Patent Description:
A foldable electronic device may include a flexible display including a bending area, a portion of which is able to be deformed into a curved surface or a flat surface. The foldable electronic device may include a flat state for providing a large screen to a user and a folded state for providing mobility to the user.

The flexible display may include a plurality of layers. In the folded state, shear stress depending on a difference in radius of curvature between the layers may be formed in the bending area of the flexible display. As a result, the bending area may be vulnerable to external shock, compared to other areas.

Patent application document <CIT> discloses an electronic device includes a first housing including a first surface and a second surface, a second housing including a third surface and a fourth side, a folding portion, a flexible display disposed on the first surface and the third surface across the folding portion, and a hinge including a first planar portion disposed on the second surface, a second planar portion disposed on the fourth side, and a hinge center portion, wherein a first configuration where the folding portion is unfolded and the first housing and the second housing are parallel, and wherein a second configuration where the folding portion is folded and the first planar portion is at least partially inserted into the first housing and the second planar portion is at least partially inserted into the second housing and the first housing and the second housing are parallel.

The foldable electronic device may include the flexible display and a housing structure in which the flexible display is mounted. In the case where external shock (e.g., a drop impact) is applied to the foldable electronic device, shear stress may be generated between the housing structure and the flexible display. The shear stress may deteriorate the surface quality of the flexible display. To relieve the shear stress, the flexible display may be attached to the housing structure so as to be movable in a certain range.

In the case where external shock (e.g., a drop impact) is applied to the foldable electronic device, the flexible display coupled to the housing structure so as to be movable may collide with an internal structure of the housing structure. The housing structure formed of a rigid material may damage the flexible display. In particular, the bending area relatively vulnerable to shock may be damaged.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device for preventing a flexible display from colliding with a rigid structure in a housing structure and absorbing external shock.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numerals are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications, of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a flat state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a folded state of the electronic device of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., foldable housing structures) that are coupled to pivot around a hinge structure (e.g., a hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>) so as to be folded relative to each other, a hinge cover (e.g., a hinge cover <NUM> of <FIG>) that covers foldable portions of the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>, and a display <NUM> (e.g., a flexible display or a foldable display) that is disposed in a space formed by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>. In this disclosure, a surface on which the display <NUM> is disposed may be defined as a front surface of the electronic device <NUM>, and an opposite surface to the front surface may be defined as a rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. Furthermore, surfaces surrounding a space between the front surface and the rear surface may be defined as side surfaces of the electronic device <NUM>.

The pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first housing structure <NUM> including a sensor area 131d, the second housing structure <NUM>, a first back cover <NUM>, and a second back cover <NUM>. The pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> are not limited to the form and coupling illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and may be implemented by a combination and/or coupling of other shapes or parts. For example, the first housing structure <NUM> and the first back cover <NUM> may be integrated with each other, and the second housing structure <NUM> and the second back cover <NUM> may be integrated with each other.

The first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides of a folding axis (an axis F) and may have shapes that are entirely symmetric to each other with respect to the folding axis (the axis F). The angle or distance that the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> form may vary depending on whether the electronic device <NUM> is in a flat state or a closing state, a folded state, or an intermediate state. Unlike the second housing structure <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM> may additionally include the sensor area 131d in which various sensors are disposed, but may have a mutually symmetrical shape in the other area. The sensor area 131d may be additionally disposed in, or replaced with, at least a partial area of the second housing structure <NUM>.

The first housing structure <NUM> may be connected to the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>) in a flat state of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a first surface <NUM> disposed to face toward the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> facing away from the first surface <NUM>, and a first side member <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of a space between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. The first side member <NUM> may include a first side surface 113a disposed parallel with the folding axis (the axis F), a second side surface 113b extending from one end of the first side surface 113a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis, and a third side surface 113c extending from an opposite end of the first side surface 113a in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F).

The second housing structure <NUM> may be connected to the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>) in the flat state of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a third surface <NUM> disposed to face toward the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>, a fourth surface <NUM> facing away from the third surface <NUM>, and a second side member <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of a space between the third surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM>. The second side member <NUM> may include a fourth side surface 123a disposed parallel with the folding axis (the axis F), a fifth side surface 123b extending from one end of the fourth side surface 123a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F), and a sixth side surface 123c extending from an opposite end of the fourth side surface 123a in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F). In an embodiment, the third surface <NUM> may face the first surface <NUM> in a folded state.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> formed to receive the display <NUM> through a structural shape coupling of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may have substantially the same size as the display <NUM>. Due to the sensor area 131d, the recess <NUM> may have two or more different widths in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F). For example, the recess <NUM> may have a first width w1 between a first portion 120a of the second housing structure <NUM> that is parallel to the folding axis (the axis F) and a first portion 110a of the first housing structure <NUM> that is formed on the periphery of the sensor area 131d and a second width w2 formed by a second portion 120b of the second housing structure <NUM> and a second portion 110b of the first housing structure <NUM> that does not correspond to the sensor area 131d and that is parallel to the folding axis (the axis F). In this case, the second width w2 may be formed to be greater than the first width w1. For example, the recess <NUM> may be formed to have the first width W1 between the first portion 110a of the first housing structure <NUM> and the first portion 120a of the second housing structure <NUM> that have mutually asymmetric shapes and the second width W2 between the second portion 110b of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second portion 120b of the second housing structure <NUM> that have mutually symmetric shapes.

The first portion 110a and the second portion 110b of the first housing structure <NUM> may be formed to have different distances from the folding axis (the axis F). The width of the recess <NUM> is not limited to the illustrated example. The recess <NUM> may have two or more different widths due to the form of the sensor area 131d or the asymmetrically-shaped portions of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>.

At least a portion of the first housing structure <NUM> and at least a portion of the second housing structure <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material or a non-metallic material that has a stiffness selected to support the display <NUM>.

The sensor area 131d may be formed to have a certain area adjacent to one corner of the first housing structure <NUM>. However, the arrangement, shape, or size of the sensor area 131d is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, the sensor area 131d may be provided in another corner of the first housing structure <NUM> or in any area between an upper corner and a lower corner of the first housing structure <NUM>. In another embodiment, the sensor area 131d may be disposed in at least a partial area of the second housing structure <NUM>. The sensor area 131d may be disposed to extend to the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include parts that perform various functions and that are disposed to be exposed on the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> though the sensor area 131d or through one or more openings formed in the sensor area 131d. In various embodiments, the parts may include, for example, at least one of a front camera device, a receiver, a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an iris recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an indicator.

The first back cover <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the first housing structure <NUM> and may have a substantially rectangular periphery. At least a portion of the periphery may be surrounded by the first housing structure <NUM>. Similarly, the second back cover <NUM> may be disposed on the fourth surface <NUM> of the second housing structure <NUM>, and at least a portion of the periphery of the second back cover <NUM> may be surrounded by the second housing structure <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first back cover <NUM> and the second back cover <NUM> may have substantially symmetrical shapes with respect to the folding axis (the axis F). In other embodiments, the first back cover <NUM> and the second back cover <NUM> may include various different shapes. The first back cover <NUM> may be integrated with the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second back cover <NUM> may be integrated with the second housing structure <NUM>.

The first back cover <NUM>, the second back cover <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second housing structure <NUM> may provide, through a mutually coupled structure, a space in which various parts (e.g., a printed circuit board, an antenna module, a sensor module, or a battery) of the electronic device <NUM> are disposed. One or more parts may be disposed, or visually exposed, on the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, one or more parts or sensors may be visually exposed through a first rear area <NUM> of the first back cover <NUM>. The sensors may include a proximity sensor, a rear camera device, and/or a flash. At least a portion of a sub-display <NUM> may be visually exposed through a second rear area <NUM> of the second back cover <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a speaker module <NUM> disposed through at least a partial area of the second back cover <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may be disposed on the space formed by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may be mounted in the recess <NUM> formed by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> and may be disposed to occupy substantially the entire front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include the display <NUM>, a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the first housing structure <NUM> that is adjacent to the display <NUM>, and a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the second housing structure <NUM> that is adjacent to the display <NUM>. The rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include the first back cover <NUM>, a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the first housing structure <NUM> that is adjacent to the first back cover <NUM>, the second back cover <NUM>, and a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the second housing structure <NUM> that is adjacent to the second back cover <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may refer to a display, at least a partial area of which is able to be deformed into a flat surface or a curved surface. In an embodiment, the display <NUM> may include a folding area 131c, a first area 131a disposed on one side of the folding area 131c (e.g., the right side of the folding area 131c), and a second area 131b disposed on an opposite side of the folding area 131c (e.g., the left side of the folding area 131c). For example, the first area 131a may be disposed on the first surface <NUM> of the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second area 131b may be disposed on the third surface <NUM> of the second housing structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the division of the display <NUM> into the areas is illustrative, and the display <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of areas (e.g., four or more areas, or two areas) depending on the structure or function of the display <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the areas of the display <NUM> may be divided from each other by the folding area 131c or the folding axis (the axis F) that extends parallel to the y axis. However, in another embodiment, the display <NUM> may be divided into areas with respect to a different folding area (e.g., a folding area parallel to the x axis) or a different folding axis (e.g., a folding axis parallel to the x axis). The above-described division of the display <NUM> into the areas may be merely a physical division by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> and the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>), and one full screen may be displayed on the display <NUM> substantially through the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> and the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>).

The first area 131a and the second area 131b may have shapes that are entirely symmetric to each other with respect to the folding area 131c. However, unlike the second area 131b, the first area 131a may include a notch area (e.g., a notch area <NUM> of <FIG>) that is cut depending on the presence of the sensor area 131d, but in the other area, the first area 131a may have a shape that is symmetric to the second area 131b. For example, the first area 131a and the second area 131b may include a portion having a symmetrical shape and a portion having an asymmetrical shape.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be disposed between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> and may be configured to hide an internal part (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>). In an embodiment, the hinge cover <NUM> may be hidden by a portion of the first housing structure <NUM> and a portion of the second housing structure <NUM>, or may be exposed to the outside, depending on an operational state (a flat state or a folded state) of the electronic device <NUM>.

For example, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a flat state as illustrated in <FIG>, the hinge cover <NUM> may not be exposed by being hidden by the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In another example, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state) as illustrated in <FIG>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be exposed to the outside from between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In another example, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in an intermediate state in which the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> are folded with a certain angle, the hinge cover <NUM> may be at least partially exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> from between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In this case, the exposed area may be smaller than that in the fully folded state. In an embodiment, the hinge cover <NUM> may include a curved surface.

Hereinafter, operations of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> and the areas of the display <NUM> depending on an operational state (e.g., a flat state or a folded state) of the electronic device <NUM> will be described.

In the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a flat state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may form an angle of <NUM> degrees, and the first area 131a and the second area 131b of the display <NUM> may be disposed to face the same direction. Furthermore, the folding area 131c, together with the first area 131a and the second area 131b, may form the same plane. In another embodiment of the disclosure, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in the flat state, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may rotate relative to each other through an angle of <NUM> degrees and may be oppositely folded such that the second surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> face each other.

In the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be disposed to face each other. The first area 131a and the second area 131b of the display <NUM> may face each other while forming a narrow angle (e.g., between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees). At least a portion of the folding area 131c may be formed to be a curved surface having a certain curvature.

In the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in an intermediate state, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be disposed at a certain angle. The first area 131a and the second area 131b of the display <NUM> may form an angle that is larger than that in the folded state and is smaller than that in the flat state. At least a portion of the folding area 131c may be formed to be a curved surface having a certain curvature, and in this case, the curvature may be smaller than that in the folded state.

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

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the display <NUM>, a support member assembly <NUM>, at least one printed circuit board <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM>, the second housing structure <NUM>, the first back cover <NUM>, and the second back cover <NUM>. In this disclosure, the display <NUM> may be referred to as the display module or the display assembly.

The display <NUM> may include a display panel <NUM> (e.g., a flexible display panel) and one or more plates <NUM> or layers on which the display panel <NUM> is mounted. In an embodiment, the plates <NUM> may be disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the support member assembly <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be disposed on at least a portion of one surface of the plates <NUM>. The plates <NUM> may include a first plate <NUM> and a second plate <NUM> divided from each other with respect to the hinge structure <NUM>. The plates <NUM> may include at least one member that is unable to be folded together when the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> are rotated into a folded and/or flat state with respect to the hinge structure <NUM>. The plates <NUM> may include at least one subsidiary material layer (e.g., graphite member) and/or conductive plate (e.g., Cu sheet) disposed on a rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The plates <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the display panel <NUM>. For example, a partial area of the first plate <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the notch area <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>.

The support member assembly <NUM> may include a first support member <NUM>, a second support member <NUM>, the hinge structure <NUM> disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> covering the hinge structure <NUM> when the hinge structure <NUM> is viewed from the outside, and at least one wiring member <NUM> (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) across the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>.

The support member assembly <NUM> may be disposed between the plates <NUM> and the at least one printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the first support member <NUM> may be disposed between the first area 131a of the display <NUM> and a first printed circuit board <NUM>. The second support member <NUM> may be disposed between the second area 131b of the display <NUM> and a second printed circuit board <NUM>.

The wiring members <NUM> and at least a portion of the hinge structure <NUM> may be disposed inside the support member assembly <NUM>. The wiring member <NUM> may be disposed in a direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) across the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. The wiring members <NUM> may be disposed in a direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) perpendicular to the folding axis of the folding area 131c (e.g., the y-axis or the folding axis F of <FIG>).

The at least one printed circuit board <NUM>, as mentioned above, may include the first printed circuit board <NUM> disposed on one side of the first support member <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> disposed on one side of the second support member <NUM>. The first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in a space that is formed by the support member assembly <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM>, the second housing structure <NUM>, the first back cover <NUM>, and the second back cover <NUM>. Parts for implementing various functions of the electronic device <NUM> may be mounted on the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM>.

The first housing structure <NUM> may contain the first printed circuit board <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, at least one sensor module <NUM>, or at least one camera module <NUM> that is disposed in a space formed through the first support member <NUM>. The first housing structure <NUM> may include a window glass <NUM> disposed to protect the at least one sensor module <NUM> and the at least one camera module <NUM> in a position corresponding to the notch area <NUM> of the display <NUM>. The second housing structure <NUM> may contain the second printed circuit board <NUM> disposed in a space formed through the second support member <NUM>. The first housing structure <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> may be integrated with each other. The second housing structure <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> may also be integrated with each other.

The first housing structure <NUM> may include a first rotation support surface <NUM>, and the second housing structure <NUM> may include a second rotation support surface <NUM> corresponding to the first rotation support surface <NUM>. The first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may include a curved surface corresponding to a curved surface included in the hinge cover <NUM>.

In the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a flat state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may cover the hinge cover <NUM> so as not to expose the hinge cover <NUM> through the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> or so as to minimally expose the hinge cover <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> is in a folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may rotate along the curved surfaces included in the hinge cover <NUM> to maximally expose the hinge cover <NUM> through the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> are views illustrating a folded state and a flat state of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein may include a folded state (<FIG>) and a flat state (<FIG>). The folded state (<FIG>) and the flat state (<FIG>) may be defined depending on whether the hinge cover <NUM> forms the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, whether a folding area (e.g., the folding area 131c of <FIG>) of a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display <NUM> of <FIG>) is bent, or the positional relationship between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the folded state (e.g., <FIG>) may include a state in which the hinge cover <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is exposed from between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In this case, the hinge cover <NUM> may form a portion of the exterior (e.g., the rear surface) of the electronic device <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flat state (<FIG>) may include a state in which the hinge cover <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is completely hidden by the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In this case, the hinge cover <NUM> may be received in the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> and may not form the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be rotated about the hinge cover <NUM> through a certain angle. The folding axis (the axis F) of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may extend parallel to the direction in which the hinge cover <NUM> extends. The folding axis (the axis F) may be formed by the above-described hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>). The folding axis (the axis F) may refer to a virtual axis about which the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> rotate. In the folded state, the folding axis (the axis F) may be formed between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. The folding axis (the axis F) may be formed in a position spaced apart from the hinge cover <NUM> at a certain interval d in the direction toward the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein may include one or more folding axes (the axis F). For example, the folding axes (the axis F) may include a first folding axis (an axis Fa) about which the first housing structure <NUM> rotates and a second folding axis (an axis Fb) about which the second housing structure <NUM> rotates. In this case, the first folding axis (the axis Fa) and the second folding axis (the axis Fb) may extend parallel to each other.

The first housing structure <NUM> may rotate about the first folding axis Fa along an arc-shaped path. The second housing structure <NUM> may rotate about the second folding axis Fb along an arc-shaped path. The first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may rotate in opposite directions.

The folding axis F disclosed herein may refer to a central axis about which the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> are folded or unfolded (a folded state or a flat state), and may not refer to a shaft (e.g., a pivot shaft) that enables physical driving. For example, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be rotated about the first folding axis Fa and the second folding axis Fb along the arc-shaped paths in the opposite directions, respectively. Accordingly, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be folded about the folding axis F.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> may include the first back cover <NUM> that forms the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> and the rear area <NUM> formed on the first back cover <NUM>. The first housing structure <NUM> may be connected to one side of the hinge cover <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F). The first housing structure <NUM> may rotate about the illustrated folding axis (the axis F) relative to the hinge cover <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing structure <NUM> may include the second back cover <NUM> that forms the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> and the rear display area <NUM> and/or a rear sensor area <NUM> that is formed on the second back cover <NUM>. The second housing structure <NUM> may be connected to an opposite side of the hinge cover <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (the axis F). The second housing structure <NUM> may rotate about the illustrated folding axis (the axis F) relative to the hinge cover <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge cover <NUM> may extend in the direction of the folding axis (the axis F). The hinge cover <NUM> may include a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of rotation of the first housing structure <NUM> or the second housing structure <NUM>.

<FIG> are sectional views illustrating a folded state and a flat state of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a folded state (<FIG>) and a flat state (<FIG>). The folded state (<FIG>) may include a state in which a folding area <NUM> of a flexible display <NUM> is formed to be a curved surface. The flat state (<FIG>) may include a state in which the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> is formed to be a flat surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may include a first area <NUM> formed to be a flat surface, a second area <NUM> formed to be a flat surface, and the folding area <NUM> that is able to be deformed into a flat surface or a curved surface.

The folded state of the electronic device <NUM> may include a state in which the folding area <NUM> forms a curved surface having a certain curvature. In this case, the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may be disposed such that the normal vectors thereof form a certain angle rather than <NUM> degrees.

The flat state of the electronic device <NUM> may include a state in which the folding area <NUM> forms substantially the same plane as the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>. For example, in the flat state, the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may face the same direction (e.g., the direction toward the front surface of the electronic device). In the flat state, the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may be disposed such that the normal vectors thereof form <NUM> degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may further include metal layers <NUM> and <NUM>. The metal layers <NUM> and <NUM> may support the rear surface of the flexible display <NUM> to allow the flexible display <NUM> to remain flat in the flat state. The metal layers <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first metal layer <NUM> that is attached to the rear surface of the first area <NUM> and that has a portion extending to the folding area <NUM> and the second metal layer <NUM> that is attached to the rear surface of the second area <NUM> and that has a portion extending to the folding area <NUM>. The first metal layer <NUM> and the second metal layer <NUM> may be detached from the rear surface of the folding area <NUM>. Accordingly, in the folded state, the first metal layer <NUM> and the second metal layer <NUM> may be formed to be flat surfaces that extend from the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> and face each other. The first metal layer <NUM> and the second metal layer <NUM> may extend in tangential directions of the folding area <NUM> in the folded state. At least a portion of the first metal layer <NUM> and at least a portion of the second metal layer <NUM> may be received in a third recess <NUM> formed on a hinge housing <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, in the folded state, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed such that at least a portion of the folding area <NUM> is received in the hinge housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the folding area <NUM> may overlap a protruding portion <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> when viewed in the direction of the folding axis F.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first housing <NUM> may include a first back cover <NUM> that forms the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> in the flat state (<FIG>). The first back cover <NUM> may be opposite to the first area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> in the flat state. A first recess <NUM> may be formed between the first back cover <NUM> and the first area <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing <NUM> may include the first recess <NUM> in which at least a portion of the hinge housing <NUM> is received. The first recess <NUM> may be formed in a shape that is open toward the hinge housing <NUM>. In this case, the first recess <NUM> may include a first rotation support surface <NUM> including a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of rotation of the first housing <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, a second housing <NUM> may include a second back cover <NUM> that forms the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> in the flat state (<FIG>). The second back cover <NUM> may be opposite to the second area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> in the flat state. A second recess <NUM> may be formed between the second back cover <NUM> and the second area <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing <NUM> may include the second recess <NUM> in which at least a portion of the hinge housing <NUM> is received. The second recess <NUM> may be formed in a shape that is open toward the hinge housing <NUM>. In this case, the second recess <NUM> may include a second rotation support surface <NUM> including a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of rotation of the second housing <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, in the flat state, a portion of the hinge housing <NUM> may be disposed in the first recess <NUM>, and the remaining portion of the hinge housing <NUM> may be disposed in the second recess <NUM>. Accordingly, the hinge housing <NUM> may not be exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. In the folded state, the hinge housing <NUM>, together with the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, may form a portion of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge housing <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> facing toward the rear surface of the flexible display <NUM> in the flat state, a second surface <NUM> that is opposite to the first surface <NUM> and that has at least a portion formed to be a curved surface, and an inner surface <NUM> that forms the third recess <NUM>. The third recess <NUM> in which a portion of the first metal layer <NUM> and a portion of the second metal layer <NUM> are received in the folded state may be formed on the first surface <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> facing the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> may be formed on the first surface <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. With respect to the flat state, the protruding portion <NUM> may protrude from the first surface <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> in the direction that the flexible display <NUM> faces (e.g., the direction toward the front surface). The protruding portion <NUM> may be formed to overlap at least a portion of the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> when viewed in the direction of the folding axis F. The protruding portion <NUM> may be formed to overlap the folding area <NUM>, a portion of the first area <NUM>, and a portion of the second area <NUM> in the flat state when viewed in the direction of the folding axis F.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the hinge housing <NUM> of the electronic device;.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge housing <NUM> is formed in a shape extending in a folding axis direction F. The hinge housing <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> extending from the second surface <NUM> and including the protruding portion <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM>, together with the inner surface <NUM>, forms an interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>.

A portion of a hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>) and/or a portion of a connecting member (e.g., the connecting member <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed in the interior space <NUM>.

The sidewall <NUM> includes a first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> and a second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> facing the first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM>. A portion of the flexible display <NUM> is disposed between the first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> and the second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM>. The folding area <NUM> is disposed between the first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> and the second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> may include a first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> that protrudes toward the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. The first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> may include a surface facing the folding axis direction F. The first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> may face a first edge <NUM>-<NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. The first edge <NUM>-<NUM> may include an edge extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis direction F among the edges of the flexible display <NUM>.

The second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> may include a second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> that protrudes toward the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. The second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> may include a surface facing the folding axis direction F. The second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> may face a second edge <NUM>-<NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. The second edge <NUM>-<NUM> may include an edge extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis direction F among the edges of the flexible display <NUM>. The second edge <NUM>-<NUM> may be opposite to the first edge <NUM>-<NUM> and may be parallel with the first edge <NUM>-<NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the protruding portion <NUM> may further include a cushioning member <NUM> formed toward the flexible display <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed between the edges <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> to prevent the flexible display <NUM> from directly colliding with the protruding portion <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cushioning member <NUM> may include a first cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> disposed between the first edge <NUM>-<NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> and the first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a second cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> disposed between the second edge <NUM>-<NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> and the second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM>. The first cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> and the second cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> may absorb part of shock applied to the flexible display <NUM>.

<FIG> are views illustrating the cushioning member and the protruding portion of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the cushioning member <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> extending from the first portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may include a bonding surface <NUM> attached to a bottom surface of a first recess <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> and an opposite surface <NUM> that is opposite to the bonding surface <NUM> and that faces toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The bonding surface <NUM> may include an adhesive member <NUM> on at least a partial area thereof. The bonding surface <NUM> may be attached to the bottom surface of the first recess <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> by the adhesive member <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may be received in a second recess <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may include a seating surface <NUM> that is seated on a bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the opposite surface <NUM> may include a first area <NUM>-<NUM> facing the folding axis direction F and a second area <NUM>-<NUM> that extends from the first area <NUM>-<NUM> and that is inclined with respect to folding axis directions F1 and F2. The first portion <NUM> may be formed such that the thickness of the portion where the first area <NUM>-<NUM> is formed is greater than the thickness of the portion where the second area <NUM>-<NUM> is formed. That is, the second area <NUM>-<NUM> may obliquely extend from the first area <NUM>-<NUM> to have a decreasing distance to the bonding surface <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge housing <NUM> may include the first recess <NUM> in which the first portion <NUM> is received and the second recess <NUM> in which the second portion <NUM> is received. The bonding surface <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> may be attached to the bottom surface of the first recess <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> may be formed in a shape that is open in the folding axis direction F2. For example, the second recess <NUM> may be formed in a shape that is open toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. This may correspond to the sliding direction and the compression direction of the cushioning member <NUM> as will be described below with reference to <FIG>. The seating surface <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> may be seated on the bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> may be formed in a lower position than the surrounding area. The bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> may be formed to be longer in a folding axis direction (e.g., the direction F2) than the seating surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> and sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> may be formed to have a width corresponding to the seating surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis directions F1 and F2). Accordingly, the cushioning member <NUM> may be constrained in the width direction by the sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> and may be movable in the folding axis directions F1 and F2 because the second recess <NUM> is open in the folding axis direction F2.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the flexible display and the hinge housing of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view of the folding axis F of the hinge housing illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the flexible display <NUM> and the hinge housing <NUM> in which at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM> is received. In this case, the portion of the flexible display <NUM> that is received in the hinge housing <NUM> may be an area (e.g., the folding area <NUM>), the shape of which is able to be deformed depending on a state of the electronic device <NUM>.

The hinge housing <NUM> may include the inner surface <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM> that form the interior space <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> may be formed to face the folding axis direction F2. The sidewall <NUM> may include the protruding portion <NUM> facing the flexible display <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may extend from the sidewall <NUM> in the direction that the flexible display <NUM> faces. The protruding portion <NUM> may include the first recess <NUM> formed on the surface facing toward the flexible display <NUM>. The first recess <NUM> may be formed on the surface of the protruding portion <NUM> and/or the sidewall <NUM> that faces toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The first recess <NUM> may be recessed in the folding axis direction F1. The hinge housing <NUM> may include the second recess <NUM> formed on a portion of the inner surface <NUM> adjacent to the sidewall <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> may be recessed in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis directions F1 and F2. Portions of the cushioning member <NUM> may be received in the first recess <NUM> and the second recess <NUM>.

The cushioning member <NUM> may include the first portion <NUM> coupled to the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> coupled to the inner surface <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. At least part of the first portion <NUM> may be received in the first recess <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may be received in the second recess <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>.

The first recess <NUM> may include a first inner wall <NUM> and a second inner wall <NUM> that face each other and a first bottom surface <NUM> to which the bonding surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> is bonded. At least part of the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed between the first inner wall <NUM> and the second inner wall <NUM>. The bonding surface <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be attached to the first bottom surface <NUM> of the first recess <NUM>. The bonding surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be bonded to the first bottom surface <NUM> by the adhesive member <NUM>. At least part of the second portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be seated on the second bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM>. At least part of the second portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be hidden by the flexible display <NUM> when the flexible display <NUM> is viewed from above. Whether the cushioning member <NUM> is accurately coupled with the hinge housing <NUM> may be determined through the seating position of the second portion <NUM>. For example, in the case where the second portion <NUM> protrudes outside the second bottom surface <NUM> (e.g., into the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>), it can be seen that the first portion <NUM> is not firmly coupled. Accordingly, a defect that is likely to occur in an assembly process of the cushioning member <NUM> may be prevented.

The term "gaps" used herein may refer to distances in the folding axis directions F1 and F2. The protruding portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> by at least a first gap d1. The cushioning member <NUM> may be spaced apart from the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> by at least a second gap d2.

The first gap d1 may be larger than the second gap d2. In other words, the cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed closer to the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> than the protruding portion <NUM>. In the case where external shock is applied to the electronic device <NUM>, the flexible display <NUM> may move in the folding axis direction F1 (e.g., the direction toward the protruding portion <NUM>), and the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> may collide with the opposite surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>.

When the flexible display <NUM> is viewed from above, the cushioning member <NUM> may further protrude toward the flexible display <NUM> beyond the protruding portion <NUM>. This structure may prevent the flexible display <NUM> from directly colliding with the protruding portion <NUM>, thereby protecting the folding area <NUM> vulnerable to shock.

A C-Cut structure may be formed on the surface of the protruding portion <NUM> that faces the folding area <NUM>. The first inner wall <NUM>, the second inner wall <NUM>, and the first bottom surface <NUM> of the first recess <NUM>, which have been described above, may form the C-Cut structure. The C-Cut structure may protect the cushioning member <NUM> and may reduce the area by which the cushioning member <NUM> is exposed on the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>.

The cushioning member <NUM> may include the opposite surface <NUM> that faces the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. The opposite surface <NUM> may include the first area <NUM>-<NUM> substantially facing the folding axis direction F2 and the second area <NUM>-<NUM> that extends from the first area <NUM>-<NUM> and that is inclined to be spaced farther away from the folding area <NUM>. At least a portion of the first inner wall <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> may have a slope corresponding to a virtual inclined surface extending from the second area <NUM>-<NUM>. In various embodiments, the angle θ of the second area <NUM>-<NUM> with respect to the folding axis direction F1 may range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The angle θ may preferably be about <NUM> degrees.

The cushioning member <NUM> may be partially exposed on the exterior of the electronic device <NUM> through the space between the flexible display <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM>. The slope structure and the C-Cut structure (e.g., the first recess <NUM>), which are illustrated, may reduce the area by which the cushioning member <NUM> is exposed on the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, thereby improving an aesthetic impression of the electronic device <NUM>.

The first area <NUM>-<NUM> of the opposite surface <NUM> may be spaced apart from the folding area <NUM> by the second gap d2, and the second area <NUM>-<NUM> of the opposite surface <NUM> may be spaced apart from the folding area <NUM> by a third gap d3 larger than the second gap d2. In this case, the protruding portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the folding area <NUM> by the first gap d1 larger than the second gap d2.

The smallest gap (e.g., the first gap d1) between the protruding portion <NUM> and the folding area <NUM> may be larger than the largest gap (e.g., the third gap d3) between the cushioning member <NUM> and the folding area <NUM>. In other words, the cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed closer to the folding area <NUM> than the protruding portion <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM>, when viewed in the folding axis directions F1 and F2, may be disposed closer to the folding area <NUM> than the protruding portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the cushioning member of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating the cushioning member and the flexible display of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating the cushioning member and the flexible display of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge housing <NUM> may include the outer surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> that form the exterior, the inner surface <NUM> that forms the interior space <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> formed in the folding axis direction F, and the cushioning member <NUM> coupled to the protruding portion <NUM>. The outer surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> may include the first surface <NUM> facing toward the flexible display <NUM> in a flat state and the second surface <NUM> that is opposite to the first surface <NUM> and that has at least a portion formed to be a curved surface. The cushioning member <NUM>, when viewed in the direction of the folding axis F, may be formed to at least partially overlap the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>.

At least part of the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be coupled to the protruding portion <NUM>, and at least part of the second portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be coupled to the inner surface <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may further protrude toward the folding area <NUM> beyond the opposite surface <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> is formed such that the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> faces a portion of the cushioning member <NUM> in a folded state. In the folded state, the periphery of the folding area <NUM> faces the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>. In the folded state, at least a portion of the first metal layer <NUM> and at least a portion of the second metal layer <NUM> may be received in the third recess <NUM> formed on the first surface <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The third recess <NUM> may be recessed toward the inner surface <NUM> from the first surface <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may be formed such that the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> faces a portion of the cushioning member <NUM> in a flat state. In the flat state, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed such that at least portions of the peripheries of the first area <NUM>, the second area <NUM>, the first metal layer <NUM>, and the second metal layer <NUM> face the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, when viewed in the folding axis direction F, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed such that the folding area <NUM> overlaps the cushioning member <NUM>. In the folded state, the folding area <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>. In the flat state, portions of the folding area <NUM>, the first area <NUM>, and the second area <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the first portion <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>.

The protruding portion <NUM> may be formed of a rigid metallic material. The cushioning member <NUM> may contain a shock-absorbing material capable of absorbing shock.

<FIG> are views illustrating the flexible display and the cushioning member in the case where the electronic device is dropped, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a drop impact applied to the flexible display of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed so as to be movable by a certain range in the folding axis direction F inside the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., inside the first housing <NUM> and inside the second housing <NUM>). This is intended to relieve shear stress that is likely to be generated between the rear surface of the flexible display <NUM> and the inside of the housing (e.g., the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> of <FIG>), and the flexible display <NUM> may be attached so as to be movable in a predetermined range inside the housing (e.g., the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> of <FIG>).

The center of gravity of the electronic device <NUM> including the flexible display <NUM> may be formed on an end portion of the hinge housing <NUM> in the folding axis direction F. Accordingly, in the case where the electronic device <NUM> drops in a folded state, a drop impact may be applied to the end portion (e.g., the protruding portion) of the hinge housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> coupled to the housings <NUM> and <NUM> so as to be movable may move toward the protruding portion <NUM> by inertia.

Referring to <FIG>, the cushioning member <NUM> may be formed to protrude toward the folding area <NUM> so as to prevent the folding area <NUM> from directly colliding with the protruding portion <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM> may absorb shock applied to the folding area <NUM>, thereby protecting the foldable display <NUM> from a drop impact.

The folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> may be more vulnerable to shock than other areas (e.g., the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>). The folding area <NUM> may be an area formed when a plurality of layers included in the flexible display <NUM> are bent in a folded state. Shear stress may be formed depending on the difference in radius of curvature between the plurality of layers included in the folding area <NUM>. For this reason, the folding area <NUM> may be more vulnerable to shock than other areas (e.g., the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>). Accordingly, the electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein may include the cushioning member <NUM> further protruding toward the folding area <NUM> and may prevent the folding area <NUM> from directly colliding with the protruding portion <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein may include the cushioning member <NUM> formed between the hinge housing <NUM> containing a metallic material and the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, shock applied to the folding area <NUM> may be weaker when the folding area <NUM> makes contact with the cushioning member <NUM> than when the folding area <NUM> makes contact with the protruding portion <NUM>. It can be understood that the cushioning member <NUM> absorbs part of the shock.

The shock-relieving structure including the cushioning member <NUM> disclosed herein is not necessarily limited to being applied to the foldable electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the shock-relieving structure may be applied to an electronic device including a rollable display containing a rolling area in at least a portion thereof or a foldable electronic device (e.g., an out-folding electronic device shown in <FIG>) that forms the exterior of the electronic device in a folded state. The shock-relieving structure disclosed herein may be applied to various electronic devices including a display, at least a portion of which is formed to be a curved surface.

<FIG> are views illustrating assembly of the cushioning member and the hinge housing of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the cushioning member <NUM> may be coupled to the protruding portion <NUM> such that the first portion <NUM> is received in the first recess <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> is received in the second recess <NUM>. The bonding surface <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> may be attached to the first bottom surface <NUM> of the first recess <NUM> by the adhesive member <NUM>. The seating surface <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> may be seated on the second bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM>. The seating surface <NUM> may be formed such that the length in the folding axis directions F1 and F2 corresponds to the length of the second bottom surface <NUM> in the folding axis directions F1 and F2. This may be used as an indicator for determining whether the cushioning member <NUM> is accurately coupled to the protruding portion <NUM> in an assembly process of the cushioning member <NUM>. For example, in the case where the seating surface <NUM> protrudes outside the second bottom surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> (e.g., in the direction toward the interior space <NUM>), it may be determined that the cushioning member <NUM> is not accurately coupled to the protruding portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cushioning member <NUM> may be slidably coupled to the protruding portion <NUM> such that the first portion <NUM> is inserted into the first recess <NUM> formed on the protruding portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> is inserted into the second recess <NUM>. The sliding direction of the cushioning member <NUM> may be the folding axis direction F1. Correspondingly, the second recess <NUM> may be open in the direction (e.g., F2) opposite to the sliding direction. An additional compression process may be performed on the cushioning member <NUM> to firmly couple the cushioning member <NUM> to the protruding portion <NUM>. At this time, the compression direction of the cushioning member <NUM> may be a direction (e.g., F1) parallel with the sliding direction.

<FIG> are views illustrating a cushioning member and a hinge housing of an electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device includes the hinge housing <NUM> and the cushioning member <NUM> coupled to the hinge housing <NUM>.

The hinge housing <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> formed at one end in a rotational axis direction (e.g., F1), an inner surface <NUM> that forms an interior space <NUM> together with the sidewall <NUM>, and one or more coupling protrusions <NUM> formed on the sidewall <NUM>.

The cushioning member <NUM> is coupled to the coupling protrusions <NUM>. The coupling protrusions <NUM> protrudes from the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> in the + z-axis direction. Each of the coupling protrusions <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM>-<NUM> extending in the + z-axis direction and a second portion <NUM>-<NUM> extending from the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the z-axis. For example, the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> may extend from the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> in a folding axis direction F1 or F2, or may extend from the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the x-axis direction as illustrated in the drawings.

The cushioning member <NUM> is coupled to the coupling protrusions <NUM> formed on the hinge housing <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM> may include an opposite surface <NUM> substantially facing toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. In the case where the cushioning member <NUM> is coupled to the hinge housing <NUM>, the opposite surface <NUM> may be a surface extending from the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM> may include a second recess <NUM> formed on the opposite surface <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> may be connected with a first recess <NUM> formed on the hinge housing <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be open in the direction toward the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>, and the first recess <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> may be open in the direction toward the cushioning member <NUM>. In the state in which the cushioning member <NUM> is coupled to the hinge housing <NUM>, the first recess <NUM> and the second recess <NUM> may be connected with each other in the open directions. The cushioning member <NUM> may contain a cushioning material capable of absorbing shock.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the hinge housing and the cushioning member of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line C-C' illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed such that the edge of the folding area <NUM> faces the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> and the opposite surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM>. The folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> may be spaced apart from the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> and the opposite surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> by certain gaps. For example, the folding area <NUM> may be spaced apart from the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> by a first gap d1, and the folding area <NUM> may be spaced apart from the opposite surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> by a second gap d2 smaller than the first gap d1.

The cushioning member <NUM> may further protrude in the direction (e.g., the direction F2) toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> beyond the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. Accordingly, in the case where the flexible display <NUM> is moved in the folding axis direction F1 by external shock, the edge of the folding area <NUM> may collide with the cushioning member <NUM>, and the shock applied to the flexible display <NUM> may be absorbed by the cushioning member <NUM>.

The first recess <NUM> formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> and the second recess <NUM> formed on the opposite surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be connected to form one recess.

The cushioning member <NUM> may include a support surface <NUM> facing the sidewall <NUM>. An opening <NUM> into which the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> is inserted may be formed on the support surface <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may be recessed from the support surface <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> in the + z-axis direction.

The opening <NUM> of the cushioning member <NUM> may be formed to be smaller than the coupling protrusion <NUM> such that the coupling protrusion <NUM> is press-fit into the opening <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the opening <NUM> may be smaller than the diameter of a portion (e.g., the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>) of the coupling protrusion <NUM>. For example, a second portion (e.g., the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>) of the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be press-fit into the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> are views illustrating shock-relieving structures of foldable electronic devices according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an out-folding type foldable electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating an in-folding type foldable electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view of a folding axis F of each of the foldable electronic devices illustrated in <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the out-folding type foldable electronic device <NUM> may include an electronic device in which the flexible display <NUM> forms the exterior of the foldable electronic device in a folded state.

The foldable electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a housing structure that includes a plate structure <NUM> on which the flexible display <NUM> is seated and a frame structure <NUM> that surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the flexible display <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> may surround the plate structure <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> may be integrated with each other, or may be assembled as separate members.

The plate structure <NUM> may be referred to as the support member assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The frame structure <NUM> may be referred to as the first side member <NUM> and the second side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The flexible display <NUM> may be attached to the plate structure <NUM> so as to be movable in a certain range. For example, the flexible display <NUM> may be attached to the plate structure <NUM> by a double-sided tape, but may be minutely moved in the certain range in the direction of the folding axis F.

The frame structure <NUM> may include a first frame structure <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of the first area <NUM>, a second frame structure <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of the second area <NUM>, and a third frame structure <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of the folding area <NUM>. The third frame structure <NUM> may include the protruding portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

The frame structure <NUM> may include a shock-relieving structure on at least a portion thereof. The shock-relieving structure may be formed in a position corresponding to the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. The shock-relieving structure may include a shock-absorbing member <NUM> (e.g., the cushioning member <NUM> of <FIG>) that protrudes toward the flexible display <NUM>. The shock-absorbing member <NUM> may be formed closer to the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> than other portions of the frame structure <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the third frame structure <NUM> may be spaced apart from the flexible display <NUM> by a first gap d1, and the shock-absorbing member <NUM> may be spaced apart from the flexible display <NUM> by a second gap d2. Accordingly, the folding area <NUM> relatively vulnerable to shock may be prevented from directly colliding with the frame structure <NUM> formed of a metallic material. In various embodiments, the shock-absorbing member <NUM> may be integrally formed with the frame structure <NUM>. For example, the shock-absorbing member <NUM> may include an injection-molded part on a portion of the frame structure <NUM> formed of a metallic material.

The shock-relieving structure disclosed herein may be applied to various electronic devices including the flexible display <NUM> that includes an area that is able to be deformed (into a flat surface or a curved surface) irrespective of the direction in which the flexible display <NUM> is folded (e.g., in-folding <NUM>, out-folding <NUM>, and double-folding (not illustrated)).

<FIG> is a view illustrating a hinge housing and a cushioning member of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the hinge housing <NUM> may include a sidewall <NUM> to which the cushioning member <NUM> is coupled, an inner surface <NUM> that forms an interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> together with the sidewall <NUM>, and an outer surface <NUM> that forms the exterior of the electronic device. At least a portion of the sidewall <NUM> may face folding axis directions F1 and F2. The cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed on the inside of the sidewall <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may be formed on the inside of the sidewall <NUM> to face toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. Unlike in the other embodiments described above, the hinge housing <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may omit a protruding structure (e.g., the protruding portion <NUM> of <FIG> or the coupling protrusion <NUM> of <FIG>) that is formed on the sidewall <NUM>.

The cushioning member <NUM> may further protrude toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> beyond the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>.

A portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may be received in a recess <NUM> formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>. The remaining portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may further protrude toward the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM> beyond a peripheral portion of the recess <NUM>. Accordingly, a flexible display (e.g., the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> of <FIG>) may be prevented from being damaged by directly colliding with the sidewall <NUM>.

In some embodiments (not illustrated), at least a portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may be located in the interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>, and the remaining portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may extend outside the interior space <NUM> (e.g., in the + z-axis direction).

According to embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a hinge housing <NUM> extending in a direction of a folding axis F, a first housing <NUM> connected to one side of the hinge housing <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis F to rotate about the folding axis F relative to the hinge housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM> connected to an opposite side of the hinge housing <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis F to rotate about the folding axis F relative to the hinge housing <NUM>, and a flexible display <NUM> including a folding area <NUM> at least partially disposed in the hinge housing <NUM> and formed to be a flat surface or a curved surface, a first area <NUM> extending from the folding area <NUM> in one direction perpendicular to the folding axis F, and a second area <NUM> extending from the folding area <NUM> in an opposite direction perpendicular to the folding axis F, and the hinge housing <NUM> may include protruding portions <NUM> formed on opposite end portions of the hinge housing in the direction of the folding axis F and adjacent to a periphery of the flexible display <NUM> and cushioning members <NUM> disposed between the protruding portions <NUM> and the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> and spaced apart from the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> by a certain gap.

Each of the protruding portions <NUM> may include a first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> located on one side with respect to the direction of the folding axis F and a second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> located on an opposite side with respect to the direction of the folding axis F, and each of the cushioning members <NUM> may include a first cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> formed between the first protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> and an edge of the folding area <NUM> and a second cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> formed between the second protruding portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the edge of the folding area <NUM>.

Each of the protruding portions <NUM> may be spaced apart from an edge of the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> by a first gap d1, and each of the cushioning members <NUM> may be spaced apart from the edge of the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> by a second gap d2 smaller than the first gap.

Each of the protruding portions <NUM> may include a first recess <NUM> formed on a surface facing an edge of the folding area <NUM>, and each of the cushioning members <NUM> may be at least partially received in the first recess <NUM>.

Each of the cushioning members <NUM> may be formed to overlap a portion of the folding area <NUM> when the flexible display <NUM> is viewed in the direction of the folding axis F.

Each of the cushioning members <NUM> may include a first portion facing an edge of the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> and a second portion extending from the first portion toward a space between the flexible display <NUM> and the hinge housing <NUM>.

The second portion may be formed to be at least partially hidden by the flexible display <NUM> when the hinge housing <NUM> is viewed from above.

The hinge housing <NUM> may include an inner surface <NUM> facing a rear surface of the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> extending from the inner surface <NUM> and including an area facing the direction of the folding axis F, each of the protruding portions <NUM> may protrude from the sidewall <NUM> toward a front surface of the flexible display <NUM>, and a portion of each of the cushioning members <NUM> may be coupled to the protruding portion <NUM>, and the remaining portion of the cushioning member extends to the inner surface.

The inner surface may include a second recess <NUM> in which at least a portion of the cushioning member <NUM> is received, and the second recess <NUM> may be open in the direction of the folding axis F.

Each of the cushioning members <NUM> may include a first portion including a bonding surface <NUM> attached to each of the protruding portions <NUM> and an opposite surface <NUM> opposite to the bonding surface <NUM> and facing the folding area <NUM> and a second portion including a seating surface <NUM> that is seated on an inner surface of the hinge housing <NUM>. The cushioning member <NUM> may be coupled with the hinge housing <NUM> such that the bonding surface <NUM> is attached to a first bottom surface of a first recess formed on the protruding portion <NUM> and the seating surface <NUM> is located on a second bottom surface <NUM> of a second recess <NUM> formed on the inner surface of the hinge housing <NUM>.

The opposite surface <NUM> may include a first area <NUM> facing the direction of the folding axis F and a second area <NUM> that extends from the first area <NUM> and that forms a certain angle with the folding axis F, and the second area <NUM> may include an inclined surface that is inclined to be spaced farther away from the folding area <NUM> with an increasing distance from the first area <NUM>.

The certain angle may range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

The first recess <NUM> may include the first bottom surface <NUM> facing toward an edge of the folding area <NUM>, a first sidewall <NUM> extending from the first bottom surface <NUM> and facing toward the inner surface of the hinge housing <NUM>, and a second sidewall <NUM> opposite to the first sidewall <NUM>, at least part of the first portion of the cushioning member <NUM> may be disposed between the first sidewall <NUM> and the second sidewall <NUM>, and the first sidewall <NUM> may be formed to form a virtual inclined surface extending from the inclined surface of the opposite surface <NUM>.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing structure including a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, and a hinge housing <NUM> disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, in which the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are configured to be folded toward each other about a folding axis F aligned with the hinge housing <NUM>, a flexible display <NUM> including a folding area <NUM> at least partially disposed in the hinge housing <NUM> and formed to be a flat surface or a curved surface, a first area <NUM> that extends from the folding area <NUM> and that is disposed in the first housing <NUM>, and a second area <NUM> that extends from the folding area <NUM> and that is disposed in the second housing <NUM>, and a shock-relieving structure that absorbs shock applied to the flexible display <NUM>. The hinge housing <NUM> may include a sidewall, at least a portion of which faces a direction of the folding axis F. The shock-relieving structure may include a shock-absorbing member <NUM> formed between the sidewall and a periphery of the flexible display <NUM>.

The hinge housing <NUM> may be formed such that the sidewall is spaced apart from the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> by a first gap and the cushioning member <NUM> is spaced apart from the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> by a second gap smaller than the first gap, and the cushioning member <NUM> may be at least partially located in an interior space <NUM> of the hinge housing <NUM>.

The sidewall <NUM> may include a first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> formed on one side with respect to the direction of the folding axis F and a second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> formed on an opposite side with respect to the direction of the folding axis F, the cushioning member <NUM> may include a first cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> formed between the first sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> and the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> and a second cushioning member <NUM>-<NUM> formed between the second sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> and the periphery of the flexible display <NUM>, and the folding area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed between the first cushioning member <NUM> and the second cushioning member <NUM>.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the disclosure may include a flexible display <NUM> including a first area <NUM> formed to be a flat surface, a second area <NUM> formed to be a flat surface, and a folding area <NUM> formed between the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> and formed to be a flat surface or a curved surface, a housing structure that surrounds a periphery of the flexible display <NUM> and that includes a frame structure <NUM> spaced apart from the periphery by a first gap, and a shock-relieving structure including a shock-absorbing member <NUM> formed between the frame structure <NUM> and the periphery of the flexible display <NUM> and spaced apart from the periphery by a second gap smaller than the first gap.

The frame structure <NUM> may include a first frame structure <NUM> that surrounds at least a portion of the first area <NUM>, a second frame structure <NUM> that surrounds at least a portion of the second area <NUM>, and a third frame structure <NUM> that surrounds at least a portion of the folding area <NUM>, and the shock-relieving structure may be formed in the third frame structure <NUM>.

The housing structure may further include a plate structure <NUM> on which the frame structure <NUM> is formed and on which a rear surface of the flexible display <NUM> is seated, the shock-relieving structure may include a first shock-relieving structure disposed adjacent to a first edge of the flexible display and a second shock-relieving structure disposed adjacent to a second edge of the flexible display that faces the first edge of the flexible display in a direction of a folding axis, a rear surface of the first area <NUM> and a rear surface of the second area <NUM> may be coupled to the plate structure <NUM> such that the flexible display <NUM> is movable relative to the plate structure <NUM> in a certain range in the direction of the folding axis F, and the certain range may be greater than or equal to the second gap.

The shock-relieving structure may be integrally formed with the frame structure <NUM>.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the gap between the flexible display and the housing structure may be reduced. Furthermore, foreign matter may be prevented from infiltrating into the housing structure through the gap.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible display may be prevented from directly colliding with the rigid housing structure. Accordingly, a risk of deviation in an assembly process of the flexible display may be reduced.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device). For example, a processor(e.g., the processor) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>);
a hinge structure (<NUM>) with which the first housing and the second housing are pivotably connected to be folded or unfolded relative to each other;
a flexible display (<NUM>) including:
a first area (<NUM>) disposed in the first housing,
a second area (<NUM>) disposed in the second housing, and
a folding area (<NUM>) between the first area and the second area and configured to be deformed depending on the first housing and the second housing being folded or unfolded;
a hinge housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) for the hinge structure and being disposed between the first housing and the second housing, the hinge housing having a first sidewall (<NUM>-<NUM>) and a second sidewall (<NUM>-<NUM>) at opposite ends in a length direction of the hinge housing, the hinge housing including a coupling protrusion (<NUM>) formed on each of the sidewalls, each coupling protrusion including a first portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) protruding from the respective sidewall in a first direction which is substantially parallel to that sidewall, and a second portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) protruding from the first portion in a respective second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and
a respective cushioning member (<NUM>) coupled to each of the coupling protrusions, wherein the flexible display is disposed such that a portion of each cushioning member faces a periphery of the corresponding folding area.