Patent Description:
Along with the development of electronics, information, and communication technologies, various functions are being integrated into one electronic device. For example, a smart phone includes the function of an audio player, an imaging device, or an electronic notebook as well as a communication function, and more various functions may be implemented in the smart phone through installation of additional applications.

A user may search, select, and obtain more information by accessing a network, not limited to functions (e.g., applications) or information installed in an electronic device itself. In accessing the network, although a direct access method (e.g., wired communication) may provide fast and stable communication establishment, it may limit a use region to a fixed location or a certain range of space. In accessing the network, a wireless communication method has few restrictions on location or space and offers a transmission speed and stability gradually reaching the same level as the direct access method. In the future, the wireless access method is expected to establish faster and more stable communication than the direct access method.

As personal and portable electronic devices such as smart phones have been widely used, user demands for portability and ease of use are increasing. For example, a touch screen display may provide a screen, for example, a virtual keypad which serves as an output device outputting visual information and substitutes for a physical input device (e.g., keypad). Accordingly, the electronic devices may provide the same or improved usability (e.g., a larger screen), while being miniaturized. It is expected that commercialization of flexible displays, for example, foldable or rollable displays will further improve the portability and ease of use of electronic devices in the future.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device which may comprise: a first housing structure including a first conductive part; and a second housing structure including a second conductive part. The hinge structure may include: a metal bracket which includes a first conductive part, a second conductive part, a first cylindrical through-hole and a second cylindrical through-hole; a first insulating cylindrical bushing which is at least partially located inside the first through-hole; a second insulating cylindrical bushing which is at least partially located inside the second through-hole; a first conductive shaft which is in contact with the first conductive part and is extended through the first insulating bushing; a second conductive shaft which is in contact with the second conductive part and is extended through the second insulating bushing; and a conductive connector which is in contact with the first shaft and the second shaft and forms an electrical path from the first conductive part to the second conductive part through the first shaft, the conductive connector, and the second shaft.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device which comprises: a housing including a front surface and a rear surface facing a direction opposite to the front surface; a support plate rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the housing and configured to rotate around a first axis to be kept in an open state at a predetermined angle with respect to the rear surface from a position in which the support plate is in close contact with a partial area of the rear surface; and a hinge structure having at least a portion accommodated inside the housing and configured to rotatably couple the support plate to the housing. The hinge structure may comprise: a first guide member mounted on and fixed to an inner side surface of the housing; a second guide member mounted on and fixed to one surface of the support plate; and a gear module for linking the first guide member and the second guide member, wherein the first axis can be positioned on the rear surface on the outside of the housing. The electronic device can vary according to embodiments. According to the present invention, the hinge structure comprises a plurality of gears or a gear module such that rotation of the support plate can be stably maintained.

<CIT> discloses a flexible-screen mobile terminal hinge. The hinge comprises a plurality of links, adjacent links being rotatably connected by means of a connection structure. The hinge is further provided with an extensible positioning device; the extensible positioning device is provided with a left extensible connection frame, a right extensible connection frame, and a middle connection frame, the left extensible connection frame and the right extensible connection frame are respectively rotatably connected to the middle connection frame, and the middle connection frame is fixed together with a middle link of the plurality of links; left and right end links in the plurality of links, the left extensible connection frame and the right extensible connection frame are each provided with a connection portion capable of connecting to a mobile terminal. Also provided in the present invention is a flexible-screen mobile terminal provided with the flexible-screen mobile terminal hinge. The present invention achieves advanced functions, such that when the flexible screen is unfolded or folded, the flexible-screen mobile terminal has a convenient operation and stable positioning, providing a good operation experience.

<CIT> discloses a foldable mobile terminal and related products which include: a flexible display screen; a housing assembly including a first housing and a second housing, the flexible display screen being provided on the first housing and the second housing; a first rotating assembly that is at least partially received in the first housing and can extend or retract with respect to the first housing in a sliding manner, the first rotating assembly being provided with a first groove; a second rotating assembly that is at least partially received in the second housing and can extend or retract with respect to the second housing in a sliding manner; and a first roller and a first spring provided between the first rotating assembly and the first housing.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device comprising: a first housing; a second housing; and a dual-axis hinge housing for connecting the second housing with the first housing to be able to rotate about a first hinge axis or a second hinge axis parallel to the first hinge axis, respectively. The dual-axis hinge housing may include: a first hinge device configured to rotatably connect the first housing to the dual-axis hinge housing; and a cam configured to accommodate a dual-axis hinge device parallel with the first hinge device and rotatably connecting the dual-axis hinge device around the second hinge axis, rotatably arranged between the first and second hinge devices, set to be interlocked with the first hinge device at a first rotation angle so as to prevent rotation of the first housing and allow rotation of the second housing, and set to be interlocked with the second hinge device at a second rotation angle so as to prevent rotation of the second housing and allow rotation of the second housing.

Although the portability of an electronic device may be increased by miniaturizing and/or reducing the weight of the electronic device, simple miniaturization may lead to a smaller screen or a limited battery capacity, thereby increasing inconvenience in games or multimedia services. In this context, a foldable or rollable display and/or electronic device which enables reduction of the thickness of the electronic device may ensure user convenience. However, a mechanical structure (e.g., a hinge or a roller) for structurally enabling the display and/or electronic device to be folded or rolled may be another obstacle to miniaturization of the electronic device.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a miniaturized hinge module enabling deformation (folding or unfolding) of a display and/or an electronic device including the hinge module.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a hinge module enabling providing of a screen of a sufficient size to improve use convenience and portability and/or an electronic device including the hinge module.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device includes: a first housing and a second housing configured to rotate with respect to each other between a first position at which the first housing and the second housing are disposed to face each other and a second position at which the first housing and the second housing are unfolded from the first position at a predetermined angle with respect to each other, and a hinge module comprising a hinge disposed between the first housing and the second housing and configured to couple the first housing and the second housing rotatably to each other. The hinge module includes a first hinge plate coupled with the first housing and disposed to be rotabable around a first rotation axis, a second hinge plate coupled with the second housing and disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, a rotation plate disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, a first interlocking assembly comprising at least one of a slider, link or connection pin configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and a second interlocking assembly comprising at least one of a slider, link or connection pin configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other. As the first housing and the second housing rotate, the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between the first position and the second position.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, a hinge module and/or an electronic device including the hinge module includes: a first hinge plate disposed to be rotatable around a first rotation axis, a second hinge plate disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, a rotation plate disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, a first interlocking assembly comprising at least one of a slider, link or connection pin configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and a second interlocking assembly comprising at least one of a slider, link or connection pin configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other. The first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between a first position at which the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate face each other and a second position at which the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are unfolded from the first position at a predetermined angle with respect to each other.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, a hinge module enables interworking of folding or unfolding of a plurality of housings by a rotation plate shaped into a flat plate. For example, the rotation plate may be easily installed in a narrow space inside an electronic device, while causing interworking between operations of the housings. Accordingly, the hinge module and/or the electronic device may be miniaturized. For an electronic device of the same size, a larger space for arranging various circuit devices or a battery therein may be secured, and a larger screen may be provided in a portable state, thereby increasing use convenience. Various other effects may be recognized directly or indirectly from this document.

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

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (an internal memory or an external memory) that is readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. Wherein, the "non-transitory" storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in an unfolded or extended state according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in a folded state according to various embodiments.

In the following description, a structure in which a pair of housing structures (or "housings") are rotatably coupled with each other by a hinge structure (or "hinge module") may be illustrated by way of non-limiting example. However, it should be noted that this embodiment does not limit an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include three or more housing structures, and "a pair of housing structures" in an embodiment disclosed below may refer, for example, to "two housing structures rotatably coupled with each other among three or more housing structures.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> rotatably coupled with each other by a hinge structure (e.g., a hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>) so that the housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> can be folded with respect to each other, a hinge cover <NUM> covering foldable parts of the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>, and a display <NUM> (e.g., a flexible display or a foldable display) disposed in a space defined by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a foldable housing in which the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> are rotatably coupled with each other from a folded position at which the housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> face each other to a position at which the housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> are unfolded in parallel to each other. In this document, a surface on which the display <NUM> is disposed may be a front surface of the electronic device <NUM>, and an opposite surface of the front surface may be a rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. Further, a surface surrounding a space between the front and rear surfaces may be a side surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first housing structure <NUM> with a sensor region 131d, a second housing structure <NUM>, a first rear cover <NUM>, and a second rear cover <NUM>. The pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> are not limited to the shape and combination illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and may be implemented in other shapes or in a combination and/or coupling of other components. For example, in an embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> and the first rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed, and the second housing structure <NUM> and the second rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed. In an embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> may include the first rear cover <NUM>, and the second housing structure <NUM> may include the second rear cover <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be disposed on both sides of a first axis, for example, a folding axis A, and may be symmetrical with respect to the folding axis A as a whole. In various embodiments, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may rotate around different folding axes with respect to the hinge structure <NUM> or the hinge cover <NUM>. For example, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the hinge structure <NUM> or the hinge cover <NUM>, respectively, and may rotate around the folding axis A or different folding axes, so that the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may rotate between a mutually folded position and a mutually inclined or unfolded position.

In disclosure, "positioned (located) side by side" or "extending side by side" may refer, for example, to a state in which two structures (e.g., the housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>) are at least partially positioned next to each other or parts thereof located next to each other are arranged in parallel. In various embodiments, "arranged side by side" may refer, for example, to two structures being positioned next to each other, facing in parallel directions or the same direction. While expressions such as "side by side" and "parallel" may be used in the following description, they will be easily understood according to the shape or arrangement relationship of the structures with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to an embodiment, an angle or a distance between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may vary depending on whether the electronic device <NUM> is in an extended state (a flat state or open state), a folded state, or an intermediate state. According to an embodiment, while the first housing structure <NUM> further includes the sensor region 131d having various sensors arranged therein, unlike the second housing structure <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be symmetrical with each other in the remaining region except for the sensor region 131d. In an embodiment, the sensor region 131d may be additionally disposed in or substitute for at least a partial region of the second housing structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment, in the extended (e.g., fully unfolded) state of the electronic device <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM> may be coupled to the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>), and include a first surface <NUM> facing forward from the electronic device <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> facing in the opposite direction to that of the first surface <NUM>, and a first side member <NUM> at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first side member <NUM> may include a first side surface 113a disposed in parallel to the folding axis A, a second side surface 113b extending from one end of the first side surface 113a in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A, and a third side surface 113c extending from the other end of the first side surface 113a in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis A. In the description of various embodiments of the disclosure, expressions such as "parallel" or "perpendicular" are used to describe the arrangement relationship of the above-described side surfaces. However, these expressions encompass the meanings of "partially parallel" or "partially perpendicular" according to embodiments. In various embodiments, the expression "parallel" or "perpendicular" may refer, for example, to including an inclined arrangement relationship within an angle range of <NUM> degrees.

In an embodiment, the second housing structure <NUM> may be coupled to the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>) and include a third surface <NUM> facing forward from the electronic device <NUM>, a fourth surface <NUM> facing in the opposite direction to that of the third surface <NUM>, and a second side member <NUM> at least partially surrounding a space between the third surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM>, in the extended state of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second side member <NUM> may include a fourth side surface 123a disposed in parallel to the folding axis A, a fifth side surface 123b extending from one end of the fourth side surface 123a in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis A, and a sixth side surface 123c extending from the other end of the fourth side surface 123a in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis A. In an embodiment, the third surface <NUM> may be disposed to face the first surface <NUM> in the folded state. In various embodiments, although there are some differences in specific shapes, the second side member <NUM> may be formed in substantially the same shape as the first side member <NUM> or may be formed of substantially the same material as the first side member <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> formed to accommodate the display <NUM> therein through structural shape coupling between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may have substantially the same size as the display <NUM>. In an embodiment, the recess <NUM> may have two or more different widths in the direction perpendicular to the folding axis A due to the sensor region 131d. For example, the recess <NUM> may have a first width W1 between a first part 120a of the second housing structure <NUM> parallel to the folding axis A and a first part 110a of the first housing structure <NUM>, formed at an edge of the sensor region 131d, and a second width W2 between a second part 110b of the second housing structure <NUM> and a second part 110b of the first housing structure <NUM>, which does not correspond to the sensor region 131d and is parallel to the folding axis A. In this case, the second width W2 may be larger than the first width W1. For example, the recess <NUM> may be formed to have the first width W1 covering the first part 110a of the first housing structure <NUM> and the first part 120a of the second housing structure <NUM> which are asymmetrical to each other, and the second width W2 covering the second part 110b of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second part 120b of the second housing structure <NUM> which are symmetrical to each other. In an embodiment, the first part 110a and the second part 110b of the first housing structure <NUM> may be formed to have different distances from the folding axis A. The widths of the recess <NUM> are not limited to the illustrated example. In various embodiments, the recess <NUM> may have two or more different widths according to the shape of the sensor region 131d or asymmetrical parts of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be at least partially formed of a metal material or a non-metal material having a rigidity selected to support the display <NUM>. In an embodiment, at least parts of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may include an electrically conductive material. When the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> include an electrically conductive material, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit and receive radio waves by means of the parts formed of the electrically conductive material in the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. For example, a processor or communication module of the electronic device <NUM> may perform wireless communication using the parts of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor region 131d may be formed to have a predetermined area adjacent to one corner of the first housing structure <NUM>. However, the arrangement, shape, or size of the sensor region 131d is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, in an embodiment, the sensor region 131d may be provided in any area adjacent to another corner of the first housing structure <NUM> or in any area between top and bottom corners of the first housing structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the sensor region 131d may be disposed in at least a partial area of the second housing structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the sensor region 131d may be disposed to extend to the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include components exposed from the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> through the sensor region 131d or at least one opening formed in the sensor region 131d, and various functions may be executed by these components. The components arranged in the sensor region 131d may include, for example, at least one of a front camera device, a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an iris recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an indicator.

In an embodiment, the first rear cover <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the first housing structure <NUM> and have a substantially rectangular periphery. In an embodiment, the periphery of the first rear cover <NUM> may be at least partially surrounded by the first housing structure <NUM>. Similarly, the second rear cover <NUM> may be disposed on the fourth surface <NUM> of the second housing structure <NUM>, and the periphery thereof may be at least partially surrounded by the second housing structure <NUM>.

In the illustrated example embodiment, the first rear cover <NUM> and the second rear cover <NUM> may be substantially symmetrical with respect to the folding axis A. In an embodiment, the first rear cover <NUM> and the second rear cover <NUM> may be in various different shapes. In an embodiment, the first rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed with the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed with the second housing structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a structure in which the first rear cover <NUM>, the second rear cover <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second housing structure <NUM> are coupled to each other may provide a space in which various components (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna module, a sensor module, or a battery) may be disposed. In an embodiment, one or more components may be disposed or visually exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, one or more components or sensors may be visually exposed through a first rear region <NUM> of the first rear cover <NUM>. In various embodiments, the sensors may include a proximity sensor, a rear camera device, and/or a flash. In an embodiment, at least a part of a sub-display <NUM> may be visually exposed through a second rear region <NUM> of the second rear cover <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may be disposed in the space defined by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may be mounted in the recess (e.g., the recess <NUM> in <FIG>) formed by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>, and occupy substantially most of the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include the display <NUM>, and partial areas (e.g., peripheral areas) of the first and second housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent to the display <NUM>. In an embodiment, the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> may include the first rear cover <NUM>, a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the first housing structure <NUM> adjacent to the first rear cover <NUM>, the second rear cover <NUM>, and a partial area (e.g., a peripheral area) of the second housing structure <NUM> adjacent to the second rear cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the display <NUM> may refer to a display which is at least partially deformable into a flat surface or a curved surface. In an embodiment, the display <NUM> may include a folding region 131c, a first region 131a on one side of the folding region 131c (e.g., a right region of the folding region 131c), and a second region 131b on the other side of the folding region 131c (e.g., a left region of the folding region 131c). For example, the first region 131a may be on the first surface <NUM> of the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second region 131b may be on the third surface <NUM> of the second housing structure <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may extend from the first surface <NUM> to the third surface <NUM> through the hinge structure <NUM> of <FIG>, and at least an area corresponding to the hinge structure <NUM> (e.g., the folding region 131c) may be a flexible area deformable from a flat plate to a curved surface.

In an embodiment, the region division of the display <NUM> is illustrated by way of non-limiting example, and the display <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of regions (e.g., two regions or four or more regions) according to a structure or a function. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the folding region 131c may extend in the direction of a vertical axis (e.g., a Y axis of <FIG> ) parallel to the folding axis A, and the display <NUM> may be divided into regions by the folding region 131c or the folding axis A, whereas in an embodiment, the display <NUM> may be divided into regions with respect to a different folding region (e.g., a folding region parallel to a horizontal axis (e.g., an X axis of <FIG>) or a different folding axis (e.g., a folding axis parallel to the X axis of <FIG>). The above-described region division of the display <NUM> is only a physical division by the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> and the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>). The display <NUM> may display one full screen through substantially the pair of housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> and the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the first region 131a and the second region 131b may be symmetrical as a whole with respect to the folding region 131c. However, unlike the second region 131b, the first region 131a may include a notch area (e.g., a notch region <NUM> in <FIG>) providing the sensor region 131d, and may be symmetrical with the second region 131b in the remaining area. For example, the first region 131a and the second region 131b may include parts symmetrical to each other and parts asymmetrical to each other.

Referring further to <FIG>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be disposed between the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> and configured to cover internal components (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>). In an embodiment, the hinge cover <NUM> may be covered or exposed outward by parts of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> according to an operating state (the extended state or folded state) of the electronic device <NUM>.

A description will be given of the operation of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> and each region of the display <NUM> according to various operating states (e.g., the extended state and the folded state) of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the extended (e.g., fully unfolded) state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> are at an angle of <NUM> degrees, and the first region 131a and the second region 131b of the display <NUM> may be disposed to face in the same direction, for example, to display screens in parallel directions. Further, the folding region 131c may form the same plane with the first region 131a and the second region 131b.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be disposed to face each other. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first region 131a and the second region 131b of the display <NUM> may be at a narrow angle (e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees) and face each other. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), at least a part of the folding region 131c may form a curved surface having a predetermined curvature.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the intermediate state, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may form a certain angle, for example, <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees. For example, in the intermediate state, the first region 131a and the second region 131b of the display <NUM> may form an angle larger than that in the folded state and smaller than that in the extended state. At least a part of the folding region 131c may be a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, which is smaller than that in the folded state.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the display <NUM>, a support member assembly (e.g., including a support) <NUM>, at least one PCB <NUM>, the first housing structure (e.g., first housing) <NUM>, the second housing structure (e.g., second housing) <NUM>, the first rear cover <NUM>, and the second rear cover <NUM>. In this disclosure, the display <NUM> may be referred to as a display module or a display assembly.

The display <NUM> may include a display panel <NUM> (e.g., a flexible display panel) and at least one plate <NUM> or layer on which the display panel <NUM> is mounted. In an embodiment, the plate <NUM> may be disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the support member assembly <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be disposed on at least a part of one surface (e.g., a surface in a Z-axis direction of <FIG>) of the plate <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be formed into a shape corresponding to the display panel <NUM>. For example, a partial area of the plate <NUM> may be formed into a shape corresponding to the notch region <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>.

The support member assembly <NUM> may include a first support member <NUM>, a second support member <NUM>, the hinge structure <NUM> disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> which covers the hinge structure <NUM> when the hinge structure <NUM> is seen from the outside, and a wiring member <NUM> (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) crossing the first and second support members <NUM> and <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the support member assembly <NUM> may be disposed between the plate <NUM> and at least one PCB <NUM>. For example, the first support member <NUM> may be disposed between the first region 131a of the display <NUM> and a first PCB <NUM>. The second support member <NUM> may be disposed between the second region 131b of the display <NUM> and a second PCB <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the wiring member <NUM> and the hinge structure <NUM> may be at least partially disposed inside the support member assembly <NUM>. The wiring member <NUM> may be disposed in a direction (e.g., an X-axis direction) crossing the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. The wiring member <NUM> may be disposed in the direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) perpendicular to the folding axis (e.g., the Y axis or the folding axis A of <FIG>) of the folding region 131c.

According to various embodiments, the hinge structure <NUM> includes a hinge module 164a, a first hinge plate 164b, and/or a second hinge plate 164c. In various embodiments, the hinge module 164a includes the first hinge plate 164b and the second hinge plate 164c. In an embodiment, the first hinge plate 164b is mounted inside the first housing structure <NUM>, and the second hinge plate 164c is mounted inside the second housing structure <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first hinge plate 164b may be mounted directly to the first support member <NUM>, and the second hinge plate 164c may be mounted directly to the second support member <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first hinge plate 164b (or the second hinge plate 164c) may be directly mounted to another structure (e.g., a first rotation support surface <NUM> or a second rotation support surface <NUM>) inside the first housing structure <NUM> (or the second housing structure <NUM>). For example, the structure in which the first hinge plate 164b (or the second hinge plate 164c) is mounted inside the first housing structure <NUM> (or the second housing structure <NUM>) may vary depending on an embodiment. In an embodiment, the hinge module 164a may be mounted on the first hinge plate 164b and the second hinge plate 164c to rotatably couple the second hinge plate 164c to the first hinge plate 164b. For example, the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis A in <FIG>) may be formed by the hinge module 164a, and the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> (or the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>) may rotate substantially on the folding axis A with respect to each other.

The at least one PCB <NUM> may include the first PCB <NUM> disposed on the first support member <NUM> and the second PCB disposed on the second support member <NUM>, as described before. The first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM> may be disposed in a space formed by the support member assembly <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM>, the second housing structure <NUM>, the first rear cover <NUM>, and the second rear cover <NUM>. Components for executing various functions of the electronic device <NUM> may be mounted on the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>.

In an embodiment, with the display <NUM> coupled with the support member assembly <NUM>, the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be assembled to be coupled to both sides of the support member assembly <NUM>. The first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> may be slidably coupled with both sides of the support member assembly <NUM>, for example, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>, respectively. The first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> are accommodated substantially in the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>, and according to an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> may be interpreted as parts of the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first housing structure <NUM> may include the first rotation support surface <NUM>, and the second housing structure <NUM> may include the second rotation support surface <NUM> corresponding to the first rotation support surface <NUM>. The first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may include curved surfaces corresponding to a curved surface included in the hinge cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the extended state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may cover the hinge cover <NUM> such that the hinge cover <NUM> may not be exposed or may be minimally exposed from the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state (e.g., the state of <FIG>), the first rotation support surface <NUM> and the second rotation support surface <NUM> may rotate along the curved surface included in the hinge cover <NUM> to maximize exposure of the hinge cover <NUM> from the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

In the above description, ordinal numbers such as first and second in the first housing structure <NUM>, the second housing structure <NUM>, the first side member <NUM>, and the second side member <NUM> are used simply to distinguish components from each other, and it should be noted that the ordinal numbers do not limit the disclosure. For example, although the sensor region 131d has been described as being formed in the first housing structure <NUM> by way of example, the sensor region 131d may be formed in the second housing structure <NUM> or the first and second housing structures <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, although it has been described that the first rear region <NUM> is disposed on the first rear cover <NUM> and the sub-display <NUM> is disposed on the second rear cover <NUM> by way of example, both the first rear region <NUM> for arranging sensors and so on therein and the sub-display <NUM> for outputting a screen may be disposed on any one of the first rear cover <NUM> and the second rear cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example arrangement of a hinge module <NUM> (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> and/or the hinge module 164a in <FIG>) in an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) according to various embodiments. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge module <NUM> in the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> (e.g., the first housing structure <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), a second housing <NUM> (e.g., the second housing structure <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), a display <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM> in <FIG> and/or <FIG>), the hinge module <NUM>, and/or a hinge cover <NUM> (e.g., the hinge cover <NUM> in <FIG> and/or <FIG>). In the extended state of the electronic device <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be substantially concealed by the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, whereas in the folded state of the electronic device <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be at least partially exposed to an external space between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The hinge module <NUM> (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> and/or the hinge module 164a in <FIG>) may be disposed or mounted inside (e.g., in an inner surface of) the hinge cover <NUM> and couple the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to each other. In an embodiment, the hinge module <NUM> may provide the folding axis A of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the hinge module <NUM> may provide a rotation axis of the first housing <NUM> (e.g., a first rotation axis P1 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and a rotation axis of the second housing <NUM> (e.g., a second rotation axis P2 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). The first rotation axis P1 and the second rotation axis P2 may be substantially one rotation axis, similarly to the embodiment of <FIG>. In an embodiment, the first rotation axis P1 and the second rotation axis P2 may be formed or disposed at positions apart from each other by a certain distance. A direction in which the first rotation axis P1 and/or the second rotation axis P2 extends may be a length direction (e.g., a Y-axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the hinge module <NUM> and/or the hinge cover <NUM> may be positioned substantially in correspondence with the folding region of the display <NUM> (e.g., the folding region 131c in <FIG>), and the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be coupled to the hinge module <NUM> to rotate with respect to the hinge module <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may rotate between a position at which the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> face each other (e.g., the folded state of <FIG>) and a position at which the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> are opened at a predetermined angle with respect to each other (e.g., the extended state of <FIG>). In an embodiment, the term "a position at which the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> are opened at a predetermined angle with respect to each other" may include a position at which the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are unfolded at an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to each other, and when any one of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> rotates, the hinge module <NUM> may rotate the other of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. For example, when the first housing <NUM> rotates in a direction away from the second housing <NUM>, the hinge module <NUM> may rotate the second housing <NUM> in a direction away from the first housing <NUM>. In various embodiments, when the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> rotate between the position at which the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> face each other and the position at which the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> are at an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to each other, the first housing <NUM> may rotate in an angle range of <NUM> degrees with respect to the hinge module <NUM>, and the second housing <NUM> may also rotate in the angle range of <NUM> degrees with respect to the hinge module <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the hinge module <NUM> includes a first hinge plate 241a (e.g., the first hinge plate 164b in <FIG>), a second hinge plate 241b (e.g., the second hinge plate 164c in <FIG>), a rotation plate <NUM>, and/or interlocking assemblies <NUM>, and the interlocking assemblies <NUM> interlock rotation of the first hinge plate 241a and the second hinge plate 241b with rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. For example, when the first hinge plate 241a rotates, a first interlocking assembly among the interlocking assemblies <NUM> rotates the rotation plate <NUM>, and along with the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>, a second interlocking assembly may rotate the second hinge plate 241b. The interlocking assembly between the first hinge plate 241a and the rotation plate <NUM> and the interlocking assembly between the second hinge plate 241b and the rotation plate <NUM> may be substantially identical in terms of configuration. In an embodiment, the hinge module <NUM> may further include a hinge bracket <NUM>, the first hinge plate 241a, the second hinge plate 241b, and the rotation plate <NUM> may be coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>, and the interlocking assemblies <NUM> may couple the hinge plates 241a and 241b to the rotation plate <NUM> on the hinge bracket <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, each of the hinge plates 241a and 241b may include a hinge arm 341a, a link arm 341c, and/or a rotation guide groove 341b. The first hinge plate 241a and the second hinge plate 241b may have substantially the same structure, and thus the hinge arms 341a, the link arms 341c, and/or the rotation guide grooves 341b provided in the hinge plates 241a and 241b may be described without distinguishing them from each other by attaching 'first' and 'second' to their names. A plurality of hinge arms 341a may be provided in each of the hinge plates 241a and 241b, and at least one link arm 341c may be provided in each of the hinge plates 241a and 241b. In various embodiments, the hinge arms 341a and the link arm(s) 341c may extend from one edge of each of the hinge plates 241a and 241b in a +X direction or a -X direction. The hinge arms 341a of the first hinge plate 241a and the hinge arms 341a of the second hinge plate 241b may be alternately arranged along the Y-axis direction, and the link arm(s) 341c may be disposed between a hinge arm 341a of the first hinge plate 241a and a hinge arm 341a of the second hinge plate 241b.

According to various embodiments, each of the rotation guide grooves 341b may have an arc trajectory, and may be formed on at least one surface of a hinge arm 341a, for example, at least one of the surface of the hinge arm 341a facing in the +Y direction or the surface of the hinge arm 341a facing in the -Y direction. In an embodiment, the arc trajectory of the rotation guide groove 341b may have a specified radius of curvature, and the center of the radius of curvature may be located substantially on the first rotation axis P1 or the second rotation axis P2. For example, the rotation guide groove 341b of the first hinge plate 241a may be one of structures defining the first rotation axis P1, and the rotation guide groove 341b of the second hinge plate 241b may be one of structures defining the second rotation axis P2.

According to various embodiments, the hinge plates 241a and 241b (e.g., the first hinge plate 164b and the second hinge plate 164c in <FIG>) may be rotatably coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>, respectively. The hinge bracket <NUM> may include accommodation holes 343a for accommodating the hinge arms 341a therein, and each of the hinge arms 341a may be at least partially rotatably accommodated in any one of the accommodating holes 343a. In an embodiment, the hinge bracket <NUM> may include a rotation rail 343b formed on the inner wall of each of the accommodation holes 343a, for example, at least one of the surface of each of the accommodation holes 343a facing in the +Y direction or the surface of the accommodation hole 343a facing in the -Y direction. The rotation rails 343b may protrude from the inner walls of the accommodation holes 343a in the +Y direction or the -Y direction, and extend along the arc trajectories corresponding to the rotation guide grooves 341b. For example, with the rotation rails 343b accommodated in the rotation guide grooves 341b, the hinge arms 341a may be coupled with the accommodation holes 343a to rotate in the accommodation holes 343a. Accordingly, the hinge plates 241a and 241b may be rotatably coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM> and rotate around the rotation axes P1 and P2 by the guide structures and/or the arc trajectories provided by the rotation guide grooves 341b and/or the rotation rails 343b.

According to various embodiments, the rotation plate <NUM> may be formed into a substantially flat plate and rotatably coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>. In an embodiment, with the rotation plate <NUM> coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>, the rotation plate <NUM> may rotate around a rotation axis R (e.g., a rotation axis R in <FIG>) perpendicular to the first rotation axis P1 and/or the second rotation axis P2. In various embodiments, the rotation axis R may be an axis substantially parallel to a thickness direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the rotation plate <NUM> may be a substantially flat plate and coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>, with one surface of the rotation plate <NUM> facing in the Z-axis direction. According to an embodiment, the first hinge plate 241a and the second hinge plate 241b, and/or the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are arranged substantially in parallel to the rotation axis R in the folded state, and in parallel to the rotation plate <NUM> in the extended state.

According to various embodiments, the rotation plate <NUM> may include a plurality of rotation bosses 345a and 345b. Among the rotation bosses 345a and 345b, a first rotation boss 345a may protrude from one surface of the rotation plate <NUM> and may be disposed to penetrate through the hinge bracket <NUM> via a rotation hole 343c. For example, the rotation hole 343c of the hinge bracket <NUM> and/or the first rotation boss 345a may collectively define the rotation axis R of the rotation plate <NUM>. Although no reference numeral is given, a fastening member such as an E-ring may be fastened to the first rotation boss 345a, so that the rotation plate <NUM> may rotate while being coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM>. Among the rotation bosses 345a and 345b, second rotation bosses 345b may be provided in a pair and symmetrical to each other, with the first rotation boss 345a therebetween. For example, the second rotation bosses 345b may protrude from one surface of the rotation plate <NUM>, apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and may be disposed in parallel to each other and/or the first rotation boss 345a. In an embodiment, as the rotation plate <NUM> rotates, the second rotation bosses 345b may orbit around the first rotation boss 345a. As described later, the second rotation bosses 345b may provide a coupling structure with the interlocking assembly(s) <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the interlocking assemblies <NUM> include the first interlocking assembly configured to couple the first hinge plate 241a to the rotation plate <NUM>, and the second interlocking assembly configured to couple the second hinge plate 241b to the rotation plate <NUM>. As the first hinge plate 241a rotates, the first interlocking assembly rotates the rotation plate <NUM>, and as the rotation plate <NUM> rotates, the second interlocking assembly may rotate the second hinge plate 241b. When the second hinge plate 241b rotates, the first hinge plate 241a rotates by the interlocking structure of the rotation plate <NUM> and the interlocking assemblies <NUM>. In various embodiments, the hinge plates 241a and 241b may rotate around any one of the rotation axes P1 and P2 provided by the hinge module <NUM>. In various embodiments, "rotation of the hinge plates 241a and 241b" may refer to relative movement of the hinge plates 241a and 241b with respect to the hinge bracket <NUM> or the rotation plate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, each of the interlocking assemblies <NUM> includes a slider 247a, a link 247b, and/or a connection pin 247c. The slider 247a is coupled to the rotation plate <NUM>, and the connection pin 247c is coupled to any one of the hinge plates 241a and 241b through the link 247b. Therefore, rotation of the hinge plates 241a and 241b is interlocked with rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the slider 247a may be disposed in parallel to the length direction of the electronic device <NUM>, for example, the Y-axis direction, and may have one end rotatably coupled with the rotation plate <NUM> at a position apart from the rotation axis R. For example, the slider 247a may be coupled to any one of the second rotation bosses 345b, may rotate around a third rotation axis P3 (see <FIG>) parallel to the rotation axis R, and may be arranged in parallel to the Y axis on the hinge module <NUM>. The connection pin 247c may be coupled to any one of the link arms 341c and disposed in parallel to the slider 247a in the hinge module <NUM>. For example, the connection pin 247c may be disposed in parallel to the Y-axis direction at a position adjacent to the slider 247a. In various embodiments, the link 247b may be coupled to receive a part of the slider 247a as well as a part of the connection pin 247c. For example, the link 247b may be coupled to surround at least a part of the slider 247a and/or the connection pin 247c, and rotate around the slider 247a and/or the connection pin 247c. In various embodiments, the slider 247a may remain aligned in parallel to the Y axis substantially by the link 247b.

According to various embodiments, the slider 247a may move by a specified range in a width direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> according to the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>, and move in the length direction (e.g., in the Y-axis direction) simultaneously with the movement in the width direction. As the slider 247a is coupled with one of the second rotation bosses 345b at a position apart from the rotation axis R as described before, the position (e.g., the X-axis direction position and/or the Y-axis direction position) of the slider 247b may be changed according to the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. Despite the position change, the slider 247a may be maintained parallel to the Y axis by the link 247b. In an embodiment, as the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b rotates, the connection pin 247c may move in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, while being maintained parallel to the Y-axis direction. For example, as the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b rotates, the connection pin 247c may rotate around any one of the first rotation axis P1 and the second rotation axis P2. Depending on the displacement of the connection pin 247c (e.g., displacement in the X-axis direction and/or the Z-axis direction), the link 247b may rotate around the connection pin 247c and/or the slider 247a.

Although not specified in the above embodiment, the hinge module <NUM> and/or the electronic device <NUM> including the same may include a plurality of fastening members, and the plurality of fastening members may fasten the sliders 247a with the rotation plate <NUM>, the links 247b with the sliders 247a and/or the connection pins 247c with the links 247b without slip-off. The fastening member(s) may include, for example, a C-ring or an E-ring.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a hinge module (e.g., the hinge structure <NUM> and the hinge module 164a in <FIG> and/or the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a bottom view illustrating the hinge module <NUM> in the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating the hinge module <NUM>, taken along line A-A' of <FIG> according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure between the rotation plate <NUM> and the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b in the hinge module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> (which may be referred to hereinafter as <FIG>), the hinge plates 241a and 241b may be coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM> to rotate around the first rotation axis P1 or the second rotation axis P2, and the rotation plate <NUM> may be coupled with the hinge bracket <NUM> to rotate around the rotation axis R. In an embodiment, the first rotation axis P1 or the second rotation axis P2 may be at the center of the radius of curvature of the rotation guide grooves 341b and/or rotation rails (e.g., the rotation rails 343b in <FIG>). The center of the radius of curvature of the rotation guide grooves 341b may be located in a space outside the structure (e.g., the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b) forming the hinge module <NUM>. In various embodiments, the rotation axis R of the rotation plate <NUM> may be formed by, for example, rotatably configured to couple the first rotation boss 345a with a rotation hole (e.g., the rotation hole 343c in <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, when the first hinge plate 241a rotates in the state illustrated in <FIG>, for example, in the extended state illustrated in <FIG>, the connection pins 247c coupled to the first hinge plate 241a (e.g., the link arms 341c) may move the links 247b and the sliders 247a in the +X direction, while moving in the +X direction. When the first hinge plate 241a rotates, the links 247b may move in the +X direction while rotating with respect to the connection pins 247c and/or the sliders 247a. While moving in the +X direction, the sliders 247a may be maintained aligned in the Y-axis direction by the links 247b. As the sliders 247a move in the +X direction while being maintained aligned in the Y-axis direction, the rotation plate <NUM> may rotate counterclockwise.

According to various embodiments, as the rotation plate <NUM> rotates, the link arm 341c of the second hinge plate 241a may move the second hinge plate 241b around the second rotation axis P2 by the interlocking assemblies <NUM>, while moving in the -X direction and/or orbiting around the second rotation axis P2. Accordingly, the hinge plates 241a and 241b may rotate or move from a position at which the hinge plates 241a and 241b are unfolded side by side, each on one side of the other to a position at which the hinge plates 241a and 241b face each other (e.g., the folded state of <FIG>). In an embodiment, the operation of unfolding the hinge plates 241a and 241b may be performed in a reverse order of the operation of rotating the hinge plates 241a and 241b to the position at which the hinge plates 241a and 241b face each other. While the rotation operation to the folded state and/or the extended state is described in the context of the configuration in which the second hinge plate 241b is interlocked with the rotation of the first hinge plate 241a, the folding operation and/or the unfolding operation may be performed by interlocking the rotation of any one of the hinge plates 241a and 241b with the other hinge plate.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating various example operations of a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge module <NUM> in the extended state (e.g., the state shown in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> is shown in a row labeled with "<NUM> degrees", and the hinge module <NUM> in the folded state of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the state in <FIG>) is shown in a row labeled with "<NUM> degrees". In a row labeled with "<NUM> degrees" and/or "<NUM> degrees", the hinge module <NUM> is shown in the state where the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> (e.g., the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> in <FIG> and/or <FIG>) are unfolded inclinedly at an angle of <NUM> degrees and/or <NUM> degrees with respect to each other. In <FIG>, the second column showing the hinge module <NUM> illustrates relative positions of the hinge plates 241a and 241b in the folding and/or unfolding operation, the third column illustrates changes in the relative position of the slider 247a, the link 247b, and/or the connection pin 247c, and the fourth column illustrates X-axis direction and/or Y-axis direction displacements of the slider 247a according to the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, depending on the rotation positions of the hinge plates 241a and 241b, the connection pins 247c and the links 247b may move in the X-axis direction and/or the Z-axis direction, and the sliders 247a may move in the X-axis direction and/or the Y-axis direction. In an embodiment, an X-axis direction movement and/or Z-axis direction movement of the connection pins 247c may be made by the rotation of the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b, for example, the X-axis direction movement of the connection pins 247c may be interlocked with the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. In various embodiments, the X-axis direction displacements of the connection pins 247c may be different from the X-axis direction displacements of the sliders 247a, and the sliders 247a may not generate Z-axis direction movements, whereas the connection pins 247c may move in the Z-axis direction with respect to the sliders 247a. The links 247b are rotatably coupled with the connection pins 247c and the sliders 247a, thereby compensating for or allowing for a relative displacement difference between the connection pins 247c and the sliders 247a and moving the connection pins 247c and the sliders 237a together in the X-axis direction.

According to various embodiments, the sliders 247a may be slidably coupled with the links 247b. For example, when the rotation plate <NUM> rotates, the sliders 247a may linearly reciprocate with respect to the links 247b along the length direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), while being maintained parallel to the Y axis. According to an embodiment, when the rotation axis R is used as a reference, the distance between the rotation axis R and each slider 247a as measured along the Y-axis direction, and/or the Y-axis direction coordinate of the slider 247a as measured with respect to the rotation axis R may vary according to the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. In various embodiments, the links 247b may be positioned at a fixed distance in the Y-axis direction substantially from the rotation axis R, and the sliders 247a may be coupled with the links 247b, to be slidable along the Y-axis direction. In an embodiment, the links 247b and the sliders 247a may be fixed to each other in the Y-axis direction, and the links 247b and the connection pins 247c may be coupled with each other, to be movable in the Y-axis direction. For example, relative displacements in the Y-axis direction generated within the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in the unfolding operation or the folding operation may be compensated for by the coupling structure (e.g., slide coupling) between the links 247b and the sliders 247a and/or the coupling structure between the links 247b and the connection pins 247c.

A position relationship according to this relative movement will be described in greater detail below with further reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a side view illustrating an operation of interlocking assembly(s) (e.g., the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in <FIG>) in the hinge module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, as the slider 247a and the connection pin 237c are coupled with each other by the link 247b, the distance between the slider 247a and the connection pin 247c may be kept constant, and a distance measured along the X-axis direction and/or a distance measured along the Z-axis direction may vary. In an embodiment, the connection pin 247c may move in the X-axis direction and/or the Z-axis direction by rotation of the rotation plate <NUM> and/or rotation of the hinge plates 241a and 241b. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that this is because the connection pin 247c is disposed at a position apart from any one (e.g., the first rotation axis P1) of the rotation axes P1 and P2 of the hinge plates 241a and 241b. Because the hinge bracket <NUM> or the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed at a fixed position substantially with respect to the first rotation axis P1, the connection pin 247c may move in the X-axis direction and/or the Z-axis direction with respect to the hinge bracket <NUM> or the rotation plate <NUM>. In <FIG>, the movement (or displacement) of the connection pin 247c in the X-axis direction and/or the Z-axis direction is indicated by "DX1" and "DZ1". In an embodiment, the slider 247a may be fixed substantially to the rotation plate <NUM> in the Z-axis direction and move in the X-axis direction and/or the Y-axis direction along with the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>. In <FIG>, the displacement of the slider 247a in the X-axis direction is indicated by "DX2", and the displacement DX1 and the displacement DX2 caused by the rotation of the hinge plates 241a and 241b (and/or the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM>) may be different. In an embodiment, the link 247b may compensate for or allow for the difference between the displacement DX1 and the displacement DX2 by rotating with respect to the connection pin 247c and/or the slider 247a, while generating a displacement DZ2. Accordingly, the link 247b may couple the connection pin 247c and the slider 247a to each other so that the connection pin 247c and the slider 247a move together in the X-axis direction, and the difference in relative displacements generated in the X-axis direction (e.g., the difference between the displacement DX1 and the displacement DX2) may be compensated for by the rotation of the link 247b.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example operation of a slider 247a in the hinge module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the displacement of the slider 247a in the hinge module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the slider 247a may move along the Y-axis direction in the hinge module <NUM> according to the folding operation or the unfolding operation. For example, the distance between the first rotation boss 345a and the slider 247a as measured along the Y-axis direction may be different when the rotation bosses 345a and 345b are aligned along the Y-axis direction from when the rotation bosses 345a and 345b are aligned in an inclined direction with respect to the Y axis. In the following embodiment, the position of the slider 247a may be referred to as a "displacement DY1" based on the position of the slider 247a when the rotation bosses 345a and 345b are aligned along the Y-axis direction. In an embodiment, as the displacement DY1 increases, the distance between the rotation axis R (e.g., the first rotation boss 345a) and the slider 247a (e.g., a distance measured along the Y-axis direction) may be set to be small. In an embodiment, the link 247b may be in a locked state that makes the link 247b immovable in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the slider 247a may be coupled with the link 247b such that the slider 247a is capable of linearly reciprocating and/or slidably moving along the Y-axis direction. In an embodiment, the link 247b may be locked with the slider 247a in the Y-axis direction, and the displacement DY1 of the slider 247a may be allowed by slidably coupling the link 247b and the connection pin 247c to each other.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the displacement DY1 may be inversely proportional to the radiuses of curvature of rotation trajectories T1 and T2 of the second rotation bosses 345b and/or the distance between the second rotation bosses 345b. In an embodiment, distances for which the second rotation bosses 345b move along the rotation trajectories T1 and T2 may be proportional to an angle at which the housings <NUM> and <NUM> rotate. In an embodiment, when the second rotation bosses 345b move for the same distance along the rotation trajectories T1 and T2, as the radiuses of curvature of the rotation trajectories T1 and T2 are greater, the displacement DY1 may be smaller. In a detent structure to be described later, an elastic forces accumulated in an elastic member <NUM> may be proportional to the displacement DY1.

According to various embodiments, when the radiuses of curvature of the rotation trajectories T1 and T2 are reduced, it may be easy to miniaturize the rotation plate <NUM>, the hinge module <NUM>, and/or the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the radiuses of curvature of the rotation trajectories T1 and T2 are reduced, a force required to rotate the rotation plate <NUM> may increase. The force required to rotate the rotation plate <NUM> may refer, for example, to a force applied by a user in the folding or unfolding operation of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the radiuses of curvature of the rotation trajectories T1 and T2 formed by the second rotation bosses 345b may be set appropriately in consideration of an elastic force suitable for miniaturization of the electronic device <NUM> and implementation of the detent structure, and/or the convenience of opening and closing operations.

According to various embodiments, the hinge module <NUM> and/or the electronic device <NUM> including the same may further include the elastic member <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be, for example, a compression coil spring, which is disposed to surround the slider 247a, and have one end supported by one end of the slider 247a and the other end supported by the link 247b. An elastic force may be applied in a direction in which both ends of the elastic member <NUM> become farther from each other. In an embodiment, the elastic member <NUM> may be used as a detent structure in the folding operation or the unfolding operation in combination with the Y-axis direction displacement of the slider 247a. This will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example using the displacement of the slider 247a in a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) according to various embodiments.

Referring further to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the slider 247a may further include a flange portion 447a at one end thereof, and in a state where one end of the elastic member <NUM> is supported by the flange portion 447a and the other end thereof is supported by the link 247b, the flange may be disposed to surround the slider 247a. Accordingly, the elastic member <NUM> may provide an elastic force in a direction in which the flange portion 447a moves away from the link 247b. According to an embodiment, at a <NUM>-degree position, the slider 247a may be locked with the hinge bracket <NUM>, and thus the hinge plates 241a and 241b and/or housings (e.g., the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in <FIG>) may be restricted from being unfolded beyond <NUM> degrees. For example, in <FIG>, although at the <NUM>-degree position, the elastic force provided by the elastic member <NUM> has a tendency to rotate the rotation plate <NUM> clockwise, the slider 247a may be interfered by the hinge bracket <NUM>, and thus the rotation plate <NUM> may not rotate clockwise any longer. Accordingly, the elastic member <NUM> may stably maintain the electronic device <NUM> to be unfolded at <NUM> degrees. In various embodiments, at a <NUM>-degree position, the housings <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may already be in contact. Herein, the elastic member <NUM> may have a tendency to rotate the rotation plate <NUM> in a counterclockwise direction, while bringing the slider 247a into close contact with the hinge bracket <NUM>. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may stably maintain the housings <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> facing and contacting each other. In various embodiments, at the <NUM>-degree position or the <NUM>-degree position, the housings <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may contact first, so that the slider 247a may not directly contact the hinge bracket <NUM>. In an embodiment, a feeling of operation, for example, a clicking feeling may be generated at a position at which accumulation of the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> is maximized (e.g., the <NUM>-degree position in <FIG>) or at the <NUM>-degree position and/or the <NUM>-degree position during the unfolding operation or the folding operation. For example, the user may recognize a time when the opening or closing operation of the electronic device <NUM> is completed from the clicking feeling generated by the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, with the hinge plate(s) 241a or 241b and/or the housings <NUM> and <NUM> unfolded at approximately <NUM> degrees, the rotation bosses 345a and 345b may be substantially aligned in the Y-axis direction, and the elastic member <NUM> may be in a maximally compressed state. In an embodiment, between the <NUM>-degree position and the <NUM>-degree position, the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> may rotate the rotating plate <NUM> clockwise. When the rotation plate <NUM> rotates to reach the <NUM>-degree position, the slider 247a may come into contact with the hinge bracket <NUM> to stop the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM> and/or unfolding of the housings <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, between the <NUM>-degree position and the <NUM>-degree position, the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> may rotate the rotation plate <NUM> counterclockwise, and when the rotation plate <NUM> rotates to reach the <NUM>-degree position, the slider 247a may come into contact with the hinge bracket <NUM> to stop the rotation of the rotation plate <NUM> and/or the folding operation of the housings <NUM> and <NUM>. As described before, at the <NUM>-degree position or the <NUM>-degree position, the housings <NUM> and <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may first contact, so that the slider 247a may not directly contact the hinge bracket <NUM>. It should be noted that the rotation directions of the rotation plate <NUM> have been described based on the states illustrated in <FIG>, not limiting various embodiments of the disclosure.

As described above, according to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) includes: a first housing and a second housing (e.g., the first housing structure <NUM> and the second housing structure <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and/or the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to rotate with respect to each other between a first position (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>) at which the first housing and the second housing are disposed to face each other and a second position (e.g., the state illustrated in <FIG>) at which the first housing and the second housing are unfolded at a predetermined angle with respect to each other, and a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) including a hinge disposed between the first housing and the second housing and configured to couple the first housing and the second housing to be rotatable with respect to each other. The hinge module includes a first hinge plate (e.g., the first hinge plates 164b and 241a in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) coupled with the first housing and disposed to be rotatable around a first rotation axis (e.g., the first rotation axis P1 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), a second hinge plate (the second hinge plates 164c and 241b in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) coupled with the second housing and disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis (e.g., the second rotation axis P2 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) parallel to the first rotation axis, a rotation plate (e.g., the rotation plate <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis (e.g., the rotation axis R in <FIG> or <FIG>) perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, a first interlocking assembly (e.g., one of the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in <FIG>) including at least one of a slider, a link or a connection pin configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and a second interlocking assembly (e.g., the other of the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in <FIG>) including at least one of a slider, a link or an connection pin configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other. As the first housing and the second housing rotate, the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate is configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between the first position and the second position.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include: a flexible display including a first region (e.g., the first region 131a in <FIG>) disposed in the first housing, a second region (e.g., the second region 131b in <FIG>) disposed in the second housing, and a folding region (e.g., the folding region 131c in <FIG>) disposed to correspond with a region in which the hinge module is disposed and connecting the first region and the second region to each other. The first region and the second region may be disposed to face each other at the first position, and as the first housing and the second housing rotate, the folding region may be configured to be deformed between a curved shape and a flat shape.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module may further include a hinge bracket (e.g., the hinge bracket <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), and the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate may be coupled to be rotatable with the hinge bracket.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include a hinge cover (e.g., the hinge covers <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) at least partially disposed between the first housing and the second housing, and the hinge bracket may be mounted inside the hinge cover.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module may further include at least one first hinge arm (e.g., one or more of the hinge arms 341a in <FIG>) formed on the first hinge plate and at least partially accommodated in the hinge bracket, a first link arm (e.g., one or more of the link arms 341c in <FIG>) formed on the first hinge plate and disposed adjacent to the first hinge arm, at least one second hinge arm (e.g., other one or more of the hinge arms 341a in <FIG>) formed on the second hinge plate and at least partially accommodated in the hinge bracket, and a second link arm (e.g., other one or more of the link arms 341c in <FIG>) formed on the second hinge plate and disposed adjacent to the second hinge arm. The rotation plate may be coupled to be rotatable with the hinge bracket between the first hinge arm and the second hinge arm or between the first link arm and the second link arm.

According to various example embodiments, the first interlocking assembly or the second interlocking assembly may include: a slider (e.g., the slider 247a in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) coupled with the rotation plate and configured to rotate around a third rotation axis along with rotation of the rotation plate, a link (e.g., the link 247b in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) configured to rotate around the slider, while surrounding at least a part of the slider, and a connection pin (e.g., the connection pin 247c in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) disposed in parallel to the slider and locked with any one of the first link arm and the second link arm through the link.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module may further include: a rotation guide groove (e.g., the rotation guide grooves 341b in <FIG>) extending along an arc trajectory around one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and formed in at least one of the first hinge arm or the second hinge arm, and a plurality of rotation rails (the rotation rails 343bin <FIG>) extending along the arc trajectory around one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and formed in the hinge bracket. The rotation rails may be configured to guide rotation of the first hinge plate or the second hinge plate and accommodated in the rotation guide groove, movably along the arc trajectory.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) and/or an electronic device including the hinge module (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) include: a first hinge plate (e.g., the first hinge plates 164b and 241a in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed to be rotatable around a first rotation axis (e.g., the first rotation axis P1 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), a second hinge plate (e.g., the second hinge plates 164c and 241b in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis (e.g., the second rotation axis P2 in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) parallel to the first rotation axis, a rotation plate (e.g., the rotation plate <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis (e.g., the rotation axis R in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, a first interlocking assembly (e.g., one of the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in <FIG>) including at least one of a slider, a link or a connection pin configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and a second interlocking assembly (e.g., the other of the interlocking assemblies <NUM> in <FIG>) including at least one of a slider, a link or a connection pin configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other. The first hinge plate and the second hinge plate is configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between a first position (e.g., the position illustrated in <FIG> or the <NUM>-degree position in <FIG>) at which the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate face each other and a second position (e.g., the position illustrated in <FIG> or the <NUM>-degree position in <FIG>) at which the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are unfolded at a predetermined angle with respect to each other.

According to various example embodiments, the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate is disposed in parallel to the rotation axis at the first position and in parallel to the rotation plate at the second position.

According to various example embodiments, in the hinge module and/or the electronic device including the hinge module, wherein as one of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate rotates, one of the first interlocking assembly and the second interlocking assembly may be configured to rotate the rotation plate, and as the rotation plate rotates, the other of the first interlocking assembly and the second interlocking assembly may be configured to rotate the other of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate.

According to various example embodiments, the first interlocking assembly or the second interlocking assembly include a slider (e.g., the slider 247a in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) coupled with the rotation plate and configured to rotate around a third rotation axis (e.g., the third rotation axis P3 in <FIG>) along with rotation of the rotation plate, a link (e.g., the link 247b in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) configured to rotate around the slider, while surrounding at least a part of the slider, and a connection pin (e.g., the connection pin 247c in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) disposed in parallel to the slider and locked with one of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate through the link.

According to various example embodiments, as the rotation plate rotates, the slider may be configured to rotate around the third rotation axis, while being maintained parallel to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis.

According to various example embodiments, the rotation plate comprises a pair of rotation bosses (e.g., the second rotation bosses 345b in <FIG>) protruding on one surface, apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the slider may be rotatably coupled with one of the rotation bosses.

According to various example embodiments, as the rotation plate rotates, the slider may be configured to linearly reciprocate in a length direction, while being surrounded by the link.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module and/or the electronic device including the hinge module may further include an elastic member (e.g., the elastic member <NUM> in <FIG> and/or <FIG>) comprising a compression coil or spring disposed to surround an outer circumferential surface of the slider, while one end of the elastic member is supported by the slider and the other end thereof is supported by the link. As the slider linearly reciprocates, the elastic member may be configured to be compressed or extended.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module and/or the electronic device including the hinge module may further include a hinge bracket (e.g., the hinge bracket <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), and the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate may be rotatably coupled with the hinge bracket.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module and/or the electronic device including the hinge module may further include: at least one first hinge arm (e.g., one or more of the hinge arms 341a in <FIG>) formed on the first hinge plate and at least partially accommodated in the hinge bracket, a first link arm (e.g., one or more of the link arms 341c in <FIG>) formed on the first hinge plate and disposed adjacent to the first hinge arm, at least one second hinge arm (e.g., other one or more of the hinge arms 341a in <FIG>) formed on the second hinge plate and at least partially accommodated in the hinge bracket, and a second link arm (e.g., other one or more of the link arms 341c in <FIG>) formed on the second hinge plate and disposed adjacent to the second hinge arm. The rotation plate may be rotatably coupled with the hinge bracket between the first hinge arm and the second hinge arm or between the first link arm and the second link arm.

According to various example embodiments, the first interlocking assembly or the second interlocking assembly include a slider coupled with the rotation plate and configured to rotate around a third rotation axis along with rotation of the rotation plate, a link configured to rotate around the slider, while surrounding at least a part of the slider, and a connection pin disposed in parallel to the slider and locked with any one of the first link arm and the second link arm through the link.

According to various example embodiments, the hinge module and/or the electronic device including the hinge module may further include: a rotation guide groove (e.g., the rotation guide grooves 341b in <FIG>) extending along an arc trajectory around one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and formed in at least one of the first hinge arm or the second hinge arm, and a plurality of rotation rails (e.g., the rotation rails 343b in <FIG>) extending along the arc trajectory around one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and formed in the hinge bracket. The rotation rails may be configured to guide rotation of the first hinge plate or the second hinge plate by being accommodated in the rotation guide groove, movably along the arc trajectory.

According to various example embodiments, the rotation plate may include a rotation boss (e.g., the first rotation boss 345ain <FIG>) protruding on one surface, and the rotation boss may be rotatably coupled with a part of the hinge bracket (e.g., the rotation hole 343c in <FIG>) through the part of the hinge bracket.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to rotate with respect to each other between a first position at which the first housing and the second housing are disposed to face each other and a second position at which the first housing and the second housing are unfolded from the first position at a specified angle with respect to each other; and
a hinge module (<NUM>, 164a, <NUM>) including a hinge disposed between the first housing and the second housing and configured to couple the first housing and the second housing to be rotatable with respect to each other,
wherein the hinge module comprises:
a first hinge plate (164b, 241a) coupled with the first housing and disposed to be rotatable around a first rotation axis;
a second hinge plate (164c, 241b) coupled with the second housing and disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis;
a rotation plate (<NUM>) disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis;
a first interlocking assembly (<NUM>) including at least one of a slider (247a), a link (247b) or a connection pin (247c) configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other; and
a second interlocking assembly (<NUM>) including at least one of a slider (247a), a link (247b) or a connection pin (247c) configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and
wherein, the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between the first position and the second position as the first housing and the second housing rotate.