Patent Description:
The development of electronic devices has recently applied to various fields closely related to everyday lives. In particular, among the electronic devices, a portable device has become the most essential necessity of everyday lives.

Since the electronic devices are launched in various sizes according to functions thereof and users' preferences, an outer appearance of the electronic devices has also become important in addition to compact sizes and functions of the devices. Even if the electronic devices have almost the same functions as devices of other vendors, an electronic device having a superior function and an elegant design is more preferred by a user.

In particular, a wearable electronic device has a size limited to be attachable to a user's body, and is improved to effectively perform various functions within the limited size.

Here, reference is made to known prior-art publications <CIT> showing a connectable module used in a wearable electronic device. The connectable module includes a first elastic part disposed to exert a specific elastic force against a pressure applied in a side direction, a second elastic part disposed to exert a specific elastic force against a pressure applied in a vertical direction, and a main body connected to the first elastic part and the second elastic part.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a wearable electronic device exhibits the features specified in the appended independent claim <NUM>.

A wearable electronic device includes a housing (e.g., a main body) and at least one strap (e.g., a connecting portion, a fastening portion) joined to at least one region of the housing. According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic device may be configured, for example, in a wrist watch type, and may be attached to a user's wrist using at least one strap. According to an embodiment, the strap may comprise various materials and be configured in various manners. According to an embodiment, the strap may be configured such that a plurality of unit links are joined to each other in a movable manner. In this case, the strap may include a plurality of metallic or ceramic unit links. According to an embodiment, the strap may be formed in an integral band type. In this case, the strap may include at least one rubber or urethane band.

According to various other embodiments, the wearable electronic device may exhibit the features specified in the appended dependent claims. In a wearable electronic device, at least one portion of the main body may comprise a metal material to reinforce rigidity and to provide an elegant outer look. In addition, in the wearable electronic device, at least one region of a metallic housing may be used as an antenna radiator through feeding to cope with a slimness trend.

According to various embodiments, if the metallic housing used as the antenna radiator is coupled to the metallic strap, there may be a problem in that radiation efficiency of the antenna radiator rapidly deteriorates.

According to various embodiments, a wearable electronic device including a metal strap having an improved metal strap assembly structure may be provided.

According to various embodiments, a wearable electronic device including a metal strap capable of preventing and/or reducing deterioration in radiation efficiency of an antenna radiator due to the metal strap may be provided.

According to various embodiments, a wearable electronic device includes a metal housing configured to be used as an antenna radiator and electrically connected to a communication circuit, at least one metal strap coupled to at least one region of the metal housing, and a non-conductive member comprising a non-conductive material disposed between the metal strap and the metal housing. The non-conductive member may electrically disconnect and/or insulate the metal strap and the metal housing.

According to various embodiments, a wearable electronic device includes a metal housing configured to be used as an antenna radiator and electrically connected to a communication circuit, and may include at least one strap joining portion, at least one metal strap including a conductive coupling member configured to be joined to the strap joining portion, a non-conductive member comprising a non-conductive material disposed on a contact surface of the conductive coupling member which is in contact with the strap joining portion, a conductive protrusion disposed to be exposed to one portion of the non-conductive member and extending from the conductive coupling member, a port insulated from the metal housing and being exposed to a position of the metal housing corresponding to the conductive protrusion, and an electrical connecting member configured to electrically connect the port and a ground of a substrate disposed inside the metal housing. The metal strap may be electrically insulated from the metal housing by the non-conductive member, and may be grounded to the substrate through the conductive protrusion and the port.

The above and/or other aspects, features and attendant advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term "user" used in the present disclosure may refer to a person who uses the electronic device or a device which uses the electronic device (e.g., an Artificial Intelligence (Al) electronic device).

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an example wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> is a wearable electronic device which can be worn on a user's wrist. According to an example embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> and one pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., a connecting member, a fastening member, a chain member, etc.) placed respectively at both ends of the main body <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be worn on the user's wrist by winding the one pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> on the wrist in a state where the main body <NUM> is placed on the wrist. According to an embodiment of the invention, a buckle member (not shown) may be disposed to one strap <NUM> between the straps <NUM> and <NUM>, and a joining portion (not shown) may be formed on the other strap <NUM> to join the buckle member.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the main body <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the housing <NUM> may be formed of or comprise a metal material. According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body <NUM> may include a display <NUM> disposed above or through the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the display <NUM> may be utilized as a touch screen including a touch sensor. According to an embodiment of the invention, the display <NUM> may include a pressure sensor to sense pressure by which an exposure surface of the display is pressed. According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body <NUM> may include a ring-shaped member <NUM> disposed to encompass the display <NUM> in a rotatable manner. According to an embodiment of the invention, the ring-shaped member <NUM> may be installed to encompass at least one portion of the display <NUM> disposed to the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may also be disposed in a rotatable bezel manner if it is a wrist-wearable electronic device. According to an embodiment of the invention, the ring-shaped member <NUM> may rotate in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, or may be configured such that a rotation amount is limited to up to <NUM> degrees or may be configured to rotate limitlessly. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a rotation parameter (e.g., a rotation direction, a rotation speed, a rotation amount, etc.) of the ring-shaped member <NUM> and may perform a corresponding function based on the detected parameter.

According to various embodiments of the invention, at least one key button (not shown) may be disposed at a proper position of the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may have a battery (e.g., a charging battery, etc.) applied therein as a power supply means, and a coil member for wireless charging may be disposed to charge the battery. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one antenna device for communication. According to an embodiment of the invention, the antenna device may be disposed in such a manner that at least one conductive pattern (e.g., an antenna radiation pattern) is disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> in various manners. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented such that a specific portable charging cradle (e.g., a wired or wireless charging cradle) is selectively placed to charge the battery.

Although not shown, the housing <NUM> may include at least one sensor device disposed in at least one region. According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device may include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of a camera sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an infrared sensor, an HRM sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photo sensor, a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a temperature sensor, and an iris recognition sensor.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first strap <NUM> and the second strap <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed of or comprise a metal material. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first strap <NUM> may be fixed to a first strap joining portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the second strap <NUM> may be fixed to the second strap joining portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the first strap <NUM> may include a plurality of unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like which are joined to each other and are connected to each other in a rotatable manner to have a specific length that forms a length of the first strap <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like may be formed of or comprise a metal material, and may have the same length or different lengths. According to an embodiment of the invention, among the plurality of unit links, one unit link <NUM> disposed at one end may be referred to as the first coupling member <NUM> joined to the first strap joining portion. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first coupling member <NUM> may be joined to the first strap joining portion <NUM> of the housing by means of a hinge pin (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the invention, the second strap <NUM> may also have a plurality of links that form a length of the second strap similarly to the first strap <NUM>, and among the plurality of unit links, a unit link disposed at one end may be referred to as a second coupling member <NUM> to be joined to the second strap joining portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may be formed of or comprise a metal material for the purpose of reinforcing rigidity and improving a design of an outer look. In particular, the metallic housing <NUM> may be used as an antenna radiator by being electrically connected with a communication circuit disposed inside the housing in at least one region. According to an embodiment of the invention, the housing <NUM> may be electrically connected to the communication circuit in different feeding positions F1 and F2 so as to be used as multiple band antenna radiators which operate in different frequency bands.

According to various embodiments of the invention, when the housing <NUM> is used as the antenna radiator, the electronic device <NUM> may experience deterioration in a radiation characteristic due to the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> which are physically in contact with the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> may operate as undesired conductors of the metallic housing <NUM> used as the antenna radiator, and thus operate as a radiation-hindering factor of the antenna radiator by operating as an undesired factor by which, for example, a radiation direction of electric current is distorted or strength of electric current deteriorates. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may apply an insulation structure between the metallic housing <NUM> and the metallic straps <NUM> and <NUM> in an effort to reduce and/or eliminate deterioration of the radiation characteristic of the housing when it is used as an antenna.

Hereinafter, although any one strap joining structure is described between the one pair of strap joining structures, the other strap joining structure may also be configured in the same manner. In addition, it may also be applied to a strap joining structure in which, instead of one pair of straps, both end portions of one strap are respectively joined to the first and second joining portions of the housing.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example connection structure of a strap and a main body of a wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an example structure of a coupling member of a strap according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

An electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include another example of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> including a metal housing <NUM>, and a pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> disposed respectively to both opposite ends of the main body <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body <NUM> may include a display <NUM> and ring-shaped member <NUM> capable of performing functions similar to those described above. According to an embodiment of the invention, one strap <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> in such a manner that a first coupling member <NUM> disposed at an end portion thereof is joined to a first strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, and the other strap <NUM> may be coupled in such a manner that a second coupling member <NUM> disposed at an end portion thereof is joined to a second strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> may be used as an antenna radiator which operates in at least one frequency band in such a manner that at least one region of the metal housing <NUM> is electrically connected to a communication circuit.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the electronic device <NUM> is configured to avoid an electrical contact of the metallic housing <NUM> and the metallic first strap <NUM> by including a non-conductive member <NUM> comprising a non-conductive or electrically insulating material disposed between the first coupling member <NUM> disposed at an end portion of the first strap <NUM> and the first strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, a gap g1 with a specific interval is formed on a contact surface between the first strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> and the first coupling member <NUM> due to the non-conductive member <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of rubber, urethane, silicone, and synthetic resin (e.g., PC). According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed to at least one of a contact surface of the first coupling member <NUM> of the first strap <NUM> and a contact surface of the first strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed on the first strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> and/or the first coupling member <NUM> of the first strap <NUM> using at least one of an attaching process, a molding process, a double-injection process, and a coating process.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the second coupling member <NUM> of the second strap <NUM> may include a non-conductive member similarly to the first strap <NUM> and thus may be joined to the second strap joining member <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> such that an electric connection thereto is insulated.

Referring to <FIG>, the non-conductive member <NUM> is disposed on the coupling member <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling member <NUM> may include a body <NUM> including a hinge pin through-hole <NUM>, and the non-conductive member <NUM> disposed on at least one region in an outer surface of the body <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed to cover a contact surface on which the coupling member <NUM> is in contact with a strap joining portion (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG>) of a metal housing (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of rubber, urethane, silicone, and synthetic resin (e.g., PC). According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed to a contact surface in contact with the strap joining member (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG>) of the metal housing (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) in the outer surface of the body <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> using, for example, and without limitation, at least one of an attaching process, a molding process, a double-injection process, and a coating process.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example state where a strap is coupled to a main body according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view cut along the line A-A' of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

An electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include another example of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, for convenience of explanation, only a coupling member <NUM> disposed at an end portion of a strap is illustrated by excluding a plurality of unit links. It will be understood that a coupling member of another strap may be joined to strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing in a similar manner. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling member <NUM> is joined to a strap joining portion <NUM> of a metal housing <NUM> by means of a hinge pin <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the hinge pin <NUM> is disposed to penetrate the coupling member <NUM>, and may fix the coupling member <NUM> to the metal housing <NUM> in such a manner that both end portions are mounted to a pin joining hole <NUM> formed on an inner surface of the strap joining portion <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed on an outer surface of the coupling member <NUM> to have a specific area and a specific thickness. According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of rubber, urethane, silicone, and synthetic resin (e.g., PC). According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive member <NUM> may be disposed to have a specific thickness in at least one region of the outer surface of the coupling member <NUM> using, for example, and without limitation, at least one of an attaching process, a molding process, a double-injection process, and a coating process. According to an embodiment of the invention, the hinge pin <NUM> penetrates the coupling member <NUM>, and is disposed in such a manner that both ends thereof protrude to the outside through the non-conductive member <NUM> after it is fixed to the non-conductive member <NUM>. This is to prevent the metal housing <NUM> and the coupling member <NUM> from being electrically connected by means of the hinge pin <NUM> when the hinge pin <NUM> may also be formed of or comprise a metal material.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the hinge pin <NUM> is disposed to have a specific gap g2 in a penetration region of the coupling member <NUM>, and thus is not electrically connected to the hinge pin <NUM> in the penetration region of the coupling member <NUM>. Therefore, the hinge pin <NUM> may maintain a state of being electrically disconnected (e.g., insulated) due to the gap g2 formed between the coupling member <NUM> and the hinge pin <NUM> even if both ends are joined to the strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> after penetrating the coupling member <NUM> and the non-conductive member <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling member <NUM> may also provide an insulation structure by being penetrated to be in contact with the coupling member <NUM> after being formed such that another non-conductive member surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the hinge pin <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the hinge pin <NUM> may be formed of or comprise a non-conductive material. In this case, when the hinge pin <NUM> penetrates the coupling member, there is no need to form a separate gap in a corresponding region, and another non-conductive member disposed to the outer surface of the hinge pin <NUM> may be unnecessary.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating radiation efficiency of a wearable electronic device in which a metal housing is used as an antenna according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

The graph of <FIG> illustrates radiation efficiency of an antenna radiator based on whether a non-conductive member is applied in a structure of coupling with a strap when the metal housing is used as a radiator. It can be seen that radiation efficiency (-<NUM>. 9dB) of an antenna radiator to which a non-conductive member is applied in a low band is superior to radiation efficiency (-<NUM>. 5dB) of an antenna radiation to which the non-conductive member is not applied.

Although the non-conductive member may be disposed between the metal housing and the coupling member of the strap to induce the electrical disconnection as described above, when a thickness of the non-conductive member is increased, it may have an adverse effect on a slimness of the electronic device, and when the thickness is not sufficient, even if the coupling member and the metal housing are separated from each other, it may cause deterioration in radiation performance of the antenna radiation due to a coupling phenomenon. Accordingly, the following drawings illustrate and describe a structure in which the strap can be grounded to an inner substrate inside the metal housing while applying the non-conductive member.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example structure of a coupling member according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a coupling member <NUM> may include a body <NUM> including a hinge pin through-hole <NUM>, and a non-conductive member <NUM> disposed at a proper position of an outer surface of the body <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling member <NUM> may include a protrusion <NUM> formed of or comprising a metal material and protruding from at least one region of the non-conductive member <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion <NUM> may include a port inserting groove <NUM> formed substantially in a center thereof. According to an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the body <NUM>, and may be disposed to protrude to the outside in an extended manner from at least one region of the non-conductive member <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus the protrusion <NUM> may be prepared as a separate member and may be disposed to be fixed to the metallic body <NUM> by penetrating the non-conductive member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example structure of a main body of a wearable electronic device to which a coupling member of <FIG> and <FIG> is coupled according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a metal housing <NUM> may include a pair of strap joining portions <NUM> to which a coupling member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) is joined. According to an embodiment of the invention, the pair of strap joining portions <NUM> may be spaced apart by a specific interval, and a member accommodating space <NUM> may be provided up to a member contact surface <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> in a center to accommodate a coupling member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the invention, when the coupling member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) is joined, a protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> may be disposed to the member contact surface <NUM> at a position corresponding to a protrusion (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) of the coupling member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> on which the protrusion (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) can be mounted. According to an embodiment of the invention, when the protrusion (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) is mounted, a port <NUM> may be disposed in the recess <NUM> in a protrusion manner to be inserted to a port inserting groove (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>). According to an embodiment of the invention, the port <NUM> may be provided at one end of an electrical connecting member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) electrically connected to a substrate (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed inside the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> may be formed of or comprise a non-conductive material, and may be disposed to be exposed to the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> may be disposed using, for example, and without limitation, at least one of an insert-molding process, an insert-injection process, and a double-injection process, and may guide such that the protrusion (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) of the coupling member (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) is electrically connected only to the port <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example state of being coupled to a coupling member of <FIG> and <FIG> and a main body of <FIG> and <FIG> according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the metal housing <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM> in an inner space <NUM> thereof. According to an embodiment of the invention, the metal housing <NUM> may include an electrical coupling member <NUM> of which one end is electrically connected to a ground GND of the substrate <NUM> and the other end is extended to the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> to serve as the port <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electrical coupling member <NUM> may include a session cable having an enough length to be extended to up to the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> of a lateral surface in the substrate <NUM> disposed to the inner space <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electrical coupling member <NUM> may include a surface covering member <NUM> which insulates an outer circumferential surface of the electrical coupling member <NUM> through surface covering to prevent and/or reduce deterioration in radiation performance of an antenna radiator and deterioration in performance of an internal electronic component.

According to various embodiments of the invention, if the coupling member <NUM> is joined to the strap joining portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> may be coupled to be mounted on the recess <NUM> of the protrusion accommodating portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, at the same time, the port <NUM> which protrudes from the recess <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> may be physically in contact with and electrically in contact with the coupling member <NUM> by being inserted to the port inserting groove <NUM>. Accordingly, the coupling member <NUM> may be configured in such a manner that only the protrusion <NUM> is electrically connected to the port <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> without an electrical connection with the metal housing, and as a result, the metal strap connected to the coupling member <NUM> is grounded to an electronic device <NUM> so as not to have an effect on radiation performance of the antenna radiator.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the substrate <NUM> may be disposed inside the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the substrate <NUM> may include a communication circuit (not shown), and at least one region may be electrically connected to a corresponding region of the metal housing <NUM> used as the antenna radiator by performing an operation of placing the substrate <NUM> to the metal housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the substrate may include a ground region (not shown). According to an embodiment of the invention, one end of the electrical coupling member <NUM> may be electrically connected to the ground region of the substrate. According to an embodiment of the invention, the electrical coupling member <NUM> may, for example, and without limitation, be directly soldered to the ground region of the substrate <NUM> or may be fixed by means of a separate clipping member (e.g., a C-clip, etc.), a taping member (e.g., a conductive tape, etc.), or a conductive bonding member.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example structure of a metal housing of a wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view cut along the line B-B' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a metal housing <NUM> may include a main body portion <NUM> and a pair of strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> disposed to the main body portion <NUM> in opposite directions. According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body portion <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> may be used as an antenna radiator which is electrically connected to a communication circuit disposed inside thereof in at least one region and which operates in at least one frequency band. According to an embodiment of the invention, a coupling member connected to an end portion of the metal strap may be joined to the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the metal housing <NUM> may include non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> disposed between the main body portion <NUM> and the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> so that these elements are electrically disconnected (e.g., insulated) from each other. According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, a synthetic resin (e.g., PC) material. According to an embodiment of the invention, the non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed between the metallic main body portion <NUM> and strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> using, for example, and without limitation, at least one of an insert-molding process, an insert-injection process, and a double-injection process. According to an embodiment of the invention, in order to remove heterogeneity between the non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> and the metallic main body portion <NUM> and strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM>, a flattening operation may be performed after injection, and a coating film may be used to implement integrity. Therefore, even if a metal strap is joined to the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> by means of the non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> disposed between the main body portion <NUM> and the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, the main body portion <NUM> which operates as an antenna radiator by means of the non-conductive members <NUM> and <NUM> is not electrically connected to the metal strap, thereby preventing and/or reducing deterioration in radiation performance.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example state where a coupling member of a wearable electronic device is coupled to a main body according to various embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view cut along the line C-C' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a metal housing <NUM>, a pair of strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> disposed in opposite directions of the metal housing <NUM>, and a pair of metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> respectively coupled to the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the metal housing <NUM> may be used as an antenna radiator which is electrically connected in at least one region to a communication circuit disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> and which operates in at least one frequency band.

According to various embodiments of the invention, each of the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> may prevent an electrical connection between the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> and the metal housing <NUM> in such a manner that the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM> and disposed to the most end portion are replaced with a non-conductive member. Also, in order to remove heterogeneity between the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> formed of the non-conductive member and the metal housing <NUM> and the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM>, a coating film of a metal texture may be applied to the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the metal housing <NUM> which operates as an antenna radiator is not electrically connected to the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> even if the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> are joined to the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> by means of the non-conductive coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> disposed between the metal straps <NUM> and <NUM> and the strap joining portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, thereby preventing deterioration in radiation performance.

Claim 1:
A wearable electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a metal housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to be used as an antenna radiator and electrically connected to a communication circuit;
at least one metal strap (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to at least one region of the metal housing;
a non-conductive member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a non-conductive material disposed between the metal strap and the metal housing, wherein the non-conductive member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) electrically insulates the metal strap from the metal housing; the wearable electronic device being characterised in that it further comprises:
a metallic coupling member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to an end portion of the metal strap (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), joined to a strap joining portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the metal housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the metallic coupling member having the non-conductive member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a contact surface thereof; and
a hinge pin (<NUM>) disposed in the metallic coupling member wherein both ends of the hinge pin protrude from the metallic coupling member and penetrate the metallic coupling member and the non-conductive member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the metallic coupling member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is joined to the metal housing such that the protruding end portions of the hinge pin (<NUM>) are joined to the strap joining portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the metal housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).