Patent Description:
In an electronic device, particularly, a portable electronic device, a large-area display is advantageous for utilization of digital contents, but it may be advantageous for the electronic device to have a small form-factor for ease of portability and use. With the advent of flexible displays using technology such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), rollable or slideable electronic devices that mount flexible displays so as to mount large-area displays in small form-factors may be utilized.

Conventionally, a double housing structure in which a protruding and retracting portion of a flexible display panel is protected by an inner housing and in which the inner housing is protruded from and retracting into an outer housing may be utilized. However, in the conventional double housing structure, because a display between the outer housing and the inner housing should receive the inner housing, it may be difficult to reduce a thickness of the bezel.

A slideable electronic device may have a structure in which a flexible display panel is protruded from and retracted into a main body. In the case that the flexible display panel of the slideable electronic device is drawn out, a side surface of the flexible display panel may be exposed. Accordingly, the exposed side surface of the flexible display panel may be damaged due to an external impact, or a foreign material may be introduced into the slideable electronic device through an exposed portion.

According to various embodiments disclosed in this document, a slideable electronic device in which a side surface of a flexible display panel is protected and in which a thickness of a bezel is reduced and in which a sense of unity in appearance is maintained may be provided.

Further, according to various embodiments disclosed in this document, a slideable electronic device in which a transmission and reception performance is improved by exposing a wireless transceiver may be provided.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a first housing; a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing; a flexible display panel retracted into and drawn out from the electronic device by a sliding motion between the first housing and the second housing; a protruding and retracting member protruded to a space between lateral portions of the first housing and the second housing generated at a side surface of the flexible display panel when the flexible display panel is drawn out and retracted into the electronic device from the space when the flexible display panel is retracted; an interlocking structure coupled to at least one of the first housing or the second housing and configured to convert the sliding motion into a lateral movement; a connecting member having flexibility configured such that one end thereof is coupled to one end of the protruding and retracting member and the other end thereof is connected to the interlocking structure to be movable along the lateral movement; and a guide positioned in at least one of the first housing or the second housing and configured to convert the lateral movement of the connecting member generated by an action of the interlocking structure into a vertical movement. In some embodiments, the interlocking structure may include a sliding rail disposed on an inner side surface of at least one of the first housing or the second housing; a sliding block having one end portion slidably coupled to the sliding rail; and at least one link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the connecting member.

In some embodiments, the sliding rail may include a groove formed on an inner side surface of the first housing, and the guide may be fixedly disposed at the second housing in a lateral portion exposed to the outside during the withdrawing operation of the second housing. In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a groove formed on an inner side surface of the second housing, and the guide may be fixedly disposed at the first housing at a lateral portion exposed to the outside during the withdrawing operation of the first housing. In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a first sliding rail including a first groove formed on an inner side surface of the first housing and a second sliding rail including a second groove formed on an inner side surface of the second housing, the sliding block may include a first sliding block slidably coupled to the first sliding rail and a second sliding block slidably coupled to the second sliding rail, the link bar may include a first link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the first sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the other end portion of the connecting member and a second link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the second sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the other end portion of the connecting member, wherein the first link bar and the second link may be disposed to face each other based on a center line of the connecting member.

In another embodiment, the electronic device may further include a foreign material blocking member in contact with a lower part of the connecting member, slidably coupled on an inner surface of the first housing or the second housing, and configured to block a gap existing between a lower part of the connecting member and an inner surface of the first housing or the second housing to prevent a foreign material from being introduced into the electronic device.

In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a sliding limiting member disposed close to an end portion in a direction in which the flexible display panel is retracted on a surface thereof and configured to apply a resistance force to a sliding movement therebetween with respect to the sliding block, wherein the sliding limiting member may have an asymmetrical resistance force that provides a low resistance force to a sliding movement of the sliding block when an operation of withdrawing the flexible display panel is performed and that provides a high resistance force to the sliding movement of the sliding block in an operation of retracting the flexible display panel.

In some embodiments, the connecting member may include a multi-bar structure including a plurality of bars disposed in parallel with each other and rotatably connected to each other. In another embodiment, the connecting member may have one side disposed parallel to the bar and the other side disposed at a specific angle with the one side on a plane, and the other side may have a flat connecting member rotatably connected to the other end portion of the link bar. In another embodiment, the sliding block may include a groove formed in the other end portion so that the one end portion of the link bar may be rotatably fitted, and the flat connecting member may include a groove formed to be rotatably fitted with the other end portion of the link bar at a distal end portion of the other side. In another embodiment, the connecting member may include a plurality of guide blocks formed at one side of each of the plurality of bars, and the guide may include a guide rail slidably coupled to the plurality of guide blocks. In some embodiments, the guide block may have a T-shaped cross-section, and the guide rail may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the guide block.

In some embodiments, the protruding and retracting member may be a side wall configured to protect the side surface of the flexible display panel. In another embodiment, the protruding and retracting member may include or be connected to a wireless transceiver, and the wireless transceiver included in or connected to the protruding and retracting member by a sliding motion may change a position thereof inside the electronic device or be exposed to a space between the first housing and the second housing to improve a wireless reception performance.

According to various embodiments disclosed in this document, there can be provided a slideable electronic device in which a protruding and retracting member is interlocked with a sliding motion to be protruded from and withdrawn to a side surface of a flexible display panel and in which the side surface of the flexible display panel is thus protected by the protruding and retracting member and that has a constant and thin bezel thickness. According to various embodiments, as the protruding and retracting member protruding and retracting in interlocking with a sliding operation includes a wireless transceiver, a slideable electronic device having an improved radio wave transmission and reception performance can be provided.

According to various embodiments, by positioning a protruding and retracting member in side areas of the second housing slidably coupled to the first housing, an electronic device capable of minimizing exposure can be provided.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements.

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

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of an electronic device <NUM> in a state in which a flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted according to embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted according to embodiments of the disclosure.

In <FIG>, x, y, and z coordinate axes are represented, and the term "horizontal" in this specification may refer to a plane parallel to the x and y axes and/or a direction parallel to the plane, the term "vertical" may refer to a direction parallel to the z-axis, and the term "side surface" may refer to a plane perpendicular to the y-axis.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure may include a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a flexible display panel <NUM>, a protruding and retracting member <NUM>, and a connecting member <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may provide a space for mounting internal components of the electronic device <NUM>, and protect the internal components from an external impact. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are slidably coupled to each other, for example, in the x-axis direction on the drawing. The first housing and the second housing may include sidewalls having a constant thickness in order to protect a lateral portion of the flexible display panel <NUM> to be described later, and a thickness T of the sidewalls may be defined as a bezel thickness.

The flexible display panel <NUM> may perform an operation of being drawn out from or retracted to the inside of the first housing by a sliding motion between the first housing and the second housing. In some embodiments, the flexible display panel <NUM> may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel. The flexible display panel <NUM> may include a cover for protecting a thin-film transistor (TFT) and display element on a surface of the panel, and the cover may include a synthetic resin material such as colorless polyimide or a transparent material having flexibility such as ultra thin glass. The flexible display panel <NUM> may include a flexible support member <NUM> that may be curved while being retracted to the first housing and for structural support at a curved portion. In some embodiments, the flexible support member <NUM> may include a multi-joint structure in which a plurality of support plates are rotatably connected.

The protruding and retracting member <NUM> may be positioned inside the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is retracted and be protruded to a space existing between side surfaces of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> when the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out. Further, when the flexible display panel <NUM> is retracted, the flexible display panel <NUM> may be retracted into the electronic device <NUM>. A length of the protruding and retracting member <NUM> in the x-axis direction may be smaller than that of a gap formed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out. A mechanism in which the protruding and retracting member <NUM> is protruded and retracted will be described later.

In some embodiments, the protruding and retracting member <NUM> may be a side wall protecting a portion of the side surface of the flexible display panel <NUM> exposed to a space existing between side surfaces of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out. The protruding and retracting member <NUM> may have substantially the same thickness T' as that of bezels of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in a state protruded to the side surface of the flexible display panel <NUM>. Such a constitution can improve the sense of unity in the appearance of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out.

In another embodiment, the protruding and retracting member <NUM> may include a wireless transceiver <NUM>. The wireless transceiver may be a device for inputting and outputting radio waves, infrared rays, or signals for communication similar thereto. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may include an antenna module <NUM>. Because the protruding and retracting member <NUM> includes the wireless transceiver <NUM>, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be exposed to the outside, as needed, and a wireless transmission and reception performance of the electronic device <NUM> may be improved. In another embodiment, the protruding and retracting member <NUM> may include only a portion of the wireless transceiver <NUM> or may be connected to the wireless transceiver <NUM>. In the case that the protruding and retracting member <NUM> moves according to a withdrawal operation of the flexible display panel <NUM>, a position of the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be changed inside the electronic device <NUM>. As the wireless transceiver <NUM> changes a position thereof to correspond to the change in radio wave transmission and reception characteristics of the electronic device <NUM> changing according to withdrawal or retraction of the flexible display panel <NUM>, a wireless transmission and reception performance of the electronic device <NUM> may maintain an optimal state.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an internal mechanism of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an internal mechanism of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an internal mechanism of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a protruding and retracting member <NUM>, interlocking structure <NUM>, a connecting member <NUM>, and a guide <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the protruding and retracting member <NUM>, the connecting member <NUM>, and the guide <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the protruding and retracting member <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In <FIG>, the first housing <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, and a sliding rail <NUM> are omitted for clarity. The cross-section of <FIG> is a cross-section in A-A' direction of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include an interlocking structure <NUM>, a connecting member <NUM>, and a guide <NUM>.

The interlocking structure <NUM> may convert a sliding movement of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> according to the withdrawal and retraction of the flexible display panel <NUM> into a lateral (represented in an y axis on the drawing) movement of the electronic device <NUM>. The interlocking structure may be slidably coupled to at least one of the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM> in at least one portion thereof. One end of the interlocking structure may be connected to a connecting member <NUM> to be described later. In embodiments, the interlocking structure <NUM> may include a link, cam, pinion, rail, and/or similar power transmission mechanism as a mechanism for converting a direction of a movement.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the interlocking structure <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to some embodiments may include a sliding rail <NUM>, a sliding block <NUM>, and a link bar <NUM>. The sliding rail <NUM> may be slidably coupled to a sliding block <NUM> to be described later and be disposed in the x-axis direction on an inner side surface of at least one of the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM>. The sliding block <NUM> and the link bar <NUM> may be rotatably connected to each other, and the link bar may be disposed at a first angle θ with respect to the connecting member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sliding rail <NUM> according to some embodiments may be fixedly disposed at the second housing <NUM>, and in other embodiments, the sliding rail <NUM> may be fixedly disposed at the first housing <NUM>. The sliding rail <NUM> may include a groove <NUM> formed on an inner side surface of at least one of the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM>.

One end portion of the sliding block <NUM> may be slidably coupled to the sliding rail <NUM>. The sliding rail <NUM> may prevent the sliding block <NUM> from moving in the y-axis direction with respect thereto and enable the sliding block <NUM> to move only in the x-axis direction. The other end portion of the sliding block <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to one end portion of the link bar <NUM> to be described later. In some embodiments, the sliding block <NUM> may include a rotation shaft and/or a shaft hole for rotatable coupling with the link bar <NUM> at the other end portion.

The link bar <NUM> may have one end portion rotatably coupled to the sliding block and the other end portion rotatably coupled to the connecting member <NUM>. The link bar <NUM> may convert a direction of a force in the x-axis direction received by the sliding block into a force in the y-axis direction, and transfer the force to the connecting member <NUM>.

The connecting member <NUM> may be movably connected to the interlocking structure <NUM>, be coupled to the protruding and retracting member <NUM> at one end, and be slidably coupled to a guide <NUM> to be described later. While the connecting member <NUM> receives a lateral movement converted by the interlocking structure <NUM> and is driven by it, the connecting member <NUM> may be guided by the guide <NUM> to move the protruding and retracting member <NUM> in the y-axis and z-axis directions on the drawing. Because the protruding and retracting member <NUM> is coupled to one end of the connecting member <NUM>, the protruding and retracting member <NUM> may be moved to a position that may cover an exposed side surface of the flexible display panel <NUM> by a movement of the connecting member <NUM>. The connecting member may include a flexible structure so that it may be guided by the guide <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the connecting member <NUM> according to some embodiments may have a multi-joint structure including a plurality of bars <NUM> rotatably connected to each other in order to have flexibility. In order to rotatably connect the plurality of bars <NUM> to each other, the connecting member <NUM> may include a joint structure such as a barrel hinge, a flexible hinge, or a living hinge. A thickness of each bar <NUM> may be the same or different, as needed.

In some embodiments, the connecting member <NUM> and the protruding and retracting member may include guide blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The guide blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may be a structure for enabling the connecting member <NUM> to be slidably coupled to the guide <NUM> without being separated from the guide <NUM>. In some embodiments, the guide block may have a T-shaped, H-shaped, P-shaped or similar cross-section.

With reference back to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the guide <NUM> may be fixed to the first housing <NUM>, and the sliding rail <NUM> may be fixed to the second housing <NUM>. The link bar <NUM> may apply a force by changing a direction of the force in the y-axis direction so that the connecting member <NUM> moves by being guided by the guide <NUM> using a force in the x-axis direction applied to the sliding block <NUM> by a relative movement of the second housing <NUM> with respect to the first housing <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, in another embodiment, contrary to the above description, the guide <NUM> may be fixed to the second housing <NUM>, and the sliding rail may be fixed to the first housing <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the guide <NUM> may be slidably coupled to the connecting member <NUM>. While limiting a movement of the connecting member <NUM> in the x-axis direction, the guide <NUM> may guide a moving direction of the connecting member <NUM> so as to protrude the protruding and retracting member <NUM> to a space between the first housing and the second housing as the connecting member <NUM> moves in lateral and vertical directions of the electronic device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the guide <NUM> may include a guide rail <NUM> slidably coupled to the guide block <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> and configured to drive the connecting member in the y-axis and z-axis directions of the electronic device <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the guide rail <NUM> may be a J-shaped rail including straight and curved sections.

The guide rail <NUM> may include a groove formed on a surface of the guide <NUM> in contact with the connecting member <NUM> in a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-section of the guide block <NUM>. For example, in the case that the guide block <NUM> has a T-shaped cross section, the guide rail <NUM> may include a T-shaped groove corresponding to the T-shaped cross section of the guide block <NUM>.

Shapes of the guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> of the electronic device according to the embodiment of this document are only an embodiment, and the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes.

<FIG> is an internal perspective view illustrating a protruding process of a protruding and retracting member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 4A, in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted, the sliding block <NUM> may be positioned at one end portion of the sliding rail <NUM> in the x-axis direction. With reference to FIG. 4B, when the second housing <NUM> moves in the x-axis direction with respect to the first housing <NUM> so as to draw out the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM> may slide with respect to the sliding rail <NUM> to be positioned at the other end portion of the sliding rail <NUM>. With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the sliding block <NUM> moves from a state of FIG. 4A to a state of FIG. 4B, in the case that the second housing <NUM> moves with respect to the first housing <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM> may move in the -x-axis direction with respect to the second housing. With reference to FIG. 4C, when the second housing <NUM> continues to slide in the state of FIG. 4B, the sliding block <NUM> may receive a force in the x-axis direction at the other end portion of the sliding rail <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an operation of the link bar <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of the connecting member <NUM> and the guide <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating positions of the connecting member <NUM> and the guide <NUM> in a state in which the protruding and retracting member <NUM> is protruded according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The cross sections of <FIG> and <FIG> are cross sections cut along A-A' direction of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the link bar <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be rotatably coupled to each of the sliding block <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> and be disposed at a first angle θ with respect to the connecting member <NUM>. When the sliding movement of the second housing is applied in the x-axis direction in a state in which the sliding block <NUM> is positioned at the other end portion of the sliding rail <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM> may be coupled to one end away from the center of the link bar <NUM> to apply a rotational force to the link bar <NUM>. The rotational force of the link bar <NUM> may be converted and applied to a force of a y-axis direction with respect to the connecting member <NUM> coupled to the other end portion of the link bar.

The connecting member <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the link bar <NUM> and operated by a force converted by the link bar <NUM> in the y-axis direction. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide rail <NUM> of the guide <NUM> provides a curved path for converting a movement of the connecting member <NUM> in the y-axis direction to the z-axis direction. In some embodiments, the guide rail <NUM> may include a J-shaped curved path. The connecting member <NUM> moves along a J-shaped curved path by the guide rail <NUM>, thereby protruding the protruding and retracting member <NUM> coupled to one end of the connecting member <NUM> into the space between the first housing and the second housing. The protruded protruding and retracting member <NUM> may exist in a location that covers a lateral portion of the flexible display panel <NUM> exposed to the space between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a sliding rail <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating actions of the sliding rail <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM>, and a sliding limiting member <NUM> during a withdrawal operation.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating actions of the sliding rail <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM>, and the sliding limiting member <NUM> during a retraction operation.

Arrows marked in <FIG> and <FIG> represent a relative movement of the sliding block <NUM> with respect to the sliding rail <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the sliding rail <NUM> may include a sliding limiting member <NUM>. The sliding limiting member may be disposed on the sliding rail <NUM> to be close to a distal end portion in a direction in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is retracted (-x direction in the drawing). In some embodiments, the sliding limiting member <NUM> may include a protrusion formed on an inner surface of the groove <NUM> formed at an inner surface of the first housing or the second housing.

With reference to <FIG>, when the user performs an operation of withdrawing the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, the sliding limiting member <NUM> may provide a low resistance force to a sliding movement between the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding rail <NUM>. Therefore, the sliding block <NUM> may easily pass through the sliding limiting member <NUM> to reach a distal end portion of the sliding rail <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, conversely, when the user performs an operation of retracting the flexible display panel <NUM>, the sliding limiting member <NUM> may provide a high resistance force to the sliding movement between the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding rail <NUM>. Therefore, the sliding block <NUM> may not easily pass through the sliding limiting member <NUM>, and the sliding block <NUM> may receive a force from the second housing in the -x direction. The force received by the sliding block <NUM> in the -x direction may drive the link bar <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> so that the protruding and retracting member is retracted into the electronic device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in the cross section of the sliding block <NUM>, an end portion in the -x direction may have a shape that is easy to pass through the sliding limiting member <NUM>, and an end portion in the opposite direction may have an shape that is unfavorable for passing through the sliding limiting member <NUM>. For example, the sliding block <NUM> may include a chamfering or rounding (R) shape with respect to a corner at an end portion in the -x direction, and maintain a corner shape with small or no chamfering or rounding value at an end portion in the opposite direction.

In another embodiment, the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding limiting member <NUM> may include a bump structure having a lateral symmetric inclined surface. In other embodiments, the sliding limiting member <NUM> may include an asymmetrical movement limiting mechanism such as a ratchet.

<FIG> is an internal perspective view illustrating a retraction action of the protruding and retracting member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, in a state in which the protruding and retracting member <NUM> is protruded, the link bar <NUM> may be disposed at a second angle θ with respect to the connecting member <NUM>. The second angle θ may be smaller than a first angle θ, which is an angle formed by the link bar <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> in a state in which the protruding and retracting member <NUM> is retracted.

When the user performs an action of retracting the flexible display panel <NUM>, the sliding limiting member <NUM> may provide a high resistance force to a sliding movement between the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding rail <NUM>. Therefore, the sliding block <NUM> may not easily pass through the sliding limiting member <NUM>, but receive a force from the second housing in the -x direction. Accordingly, the sliding block <NUM> may drive the link bar <NUM> and the connecting member in a direction in which the protruding and retracting member is retracted into the electronic device <NUM>. After the driving of the connecting member is completed, when an additional force is applied to the second housing, the sliding block <NUM> may pass through the sliding limiting member <NUM> and move on the sliding rail <NUM>.

<FIG> is an internal perspective view illustrating a connecting member <NUM> and an interlocking structure <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a connecting member <NUM>, a link bar <NUM>, and an interlocking structure <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the connecting member <NUM> may include a plurality of bars <NUM> disposed in parallel and a flat connecting member <NUM> having one surface perpendicular to the bar <NUM> on a plane. The side parallel to the bar <NUM> may be coupled to the bar <NUM> so that the connecting member <NUM> may have flexibility, and the side perpendicular to the bar <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the link bar <NUM>. In some embodiments, the flat connecting member <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> may include coupling grooves <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively to which both end portions of the link bar <NUM> may be rotatably coupled. In some embodiments, each of the coupling grooves <NUM> and <NUM> may include a shaft hole for rotatably coupling both end portions of the link bar <NUM>. In <FIG>, the L-shaped flat connection member <NUM> is an embodiment for reducing a mounting space, and the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the flat connection member <NUM> may include various shapes for coupling with the link bar on a plane. For example, the flat connecting member <NUM> may have a simple rectangular shape or a T-shape according to a position connecting the connecting member <NUM> and the link bar <NUM>, and two sides of the flat connecting member <NUM> may form an acute angle or an obtuse angle not <NUM> degrees.

With reference to <FIG>, both ends of the link bar <NUM> are inserted into the coupling grooves <NUM> and <NUM> to be rotatably coupled to the coupling grooves <NUM> and <NUM>; thus, the link bar <NUM>, the sliding block <NUM>, and the flat connecting member <NUM> may be positioned at a the same height. Such a constitution has the advantage capable of minimizing a thickness required for mounting inside the electronic device <NUM> by reducing the overall height of the interlocking structure <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

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

With reference to <FIG>, an interlocking structure <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure may include a first sliding rail 341a, a second sliding rail 341b, a first sliding block 342a, a second sliding block 342b, a first link bar 343a, and a second link bar 343b.

The first sliding rail 341a may include a first groove 3411a formed at an inner side surface of the first housing <NUM>, and the second sliding rail 341b may include a second groove 3411b formed at an inner side surface of the second housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a length of the first sliding rail 341a may be shorter than that of the second sliding rail 341b. In another embodiment, a length of the second sliding rail 341b may be shorter than that of the first sliding rail 341a. The first sliding block 342a and the second sliding block 342b may be slidably coupled to the first sliding rail 341a and the second sliding rail 341b, respectively.

The first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b may have one end portions rotatably coupled to the first sliding block 342a and the second sliding block 342b, respectively, and the other end portions rotatably coupled to the connecting member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b may be disposed to form a first angle θ and a third angle θ with the connecting member <NUM>, respectively in a direction in which the other end portions face each other. Magnitudes of the first angle θ and the third angle θ may be determined according to lengths of the first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b, positions in which the first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b are coupled to the connecting member <NUM>, and positions of the first sliding block 342a and the second sliding block 342b. In some embodiments, the first angle θ and the third angle θ may be substantially the same, and the first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the yz plane.

The guide <NUM> may include a guide rail <NUM> disposed at the center thereof, and the connecting member <NUM> may include a guide block <NUM> disposed at a position corresponding to that of the guide rail <NUM>. The first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b may be rotatably coupled to the connecting member <NUM> at a point forming left-right symmetry around the guide block <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM>.

With reference back to <FIG>, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may have a first guide seating portion <NUM> and a second guide seating portion <NUM>, respectively. The first guide seating portion <NUM> and the second seating portion <NUM> may include grooves formed on inner bottom surfaces of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be slidably disposed with respect to the first guide seating portion <NUM> and the second guide seating portion <NUM>.

When the user performs an operation of withdrawing the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> slide in the -x-axis and x-axis direction based on the guide <NUM>, respectively, and the first sliding block 342a and the second sliding block 342b reach both end portions. In this state, in the case that the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> further slide, the first sliding block 342a and the second sliding block 342b receive a force in the -x and x-axis directions, respectively, and this is transferred by the first link bar 343a and the second link bar 343b to apply a force to the connecting member <NUM> in the y-axis direction. In the above-described constitution, the force applied to the connecting member <NUM> is symmetrical, and an unbalanced force is thus applied to the connecting member <NUM> in the x or -x-axis direction to prevent a frictional force between the guide rail <NUM> and the guide block <NUM> from increasing.

<FIG> is an internal perspective view illustrating a foreign material blocking member <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is retracted according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is an internal perspective view illustrating a foreign material blocking member <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating a foreign material blocking member <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is drawn out and in which a protruding and retracting member <NUM> is protruded according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

The side view of <FIG> is a side view taken based on the y-axis direction of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure may include a foreign material blocking member <NUM>.

The foreign material blocking member <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to either the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM> and be slidable coupled to the other one of the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the other one of the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM> may include a groove <NUM> formed at a bottom surface in order to guide the foreign material blocking member <NUM> during a sliding motion.

With reference to <FIG>, an upper surface (referring to a surface facing the z-axis direction in the drawing) of the foreign material blocking member <NUM> may slidably contact the guide <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM>. The foreign material blocking member <NUM> may fill a gap existing between the guide <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> and the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM> to block an outer foreign material from being introduced into the electronic device <NUM> in a state in which the flexible display panel <NUM> is drawn out. In some embodiments, the foreign material blocking member <NUM> may be a seal, sweeper, or scraper including rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), silicone, or similar elastic materials.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a first housing; a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing; a flexible display panel retracted into and drawn out from the electronic device by a sliding motion between the first housing and the second housing; a protruding and retracting member protruded to a space between lateral portions of the first housing and the second housing generated at a side surface of the flexible display panel or retracted into the electronic device from the space when the flexible display panel is drawn out or retracted; an interlocking structure coupled to at least one of the first housing or the second housing and configured to convert the sliding motion into a lateral movement of the electronic device; a connecting member having flexibility configured such that one end thereof is coupled to one end of the protruding and retracting member and the other end thereof is connected to the interlocking structure to be movable along the lateral movement; and a guide positioned in at least one of the first housing or the second housing and configured to convert the lateral movement of the connecting member generated by an action of the interlocking structure into a vertical movement. In some embodiments, the interlocking structure may include a sliding rail disposed on an inner side surface of at least one of the first housing or the second housing; a sliding block having one end portion slidably coupled to the sliding rail; and at least one link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the connecting member.

In some embodiments, the sliding rail may include a groove formed on an inner side surface of the first housing, and the guide may be fixedly disposed at the second housing at a lateral portion exposed to the outside during the withdrawing operation of the second housing. In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a groove formed on an inner side surface of the second housing, and the guide may be fixedly disposed at the first housing at a lateral portion exposed to the outside during a withdrawing operation of the first housing. In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a first sliding rail including a first groove formed on an inner side surface of the first housing and a second sliding rail including a second groove formed on an inner side surface of the second housing, the sliding block may include a first sliding block slidably coupled to the first sliding rail and a second sliding block slidably coupled to the second sliding rail, the link bar may include a first link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the first sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the other end portion of the connecting member and a second link bar having one end portion rotatably coupled to the other end portion of the second sliding block and the other end portion rotatably connected to the other end portion of the connecting member, wherein the first link bar and the second link may be disposed to face each other based on a center line of the connecting member.

In another embodiment, the electronic device may further include a foreign material blocking member in contact with a lower part of the connecting member, slidably coupled on an inner surface of the first housing or the second housing, and configured to block a gap existing between the lower part of the connecting member and an inner surface of the first housing or the second housing to prevent a foreign material from being introduced into the electronic device.

In another embodiment, the sliding rail may include a sliding limiting member disposed close to an end portion in a direction in which the flexible display panel is retracted on a surface thereof and configured to apply a resistance force to a sliding movement therebetween with respect to the sliding block, and the sliding limiting member may have an asymmetrical resistance force that provides a low resistance force to a sliding movement of the sliding block when an operation of withdrawing the flexible display panel is performed and that provides a high resistance force to the sliding movement of the sliding block in an operation of retracting the flexible display panel.

In some embodiments, the protruding and retracting member may be a side wall protecting a side surface of the flexible display panel. In another embodiment, the protruding and retracting member may include or be connected to a wireless transceiver, and the wireless transceiver included in or connected to the protruding and retracting member by a sliding motion may change a position thereof inside the electronic device or be exposed to a space between the first housing and the second housing to improve a wireless reception performance.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>) slidably coupled to the first housing (<NUM>);
a flexible display panel (<NUM>) retracted into and drawn out from the electronic device by a sliding motion between the first housing (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>);
the electronic device (<NUM>) characterized by further comprising:
a protruding and retracting member (<NUM>) protruded to a space between lateral portions of the first housing (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>) generated at a side surface of the flexible display panel (<NUM>) when the flexible display panel (<NUM>) is drawn out and retracted into the electronic device from the space when the flexible display panel is retracted;
an interlocking structure (<NUM>) coupled to at least one of the first housing (<NUM>) or the second housing (<NUM>) and configured to convert the sliding motion into a lateral movement;
a connecting member (<NUM>) having flexibility configured such that one end thereof is coupled to one end of the protruding and retracting member (<NUM>) and the other end thereof is connected to the interlocking structure (<NUM>) to be movable along the lateral movement; and
a guide (<NUM>) positioned in at least one of the first housing (<NUM>) or the second housing (<NUM>) and configured to convert the lateral movement of the connecting member (<NUM>) generated by an action of the interlocking structure (<NUM>) into a vertical movement.