Patent Description:
A portable electronic device may have a display disposed to a front face. The display may have a window and a display panel, and may be placed in such a manner that the window is attached to a mounting portion of a housing of the electronic device. The electronic device uses a tape or an adhesive material between the window and the mounting portion to seal between the window and the mounting portion, thereby achieving a waterproof structure of the electronic device.

Meanwhile, in order to secure a view region of the display disposed to the front face of the electronic device, when a corner portion of the housing is designed to have a smooth structure or when the display panel is mounted close to the corner portion of the housing, a mounting region for an adhesive material of a bonding structure may be reduced.

In the electronic device having the bonding structure, a tape or an adhesive liquid shall not be detached from the mounting portion, and a crack or the like shall be avoided to prevent a foreign material from entering into the electronic device through the crack.

<CIT> describes an electronic device comprising a front plate, a display, and a housing, and includes seal members between the display and the front plate and parts of the housing. The document further describes a waterproof filler between the seal members. <CIT> describes an electronic device including a waterproof structure employing a seal structure. <CIT> describes an electronic device including a display and a window, wherein multiple members for blocking or absorbing moisture are provided.

However, part of the housing may be impacted when the electronic device falls. Due to the impact on the part of the housing, the electronic device having the bonding structure may be in a poor waterproof and/or dustproof condition. For example, when the impact is concentrated on part of the housing, the tape or adhesive member constituting the bonding structure may be in a poor condition due to occurrence of a crack or peeling phenomenon.

In addition, in the bonding structure between the housing and the display, since an amount of the adhesive material to be applied is decreased due to the reduced mounting portion, bonding strength of the adhesive material which bonds between the front plate and the mounting portion may be decreased.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device including a bonding structure robust to an impact such as falling or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, an electronic device as defined in any of the claims is provided.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include at least one of, for example, a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a MPEG-<NUM> Audio Layer <NUM> (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device (e.g., smart glasses, a Head-Mounted Display (HMD), electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, a smart mirror, or a smart watch).

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a front face of a mobile electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a rear face of the electronic device of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM> including a first face (or a front face) 110A, a second face (or a rear face) 110B, and a lateral face 110C surrounding a space between the first face 100A and the second face 110B. In another embodiment (not shown), the housing may refer to a construction which constitutes part of the first face 110A, second face 110B, and lateral face 110C of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the first face 110A may be constructed of a front plate <NUM> (e.g., a polymer plate or a glass plate having various coating layers) which is at least partially transparent in practice. The second face 110B may be constructed of a rear plate <NUM> which is opaque in practice. For example, the rear plate <NUM> may be constructed of coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metallic materials (e.g. aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium) or a combination of at least two of these materials. The lateral face 110C may be constructed of a lateral bezel structure (or a lateral member) <NUM> bonded to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> and including metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the rear plate <NUM> and the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may be constructed integrally and may include the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum).

In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate <NUM> may include two first regions 110D seamlessly extended by being bent from the first face 110A toward the rear plate <NUM> at both ends of a long edge of the front plate <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment (see <FIG>), the rear plate <NUM> may include two second regions 110E seamlessly extended by being bent from the second face 110B toward the front plate <NUM> at both ends of a long edge. In some embodiments, the front plate <NUM> (or the rear plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first regions 110D (or the second regions 110E). In another embodiment, some of the first regions 110D or the second regions 110E may not be included. In the above embodiments, in a lateral view of the electronic device <NUM>, the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) at a lateral face in which the first regions 110D or the second regions 110E are not included, and may have a second thickness thinner than the first thickness at a lateral face in which the first regions 110D or the second regions 110E are included.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one or more of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, a light emitting element <NUM>, and connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one of components (e.g., the key input device <NUM> or the light emitting element <NUM>), or other components may be additionally included.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through, for example, some portions of the front plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least part of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the first face 110A and the front plate <NUM> constructing the first regions 110D of the lateral face 110C. In some embodiments, a corner of the display <NUM> may be constructed to be substantially the same as an outer boundary adjacent to the front plate <NUM>. In another embodiment (not shown), in order to expand an area in which the display <NUM> is exposed, the display <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> may be constructed to have substantially the same interval between outer boundaries thereof.

In another embodiment (not shown), a portion of a screen display region of the display <NUM> may have a recess or opening, and may include at least one or more of the audio module <NUM>, sensor module <NUM>, camera module <NUM>, and light emitting element <NUM> which are aligned with the recess or the opening may be included. In another embodiment (not shown), at least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, or the light emitting element <NUM> may be included in a rear face of the screen display region of the display <NUM>. In another embodiment (not shown), the display <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to or joined with a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch strength (pressure), and/or a digitizer for detecting a magnetic-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least part of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least part of the key input device <NUM> may be disposed to the first regions 110D and/or the second regions 110E.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the microphone hole <NUM> and the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The microphone hole <NUM> may have a microphone disposed inside thereof to acquire external sound, and in some embodiments, may have a plurality of microphones disposed to sense a sound direction. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include the external speaker hole <NUM> and the communication receiver hole <NUM>. In some embodiments, the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented with one hole, or the speaker may be included without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., a Piezo speaker).

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to an internal operational state of the electronic device <NUM> or an external environmental state. The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include, for example, the first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or second sensor module (not shown) (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed to the first face 110A of the housing <NUM>, and/or the third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a Heart Rate Monitoring (HRM) sensor) disposed to the second face 110B of the housing <NUM> and/or the fourth sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor). The fingerprint sensor may be disposed not only to the first face 110A (e.g., the display <NUM>) but also the second face 110B of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of senor modules (not shown), for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the first camera module <NUM> disposed to the first face 110A of the electronic device <NUM>, the second camera module <NUM> disposed to the second face 110B, and/or the flash <NUM>. The camera module <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or a xenon lamp. In some embodiments, two or more lenses (wide angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be disposed to one face of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input device <NUM> may be disposed to the lateral face 110C of the housing <NUM>. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not include the entirety or part of the aforementioned key input device <NUM>. The key input device <NUM>, which is not included, may be implemented on a display <NUM> in a different form such as a soft key or the like. In some embodiments, the key input device may include the sensor module <NUM> disposed to the second face 110B of the housing <NUM>.

The light emitting element <NUM> may be disposed, for example, to the first face 110A of the housing <NUM>. The light emitting element <NUM> may provide, for example, state information of the electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. In another embodiment, the light emitting element <NUM> may provide, for example, a light source interworking with an operation of the camera module <NUM>. The light emitting element <NUM> may include, for example, an LED, an infrared (IR) LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first connector hole <NUM> capable of housing a connector (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector) for transmitting/receiving power and/or data of an external electronic device and/or the second connector hole (e.g., earphone jack) <NUM> capable of housing a connector for transmitting/receiving an audio signal with respect to the external electronic device.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an inner structure of the electronic device of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a lateral bezel construction <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one (e.g., the first support member <NUM>) of these components, or may additionally include other components. At least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, and redundant descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.

The first support member <NUM> may be coupled with the lateral bezel construction <NUM> by being disposed inside the electronic device <NUM>, or may be constructed integrally with respect to the lateral bezel construction <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be constructed of, for example, a metal material and/or non-metal material (e.g., polymer). The display <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the first support member <NUM>, and the PCB <NUM> may be coupled to the other side thereof. A processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted on the PCB <NUM>. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, and a communication processor.

The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Secure Digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface. For example, the interface may electrically or physically couple the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/ Multi Media Card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

As a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>, the battery <NUM> may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary cell, a rechargeable secondary cell, or a fuel cell. At least one portion of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane substantially with respect to, for example, the PCB <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be disposed integrally inside the electronic device <NUM>, or may be detachably disposed with respect to the electronic device <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna <NUM> may perform NFC, for example, with the external electronic device, or may wirelessly transmit/receive power used for charging. In another embodiment, an antenna construction may be constructed by at least part of the lateral bezel construction <NUM> and/or the first support member <NUM> or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronic device having a bonding structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) having a bonding structure according to various embodiments may include one housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the housing <NUM> (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>, the lateral bezel construction <NUM> of <FIG>) may include an intermediate plate (e.g., a bracket or a support member) (e.g. the support member <NUM> of <FIG>), first and second plates <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the front plate <NUM> and rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>), a first adhesive material <NUM>, and a second adhesive material <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first plate <NUM> may be attached by means of the adhesive material <NUM> in a first direction ① of the housing <NUM>, and the second plate <NUM> may be attached by means of the second adhesive material <NUM> in a second direction ② of the housing <NUM>. A first bonding structure may be implemented between the first plate <NUM> and one face of the housing <NUM> by means of the adhesive material <NUM>. A second bonding structure may be implemented between the second plate <NUM> and the other face of the housing <NUM> by means of the second adhesive material <NUM>. The bonding structure between the first plate <NUM> and one face of the housing <NUM> may be a first waterproof/dustproof structure, and the bonding structure between the second plate <NUM> and the other face of the housing <NUM> may be a second waterproof/dustproof structure. For example, the first plate <NUM> may include a front plate, and the second plate <NUM> may include a rear plate or a back cover.

According to an embodiment, the first adhesive material <NUM> may include an adhesive liquid, and the second adhesive material <NUM> may include a tape. For example, the adhesive liquid may be an adhesive material which is cured after being applied to some faces of the housing <NUM>, and the second adhesive material <NUM> may include a double-sided tape. The adhesive material <NUM> may be cured by being applied along one face of the housing <NUM>, and the adhesive material <NUM> may have a closed-curve shape when viewed from above the housing <NUM>. The second adhesive material <NUM> may be attached along the other face in a direction opposite to the face of the housing <NUM>, and may have a closed-curve shape when viewed from above the housing <NUM>.

The first adhesive material <NUM> according to an embodiment may be used to seal between the housing <NUM> and the first plate <NUM>, and the second adhesive material <NUM> may be used to seal between the housing <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>. For example, at least part of the first plate <NUM> may include a window of a transparent material, and at least part of the second plate <NUM> may include a window which is transparent, partially transparent, or entirely opaque.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a front face of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a first face of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a display region <NUM> and a Black Matrix (BM) region <NUM>. The BM region <NUM> may surround a boundary of a display region <NUM>, and when viewed from above the first face, may be disposed in a closed-curve shape. The display region <NUM> may be an active region, and the BM region <NUM> may be an inactive region.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the inactive region may be disposed to an upper region <NUM> and a lower region <NUM> with a display <NUM> located in the center. The inactive region may be disposed along an edge which couples the upper and lower regions <NUM> and <NUM>. A camera, a receiver, a sensor, and an LED may be disposed to the upper region <NUM>, and at least part of a display driving chip, a flexible printed circuit board of a display mode, and/or a flexible printed circuit board of a touch screen may be disposed to the lower region <NUM>.

A housing <NUM> according to an embodiment may have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above the first face. For example, the housing <NUM> may include four corner portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and four edge portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Each of the corner portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have a curved shape, and each of the edge portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have a rectangular shape. Regarding the corner portions according to various embodiments, the two corner portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be located at an upper end of the housing <NUM>, and the two corner portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be located at a lower end.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which a display panel is coupled to a front plate according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, a portion <NUM> of a flexible printed circuit board <NUM> of a display panel <NUM> may be bent at a lower region of a front plate <NUM>. The portion <NUM> of the bent flexible printed circuit board may be disposed to be substantially parallel with the front plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include a touch sensitive panel, and the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a flexible printed circuit board of the touch sensitive panel. For example, a Display Driver Integrated Circuit (DDI) <NUM> may be disposed to the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, among four corner portions of the display panel <NUM>, two corner portions <NUM> and <NUM> located at a lower portion may be subjected to Round (R)-cutting. The display panel <NUM> may be coupled to the front plate <NUM> (e.g., a window).

According to an embodiment, the front plate <NUM> coupled to the display panel <NUM> may be attached to a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>) by means of an adhesive material.

Referring to <FIG>, since a display panel <NUM> according to various embodiments has the same structure as the display panel <NUM> of <FIG> except for a shape of a corner portion, descriptions thereof will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

According to an embodiment, among four corner portions of the display panel <NUM>, two corner portions <NUM> and <NUM> located at a lower portion may be subjected to C-cutting. According to an embodiment, a front plate <NUM> coupled to the display panel <NUM> may be attached to a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>) by means of an adhesive material.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a front plate according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a front plate <NUM> according to various embodiments is a member disposed to a first face of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the front plate <NUM> may include a substrate of a transparent material, i.e., a transparent window. For example, the front plate <NUM> may be constructed of any one of glass and synthetic resin.

The front plate <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The first edge <NUM> may have a first length <NUM> and extend in a third direction ③. The second edge <NUM> may have a second length <NUM> longer than the first length <NUM> and extend in a fourth direction ④ orthogonal to the third direction ③. The third edge <NUM> may be parallel to the first edge <NUM>, have the first length <NUM>, and extend in the third direction ③ from the second edge <NUM>. The fourth edge <NUM> may be parallel to the second edge <NUM>, have the second length <NUM>, and extend in the fourth direction ④ from the first edge <NUM>. For example, the first to fourth edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be coupled with one another to constitute a closed-curve shape. According to an embodiment, the front plate <NUM> may include a first region <NUM> in which the third edge <NUM> and the fourth edge <NUM> meet and a second region <NUM> in which the second edge <NUM> and the third edge <NUM> meet. For example, the first region <NUM> may be a corner portion of one side located at a lower end of the front plate <NUM>, and the second region <NUM> may be a corner portion of the other side located at the lower end of the front plate.

The front plate <NUM> according to various embodiments may be a portion in which the first to fourth edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM> are attached to part of a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>) by means of an adhesive material. For example, when viewed from above the front plate <NUM>, the first to fourth edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM> may have a closed-curve shape together, and an adhesive material applied to a closed loop shaped region may also have a closed-curve shape. The adhesive material may exist in a layer shape and in a rigid state between a portion of the housing and the first to fourth edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. If the adhesive material is cured after being applied to the portion of the housing and thus is present in a layer shape with a rigid material, it may be referred to as an adhesive member or an adhesive layer.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a display according to embodiment of the disclosure of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a display <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG> or the display <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may include a first face facing a first direction ① (e.g., the first direction ① of <FIG>) and a second face facing a second direction ② (e.g., the second direction ② of <FIG>) opposite to the first direction ①. When the display <NUM> is mounted to a housing, the first face of the display <NUM> may be an outer face, and the second face of the display <NUM> may be a face supported by an intermediate plate. According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, and a flexible printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the front plate <NUM> may include one face 802a facing the first direction ① and the other face 802b facing the second direction ② opposite to the first direction ①. One face 802a may be an outer face, and the other face 802b may be a face to which the display panel <NUM> is to be attached or is to face. According to an embodiment, a portion of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be bent in a third region <NUM> between first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM> of the front plate, and may be bent towards the second face of the display <NUM>, that is, a face facing the second direction ② of the display panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a housing <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth edge <NUM> to <NUM> along four sides. Rounded corner portions may exist respectively between the first to fourth edges <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may have mounting portions at the respective corner portions located between the first to fourth edges <NUM> to <NUM>. According to an embodiment, first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of both corner portions located at a lower end of the housing <NUM> may include a mounting area wider than a mounting portion located along the four first to fourth edges <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which a first adhesive material is applied to a mounting portion of a corner portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments, in order to expand a bonding area of first and second regions (e.g., the first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) of a front plate, an adhesive layer <NUM> constructed of a first adhesive material may be constructed such that a width w2 of the mounting portion <NUM> located at a corner portion is greater than a width w1 constructed at a non-corner portion.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive layer <NUM> may be applied to mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> in one line and may be applied to a mounting portion <NUM> of the corner portion in two lines, thereby expanding the bonding area with respect to the first and second regions of the front plate.

For example, the mounting portion <NUM> to which an adhesive material is applied in two lines may be a mounting portion (e.g., the first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) of both corner portions located at a lower end of the housing. A portion <NUM> of the adhesive layer <NUM> applied in two lines may provide a robust bonding structure between the front plate and the housing by expanding the bonding area between the housing and the front plate.

<FIG> illustrates another state in which a first adhesive material is applied to a mounting portion of a corner portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>), in order to expand a bonding area of first and second regions (e.g., the first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) of a front plate, an adhesive layer <NUM> constructed of a first adhesive material may be applied to a mounting portion <NUM> at a corner portion such that a width w4 is variable, compared to a width w3 of mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> located at a non-corner portion. According to an embodiment, it may be applied such that the width w4 is greater than the width w3.

Since it may be applied such that the width w4 of the corner portion is relatively greater than the width w3 of the non-corner portion, a bonding area between the housing and the front plate is expanded, thereby providing a robust bonding structure (e.g., a waterproof structure and/or a dustproof structure) between the front plate and the housing.

According to an embodiment, in the adhesive layer <NUM>, a bonding area may be expanded by allowing the applied thickness of the mounting portion <NUM> located at the corner portion to be greater than the applied thickness of the mounting portion located at the second and third edges <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a groove to which an adhesive material is applied to apply a first adhesive material to a mounting portion of a corner portion according to embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a region <NUM> to which an adhesive material is applied may be pre-designed in mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of a housing <NUM> according to various embodiments. For example, the adhesive material may be applied to be filled in the groove, by applying a region pre-designed in the mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, for example, a structure such as the groove. The groove may be constructed such that a width w6 of a groove of the mounting portion <NUM> of the corner portion is greater than a width w5 of a groove of a mounting portion of the non-corner portion.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state in which a first adhesive material is applied to a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which a crack occurs in a first adhesive material applied to a mounting portion, and a second adhesive material leaks through the crack according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a bonding structure constructed on a mounting portion by means of a self-restoration structure after an electronic device falls according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an adhesive material applied to a mounting portion <NUM> according to various embodiments may include a first adhesive material <NUM> and a second adhesive material <NUM> different from the first adhesive material <NUM>. The first adhesive material <NUM> may be applied to mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of a non-corner region in one line, and may be applied to the mounting portion <NUM> of a corner region in two lines. An opening (e.g., the opening <NUM> of <FIG>) may be constructed at a portion <NUM> to which the first adhesive material <NUM> is applied in two lines. An opening <NUM> may be an inner space to which the second adhesive material <NUM> is applied and filled. The first adhesive material <NUM> may include any one adhesive material among a hot-melt adhesive liquid and a <NUM>-component adhesive liquid. For example, the first adhesive material <NUM> may include at least one of acrylate, silicone, urethane, thermoplastic, or epoxy.

In an embodiment, the second adhesive material <NUM> may include a wet curing adhesive liquid, as part of a self-restoration structure of a bonding structure. When the first adhesive material <NUM> is destroyed by an impact imposed on a portion of the electronic device due to falling of the electronic device, the second adhesive material <NUM> may flow out through the crack of the first adhesive material to fill the crack and then may be cured in contact with moisture in the air. The cured second adhesive material <NUM> may restore an adhesive layer. The second adhesive material <NUM> may be surrounded by at least part of the first adhesive material <NUM>, or may be entirely surrounded.

Referring to <FIG>, due to the impact such as falling or the like, a first adhesive material <NUM> may be cracked or peeled, and a second adhesive material <NUM> may be leaked due to the crack and peeling. An arrow direction indicates a flow of the second adhesive material <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a bonding structure may be restored by curing a second adhesive material <NUM> leaked through a crack of a first adhesive material <NUM>.

Each of the destroyed first adhesive materials <NUM> may be combined as one body by means of the second adhesive material <NUM>. The first and second adhesive materials <NUM> and <NUM> may be combined into one body to construct an adhesive closed-curve structure <NUM>, thereby restoring the bonding structure.

A self-restoration process of a bonding structure according to various embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart sequentially showing a self-restoration structure of a bonding structure constructed in a mounting portion of a housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may inadvertently fall to the ground, and in particular, a portion (e.g., a corner) of the housing of the electronic device may be most impacted (operation <NUM>).

In a state where a second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) sealed by two lines of a first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) constructed in the mounting portion of the housing maintains a liquid state, the first adhesive material may be cracked (ruptured) and peeled due to an impact (operation <NUM>).

Due to an impact such as falling or the like, the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be cracked or peeled, and the second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) leaked due to the crack and the peeling may flow out to be in contact with the air (operation <NUM>).

The second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) leaked through the crack of the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be cured to restore the bonding structure (operation <NUM>).

The second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be combined with the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>). The first and second adhesive materials may be combined to construct the bonding structure (e.g., the adhesive closed-curve structure <NUM> of <FIG>), thereby restoring the bonding structure (operation <NUM>).

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of manufacturing a self-restoration structure by applying first and second adhesive materials to a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a procedure of manufacturing a bonding structure constructed between first and second regions (e.g., the first and second regions <NUM> and <NUM>) and mounting portions (e.g., the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) of both corner portions located at a lower end of a housing will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

The housing (e.g., front case) (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>) may be mounted to a dispensing device such that a front face is visible (operation <NUM>).

A first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be applied to a mounting portion (e.g., the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> of <FIG>) by using the prepared dispensing device (operation <NUM>).

After the first adhesive material is applied, a second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be applied to a prepared opening (e.g., the opening <NUM> of <FIG>) (operation <NUM>).

The housing may be detached from the dispensing device after the second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) is applied (operation <NUM>).

A front plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) may be assembled in the housing to which the first and second adhesive materials are applied (operation <NUM>).

After the aforementioned series of operations are performed, the first and second adhesive materials (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be cured to constitute an adhesive layer, and the second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be sealed by a combination of the first adhesive material and the front plate, thereby maintaining an uncured state.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged view illustrating a hydrophilic material region and hydrophobic material region of an intermediate plate of a housing according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, when a hydrophilic adhesive material is applied to a mounting portion <NUM>, bonding strength may be secured by decreasing a bonding area of a corner portion of a hydrophobic material (e.g., a non-metallic material) a2 and by expanding a bonding area of a corner portion of a hydrophilic material (e.g., a metallic material) a1. A width w8 of a mounting portion of a corner portion may be constructed to be greater than a width of a mounting portion of a non-corner portion.

According to an embodiment, a housing <NUM> may include an intermediate plate <NUM>, and a mounting portion of the intermediate plate <NUM> may include a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material. Since the intermediate plate <NUM> including the mounting portion contains a metallic material in the mounting portion <NUM> of a corner portion to which an adhesive material is to be applied with a relatively great amount, it may be advantageous to expand bonding strength of the adhesive material when constructed of the hydrophilic material a1. It may also be advantageous to expand the bonding strength when a region constructed of the hydrophilic material a1 is expanded.

According to an embodiment, the intermediate plate <NUM> has a first water affinity, and may include the hydrophilic material a1 or the hydrophobic material a2. For example, the hydrophobic material may include PolyButylene terephthalate (PBT), PolyAmide (PA), or the like. For example, the hydrophilic material may include Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg), or the like.

The water affinity of the adhesive material applied to the mounting portion <NUM> shall be identical or similar to the water affinity of the intermediate plate <NUM>, so that the bonding strength between the adhesive material and the mounting portion is excellent.

A surface condition may be important in the mounting portion (including first and second surfaces of the front plate) which is a mounting region to which the adhesive material is applied. In general, surface energy may consist of anode energy and cathode energy. For example, the anode energy may represent hydrophilicity of the material, and the cathode energy may represent hydrophobicity of the material.

According to an embodiment, when a hydrophilic adhesive material having great anode energy and a material having similar great anode energy are combined, the two materials have similar properties and thus may be easily wet with each other. The two materials are constructed to have similar properties to each other, so that mutual bonding strength may be good.

When a hydrophilic adhesive agent (material) having great anode energy and a hydrophobic material having great cathode energy are combined, the two materials are combined only by a small amount of energy, so that mutual bonding strength may be not good.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG> or the lateral bezel construction <NUM> of <FIG>) including a front plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a first direction (e.g., the first direction ① of <FIG>), a rear plate (e.g., the rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a second direction (e.g., the second direction ② of <FIG>) opposite to the first direction, and a lateral member (e.g., the lateral member <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding a space between the front plate and the rear plate and at least partially constructed of a metal material.

The front plate may include a first edge (e.g., the first edge <NUM> of <FIG>) having a first length (e.g., the first length <NUM> of <FIG>) and extending in a third direction (e.g., the third direction ③ of <FIG>), a second edge (e.g., the second edge <NUM> of <FIG>) having a second length (e.g., the second length <NUM> of <FIG>) longer than the first length and extending in a fourth direction (e.g., the fourth direction ④ of <FIG>) orthogonal to the third direction, a third edge (e.g., the third edge <NUM> of <FIG>) parallel to the first edge, having the first length, and extending in the third direction from the second edge, a fourth edge (e.g., the fourth edge <NUM> of <FIG>) parallel to the second edge, having the second length, and extending in the fourth direction from the first edge, a first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the third edge and the fourth edge meet, and a second region (e.g., the second region <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the second edge and the third edge meet.

The electronic device may include a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) viewable through the front plate, and an adhesive layer (e.g., the adhesive layer <NUM> of <FIG>) constructed in a closed-curve shape along the first edge, second edge, third edge, and fourth edge of the front plate. When viewed from above the display, a width w2 of the adhesive layer in the first region and the second region may be greater than a width w1 of the adhesive layer.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the adhesive layer in the first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second region (e.g., the second region <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of FIG. 13A) and a second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of FIG. When viewed from above the display, the first adhesive material may surround the second adhesive material.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of FIG. 13A) may include at least one of acrylate, silicone, urethane, thermoplastic, or epoxy.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of FIG. 13A) may include a wet-hardening bond.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first face facing the first direction (e.g., the first direction ① of <FIG>), and a second face facing the second direction (e.g., the second direction ② of <FIG>). When viewed from above the display, the display may further include a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> oaf <FIG>), which is bent towards the second face, in a third region (e.g., the third region <NUM> of <FIG>) between the first region and the second region.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG> or the lateral bezel construction <NUM> of <FIG>) including a front plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG> or the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a first direction (e.g., the first direction ① of <FIG>), a rear plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a second direction (e.g., the second direction ② of <FIG>) opposite to the first direction, and a lateral member (e.g., the lateral member <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding a space between the front plate and the rear plate and at least partially constructed of a metal material.

The electronic device may include a display viewable through the front plate, and an adhesive layer (e.g., the adhesive layer <NUM> of <FIG>) constructed in a closed-curve shape along the first edge, second edge, third edge, and fourth edge of the front plate. An intermediate plate (e.g., the intermediate plate <NUM> of <FIG>) included in the first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second region (e.g., the second region <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a material having a first water affinity. The adhesive layer may include a material having a second water affinity identical to similar to the first water affinity.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first water affinity may be hydrophobicity.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first water affinity may be hydrophilicity.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG> or the lateral bezel construction <NUM> of <FIG>) including a front plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG> or the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a first direction (e.g., the first direction ① of <FIG>), a rear plate (e.g., the rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>) facing a second direction (e.g., the second direction ② of <FIG>) opposite to the first direction, and a lateral member (e.g., the lateral member <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding a space between the front plate and the rear plate and at least partially constructed of a metal material, and including a mounting portion constructed along an edge. The electronic device may include a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) including a display module (e.g., the display panel <NUM> of <FIG>) coupled to the front plate, and mounted to the front plate so that at least part thereof is viewable through the front plate, and a bonding structure attached between the mounting portion and the front plate to seal an inner portion of the housing. The bonding structure may include a first adhesive material applied along the mounting portion (e.g., the mounting portion <NUM> oaf FIG. When viewed from above the front plate, the first adhesive material may be applied such that a width w2 of the material applied to a mounting portion in a corner region of the housing is variable, compared to a width w1 of the material applied to a mounting portion in at least one non-corner region of the housing.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be applied to each of first and second mounting portions (e.g., the first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) in both corner portions of the housing adjacent to a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) of the display.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be allocated to each of the first and second mounting portions (e.g., the first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM>) in two lines, and when viewed from above the front plate, may include at least one closed-curve shape having an inner space.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of FIG. 13A) may be filled in the inner space.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a width w2 of the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) applied to each of the first and second mounting portions (e.g., the first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) may be greater than a width w1 of the first adhesive material applied to the mounting portion in the non-corner region of the housing.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when viewed from above the front plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> of <FIG>), the first and second mounting portions (e.g., the first and second mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) may be covered by an inactive region of the display.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an intermediate plate (e.g., the intermediate plate <NUM> of FIG. 17A) included in the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion may include a first water affinity. The first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a material having a second water affinity identical to similar to the first water affinity.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second adhesive material (e.g., the second adhesive material <NUM> of <FIG>) may provide a self-restoration structure of the bonding structure.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the self-restoration structure may be constructed in such a manner that, when the first adhesive material (e.g., the first adhesive material <NUM> oaf <FIG>) is cracked or peeled, the second adhesive material is cured by flowing out through the crack.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising:
a front plate (110A) outwardly facing a first direction,
a rear plate (110B) outwardly facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and
a lateral member (<NUM> C) surrounding a space between the front plate and the rear plate and at least partially constructed of a metal material,
wherein at least one of the front plate (110A) and the rear plate (110B) comprises:
a first edge (<NUM>) having a first length and extending in a third direction,
a second edge (<NUM>) having a second length longer than the first length and extending in a fourth direction orthogonal to the third direction,
a third edge (<NUM>) parallel to the first edge, having the first length, and extending in the third direction from the second edge,
a fourth edge (<NUM>) parallel to the second edge, having the second length, and extending in the fourth direction from the first edge,
a first region (<NUM>) in which the third edge and the fourth edge meet, and
a second region (<NUM>) in which the second edge and the third edge meet;
a display (<NUM>) viewable through the front plate;
characterized in that
an adhesive layer is constructed in a curved shape along the first edge, second edge, third edge, and fourth edge of said front and/or rear plate, for providing bonding between said plate and another part of the housing;
and in that, when viewed from above the display, a width of the adhesive layer in the first region (<NUM>) and second region (<NUM>) is greater than a width of the adhesive layer outside the first and second regions; and
wherein the adhesive layer in the first region and the second region comprises a first adhesive material (<NUM>) and a second adhesive material (<NUM>) different from the first adhesive material, and, when viewed from above the display, the first adhesive material surrounds at least a part of the second adhesive material.