Flexible display device

A flexible display device including a first body and a second body; a hinge portion connecting the first body and the second body in a relatively rotatable manner; a flexible display unit disposed on one side of the first body and the second body to be folded and unfolded by the relative rotation; a cover member disposed between the first body and the second body; and a lever connected to the hinge portion to rotate in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit and configured to engage the cover member to move the cover member outwards to cover a space between the first body and the second body formed by folding the flexible display unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a flexible display device having a flexible display that is deformable by an external force.

Discussion of the Related Art

A portable electronic device (hereinafter, mobile terminal) such as a communication terminal, a multimedia device, a portable computer, a game machine, and a photographing apparatus has a display for displaying image information. The mobile terminal may have a folding structure that can be folded to a smaller size for convenience of carrying. In this type of electronic device, two bodies are connected by a folding structure (for example, a hinge portion).

Displays in the related art have a non-foldable structure, and thus a structure in which a display is disposed over two whole bodies that are foldably connected to each other cannot be implemented. Therefore, a substantially large screen cannot be applied to an electronic device with a folding structure.

However, in recent years, as a flexible display capable of bending has been developed, research has been performed to apply a flexible display to a mobile terminal having a folding structure. In this instance, a flexible display may be disposed over two whole bodies across a folding structure, thereby implementing a large screen.

However, when deforming the flexible display into a folding (folded) state and an unfolding (unfolded) state using a hinge portion, in order to implement a function of the hinge portion, there exist a problem that a size of the display is increased, a deformation problem of a bent portion, and a problem that a space between two bodies is exposed to the outside in the folding state.

More specifically, in order to compensate for the characteristics of the display, an electronic device having a folding structure requires various considerations on a hinge operating structure (a length compensating scheme, a concealed structure, an interlocking structure for each element) for controlling a neutral plane of the display or a structure for supporting a rear surface of the display, and an operating scheme thereof. Due to these considerations, the complexity of the overall structure of the hinge portion and the device increases, and thus there is a limitation in implementing the form of an actually operating terminal.

However, in the flexible devices developed up to now, there is no proposed hinge structure capable of solving these various problems. Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, a new mechanism will be applied to the hinge portion and its surrounding structure to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present disclosure is to provide a hinge structure capable of reducing a size of a flexible display device.

A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a new mechanism capable of attaining slimness and covering a space between bodies in a flexible display device.

A third object of the present disclosure is to implement a hybrid function capable of covering a space between bodies at the time of folding while flatly spreading a flexible display at the time of unfolding in the flexible display device.

In order to achieve the foregoing objectives of the present disclosure, a flexible display device may be configured such that a lever connected to a hinge portion and interlocked with the rotation of the body supports at least part of a cover member. In addition, a new mechanism and a hybrid function may be implemented through this.

More specifically, the flexible display device may include a first body and a second body, a hinge portion connecting the first body and the second body in a relatively rotatable manner, a flexible display unit disposed on one side of the first body and the second body to be folded and unfolded by the relative rotation, a cover member disposed between the first body and the second body to cover a space between the first body and the second body formed by the folding of the flexible display unit, and a lever connected to the hinge portion to rotate in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit so as to support at least part of the cover member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover member may move between a first state supporting the flexible display unit in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit and a second state being spaced apart from the flexible display unit so as to cover the between space.

One side of the cover member may be supported by at least one of the housings of the first body and the second body and the other side thereof may be supported by the lever so as to move between the first state and the second state.

A protrusion portion may be protruded from the housing to press one side of the cover member in the first state. The protruding portion may include a first portion protruded from ends of the first body and the second body and a second portion extended in a direction inclined with respect to the first portion. At least part of the second portion may be formed in a curved surface so as to press one side of the cover member in the first state, and cover at least part of the cover member in the second state.

For another example, the hinge portion may have a first rotation shaft connected to the first body and a second rotation shaft connected to the second body, and the lever may be coupled to at least one of the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft.

The hinge portion may further include a hinge housing in which the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are accommodated, and an insertion hole into which at least part of the cover member is inserted may be formed on one side of the hinge housing. The lever may be accommodated in the hinge housing to support at least part of the cover member. A movement range of the cover member may be restricted by upper and lower ends of the insertion hole.

For still another example, the cover member may include a cover body disposed between the first body and the second body, and an insertion protrusion protruded from an end portion of the cover body and inserted into the insertion hole.

The cover body may be supported by at least one of the housings of the first body and the second body, and the insertion protrusion may be supported by the lever. The lever may include a coupling portion coupled to the first rotation shaft or the second rotation shaft, and a support protrusion protruded from the coupling portion to support the insertion protrusion.

Furthermore, the present disclosure may provide different functions to upper and lower side hinges of a display to attain slimness of the display device. For a specific example, the hinge portion may include a first hinge and a second hinge disposed at both ends of the cover member. In this instance, gear connection for axial interlocking may be applicable to either one of the first hinge and the second hinge, and a stopper structure for free stopping may be applicable to the other one thereof.

For example, the rotation shafts of the first hinge may be gear-engaged to axially interlock the first body and the second body, and a frictional force may be applied to the rotation shafts of the second hinge to fix the first body and the second body at an arbitrary angle. The first hinge may have an intermediate gear disposed between the rotation shafts of the first hinge, and the second hinge may have a friction member that generates a frictional force to the rotation shafts of the second hinge.

Furthermore, the present disclosure discloses a flexible display device, including a first body and a second body, a flexible display unit configured to be folded and unfolded by a relative rotation between the first body and the second body, a cover member formed to cover a space between the first body and the second body, and a first hinge and a second hinge disposed at both ends of the cover member, respectively, wherein the rotation shafts of the first hinge are gear-engaged to axially interlock the first body and the second body, and a frictional force is applied to the rotation shafts of the second hinge to fix the first body and the second body at an arbitrary angle, and a lever supporting at least part of the cover member is coupled to the first hinge and the second hinge, respectively, to move the cover member in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit.

The effects of the present disclosure obtained through the foregoing solutions are as follows.

First, a hinge portion may transmit a force to a cover member using only a lever with no additional link structure, thereby providing a more compact structure to a display device.

Second, a cover member may apply a physical force to a rear surface of a flexible display at the time of unfolding to always restore the flexible display to a flat state, thereby preventing the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the surface undulates like a wave. Therefore, the reliability of a flexible display device can be improved. Furthermore, a physical force applied at the time of unfolding may be provided by a housing of a display device, thereby allowing the maintenance of a compact structure.

Third, different functions may be provided to upper and lower hinges of a display, thereby providing a display device with a compact structure capable of axial interlocking and free stopping. Moreover, a space in which a lever is coupled to a hinge portion may be secured at upper and lower hinges, respectively, to maintain the hinge portion having a compact size, thereby implementing a display device with a small bezel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are designated with the same numeral references and their redundant description will be omitted. A suffix “module” and “unit” used for constituent elements disclosed in the following description is merely intended for easy description of the specification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaning or function. In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand the technical idea of the present disclosure and it should be understood that the idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings.

When an element is referred to as being “connected with” another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. On the contrary, in case where an element is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another element, it should be understood that any other element is not existed therebetween. A singular representation may include a plural representation as far as it represents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are designated with the same numeral references and their redundant description will be omitted. Display devices described herein may include cellular phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigators, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultrabooks, wearable devices (for example, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

However, it may be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the exemplary embodiments of present specification can also be applied to stationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers, digital signages, and the like, excluding a case of being applicable only to the mobile terminals. Hereinafter, a mobile terminal will be described as an example of a flexible display device for convenience of description in the present specification.

FIG. 1Ais a block diagram illustrating explaining a mobile terminal associated with the present disclosure. The mobile terminal100may include components, such as a wireless communication unit110, an input unit120, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, an interface unit160, a memory170, a controller180, a power supply unit190and the like.FIG. 1Aillustrates the mobile terminal having various components, but it may be understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

In more detail, the wireless communication unit110of those components may typically include one or more modules which permit wireless communications between the mobile terminal100and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal100and another mobile terminal100, or between the mobile terminal100and an external server. In addition, the wireless communication unit110may include one or more modules for connecting the mobile terminal100to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit110may include at least one of a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module113, a short-range communication module114, a location information module115and the like. The input unit120may include a camera121for inputting an image signal, a microphone122or an audio input module for inputting an audio signal, or a user input unit123(for example, a touch key, a push key (or a mechanical key), etc.) for allowing a user to input information. Audio data or image data collected by the input unit120may be analyzed and processed by a user's control command.

The sensing unit140may include at least one sensor which senses at least one of internal information of the mobile terminal, a surrounding environment of the mobile terminal and user information. For example, the sensing unit140may include a proximity sensor141, an illumination sensor142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, refer to the camera121), a microphone122, a battery gage, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). The mobile terminal100may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit140, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit140, and combinations thereof.

The output unit150may be configured to output an audio signal, a video signal or a tactile signal. The output unit150may include a display unit151, an audio output module152, a haptic module153, an optical output unit154and the like. The display unit151may have an inter-layered structure or an integrated structure with a touch sensor in order to facilitate a touch screen. The touch screen may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal100and a user, as well as functioning as the user input unit123which provides an input interface between the mobile terminal100and the user.

In addition, the memory170stores data that support various functions of the mobile terminal100. The memory170is typically implemented to store data to support various functions or features of the mobile terminal100. For instance, the memory170may be configured to store application programs executed in the mobile terminal100, data or instructions for operations of the mobile terminal100, and the like. At least some of those application programs may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. Some others of those application programs may be installed within the mobile terminal100at the time of being shipped for basic functions of the mobile terminal100(for example, receiving a call, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, etc.). Further, the application programs may be stored in the memory170, installed in the mobile terminal100, and executed by the controller180to perform an operation (or a function) of the mobile terminal100.

The controller180can typically control an overall operation of the mobile terminal100in addition to the operations associated with the application programs. The controller180can provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are input or output by the aforementioned components, or activating the application programs stored in the memory170.

Furthermore, the controller180can control at least part of the components illustrated inFIG. 1A, in order to drive the application programs stored in the memory170. In addition, the controller180can drive the application programs by combining at least two of the components included in the mobile terminal100for operation.

The power supply unit190may receive external power or internal power and supply appropriate power required for operating respective elements and components included in the mobile terminal100under the control of the controller180. The power supply unit190may include a battery, and the battery may be an embedded battery or a replaceable battery.

At least part of those elements and components may be combined to implement operation and control of the mobile terminal or a control method of the mobile terminal according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the operation and control or the control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented in the mobile terminal in such a manner of activating at least one application program stored in the memory170.

Hereinafter, each aforementioned component will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 1A, prior to explaining various exemplary embodiments implemented by the mobile terminal100having the configuration. First, the wireless communication unit110will be described. The broadcast receiving module111of the wireless communication unit110may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or a terrestrial channel. At least two broadcast receiving modules111may be provided in the portable electronic device100to simultaneously receive at least two broadcast channels or switch the broadcast channels.

The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and transmits to the mobile terminal100. The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, among others. The broadcast signal may further include a data broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal may be encoded according to at least one of technical standards (or broadcasting methods, e.g., ISO, IEC, DVB, ATSC, etc.) for transmission and reception of digital broadcast signals. The broadcast receiving module111may receive the digital broadcast signals using a method appropriate for a technical specification defined in the technical standards.

The broadcast associated information may mean information regarding a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, and the like. The broadcast associated information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. The broadcast associated information may be provided via a mobile communication network, and received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcast associated information may be implemented in various formats. For instance, broadcast associated information may include an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), and the like. Broadcast signals and/or broadcast associated information received via the broadcast receiving module111may be stored in a memory160.

The mobile communication module112may transmit/receive wireless signals to/from at least one of network entities, for example, a base station, an external terminal, a server, and the like, on a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or transmission methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), etc.). The wireless signals may include audio call signal, video (telephony) call signal, or various formats of data according to transmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module113refers to a module for supporting wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or externally installed on the mobile terminal100. The wireless Internet module113may transmit and/or receive wireless signals via communication networks according to wireless Internet technologies.

Examples of such wireless Internet access may include Wireless LAN (WLAN), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wireless Fidelity Direct (Wi-Fi Direct), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like. The wireless Internet module113may transmit/receive data according to at least one wireless Internet technology within a range including even Internet technologies which are not aforementioned.

From the perspective that the wireless Internet accesses according to Wibro, HSDPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A and the like are executed via a mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module113which performs the wireless Internet access via the mobile communication network may be understood as a type of the mobile communication module112.

The short-range communication module114denotes a module for short-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing the short-range communications may include BLUETOOTH™, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and the like. The short-range communication module114may support wireless communications between the mobile terminal100and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal100and another mobile terminal100, or between the mobile terminal and a network where another mobile terminal100(or an external server) is located, via wireless personal area networks. The short-range communication module114denotes a module for short-range communications.

The location information module115is generally configured to detect, calculate, derive or otherwise identify a position of the mobile terminal. As an example, the location information module115includes a Global Position System (GPS) module, a WiFi module, or both. For example, when the mobile terminal uses the GPS module, a position of the mobile terminal may be acquired using a signal sent from a GPS satellite. As another example, when the mobile terminal uses the Wi-Fi module, a position of the mobile terminal may be acquired based on information associated with a wireless access point (AP) which transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fi module. According to the need, the location information module115may perform any function of the other modules of the wireless communication unit110to obtain data on the location of the mobile terminal. As a module used to acquire the location (or current location) of the mobile terminal, the location information module115may not be necessarily limited to a module for directly calculating or acquiring the location of the mobile terminal.

Next, the input unit120may be configured to provide an audio or video signal (or information) input to the mobile terminal or information input by a user to the mobile terminal. For the input of the audio information, the mobile terminal100may include one or a plurality of cameras121. The camera121processes a image frame, such as still picture or video, acquired by an image sensor in a video phone call or image capturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on the display unit151. Further, the plurality of cameras121disposed in the mobile terminal100may be arranged in a matrix configuration. By use of the cameras121having the matrix configuration, a plurality of image information having various angles or focal points may be input into the mobile terminal100. As another example, the cameras121may be located in a stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone122may process an external audio signal into electric audio data. The processed audio data may be utilized in various manners according to a function being executed in the mobile terminal100(or an application program being executed). Further, the microphone122may include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit123may receive information input by a user. When information is input through the user input unit123, the controller180can control an operation of the mobile terminal100to correspond to the input information. The user input unit123may include one or more of a mechanical input element (for example, a key, a button located on a front and/or rear surface or a side surface of the mobile terminal100, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like), or a touch-sensitive input, among others. As one example, the touch-sensitive input may be a virtual key or a soft key, which is displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or a touch key which is located on the mobile terminal at a location that is other than the touch screen. Further, the virtual key or the visual key may be displayed on the touch screen in various shapes, for example, graphic, text, icon, video, or a combination thereof.

Further, the sensing unit140may sense at least one of internal information of the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information of the mobile terminal and user information, and generate a sensing signal corresponding to it. The controller180can control an operation of the mobile terminal100or execute data processing, a function or an operation associated with an application program installed in the mobile terminal based on the sensing signal. Hereinafter, description will be given in more detail of representative sensors of various sensors which may be included in the sensing unit140.

First, a proximity sensor141refers to a sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed, or an object disposed near a surface to be sensed, by using an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor141may be arranged at an inner region of the mobile terminal covered by the touch screen, or near the touch screen.

Further, for the sake of brief explanation, a behavior in which the pointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen without contact will be referred to as “proximity touch,” whereas a behavior in which the pointer substantially comes into contact with the touch screen will be referred to as “contact touch.” For the position corresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such position will correspond to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to the touch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer. The proximity sensor141may sense proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving state, etc.). Further, the controller180can process data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touches and the proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor141, and output visual information corresponding to the process data on the touch screen. In addition, the controller180can control the mobile terminal100to execute different operations or process different data (or information) according to whether a touch with respect to the same point on the touch screen is either a proximity touch or a contact touch.

As one example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of pressure applied to a specific part of the display unit151or a capacitance occurring from a specific part of the display unit151, into electric input signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressure. Here, the touch object body may be a finger, a touch pen or stylus pen, a pointer, or the like as an object through which a touch is applied to the touch sensor.

Further, the controller180can execute a different control or the same control according to a type of an object which touches the touch screen (or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen). Whether to execute the different control or the same control according to the object which gives a touch input may be decided based on a current operating state of the mobile terminal100or a currently executed application program.

Meanwhile, the touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be executed individually or in combination, to sense various types of touches, such as a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, a drag touch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipe touch, a hovering touch, and the like.

An ultrasonic sensor may be configured to recognize position information relating to a sensing object by using ultrasonic waves. On the other hands, the controller180can calculate a position of a wave generation source based on information sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, a time for which the light reaches the optical sensor may be much shorter than a time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using the fact. In more detail, the position of the wave generation source may be calculated by using a time difference from the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches based on the light as a reference signal.

Further, the camera121constructing the input unit120may be a type of camera sensor. The camera sensor may include at least one of a photo sensor (or image sensor) and a laser sensor. Implementing the camera121with a laser sensor may allow detection of a touch of a physical object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. The photo sensor may be laminated on the display device. The photo sensor may be configured to scan a movement of the sensing object in proximity to the touch screen. In more detail, the photo sensor may include photo diodes and transistors at rows and columns to scan content placed on the photo sensor by using an electrical signal which changes according to the quantity of applied light. Namely, the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the sensing object according to variation of light to thus obtain position information of the sensing object.

Furthermore, the display unit151may also be implemented as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images. The stereoscopic display unit may employ a stereoscopic display scheme such as stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), an auto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme (holographic scheme), or the like.

The audio output module152is generally configured to output audio data. Such audio data may be obtained from any of a number of different sources, such that the audio data may be received from the wireless communication unit110or may have been stored in the memory170. Also, the audio output module152may also provide audible output signals associated with a particular function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal100. The audio output module152may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer or the like.

A haptic module153may generate various tactile effects the that user may feel. A typical example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module153may be vibration. The intensity, pattern and the like of vibration generated by the haptic module153may be controlled by a user's selection or the settings of the controller180. For example, the haptic module153may output different vibrations in a combining manner or a sequential manner.

Besides vibration, the haptic module153may generate various other tactile effects, including an effect by stimulation such as a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a spray force or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suction opening, a touch on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth using an element that can absorb or generate heat, and the like.

The haptic module153may be configured to transmit tactile effects through a user's direct contact, or a user's muscular sense using a finger or a hand. Two or more haptic modules153may be provided according to the particular configuration of the mobile terminal100.

An optical output module154may output a signal for indicating an event generation using light of a light source. Examples of events generated in the mobile terminal100may include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notice, an email reception, an information reception through an application, and the like. A signal output by the optical output module154may be implemented so the mobile terminal emits monochromatic light or light with a plurality of colors. The signal output may be ended as the mobile terminal senses a user's event checking.

Furthermore, when the mobile terminal100is connected with an external cradle, the interface unit160may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied to the mobile terminal100therethrough or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Such various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal100has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The memory170can store programs to support operations of the controller180and store input/output data (for example, phonebook, messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory170may store data associated with various patterns of vibrations and audio which are output in response to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory170may include at least one type of storage medium including a Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Also, the mobile terminal100may be operated in relation to a web storage device that performs the storage function of the memory170over the Internet.

The power supply unit190may receive external power or internal power and supply appropriate power required for operating respective elements and components included in the electronic device100under the control of the controller180. The power supply unit190may include a battery, which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

Furthermore, the power supply unit190may include a connection port. The connection port may be configured as one example of the interface unit160to which an external (re)charger for supplying power to recharge the battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit190may be configured to recharge the battery in a wireless manner without use of the connection port. Here, the power supply unit190may receive power, transferred from an external wireless power transmitter, using at least one of an inductive coupling method which is based on magnetic induction or a magnetic resonance coupling method which is based on electromagnetic resonance. Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software, hardware, or any combination thereof.

The display unit151may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3-dimensional (3D) display, and an e-ink display. Furthermore, the display unit151may be implemented in two or more in number according to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal100. For instance, a plurality of the display units151may be arranged on one surface to be spaced apart from or integrated with each other, or may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit151may include a touch sensor which senses a touch onto the display unit so as to receive a control command in a touching manner. When a touch is input to the display unit151, the touch sensor may be configured to sense this touch and the controller180can generate a control command corresponding to the touch. The content which is input in the touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or a menu item which can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The microphone122may be formed to receive the user's voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone122may be provided at a plurality of places, and configured to receive stereo sounds.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be disposed on the terminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body or formed on the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part of the broadcast receiving module111(seeFIG. 1A) may be retractable into the terminal body. Otherwise, the antenna may be formed in a film type and adhered to an inner surface of a housing, and a case containing a conductive material may be configured to function as an antenna.

A power supply unit190(refer toFIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal100may be disposed on the terminal body. The power supply unit190may include a batter191which is mounted in the terminal body or detachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery191may receive power via a power source cable connected to the interface unit160. Also, the battery191may be (re)chargeable in a wireless manner using a wireless charger. The wireless charging may be implemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

FIG. 1Bis a conceptual view illustrating a mobile terminal having a flexible display as a flexible display device. A mobile terminal200according to the present disclosure includes a flexible display unit251that is deformable by an external force.

The deformation may be at least one of curving, bending, folding, twisting and rolling of a display module. The deformable display module may be referred to as a “flexible display.” Here, the flexible display unit151may include both a general flexible display and an e-paper.

The general flexible display denotes a light, non-fragile display, which still exhibits characteristics of the conventional flat panel display and is fabricated on a flexible substrate which can be curved, bent, folded, twisted or rolled.

Furthermore, the e-paper is a display technology employing the characteristic of a general ink, and is different from the conventional flat panel display in view of using reflected light. The e-paper may change information by using a twist ball or an electrophoresis using a capsule.

When in a configuration in which the flexible display unit251is not deformed (for example, in a configuration with an infinite radius of curvature and, hereinafter, referred to as a first configuration, refer to (b) inFIG. 1B), a display region of the flexible display unit251becomes a flat surface. In a configuration in which the display unit is deformed from the first configuration by an external force (for example, a configuration with a finite radius of curvature, hereinafter, referred to as a second configuration, refer to (a) inFIG. 1B), the display region may become a curved surface.

As illustrated in the drawings, information displayed in the second configuration may be visual information output on the curved surface. The visual information may be realized so a light emission of each unit pixel (sub-pixel) arranged in a matrix configuration is controlled independently. The unit pixel denotes an elementary unit for representing one color.

The flexible display unit251may be placed in a curved state (for example, a state of being curved from up to down or from right to left), other than a flat state, in the first configuration. In this instance, when an external force is applied to the flexible display unit251, the flexible display unit251may be deformed back into a flat state (or less curved state) or into a more curved state.

Further, the flexible display unit151may implement a flexible touch screen using a touch sensor in combination with a touch sensor. When a touch is input onto the flexible touch screen, the controller180(seeFIG. 1A) may execute a control corresponding to the touch input. The flexible touch screen may be configured to sense a touch input even in the second configuration as well as in the first configuration.

Further, the mobile terminal200according to the modified example may include a deformation sensor which senses the deformation of the flexible display unit251. The deformation sensor may be included in the sensing unit140(seeFIG. 1A).

The deformation sensor may be provided in the flexible display unit251or bodies201,202to sense information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit251. Here, the information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit251may be a deformed direction, a deformed degree, a deformed position, a deformed time, an acceleration that the deformed flexible display unit251is restored, and the like. In addition to those, such information may be various information which is sensible in response to curving of the flexible display unit251.

Furthermore, the controller180(refer toFIG. 1A) may change information displayed on the flexible display unit251or generate a control signal for controlling a function of the mobile terminal200, based on the information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit251sensed by the deformation sensor.

The configuration deformation of the display unit251may not be necessarily limited to an external force. For example, when the flexible display unit251is in a first configuration, it may be deformed to a second configuration by a command of a user or application.

The mobile terminal200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing210configured to be foldable and unfoldable. The housing210may be a case (e.g., a frame, a cover, or the like) that forms an appearance of the mobile terminal. The housing210has a plurality of cases, and various electronic parts are arranged in an inner space formed by their coupling.

According to the illustration, the housing210may be provided in first and second bodies201,202, respectively, which are rotatably connected to each other. The flexible display unit251is coupled to one surface of the housing210, and formed to be deformable.

The first body201supports one region of the flexible display unit251and the second body202supports the other region (remaining region) of the flexible display unit251. A plurality of electronic parts for driving the mobile terminal200are mounted on at least one region of the first and second bodies201,202.

The first and second bodies201,202rotate relative to each other with an angle while being connected to each other, and through this, the flexible display unit251is bent, and thus the flexible display unit251becomes a folding state (folded state, second state) in which at least one region thereof is folded in an overlapping manner.

A drawing (a) ofFIG. 1Bis a conceptual view illustrating unfolding (an unfolded state, a first state) in which the flexible display unit251is in an unfolded state, and a drawing (b) ofFIG. 1Bis a conceptual view illustrating folding (a second state) in which the flexible display unit251is in a folded state.

Although only the first and second states are illustrated in the drawings, there exists a state in which an angle formed by one region of the flexible display unit251and the remaining region thereof is varied while being deformed from the first state to the second state.

In the second state, the first and second bodies201,202are overlapped with each other, and a space between the one region and the other region of the flexible display unit251is bent while forming a curved surface. In this instance, a portion forming the curved surface may be a bent portion252(refer toFIG. 2(B)). In other words, the flexible display unit251may be formed with the bent portion252configured to be bent by the folding of the housing210.

Further, the first and second bodies201,202may be rotatably connected to each other by a hinge portion230. In other words, the hinge portion230connects the first and second bodies201,202in a relatively rotatable manner and is disposed between the first and second bodies201,202. The flexible display unit251is disposed on one surface of the first and second bodies201,202, and folded and unfolded by the relative rotation.

In this instance, there is a limit in a bending radius of the flexible display in a foldable mobile terminal. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a difference between a length of the bent portion and a length of the plane during the folding and unfolding operation. In order to compensate for such a length change, the flexible display is disposed between upper and lower hinges in this example. Hereinafter, the flexible display device in this example will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)are cross-sectional views ofFIG. 1Billustrating a structure of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 3is an enlarged view showing a flexible frame inFIG. 2(a).

As illustrated in the drawings,FIG. 2(a)shows a first state in which the first body201and the second body202are disposed in parallel, andFIG. 2(b)shows a second state in which the second body202is folded over the first body201. The mobile terminal200is configured to freely modify its form from a first state to a second state, or from a second state to a first state. In order to implement this, the first body201and the second body202may be respectively connected to the hinge portion230, and configured to be rotatable with respect to the hinge portion230.

Referring toFIG. 2(a), the flexible display unit251is disposed on one surface of the first body201and on one surface of the second body202. In other words, the flexible display unit251is disposed over the first body201and the second body202, thereby implementing a large screen.

In this instance, a flexible frame220may be disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display unit251. The flexible frame220may have the same or smaller size than the flexible display unit251in the X direction. Accordingly, a first hinge230aand a second hinge230bof the hinge portion230(refer toFIG. 1B) be disposed on both sides of the flexible display unit251and the flexible frame220. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the flexible frame220may be slightly larger than the flexible display unit251in the X direction.

Referring toFIG. 3, the flexible frame220has a flexible region225that is bendable at least at a maximum curvature. The flexible region225may include flexible portions221,222,223,224that are bendable at different maximum curvatures. The flexible portions221,222,223,224may be sequentially disposed along one direction (Y direction in the drawing) of the flexible frame220, so that the flexible frame220can be bent with respect to one direction. In the following description, the X direction corresponds to a widthwise direction of the flexible frame220, and the Y direction corresponds to a lengthwise direction of the flexible frame220.

In this example, the flexible region225includes a first flexible portion221that is bendable up to a state having a maximum first curvature and a second flexible portion222that is bendable up to a state having a maximum second curvature. As shown in the drawing, two second flexible portions222may be provided, and disposed on both sides of the first flexible portion221in the Y direction.

First holes are repeatedly formed on the first flexible portion221to implement the bending of the first flexible portion221. In other words, flexibility may be generated on the first flexible portion221due to the first holes, and the first flexible portion221may be bent up to a state having the maximum first curvature. The first holes are repeatedly formed along the X and Y directions intersecting each other, respectively. In addition, the first holes are extended in an elongated manner in the X direction.

Similarly, second holes are repeatedly formed on the second flexible portion222to implement the bending of the second flexible portion222. In other words, flexibility may be generated on the second flexible portion222due to the second holes, and the second flexible portion222may be bent up to a state having the maximum second curvature. Here, the second curvature has a curvature different from the first curvature.

The second holes are formed parallel to the first holes so that the second flexible portion222can be bent with respect to the Y direction together with the first flexible portion221. The second holes are repeatedly formed along the X and Y directions intersecting each other, respectively. Further, the second holes are extended in an elongated manner in the X direction.

In this example, the first curvature may be greater than the second curvature. In other words, the first flexible portion221is configured to be more bendable than the second flexible portion222. In this way, a total area occupied by the first holes per unit area in the first flexible portion221is greater than a total area occupied by the second flexible portions per unit area in the second flexible portion222so that the first flexible portion221is more bendable than the second flexible portion222.

Therefore, while the first and second flexible portions221,222are bent at the first and second curvatures, respectively, a repulsive force acting on the first flexible portion221may be greater than that acting on the second flexible portion222.

In addition, a rigid portion226is disposed on one side of each second flexible portion222in the Y direction. The rigid portion226, as a portion that is hardly bent by an external force, may be formed in a plane. Further, the rigid portion226is not formed with holes intended to implement bending.

Thus, the rigid portion226and the first flexible portion221are disposed on both sides of the second flexible portion222in the Y direction. When the first and second flexible portions221,222are bent to the maximum, the rigid portions226are arranged to face each other.

As described above, the second flexible portion222is disposed on both sides of the first flexible portion221, respectively, in the Y direction, and the rigid portion226is provided on one side of each second flexible portion222in the Y direction.

A connecting portion223for smoothly connecting the first flexible portion221and the second flexible portion222is formed between the first flexible portion111and the second flexible portion112. Similarly, a boundary portion224for smoothly connecting the first flexible portion222and the second flexible portion226is formed between them.

In other words, the rigid portion226, the boundary portion224, the second flexible portion222, the connecting portion223, the first flexible portion221, the connecting portion223, the second flexible portion222, the boundary portion224, and the rigid portion226may be sequentially arranged on the flexible frame220.

The connecting portion223is configured to be less bendable than the first flexible portion221and more bendable than the second flexible portion222. Furthermore, the boundary portion224may be configured to be less bendable than second flexible portion222.

Referring toFIG. 2(a), the first flexible portion221of the flexible frame220is formed at an intermediate portion of the flexible frame220to support the bent portion252of the flexible display unit251. The rigid portion226is disposed to cover the first body201and the second body202to support the flexible display unit251in a flat state on both sides of the bent portion252.

Referring toFIG. 2(b), when the second body202is folded over the first body201, the flexible display unit251is bent by an external force. In addition, the first flexible portion221is bent at a first curvature, the second flexible portion222is bent at a second curvature, and the rigid portions226are arranged to face each other. In this instance, since the hinge portions230are disposed on both sides of the flexible frame220, a bent sectional shape of the first flexible portion221may be overlapped with a rotation shaft of the hinge portion230. From a different point of view, the bent sectional shape of the bent portion252of the flexible display unit251may be overlapped with the rotation shaft of the hinge portion230. Although a positional relationship between the flexible frame220, the flexible display unit251, and the hinge portion230has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may also have a configuration without having the flexible frame220.

Further, referring toFIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)along withFIG. 1B, the first body201and the second body202rotate about the hinge portion230, and thus, end portions of the first body201and the second body202rotate along an outer edge of the hinge portion230between the first state and the second state. In this instance, in the second state, a between space is formed between end portions of the first body201and the second body202. More specifically, an empty space is formed between an end portion of the first body201, an end portion of the second body202, and the first hinge230aand the second hinge230bof the hinge portion230(seeFIG. 5), and the flexible display device200may have the cover member260capable of covering the space.

In the present disclosure, the cover member260is implemented as a shutter structure, thereby providing a new mechanism capable of attaining slimness as well as covering a space between bodies in a flexible display device. Hereinafter, such a mechanism will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is an operation diagram illustrating explaining a basic concept of a shutter structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover member260is disposed between the body201and the second body202to cover a space between the first body201and the second body202formed by the folding of the flexible display unit251(seeFIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)). The cover member260is formed in an elongated manner along edges of the end portions of the first body201and the second body202, and both side edges (long edge) of the cover member260face the end portions of the first body201and the second body202, respectively. Furthermore, the hinge portion230is disposed adjacent to both ends (short edges) of the cover member260.

Referring to the present drawings, the cover member260is disposed adjacent to the flexible display unit251in the first state, and then pressed by a lever270to slidably move to cover a space between the first body201and the second body202in the second state. For example, the cover member260moves between the second state being spaced apart from the flexible display unit251and the first state supporting the flexible display unit251to cover the between space in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit251. However, when the foregoing flexible frame220(refer toFIGS. 2(a)and3) is disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display unit251, the cover member260may support the flexible frame220in the first state.

At this time, the lever270is connected to the hinge portion230to rotate in conjunction with the folding and unfolding of the flexible display unit251so as to support at least part of the cover member260. For example, the hinge portion230includes a first rotation shaft231connected to the first body201and a second rotation shaft232connected to the second body, and the lever270may be coupled to at least one of the first rotation shaft231and the second rotation shaft232.

In this example, a first lever271and a second lever272are coupled to the first rotation shaft231and the second rotation shaft232, respectively, and the first lever271and the second lever272rotate together with the first body201and the second body202. According to the illustration, the lever270may include a coupling portion273coupled to the first rotation shaft231or the second rotation shaft232and a support protrusion274protruded from the coupling portion273to support at least part of the cover member260. The support protrusion274is formed to engage with the cover member260in a thickness direction of the cover member260in the first state, and thus applies a force to the cover member260when the coupling portion273rotates. The cover member260moves to a position where the space between the bodies201,202is covered by the force.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, the hinge portion230may transmit a force to the cover member260with only the lever270without an additional link structure, thereby providing a more compact structure to the display device. Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, upper and lower hinges of the display are provided with different functions, providing a display device with a compact structure capable of axial interlocking and free stopping. Hereinafter, the structure of the hinge portion230will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5 through 9.

In more detail,FIG. 5is a conceptual view showing a basic structure of upper and lower hinge portions according to another embodiment of the present disclosure,FIGS. 6 and 7are an enlarged view and an exploded view, respectively, showing the upper hinge portion inFIG. 5, andFIGS. 8 and 9are an enlarged view and an exploded view, respectively, showing the lower hinge portion inFIG. 5.

Referring toFIG. 5, the hinge portions230may be disposed on both sides of the flexible display unit251. For such an example, the hinge portion230may include a first hinge230aand a second hinge230bdisposed at both ends of the cover member260, respectively. At this time, the first hinge230aand the second hinge230bmay be provided with different functions. The different functions may be axial interlocking and free stop implemented in addition to a function of connecting bodies in a relatively rotatable manner. For example, the first hinge230amay be provided with an axial interlock function and the second hinge230bmay be provided with a free stop function.

According to the illustration, the rotation shafts231a,232aof the first hinge230amay be gear-engaged to axially interlock the first body201and the second body202. More specifically, referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the first hinge230amay include a hinge housing235a, a first rotation shaft231a, a second rotation shaft232a, and an intermediate gear233.

The hinge housing235amay include a base portion236aand a cover portion237a, and the first rotation shaft231a, the second rotation shaft232aand the intermediate gear233may be disposed in an inner space defined by coupling between the base portion236aand the cover portion237a.

The first rotation shaft231aand the second rotation shaft232a, which are respectively the rotation shafts of the first hinge230a, may be coupled to the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202. For this purpose, a hinge groove213(or an upper hinge groove) is formed in the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202, and the rotation shafts231a,232amay be inserted into the hinge groove213.

According to the illustration, gears may be formed along outer circumferences of the first rotation shaft231aand the second rotation shaft232a, respectively, and gear-engaged with each other by a pair of intermediate gears233provided on the first hinge230a. More specifically, the intermediate gear233may include a first intermediate gear233-1and a second intermediate gear233-2, and are sequentially connected in the order of the gear of the first rotation shaft231a, the first intermediate gear233-1, the second intermediate gear233-2, and the gear of the second rotation shaft232a. According to this structure, the first hinge230amay perform a function of axial interlocking.

Furthermore, in this instance, the foregoing lever270may be coupled to the first rotating shaft231aand the second rotating shaft232a, respectively. The coupling portion273of the lever270may be formed with a coupling groove275into which the first rotation shaft231aand the second rotation shaft232aare inserted, and the support protrusion274may be protruded from the coupling portion273.

Furthermore, in order to fix the position of the gears, a gear plate234into which the first rotation shaft231a, the first intermediate gear233-1, the second intermediate gear233-2and the second rotation shaft232aare inserted in a penetrating manner may be provided. In addition, support grooves supported by the end portions of the first rotation shaft231a, the first intermediate gear233-1, the second intermediate gear233-2and the second rotation shaft232amay be formed on the housings211,212.

According to this structure, a structure of axial interlocking through gear engagement and a shutter structure using a lever connected to the rotation shaft may be implemented together in the first hinge230a.

Further, referring toFIGS. 5, 8, and 9, the second hinge230bmay be provided with a free stop function. According to the illustration, a frictional force may be applied to the rotation shafts of the second hinge230bto fix the first and second bodies201,202at an arbitrary angle when the first body201and the second body202rotate relative to each other. More specifically, the second hinge230bmay include a hinge housing235b, a first rotation shaft231b, a second rotation shaft232b, and a friction member238.

The hinge housing235bmay include a base portion236band a cover portion237b, and the first rotation shaft231b, the second rotation shaft232band the friction member238may be disposed in an inner space defined by coupling between the base portion236band the cover portion237b.

The first rotation shaft231band the second rotation shaft232b, which are respectively the rotation shafts of the second hinge230b, may be coupled to the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202. For this purpose, a hinge groove214(or a lower hinge groove) is formed in the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202, and the rotation shafts231b,232bmay be inserted into the hinge groove214. In the above-described example, when the hinge groove of the housing coupled to the first hinge230ais an upper hinge groove, in this example, the hinge groove of the housing coupled with the second hinge230bmay be referred to as a lower hinge groove.

According to the illustration, the second hinge230bmay include the friction member238that generates a frictional force to the rotation shafts231b,232bof the second hinge230b. The friction member238has a through hole239through which the first rotation shaft231band the second rotation shaft232bare inserted, and an inner surface of the through hole239is brought into contact with to an outer circumferential surface of the first rotation shaft231b, and the second rotation shaft232bto generate the frictional force. The through hole239is formed in the body of the friction member238, and the body of the friction member238may be made of polyacetal (POM) resin to generate an appropriate frictional force.

Furthermore, in this instance, the foregoing lever270may be coupled to the first rotation shaft231band the second rotation shaft232b, respectively. The coupling portion273of the lever270may be formed with a coupling groove275into which the first and second rotation shafts231b,232bare inserted, and the support protrusion274may be protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion273.

As described above, a structure for free stop and a shutter structure using a lever connected to a rotation shaft may be implemented together. Meanwhile, as described above, the first hinge and the second hinge are respectively coupled to the lever to perform a shutter function. Hereinafter, a structure associated therewith will be described in more detail.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare operation diagrams showing an operation of a flexible display device according to the present disclosure, andFIG. 11is a partially enlarged view showing hinge portions in a display device to which the shutter structure ofFIG. 4and the upper and lower hinge portions ofFIG. 5are applied together, andFIG. 12is an partially enlarged view of the cover member260inFIG. 11.

Referring to the present drawings, as illustrated above with reference toFIG. 4, the cover member260may be disposed between the first body201and the second body202to cover a space between the first body201and the second body202, which are formed by the folding of the flexible display unit251.

In this instance, one side of the cover member260may be supported by at least one of the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202to move between the first state and the second state, and the other side thereof may be supported by the lever270. In this example, the one side may be an outside of the cover member260, and the other side may be an inside of the cover member260.

As shown in an example described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 9, it may be a structure in which the lever270is coupled to the first rotation shaft231and the second rotation shaft232of the hinge portion230to press the cover member260in conjunction with the rotation of the bodies201,202. The first rotation shaft231and the second rotation shaft232, which are respectively the rotation shafts of the first hinge or the second hinge, may be coupled to the housings211,212of the first body201and the second body202. For this purpose, hinge grooves213,214may be formed in the housings211and212of the first body201and the second body202, and the rotation shafts may be inserted into the hinge grooves213,214.

Through, the cover member260is disposed adjacent to the flexible display unit251in the first state and then pressed by the lever270to slidably move so as to cover a space between the first body201and the second body201in the second state. At this time, in order to support one side of the cover member260, protruding portions223,224may be protruded from the housings211,222to press one side of the cover member260in the first state have.

The shapes of the protruding portions223,224may be protruded toward each other from the first body201and the second body202, and thus formed symmetrically on left and right sides with respect to the center of the cover member260.

Referring to the present drawings, the protruding portion223of the first body and the protruding portion224of the second body may each include a first portion225and a second portion226. The first portion225may be protruded from end portions of the first body201and the second body202, and the second portion226may be extended from the first body225in a direction inclined with respect to the first body201. The second portion226may be extended in a direction perpendicular to the first portion225. At this time, at least part of the second portion226is formed as a curved surface to press one side of the cover member260in the first state, and cover at least part of the cover member260in the second state.

Since both sides of the cover member260is covered in the second state, a space between the first body201and the second body202may be completely covered by the protruding portions223,224and the cover member260in the second state. According to this structure, a concealing operation of the cover in the opening and closing operation of the flexible display device may be implemented. In addition, according to this structure, as an outer surface of the hinge or the housing can be concealed inside, the shape of a folded portion, which has been previously expressed by angles, may be implemented in a shape close to a curved surface.

Meanwhile, in the first state, the protruding portion223of the first body and the protruding portion224of the second body may be formed to meet with each other at the respective second portions226.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, according to this structure, the protruding portions223,224cover a space between the bodies201,202in the first state. Furthermore, in the first state, the protruding portions223,224may press one side of the cover member260, and such a pressing force may be transmitted to a rear surface of the flexible display unit251through the cover member260. The pressing force may perform a function of unfolding the bent portion252of the flexible display unit251to be flat. In other words, the rear surface of the flexible display unit251is pressed in the unfolded state to maintain the flatness. However, when the flexible frame220is disposed on the rear surface of the flexible display unit251, the cover member260may support the flexible frame220in the first state to transmit the pressing force to the bent portion252through the protruding portions223,223, the cover member260, and the flexible frame220.

Furthermore, referring toFIG. 10B, a sliding movement of the cover member260may be guided by the hinge housing235of the hinge230. For example, an insertion hole235-1through which at least part of the cover member260is inserted may be formed on one side of the hinge housing235. More specifically, the hinge housing of the hinge portion may include a base portion and a cover portion, and the insertion hole235-1may be formed in at least one of the base portion and the cover portion. The lever may be accommodated in the hinge housing to support at least part of the cover member260inserted into the insertion hole235-1, and a movement range of the cover member260may be restricted by upper and lower ends of the insertion hole235-1.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 12, the cover member260may include a cover body261disposed between the first body and the second body, and an insertion protrusion262protruded from an end portion of the cover body261and inserted into the insertion hole235-1. The cover body261is supported by at least one of the housings of the first body and the second body. The cover body261may include a flat portion263pressed by the foregoing protruding portions223,224in the first state and an extension portion264extended from both sides of the flat portion263and configured with an inclined or curved surface. The extension portion264may be a portion covered by the foregoing protruding portions223,224in the second state.

The insertion protrusion262may be formed such that both side surfaces thereof are inclined. At least part of the support protrusion274of the lever270may be overlapped on the inclined side surface in a thickness direction of the cover member260, thereby implementing a structure in which the support protrusion274of the lever270is engaged.

Furthermore, the insertion protrusion262may be protruded from the flat portion263and inserted into the insertion hole235-1. For such an example, the insertion protrusions262may be formed at both ends of the flat portion263and inserted into the foregoing first and second hinges230a,230b, respectively. Through this, the insertion protrusion262may be supported by the lever271coupled to the first hinge230aand the lever272coupled to the second hinge230b.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, a shutter structure using a hinge housing may be applied, thereby improving a freedom degree of design of the region where the hinge is located. In addition, it is possible to minimize a gap formed between the hinge portion130and the body.

The configurations and methods according to the above-described embodiments will not be applicable in a limited way to the foregoing flexible display device, and all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined and configured to make various modifications thereto.