Patent Description:
As the mobile market enters a mature stage, a wearable electronic device that provides a new type of function in conjunction with an existing mobile device, a so-called wearable device, has been proposed. The wearable device can support a fusion between a user and a technology in that it is worn on or attached to a user's body and operated. For example, a wearable device can measure user's biometric information (e.g., body composition) by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and provide the measured biometric information through an application of the wearable device or an application of a mobile device interworking with the wearable device.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device including a speaker assembly.

In measuring user's biometric information, a wearable device requires an electrode for contacting a user's body and acquiring a signal corresponding to the biometric information. The electrode has been disposed in a space prepared in some components (e.g., a display or a strap) of the wearable device exposed to the outside, for easy contact with the user's body. However, the wearable device is recognized as a design product capable of expressing a user's personality beyond the simple concept of an electronic device, and thus an existing electrode arrangement structure can degrade the aesthetics of the wearable device, or act as a restriction on a size design of the wearable device.

Various embodiments disclosed in the present document may provide a wearable device including at least one electrode for biometric information measurement, in which an electrode arrangement structure is implemented using a component located in an internal space of the wearable device.

A wearable device of one embodiment may include a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third surface at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board disposed between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a speaker device disposed in a cavity formed by the third surface of the housing, between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a flexible printed circuit board disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device and electrically connecting the speaker device and the printed circuit board, and including a conductive connector in a first area facing the third surface of the housing, and at least one first electrode connected to the conductive connector and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board.

According to one embodiment, the third surface of the housing may include at least one first opening formed in a second area corresponding to the position of the speaker device, and a second opening formed in a third area spaced a specified distance apart from the second area.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first electrode may be at least partially exposed to the outside of the third surface of the housing through the second opening while being connected to the conductive connector.

A wearable device of one embodiment may include a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third surface at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board disposed between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a speaker device disposed in a cavity formed by the third surface of the housing, between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a flexible printed circuit board disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device and electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and including a first conductive connector in a first area facing the third surface of the housing, and at least one first electrode connected to the first conductive connector and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first electrode may be disposed to be at least partially exposed to the outside of the third surface of the housing through an opening formed in the third surface of the housing.

According to one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board may be electrically connected to the at least one first electrode, based on the first conductive connector, and form a first signal path between the at least one first electrode and the printed circuit board, and may be electrically connected to the speaker device, based on the second conductive connector included in the second area, and form a second signal path between the speaker device and the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, an electrode arrangement structure for acquiring biometric information is implemented using a component located in an internal space of a wearable device, thereby improving the aesthetics of the wearable device and improving the degree of freedom in size design.

Besides this, various effects identified directly or indirectly through the present document may be provided.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same or corresponding components.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the various embodiments of the present disclosure to a specific embodiment and it is intended that the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the present disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operating environment of a wearable device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a wearable device <NUM> of one embodiment may be worn or attached to a user's body and operated. The wearable device <NUM> is not limited in its type as long as it includes a function, hardware structure, or component described below but, in various embodiments described below, a smart watch or smart band worn on a user's wrist may be referred as an example of the wearable device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, in a state in which the wearable device <NUM> is worn on a user's wrist, the wearable device <NUM> may measure user's biometric information (e.g., body composition), based on a contact of a user's body with a plurality of electrodes included in the wearable device <NUM>. For example, the wearable device <NUM> may supply a micro current to the user's body by using at least some of the plurality of electrodes, and measure the biometric information, based on bio impedance acquired accordingly to this.

According to one embodiment, the wearable device <NUM> may include at least one application (e.g., an application supporting a health care service), and may visually or aurally transmit biometric information measured based on the execution of the application. According to another embodiment, the wearable device <NUM> may interwork with a mobile device (e.g., smart phone) including the at least one application, and may transmit data related to the measured biometric information to the mobile device, thereby requesting the mobile device to present the biometric information through the execution of the application.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a deployed state of a wearable device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the wearable device <NUM> of one embodiment may include a housing including a front plate <NUM> (or a first surface) facing a first direction (e.g., a +X direction), a rear plate <NUM> (or at least a part of a second surface) facing a second direction (e.g., -X direction) opposite to the first direction, a rear cover <NUM> (or at least a part of the second surface) coupled to the rear plate <NUM> in the second direction (e.g., -X direction), and a side bezel structure <NUM> (or a third surface) surrounding at least a part of a space between the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the housing may also refer to a structure forming at least a part of the front plate <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM>, the rear cover <NUM>, and the side bezel structure <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, a front surface of the wearable device <NUM> may be formed by the front plate <NUM> (e.g., glass plate or polymer plate) of which at least a portion is substantially transparent. According to one embodiment, a rear surface of the wearable device <NUM> may be formed by a combination of the rear plate <NUM> (e.g., a coated or colored glass plate, a ceramic plate, a polymer plate, a metal (aluminum, stainless steel, or magnesium) plate, or a combination of at least two or more of them) of which at least a portion is substantially opaque and the rear cover <NUM> of which at least a portion coupled to the rear plate <NUM> is substantially opaque. In one embodiment, a side surface of the wearable device <NUM> may be formed by the side bezel structure <NUM> coupled to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> (or rear cover <NUM>) and including at least one of a metal and a polymer. In various embodiments, when at least a part of the side bezel structure <NUM> includes a metal, the side bezel structure <NUM> may function as an antenna radiator of the wearable device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the front plate <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM>, the rear cover <NUM>, and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be coupled to each other in at least one area and form a housing of the wearable device <NUM> including an internal space. In various embodiments, the rear plate <NUM> (or the rear cover <NUM>) and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed, or the rear plate <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed. In various embodiments, the front plate <NUM> may include a key input device <NUM> (e.g., a wheel key) that is disposed on the front plate <NUM> and is rotatable in at least one direction. The key input device <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the front plate <NUM> or the side bezel structure <NUM> coupled to the front plate <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the wearable device <NUM> may further include at least one strap <NUM> connected to at least a part of the housing and supporting the wearing of the wearable device <NUM> on a user's body. In various embodiments, the at least one strap <NUM> may be integrally formed by a woven fabric, a leather, a rubber, a urethane, a metal, a ceramic, or a combination of at least two or more of these, or be coupled and formed wherein a plurality of unit links are movable with respect to each other.

In one embodiment, the wearable device <NUM> may further include at least one component that is disposed in an internal space (e.g., a space defined by a combination of the front plate <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM>, the rear cover <NUM>, and the side bezel structure <NUM>) of the housing and hidden from the outside, or is at least partially exposed to the outside in a state of being disposed in the internal space of the housing. For example, the wearable device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM> disposed between the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, a support member <NUM> (or bracket), a battery <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, a biometric sensor module <NUM>, and a wireless charging coil <NUM>. In various embodiments, the wearable device <NUM> may not include at least one of the above-described components or may additionally include other components. For example, the wearable device <NUM> may further include at least one of a connector hole capable of accommodating a connector for transmitting and receiving at least one of power, signal, and data with an external device, and a connector cover capable of blocking the introduction of external foreign substances into the connector hole. For another example, the wearable device <NUM> may further include a speaker device (e.g., a speaker device <NUM> of <FIG> or a sound output module <NUM> of <FIG>) supporting sound output and a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) supporting electrical connection between components.

In one embodiment, the display <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through at least a part of the substantially transparent front plate <NUM>, and may present displaying of various contents, based on this. For example, the display <NUM> may visually present user's biometric information measured using the biometric sensor module <NUM>. In various embodiments, the display <NUM> may be disposed to be coupled to or adjacent to at least one of a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensing circuit, and a fingerprint sensing circuit.

In one embodiment, the antenna <NUM> may include at least one of a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna, which are disposed between the display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. In one embodiment, the antenna <NUM> may perform short-range communication with an external device, or wirelessly transmit/receive power required for charging the wearable device <NUM> or charging the external device. Or, the antenna <NUM> may transmit a short-range communication signal, or a magnetic-based signal including payment data.

In one embodiment, the support member <NUM> may be coupled to the side bezel structure <NUM> in the internal space of the housing. For example, an edge area of the support member <NUM> may be coupled to an inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM>. Or, the support member <NUM> may be integrally formed with the side bezel structure <NUM> and form a part (e.g., a side surface of the wearable device <NUM>) of the housing. In one embodiment, the display <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the support member <NUM> facing a first direction (e.g., +X direction), and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled the other surface facing a second direction (e.g., -X direction).

In one embodiment, the battery <NUM> may supply power to at least some of the components of the wearable device <NUM>, and may include a rechargeable secondary battery. In one embodiment, at least a part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on a substantially coplanar surface with the printed circuit board <NUM>. In various embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be disposed integrally with the housing in the internal space of the housing, or be disposed detachably in the internal space of the housing.

In one embodiment, at least one of a processor (e.g., a processor <NUM> of <FIG> or a processor <NUM> of <FIG>), an audio codec device (e.g., an audio codec <NUM> of <FIG>), a memory (e.g., a memory <NUM> of <FIG>), and an interface may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM>. In one embodiment, the processor may include at least one of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit (GPU), a sensor processor, and a communication processor, and the memory may include at least one of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, the interface may include at least one of a conductive connector and conductive solder for electrically connecting the printed circuit board <NUM> and other components.

In one embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> may be disposed between the side bezel structure <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>, to block a moisture or foreign substance introduced into the internal space of the housing from the outside.

In one embodiment, the biometric sensor module <NUM> may provide an electrical signal or data value corresponding to biometric information (e.g., at least one of photoplethysmography information and electrocardiogram information) of a user who wears the wearable device <NUM>. In one embodiment, the biometric sensor module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM>, and may present the provided electrical signal or data value to the processor. In one embodiment, the biometric sensor module <NUM> may include a plurality of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> that support biometric information measurement, and may be electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>, based on a separate conductive member. The plurality of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may include, for example, at least one first electrode <NUM> disposed adjacent to the side bezel structure <NUM> in the internal space of the housing and exposed to the outside through an opening 117b (e.g., second opening) prepared in the side bezel structure <NUM>, and at least one second electrode <NUM> disposed on the rear plate <NUM> and exposed to the outside.

In one embodiment, the wireless charging coil <NUM> may support wireless charging of the wearable device <NUM>. For example, the wireless charging coil <NUM> may be used to transmit wireless power to a wireless charging coil of an external device that is in contact with or adjacent to the wearable device <NUM>, or to receive wireless power from the wireless charging coil of the external device.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a front surface and rear surface of a wearable device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of electrodes included in a biometric sensor module (e.g., the biometric sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>) of one embodiment may include at least one first electrode <NUM> and a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> (e.g., the electrode 171a and the electrode 171b). According to one embodiment, at least a part of each of the at least one first electrode <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through the housing of the wearable device <NUM>. For example, at least a part of the at least one first electrode <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through the side bezel structure <NUM> (or the third surface) forming the housing, and at least a part of each of the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> may be disposed on the rear plate <NUM> (or at least a part of the second surface) forming the housing and be exposed to the outside. In one embodiment, the at least one first electrode <NUM> may be disposed in a mutually symmetrical position or structure in the internal space of the housing, and thus may be exposed symmetrically through the side bezel structure <NUM>. Also, the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> may be disposed in a mutually symmetrical position or structure on a surface of the housing, and thus may be exposed symmetrically through the rear plate <NUM>. According to various embodiments, a position on the wearable device <NUM> where the at least one first electrode <NUM> is disposed is not limited to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. For example, the at least one first electrode <NUM> may be disposed in a lower left side area or lower right side area of the side bezel structure <NUM> according to a layout structure of a speaker device (e.g., the speaker device <NUM> of <FIG>) described later, based on the front surface of the wearable device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the biometric sensor module <NUM> may measure biometric information (e.g., photoplethysmography information and electrocardiogram information) of a user who wears the wearable device <NUM>, and in this regard, the at least one first electrode <NUM> and plurality of second electrodes <NUM> included in the biometric sensor module <NUM> may be used to acquire an electrical signal or data corresponding to the biometric information from a user's body.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross section of one area of a wearable device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating one area within a wearable device in which a speaker device is disposed according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, one area of the wearable device (e.g., the wearable device <NUM> of <FIG>) may be understood as an A-B area shown in <FIG>. <FIG> may be understood as a drawing showing an edge area within the wearable device <NUM> when viewing, in a second direction (e.g., - X direction in <FIG>), the wearable device <NUM> in which a rear plate (e.g., rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>), a rear cover (e.g., rear cover <NUM> of <FIG>), and a sealing member (e.g., sealing member <NUM> of <FIG>) are removed.

At least some of the components of the wearable device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be the same as or similar to the components described above with reference to <FIG>, and an overlapping description of the same or similar component may be omitted below.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a speaker device <NUM> (e.g., a sound output module <NUM> of <FIG>) for outputting sound data stored in a memory (e.g., a memory <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed in an internal space defined by a housing of the wearable device <NUM> of one embodiment. In this regard, a cavity 115a for disposing the speaker device <NUM> may be formed in the support member <NUM> or a set structure in which the support member <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> are integrally formed. For example, the cavity 115a may be formed adjacent to an edge of one side of the support member <NUM>. For another example, the cavity 115a may be formed in one area of the support member <NUM> adjacent to an inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM>, on the set structure in which the support member <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> are integrally formed. According to various embodiments, the cavity 115a may be formed in a shape having at least one of a size, area, width, and depth corresponding to the speaker device <NUM> (or capable of accommodating the speaker device <NUM>). In various embodiments, the cavity 115a may include at least one member for supporting the speaker device <NUM> disposed in the cavity 115a, fixing the speaker device <NUM> relative to the support member <NUM>, or supporting the coupling between the speaker device <NUM> and the support member <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the speaker device <NUM> may be disposed in the cavity 115a of the support member <NUM> or the set structure in which the support member <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> are integrated. For example, at least a part of the speaker device <NUM> may be disposed to be accommodated in the cavity 115a. In this case, at least a part of the speaker device <NUM> disposed in the cavity 115a may be surrounded by the support member <NUM>, and at least a part of one surface of the speaker device <NUM> may face an inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, at least one first opening 117a may be formed in one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to (or facing) the speaker device <NUM> disposed in the cavity 115a. For example, the at least one first opening 117a may be formed in the form of passing through one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to the speaker device <NUM>, and function as a path for outflow of a sound outputted from the speaker device <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the at least one first opening 117a may have a shape extending at a specified length between one direction and another direction opposite to the one direction.

According to one embodiment, a resonance space for increasing an amplitude of a sound outputted from the speaker device <NUM> may be formed in one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to (or facing) the speaker device <NUM> disposed in the cavity 115a. For example, the resonance space may be formed in a structure in which an inner surface of one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to (or facing) the speaker device <NUM> is indented toward an outer surface, and the resonance space may be connected to the at least one first opening 117a. In one embodiment, the resonance space formed from the inner surface of one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> may be connected to the outside through the at least one first opening 117a on the outer surface of one area of the side bezel structure <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, in a state in which at least a part of the speaker device <NUM> is disposed in the cavity 115a, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in one surface of the support member <NUM> facing the second direction (e.g., -X direction of <FIG>). In various embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in the form of avoiding the speaker device <NUM> disposed in the cavity 115a, or be disposed in the form of overlapping at least a part with the speaker device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an arrangement structure between a speaker device and a flexible printed circuit board of a wearable device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a connection structure between the flexible printed circuit board and at least one first electrode of the wearable device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating one area within the wearable device in which the speaker device and the at least one first electrode are disposed according to an embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an arrangement structure between a speaker device and a flexible printed circuit board, viewed from a third direction shown in <FIG> (e.g., the +Y direction of <FIG>), and <FIG> may be understood as a diagram showing the arrangement structure between the speaker device and the flexible printed circuit board, viewed from a fourth direction shown in <FIG> (e.g., the -Z direction of <FIG>).

<FIG> may be understood as a diagram showing an edge area within the wearable device <NUM> when viewing, in a second direction (e.g., the -X direction of <FIG>), a wearable device (e.g., the wearable device <NUM> of <FIG>) in which a rear plate (e.g., the rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>), a rear cover (e.g., the rear cover <NUM> of <FIG>), and a sealing member (e.g., the sealing member <NUM> of <FIG>) are removed.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a speaker device <NUM> of one embodiment may be electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed between the speaker device <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>, and support electrical connection between the speaker device <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the speaker device <NUM> in order to overcome a spatial restriction on an internal space of a housing (e.g., a space defined by a combination of the front plate <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM>, the rear cover <NUM>, and the side bezel structure <NUM> of <FIG>) (or in order to solve an interrupt on another component to be disposed in the internal space of the housing). For example, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be formed in a shape of surrounding at least a part of the speaker device <NUM>, by including a material having a flexible characteristic at least in part and bending a plurality of times along an outer surface of the speaker device <NUM> in a peripheral area of the speaker device <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, one area <NUM> (e.g., one end) of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM> disposed on one surface of the support member <NUM> facing a second direction (e.g., -X direction of <FIG>). Another area <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the speaker device <NUM>, based on a conductive connector <NUM> (e.g., second conductive connector) included in the another area <NUM>. In various embodiments, the conductive connector <NUM> may include a conductive pad, and support a soldering connection between the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the speaker device <NUM>. Based on this, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may form a signal path between the speaker device <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may function as a path delivering, to the speaker device <NUM>, a sound signal or data presented from a processor (e.g., a processor <NUM> of <FIG>) or audio codec (e.g., an audio codec <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM>.

In one embodiment, when the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> is disposed in the internal space of the housing, a further area <NUM> (e.g., the other end) of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may extend and bend adjacent to an inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM> forming the housing, and face the inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM>. In one embodiment, the further area <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a conductive connector <NUM> (e.g., first conductive connector) supporting electrical connection with at least one first electrode (e.g., the at least one first electrode <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the conductive connector <NUM> may be disposed toward the inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM> on the further area <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the conductive connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one of a C-clip connector and a conductive solder but, in addition to this, may include various types of conductive parts capable of supporting electrical connection between the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the at least one first electrode <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the speaker device <NUM> may include a vibration plate <NUM> that is formed in one surface of the speaker device <NUM> so as to provide a sound to be outputted. In one embodiment, the speaker device <NUM> may be accommodated in the cavity 115a wherein the vibration plate <NUM> faces (or meets) the inner surface of the side bezel structure <NUM>. In this case, the vibration plate <NUM>) may face the resonance space and the at least one first opening 117a that are formed in one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to the speaker device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the at least one first electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the conductive connector <NUM> included in the further area <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. Based on this, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may form a signal path between the at least one first electrode <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may function as a path delivering an electrical signal or data related to biometric information of a user's body acquired by the at least one first electrode <NUM> to a processor (e.g., a processor <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> or a biometric sensor electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the biometric sensor <NUM> of <FIG>).

In one embodiment, the side bezel structure <NUM> may include the second opening 117b for exposing at least a part of the at least one first electrode <NUM> to the outside of the housing wherein the user's body may come into contact with the at least one first electrode <NUM>. For example, when the at least one first electrode <NUM> connected to the conductive connector <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> is disposed in the internal space of the housing, the second opening 117b may be formed in one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> corresponding to the at least one first electrode <NUM>. In one embodiment, the second opening 117b may be formed in a shape of penetrating one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> and exposing at least one first electrode <NUM> disposed in the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing. According to various embodiments, the second opening 117b may be formed in a shape having at least one of a size, area, width, and depth corresponding to the at least one first electrode <NUM> (or capable of accommodating at least a part of the at least one first electrode <NUM>). In various embodiments, a sealing member for blocking moisture or foreign substances introduced from the outside through the second opening 117b may be disposed between the second opening 117b and the at least one first electrode <NUM> exposed to the outside through the second opening 117b. According to various embodiments, the one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> where the second opening 117b is formed may be implemented with a non-conductive material. Or, the one area of the side bezel structure <NUM> of a specified area range surrounding an edge of the second opening 117b may be implemented with a non-conductive material.

In one embodiment, the at least one first opening 117a and the second opening 117b included in the side bezel structure <NUM> may have a specified separation distance (d) from each other. The separation distance (d) may, for example, correspond to a distance between the at least one first electrode <NUM> connected to the conductive connector <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the vibration plate <NUM> of the speaker device <NUM> connected to the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating some components of a wearable device according to an embodiment.

In the following description of the embodiment through <FIG>, an overlapping description of components identical to those of the above-described wearable device may be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the wearable device <NUM> of one embodiment may include at least one first electrode <NUM>, a flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, a speaker device <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, and a biometric sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>). In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed to extend and bend along an outer surface of the speaker device <NUM> and surround at least a part of the speaker device <NUM>. In one embodiment, one area of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>, one end of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>) may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>, based on a third conductive connector <NUM> prepared between the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. In one embodiment, another area (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the speaker device <NUM> through a second conductive connector <NUM>, and a further area (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>, the other end of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>) may be electrically connected to the at least one first electrode <NUM> through a first conductive connector <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first conductive connector <NUM>, the second conductive connector <NUM>, and the third conductive connector <NUM> may include at least one of a C-clip connector and a conductive solder.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may form a signal path between the speaker device <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> and a signal path between the at least one first electrode <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may function as a signal path delivering, to the speaker device <NUM>, a sound signal or data presented from a processor <NUM> or audio codec <NUM> disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> and at the same time, function as a signal path delivering a biometric information related electrical signal or data acquired by the at least one first electrode <NUM> to the processor <NUM> disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> or the biometric sensor module <NUM> electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>.

A wearable device of various embodiments described above may include a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third surface at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board disposed between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a speaker device disposed in a cavity formed by the third surface of the housing, between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a flexible printed circuit board disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device and electrically connecting the speaker device and the printed circuit board, and including a conductive connector in a first area facing the third surface of the housing, and at least one first electrode connected to the conductive connector and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the third surface of the housing may include at least one first opening formed in a second area corresponding to the position of the speaker device, and a second opening formed in a third area spaced a specified distance apart from the second area.

According to various embodiments, the at least one first electrode may be at least partially exposed to the outside of the third surface of the housing through the second opening while being connected to the conductive connector.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may form a first signal path between the at least one first electrode and the printed circuit board, and form a second signal path between the speaker deice and the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the wearable device may further include a plurality of second electrodes exposed to the outside through the second surface of the housing, and a biometric sensor module electrically connected to the at least one first electrode and the plurality of second electrodes.

According to various embodiments, the biometric sensor module may provide an electrical signal or data value corresponding to body composition information of a user, based on a contact of a user's body with at least one of the at least one first electrode and the plurality of second electrodes.

According to various embodiments, the third surface of the housing may include a support member and a side bezel structure of which an inner surface is coupled to an edge area of the support member.

According to various embodiments, the cavity may be formed in an edge area of one side of the support member coupled to the inner surface of the side bezel structure.

According to various embodiments, a second area of the third surface of the housing in which the at least one first opening is formed may include one area of the side bezel structure corresponding to the position of the speaker device disposed in the cavity.

According to various embodiments, a third area of the third surface of the housing in which the second opening is formed may include one area of the side bezel structure corresponding to the position of the at least one first electrode connected to the conductive connector.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may be disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device by bending a plurality of times along an outer surface of the speaker device in a peripheral area of the speaker device.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may be bent wherein the first area including the conductive connector faces the third area of the third surface of the housing in which the second opening is formed.

According to various embodiments, the speaker device may include a vibration plate formed in one surface, and the vibration plate may be disposed, in the cavity, to face the second area of the third surface of the housing in which the at least one first opening is formed.

According to various embodiments, the specified distance between the second area and third area of the third surface of the housing may correspond to a distance between the vibration plate formed in one surface of the speaker device and the at least one first electrode connected to the conductive connector.

According to various embodiments, a sealing member may be disposed between the second opening and the at least one first electrode exposed through the second opening.

According to various embodiments, the conductive connector may include a C-clip connector.

A wearable device of various embodiments described above may include a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third surface at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board disposed between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a speaker device disposed in a cavity formed by the third surface of the housing, between the first surface and second surface of the housing, a flexible printed circuit board disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device and electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and including a first conductive connector in a first area facing the third surface of the housing, and at least one first electrode connected to the first conductive connector and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the at least one first electrode may be disposed to be at least partially exposed to the outside of the third surface of the housing through an opening formed in the third surface of the housing.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may be electrically connected to the at least one first electrode, based on the first conductive connector, and form a first signal path between the at least one first electrode and the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may be electrically connected to the speaker device, based on the second conductive connector included in the second area, and form a second signal path between the speaker device and the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the wearable device may further include a plurality of second electrodes exposed to the outside through a second surface of the housing, and a biometric sensor module electrically connected to the at least one first electrode and the plurality of second electrodes.

According to various embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board may be bent wherein the first area including the first conductive connector faces one area of the third surface of the housing in which the opening is formed.

According to various embodiments, one area of the third surface of the housing in which the opening is formed may include one area of the side bezel structure corresponding to the position of the at least one first electrode connected to the first conductive connector.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment.

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

According to various embodiments, the antenna module <NUM> may form a mm Wave antenna module.

Claim 1:
A wearable device comprising:
a housing comprising a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third surface at least partially surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface;
a printed circuit board disposed between the first surface and second surface of the housing;
a speaker device disposed in a cavity formed by the third surface of the housing, between the first surface and second surface of the housing;
a flexible printed circuit board disposed to surround at least a part of the speaker device and electrically connecting the speaker device and the printed circuit board, and comprising a conductive connector in a first area facing the third surface of the housing; and
at least one first electrode connected to the conductive connector and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board,
wherein the third surface of the housing comprises:
at least one first opening formed in a second area corresponding to the position of the speaker device; and
a second opening formed in a third area spaced a specified distance apart from the second area, and
wherein the at least one first electrode is at least partially exposed to the outside of the third surface of the housing through the second opening while being connected to the conductive connector.