Patent Description:
The use of portable electronic devices such as smart phones is increasing, and various functions are provided by an electronic device.

The electronic device is being developed into a type that is easy to carry and in which a display can be expanded in a sliding manner to provide a wider screen to a user.

For example, in a sliding type or rollable type electronic device, a portion of the flexible display may be slid into the housing or slid out of the housing. Examples of such conventional devices is disclosed in <CIT>.

An electronic device may arrange electronic components (e.g., a heat-generating component) such as an application processor (AP) and a communication processor (CP) on a printed circuit board and provide multimedia functions desired by a user.

Since various electronic components (e.g., APs, CPs, power amplifiers, and/or inductors) are integrated on a printed circuit board to provide various functions to users of the electronic device, a heat generation problem may occur.

If the electronic device does not diffuse and dissipate heat generated from various electronic components disposed on the printed circuit board to other areas or to the outside, the electronic components may not operate normally, and their life-time or service life may be shortened.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electronic device including a thermal diffusion member capable of diffusing and dissipating heat generated from an electronic component (e.g., AP) to the outside of the electronic device during a sliding-out operation of the electronic device that is a sliding type or a rollable type. In addition, various embodiments are possible.

Technical problems to be solved in the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical problems, and other technical problems not described above may be evidently understood from the following description by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a first housing including a first support member and a second support member; a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing; a sliding plate having a first end coupled to the first support member, and having a second end arranged to slide at least partially in the second housing; a printed circuit board which is arranged between the first support member and the second support member, and which has at least one heat-generating component mounted on one surface thereof; a sliding driving unit, which is arranged on an inner surface of the sliding plate, has a first end coupled to the first support member, and has a second end coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate; a thermal diffusion member having a first side surface coupled to the first support member, and having a second side surface coupled to at least a portion of the sliding driving unit; and a flexible display supported by the first support member and the sliding plate, wherein the thermal diffusion member can be formed to be unfolded according to a sliding-out operation of the sliding driving unit and diffuse heat generated from the at least one heat-generating component. Other various embodiments are possible.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may lower the surface temperature of the electronic device and improve the performance and lifespan of an electronic component by diffusing and dissipating the heat generated from a heat-generating component (e.g., an AP) to the outside of the electronic device during a sliding-out operation, using a thermal diffusion member provided to be foldable and unfoldable during a sliding in/out operation in conjunction with a sliding driving unit.

In addition to this, various effects identified directly or indirectly through this document may be provided.

Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which discloses various embodiments of the disclosure together with the accompanying drawings. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

For example, when the electronic device <NUM> may include the main processor <NUM> and the auxiliary processor <NUM>, the auxiliary processor <NUM> may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor <NUM>, or to be specific to a specified function.

The various data may include, For example, software (e.g., the program <NUM>) and input data or output data for a command related thererto.

The program <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and may include, For example, an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM>.

The input module <NUM> may include, For example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output module <NUM> may include, For example, a speaker or a receiver.

The display module <NUM> may include, For example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display module <NUM> may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the strength of force incurred by the touch.

According to an embodiment, the sensor module <NUM> may include, For example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

According to an embodiment, the interface <NUM> may include, For example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal <NUM> may include, For example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

According to an embodiment, the haptic module <NUM> may include, For example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

According to an embodiment, the power management module <NUM> may be implemented as at least part of, For example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may include, For example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected, For example, by the communication module <NUM> (e.g., the wireless communication module <NUM>) from the plurality of antennas.

According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a lateral) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI).

Each of the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device <NUM> may be executed at one or more of the external electronic device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, For example. The electronic device <NUM> may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) on the basis of <NUM> communication technology or loT-related technology.

The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance.

As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "<NUM>st" and "<NUM>nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., the first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to", "connected with", or "connected to" another element (e.g., the second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via the third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, For example, "logic", logic block", "part", or "circuitry".

Alternatively, or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating front and side views of an electronic device in a slide-in state and a slide-out state according to various embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a rear surface of an electronic device in a slide-in state and a slide-out state according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may include the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> (e.g., a base housing); a second housing <NUM> (e.g., a slide housing) movably coupled in a first direction (direction ①) designated from the first housing <NUM> (e.g., the x-axis direction) and in a designated reciprocating distance; and a flexible display <NUM> (e.g., an expandable display) disposed to be supported through at least a portion of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM>, in a slide-out state, may form at least partially the same plane as at least a portion of the first housing <NUM>; and, in a slide-in state, may include a sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>) that is at least partially accommodated in the inner space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the second housing <NUM>. The sliding plate <NUM> may include, for example, one of an articulated support plate, an articulated hinge module, and a bendable member or a bendable support member.

According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM>, in a slide-in state, may be disposed to be invisible from the outside by being supported by a sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>) and by being accommodated in the inner space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the second housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the flexible display <NUM>, in a slide-out state, may be disposed to be visible from the outside by being supported by a sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>) that forms at least partially the same plane as the first housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a front surface 200a (e.g., a first surface), a rear surface 200b (e.g., a second surface) facing the opposite direction from the front surface 200a, and a side surface (not shown) surrounding the space between the front surface 200a and the rear surface 200b. The first housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may include a first lateral member <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may include a second lateral member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first lateral member <NUM> may include a first side surface <NUM> having a first length along a first direction (e.g., the x-axis direction); a second side surface <NUM> along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side surface <NUM> and extending to have a second length longer than the first length; and a third side surface <NUM> extending substantially parallel to the first side surface <NUM> from the second side surface <NUM> and having a first length. The first lateral member <NUM> may be at least partially formed of a conductive material (e.g., metal). At least a portion of the first lateral member <NUM> may include a first support member <NUM> extending to at least a portion of the inner space (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the first housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the second lateral member <NUM> may include a fourth side surface <NUM> that at least partially corresponds to the first side surface <NUM> and that has a third length; a fifth side surface <NUM> that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the second side surface from the fourth side surface <NUM> and that has a fourth length longer than the third length; and a sixth side surface <NUM> that extends from the fifth side surface <NUM> to correspond to the third side surface <NUM> and that has the third length. The second lateral member <NUM> may be at least partially formed of a conductive material (e.g., metal). At least a portion of the second lateral member <NUM> may include a second support member <NUM> extending to at least a portion of the inner space of the second housing <NUM> (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the first side surface <NUM> and the fourth side surface <NUM> and the third side surface <NUM> and the sixth side surface <NUM> may be slidably coupled to each other. In the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state, at least a portion of the first side surface <NUM> may overlap with at least a portion of the fourth side surface <NUM> so that the remaining portion of the first side surface <NUM> can be visible from the outside. In the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state, at least a portion of the third side surface <NUM> may overlap with at least a portion of the sixth side surface <NUM> so that the remaining portion of the third side surface <NUM> can be visible from the outside.

According to an embodiment, in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state, at least a portion of the first support member <NUM> of the first lateral member <NUM> is attached to the second support member <NUM> of the second lateral member <NUM>, and the remaining portion of the first support member <NUM> may be visible from the outside. The first support member <NUM> may include a non-overlapping portion 212a that does not overlap with the second support member <NUM> and an overlapping portion 212b that overlaps with the second support member <NUM> in the slide-in state. In some embodiments, non-overlapping portion 212a and overlapping portion 212b may be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the non-overlapping portion 212a and the overlapping portion 212b may be provided separately and structurally combined.

According to various embodiments, the first housing <NUM> may include a first subspace A corresponding to the non-overlapping portion 212a and a second subspace B corresponding to the overlapping portion 212b in the first space (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>). The first subspace A and the second subspace B may be arranged in such a manner that they are connected to each other or separated from each other. The first subspace A may be formed to have a larger space volume than the second subspace B.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of electronic components (e.g., a camera module <NUM>. a sensor module <NUM>, a flash <NUM>, a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>), or a battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>)) disposed in a first space A (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the first housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first subspace A, for example, may be used as an area disposing electronic components (e.g., the camera module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, or the flash <NUM>) that require a relatively large mounting space (or require a relatively large mounting thickness) or must operate by avoiding an overlapping structure. The second subspace B, for example, may be used as an area disposing electronic components (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG> or the battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>)) that require a relatively small mounting space (or require a relatively small mounting thickness) or can operate regardless of an overlapping structure.

According to various embodiments, the areas of the front surface 200a and the rear surface 200b of the electronic device <NUM> may vary depending on the slide-in and slide-out states. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM>, in the rear surface 200b, may include a first rear surface cover (e.g., the first rear surface cover <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on at least a portion of the first housing <NUM> and a second rear surface cover 200b (e.g., the second rear cover <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on at least a portion of the housing <NUM>. The first rear surface cover <NUM> and/or the second rear surface cover <NUM> may be integrally formed with each of the lateral members <NUM> and <NUM>. The first rear surface cover <NUM> and/or the second rear surface cover <NUM> may be separately disposed on the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first rear surface cover <NUM> and/or the second rear surface cover <NUM> may be formed of polymer, coated or tinted glass, ceramic, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the first rear surface cover <NUM> and/or the second rear surface cover <NUM> may extend to at least a portion of each of the lateral members <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first support member <NUM> may be replaced with the first rear surface cover <NUM>, and at least a portion of the second support member <NUM> may be replaced with the second rear surface cover <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a flexible display <NUM> disposed to be supported by at least a portion of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> may include a first portion 230a (e.g., a flat portion) visible from the outside both in the slide-in state and the slide-out state, and a second portion 230b (e.g., a bendable portion) extending from the first portion 230a and slid into the inner space (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the second housing <NUM> to be invisible from the outside in the slide-in state. The first part 230a may be disposed to be supported by the first housing <NUM>, and the second portion 230b may be disposed to receive support from at least a portion of a sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed so that it can extend from the first potion 230a while being supported by the sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>), form substantially the same plane as the first portion 230a, and be visible from the outside in a state that the second housing <NUM> slides out along the designated first direction (direction ①) (e.g., the x-axis direction). The second portion 230b of the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed so that it can be slid into the inner space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the second housing <NUM> and can be invisible from the outside in a state that the second housing <NUM> is slid in along the designated second direction (e.g., the direction opposite to the direction ①). In the electronic device <NUM>, the display area of the flexible display <NUM> may vary as the second housing <NUM> moves in a sliding manner along a designated direction from the first housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are operated in a sliding manner so that their overall width can vary relative to the width of each. The electronic device <NUM> may be configured to have a first width W1 from the second side surface <NUM> to the fifth side surface <NUM> in the slide-in state. In the slide-out state, the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to have a third width W3 greater than the first width W1 by a portion of the sliding plate (e.g., the sliding plate <NUM> of <FIG>), slid into the inner space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>), being moved to have an additional second width W2. For example, the flexible display <NUM> may have a display area substantially equal to the first width W1 in a slide-in state and may have an expanded display area substantially equal to a third width W3 in a slide-out state.

According to various embodiments, the slide-out operation of the electronic device <NUM> may be performed through manipulation by a user. For example, the second housing <NUM> may be slid out in a designated first direction (e.g., direction ①) by manipulating a locker <NUM> exposed through the rear surface 200b of the electronic device. In this case, the locker <NUM> disposed in the first housing <NUM> may interrupt the second housing <NUM> to keep the second housing <NUM>, which is pressed in the slide-out direction (e.g., the direction ①) through the sliding driving unit (e.g., the sliding driving unit <NUM> of <FIG> or the sliding driving unit <NUM> of <FIG>) to be described later, to be in a slide-in state. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may be driven in a slide-out state through manipulation by a user, the user pressing the outer surface of the flexible display <NUM> in a designated first direction (direction ①) in the slide-in state. In some embodiments, the second housing <NUM> may be automatically operated through a driving mechanism (e.g., a driving motor, a deceleration module, and/or a gear assembly) disposed in an inner space (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the first housing <NUM> and in an inner space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the second housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the second housing <NUM> through a driving mechanism in the case that it detects an event for driving the slide-in state and/or the slide-out state of the electronic device <NUM> through a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>). The processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> may control the flexible display to display objects in various ways and execute an application program in response to the changed display area of the flexible display <NUM> in accordance with a slide-in state, a slide-out state, or an intermediate state (e.g., including free stop state).

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of an input module <NUM> (e.g., the input module <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in a first space A (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the first housing <NUM>, sound output modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the audio output module <NUM> of <FIG>), sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>), camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the camera module <NUM> of <FIG>), a connector port <NUM>, a key input device (not shown), or an indicator (not shown). The electronic device <NUM> may be configured so that at least one of the above-described components can be omitted or other components can be included additionally.

According to various embodiments, the input module <NUM> (e.g., the input module <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a microphone. The input module <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones disposed to detect the direction of sound. The sound output modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sound output module <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a speaker. The sound output modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM> for a call and an external speaker <NUM>. The external speaker <NUM> may face the outside through the first speaker hole 207a disposed in the first housing <NUM> in the case that electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-out state. The external speaker <NUM> may face the outside through the first speaker hole 207a and the second speaker hole 207b formed in the second housing <NUM> corresponding to the first speaker hole 207a in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state.

According to various embodiments, the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>) may generate electrical signals and data values corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device <NUM> or an external environmental state. The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include, for example, the first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor or an illuminance sensor) disposed on the front surface 200a of the electronic device <NUM> and/or the second sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a heart rate monitoring (HRM sensor) disposed on the rear surface 200b of the electronic device <NUM>. The first sensor module <NUM> may be disposed below the flexible display <NUM> on the front surface 200a of the electronic device <NUM>. The first sensor module <NUM> and/or the second sensor module <NUM> may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a time of flight (TOF) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor.

According to various embodiments, the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first camera module <NUM> disposed on the front side 200a of the electronic device <NUM> and a second camera module <NUM> disposed on the rear side 200b of the electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a flash <NUM> positioned near the second camera module <NUM>. The camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or a plurality of lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The first camera module <NUM> may be disposed under the flexible display <NUM> and may be configured to photograph a subject through a part of an active area of the flexible display <NUM>. Flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp.

According to various embodiments, the first camera module <NUM> among the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> and part of the sensor module <NUM> among the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed to detect the external environment through the flexible display <NUM>. For example, the first camera module <NUM> or part of the sensor modules <NUM> may face the external environment through an opening or a transmission area punched in the flexible display <NUM> in the internal space of the electronic device <NUM>. An area facing the first camera module <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> may be formed as a transmission area having a designated transmittance as a part of an area displaying content.

According to various embodiments, the connector port <NUM> may face the outside through the connector port hole 208a formed in the first housing <NUM> in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-out status. The connector port <NUM> may be covered not to be visible through the second housing <NUM> from the outside in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in status. The connector port <NUM> may face the outside through another connector port hole formed in the second housing <NUM> to correspond to the connector port hole 208a even in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state. The sound output module <NUM> may include a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) operating while excluding a separate speaker hole.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of the C-C' line of the electronic device disclosed in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a first housing <NUM> having a first space <NUM>; a second housing <NUM> having a second space <NUM>; a sliding plate <NUM> connected to the first housing <NUM> and at least partially accommodated in the second space <NUM> in a slide-in state; a flexible display <NUM> disposed to be supported by at least a portion of the sliding plate <NUM> and at least a portion of the first housing <NUM>; and a sliding driving unit <NUM> (e.g., the sliding driving unit <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in the first housing <NUM> and pressing the second housing <NUM> in the slide-out direction (e.g., direction ①).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components may be disposed in the first space <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The first space <NUM> may include a first subspace A having a first space volume and a second subspace B connected to the first subspace A and having a second space volume smaller than the first space volume. The second subspace B may include a space corresponding to an area where a part of the first housing <NUM> overlaps with a part of the second housing <NUM> in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is in a slide-in state.

According to various embodiments, first electronic components, among a plurality of electronic components, that require a relatively large mounting space, a relatively large mounting thickness of the electronic device <NUM>, or are being operated to avoid an overlapping structure of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, may be disposed in the first subspace A. For example, the first electronic components may include a camera module <NUM>, a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>), or a flash (e.g., the flash <NUM> of <FIG>). In this case, at least a portion of the first electronic components may be disposed to face the external environment through the first support member <NUM> and/or the first rear cover <NUM>. Second electronic components, among a plurality of electronic components, that require a relatively small mounting space, a relatively small mounting thickness of the electronic device <NUM>, or are being operated irrespective of the overlapping structure of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, may be disposed in the second subspace B. For example, the second electronic components may include a printed circuit board <NUM> or a battery <NUM>. In some embodiments, a portion of the plurality of electronic components (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> or the FPCB), in the case that the first subspace A and the second subspace B are connected, may be disposed in the first subspace A and the second subspace B together.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an electronic device including a thermal diffusion member according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may include the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

In the description of <FIG>, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configuration as the embodiments disclosed in the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> described above, and redundant descriptions of functions may be omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a flexible display <NUM>, a sliding plate <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a heat-generating component <NUM>, a sliding driving unit <NUM>, and a thermal diffusion member <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wireless power receiving circuit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first housing <NUM> includes a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a first bracket) and a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a second bracket). The first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> may be coupled to each other. A first space (e.g., the first space <NUM> of <FIG>) may be included between the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> may support at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> may contribute to durability or rigidity of the electronic device <NUM> as a frame structure capable of withstanding a load. The first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> may include a non-metal material (e.g., a polymer) and/or a metal material.

According to various embodiments, the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> may include a first side surface <NUM> covering one side surface (e.g., -y axis direction) and a second side surface <NUM> covering the other side surface in the opposition direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) to the first side surface <NUM>. The first side surface <NUM> and the second side surface <NUM> may be at least partially made of a conductive material (e.g., metal). The first side surface <NUM> and/or the second side surface <NUM> may operate as an antenna by being electrically connected to the wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., the wireless communication module <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, a sliding structure (not shown) for sliding of the sliding plate <NUM> may be provided in the inside of the first side surface <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> and the second side surface <NUM> opposite to the first side surface <NUM>. For example, the sliding structure may include a guide rail and a slide or roller that is guided and moved by the guide rail. The sliding structure may be seated on the first guide slit <NUM> and the second guide slit <NUM> formed on one side surface and the other side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>, and it may be slid in a first direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) and a second direction (e.g., the -x-axis direction). The first guide slit <NUM> and the second guide slit <NUM> may include grooves or recesses corresponding to the moving path of the sliding structure. In another embodiment, the sliding structure may be provided inside one side surface and the other side surface of the second housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, a rear surface cover <NUM> (e.g., the first rear surface cover <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed in one side (e.g., the y-axis direction) of the second support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The rear surface cover <NUM> may form at least a part of the rear surface 200b (e.g., the rear surface 200b of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. The rear surface cover <NUM> may be substantially opaque. For example, the rear surface cover <NUM> may be formed of coated or tinted glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the foregoing.

According to an embodiment, the second housing <NUM> is slidably coupled to the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may include a second space (e.g., the second space <NUM> of <FIG>). The second housing <NUM> may accommodate the sliding plate <NUM> and the sliding driving unit <NUM> in the second space <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> is supported by at least a portion of the first support member <NUM> and the sliding plate <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The display area of the flexible display <NUM> may vary in accordance with the sliding motion of the sliding plate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the flexible display <NUM> may be defined as a slide-out display or an expandable display. The flexible display <NUM> may include a flexible substrate (e.g., a plastic substrate) formed of a polymer material including polyimide (PI) or polyester (PE). The flexible display <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> and the sliding plate <NUM> using an adhesive member.

According to an embodiment, the sliding plate <NUM> may be slidably disposed at least partially in the second space <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>. A first end (e.g., one end) of the sliding plate <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and a second end (e.g., the other end) of the sliding plate <NUM> is disposed to slide at least partially in the second space <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the sliding plate <NUM> supports the flexible display <NUM> together with the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the sliding plate <NUM> is at least partially accommodated in the second space <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> in a slide-in state. The sliding plate <NUM> may be at least partially slid out of the second space <NUM> to form substantially the same plane as the first housing <NUM> in a slide-out state. The sliding plate <NUM> may include, for example, one of an articulated support plate, an articulated hinge module, and a bendable member or a bendable support member.

According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> is disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> may include a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>), a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>), and/or an interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, the processor may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, and a sensor hub processor. The memory may include, for example, volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may, for example, electrically or physically connect the electronic device <NUM> to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> or the server <NUM> of <FIG>), and it may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include various elements disposed on or electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM> disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell as a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one heat-generating component <NUM> is disposed on one side (e.g., the -y-axis direction) of the printed circuit board <NUM>. At least one heat-generating component <NUM> may include, for example, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), a power amplifier, and/or an inductor.

According to an embodiment, the wireless power receiving circuit <NUM> may be disposed on one surface (e.g., the y-axis direction) of the second support member <NUM>. The wireless power receiving circuit <NUM> may be disposed between the second support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. The wireless power receiving circuit <NUM> may wirelessly receive power necessary for charging the electronic device <NUM> and supply the received power to the battery <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, an antenna (not shown) may be disposed between the second support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. For example, the antenna may include a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna may perform short-range communication with an external electronic device or wirelessly transmit/receive power required for charging.

According to an embodiment, the sliding driving unit <NUM> (e.g., a support roller) is disposed from the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> toward the second space <NUM>. The sliding driving unit <NUM> is disposed on an inner surface (e.g., the y-axis direction) of the sliding plate <NUM>. A first end (e.g., one end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and a second end (e.g., the other end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> is coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>. The sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a folding or unfolding operation so that the sliding plate <NUM> can slide. The sliding driving unit <NUM> may support at least a portion of the sliding plate <NUM>. At least one sliding driving unit <NUM> may be provided.

According to an embodiment, a first side surface (e.g., the first side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and a second side surface (e.g., the second side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) of the thermal diffusion member is coupled to at least a portion of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> is folded or unfolded in conjunction with the sliding driving unit <NUM>. In the case that the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> diffuses and dissipates the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by being unfolded accordingly. In the case that the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-in operation, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is folded accordingly. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include a graphite sheet. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include a copper (CU) sheet or an aluminum (AL) sheet.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views each illustrating respective portions of an electronic device including a sliding driving unit and a thermal diffusion member according to various embodiments.

In the description of <FIG> and <FIG>, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configuration as the embodiments disclosed in the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> described above, and redundant descriptions of the functions may be omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a sliding driving unit <NUM> and a thermal diffusion member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a first end (e.g., one end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>, and a second end (e.g., the other end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> is coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the sliding driving unit <NUM> may include a shaft <NUM>, a first link <NUM>, a second link <NUM>, a first joint <NUM>, and a second joint <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the shaft <NUM> may rotatably couple the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. A first end of the first link <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> using a first joint <NUM>. A second end of the first link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A first end of the second link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A second end of the second link <NUM> may be coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM> using a second joint <NUM>. The lengths of the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> may be substantially the same. In other embodiments, the lengths of the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> may be different. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> is folded or unfolded in conjunction with the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> may include at least one of gold, silver, or copper plating and may be configured to increase thermal conductivity.

According to various embodiments, the sliding driving unit <NUM> may be unfolded in the first direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> perform a sliding-out operation with respect to the shaft <NUM>. In this case, the sliding plate <NUM> may be slid-out in a first direction (e.g., the x-axis direction).

According to various embodiments, the sliding driving unit <NUM> may be folded in the second direction (e.g., -x axis direction) as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> perform a sliding-in operation with respect to the shaft <NUM>. In this case, the sliding plate <NUM> may be slid-in in a second direction (e.g., the -x-axis direction).

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have a first side surface <NUM> coupled to the first support member <NUM> and a second side surface <NUM> coupled to the first link <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be configured so that a first end <NUM> can be fixedly coupled to the first joint <NUM> and a second end <NUM> can perform a folding or unfolding operation. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have a fan shape in which the first end <NUM> is gathered and the second end <NUM> is spread out. For example, the second end <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have a zigzag shape. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include a foldable graphite sheet.

According to various embodiments, as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> perform a sliding-out operation, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be unfolded in the first direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be folded in a second direction (e.g., the -z-axis direction) as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> perform a sliding-in operation.

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the heat-generating component <NUM> mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> is unfolded as the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation, and it may diffuse and/or dissipate heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> formed by removing a portion of the first end <NUM>. Since the first end of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) of the opening <NUM> is not coupled to the first joint <NUM>, rotation of the first link <NUM> may be smoothly performed.

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include an extension or expansion part <NUM>. The expansion part <NUM> may be a part extending integrally with the thermal diffusion member <NUM> disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM>. The extension part <NUM> may cover at least a portion of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The expansion part <NUM> may cover the heat-generating component <NUM>. The heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> may be diffused and/or dissipated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> through the expansion part <NUM> and the thermal diffusion member <NUM> as the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

With reference to <FIG>, the second end <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have a zigzag shape. For example, the second end <NUM> may include at least one first folding part <NUM> at an upper part and at least one second folding part <NUM> at a lower part. Ends of the first folding unit <NUM> and the second folding unit <NUM> may have a curved shape. The ends of the first folding unit <NUM> and the second folding unit <NUM> may have a triangular shape with angles.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a temperature change of a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the heat-generating component <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have a first side surface <NUM> coupled to the support member <NUM> and a second side surface <NUM> coupled to the first link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be unfolded from the first side surface <NUM> to the second side surface <NUM> as the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation, and it may diffuse and dissipate the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, since the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> is directly transferred to the first side surface <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM>, it may be confirmed that the temperature is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>. Since the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> is gradually diffused and dissipated to the second side surface <NUM> disposed at the distal point extending from the first side surface <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM>, it may be confirmed that the temperature is reduced to about <NUM>~<NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating configurations of a sliding driving unit and a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

With reference to <FIG>, a thermal diffusion member <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be coupled to a sliding driving unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be coupled between the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. Additionally, another thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be coupled between the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. Additionally, another thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be coupled between the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> and one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, in the case that the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM>, between the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>, and/or between the second link <NUM> and one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>, the contact area with air may be increased. In this case, if the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation, heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> may be more quickly diffused and/or dissipated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

In the description of <FIG>, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configuration as the embodiments disclosed in the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> described above, and redundant descriptions of the functions may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the sliding driving unit <NUM> may include a shaft <NUM>, a first link <NUM>, a second link <NUM>, a first joint <NUM>, and a second joint <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may rotatably couple the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. A first end of the first link <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> using a first joint <NUM>. A second end of the first link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A first end of the second link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A second end of the second link <NUM> may be coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM> using a second joint <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> is folded or unfolded in conjunction with the sliding driving unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include at least one thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include a first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, a second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, a third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, a fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and/or a fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity.

According to various embodiments, in the thermal diffusion member <NUM>, the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be coupled to the first link <NUM>. The first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> to the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be configured so that one end can be fixedly coupled to the first joint <NUM> and the other end can perform a folding or unfolding operation. For example, the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be coupled at a distance of, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM> to facilitate each end to move without overlapping.

According to various embodiments, as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> perform a sliding-out operation, a second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, a third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and a fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be unfolded in a first direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). For example, as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> perform a sliding-out operation, the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be unfolded in a fan shape so that the contact area with air of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> can increase. For example, each of the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be unfolded at substantially equal intervals. In another embodiment, each of the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> may be unfolded at different intervals.

According to various embodiments, as the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM> perform a sliding-in operation, the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be folded in a second direction (e.g., the -z-axis direction).

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the heat-generating component <NUM> mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> is unfolded as the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation, and it diffuses and/or dissipates heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating temperature changes in accordance with the number of thermal diffusion members of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the thermal diffusion member <NUM> (e.g., the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>) is not disposed between the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the first link <NUM>, it may be confirmed that the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is disposed on the first support member <NUM>, it may be confirmed that the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM>, and the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM> is disposed at a designated distance from the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, it may be confirmed that the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM>, and the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM> and the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM> are each disposed at a predetermined interval, it may be confirmed that the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM>, and the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fourth thermal diffusion plates <NUM> are each disposed at a predetermined interval, the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) is measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the case that the first thermal diffusion plate <NUM> of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is coupled to the first support member <NUM>, and the second thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the third thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, the fourth thermal diffusion plate <NUM>, and the fifth thermal diffusion plate <NUM> are each disposed at a predetermined interval, the temperature of the first support member <NUM> (or the internal temperature of the electronic device <NUM>) may be measured at about <NUM>~<NUM>.

According to various embodiments, as the number of thermal diffusion plates constituting the thermal diffusion member <NUM> increases, heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> may be more rapidly diffused and/or dissipated.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating various embodiments of a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments not covered by the claimed invention. <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of the electronic device disclosed in <FIG> along line d-d'.

With reference to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a sliding driving unit <NUM> and a thermal diffusion member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a first end (e.g., one end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>, and a second end (e.g., the other end) of the sliding driving unit <NUM> may be coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the sliding driving unit <NUM> may include a shaft <NUM>, a first link <NUM>, a second link <NUM>, a first joint <NUM>, and a second joint <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may rotatably couple the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. A first end of the first link <NUM> may be coupled to the first support member <NUM> using a first joint <NUM>. A second end of the first link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A first end of the second link <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the shaft <NUM>. A second end of the second link <NUM> may be coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM> using a second joint <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be folded or unfolded in conjunction with the sliding driving unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include a semicircular curved line or surface.

According to various embodiments, one end of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be coupled to the first link <NUM>. The other end of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> is slid out between the first support member <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> in accordance with the sliding-out operation of the sliding driving unit <NUM>, and the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> may be diffused and dissipated to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The other end of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be slid in between the first support member <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> in accordance with the sliding-in operation of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may include at least one of a heat pipe and a vapor chamber.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a printed circuit board <NUM>, a heat-generating component <NUM>, a shield can <NUM>, a heat transfer member <NUM>, a heat dissipation member <NUM>, a thermal diffusion member <NUM>, a first support member <NUM>, and/or a flexible display <NUM>. Components disclosed in <FIG> may also be applied to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> described above.

According to an embodiment, a heat-generating component <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The heat-generating component <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> using an electrically conductive pad (not shown). The heat-generating component <NUM> may be disposed between the printed circuit board <NUM> and the first support member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the shield can <NUM> may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the heat-generating component <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> through soldering or bonding. The shield can <NUM> may shield heat or electromagnetic waves generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may be made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

According to an embodiment, the heat transfer member <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the shield can <NUM>. The heat transfer member <NUM> may be disposed above the heat-generating component <NUM>. The heat transfer member <NUM> may transfer and/or dissipate heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM> toward the heat dissipation member <NUM>. The heat transfer member <NUM> may absorb heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> or transfer it toward the heat dissipation member <NUM> to cool it. The heat transfer member <NUM> may include at least one of a thermal interface material (TIM) tape or graphite.

According to an embodiment, the heat dissipation member <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the heat transfer member <NUM>. The heat dissipation member <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the heat transfer member <NUM> through an adhesive sheet or bonding. The heat dissipation member <NUM> may diffuse and dissipate heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> by transferring it to at least a portion of the first support member <NUM> and/or the thermal diffusion member <NUM>. The heat dissipation member <NUM> may include at least one of a nano fiber sheet, a nano form sheet, a copper (CU) sheet, and an aluminum (AL) sheet.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be slid out between the heat dissipation member <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> in accordance with the sliding-out operation of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be slid in between the heat dissipation member <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> in accordance with the sliding-in operation of the sliding driving unit <NUM>. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may diffuse and/or dissipate the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by being slid out between the heat dissipating member <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> in accordance with the sliding-out operation of the sliding driving unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> may support at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a temperature change of the thermal diffusion member of <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may diffuse and/or dissipate the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by being slid out between the heat dissipating member <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> in conjunction with the first link <NUM> as the sliding driving unit <NUM> performs a sliding-out operation.

With reference to <FIG>, it may be confirmed that the temperature of the first support member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is measured at about <NUM> and the temperature of a portion of the thermal diffusion member <NUM> slid in between the heat dissipation member <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> is measured at about <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating various embodiments of a thermal diffusion member of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> of the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> may be applied to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> described above.

With reference to <FIG>, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may be additionally disposed in a portion where the sliding driving unit <NUM> does not exist. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may be applied to, for example, a sliding driving unit that performs a linear motion. The thermal diffusion member <NUM> may have one end coupled to the first support member <NUM> and the other end coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the thermal diffusion member <NUM> may further diffuse and/or dissipate the heat generated from the heat-generating component <NUM> more quickly to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> together with the thermal diffusion member <NUM> (e.g., the thermal diffusion member <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the first support member <NUM> and the first link <NUM> of the sliding driving unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>) including a first support member (<NUM>) and a second support member (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>) slidably coupled to the first housing (<NUM>);
a sliding plate (<NUM>) having a first end coupled to the first support member (<NUM>), and having a second end arranged to slide at least partially in the second housing (<NUM>);
a printed circuit board (<NUM>) which is arranged between the first support member (<NUM>) and the second support member (<NUM>), and which has at least one heat-generating component (<NUM>) mounted on one surface thereof;
a sliding driving unit (<NUM>), which is arranged on an inner surface of the sliding plate (<NUM>), has a first end coupled to the first support member (<NUM>), and has a second end coupled to one side surface of the sliding plate (<NUM>);
a thermal diffusion member (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a first side surface (<NUM>) coupled to the first support member (<NUM>) and a second side surface (<NUM>) coupled to at least a portion of the sliding driving unit (<NUM>), and diffusing heat generated from the at least one heat-generating component (<NUM>); and
a flexible display (<NUM>) supported by the first support member (<NUM>) and the sliding plate (<NUM>),
wherein the thermal diffusion member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed to be unfolded according to a sliding-out operation of the sliding driving unit (<NUM>).