Patent Description:
As the demand for mobile communication increases while the degree of integration of electronic devices increases, portability of electronic devices, such as mobile communication terminals can be improved, and convenience can be improved in use of multimedia functions and the like. For example, by replacing a traditional mechanical (button-type) keypad with a display in which a touch screen function is integrated, an electronic device can be miniaturized while maintaining the function of the input device thereof. For example, when a mechanical keypad is removed from an electronic device, the portability of the electronic device can be improved. In another embodiment of the disclosure, when a display is expanded by the region in which the mechanical keypad is removed, an electronic device including a touch screen function can provide a larger screen compared to an electronic device including the mechanical keypad, even when the electronic device including the touch screen function has the same size and weight as the electronic device including the mechanical keypad.

In using a web surfing or multimedia function, it may be more convenient to use an electronic device that outputs a larger screen. A larger display may be mounted on an electronic device in order to output a larger screen. However, considering the portability of the electronic device, there may be restrictions in increasing the size of the display. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a display using an organic light-emitting diode or the like may make it possible to ensure portability of an electronic device while providing a larger screen. For example, a display using an organic light-emitting diode (or an electronic device equipped with the display) may make it possible to implement a stable operation even if it is made very thin so that the display can be mounted on an electronic device in a foldable, bendable, or rollable form.

For instance, <CIT> is directed to a flexible display device including a rolling type mechanism for extending of a flexible display unit. <CIT> is directed to a mobile terminal including a rollable flexible display, wherein hall sensors are provided on an inner circumference surface of the internal case.

In an electronic device including a rollable display (hereinafter, referred to as a "rollable electronic device"), depending on the expanded or contracted length (or region) of the display, a user interface (UI) or current consumption may be changed, and a touch recognition range may also be changed. The rollable electronic device may measure the expanded or contracted length of the display due to the rolling of the display. Through this, the rollable electronic device may output a screen corresponding to the expanded or contracted display. Therefore, in the rollable electronic device, it may be very important to accurately estimate the length (or movement distance) of the display according to the expansion or contraction of the display.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the display is automatically expanded by driving a motor, the position of the display may be estimated based on the number of rotations of the motor. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, it is possible to apply a method of estimating the relative position to which the display is moved based on the position of a plate (e.g., a multi-bar plate) provided at the lower end of the display when the display is expanded or contracted. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, it is also possible to apply a method of estimating the movement distance of the display by mounting a magnet on a display expansion part and measuring a magnetic field generated from the magnet using a sensor. In addition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, it is also possible to apply a method of measuring the distance between the basic position of the display and the position in the state in which the display is in the expanded or contracted state by calculating the travel time of light using an optical sensor (e.g., a time of flight (ToF) sensor).

Among the above-described embodiments of the disclosure, the method using the number of rotations of the motor may not be available in a device in which a display is expanded or contracted without being equipped with a motor. In addition, the actual number of rotations of the motor may not necessarily match the length by which the display is expanded or contracted in a rollable electronic device. Furthermore, when an error occurs between the actual number of rotations of the motor and the actually expanded or contracted length of the rollable electronic device, the difference between the measured number of rotations and the actual display position will gradually accumulate, resulting in a larger error if the expansion or contraction proceeds without any correction.

Among the above-described embodiments of the disclosure, in the case of the method of estimating the relative position, to which the display is moved, based on the position of the plate provided at the lower end of the display or the method of using a ToF sensor or the like, a "mover" moving a distance corresponding to the linear length by which the display is to be expanded (such as a conduit structure to be measured by a magnet or a ToF sensor moving along the expanded display) may be included. Since it is a method of measuring the amount of change of the "mover", the size of the "mover" may increase as the expanded length of the display increases.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a structure capable of accurately measuring an expanded or contracted length of a rollable electronic device.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a sensor that measures the position of a display using a rotation detection sensor and a hinge structure and provides the measured position to a rollable electronic device and a structure on which the sensor is mounted.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method for mounting a sensor using a hinge structure that serves to expand and reduce the display inside the rollable electronic device and to support the expanded display.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a structure that measures the length by which the display is expanded or contracted while reducing the interference of an external magnetic field.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device according to claim <NUM> is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a rollable electronic device is provided. The rollable electronic device includes a processor, a first structure including a first plate configured to provide a first surface oriented in a first direction and a second surface oriented in a second direction opposite to the first surface, a second structure coupled to enclose at least a part of the first structure, and configured to guide a sliding movement of the first structure in a direction parallel to the first surface or the second surface of the first structure, a flexible display including a first region oriented in the first direction and a second region extending from the first region, at least one rotating member disposed inside the housing and configured to rotate according to expansion or contraction of the flexible display, and a rotation detection sensor configured to measure a rotation angle of the at least one rotating member on the rotating axis of the rotating member. The processor is configured to determine the sliding movement distance of the first structure using a change in a detected value measured using the rotation detection sensor on the rotating axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a rollable electronic device can provide an optimal user experience (UX) to a user by measuring a display position (or a movement distance), and can reduce power consumption and prevent an erroneous touch input operation by deactivating an unused (or unexposed) display region.

According to various implementations, by proposing a method for mounting a sensor using a hinge structure serving as a support for the expansion and contraction of the display inside a rollable electronic device and the support for the expanded display, an additional mounting space can be minimized, which makes it possible for a rollable terminal to maintain a compact design without causing an increase in the thickness or length of the electronic device by a display detection structure (a mover).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, by proposing a structure that is capable of reducing the interference of an external magnetic field while measuring an expanded or contracted length of a display, it is possible to provide length information of the expanded display to the rollable electronic device even when an external magnetic force is introduced in a detection method using a magnet.

The present invention is set out in the appended claims and is principally described by <FIG> and the associated description. The other embodiments described herein below do not form part of the invention as claimed but provide a better understanding of the context of the invention.

As used herein, such terms as "a first", "a second", "the first", and "the second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding element from another, and does not limit the elements in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

As used herein, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be interchangeably used with other terms, for example, "logic," "logic block," "component," or "circuit". The "module" may be a minimum unit of a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions, or a part thereof. For example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the "module" may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., program) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory) that is readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device). For example, a processor of the machine (e.g., electronic device) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, each element (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described elements may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the above-described elements may be omitted, or one or more other elements may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of elements (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single element. In such a case, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the integrated element may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of elements in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of elements before the integration. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, operations performed by the module, the program, or another element 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> is a view illustrating an electronic device in the state in which a portion (e.g., a second region A2) of a flexible display is accommodated in a second structure <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating an electronic device in the state in which most of a flexible display is exposed to an outside of the second structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the state illustrated in <FIG> may be defined as the state in which as first structure <NUM> is closed with respect to a second structure <NUM>, and the state illustrated in <FIG> may be defined as the state in which the first structure <NUM> is open with respect to the second structure <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the "closed state" or the "open state" may be defined as the state in which the electronic device is closed or the state in which the electronic device is open.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a first structure <NUM> and a second structure <NUM> disposed to be movable on the first structure <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may be interpreted as a structure in which the first structure <NUM> is disposed to be slidable on the second structure <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may be disposed to be reciprocable by a predetermined distance in the illustrated direction (e.g., the direction indicated by arrow ① relative to the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a first housing, a slide unit, or a slide housing, and may be disposed to be reciprocable on the second structure <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second structure <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a second housing, a main unit, or a main housing, and may accommodate various electrical and electronic components, such as a printed circuit board and a battery. A portion of a display <NUM> (e.g., the first region A1) may be seated on the first structure <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, when the first structure <NUM> moves (e.g., slides) relative to the second structure <NUM>, another portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region A2) may be accommodated inside the second structure <NUM> (e.g., a slide-in operation) or exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM> (e.g., a slide-out operation). Here, a portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the first region A1) may be a basic use region when the display <NUM> is in the slide-in state, and another portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region A2) may be an expanded region in the slide-out state. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, an embodiment in which the basic use region of the display <NUM> in the slide-in state is seated on the first structure <NUM> is illustrated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may include a first plate 111a (e.g., a slide plate), and a first surface F1 (see <FIG>) including at least a portion of the first plate 111a and a second surface F2 facing away from the first surface F1 may be included. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second structure <NUM> may include a second plate 121a (see <FIG>) (e.g., a rear case), a first side wall 123a extending from the second plate 121a, a second side wall 123b extending from the first side wall 123a and the second plate 121a, a third side wall 123c extending from the first side wall 123a and the second plate 121a and parallel to the second side wall 123b, and/or a rear plate 121b (e.g., a rear window). In some embodiments of the disclosure, the second side wall 123b and the third side wall 123c may be perpendicular to the first side wall 123a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second plate 121a, the first side wall 123a, the second side wall 123b, and the third side wall 123c may be configured to open on one side (e.g., the front surface) to accommodate (or surround) at least a portion of the first structure <NUM>. For example, the first structure <NUM> is coupled to the second structure <NUM> in a state of being at least partially surrounded and is slidable in a direction parallel to the first surface F1 or the second surface F2 (e.g., the direction indicated by arrow ①) while being guided by the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second side wall 123b or the third side wall 123c may be omitted. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second plate 121a, the first side wall 123a, the second side wall 123b, and/or the third side wall 123c may be configured as separate structures and combined or assembled to each other. The rear plate 121b may be coupled to surround at least a portion of the second plate 121a. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the rear plate 121b may be substantially integrated with the second plate 121a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second plate 121a or the rear plate 121b may cover at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM>. For example, the flexible display <NUM> may be at least partially accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>, and the second plate 121a or the rear plate 121b may cover a portion of the flexible display <NUM> accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> is movable to an open state or a closed state relative to the second structure <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., direction ①) parallel to the second plate 121a (e.g., the rear case) and the second side wall 123b so that the first structure <NUM> is located at a first distance from the first side wall 123a in the closed state and at a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, from the first side wall 123a in the open state. In some embodiments of the disclosure, in the closed state, the first structure <NUM> may be positioned to surround a portion of the first side wall 123a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, a connector hole <NUM>, audio modules 145a, 145b, 147a, and 147b, or a camera module <NUM>. Although not illustrated, the electronic device <NUM> may further include an indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED) device) or various sensor modules.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the display <NUM> may include a first region A1 and a second region A2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first region A1 may extend substantially across at least a portion of the first surface F1 to be disposed on the first surface F1. The second region A2 extends from the first region A1 and may be inserted or accommodated into the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the main housing) according to the sliding movement of the first structure <NUM>, or may be exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM>. As will be described later, the second region A2 is moved while substantially being guided by a roller <NUM> (see <FIG>) mounted on the second structure <NUM> to be accommodated inside or exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM>. For example, while the first structure <NUM> slides, a portion of the second region A2 may be deformed into a curved shape at a position corresponding to the roller <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when viewed from above the first plate 111a (e.g., the slide plate), if the first structure <NUM> moves from the closed state to the open state, the second region A2 may define a substantially flat surface with the first region A1 while being gradually exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch detection circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect a magnetic-field-type stylus pen. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second region A2 may be at least partially accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>, and a portion of the second region A2 may also be exposed to the outside even in the state illustrated in <FIG> (e.g., closed state). In some embodiments of the disclosure, irrespective of the closed state or the open state, a portion of the exposed second region A2 may be located on the roller <NUM>, and at a position corresponding to the roller <NUM>, a portion of the second region A2 may maintain a curved shape.

The key input device <NUM> may be disposed on the second side wall 123b or the third side wall 123c of the second structure <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may be designed such that, depending on the appearance and usage state, the illustrated key input devices <NUM> are omitted or additional key input device(s) is(are) included. In some embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include a key input device (not illustrated), such as a home key button or a touch pad disposed around the home key button. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, at least some of the key input devices <NUM> may be located in one region of the first structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the connector hole <NUM> may be omitted depending on an embodiment of the disclosure, and may accommodate a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device. Although not illustrated, the electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of connector holes <NUM>, and some of the connector holes <NUM> may function as connector holes for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from an external electronic device. In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, the connector hole <NUM> is disposed in the third side wall 123c, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The connector hole <NUM> or a connector hole (not illustrated) may be disposed in the first side wall 123a or the second side wall 123b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the audio modules 145a, 145b, 147a, and 147b may include speaker holes 145a and 145b or microphone holes 147a and 147b. One of the speaker holes 145a and 145b may be provided as a receiver hole for a voice call, and another one may be provided as an external speaker hole. Each microphone hole 146a or 147b may include a microphone disposed therein so as to acquire external sound, and in some embodiments of the disclosure, a plurality of microphones disposed therein so as to detect the direction of sound. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the speaker holes 145a and 145b and the microphone holes 147a and 147b may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker may be included without the speaker holes 145a and 145b (e.g., a piezo speaker). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the speaker hole indicated by reference numeral "145b" may be disposed in the first structure <NUM> to be utilized as a receiver hole for a voice call, and the speaker hole (e.g., an external speaker hole) indicated by reference numeral "145a" or the microphone holes 147a and 147b may be disposed in the second structure <NUM> (e.g., one of the side surfaces 123a, 123b, and 123c).

The camera module <NUM> may be provided in the second structure <NUM> and may photograph a subject in a direction opposite to the first region A1 of the display <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of camera modules <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a wide-angle camera, a telephoto camera, or a close-up camera. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may measure a distance to a subject by including an infrared projector and/or an infrared receiver. The camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. Although not illustrated, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a camera module (e.g., a front camera <NUM> in <FIG>) for photographing a subject in a direction opposite to the first region A1 of the display <NUM>. For example, the front camera may be disposed around the first region A1 or in a region overlapping the display <NUM>, and when disposed in the region overlapping the display <NUM>, the front camera may photograph a subject through the display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an indicator (not illustrated) of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed on the first structure <NUM> or the second structure <NUM>, and may provide state information of the electronic device <NUM> a visual signal by including a light-emitting diode. A sensor module (not illustrated) of the electronic device <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device <NUM> or an external environmental state. The sensor module may include, for example, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint sensor, or a biometric sensor (e.g., an iris/face recognition sensor or an HRM sensor). In another embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor module may further include at least one of, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first structure <NUM>, a second structure <NUM> (e.g., a main housing), a display <NUM> (e.g., a flexible display), a guide member (e.g., the roller <NUM>), a support sheet <NUM>, and/or an articulated hinge structure <NUM>. A portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region A2) may be accommodated inside the second structure <NUM> while being guided by the roller <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may include a first plate 111a (e.g., a slide plate), and a first bracket 111b and/or a second bracket 111c, which are mounted on the first plate 111a. The first structure <NUM>, for example, the first plate 111a, the first bracket 111b, and/or the second bracket 111c may be made of a metal material and/or a non-metal material (e.g., polymer). The first plate 111a may be mounted on the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the main housing) to be linearly reciprocable in one direction (e.g., the direction indicated by arrow ① in <FIG>) while being guided by the second structure <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first bracket 111b may be coupled to the first plate 111a to define the first surface F1 of the first structure <NUM> together with the first plate 111a. The first region A1 of the display <NUM> may be substantially mounted on the first surface F1 to maintain a flat plate shape. The second bracket 111c may be coupled to the first plate 111a to define the second surface F2 of the first structure <NUM> together with the first plate 111a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first bracket 111b and/or the second bracket 111c may be integrated with the first plate 111a. This may be appropriately designed based on the assembly structure or manufacturing process of a manufactured product. The first structure <NUM> or the first plate 111a may be coupled to the second structure <NUM> to be slidable relative to the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may include a plurality of bars or rods <NUM> (see <FIG> or <FIG>) and may be connected to one end of the first structure <NUM>. For example, as the first structure <NUM> slides, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may move relative to the second structure <NUM>, and in the closed state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>), the first structure <NUM> may be substantially accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, even in the closed state, a portion of the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may not be accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>. For example, even in the closed state, a portion of the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may be positioned to correspond to the roller <NUM> outside the second structure <NUM>. The plurality of rods <NUM> may linearly extend to be disposed parallel to the rotation axis R of the roller <NUM>, and may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R, for example, the direction in which the first structure <NUM> slides.

Accordingly, as the first structure <NUM> slides, the plurality of bars <NUM> may be arranged to define a curved surface or a flat surface shape. For example, as the first structure <NUM> slides, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may define a curved surface in a portion facing the roller <NUM>, and the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may define a flat surface in a portion not facing the roller <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second region A2 of the display <NUM> may be mounted or supported on the articulated hinge structure <NUM>, and in the open state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>), the second region A2 of the display <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM> together with the first region A1. In the state in which the second region A2 is exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM>, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> may substantially support or maintain the second region A2 in the flat state by defining a flat surface.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the main housing) may include a second plate 121a (e.g., a rear case), a printed circuit board (not illustrated), a rear plate 121b, a third plate (121c) (e.g., a front case), and a support member 121d. The second plate 121a (e.g., the rear case) may be disposed to face away from the first surface F1 of the first plate 111a and may substantially provide the external shape of the second structure <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second structure <NUM> may include a first side wall 123a extending from the second plate 121a, a second side wall 123b extending from the second plate 121a to be substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 123a, and a third side wall 123c extending from the second plate 121a to be substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 123a and parallel to the second side wall 123b. In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, a structure in which the second side wall 123b and the third side wall 123c are manufactured as parts separate from the second plate 121a and mounted on or assembled to the second plate 121a is exemplified. However, the second side wall 123b and the third side wall 123c may be manufactured integrally with the second plate 121a. The second structure <NUM> may accommodate an antenna for proximity wireless communication, an antenna for wireless charging, or an antenna for magnetic secure transmission (MST) in a space that does not overlap the articulated hinge structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rear plate 121b may be coupled to the outer surface of the second plate 121a, and the rear plate 121b may be manufactured integrally with the second plate 121a depending on an embodiment. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second plate 121a may be made of a metal or polymer material, and the rear plate 121b may be made of a material, such as metal, glass, a synthetic resin, or ceramic to provide a decoration effect in the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second plate 121a and/or the rear plate 121b may be made of a material that transmits light through at least a portion (e.g., an auxiliary display region). For example, in the state in which a portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region A2) is accommodated in the second structure <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may output visual information using a partial region of the display <NUM> accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>. The auxiliary display region may provide the visual information output from the region accommodated inside the second structure <NUM> to the outside of the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third plate 121c may be made of a metal or polymer material and may be coupled to the second plate 121a (e.g., the rear case), the first side wall 123a, the second side wall 123b, and/or the third side wall 123c to define an internal space of the second structure <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the third plate 121c may be referred to as a "front case", and the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the first plate 111a) may slide in the state of substantially facing the third plate 121c. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the first side wall 123a may be configured by a combination with a first side wall portion 123a-<NUM> extending from the second plate 121a and a second side wall portion 123a-<NUM> disposed at a side edge of the third plate 121c. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the first side wall portion 123a-<NUM> may be coupled to surround one side edge of the third plate 121c (e.g., the second side wall portion 123a-<NUM>), and in this case, the first side wall portion 123a-<NUM> itself may be the first side wall 123a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the support member 121d may be disposed in a space between the second plate 121a and the third plate 121c and may have a flat plate shape made of a metal or polymer material. The support member 121d may provide an electromagnetic shielding structure in the internal space of the second structure <NUM> or may improve mechanical rigidity of the second structure <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, when received inside the second structure <NUM>, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> and/or a partial region (e.g., the second region A2) of the display <NUM> may be located in a space between the second plate 121a and the support member 121d.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a printed circuit board (not illustrated) may be disposed in a space between the third plate 121c and the support member 121d. For example, the printed circuit board may be accommodated in a space separated, by the support member 121d, from a space in which a partial region of the articulated hinge structure <NUM> and/or the display <NUM> is accommodated inside the second structure <NUM>. On the printed circuit board, a processor, a memory and/or an interface may be mounted. The processor may include one or more of, for example, a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a nonvolatile 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 electrically or physically connect, for example, the electronic device <NUM> to an external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/an MMC connector, or an audio connector.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the display <NUM> is a flexible display based on an organic light-emitting diode and is at least partially deformable into a curved shape while being generally maintained in a flat shape. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first region A1 of the display <NUM> may be mounted on or attached to the first surface F1 of the first structure <NUM> to maintain a substantially flat plate shape. The second region A2 extends from the first region A1 and may be supported on or attached to the articulated hinge structure <NUM>. For example, the second region A2 may extend along the sliding movement direction of the first structure <NUM>, may be accommodated inside the second structure <NUM> together with the articulated hinge structure <NUM>, and may be deformed in an at least partially curved shape according to the deformation of the articulated hinge structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, as the first structure <NUM> slides on the second structure <NUM>, the area of the display <NUM> exposed to the outside may vary. The electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a processor) may change the region of the display <NUM> that is activated based on the area of the display <NUM> exposed to the outside. For example, in the open state or at a position intermediate between the closed state and the open state, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the region exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM> in the total area of the display <NUM>. In the closed state, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the first region A1 of the display <NUM> and deactivate the second region A2 of the display <NUM>. In the closed state, when there is no user input for a predetermined period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds or <NUM> minutes), the electronic device <NUM> may deactivate the entire area of the display <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, in the state in which the entire area of the display <NUM> is deactivated, the electronic device <NUM> may provide visual information through an auxiliary display region (e.g., a portion of the second plate 121a and/or the rear plate 121b made of a material that transmits light) by activating a partial region of the display <NUM> as needed (e.g., providing a notification or a missed call/message arrival notification according to a user setting).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the open state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>), substantially the entire region (e.g., the first region A1 and the second region A2) of the display <NUM> may be exposed to the outside, and the first region A1 and the second region A2 may be disposed to define a plane. In an embodiment of the disclosure, even in the open state, a portion (e.g., one end) of the second region A2 may be located to correspond to the roller <NUM>, and the portion corresponding to the roller <NUM> in the second region A2 may be maintained in a curved shape. For example, in various embodiments disclosed herein, even if it is stated that "in the open state, the second region A2 is disposed to define a plane", a portion of the second region A2 may be maintained in a curved shape. Similarly, although it is stated that "in the closed state, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> and/or the second region A2 are accommodated in the second structure <NUM>", a portion of the articulated hinge structure <NUM> and/or the second region A2 may be located outside the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a guide member (e.g., the roller <NUM>) may be rotatably mounted on the second structure <NUM> at a position adjacent to one side edge of the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the second plate 121a). For example, the roller <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the edge of the second plate 121a parallel to the first side wall 123a (e.g., the portion indicated by reference numeral "IE"). Although reference numerals are not given in the drawings, another side wall may extend from an edge of the second plate 121a adjacent to the roller <NUM>, and the side wall adjacent to the roller <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the first side wall 123a. As mentioned above, the side wall of the second structure <NUM> adjacent to the roller <NUM> may be made of a material that transmits light, and a portion of the second region A2 may provide visual information through a portion of the second structure <NUM> in the state of being accommodated in the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, one end of the roller <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the second side wall 123b, and the other end may be rotatably coupled to the third side wall 123c. For example, the roller <NUM> may be mounted on the second structure <NUM> to be rotatable about a rotation axis R perpendicular to the slide direction of the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the direction indicated by arrow ① in <FIG> or <FIG>). The rotation axis R may be disposed substantially parallel to the first side wall 123a, and may be located, for example, at one edge of the second plate 121a far from the first side wall 123a. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the gap provided between the outer circumferential surface of the roller <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a may define an inlet through which the articulated hinge structure <NUM> or the display <NUM> enters the inside of the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the display <NUM> is deformed into a curved shape, the roller <NUM> is able to suppress excessive deformation of the display by maintaining the radius of curvature of the display <NUM> to a certain degree. "Excessive deformation" may mean that the display <NUM> is deformed to have an excessively small radius of curvature to the extent that pixels or signal wires included in the display <NUM> are damaged. For example, the display <NUM> may be moved or deformed while being guided by the roller <NUM> and may be protected from damage due to excessive deformation. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the roller <NUM> may rotate while the articulated hinge structure <NUM> or the display <NUM> is inserted into or extracted from the second structure <NUM>. For example, by suppressing friction between the articulated hinge structure <NUM> (or the display <NUM>) and the second structure <NUM>, the articulated hinge structure <NUM> (or the display <NUM>) is able to smoothly perform the insertion/extraction operation of the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the support sheet <NUM> may be made of a flexible and somewhat elastic material, for example, a material including an elastic body, such as silicone or rubber. The support sheet <NUM> may be mounted on or attached to the roller <NUM> and may be selectively wound around the roller <NUM> as the roller <NUM> rotates. In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of (e.g., four) support sheets <NUM> may be arranged along the direction of the rotation axis R of the roller <NUM>. For example, the plurality of support sheets <NUM> may be mounted on the roller <NUM> such that adjacent support sheets <NUM> are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and may extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R. In other embodiments of the disclosure, one support sheet may be mounted on or attached to roller <NUM>. For example, one support sheet may have a size and shape corresponding to the region in which the support sheets <NUM> are disposed and the regions between the support sheets <NUM> in <FIG>. In this way, the number, size, or shape of the support sheets <NUM> may be appropriately changed depending on an actually manufactured product. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the support sheet <NUM> may be rolled on the outer circumferential surface of the roller <NUM> as the roller <NUM> rotates or may be spread out from the roller <NUM> in a flat plate shape from the gap between the display <NUM> and the third plate 121c. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the support sheet <NUM> may be referred to as a "support belt", an "auxiliary belt", a "support film", or an "auxiliary film".

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an end of the support sheet <NUM> may be connected to the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the first plate 111a (e.g., a slide plate)), and the support sheet <NUM> may be rolled on the roller <NUM> in the closed state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>). Accordingly, when the first plate 111a moves to the open state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>), the support sheet <NUM> may be gradually located between the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the third plate 121c) and the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region A2) or between the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the third plate 121c) and the articulated hinge structure <NUM>. For example, at least a portion of the support sheet <NUM> may be located to face the articulated hinge structure <NUM>, and may be selectively wound around the roller <NUM> according to the sliding movement of the first plate 111a. The support sheet <NUM> may be generally disposed to be in contact with the articulated hinge structure <NUM>, but a portion rolled on the roller <NUM> may be substantially separated from the articulated hinge structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the gap between the surface of the display <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a may vary according to the extent to which the support sheet <NUM> is wound around the roller <NUM>. The smaller the gap between the surface of the display <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a, the easier it is to prevent foreign matter from entering the gap between the surface of the display <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a. However, when the gap is excessively small, the display <NUM> may come into contact with or rub against the second plate 121a. When direct contact or friction occurs, the surface of the display <NUM> may be damaged or the sliding operation of the first structure <NUM> may be hindered.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the closed state, since the support sheet <NUM> is wound around the roller <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the gap between the surface of the display <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a while maintaining the state in which the surface of the display <NUM> is not in contact with the second plate 121a. For example, by reducing the arrangement gap in the closed state, it is possible to block the inflow of external foreign matter into the inside of the second structure <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, as the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the first plate 111a or the slide plate) gradually moves to the open state, the support sheet <NUM> may move away from the roller <NUM> to gradually move to the gap between the second structure <NUM>) (e.g., the second plate 121a or the third plate 121c) and the articulated hinge structure <NUM>. For example, as the first structure <NUM> moves to the open state, the arrangement gap gradually increases so that it is possible to suppress direct friction or contact between the display <NUM> and another structure (e.g., the second plate 121a) and to prevent the surface of the display <NUM> from being damaged due to the friction or contact. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the thickness of the support sheet <NUM> may gradually increase from one end (e.g., the portion fixed to the roller <NUM>) toward the other end (e.g., the portion fixed to the first plate 111a). By using the thickness profile of the support sheet <NUM>, it is possible to adjust the arrangement gap in the closed state and the open state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one elastic member <NUM> or <NUM> made of a low-density elastic body, such as a sponge, or a brush. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first elastic member <NUM> mounted on one end of the display <NUM>, and may further include a second elastic member <NUM> mounted on the inner surface of an edge of the second plate 121a depending on an embodiment. The first elastic member <NUM> may be substantially disposed in the internal space of the second structure <NUM>, and in the open state (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>), the first elastic member <NUM> may be located to correspond to the edge of the second plate 121a. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first elastic member <NUM> may move in the internal space of the second structure <NUM> according to the sliding movement of the first structure <NUM>. When the first structure <NUM> moves from the closed state to the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> may move toward the edge of the second plate 121a. When the first structure <NUM> reaches the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> may come into contact with the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a. For example, in the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> may seal the gap between the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a and the surface of the display <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, when moving from the closed state to the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> may move while being in contact with the second plate 121a (e.g., slide contact). For example, when foreign matter is introduced into the gap between the second region A2 and the second plate 121a in the closed state, the first elastic member <NUM> may discharge the foreign matter to the outside of the second structure <NUM> while moving to the open state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second elastic member <NUM> may be attached to the inner surface at the edge of the second plate 121a and may be disposed to substantially face the inner surface of the display <NUM>. In the closed state, the gap (e.g., the arrangement gap) between the surface of the display <NUM> and the inner surface of the edge of the second plate 121a may be substantially determined by the second elastic member <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the closed state, the second elastic member <NUM> may seal the arrangement gap by coming into contact with the surface of the display <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second elastic member <NUM> may be made of a low-density elastic body, such as a sponge, or a brush, so that the surface of the display <NUM> may not be damaged even if it comes into direct contact with the display <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the arrangement gap may increase as the first structure <NUM> gradually moves to the open state. For example, the second region A2 of the display <NUM> may be gradually exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM> without substantially coming into contact with or rubbing against the second elastic member <NUM>. When the first structure <NUM> reaches the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> may come into contact with the second elastic member <NUM>. For example, in the open state, the first elastic member <NUM> and the second elastic member <NUM> may block the inflow of foreign matter by sealing the arrangement gap G.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a guide rail(s) <NUM> and/or an actuating member(s) <NUM>. The guide rail(s) <NUM> may be mounted on the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the third plate 121c) to guide the sliding movement of the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the first plate 111a or slide plate). The actuating member(s) <NUM> may include a spring or a spring module that provides an elastic force in a direction to move opposite ends thereof away from each other. One end(s) of the actuating member(s) <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the second structure <NUM>, and the other end(s) may be rotatably supported by the first structure <NUM>. When the first structure <NUM> slides, the opposite ends of the actuating member(s) <NUM> may be located closest to each other at any one point between the closed state and the open state (hereinafter, referred to as a "closest point"). For example, in the section between the closest point and the closed state, the actuating member(s) <NUM> may provide an elastic force to the first structure <NUM> in a direction to move toward the closed state and in the section between the closest point and the open state, the actuating member(s) <NUM> may provide an elastic force to the first structure <NUM> in a direction to move toward the open state.

In the following detailed description, the components, which can be easily understood through the preceding embodiments of the disclosure, may be denoted by the same reference numerals as the preceding embodiments or the reference numerals may be omitted, and the detailed description thereof may also be omitted. An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by selectively combining configurations of different embodiments of the disclosure, and the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced by that of another embodiment. For example, it is noted that the disclosure is not limited to specific drawings or embodiments.

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

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a first structure <NUM> and a second structure <NUM> disposed to be movable on the first structure <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may be interpreted as a structure in which the first structure <NUM> is disposed to be slidable on the second structure <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may be disposed to be reciprocable by a predetermined distance in the illustrated direction (e.g., the direction indicated by arrow ② relative to the second structure <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure,, the first structure <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a first housing, a slide unit, or a slide housing, and may be disposed to be reciprocable on the second structure <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second structure <NUM> may be referred to as, for example, a second housing, a main unit, or a main housing, and may accommodate various electrical and electronic components <NUM>, such as a printed circuit board <NUM> and a battery <NUM>. A portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the first region B1) may be seated on the second structure <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, when the first structure <NUM> moves (e.g., slides) relative to the second structure <NUM>, another portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region B2) may be accommodated inside the second structure <NUM> (e.g., a slide-in operation) or exposed to the outside of the second structure <NUM> (e.g., a slide-out operation). Here, a portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the first region B1) may be a basic use region when the display <NUM> is in the slide-in state, and another portion of the display <NUM> (e.g., the second region B2) may be an expanded region in the slide-out state. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, an embodiment in which the basic use region of the display <NUM> in the slide-in state is seated on the second structure <NUM> is illustrated. Referring to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> together with <FIG>, the expanded region in the slide-out state of the display <NUM> or <NUM> may be seated via one of the first structure <NUM> or <NUM> or the second structure <NUM> or <NUM>. For example, the disclosure is not limited to any specific embodiment.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> and the second structure <NUM> may constitute, for example, one housing <NUM>'. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first structure <NUM> (e.g., the first housing) is separated from the second structure <NUM> (e.g., the second housing), wherein, when the display <NUM> region is expanded, the first structure <NUM> may protrude outward from the second structure <NUM>. Unlike this, according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, in the state in which the first structure <NUM> is configured as a substantially single housing <NUM>' with the second structure <NUM>, the width of the housing <NUM>' can be widened when the display <NUM> region is expanded.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first structure <NUM> may include a first plate 211a (e.g., a slide plate), and may include a first surface F1 including at least a portion of the first plate 211a and a second surface (e.g., the second surface F2 in <FIG>) facing away from the first surface F1. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first surface F1 of the first plate 211a may be referred to as the first surface F1 of the housing <NUM>', and the second surface F2 of the first plate 211a may also be referred to as the second surface F2 of the housing <NUM>'. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first plate 211a may be wound or unwound in the state of being accommodated in the housing <NUM>'.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing <NUM>' may include a first side member 201a and a second side member 202a (e.g., the first side wall 123a in <FIG>) facing away from the first side member 201a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first side member 201a may be provided in the first structure <NUM>, and the second side member 202a may be provided in the second structure <NUM>. When it is described that the width of the housing <NUM>' is widened when the display <NUM> region is expanded, it may mean that the distance between the first side member 201a and the second side member 202a increases, and when it is described that the width of the housing <NUM>' is narrowed when the display region is contracted, it may mean that the distance between the first side member 201a and the second side member 202a decreases. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the minimum distance between the first side member 201a and the second side member 202a may define a basic use region of the display <NUM> in the slide-in state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one member (or at least one rotating member). Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include, as the at least one member, a roller-type rotating member <NUM>. However, this is an example of the at least one member, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. With respect to the above-described roller-type member <NUM>, additionally or alternatively, another type of rotating member may be included. For example, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, a link assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>) configured to be foldable as a member may be included. In addition, it should be noted that any configuration capable of implementing or inducing a linear motion when the display is expanded using a rotational motion may be included in the scope of "the at least one member" of the disclosure.

<FIG> are views illustrating an electronic device in a state in which a region of a flexible display is contracted according to various embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> are views illustrating an electronic device in a state in which a region of a flexible display is expanded according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Here, <FIG> may illustrate the state in which a portion of the flexible display <NUM> (e.g., the second region B2) is accommodated in the second structure <NUM>. The state illustrated in <FIG> may be defined as the state in which as first structure <NUM> is closed with respect to the second structure <NUM>, and the state illustrated in <FIG> may be defined as the state in which the first structure <NUM> is open with respect to the second structure <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the "closed state" or the "open state" may be defined as the state in which the electronic device is closed or the state in which the electronic device is open.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> together, the first structure <NUM> and the second structure <NUM> may form a single housing <NUM>'. Thus, a bezel region of the first structure <NUM> (or the side wall of the first structure <NUM>) may be correspondingly connected to the bezel region of the second structure <NUM> (or the side wall of the second structure <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrate the state in which only the basic use region (e.g., the first region B1) in the slide-in state of the display <NUM> is exposed to the outside. In the slide-out state of the display <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the expanded region (e.g., the second region B2) is additionally exposed to the outside so that the first region can be substantially expanded. Referring to <FIG>, when the first side member 201a of the housing <NUM>' slides, at least a portion B2-<NUM> of the second region B2 is oriented in the first direction so that the first region can be substantially expanded.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the slide-out state, the second region B2 of the flexible display <NUM> may extend from the first region B1, wherein a portion (e.g., B2-<NUM>) may be oriented in a first direction that is the same as the first region B1, and another portion (e.g., B2-<NUM>) may be configured to be oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, in a state in which the flexible display <NUM> is fully expanded, the other portion (e.g., B2-<NUM>) may be an unused portion. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the other portion (e.g., B2-<NUM>) of the second region B2 may be connected to the rear plate (e.g., the rear plate <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> so as to serve to maintain the tension of the first plate 211a.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an electronic device in a state in which a link assembly is provided inside a housing according to the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rollable electronic device <NUM> includes a flexible display <NUM> and a plate that supports at least a portion of the flexible display <NUM> and slides to cause at least a portion of the second region (e.g., the second region B2 in <FIG>) of the flexible display <NUM> to be oriented in the first direction so that the first region (e.g., the first region B1 in <FIG>) can be substantially expanded. In addition, the rollable electronic device <NUM> further includes at least one member that enables the sliding movement of the plate through a rotational motion. In an embodiment not according to the claims, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the at least one member may be a roller, but does not necessarily correspond thereto. According to the claims, the at least one member is configured as a link assembly <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and subsequent figures. Hereinafter, regarding the "at least one member", the link assembly <NUM> including a plurality of arms (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) will be described as an example.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure to be described below, a rotation detection sensor configured to measure the rotation amount of the link assembly <NUM>, a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as a flexible printed circuit board "(FPCB)") structure on which the rotation detection sensor is mounted, a shielding structure configured to shield an external magnetic field acting on the rotation detection sensor, and the like may be provided.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the plate (e.g., the first plate 211a) may serve to prevent an expandable or contractible display <NUM> from sagging, and for this purpose, the plate may be disposed on the rear surface of the display. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, since an internal space (e.g., the internal space S in <FIG>) may be produced on the rear surface of the plate (e.g., the first plate 211a) when the display <NUM> is expanded, a structure for supporting the plate (e.g., the first plate 211a) may be required. For example, the link assembly <NUM> may be provided as a structure for supporting the plate (e.g., the first plate 211a).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the link assembly <NUM> of the rollable electronic device <NUM> may be provided to be foldable in the internal space S of the rollable electronic device <NUM>. The link assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of arms (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>), and the plurality of arms (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) may be configured to be rotatable around at least one rotating axis.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the rotating member illustrated in <FIG> may further include a spring (e.g., a torsion spring <NUM>) configured to provide an elastic repulsive force and/or an elastic supporting force to the rotational operation thereof.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a rollable electronic device in a state in which a link assembly is expanded when a display region is expanded according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rollable electronic device <NUM> may further include printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> accommodated in the housing and a bracket <NUM> supporting the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM>. As described above with reference to <FIG>, in the embodiment of <FIG> and subsequent figures, the link assembly <NUM> may be applied as the at least one member that enables the sliding movement of the plate through a rotational motion, and the link assembly <NUM> may be disposed between one side of the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM> and the first side member 201a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a plurality of link assemblies <NUM> may be provided in the internal space of the electronic device <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the link assembly <NUM> may include a first link assembly <NUM>, a second link assembly <NUM>, a third link assembly <NUM>, and a fourth link assembly <NUM>.

When the link assembly <NUM> is folded, the display of the rollable electronic device <NUM> can be contracted, and when the link assembly <NUM> is unfolded, the display of the rollable electronic device <NUM> can be expanded. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the display is expanded, the width of the housing of the rollable electronic device <NUM> and the space between one side of the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM> and the first side member 201a can be widened.

All of the first link assembly <NUM>, the second link assembly <NUM>, the third link assembly <NUM>, and the fourth link assembly <NUM> may have substantially the same configuration to perform substantially the same operation. For example, all of the first link assembly <NUM>, the second link assembly <NUM>, the third link assembly <NUM>, and the fourth link assembly <NUM> may be different from each other only in position in which each of the link assemblies is disposed in the internal shape (e.g., the space S in <FIG>) of the rollable electronic device <NUM>, and may be equal to each other in size and shape. As another example, when the first link assembly <NUM> is folded, the second link assembly <NUM>, the third link assembly <NUM>, and the fourth link assembly <NUM> may also be folded, and when the first link assembly <NUM> is unfolded, the second link assembly <NUM>, the third link assembly <NUM>, and the fourth link assembly <NUM> may also be unfolded.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first to fourth link assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> include first arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> rotatably coupled to the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM>, respectively, and second arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> rotatably coupled to the first arm <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively, and rotatably coupled to the first side member 201a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first to fourth link assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be provided at the lower end of the first plate 211a and may be configured to support the first plate 211a. Since the first to fourth link assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are provided to support the lower end of the first plate 211a, sagging of the first plate 211a can be prevented when the display is expanded. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., a first link assembly <NUM>) in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a front view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, in describing various embodiments of the "link assembly <NUM>", among the plurality of link assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the first link assembly <NUM> will be described as an example.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rollable electronic device (e.g., the rollable electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) may include a rotation detection sensor <NUM> configured to measure a rotation angle of the first link assembly <NUM>. The rotation detection sensor <NUM> may be provided to detect the amount of rotation (rotation angle) of the first link assembly <NUM>. In addition, the rollable electronic device (e.g., the rollable electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) may further include a magnet <NUM> disposed to correspond to the rotation detection sensor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> is disposed on at least one of a first rotating axis (e.g., the first rotating axis 411a of <FIG> below) to which the first arm <NUM> and the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM> are coupled, a second rotating axis (e.g., the second rotating axis 411b of <FIG> below) to which the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> are coupled, and a third rotating axis (e.g., the third rotating axis 412a of <FIG> below) to which the second arm <NUM> and the first side member 201a are coupled.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the rotation detection sensor <NUM> is positioned on a second rotating axis (e.g., the second rotating axis 411b of <FIG> below) to which the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> are coupled. In addition, an embodiment in which a magnet <NUM> is disposed at a position corresponding to the rotation detection sensor <NUM> is illustrated. For example, a rotation detection sensor <NUM> may be disposed at one end of the first arm <NUM>, and a magnet <NUM> corresponding to the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may be provided on the second arm <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be disposed at one end of the second arm <NUM>, and may be accommodated in a seating portion <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the rotation detection sensor <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may further include an FPCB <NUM> configured to electrically connect the rotation detection sensor <NUM> to a printed circuit board inside the housing.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the FPCB <NUM> may be further coupled to the link assembly <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the FPCB <NUM> may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM> and may be provided at a position at which the electrical length thereof is minimized. For example, the FPCB <NUM> may be disposed on the first arm <NUM> adjacent to the printed circuit board <NUM> in the first link assembly <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the FPCB <NUM> may include a flat plate portion 415a coupled to the first arm <NUM>, a first end 415b coupled to the second arm <NUM>, and a second end 415c connected in parallel to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The flat plate portion 415a of the FPCB <NUM> may overlap the first arm <NUM> or may be fitted into a groove provided in the first arm <NUM>, and may be disposed to be perpendicular to the first surface (e.g., the first surface F1 in <FIG>) of the rollable electronic device <NUM> like the first arm <NUM>. On the first end 415b of the FPCB <NUM>, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may be disposed, and the first end 415b may be disposed to be parallel to the first surface (e.g., the first surface F1 in <FIG>) of the rollable electronic device <NUM> such that the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> of the second arm <NUM> face each other at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The second end 415b of the FPCB <NUM> may be disposed parallel to the first surface (e.g., the first surface F1 in <FIG>) of the rollable electronic device <NUM> to be in contact with the printed circuit board <NUM>. Hereinafter, as will be described later with reference to <FIG>, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may be disposed at a second end 415b of the FPCB <NUM>. As described above, the FPCB <NUM> may have a shape in which the first end 415b and the second end 415c are perpendicular to the flat plate portion 415a. In this way, the FPCB <NUM> may be integrally configured with the first arm <NUM> and may operate integrally with the operation of the first arm <NUM>. In addition, since the FPCB <NUM> is formed such that most of the area is in contact with the first arm <NUM>, even if the rollable electronic device <NUM> is additionally provided with an FPCB, it is possible to minimize an increase in the volume of the electronic device due to the addition of the FPCB.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an FPCB structure, which includes a magnetic rotary position sensor as the rotation detection sensor and on which a magnet and the rotary position sensor are mounted, is configured as an integrated form. Thus, it is possible to measure the correct position of the display by converting the amount of change in the left and right linear motion according to the expansion and contraction of the display into a rotating motion on the rotating axis of the hinge without requiring an additional mounting space.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) in which a method of detecting the rotation of the link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) using a rotation detection sensor <NUM> is illustrated according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> provided in the first arm <NUM> is capable of measuring the rotation angle of the first link assembly <NUM> by measuring the intensity of a magnetic field generated by a magnet <NUM> provided at a position corresponding to the rotation detection sensor <NUM> in the second arm <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the distance between the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> may be fixed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may measure a magnetic field having a certain intensity. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a relative rotation angle is measured through a change in magnetic field between the rotation detection sensor <NUM> rotating along the rotating axis and the magnet <NUM>, wherein by fixing the distance between the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet on the rotating axis constant, it is possible to minimize the change in intensity of magnetic force when measuring the rotation angle. For example, when the intensity of magnetic force is changed by an external magnetic field, it may be estimated that the change is not a change in magnetic field between the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> due to the rotation of the rotating member, and the effect of the change may be excluded when measuring the rotation angle.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) further including a torsion spring according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) further including the torsion spring <NUM> may include a torsion spring <NUM> seating portion, which is provided in each of the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>. Through this, one end <NUM> of the torsion spring <NUM> may be mounted on the first arm <NUM>, and the other end <NUM> of the torsion spring <NUM> may be mounted on the second arm <NUM>. The winding portion <NUM> of the torsion spring <NUM> may be disposed to surround the spring guide <NUM> disposed on the second rotating axis of the link assembly (e.g., the second rotating axis 412a of <FIG> below).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the spring guide <NUM> may have a hollow cylindrical structure configured such that a magnetic flux passes through the internal space thereof.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) further including a shielding structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) further including a shielding material according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A shielding structure <NUM> and a shielding material <NUM> may constitute a shielding portion that shields at least a portion around the rotation detection sensor.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the rollable electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments may further include a shielding structure <NUM> or a shielding material <NUM> to protect components from the influence of a magnetic field. For example, the shielding structure <NUM> may be a shielding wall provided to shield against an external magnetic field around the rotation detection sensor <NUM>, and at the end of the first arm <NUM>, the shielding structure <NUM> may protrude by a predetermined height in the axial direction of the rotating axis. In addition, for example, the shielding material <NUM> may be a coating paint (or film) for shielding provided to correspond to the rotation detection sensor <NUM>, and at the end of the second arm <NUM>, the shielding material <NUM> may be provided on the bottom and/or the side surface of the magnet <NUM> seating surface. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, by including the shielding structure <NUM> or the shielding material <NUM>, it is possible to prevent an external magnetic field from affecting the rotation detection sensor <NUM> or prevent a magnetic field of the magnet <NUM> from affecting the electronic components mounted on a printed circuit board of the rollable electronic device <NUM>. The rotation detection sensor <NUM> can accurately measure the change in the magnetic field of the magnet <NUM> disposed on the direction of the rotating axis of the first link assembly <NUM>. In addition, since the external magnetic field can be effectively blocked at this time, it is possible to correctly measure the rotation angle.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a rollable electronic device in a state in which a display region is contracted according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a rollable electronic device in a state in which a display region is expanded according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating a range in which an angle between a rotary sensor and a magnet is variable according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a graph illustrating a relationship between an angle between a rotation detection sensor and a magnet and a display expansion distance according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when expanding or contracting the rollable electronic device <NUM> using the link assembly <NUM> included in the rollable electronic device <NUM>, the linear movement distance of the display can be accurately measured. The rotating member <NUM> is divided into the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>, so that the FPCB <NUM> and the rotation detection sensor <NUM> are mounted on the first arm <NUM>, and a magnet for detection is mounted on the second arm <NUM>. Thus, when the rotating member rotates, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>, which are mounted on the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>, respectively, rotate together with the rotating member <NUM> so that a specific angle corresponding to the expanded or contracted length of the display can be formed between the rotation detection sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> together, by including the link assembly <NUM> (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) constituted with the first arm (e.g., the first arm <NUM>) and the second arm (e.g., a second arm <NUM>) operated when the display is expanded or contracted, the rollable electronic device <NUM> includes a first rotating axis 411a to which the first arm <NUM> and the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM> are coupled, a second rotating axis 411b to which the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> are coupled, and a third rotating axis 412a to which the second arm <NUM> and the first side member 201a are coupled.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the linear movement distance of the display according to the expansion or contraction of the display may be converted into the rotation angle based on the rotation of the rotating axis. In addition, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to calculate an actual display position (or a moving distance) by measuring a rotation angle using a rotation detection sensor provided on a rotating axis, converting the rotation angle into a length in a processor (e.g., a micro-control unit), and mapping the length with the expanded or contracted length of the display.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor (e.g., the rotation detection sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) may be provided on at least one of the plurality of rotating axiss 411a, 411b, and 412a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor may be disposed on the first rotating axis 411a. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, as described above with reference to <FIG>, a rotation detection sensor may be disposed on the second rotating axis 411b. When the rotation detection sensor is disposed on the first rotating axis 411a, there is an advantage in that the length of the FPCB can be minimized or the FPCB can be omitted. However, when the rotation detection sensor is disposed on the first rotating axis 411a, the resolution at the rotation angle α may be reduced to <NUM>/<NUM> of the resolution at the rotation angle β obtained in the case of disposing the rotation detection sensor on the second rotating axis 411b, so that the precision of measurement may be relatively low. When the rotation detection sensor is disposed on the second rotating axis 411b, there is an advantage in that the resolution is higher than that in the case in which the rotation detection sensor is disposed on the first rotating axis 411a. By disposing the magnet <NUM> corresponding to the rotation detection sensor in the space of the electronic device <NUM> expanded as the display is expanded, it is possible to minimize the influence of the magnetic fields from the magnet <NUM> on the electronic components on the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet is <NUM> degrees with reference to the slid-in state of the display. In this state, it is possible to perform zero calibration, and then, it is possible to measure a change in the angle between the sensor and the magnet using the rotation detection sensor (e.g., the rotation detection sensor <NUM> in <FIG>). The angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may have a maximum value ("Max degrees") with reference to the slid-out state of the display. As a link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) moves until the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet changes from <NUM> degrees to Max degrees, both the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may form the angle while each rotating about the rotating axis of the link assembly <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the maximum value (mm) of the maximum expanded length of the display may be mapped at the maximum value (Max degrees) of the rotation angle. The angle of Max degrees may be variously set depending on the design of the link assembly <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may be the maximum in the state in which the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> of the link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>) are fully unfolded to form an angle of <NUM> degrees therebetween. At this time, the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may also have the maximum value (Max degrees) as <NUM> degrees. It is possible to measure the relative angle change between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet according to the movement of the link assembly (e.g., the first link assembly <NUM>). In the state in which the display is slid-in, the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may be <NUM> degrees, and the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may gradually increase depending on the extent to which the display is expanded. When the display reaches the maximum expanded state (slid-out state), the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet also becomes the maximum as Max degrees.

The display expansion distance varies from <NUM> in the slid-in state of the display to the distance of Max (mm) in the slid-out state of the display (maximum expansion). At this time, the angle between a rotation detection sensor and a magnet mounted on a hinge also changes between <NUM> degrees and Max degrees. The expansion distance and angle may linearly correspond to each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet may have a linear relationship as illustrated in the drawing. As the angle between the rotation detection sensor and the magnet increases, the expanded distance of the display may also increase. Using this relationship, angle information obtained from the rotation detection sensor may be converted into the expanded distance of the display. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the angle information obtained from the rotation detection sensor may be converted into the expanded distance of the display, and the processor of the rollable electronic device <NUM> may determine the expanded distance of the display based on the converted expanded distance value. Through this, it is possible to provide a user interface (UI) optimized for the current screen of the rollable electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rollable electronic device <NUM> may be divided into a portion on which a screen can be displayed when the display is expanded (e.g., B1 in <FIG> or B1 and B2-<NUM> in <FIG>) and a portion on which a screen is not displayed when the display is expanded (or the non-used portion) (e.g., B2-<NUM> in <FIG>). With the rollable electronic device <NUM>, by accurately measuring the expanded distance during the sliding movement of the display, it is possible to reduce current consumption by turning off the power of the portion on which a screen is not displayed (or the non-used portion), and by adjusting a touch input as well, it is also possible to improve the accuracy of touch recognition.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a magnetic measurement sensor is exemplified as a rotation detection sensor, but the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure is not limited thereto. As the rotation detection sensor, in addition to the magnetic measurement sensor, one of an optical type, a power generation type, an electronic type, an oscillation type, and a photoelectric type may be applied.

Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>), wherein the electronic device includes: a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM>' in <FIG>) including a first surface oriented in a first direction (e.g., the +Z direction in <FIG>), a second surface oriented in a second direction (e.g., a direction opposite to the +Z direction of <FIG>) opposite to the first direction, a first side member (e.g., the first side member 201a of <FIG>) slidable in a third direction (e.g., the +X direction in <FIG>) different from the first direction and the second direction, and a second side member (e.g., second side member 202a in <FIG>) in a direction opposite to the first side member; a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first region (e.g., first region B1 in <FIG>) oriented in the first direction (e.g., the +Z direction in <FIG>), and a second region (e.g., the second region B2 in <FIG>) extending from the first region and oriented in the second direction (e.g., the direction opposite to the +Z direction in <FIG>) opposite to the first direction; a plate (e.g., the first plate 211a in <FIG>) configured to support at least a portion of the flexible display and to perform a sliding movement to cause at least a portion of the second region to be oriented in the first direction so as to substantially enable expansion of the first region; at least one member (e.g., the roller <NUM> in <FIG> or the link assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to enable the sliding movement of the plate (e.g., the first plate 211a in <FIG>) through a rotational motion; and a rotation detection sensor (e.g., the rotation detection sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to detect the degree of rotation while the at least one member rotates about a rotating axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one member may rotate along at least one rotating axis, and the rotation detection sensor may be disposed on at least one rotating axis (e.g., at least one of the first rotating axis 411a in <FIG>, the second rotating axis 411b in <FIG>, and the third rotating axis 411c in <FIG>).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one member may be a link assembly (e.g., the link assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) provided to be foldable in an internal space of the housing.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the link assembly may support at least a portion of the plate.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>) accommodated inside the housing and a bracket (e.g., the bracket <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to support the printed circuit board, and the link assembly may be disposed between one side of the bracket and the first side member (e.g., the first side member 201a in <FIG>).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the link assembly (e.g., the link assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) may include a first arm (e.g., the first arm <NUM> of <FIG>) rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second arm (e.g., the second arm <NUM> in <FIG>) rotatably coupled to the first arm and rotatably coupled to the first side member.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor may be disposed on a first rotating axis (e.g., the first rotating axis 411a in <FIG>) to which the first arm and the bracket are coupled.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor may be disposed on a second rotating axis (the second rotating axis 411b in <FIG>) to which the first arm and the second arm are coupled.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rollable electronic device may further include an FPCB (e.g., the FPCB <NUM> in <FIG>) coupled to the first arm and configured to electrically connect the rotation detection sensor to a printed circuit board inside the housing.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor may be disposed on at least one of a first rotating axis to which the first arm and the bracket are coupled, a second rotating axis to which the first arm and the second arm are coupled, and a third shaft to which the second arm and the first side member are coupled.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a shielding portion configured to shield at least a portion around the rotation detection sensor.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a spring (e.g., the torsion spring <NUM> in <FIG>) having one end and the other end, which are connected to the first arm and the second arm, respectively, wherein the spring includes a winding portion wound around the first rotating axis between the first arm and the second arm.

The winding portion (e.g., the winding portion <NUM> in <FIG>) of the spring may be configured to surround a spring guide (e.g., the spring guide <NUM> in <FIG>) including a through hole provided therein and disposed on the first rotating axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotation detection sensor may be a sensor of one of a magnetic measurement type, an optical type, a power generation type, an electronic type, an oscillation type, a photoelectric type, and a Hall effect type.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one member may be a roller disposed adjacent to the second side member.

Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>), wherein the electronic device includes: a processor; a first structure (e.g., the first structure <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first plate configured to provide a first surface oriented in a first direction and a second surface oriented in a second direction opposite to the first surface; a second structure (e.g., the second structure <NUM> in <FIG>) coupled to surround at least a portion of the first structure, and configured to guide the sliding movement of the first structure in a direction parallel to the first surface or the second surface of the first structure; a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first region oriented in the first direction and a second region extending from the first region; at least one member disposed inside the housing and configured to rotate according to expansion or contraction of the flexible display (e.g., the roller <NUM> in <FIG> or the link assembly <NUM> in <FIG>); and a rotation detection sensor (e.g., the rotation detection sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to measure a rotation angle of the at least one member on the rotating axis of the member. The processor is configured to determine the sliding movement distance of the first structure using a change in a detected value measured using the rotation detection sensor on the rotating axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one member may be a link assembly provided to be foldable in an internal space of the housing.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the member may include a first arm and a second arm rotatably coupled to the first arm and rotatably coupled to the first side member.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>') including a first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) is coupled to the second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be movable relative to the second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a direction (①, +X);
a flexible display (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a first region (A1) and a second region (A2) extending from the first region (A1);
a plate (211a) configured to support at least a portion of the second region (A2) of the flexible display (<NUM>, <NUM>) and to be movable with a sliding movement of the at least a portion of the second region (A2) in the direction (①, +X) so as to substantially enable expansion of the first region (A1);
a link assembly (<NUM>) configured to enable the sliding movement of the plate (211a) through a rotational motion and including a first arm (<NUM>) and a second arm (<NUM>), wherein the second arm (<NUM>) is rotatably coupled to the first arm (<NUM>) and is rotatably coupled to a portion of the first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the link assembly (<NUM>) includes a plurality of rotating axes (411a, 411b, 412a); and
a rotation detection sensor (<NUM>) provided on a position corresponding to one of the plurality of rotating axes (411a, 411b, 412a) and configured to detect a degree of rotation while the link assembly (<NUM>) rotates about the plurality of rotating axes (411a, 411b, 412a).