Patent Description:
Electronic devices (e.g., portable terminals) are becoming smaller and multifunctional, and for this purpose, printed circuit boards (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), a printed board assembly (PBA), and/or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) mounted with various electronic components (e.g., a processor, a memory, a camera, a broadcasting receiving module, and/or a communication module) may be applied to the electronic devices. The printed circuit board may include circuit wires interconnecting the mounted electronic components.

In order to increase the use time of an electronic device, it is necessary to increase battery capacity. When a printed circuit board is separately disposed in an electronic device, it may be difficult to ensure a space for expanding battery capacity. In order to increase the battery capacity of an electronic device, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of a printed circuit board and to secure a battery expansion space.

Coil antennas such as antennas of near field communication (NFC), wireless power consortium (WPC), and/or magnetic secure transmission (MST) may be applied to electronic devices. Since a shielding layer (e.g., a shielding sheet) configured to block magnetic fields generated from a coil antenna is to be applied to an antenna coil area and a flexible circuit board (e.g., FPCB) area, the thicknesses of the antenna coil area and the flexible circuit board area increase and a space available for a battery (e.g., a battery space) is reduced. In the prior art <CIT> an extendable flexible printed circuit board including a plurality of antennas and having a shielding member is disclosed. The <CIT> discloses an electronic device including a multi-band antenna and a conductive edge and a metal border. The <CIT> discloses an electronic device where between two devices a shield member is provided to shield the magnetic force between the two devices. An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of blocking magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction and ensuring thickness reduction to ensure a battery space when antenna coils (e.g., an NFC, a WPC, and/or an MST) are applied thereto. In addition, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of blocking magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction while reducing the area of a shielding layer and capable of improving a recognition area and charging efficiency of wireless charging by increasing the area of a WPC.

The technical problems to be addressed by the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems, which are not described above, may be clearly understood from the following description by a person ordinarily skilled in the related art, to which the disclosure belongs.

According to the invention, an electronic device is provided as appended in claim <NUM>.

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of blocking magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction generated from an antenna coil (e.g., an NFC, a WPC, and/or an MST) and is capable of ensuring thickness reduction to ensure a battery space. An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of blocking magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction generated from an antenna coil (e.g., an NFC, a WPC, and/or an MST) while reducing the area of a shielding layer, and is capable of improving a recognition area and charging efficiency of wireless charging by expanding the area of a WPC.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar components may be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, the components illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the illustrated ones.

Referring 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>).

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module <NUM> may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., <NUM> or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of <NUM> or less) for Implementing URLLC.

<FIG> is a front perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a rear perspective view illustrating the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM> including a first surface (or a front surface) 210A, a second surface (or a rear surface) 210B, and a side surface 210C surrounding the space between the first surface 210A and the second surface 210B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the housing may refer to a structure defining some of the first surface 210A, the second surface 210B, and the side surface 210C.

According to an embodiment, the first surface 210A may be at least partially defined by a substantially transparent front surface plate <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The second surface 210B may be defined by a substantially opaque rear surface plate <NUM>. The rear surface plate <NUM> may be made of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of two or more of these materials. The side surface 210C may be defined by a side surface bezel structure <NUM> (or a "side surface member") coupled to the front surface plate <NUM> and the rear surface plate <NUM> and including metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the rear surface plate <NUM> and the side surface bezel structure <NUM> may be integrated and may include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface plate <NUM> may include two first areas 210D, which are bent from the first surface 210A toward the rear surface plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly, at the long opposite side edges thereof. In the illustrated embodiment (see <FIG>), the rear surface plate <NUM> may include, at the long opposite side edges thereof, two second areas 210E, which are bent from the second surface 210B toward the front surface plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly. In some embodiments, the front surface plate <NUM> (or the rear surface plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first areas 210D (or the second areas 210E). In some embodiments, some of the first areas 210D and the second areas 210E may not be included. In the above-described embodiments, when viewed from a side of the electronic device <NUM>, the side surface bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) on the side where the first areas 210D or the second areas 210E are not included, and may have a second thickness, which is smaller than the first thickness, on the side where the first areas 210D or the second areas 210E are included.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM> (e.g., the display module <NUM> in <FIG>), an input device <NUM> (e.g., the input module <NUM> in <FIG>), sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sound output module <NUM> in <FIG>), sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> in <FIG>), camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>), a key input device <NUM>, an indicator (not illustrated), and connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, in the electronic device <NUM>, at least one of the components (e.g., the key input devices <NUM> or the indicator) may be omitted, or other components may be additionally included.

The display <NUM> (e.g., the display module <NUM> in <FIG>) may be visible, for example, through an upper portion of the front surface plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the display <NUM> may be visible through the front surface plate <NUM> defining the first surface 210A and the first areas 210D of the side surface 210C. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect a magnetic field-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least some of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least some of the key input devices <NUM> may be disposed in the first areas 210D and/or the second areas 210E.

In some embodiments (not illustrated), at least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> (e.g., an image sensor), and the fingerprint sensor may be included in the rear surface of the screen display area of the display <NUM>. In some embodiments (not illustrated), the display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring a touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect an electromagnetic field-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least some of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least some of the key input devices <NUM> may be disposed in the first areas 210D and/or the second areas 210E.

The input device <NUM> may include a microphone. In some embodiments, the input device <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones arranged to detect the direction of sound. The sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include speakers <NUM> and <NUM>. The speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may include an external speaker <NUM> and a receiver for communication (e.g., the audio module <NUM>). According to some embodiments, the input device <NUM> (e.g., a microphone), the speakers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed in the space in the electronic device <NUM> and may be exposed to the external environment through one or more holes provided in the housing <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the holes provided in the housing <NUM> may be commonly used for the input device <NUM> (e.g., a microphone) and the speakers <NUM> and <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a speaker that operates without a separate speaker hole provided in the housing <NUM> (e.g., a piezo speaker).

The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> in <FIG>) may generate electrical signals or data values corresponding to the internal operating state or the external environmental state of the electronic device <NUM>. The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include, for example, a first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor), a second sensor module (not illustrated) (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., an HRM sensor) disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the first surface 210A (e.g., the display <NUM>) and/or the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of sensor modules (not illustrated), such as a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first camera module <NUM> disposed on the first surface 210A of the electronic device <NUM>, a second camera module <NUM> disposed on the second surface 210B, and/or a flash <NUM>. The camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light-emitting diode or a xenon lamp. The first camera module <NUM> may be disposed under the display panel in the form of an under-display camera (UDC). In some embodiments, two or more lenses (e.g., a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, multiple first camera modules <NUM> may be disposed on the first surface of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the surface on which a screen is to be displayed) in an under-display camera (UDC) manner.

The key input devices <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface 210C of the housing <NUM>. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices <NUM>, and the key input devices <NUM>, which are not included in the electronic device <NUM>, may be implemented in another form, such as soft keys or touch keys, on the display <NUM>. In some embodiments, the key input devices <NUM> may be implemented by using pressure sensors included in the display <NUM>.

The indicator may be disposed, for example, on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM>. The indicator may provide, for example, the state information of the electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. In another embodiment, the indicator may provide a light source that is interlocked with, for example, the operation of the camera module <NUM>. The indicator may include, for example, an LED, an IR LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first connector hole <NUM>, which is capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., a USB connector) configured to transmit/receive power and/or data to/from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole (e.g., an earphone jack) <NUM>, which is capable of accommodating a connector configured to transmit/receive an audio signal to/from an external electronic device.

Some of the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the camera module <NUM>), some of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>), or the indicator may be disposed to be visible through the display <NUM>. The camera module <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the display area, and a screen may also be displayed on the display area corresponding to the camera module <NUM>. Some sensor modules <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space in the electronic device to perform the functions thereof without being visually exposed through the front surface plate <NUM>.

<FIG> are views illustrating a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment in a folded state, in which <FIG> is a perspective view, <FIG> is a front view, and <FIG> is a rear view. <FIG> are views illustrating a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment in an unfolded state, in which <FIG> is a perspective view, <FIG> is a front view, and <FIG> is a rear view.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include a foldable housing <NUM> (or a "housing") including a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>, a flexible housing <NUM>, a flexible display <NUM>, a hinge assembly <NUM>, and a cover <NUM> (or a "rear surface cover"). In an embodiment, the cover <NUM> may include a first cover <NUM> included in the first housing <NUM> and a second cover <NUM> included in the second housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may define a space in which electronic components (e.g., a printed circuit board, a battery, and/or a processor) of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed and may define the side surface of the electronic device <NUM>. As an example, various types of components for performing various functions of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed inside the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. For example, electronic components such as a front camera, a receiver, and/or a sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor) may be disposed inside the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

As an example, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be disposed side by side when the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state. As another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state, the first housing <NUM> may rotate (or turn) relative to the second housing <NUM>, so that one surface of the first housing <NUM> and one surface of the second housing <NUM> may be disposed to face each other.

According to an embodiment, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may define a recess accommodating the flexible display <NUM>, and the flexible display <NUM> may be seated in the recess to be supported by the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be made of a metal material and/or a nonmetal material having predetermined rigidity to support the flexible display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may be disposed on the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to define the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state. That is, the flexible display <NUM> may extend from one area of the first housing <NUM> to at least one area of the second housing <NUM> across the hinge assembly <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may be seated in the recess defined by the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to be disposed on the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

In an example, the flexible display <NUM> may include a first area 320a corresponding to at least one area of the first housing <NUM>, a second area 320b corresponding to at least one area of the second housing <NUM>, and a folding area 320c located between the first area 320a and the second area 320b and having a flexible characteristic. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and according to an embodiment, all of the first area 320a, the second area 320b, and the folding area 320c of the flexible display <NUM> may have the flexible characteristic.

In an embodiment, the first area 320a, the folding area 320c, and the second area 320b may be disposed side by side while facing the same direction when the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state.

Unlike this, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state, the folding area 320c may be bent so that the first area 320a and the second area 320b face each other.

According to an embodiment, at least one area (e.g., the first area 320a and the second area 320b) of the flexible display <NUM> may be attached to one surface of the first housing <NUM> and one surface of the second housing <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the flexible display <NUM> may be attached to one surface of the first housing <NUM> and one surface of the second housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the hinge assembly <NUM> interconnect the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to allow the second housing <NUM> to rotate relative to the first housing <NUM> within a predetermined rotation range or on the contrary, to allow the first housing <NUM> to rotate relative to the second housing <NUM> within a predetermined rotation range.

In an example, a recess may be defined in an area where the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are connected to each other, and the hinge assembly <NUM> may be disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The above-described recess may be defined in a groove shape having a constant curvature as an example, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the hinge housing 300c may be disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and the hinge assembly <NUM> may be assembled to the hinge housing 300c. In an embodiment, the hinge housing 300c may be referred to as a hinge cover.

According to an embodiment, the hinge housing 300c may be visible from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> or covered by the foldable housing <NUM> depending on the state of the electronic device <NUM>. As an example (e.g., see <FIG>), when the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state, the hinge housing 300c may be covered by the foldable housing <NUM> and may be invisible from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. As another example (e.g., see <FIG>), when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state, the hinge housing 300c may be visible from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by rotating the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating coil antennas and a flexible printed circuit board disposed in a housing of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating that an NFC driving circuit, a WPC driving circuit, and an MST driving circuit are disposed on a PCB. <FIG> is another cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' indicated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a foldable housing <NUM> including a first housing <NUM> (e.g., the first housing <NUM> of <FIG>) and a second housing <NUM> (e.g., the second housing <NUM> of <FIG>), a flexible display <NUM>, a hinge assembly <NUM>, and a cover (e.g., the cover <NUM> of <FIG>). The hinge assembly <NUM> interconnect the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be folded or unfolded by the hinge assembly <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may define a space in which electronic components (e.g., a printed circuit board, a battery, and/or a processor) of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed. In addition, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may define at least a portion of the side surface of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>).

As an example, multiple electronic components (e.g., a printed circuit board, a processor, a memory, a camera, a broadcast reception module, and/or a communication module) of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed inside the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The printed circuit board may include a printed circuit board (PCB), a printed board assembly (PBA), and/or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

As an example, a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed on the first housing <NUM> (e.g., the first housing <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second housing <NUM> (e.g., the second housing <NUM> of <FIG>). A processor, a memory, a camera, and/or a communication module may be disposed in the first housing <NUM>. As an example, in the second housing <NUM>, coil antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> (or a printed circuit board assembly (PBA)), multiple flexible circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, and a metal shield <NUM> may be disposed.

The coil antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a wireless power consortium (WPC) <NUM>, a near field communication (NFC) <NUM>, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) <NUM>. As an example, only the NFC <NUM> may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM>, or the WPC <NUM> or the MST <NUM> may be disposed together with the NFC <NUM>. As an example, the WPC <NUM> and the MST <NUM> may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM>. As an example, the NFC <NUM>, the WPC <NUM>, and the MST <NUM> may all be disposed in the electronic device <NUM>.

The PCB <NUM> may include an NFC driving circuit <NUM> configured to drive the NFC <NUM>, a WPC driving circuit <NUM> configured to drive the WPC <NUM>, and an MST driving circuit <NUM> configured to drive the MST <NUM>. The NFC <NUM>, the WPC <NUM>, and the MST <NUM> may be electrically connected to the PCB <NUM> via the connector <NUM>.

As an example, among multiple flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM>, a first FPCB <NUM> may include a connector-to-connector (C2C) FPCB configured to transmit control signals between the PCB <NUM> (or a PBA) disposed in the first housing <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> (or a PBA) disposed in the second housing <NUM>.

As an example, among multiple FPCB <NUM> and <NUM>, a second FPCB <NUM> may include a flexible radio frequency cable (FRC) FPCB configured to transmit RF signals between the PCB <NUM> (or a PBA) disposed in the first housing <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> (or a PBA) disposed in the second housing <NUM>.

As an example, WPCs <NUM> and <NUM> and NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed above the battery <NUM> in the Z-axis direction within the second housing <NUM>.

As an example, the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed in the central portion of the second housing <NUM> with reference to the X axis, and the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides of the WPC <NUM>. The MST <NUM> may be disposed below the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM> in the second housing <NUM> with reference to the Z axis.

As an example, the shielding layer (or a shielding sheet) <NUM> may be made of a layer or sheet made of a material capable of blocking magnetic fields. The shielding layer <NUM> may be made in a single layer or multilayer structure of a material having high a magnetic permeability (e.g., ferrite or nano crystal).

As an example, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed below the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM>. The shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed between the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM> and the battery <NUM>.

As an example, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed on a layer that is at least partially the same as the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed between a first FPCB <NUM> and a second FPCB <NUM> with reference to the X-axis direction. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the position and thickness of the shielding layer <NUM> may be changed.

As an example, the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed above the battery <NUM> with reference to the Z-axis direction within the second housing <NUM>. Multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed between the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> and the battery <NUM>.

As an example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, among the multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, a first FPCB <NUM> may be disposed to at least partially overlap the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on a first side of the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM>. Among the multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, a second FPCB <NUM> may be disposed to at least partially overlap the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on a second side of the WPCs <NUM> and <NUM>. A metal shield <NUM> may be disposed to surround the side surfaces of the NFC <NUM> and the multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>.

As an example, the metal shield <NUM> may be made of a metal material (e.g., aluminum) to block magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction generated from the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>. The metal shield <NUM> may be made of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, and/or a ferromagnetic material.

As an example, the metal shield <NUM> may be made of multiple metal members. For example, the metal shield <NUM> may include two, three, four, or five metal members. For example, each metal member may be made of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, and/or a ferromagnetic material. For example, all of the multiple metal members constituting the metal shield <NUM> may be made of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, or a ferromagnetic material. For example, at least one of the multiple metal members constituting the metal shield <NUM> may be made of a paramagnetic material, at least one of the multiple metal members may be made of a diamagnetic material, and the remaining some metal members may be made of a ferromagnetic material.

As an example, the metal shield <NUM> may be made of aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium, gold, silver, copper, iron, or a combination of at least two of the above materials.

As an example, the metal shield <NUM> may be integrated with a housing (e.g., the second housing <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, at least a portion of the metal shield <NUM> may be fabricated in the state of being included in a housing (e.g., the second housing <NUM> of <FIG>).

As an example, the shielding layer <NUM> may not be disposed on the NFC <NUM> to reduce the thickness of the area where the NFC <NUM> is disposed. Here, when there is no shielding layer <NUM> under the NFC <NUM>, the magnetic fields generated by the NFC <NUM> may be unnecessarily radiated to the -Z-axis direction rather than being radiated to a desired direction, causing interference. The electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> of the disclosure may block magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction by the metal shield <NUM> disposed outside the coil antennas (e.g., the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM>) and may allow magnetic fields generated from the coil antennas (e.g., the NFCs <NUM> and <NUM>) to be radiated in a desired direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction).

<FIG> is a view illustrating in comparison an arrangement structure of coil antennas, flexible printed circuit boards, and shielding layers according to an embodiment not covered by the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, multiple shielding layers <NUM> and <NUM>, multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>. NFCs <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides of a WPC <NUM>, and a first shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed under the WPC <NUM> and the NFCs <NUM>. FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on side surfaces of the NFC <NUM> and the shielding layer <NUM>, and a second shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed on the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way, when the structure of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, the shielding layers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM> are applied, the area where the WPC <NUM> is disposed may have a first width A1 (or a first distance).

The height from the lower end of the battery <NUM> to the upper end of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may be a first height B1. When this structure is applied, a space for disposing the battery <NUM> may be ensured in the electronic device <NUM> by reducing the thickness of the structure. However, since it is necessary to place all the WPC <NUM> and the NFCs <NUM> within the shielding area of the first shielding layer <NUM>, the area of the WPC <NUM> may be reduced.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, a shielding layer <NUM>, multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>. In order to ensure the area of the WPC <NUM>, NFCs <NUM> may be disposed above the first FPCB <NUM> and the second FPCB <NUM>. To block the magnetic fields of the WPC <NUM> and the NFCs <NUM>, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed below the WPC <NUM> and the NFCs <NUM>. In this way, when the structure of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, the shielding layers <NUM>, and the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM> is applied, the area where the WPC <NUM> is disposed may have a second width A2 (or a second distance) greater than the first width A1 (or the first distance), and the height from the lower end of the battery <NUM> to the upper end of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may be a second height B2 greater than the first height B1. When this structure is applied, the area of the WPC <NUM> may be increased in the electronic device <NUM> by disposing the NFCs <NUM> at positions overlapping the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>. However, the thickness B2 (or the height B2) from the lower end of the battery <NUM> to the upper end of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may be increased. When the thickness of the electronic device <NUM> is not increased, the total capacity of the battery <NUM> may be reduced because it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the battery <NUM>.

In this case, in the electronic device <NUM>, the shielding layer <NUM> between the NFC <NUM> and the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM> may be removed, and the thickness of the battery <NUM> may be increased. However, since the shielding layer <NUM> does not exist under the NFCs <NUM>, magnetic fields may be radiated in the -Z-axis direction, resulting in deterioration in performance of the NFCs <NUM> and occurrence of interference.

<FIG> is a view illustrating in comparison an arrangement structure of coil antennas, flexible printed circuit boards, and shielding layers according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a shielding layer <NUM> is disposed below a WPC <NUM> among the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, and the shielding layer <NUM> is not be disposed below NFCs <NUM>. The NFCs <NUM> is disposed to overlap the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, and the area where the WPC <NUM> is disposed may have the second width A2 (or the second distance) greater than the first width A1 (or the first distance). The height from the lower end of the battery <NUM> to the upper end of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may be the first height B1. A metal shield <NUM> is disposed to surround the side surfaces of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> and the multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>. With the metal shield <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may block magnetic fields in the - Z axis direction generated from the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> and may allow the magnetic fields generated from the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> in a desired direction.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the shapes of magnetic fields generated in a coil antenna due to an arrangement of a shielding layer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a simulation result of magnetic fields <NUM> radiated from a coil antenna <NUM> when a shielding layer <NUM> was disposed under the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) to cover the entire coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) of the electronic device <NUM> is shown. Here, the coil antenna <NUM> is simplified and expressed based on an NFC, and the NFC may include one or more turns. The distribution of magnetic fields <NUM> when the magnetic permeability of the NFC coil was configured with a <NUM> mu shielding agent and a current of <NUM> mA was applied to the NFC is shown. It may be identified that when the shielding layer <NUM> was provided over a range greater than the outer diameter of the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC), the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z axis direction were blocked and the magnetic fields <NUM> in the Z axis direction were radiated.

Referring to <FIG>, a simulation result of magnetic fields <NUM> radiated from a coil antenna <NUM> when a shielding layer <NUM> was disposed under the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) to cover a partial area of the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) of the electronic device <NUM> is shown. Here, the coil antenna <NUM> is simplified and expressed based on an NFC, and the NFC may include one or more turns. The distribution of magnetic fields <NUM> when the magnetic permeability of the NFC coil was configured with a <NUM> mu shielding agent and a current of <NUM> mA was applied to the NFC is shown. It may be identified that when the shielding layer <NUM> was provided to cover a partial area of the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC), some of the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z axis direction were blocked and the magnetic fields <NUM> in the Z axis direction were radiated. It may be identified that some of the magnetic fields <NUM> are radiated in the -Z-axis direction in a portion where the shielding layer <NUM> is not disposed.

Referring to <FIG>, a simulation result of magnetic fields <NUM> radiated from a coil antenna <NUM> when a shielding layer <NUM> was disposed under the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) to cover an area smaller than the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC) of the electronic device <NUM> is shown. Here, the coil antenna <NUM> is simplified and expressed based on an NFC, and the NFC may include one or more turns. The distribution of magnetic fields <NUM> when the magnetic permeability of the NFC coil was configured with a <NUM> mu shielding agent and a current of <NUM> mA was applied to the NFC is shown. It may be identified that when the shielding layer <NUM> was smaller than the area of the coil antenna <NUM> (e.g., an NFC), the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z-axis direction are radiated without being blocked. Magnetic fields <NUM> are radiated in the -Z-axis direction in a portion where the shielding layer <NUM> is not disposed, and thus NFC performance is deteriorated and interference caused by the magnetic fields may be caused.

<FIG> is a view illustrating that a metal shield (e.g., a front metal) is disposed to surround a shielding area according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments of the disclosure, coil antennas may include NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> and a WPC <NUM>. Without being limited thereto, the coil antennas may include NFC <NUM> or <NUM>, a WPC <NUM>, and an MST (e.g., the MST <NUM> of <FIG>).

The NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> and the WPC <NUM> may be disposed at the same height with reference to the Z-axis direction. The NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> may be disposed above the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>. A shielding layer <NUM> or <NUM> may be disposed to cover an area smaller than that of the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed below the WPC <NUM> with reference to the Z-axis direction to cover the WPC <NUM>. The shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed between the WPC <NUM> or <NUM> and the battery <NUM>.

A metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be disposed to surround side surfaces of the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM>. As an example, the metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may block magnetic fields in the - Z axis direction among the magnetic fields generated by the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM>. The metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be made of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, or a ferromagnetic material.

The metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be spaced apart from the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> by a first width w1 in the X-axis direction. As an example, the metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be spaced apart from the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> in the X-axis direction.

The metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be spaced apart from the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> by a second width w2 in the Y-axis direction. As an example, the metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may be spaced apart from the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> in the Y-axis direction.

Since the metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> is disposed to surround the side surfaces of the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> at predetermined intervals in the X-axis and Y-axis directions from the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM>, in the electronic device, the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction generated by the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> may be blocked. As such, in the electronic device, the metal shield <NUM> or <NUM> may block the magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction and may allow the magnetic fields generated by the NFCs <NUM> or <NUM> to radiate in a desired direction (e.g., the Z axis direction).

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example of a distance between a metal shield (e.g., a front metal) and a shielding area.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a front metal <NUM> for disposing a battery <NUM>, an NFC <NUM>, and an FPCB <NUM>.

In the disclosure, the front metal <NUM> may be made of a paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or ferromagnetic metal to replace the metal shield <NUM> of <FIG>. That is, in the electronic device, the metal shield <NUM> may be implemented with the front metal <NUM> without providing a separate metal shield to shield the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction.

Here, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) may be spaced apart from the NFC <NUM> by a first width w1 in the X-axis direction. As an example, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) may be spaced apart from the NFC <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> in the X-axis direction. In addition, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) may be spaced apart from the lower end of the NFC <NUM> by a first height h1 in the Z-axis direction. As an example, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) may be spaced apart from the lower end of the NFC <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> in the Z-axis direction.

By disposing the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) in the lateral direction of the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> and the multiple FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, in the electronic device, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) may block the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction generated from the NFCs <NUM> and may allow the magnetic fields generated from the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM> to be radiated in a desired direction. That is, even if the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield) is disposed lower than the NFC <NUM> in the Z-axis direction and is spaced apart from the NFC <NUM> by a predetermined distance, among the magnetic fields generated by the NFCs <NUM>, the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction may be shielded.

Referring to <FIG>, the shielding layer <NUM> may be disposed below the WPC <NUM> among the coil antennas <NUM> and <NUM>, and the shielding layer <NUM> is not disposed below the NFC <NUM>. The NFCs <NUM> are disposed to overlap the FPCBs <NUM> and <NUM>, and the area where the WPC <NUM> is disposed may have the second width A2 (or the second distance) greater than the first width A1 or (or the first distance). As the area where the WPC <NUM> is to be disposed is increased, a wider WPC <NUM> may be provided. As an example, in the structure illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, the WPC <NUM> may have a diameter up to <NUM>. In contrast, in the structure illustrated in (c) of <FIG> and <FIG>, the WPC <NUM> may have a diameter of about <NUM>. Through this, a recognition area and charging efficiency of wireless charging may be improved.

<FIG> illustrates diagrams showing the shapes of magnetic fields when a metal shield (e.g., a front metal) was made of a paramagnetic material.

Referring to <FIG>, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of a paramagnetic metal material. Here, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of aluminum. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be material of a metal that satisfies a magnetic permeability (Mu). The magnetic permeability of the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) made of a paramagnetic material may be about <NUM> (Mu = <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates diagrams showing the shapes of magnetic fields when a metal shield (e.g., a front metal) was made of a diamagnetic material.

Referring to <FIG>, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of a diamagnetic metal material. Here, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of aluminum. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of a metal that satisfies a diamagnetic permeability (Mu). The magnetic permeability of the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) made of a diamagnetic material may be about <NUM> (Mu = <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of a ferromagnetic metal material. Here, the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of aluminum. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) may be made of a metal that satisfies a ferromagnetic permeability (Mu). The magnetic permeability of the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) made of a ferromagnetic material may be about <NUM> (Mu = <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the figures show distributions of magnetic fields obtained by performing simulations assuming that a front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is spaced apart from an NFC (e.g., the NFC <NUM> in <FIG> or the NFC <NUM> in <FIG>) by <NUM> in the X-axis direction and <NUM> in the Y-axis direction.

It may be identified that when the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is made of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, or a ferromagnetic material, the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction are blocked.

As an example, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, when the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is not applied to the electronic device <NUM>, it may be identified that the magnetic fields <NUM> in the Z-axis direction, the magnetic fields in the X-axis direction <NUM> and the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z-axis direction are radiated.

As an example, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, when a paramagnetic front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is applied to the electronic device <NUM>, the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z axis direction are blocked.

As an example, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, when the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is not applied to the electronic device <NUM>, it may be identified that the magnetic fields <NUM> in the Z-axis direction, the magnetic fields <NUM> in the X-axis direction and the magnetic fields <NUM> in the -Z-axis direction are radiated.

When the front metal (<NUM>, e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is made of a paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or ferromagnetic material, the effect of blocking the magnetic fields in the -Z axis direction may be obtained. However, a material that is most suitable for an electronic device may be identified from among a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, or a ferromagnetic material by analyzing the distribution of magnetic fields.

As shown in <FIG>, when a paramagnetic front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is applied to an electronic device <NUM>, a distribution in which magnetic fields stick to the surface of the metal appears. As shown in <FIG>, when a diamagnetic front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is applied to the electronic device <NUM>, a distribution in which magnetic fields pass through the metal appears.

As shown in <FIG>, when a ferromagnetic front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) is applied to the electronic device <NUM>, a distribution in which magnetic fields are formed as if covering the surface of the metal appears. All the paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials may obtain the effect of blocking magnetic fields, but in view of the easy of application of a metal material and the level of suppressing the magnetic fields in the - Z axis direction, it may be effective to apply the front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) made of a paramagnetic material.

As another example of the disclosure, an effect of blocking magnetic fields may be obtained even when a metal wire having a thickness of about <NUM> is placed around an NFC without applying a front metal <NUM> (e.g., the metal shield <NUM>) to the electronic device. Here, in order to block magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction, it is necessary the metal wire at a position lower than the NFC in the Z-axis direction. When the metal wire is disposed at a position higher than the NFC in the Z-axis direction, magnetic fields in the Z-axis direction may be blocked. Here, the distance between the NFC and the metal wire does not greatly affect the performance of blocking magnetic fields, but the magnetic fields in the -Z-axis direction may be blocked by disposing the metal wire adjacent to the NFC (e.g., within <NUM>).

The electronic device includes a housing, a first circuit board disposed in the housing, a flexible circuit board electrically connecting the first circuit board, a coil antenna disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of antennas on which a conductive pattern is provided to generate magnetic fields, a shielding layer disposed below a first antenna among the plurality of antennas, and a metal shield disposed on a side surface of the coil antenna and configured to shield a magnetic field in a first direction among the magnetic fields generated by the coil antenna.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be spaced apart from the coil antenna by a first distance in the first direction and spaced apart from the coil antenna by a second distance in a second direction.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be spaced apart from the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in the first direction.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be spaced apart from the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be spaced apart from the lower end of the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in the third direction.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be disposed at a position lower than the lower end of the coil antenna.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may shield a magnetic field in the -z axis direction.

The flexible printed circuit board overlaps a second antenna among the plurality of antennas, and the shielding layer is disposed not to overlap the second antenna.

According to an embodiment, the coil antenna may include a wireless power consortium (WPC), a near-field communication (NFC), and a magnetic secure transmission (MST).

According to an embodiment, the first antenna may include the WPC, and the second antenna may include the NFC.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may include one of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, and a ferromagnetic material.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be made of the paramagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be made of the diamagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may be made of the ferromagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include a first housing, a second housing, a hinge structure disposed between the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing are folded or unfolded, a first printed circuit board disposed in the first housing, a second printed circuit board disposed in the second housing, a flexible circuit board electrically interconnecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board, a coil antenna disposed inside the second housing and including a plurality of antennas on which a conductive pattern is provided to generate magnetic fields, a shielding layer disposed below a first antenna among the plurality of antennas, and a metal shield disposed on a side surface of the coil antenna and configured to shield a magnetic field in a first direction among the magnetic fields generated by the coil antenna.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield is spaced apart from the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in the first direction, and the metal shield is spaced apart from the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in a second direction, and the metal shield may be spaced apart from the lower end of the coil antenna by <NUM> to <NUM> in the third direction.

According to an embodiment, the metal shield may include one of a paramagnetic material, a diamagnetic material, and a ferromagnetic material, and the metal shield may be made of the paramagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>, the diamagnetic material having a diamagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>, or the ferromagnetic material having a magnetic permeability (Mu) of about <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a first printed circuit board, PCB, (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>);
a plurality of coil antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for generating magnetic fields, wherein the plurality of coil antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise a first antenna (<NUM>) and a second antenna (<NUM>);
a shielding layer (<NUM>) disposed to overlap with at least a portion of the first antenna (<NUM>) and disposed not to overlap with the second antenna (<NUM>);
a first flexible printed circuit board, FPCB, (<NUM>) electrically connected to the first PCB (<NUM>) and disposed to overlap with at least a portion of the second antenna (<NUM>); and
a metal shield (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed to surround the plurality of coil antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for shielding at least a portion of the magnetic fields .