery110. The battery protective circuit140may be fixedly seated on the bracket header125provided in the battery bracket120.

The water-proof member50may be coupled to the electrode rod126disposed in the battery bracket120. According to an embodiment, the water-proof member50is interposed between the electrode rod126and the strap sidewall21aof the lower housing11aof the body11, thereby preventing and/or reducing the likelihood of moisture, water, or foreign matters from being introduced into the body11. For example, the water-proof member50may be formed of a material (e.g., a rubber material) having a specific elasticity and may have a ring shape corresponding to the shape of the electrode rod126. A plurality of water-proof members50may be disposed in number corresponding to the number of electrode rods126.

The stopper40may fix the electrode rod126to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the electrode rod126being separated from the body11, after the electrode rod126is inserted into the terminal hole23of the lower housing11a. The stopper40may be provided in a U shape or a horseshoe shape and may be seated into an engraved ring (or a recess in an engraved ring shape) provided in the electrode rod126, after the electrode rod126is inserted into the terminal hole23. The number of stoppers40may correspond to the number of the electrode rods126. According to various embodiments, the number of the stoppers40may be smaller than the number of the electrode rods126. Accordingly, at least one of the electrode rods126may be fixed to the lower housing11a.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example shape of a first surface of the battery bracket, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example shape of a second surface of the battery bracket, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example of the assembly of the battery bracket and the battery, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, the battery bracket120may include the support body124and the bracket header125. The support body124may include a curved part124aand a flat part124b. In addition, the support body124may include at least one of a first guard128and a second guard129disposed in side portions of the curved part124aand the flat part124b, respectively. The first guard128and the second guard129may guard the battery and the wireless charging unit seated on the support body124.

The curved part124amay be disposed such that one side of the curved part124ais fixedly seated on to one side of the bracket header125and an opposite side of the curved part124ais continued to the flat part124b. The curved part124amay include at least one furrow123. For example, the at least one furrow123may be disposed in the first surface (e.g., an opposite surface to the disposition surface of the battery110) of the support body124and may extend in a specific direction (e.g., an axial direction (a lengthwise direction of drawings) or a direction perpendicular to the axial direction). As the furrow123is engraved in the first surface, the curved part124amay have a concaved shape formed in the direction of the first surface. According to various embodiments, the furrow123may be engraved in a second surface (e.g., an opposite surface to the first surface) of the support body124and thus the curved part124amay have a concave shape formed in the direction of the second surface. According to an embodiment, a plurality of furrows123may be disposed at regular intervals throughout an entire portion of the curved part124a. Accordingly, the furrows123may fixedly maintain the battery bracket120with a predetermined curvature and may contribute to improve the flexibility of the battery bracket120. The number of the furrows123and the engraved depths of the furrows may depend on the curvatures of the curved part124a. According to various embodiments, the engraved depth of the furrow123disposed in a portion of the curved part124a, which has a higher curvature, may be greater than the engraved depth of the furrow123disposed in a portion of the curved part124awhich has a lower curvature. For example, the depth of the furrow123disposed at an upper side (the side of the bracket header125) of the central portion or the center of the curved part124amay be deeper (or shallower) than depths of furrows in other portions. According to various embodiments, the distance between the furrows123disposed in the portion (e.g., at the upper side of the central portion or the center of the curved part124a) of the curved part124a, which has a higher curvature, may be wider than or narrower than the distance between the furrows123disposed in the portion of the curved part124awhich has a lower curvature. According to the present disclosure, the strap12may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of a spring back phenomenon (a phenomenon that a bent substrate returns to a flat state) based on at least one furrow123of the battery bracket120. In the case that the flat part124bis continued to an opposite side of the curved part124a, the flat part124bmay be disposed with a specific length and a specific width. The width and the thickness of the flat part124bmay be equal to the width and the thickness of the curved part124a. According to various embodiments, the furrow123may be disposed in a specific pattern. For example, although drawings illustrate that a plurality of furrows123are linearly arranged in a widthwise direction of the support body124, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as engraved strips may be provided in a zig-zag pattern, a plurality of furrows123may be arranged in a widthwise direction of the support body124. In other words, the furrows123in the linear shape illustrated in drawings may be substituted with the zig-zag pattern.

Referring toFIG. 5, the first guard128may support the battery110seated on the battery bracket120to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110from being separated from the support body124. First guards128may extend to a specific height from edges of the curved part124aand the flat part124bwith a specific angle (e.g., an angle at which the first guards128are perpendicular to bottoms of the curved part124aand the flat part124b). For example, the first guards128may be disposed at mutually symmetrical positions of both edges of the curved part124aand may be disposed at mutually symmetrical positions of both edges of the flat part124b. In addition, at least one first guard128may be disposed in at least one position of both edges of the curved part124aand both edges of the flat part124b. The height of the first guard128may be formed in such a manner that the battery110is prevented and/or resistant from moving. For example, the height of the first guard128may be formed approximately to the thickness of the battery110or may be formed less than the thickness of the battery110. In addition, the height of the first guard128may be greater than the thickness of the battery110depending on design change. An upper end portion of the first guard128may be rounded or folded to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110from being nicked. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the first guard128has a folding shape.

The second guard129may be provided while forming a specific angle (e.g., an angle equal to or approximating to an angle of the first guard128) with respect to an end portion of the flat part124b(an opposite end to one side of the flat part124bconnected with the curved part124a). The second guard129may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110, which is seated on the battery bracket120, from being separated from the curved part124ato the flat part124b. The height of the second guard129may be equal to or approximate to the height of the first guard128. In addition, the height of the second guard129may be designed independently from the height of the first guard128.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the support body124may include at least one fixing hole127. For example, at least one fixing hole127may be provided in each of the curved part124aand the flat part124b. The fixing hole127may be used to align or fix the battery bracket120in the process of forming the strap cover200. The number and the arrangement of the fixing holes127may be varied depending on design change. For example, two fixing holes127may be provided in each of an upper end portion of the curved part124a, a boundary between the curved part124aand the flat part124b, and a lower end portion of the flat part124b. In addition, four to ten fixing holes127may be provided. The fixing holes127may be used to seat the battery bracket120in a mold. In addition, the fixing holes127may reduce the weight of the battery bracket120and may increase the flexibility of the battery bracket120.

The battery bracket120may include an engagement header125awhich fixes at least one side of the support body124(e.g., one side of the curved part124a) and a header sidewall125bwhich protrudes upward (e.g., toward a side facing the battery110) from the surface of the support body124. In addition, the bracket header125may include electrode rods126aand126b, which are provided on both end portions of the header sidewall125b, and a wiring hole125cformed through front and back surfaces of the header sidewall125bin the central portion of the header sidewall125b. A hole may be formed in a rear surface of the engagement header125asuch that one side of the support body124protrudes through the hole. The bracket header125may be formed around the support body124and formed of a molding material. The electrode rods126aand126bmay be disposed while passing through the front and rear surfaces of the header sidewall125b. Each of the electrode rods126aand126bmay be provided in the shape of a metallic rod. Each of the electrode rods126aand126bmay include the engraved ring formed in at least one side thereof. The stopper40may be engaged with the engraved ring. One side of the battery110(e.g., an area in which the battery protective circuit140is disposed) may be seated on the bracket header125. The electrode rods126aand126bmay be formed together with the bracket header125in the process of forming the bracket header125through insert-molding such that the electrode rods126aand126bmay be integrated with the battery bracket120.

FIG. 6Ais a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing the battery, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 6A, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery110may include a first electrode plate111, a second electrode plate112, and an electrolyte113as illustrated in state601. As illustrated in state603, the battery110may include a case114surrounding the first electrode plate111, the second electrode plate112, and the electrolyte113which are laminated. For example, the first electrode plate111may include an aluminum (Al) coil, and the second electrode plate111may include a copper (Cu) coil. A plurality of first electrode plate111and a plurality of electrode plates112may be laminated on each other at specific intervals. The materials and the shapes of the first electrode plate111and the second electrode plate112may be described for an illustrative purpose. According to the present disclosure, the battery110may include electrodes formed of various metallic materials.

The case114may include a rigid substrate (e.g., an Al sheet) having at least one surface on which a pattern may be formed. For example, as illustrated in state603, the at least one surface of the case114may have the form in which a first polymer114a, a rigid layer114b, and a second polymer layer114care laminated on each other. For example, the rigid layer114bmay be located on an opposite surface to a surface of the case114facing the battery bracket120. An area of the case114in which the rigid layer114bis disposed may include a specific pattern (e.g., a wave pattern). To this end, a mold may be prepared corresponding to the specific pattern, the case114may be disposed in the mold, and then the pattern may be formed with specific heat at a specific temperature under specific pressure. According to the embodiment, the specific pattern may include a first sub-pattern, which is repeated in a first direction (e.g., a first oblique direction), and a second sub-pattern, which is repeated in a second direction (e.g., a second oblique direction disposed perpendicularly to the first oblique direction) different from the first direction. In addition, the specific pattern may include a passage formed at a space between the first sub-pattern and the second sub-pattern, in addition to the first sub-pattern and the second sub-pattern.

As illustrated in state605, the case114having the specific pattern115formed on an outer portion thereof includes a plurality of first electrode plates (positive electrode plates)111, a plurality of second electrode plates (negative electrode plates)112, which are laminated on each other, and the electrolyte113. The first and second electrode plates (e.g., the positive and negative electrode plates) having specific areas may be flat without a curved pattern. In the case114, an upper case114_1may be patterned, and a lower case114_2may not be patterned (may have a plain pattern). Alternatively, patterns may be formed on the upper case114_1, the lower case114_2, and a side portion of the case114.

The pattern formed on the case114may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110being broken (due to the accumulation of fatigue repeatedly occurring in a section which is arbitrarily folded). In addition, the pattern formed on the case114may improve the rate (fluidity) of a molding material (or resin) in an insert-molding process of forming the strap12. For example, in the insert-molding process of forming the strap12, if the molding material is filled in the mold, the filled molding material may be uniformly spread throughout the inner entire portion of the mold while the filled molding material is moving along the specific pattern115.

FIG. 6Bis a diagram illustrating another example of the furrow shape of the battery, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 6B, the specific pattern115formed on the case114of the battery110may have various shapes. For example, as illustrated in state631, the specific pattern115may include a zig-zag pattern (a plurality of patterns having valleys and hills which are repeated). As illustrated in state633, the specific pattern115may have the shape of a zig-zag pattern broken at inflection points (e.g., the shape of a pattern having protrusions inclined at 45 degrees and arranged in a zig-zag manner). In state633, as the patterns are continuously broken at the inflection points, portions of the patterns, which are broken at the inflection points, may have the shape of passages. Accordingly, in the insert-molding process, the mold material may more rapidly and easily move through the passages while forming the strap12.

The specific pattern115may be provided in an embossment shape as illustrated in state635. The case114having the pattern provided in the embossment shape includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface of the case114and a plurality of recesses. Each protrusion and each recess may have a semi-spherical shape. The specific pattern115may be provided in an embossment shape as illustrated in state637. The specific pattern115may include portions broken between protrusions, between recesses, or between the protrusion and the groove. The broken portions may serve as passages in the tops of repeated embossment pattern similarly to the pattern shown in state633.

According to various embodiments, the specific pattern115may include a plurality of linear patterns having gaps (breaks or spaces), which are repeated in a left-right direction (or widthwise direction), and disposed in an up-down direction (or lengthwise direction) as illustrated in state639. In this case, positions of gaps may be matched with each other in the up-down direction, or may be unaligned in a zig-zag shape, as illustrated in drawings. If the positions of the gaps are unaligned in the up-down direction, an insert-molding filling material (molding material or resin) may be easily filled to left and right end portions of the case114in an insert-molding process. Simultaneously, the filling material may be filled to a lower end portion of the case114through the gaps aligned in the up-down direction, thereby forming the strap12. According to an embodiment, various patterns described above are partially formed throughout the case114. In addition, among the patterns described with reference toFIG. 6B, at least one pattern may be at least partially formed on at least one surface (e.g., a surface on which the strap cover is formed) of the battery bracket120.

According to various example embodiments described above, the battery according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one pair of a negative electrode plate and a positive electrode plate spaced apart from each other by a specific distance, an electrolyte disposed around the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate, and a case surrounding the negative electrode plate, the positive electrode plate, and the electrolyte. The case may have a plurality of zig-zag patterns having hills and valleys in at least portions thereof and disposed in a specific direction.

According to various example embodiments, the case may include a first polymer layer, which surrounds the negative electrode plate, the positive electrode plate, and the electrolyte, a metallic layer, which surrounds the first polymer layer while forming the zig-zag pattern, and a second polymer layer which is disposed to cover the metallic layer and to form the zig-zag pattern.

According to various example embodiments, the first polymer layer may be formed in the zig-zag pattern.

According to various example embodiments, the zig-zag pattern may further include gaps disposed at the inflection areas of a plurality of zig-zag patterns disposed in the first direction.

According to various example embodiments, the gaps may be disposed while being unaligned in the second direction.

According to various example embodiments, the strap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery having a specific width, a specific thickness, and a specific length, a battery bracket having a size approximate to or greater than the size of the battery, seating the battery, and having a part curved with a specific curvature, and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated. A case of the battery may have a pattern protruding in a first direction and a pattern protruding in a second direction different from the first direction. The first direction and the second direction may have specific gradients (e.g., having an angle in the range of 10° to 90°, in detail, an angle of 45°). In addition, the case may include a passage formed in a space between the pattern in the first direction and the pattern in the second direction. At least a portion of the case may include a first polymer layer which surrounds contents, a rigid layer (e.g., an aluminum sheet) used to form a pattern on the first polymer layer, and a second polymer layer which covers the rigid layer.

According to various example embodiments, an electronic device according to an embodiment may include a strap, which includes a battery having a case, on which a first directional pattern and a second directional pattern are formed, a battery bracket supporting the battery, and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket, and a body coupled to at least one strap.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of coupling the battery bracket to the battery, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7, in state701, the battery110may have a top surface and a bottom surface, which are flat, and may have a specific width, a specific thickness, and a specific area. For example, the size and the thickness of the battery110may be determined depending on the shape of the strap12disposed in the electronic device10. In state703, the battery bracket120may include a curved part formed as at least a portion of the battery bracket120is curved at a specific angle with respect to at least one furrow. The curvature of the battery bracket120may be varied depending on the size of the distance between furrows and the depth of an engraved portion (or a groove) forming each furrow.

If the flat battery110is seated on the battery bracket120having a specific curvature, or if the flat battery110is seated on the battery bracket120having the specific curvature while pressing the battery bracket120, the battery110may be seated on the battery bracket120in the state that the battery110is curved along the shape of an outer appearance of the battery bracket120which is curved with the specific curvature. At least one first guard128and at least one second guard129disposed on the battery bracket120may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110from being separated from the surface of the battery bracket120. In addition, the first guard128and the second guard129may support the battery110such that the battery110is maintained in a curved state on the surface of the battery bracket120. According to various embodiments, the first guard128and the second guard129may support inner components (e.g., the battery and the wireless charging unit) to maintain the mounting state of the inner components, when the insert-molding for the strap12is performed.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery protective circuit, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of a bracket header surrounding the battery protective circuit, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery protective circuit140may include a circuit board141, protective members143aand143b, and wires144aand144b.

The circuit board141may be disposed at one side of the battery110and may be electrically connected with the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate disposed inside the battery110. To this end, contacts may be exposed through one side of the case114to seal an inner part of the case114while the contacts are electrically connected with the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The circuit board141may be electrically connected with contacts exposed through the case114. The circuit board141may include a first contact141aand a second contact141b, which are connected with the protective members143aand143b, respectively, and a positive contact142aand a negative contact142bwhich are connected with the wires144aand144b, respectively. On the upper surface of the circuit board141, at least a portion may be insulated other than portions connected with the protective members143aand143band the wires144aand144b. Among portions of the circuit board141connected with the protective members143aand143band the wires144aand144b, at least a portion may be insulated.

The protective members143aand143bmay be electrically connected with the first contact141aand the second contact141bprovided on the circuit board141. The protective members143aand143bmay protect the battery110under the control of the processor17disposed in the printed circuit board18of the body11. For example, the protective members143aand143bmay be provided to protect the battery110from overcharge, overdischarge, overvoltage, overcurrent, or the like.

The wires144aand144bmay include the first wire144aand the second wire144bwhich are electrically connected with the positive contact142aand the negative contact142bprovided on the circuit board141, respectively. The first wire144aand the second wire144bmay be disposed in the state that the first wire144aand the second wire144bare soldered to the positive contact142aand the negative contact142b.

The first wire144amay be disposed to an outside of the bracket header125(in detail, disposed leftward of an outside of an area on which the battery110is seated) through the wiring hole125cprovided in the bracket header125. Similarly, the second wire144bmay be disposed to an outside of the bracket header125(in detail, rightward of the outside of an area on which the battery110is seated) through the wiring hole125cprovided in the bracket header125. The battery110may be seated on the battery bracket120and an area of the battery110, in which the battery protective circuit140is disposed, may be fixedly seated on the bracket header125. In this case, the bracket header125may include at least one recess having the shape corresponding to the shape of the battery protective circuit140and formed inside of the bracket header125. In detail, the bracket header125may include a plurality of recesses, in which the protective members143aand143bare seated, and wiring recesses in which the wires144aand144bare disposed. One end portion of the wiring recess may communicate with the wiring hole125c. The first wire144amay be electrically connected with the first electrode rod126aamong the electrode rods. In addition, the second wire144bmay be electrically connected with the second electrode rod126bamong the electrode rods.

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating an example first surface of an example bracket header, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example process of assembling a bracket header of a battery bracket, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating an example coupling state of the bracket header and a wire bracket, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 10 to 12, the wires144aand144b, which are disposed in the battery110as described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, may be disposed on an outer surface (e.g., an outer surface opposite to a surface on which the battery110is seated) of the bracket header125. For example, based on the drawings, the first wire144a(or the second wire144b) is disposed at the right side (or the left side) of the bracket header125, and the second wire144b(or the first wire144a) may be disposed at the left side (or the right side) of the bracket header125. As at least a portion of a sheath is removed from one end portion of the first wire144a, a line may be exposed through the sheath and may be electrically connected with a first solder part148aelectrically connected with the first electrode rod126a. Similarly, as the sheath is removed from one end portion of the second wire144b, a line may be exposed through the sheath and may be electrically connected with a second solder part148belectrically connected with the second electrode rod126b.

After the first wire144aelectrically connected with the first electrode rod126aand the second wire144belectrically connected with the second electrode rod126bare provided, the bracket header125may be coupled to the wire bracket160. The wire bracket160may be disposed to surround a specific space of the bracket header125in which the first wire144aand the second wire144bare disposed. For example, the wire bracket160may include a guide recess163which is formed on one side of a cover161to guide portions protruding due to the wiring recesses of the bracket header125. The above-described wire bracket160may be coupled to surround one side of an outer surface of the bracket header125, and the wires144aand144bexposed in state1101may be hidden as illustrated in state1103. Accordingly, the wire bracket160may reduce insert-molding pressure applied to the battery protective circuit140in the process of forming the strap12, thereby preventing and/or reduce the likelihood of the wires144aand144bfrom being disconnected from being each other.

The wire bracket160may protect the soldered portions of the wires144aand144bduring the process of forming the strap12in the battery assembly100. The wire bracket160may securely maintain the electrical connection relationship between the battery bracket120and the battery110. In addition, the wire bracket160may support the bracket header125on which the electrode rods126aand126bare disposed while the wire bracket160improves the stiffness of the bracket header125.

The wire bracket160may include the cover161, which surrounds recesses for the dispositions of the first wire144aand the second wire144b, and hook protrusions162aand162bprovided at both sides of the cover161and coupled to hook recesses162cand162dprovided in the bracket header125. The first hook recess162cof the hook recesses162cand162d, into which the first hook protrusion162ais fixedly inserted, may be disposed adjacent to a specific area in which the first electrode rod126ais disposed as illustrated inFIG. 12. The first hook protrusion162aprovided at a side portion of the cover161may be inserted into the first hook recess162cwhile the second hook protrusion162bis inserted into the second hook recess162d. Accordingly, the cover161may protect the wires144aand144bfrom external impact.

FIG. 13is a diagram illustrating an example of an example coupling structure of a battery assembly, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 13, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery structure may include the battery110and the bracket header125having the battery protective circuit140disposed therein. The bracket header125may be disposed at one side of the battery110to form a power moving path (or a power supply path) of the battery110while protecting the battery110. According to the present disclosure, the battery110may include, for example, a rechargeable lithium battery. Accordingly, as the battery110is repeatedly used, is over-charged, and is applied thereto with external impact, the internal gas of the battery110may be generated and thus the battery110may be swollen or exploded. Accordingly, the battery110may deform a product outer appearance of the strap12and may cause the damage to inner components. In addition, as the battery110directly makes contact with the human body of a user, the battery110may cause the damage, such as a burn, to the user. To prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of damage, the battery110may have at least one weak part to remove internal pressure before an accident occurs. The weak part may be located in the vicinity of coupling parts of a product, which have structures suitable for the protection of the human body of the user (e.g., the weak part may be located in the vicinity of an area in which the bracket header125is disposed). Further, an additional structure may be included to protect the human body of the user when gas or a liquid leaks.

For example, the battery110may include a pressure reduction inducing part (or the weak part) provided at a coupling part with the bracket header125so as to remove the internal pressure resulting from the generation of the gas. To provide the pressure reduction inducing part, the case114may be provided to have one side thinner than an opposite side in thickness, or to have one side weaker than the opposite side in durability, in the structure in which the case114surrounds the contents (e.g., the positive and negative electrode plates and the electrolyte, or a jelly roll) of the battery110.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in state1301, the battery110may include a first inducing part1310provided at a side portion coupled to the bracket header125and having a semi-circular shape. In addition, as illustrated in state1303, the battery110may include at least one second inducing part1330provided at the side portion coupled to the bracket header125and having a wedge shape. In state1305, the battery110may include at least one third inducing part1350provided at the side portion coupled to the bracket header125and having a tempered shape. For example, the third inducing part1350may be disposed at the edge of one side of the battery110. In state1307, the battery110may include at least one fourth inducing part1370provided at the side portion coupled to the bracket header125and having a nicked (or punched) shape. The fourth inducing part1370may be interposed with a plurality of nicks (or bores) between an end portion of the edge of the case114and an area in which the contents are disposed. The battery110having the at least one inducing part may be prevented and/or reduce a likelihood of being exploded by reducing internal pressure as gas is discharged through the at least one inducing part when the internal pressure of the battery110is increased.

FIG. 14is a diagram illustrating another example of the coupling structure of a battery assembly, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 14, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket header125may be coupled to one side of the battery110to protect the battery110. In addition, the bracket header125may have a protection structure which prevents and/or reduces a likelihood of the liquid leaking from the battery110from making contact with the human body of the user when the liquid leaks from the battery110as the battery110is broken. In detail, the battery structure may have a step structure which prevents and/or reduces the likelihood of the leaking liquid from flowing toward a skin of the human body wearing the electronic device10, even if the liquid leaks from one side of the battery110. To this end, the bracket header125of the battery structure may include a first substrate part1410and a second substrate part1420in state1401. The first substrate part1410may have an area wider than an area of the second substrate part1420. Accordingly, on the first substrate part1410, the second substrate1420and an end portion of the battery110may be placed. As described with reference toFIG. 13, the battery110may have a structure in which at least one pressure reduction inducing part is formed at one end portion of the battery110.

Accordingly, as gas is generated inside the battery110, the internal pressure is increased. In this case, the liquid may leak through an area of the battery110having the pressure reduction inducing part. The leaking liquid first makes contact with the first substrate part1410and the second substrate part1420. Accordingly, the electronic device10may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the leaking liquid from making contact with the skin under the first substrate part1410.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state1403, in the case that the bracket header125includes the first substrate part1410and the second substrate part1420, the battery110may include a body part110aand a protrusion part110bprotruding from one side of the body part110a. The protrusion part110bmay include at least one pressure reduction inducing part. The protrusion part110bmay be disposed to face an upper end portion of the first substrate part1410and a side portion of the second substrate part1420. The body part110amay face a side portion of the first substrate part1410. Accordingly, even if liquid leaks from the end portion of the protrusion part110b, the leaking liquid stays between the first substrate part1410and the second substrate part1420. Accordingly, the leaking liquid may not make contact with the skin of the user.

FIG. 15is a diagram illustrating another example of the coupling structure of the battery assembly, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 15, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, in the battery structure for protecting from the leaking liquid, the bracket header125may include the first substrate part1410and the second substrate part1420. The battery110may include the body part110aand the protrusion part110b. The protrusion part110bmay be disposed to face at least a portion of a top surface of the first substrate part1410and the side portion of the second substrate part1420.

According to an example embodiment, at least one of the first substrate part1410and the second substrate part1420may include a guide recess1510as illustrated in state1501. For example, the guide recess1510has a width which is wider in a portion connected with the battery110. The width of the guide recess1510is gradually narrowed as the width is further away from the portion connected with the battery110. At least one guide recess1510may be disposed, for example, in a triangular shape. The guide recess1510may be provided in the top surface of the first substrate part1410or provided by recessing the side portion of the second substrate part1420to guide the liquid leaking from the end portion of the protrusion part110band to isolate the liquid.

According to various example embodiments, at least one of the first substrate part410and the second substrate part1420may include a storage recess1520as illustrated in state1503. The storage recess1520may include a specific cavity (empty space) provided inside the bracket header125. For example, the storage recess1520may be provided by engraving the top surface of the first substrate part1410. When liquid leaks from the protrusion part110b, the liquid may be isolated in the storage recess1520. Accordingly, the liquid leaking from the battery110does not directly make contact with a skin1550of a user, but may be stored in a safety place.

The electronic device10may detect the leakage of liquid from the battery110, and may output a notification of the leakage of liquid through the display15seated on the body11. In addition, the electronic device10may output a specific sound or a notification related to the leakage of the liquid through a speaker. To this end, the processor17of the electronic device10may detect a basic power intensity of the battery110at a specific period of time or in every use of the battery110. If the detected power intensity corresponds to a power intensity resulting from the leakage of the liquid, the notification of the leakage of the liquid may be output.

According to various example embodiments, the strap according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery having a specific width, a specific thickness, and a specific length, a battery bracket having a size approximate to or greater than the size of the battery, seating the battery, and having a part curved with a specific curvature, and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated. The battery includes contents related to the charging or the discharging of power and a case which surrounds the contents. In this case, a pressure reduction inducing part may be formed in at least one portion of an edge of the case and may induce gas leakage as the internal pressure of the battery is increased. The pressure reduction inducing part may be formed on an edge connected with the protection circuit of the battery. The bracket header125may include a recess for storing the liquid leaking through the pressure reduction inducing part.

According to various example embodiments, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a strap including a battery having a pressure reduction inducing part, a battery bracket, and a scrap cover, and a body engaged with at least one strap.

FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating an example of the coupling structure of a strap and a body, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 16, as described above, the strap12is coupled to one side of the lower housing11aof the body11. The strap12may include the strap cover200and the battery assembly100.

The lower housing11aof the body11may include the terminal hole23into which the electrode rod126disposed at one side of the battery assembly100is able to be inserted. The stopper40may be coupled to the engraved ring formed in one side of the electrode rod126if the electrode rode126is inserted into the terminal hole23. Accordingly, the stopper40may support the electrode rod126, thereby preventing and/or reducing the likelihood of the electrode rod126from deviating from the terminal hole23in a direction opposite to the direction that the electrode rod126is inserted into the terminal hole23. The stopper40may be disposed on each electrode rod126inserted into the terminal hole23.

In addition, the water-proof member50may be disposed at one side of the electrode rode126. The water-proof member50may be disposed at a lower end portion of the electrode126and may be disposed to make contact with an outer portion of the strap sidewall21adisposed in the body11. The diameter and the size of the water-proof member50may be greater than the diameter and the size of a peripheral portion of the terminal hole23and may be formed of an elastic material. Accordingly, the electrode rod126is pressed to the strap sidewall21aand reduced in shape by pressure applied when the electrode rod126is inserted into the terminal hole23. Thus, the electrode rod126may be interposed between the strap sidewall21aand the bracket header125. Elastic force is applied such that the shape of the water-proof member50is returned to an original shape due to an elastic property. Accordingly, the water-proof member50may be filled into the gap between the terminal hole23and the electrode rod126. A portion of the electrode rod disposed at the strap12may be electrically connected with wires of the battery110disposed on the bracket header125. According to various embodiments, silicone may be dispensed and coated on a peripheral portion of the terminal hole23in substitution for the water-proof member50, after the electrode rod126is inserted into the terminal hole23in the strap sidewall.

In the battery bracket120serving as the central axis of the battery assembly100, at least one furrow is provided in an upper end portion coupled to the body11to form a specific curved part. Accordingly, although a portion of the strap12(e.g., a lower end portion of the strap12) is provided to be movable at a specific angle or more, the degree of the freedom in the strap12may be gradually reduced toward a coupling portion of the strap12to the body11.

FIG. 17is a diagram illustrating an example electrical connection structure between an electrode rod and a body, according an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 17, as described above, the electronic device10may include at least one component, such as the printed circuit board18, inside the body11(e.g., a lower housing). Components such as the processor17and the memory16may be mounted on the printed circuit board18. The strap12may be coupled to one side of the body11.

According to an embodiment, clips30aand30b, which are electrically connected with the electrode rods126aand126b, may be provided at one side of the printed circuit board18. For example, the print circuit board18may include the first clip30awhich is able to be electrically connected with the first electrode rod126aand the second clip30bwhich is able to be electrically connected with the second electrode rod126b. The first clip30aand the second clip30bmay be electrically connected with the main power supply unit disposed in the body11through a wiring disposed on the printed circuit board18. The first clip30aand the second clip30bmay directly supply power to the display15under the control of the processor17.

For example, the first clip30amay be mounted on the printed circuit board18in a specific direction (e.g., in the up-down direction), and may be electrically connected with the electrode rod126awhich is disposed in a horizontal direction through the terminal hole of the strap sidewall21a. To this end, the first clip30a, which includes a body part31and a blade part30_1provided at one side of the body part31and making contact with the first electrode rod126a, may be mounted on the printed circuit board18. The first clip30amay include at least one of pillars30_2which elastically support the first electrode126awhen the blade part30_1makes contact with the first electrode rod126a. The blade part30_1and the pillars30_2may be disposed to be inclined at a specific angle in a specific direction from edges of the body part31. The second clip30bmay be provided in the same shape as the shape of the first clip30a. The shapes and the positions of the first clip30aand the second clip30b, which are described above, may be varied depending on design change.

FIG. 18Ais a diagram illustrating another example of a strap structure, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 18A, the structure of the strap12may include the upper strap cover220aand the lower strap cover220bas described above. At least a portion of the upper strap cover220aand the lower strap cover220bmay be formed of a material such as leather. The upper strap cover220ais combined with the lower strap cover220bto surround the battery assembly100. The width, the thickness, and the area of one side of the upper strap cover220a(e.g., a portion of the upper strap cover220coupled to the body11) may be greater than the width, the thickness, and the area of an opposite side of the upper strap cover220a(e.g., a portion of the upper strap cover220coupled to another strap). One side and an opposite side of the lower strap cover220bmay be formed corresponding to those of the upper strap cover220a. In one side of the lower strap cover220b, a hole or a recess may be formed in a position in which the electrode rod is to be disposed, such that at least a portion of the electrode rod is exposed to the outside.

According to an embodiment, at least one furrow123may be disposed in one side (e.g., a curved part) of the battery bracket120of the battery assembly100. Accordingly, at least a portion of an upper end portion of the battery assembly100may have a specific curvature corresponding to the curved state of the battery bracket120such that the battery assembly100overall has a curved shape.

According to an embodiment, the case of the battery110disposed in the battery assembly100may be provided without the above-described specific pattern (e.g., a flat pattern or a plain pattern having no additional pattern). Accordingly, the case of the battery110may include only a single polymer layer without including an additional rigid layer. In addition, although the battery bracket120includes the fixing hole127, the fixing hole127may be omitted depending on design change. In the case that the fixing hole127is omitted, the support body of the battery bracket120may be provided in a flat structure in which a hole or a recess is not formed in the substrate.

When the strap12is formed of a leather material, spot facing may be performed such that the battery assembly100is seated between the upper strap cover220aand the lower strap cover220b, and then the seating part subject to the spot facing may be coated with bonding liquid. Thereafter, the battery assembly100may be seated on the upper strap cover220aand may be covered with the lower strap cover220b, and bonding coupling may be performed, thereby forming the strap12.

FIG. 18Bis a flowchart illustrating an example method of forming a strap, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The battery110may be prepared in operation1801. The battery110may include a secondary battery. At least portion of the battery110may be formed of a flexible material. At least a portion of the surface of the battery110may have a zig-zag pattern formed in a lengthwise direction or in a widthwise direction (or in the transverse direction or the longitudinal direction). According to an embodiment, as the battery110is seated on the battery bracket120, the zig-zag pattern may be formed on the surface of the battery110, which is exposed to the outside.

In operation1803, the battery110may be seated on the battery bracket120. To this end, as at least a portion of the battery bracket120has a furrow, the battery bracket120may be maintained in a specific curved state. At least one guard (e.g., the guard128or129) provided on the battery bracket120may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110from moving in the left-right direction or the up-down direction.

In operation1805, the battery protective circuit140may be connected (coupled) to the battery110. The battery protective circuit140may be electrically connected with the battery110and may include at least one wire. The wire may be disposed in the direction of the bracket header125of the battery bracket120. The bracket header125may include at least one recess in which the wire is disposed.

In operation1807, the wire bracket160may be mounted. The wire bracket160may be disposed to cover the wire seated in the bracket header125. The wire bracket160may prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the wire from being disconnected. As the wire bracket160is mounted, the battery assembly100may be provided.

In operation1809, the battery assembly100may be seated in a mold. The mold may be disposed corresponding to the outer appearance of the strap12. The mold may include protrusions coupled to at least one recess or hole provided in the battery bracket120.

In operation1811, insert-molding may be performed. Resin or an insert-molding filling material may be injected into the mold in which the battery assembly100is seated. The insert-molding filling material may be uniformly injected into the entire portion of the mold including the edge of the mold while the filling material is moving in the zig-zag pattern formed on the surface of the battery110. The strap12provided in the above manner is coupled to the body11to serve as a power supply which supplies power to the electronic device. In addition, the strap12may provide a wearing function for a user.

According to various example embodiments, the strap12may be manufactured through various processes depending on materials of the outer appearance of the strap12. For example, in the case that the strap12including the wireless charging unit130is formed of silicone or a rubber material, the wireless charging unit130may be seated on the battery bracket120. The battery110, which has a flexible property, may be seated on the battery bracket120. The battery bracket120may include a furrow line for preventing and/or reducing a likelihood of a spring back phenomenon so as to maintain the shape of a designed product. The bottom part of the battery bracket120may include a fixing hole. To this end, a process of providing the furrow and the fixing hole of the battery bracket120may be performed. In addition, the battery bracket120may include a first battery guard and a second battery guard formed at left and right side portions of the battery bracket120. A hamming structure (e.g., bending of an upper end portion) may be applied to the first battery guard to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of the battery110from being nicked. Next, the battery protective circuit may be disposed on an upper end portion of the battery110, and wires coming from the battery protective circuit may be electrically connected (soldered) with the electrode rod. Thereafter, the wire bracket for the protection of the wire is assembled with the bracket header125to prevent the wire from being disconnected due to the pressure of the insert-molding when the strap is formed.

The battery assembly100may be seated in the mold having a specific shape. In this case, the battery assembly100may be seated in the mold on the basis of the fixing hole127. The case114(or an external packaging material) of the flexible battery110may have an inclined embossment shape which is advantageous to resin flow.

According to various example embodiments, a strap is provided. The strap may include a battery including a case, wherein a plurality of zig-zag patterns are formed on at least a portion of a surface of the case, have hills and valleys, and are disposed in a specific direction, a battery bracket formed in a size approximate to or greater than a size of the battery, wherein the battery is seated on the battery bracket such that the zig-zag patterns of the battery are disposed on an outer portion of the battery and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated, wherein the battery bracket includes at least one furrow.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may include a plurality of furrows disposed around a curved part.

According to an example embodiment, a distance between furrows formed in an area of the curved part, which has a higher curvature, may be shorter than a distance between furrows formed in an area of the curved part, which has a lower curvature.

According to an example embodiment, a depth of a furrow formed in an area of a curved part of the battery bracket, which has a higher curvature, is deeper than a depth of a furrow formed in an area of the curved part, which has a lower curvature.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may include a support body including a curved part and a bracket header coupled to one side of the support body.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may further include at least one of a first guard, which extends from opposite edges of the support body while the first guard is inclined at a specific angle, to guard the battery and a second guard formed at an end portion of one side of the support body to prevent the battery from being separated from the battery bracket.

According to an example embodiment, an upper end portion of the at least one of the first guard and the second guard may be rounded or bent.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may further include at least one fixing hole formed through front and rear surfaces of the support body.

According to an example embodiment, the bracket header may further include at least one electrode rod electrically connected with wires connected with electrode terminals of the battery.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may further include a wire bracket disposed to cover the wires disposed in the bracket heater.

According to an example embodiment, the strap may further include a wireless charging unit seated on one side of the battery bracket and electrically connected with the battery.

According to an example embodiment, the battery may further include at least one pair of a negative electrode plate and a positive electrode plate spaced apart from each other by a specific distance and an electrolyte disposed around the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate, and the case may surround the negative electrode plate, the positive electrode plate, and the electrolyte.

According to an example embodiment, the case may include a first polymer layer surrounding the negative electrode plate, the positive electrode plate, and the electrolyte, a rigid layer disposed on the first polymer layer and a second polymer layer surrounding the rigid layer.

According to an example embodiment, the case may have a specific pattern formed in at least a portion of the rigid layer and having at least one inflection point.

According to an example embodiment, the specific pattern may include a first sub-pattern repeating in a first direction and a second sub-pattern repeating in a second direction different from the first direction.

According to an example embodiment, the specific pattern may further include a passage formed as the first sub-pattern is spaced apart from the second sub-pattern.

According to an example embodiment, the case may include at least one pressure reduction inducing part configured to induce leakage of a liquid when internal pressure of the battery is increased.

According to an example embodiment, the battery bracket may include a bracket header coupled to the battery, and the bracket header may include at least one recess configured to receive the liquid leaking through the pressure reduction inducing part.

According to various example embodiments, a wearable electronic device may be provided. The wearable may include a body housing including a first surface, a second surface facing a direction opposite to a direction of the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space formed between the first surface and the second surface, a display included inside the body housing and exposed through the first surface, a processor included inside the body housing and electrically connected with the display, a wireless communication circuit included inside the body housing, a power management circuit included inside the body housing and electrically connected with the display, the processor, and the wireless communication circuit and a wearing member coupled to a portion of the body housing, extending in a first direction to be detachably mounted on a portion of a human body of a user, and being bendable in the first direction, wherein the wearing member may include an electronic component extending in the first direction and including an external surface that includes a repeating pattern including recesses and/or protrusions formed in at least one direction that is different from the first direction and a polymer surrounding the external surface of the electronic component and forming an external surface of the wearing member.

According to an example embodiment, the electronic component may include a battery electrically connected with the power management circuit, wherein the wearing member may be detachably mounted in the body housing, wherein the wearing member may include a first electrical contact electrically connected with the battery, and wherein the portion of the body housing may be electrically connectable with the first electrical contact and includes a second electrical contact electrically connected with the power management circuit.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, in the strap12and the electronic device (e.g., a wearable electronic device) including the same, the battery may be mounted in a space separated from the inner part of the electronic device, such that power capacity is ensured and the battery is prevented and/or not substantially affecting the thickness of the body of the electronic device. In addition, the battery is removed from the body of the electronic device, and thus the thickness of the body may be reduced.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a strap including a battery having a specific width, a specific thickness, and a specific length, a battery bracket having a size approximate to or greater than the size of the battery, seating the battery, having at least one furrow formed around a part curved with a specific curvature, and a strap cover surrounding the battery bracket on which the battery is seated, and a body having a side portion coupled to the at least one strap.

According to various example embodiments, the body may further include at least one of a terminal hole, into which the electrode rod disposed on the strap is inserted, a stopper which prevents and/or reduces the likelihood of the electrode rod from deviating from the terminal hole, a clip electrically connected with the electrode rod and disposed on a printed circuit board, and a water-proof member interposed between the electrode rod and an outer wall of the body.

As described above, according to various example embodiments, the battery may be disposed in the strap to ensure the supply of additional power. The operation of wearing the power supply device may be easily performed, and the wearability may be improved. In addition, according to various embodiments, in the process of manufacturing the strap body, the failure of the strap body may be minimized and/or reduced and the damage resulting from the broken battery may be prevented and/or a likelihood thereof reduced.

FIG. 19is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an example electronic device in a network environment1900according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 19, in various embodiments, an electronic device1901and a first external electronic device1902, a second external electronic device1904, or a server1906may connect with each other through a network1962or local-area (e.g., short-range) communication1964. The electronic device1901may include a bus1910, a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)1920, a memory1930, an input/output interface (e.g., including interface circuitry)1950, a display1960, and a communication interface (e.g., including communication circuitry)1970. In various embodiments, at least one of the components may be omitted from the electronic device1901, or other components may be additionally included in the electronic device1901.

The bus1910may be, for example, a circuit which connects the components1920to1970with each other and transmits a communication signal (e.g., a control message and/or data) between the components.

The processor1920may include various processing circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, one or more of a dedicated processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). For example, the processor1920may perform calculation or data processing about control and/or communication of at least another of the components of the electronic device1901.

The memory1930may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory1930may store, for example, a command or data associated with at least another of the components of the electronic device1901. According to an embodiment, the memory1930may store software and/or a program1940. The program1940may include, for example, a kernel1941, a middleware1943, an application programming interface (API)1945, and/or an least one application program1947(or “at least one application”), and the like. At least part of the kernel1941, the middleware1943, or the API1945may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

The kernel1941may control or manage, for example, system resources (e.g., the bus1910, the processor1920, or the memory1930, and the like) used to execute an operation or function implemented in the other programs (e.g., the middleware1943, the API1945, or the application program1947). Also, as the middleware1943, the API1945, or the application program1947accesses a separate component of the electronic device1901, the kernel1941may provide an interface which may control or manage system resources.

The middleware1943may play a role as, for example, a go-between such that the API1945or the application program1947communicates with the kernel1941to communicate data.

Also, the middleware1943may process one or more work requests, received from the application program1947, in order of priority. For example, the middleware1943may assign priority which may use system resources (the bus1910, the processor1920, or the memory1930, and the like) of the electronic device1901to at least one of the at least one application program1947. For example, the middleware1943may perform scheduling or load balancing for the one or more work requests by processing the one or more work requests in order of the priority assigned to the at least one of the at least one application program1947.

The API1945may be, for example, an interface in which the application program1947controls a function provided from the kernel1941or the middleware1943. For example, the API1945may include at least one interface or function (e.g., a command) for file control, window control, image processing, or text control, and the like.

The input/output interface1950may include various interface circuitry and play a role as, for example, an interface which may transmit a command or data input from a user or another external device to another component (or other components) of the electronic device1901. Also, input and output interface1950may output an instruction or data received from another component (or other components) of the electronic device1901to the user or the other external device.

The display1960may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The display1960may display, for example, a variety of content (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, or symbols, and the like) to the user. The display1960may include a touch screen, and may receive, for example, touch, gesture, proximity, or a hovering input using an electronic pen or part of a body of the user.

The communication interface1970may include various communication circuitry and establish communication between, for example, the electronic device1901and an external device (e.g., a first external electronic device1902, a second external electronic device1904, or a server1906). For example, the communication interface1970may connect to a network1962through wireless communication or wired communication and may communicate with the external device (e.g., the second external electronic device1904or the server1906).

The wireless communication may use, for example, at least one of long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LIE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), or global system for mobile communications (GSM), and the like as a cellular communication protocol. Also, the wireless communication may include, for example, local-area communication1964. The local-area communication1964may include, for example, at least one of wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication, Bluetooth (BT) communication, near field communication (NFC), or global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication, and the like.

An MST module may generate a pulse based on transmission data using an electromagnetic signal and may generate a magnetic field signal based on the pulse. The electronic device1901may output the magnetic field signal to a point of sales (POS) system. The POS system may restore the data by detecting the magnetic field signal using an MST reader and converting the detected magnetic field signal into an electric signal.

The GNSS may include, for example, at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), a Glonass, a Beidou navigation satellite system (hereinafter referred to as “Beidou”), or a Galileo (i.e., the European global satellite-based navigation system) according to an available area or a bandwidth, and the like. Hereinafter, the “GPS” used herein may be interchangeably with the “GNSS”. The wired communication may include at least one of, for example, universal serial bus (USB) communication, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) communication, recommended standard 232 (RS-232) communication, or plain old telephone service (POTS) communication, and the like. The network1962may include a telecommunications network, for example, at least one of a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)), the Internet, or a telephone network.

Each of the first and second external electronic devices1902and1904may be the same as or different device from the electronic device1901. According to an embodiment, the server1906may include a group of one or more servers. According to various embodiments, all or some of operations executed in the electronic device1901may be executed in another electronic device or a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device1902, the second external electronic device1904, or the server1906). According to an embodiment, if the electronic device1901should perform any function or service automatically or according to a request, it may request another device (e.g., the first external electronic device1902, the second external electronic device1904, or the server106) to perform at least part of the function or service, rather than executing the function or service for itself or in addition to the function or service. The other electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device1902, the second external electronic device1904, or the server1906) may execute the requested function or the added function and may transmit the executed result to the electronic device1901. The electronic device1901may process the received result without change or additionally and may provide the requested function or service. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing technologies, distributed computing technologies, or client-server computing technologies may be used.

FIG. 20is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an example electronic device according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 20, the electronic device2001may include, for example, all or part of an electronic device1901illustrated inFIG. 19. The electronic device2001may include one or more processors (e.g., including processing circuitry)2010(e.g., application processors (APs)), a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry)2020, a subscriber identification module (SIM)2029, a memory2030, a sensor module2040, an input device (e.g., including input circuitry)2050, a display2060, an interface (e.g., including interface circuitry)2070, an audio module2080, a camera module2091, a power management module2095, a battery2096, an indicator2097, and a motor2098.

The processor2010may include various processing circuitry and drive, for example, an operating system (OS) or an application program to control a plurality of hardware or software components connected thereto and may process and compute a variety of data. The processor2010may be implemented with, for example, a system on chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor2010may include a graphic processing unit (GPU) (not shown) and/or an image signal processor (not shown). The processor2010may include at least some (e.g., a cellular module2021) of the components shown inFIG. 20. The processor2010may load a command or data received from at least one of other components (e.g., a non-volatile memory) into a volatile memory to process the data and may store various data in a non-volatile memory.

The communication module2020may have the same or similar configuration to a communication interface1970ofFIG. 19. The communication module2020may include various communication circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, the cellular module2021, a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) module2023, a Bluetooth (BT) module2025, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) module2027(e.g., a GPS module, a Glonass module, a Beidou module, or a Galileo module), a near field communication (NFC) module2028, and a radio frequency (RF) module2029.

The cellular module2021may provide, for example, a voice call service, a video call service, a text message service, or an Internet service, and the like through a communication network. According to an embodiment, the cellular module2021may identify and authenticate the electronic device2001in a communication network using the SIM2029(e.g., a SIM card). According to an embodiment, the cellular module2021may perform at least part of functions which may be provided by the processor2010. According to an embodiment, the cellular module2021may include a communication processor (CP).

The Wi-Fi module2023, the BT module2025, the GNSS module2027, or the NFC module2028, may include, for example, a processor for processing data transmitted and received through the corresponding module. According to various embodiments, at least some (e.g., two or more) of the cellular module2021, the Wi-Fi module2023, the BT module2025, the GNSS module2027, or the NFC module2028, may be included in one integrated chip (IC) or one IC package.

The RF module2029may transmit and receive, for example, a communication signal (e.g., an RF signal). Though not shown, the RF module2029may include, for example, a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, or a low noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna, and the like. According to another embodiment, at least one of the cellular module2021, the Wi-Fi module2023, the BT module2025, the GNSS module2027, or the NFC module2028may transmit and receive an RF signal through a separate RF module.

The SIM2024may include, for example, a card which includes a SIM and/or an embedded SIM. The SIM2024may include unique identification information (e.g., an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory2030(e.g., a memory1930ofFIG. 19) may include, for example, an embedded memory2032and/or an external memory2034. The embedded memory2032may include at least one of, for example, a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), and the like), or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash memory or a NOR flash memory, and the like), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)).

The external memory2034may include a flash drive, for example, a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro-SD, a mini-SD, an extreme digital (xD), a multimedia car (MMC), or a memory stick, and the like. The external memory2034may operatively and/or physically connect with the electronic device2001through various interfaces.

The sensor module2040may measure, for example, a physical quantity or may detect an operation state of the electronic device2001, and may convert the measured or detected information to an electrical signal. The sensor module2040may include at least one of, for example, a gesture sensor2040A, a gyro sensor2040B, a barometer (e.g., atmospheric pressure) sensor2040C, a magnetic sensor2040D, an acceleration sensor2040E, a grip sensor2040F, a proximity sensor2040G, a color sensor2040H (e.g., red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric (e.g., bio) sensor2040I, a temperature/humidity sensor2040J, an illumination sensor2040K, or an ultraviolet (UV) sensor2040M. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module2040may further include, for example, an e-nose sensor (not shown), an electromyography (EMG) sensor (not shown), an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor (not shown), an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor (not shown), an infrared (IR) sensor (not shown), an iris sensor (not shown), and/or a fingerprint sensor (not shown), and the like. The sensor module2040may further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors included therein. According to various embodiments, the electronic device2001may further include a processor configured to control the sensor module2040, as part of the processor2010or to be independent of the processor2010. While the processor2010is in a sleep state, the electronic device2001may control the sensor module2040.

The input device2050may include various input circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, a touch panel2052, a (digital) pen sensor2054, a key2056, or an ultrasonic input device2058. The touch panel2052may use at least one of, for example, a capacitive type, a resistive type, an infrared type, or an ultrasonic type. Also, the touch panel2052may further include a control circuit. The touch panel2052may further include a tactile layer and may provide a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor2054may be, for example, part of the touch panel2052or may include a separate sheet for recognition. The key2056may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device2058may allow the electronic device2001to detect a sound wave using a microphone (e.g., a microphone2088) and to verify data through an input tool generating an ultrasonic signal.

The display2060(e.g., a display1960ofFIG. 19) may include a panel2062, a hologram device2064, or a projector2066. The panel2062may include the same or similar configuration to the display160or1960. The panel2062may be implemented to be, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel2062and the touch panel2052may be integrated into one module. The hologram device2064may show a stereoscopic image in a space using interference of light. The projector2066may project light onto a screen to display an image. The screen may be positioned, for example, inside or outside the electronic device2001. According to an embodiment, the display2060may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel2062, the hologram device2064, or the projector2066.

The interface2070may include various interface circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)2072, a universal serial bus (USB)2074, an optical interface2076, or a D-subminiature2078. The interface2070may be included in, for example, a communication interface170or1970shown inFIG. 2 or 19. Additionally or alternatively, the interface2070may include, for example, a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, an SD card/multimedia card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module2080may convert a sound and an electric signal in dual directions. At least part of components of the audio module2080may be included in, for example, an input and output interface1950(or a user interface) shown inFIG. 19. The audio module2080may process sound information input or output through, for example, a speaker2082, a receiver2084, an earphone2086, or the microphone2088, and the like.

The camera module2091may be a device which captures a still image and a moving image. According to an embodiment, the camera module2091may include one or more image sensors (not shown) (e.g., a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens (not shown), an image signal processor (ISP) (not shown), or a flash (not shown) (e.g., an LED or a xenon lamp).

The power management module2095may manage, for example, power of the electronic device2001. According to an embodiment, though not shown, the power management module2095may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC or a battery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may have a wired charging method and/or a wireless charging method. The wireless charging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method, or an electromagnetic method, and the like. An additional circuit for wireless charging, for example, a coil loop, a resonance circuit, or a rectifier, and the like may be further provided. The battery gauge may measure, for example, the remaining capacity of the battery2096and voltage, current, or temperature thereof while the battery2096is charged. The battery2096may include, for example, a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator2097may display a specific state of the electronic device2001or part (e.g., the processor2010) thereof, for example, a booting state, a message state, or a charging state, and the like. The motor2098may convert an electric signal into mechanical vibration and may generate vibration or a haptic effect, and the like. Though not shown, the electronic device2001may include a processing unit (e.g., a GPU) for supporting a mobile TV. The processing unit for supporting the mobile TV may process media data according to standards, for example, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) standard, a digital video broadcasting (DVB) standard, or a MediaFlo™ standard, and the like.

Each of the above-mentioned elements of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured with one or more components, and names of the corresponding elements may be changed according to the type of the electronic device. The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above-mentioned elements, some elements may be omitted from the electronic device, or other additional elements may be further included in the electronic device. Also, some of the elements of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other to form one entity, thereby making it possible to perform the functions of the corresponding elements in the same manner as before the combination.

The terminology “module” used herein may refer, for example, to a unit including one of hardware, software, and firmware or two or more combinations thereof. The terminology “module” may be interchangeably used with, for example, terminologies “unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component”, or “circuit”, and the like. The “module” may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or a part thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The “module” may be mechanically or electronically implemented. For example, the “module” may include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of a dedicated processor, a CPU, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a programmable-logic device, which is well known or will be developed in the future, for performing certain operations.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least part of a device (e.g., modules or the functions) or a method (e.g., operations) may be implemented with, for example, instructions stored in computer-readable storage media which have a program module. When the instructions are executed by a processor, one or more processors may perform functions corresponding to the instructions. The computer-readable storage media may be, for example, a memory.

The computer-readable storage media may include a hard disc, a floppy disk, magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD)), magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk), a hardware device (e.g., a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory, and the like), and the like. Also, the program instructions may include not only mechanical codes compiled by a compiler but also high-level language codes which may be executed by a computer using an interpreter and the like. The above-mentioned hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform operations according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

Modules or program modules according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one or more of the above-mentioned components, some of the above-mentioned components may be omitted, or other additional components may be further included. Operations executed by modules, program modules, or other components may be executed by a successive method, a parallel method, a repeated method, or a heuristic method. Also, some operations may be executed in a different order or may be omitted, and other operations may be added.

Various example of the present disclosure described and illustrated in the drawings are provided as examples to describe technical content and to aid in understanding, but do not limit the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that besides the various example embodiments illustrated and described herein, all modifications or modified forms derived based on the technical ideas of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure as defined in the claims, and their equivalents.

The control unit may include a microprocessor or any suitable type of processing circuitry, such as one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., ARM-based processors), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), a video card controller, etc. In addition, it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. Any of the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both and may be performed in whole or in part within the programmed instructions of a computer. In addition, an artisan understands and appreciates that a “processor” or “microprocessor” may be hardware in the claimed disclosure.