Patent Description:
Recently developed electronic devices perform not only a communication function but also a function as an image photographing device. With the rapid development of hardware performance, the performance of a camera module received in the electronic device is also rapidly developing, and the camera module may take a high-resolution image or video as is taken by a professional image photographing device.

<CIT> discusses an electronic device which includes a pop-up and rotational camera. <CIT> discusses a mobile communication terminal that includes a terminal body and a camera assembly mounted in the terminal body. <CIT> discusses a sliding-type mobile communication terminal having a camera module interlocking with a sliding motion.

As electronic devices become thinner and areas occupied by displays increase, various studies for an effective space disposition of components (e.g., camera modules) of electronic devices are being actively conducted.

The present disclosure has been made to address at least the disadvantages described above and to provide at least the advantages described below.

By allowing one camera module to perform a function of a front camera and a rear camera, an electronic device may maximize the display of the electronic device.

The locking hook and the locking guide limit a movement of the slide portion by a physical locking structure, and in a process of switching to the front camera and the rear camera, even when an unexpected external force is applied, the slide portion may be fixed and the module unit may rotate without interfering with a peripheral structure.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, an audio output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <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>, and an antenna module <NUM>. At least one of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. Some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module <NUM> may be implemented as embedded in the display device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may execute a program <NUM> to control at least one other hardware or software component of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the processor <NUM>, and may perform various data processing or computation. As at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may load a command or data received from another component in volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory <NUM>.

The auxiliary processor <NUM> may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component among the components of the electronic device <NUM>, instead of the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an active state.

The memory <NUM> may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>, such as the program <NUM> and input data or output data for a command related thereto.

The program <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software and may include an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, and applications <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> may receive a command or data to be used by the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may include a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen.

The audio output device <NUM> may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. The receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display device <NUM> may include a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector.

The audio module <NUM> may obtain the sound via the input device <NUM>, or output the sound via the audio output device <NUM> or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may include a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an illuminance sensor.

The interface <NUM> may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device <NUM> to be coupled with the external electronic device <NUM> directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. The interface <NUM> may include a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

A connection terminal <NUM> may include a connector via which the electronic device <NUM> may be physically connected with the external electronic device <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may include an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector.

The haptic module <NUM> may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module <NUM> may be implemented as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery <NUM> may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module <NUM> may support establishing a direct communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module <NUM> may include one or more CPs that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct communication or a wireless communication. The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify and authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the SIM <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the external electronic device. The antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). The antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected by the communication module <NUM> from the plurality of antennas. Another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

Each of the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device <NUM>. To that end, a cloud, distributed, or client-server computing technology may be used, for example.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may be one of various types of electronic devices, including, but not limited to a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. However, the electronic device is not limited to any of those described above.

A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases.

As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). 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), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

The term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, "logic", "logic block", "part", or "circuitry".

<FIG> is a diagram of an electronic device including a rotatable camera, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram of an electronic device including a rotatable camera at different angles, according to an embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of a sliding motion controller of <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment.

In describing the electronic device <NUM>, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements. In describing the electronic device <NUM>, a first direction may refer to a -y direction, and a second direction may refer to a y direction. In other words, the first direction is a direction (e.g., -y direction) toward the upper end of the electronic device <NUM>, and the upper end of the electronic device <NUM> may refer to the upper left end of the electronic device <NUM> based on the illustrated state of <FIG>. The second direction is a direction (e.g., y direction) toward the lower end of the electronic device <NUM>, and the lower end of the electronic device <NUM> may refer to the lower right end based on the illustrated state of <FIG>. A third direction is a z direction or a direction toward a rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> and may refer to a direction toward the upper side based on the illustrated state of <FIG>, and a fourth direction is a -z direction or a direction toward a front surface of the electronic device <NUM> and may refer to a direction toward the lower side based on the illustrated state of <FIG>. A lateral direction is a left and right direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the electronic device <NUM> and may refer to a lower left direction or an upper right direction based on the illustrated state of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a camera module unit <NUM>, a sliding motion controller <NUM>, a slide portion <NUM>, a slide driver, a screen unit <NUM>, and a rear cover <NUM>. Further, the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more other components.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> including a camera module unit <NUM>, a sliding motion controller <NUM>, a slide portion <NUM>, a slide driver (not illustrated), a screen unit <NUM>, and a rear cover <NUM>. The housing may refer to a structure for protecting various electronic components forming an external shape of the electronic device <NUM> and mounted in the electronic device <NUM>. Alternatively, the housing may include an internal structure of the electronic device <NUM>.

The camera module unit <NUM> may include at least one camera device <NUM>, a flash <NUM>, or a sensor module <NUM>. The camera module unit <NUM> may include the camera module <NUM> of <FIG>. At least one camera device <NUM> may include one or a plurality of lenses, an image sensor, and/or an ISP. The flash <NUM> may include a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. The sensor module <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to an operating state inside the electronic device <NUM> or an external environment state thereof. The sensor module <NUM> may include a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a heart rate monitoring (HRM) sensor.

The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of a sensor module (not illustrated), such as a gesture sensor, gyro sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, acceleration sensor, grip sensor, color sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, biometric sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, or fingerprint sensor.

The camera module unit <NUM> may include a camera housing <NUM> including at least one camera device <NUM>, a flash <NUM>, or a sensor module <NUM>. The camera housing <NUM> may include a pinion gear <NUM> in at least one side surface thereof. The pinion gear <NUM> may be symmetrically disposed at both sides of the camera housing <NUM>. An extension portion <NUM> may be disposed between the camera housing <NUM> and the pinion gear <NUM>. The extension portion <NUM> and the pinion gear <NUM> may be integrally formed with the camera housing <NUM>.

The slide motion controller <NUM> may include a sliding plate <NUM>, a rack gear rail <NUM>, a locking hook <NUM>, a locking guide <NUM>, a hook cover <NUM>, and/or a push rod <NUM>. The rack gear rail <NUM>, the locking hook <NUM>, the locking guide <NUM>, the hook cover <NUM>, and/or the push rod <NUM> may be disposed symmetrically at both sides based on the camera module unit <NUM>.

The sliding plate <NUM> may be coupled to the slide portion <NUM> to slide together and provide a space in which the rack gear rail <NUM> and the push rod <NUM> are disposed. At the end of the first direction of the sliding plate <NUM>, the push rod <NUM> may be disposed, and at the end of the second direction thereof, a first guide slit <NUM> may be disposed. The push rod <NUM> may transport a force to the camera module unit <NUM> in a sliding process of the slide portion <NUM>. A first guide slit <NUM> may include a first section 224a (see <FIG>) and a second section 224b (see <FIG>). The first section 224a may be formed to be diagonal to a width direction (e.g., the lateral direction of the electronic device, the x direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM> and to recede from the locking guide <NUM>, and the second section 224b may be connected to the first section 224a and be extended in a longitudinal direction (e.g., y-axis direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM>. The first guide slit <NUM> may guide a moving direction of a first protrusion 226a of the locking hook <NUM> to be described later to release a contact state between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM>.

The rack gear rail <NUM> may be disposed in a direction (e.g., -y direction or first direction) in which the slide portion <NUM> slides. At one end (e.g., first direction or -y direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM>, a gear <NUM> may be formed, and at the other end (e.g., second direction or y direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM>, a second guide slit <NUM> may be formed. The gear <NUM> of the rack gear rail <NUM> may engage with the pinion gear <NUM> of the camera module unit <NUM> to convert a force received through the push rod <NUM> to a rotational force, thereby rotating the camera module unit <NUM>. An angle at which the camera module unit <NUM> rotates may be adjusted according to a length of the rack gear rail <NUM> or the number of gears. The second guide slit <NUM> is formed in a width direction (e.g., the lateral direction of the electronic device and the x-axis direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM>; thus, the second guide slit <NUM> may guide the locking hook <NUM> protruded in the -x direction to return in the x direction.

The locking hook <NUM> may be disposed at the other end of the rack gear rail <NUM>. The locking hook <NUM> may be disposed to protrude in a direction crossing a direction (e.g., y-axis direction) in which the rack gear rail <NUM> slides. The locking hook <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane (e.g., xy plane) as that of the locking guide <NUM>. When the locking hook <NUM> is protruding, the locking hook <NUM> may be coupled to the locking guide <NUM> to prevent the rack gear rail <NUM> from moving in the second direction. The coupling of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> is not limited to coupling using physical coupling by fitting or latching or an attractive force by an electromagnetic force. The coupling of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may refer to a state in which a movement of the rack gear rail <NUM> is blocked by interference between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> as the locking guide <NUM> is positioned on a movement path of the rack gear rail <NUM> including the locking hook <NUM>.

The hook cover <NUM> may cover the locking hook <NUM> and be coupled to the other end of the rack gear rail <NUM>. In the hook cover <NUM>, a third cover slit 227a may be formed in the same direction to correspond to a position of the second guide slit <NUM>. The hook cover <NUM> may guide the locking hook <NUM> to protrude and return smoothly while preventing the locking hook <NUM> from being separated from the rack gear rail <NUM>.

The locking guide <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane (e.g., xy plane) as that of the locking hook <NUM>. At a portion in contact with the locking hook <NUM>, an inclined surface may be formed and a first inclined surface 243a in the y direction may be formed more smoothly than a second inclined surface 243b in the -y direction. When the rack gear rail <NUM> slides in the first direction (e.g., -y direction), the rack gear rail <NUM> may contact the first inclined surface 243a to move without great resistance, but when the rack gear rail <NUM> moves in the second direction (e.g., y direction), the rack gear rail <NUM> may contact the second inclined surface 243b (see <FIG>) having a steep slope to receive large resistance to a slide movement of the rack gear rail <NUM>. Therefore, the rack gear rail <NUM> may move in the second direction only when a contact state between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> is released first. In a process in which the rack gear rail <NUM> slides in the second direction, a method of releasing the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

The slide portion <NUM> may include an opening <NUM>. At an end portion of the slide portion <NUM> in the first direction (e.g., ?y direction), the opening <NUM> may be formed in a z-axis direction. The opening <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a size of the camera module unit <NUM>, but it may be formed with a predetermined gap so as to minimize any friction during a rotation of the camera module unit <NUM>. The camera module unit <NUM> may be disposed in the opening <NUM>. The camera module unit <NUM> according to an embodiment may rotate in the opening <NUM> using the pinion gear <NUM> as an axis thereof.

The slide driving unit (not illustrated) may provide a necessary driving force when the slide portion <NUM> and the sliding motion controller <NUM> move in a first direction (e.g., -y direction) or a second direction (e.g., y direction). The slide driving unit may use a motor, a worm, and a worm gear and use an actuator that performs a linear motion; and any power source capable of providing a driving force for driving the slide portion <NUM> may be freely applied to the slide driving unit.

The screen unit <NUM> may include a display <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>). The display <NUM> may be coupled to or be disposed adjacent to a touch detection circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring intensity (pressure) of a touch, and/or a digitizer for detecting a magnetic field stylus pen. Because no camera is disposed at the screen unit <NUM>, the display <NUM> may be implemented in a maximum area at a front surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The rear cover <NUM> may cover a portion of the slide portion <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may be formed at the upper end in the -y direction of the slide portion <NUM> that is not covered by the rear cover <NUM>. The slide portion <NUM> may perform a slide motion between the screen unit <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. The rear cover <NUM> may be formed by coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the above materials.

<FIG> is a diagram of an upward operation of a camera module unit, according to an embodiment.

With reference to <FIG>, the camera module unit <NUM> may perform an upward motion and/or a rotation motion based on a user input (e.g., front photographing converting input or front photographing app execution). As the camera module unit <NUM> rotates, at least one camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may be used as a front camera (e.g., self-camera).

In a state <NUM>, the camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may face a rear surface (e.g., third direction, first state) of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may be used as a rear camera. This state may be referred to as a first state.

In a state <NUM>, the camera module unit <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM>, and the slide portion <NUM> may perform an upward movement based on the user input. The camera module unit <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM>, and the slide portion <NUM> may move by a first length H1. In the state <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM> may be fixed by the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM>. This state may be referred to as a second state.

In states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the camera module unit <NUM> may perform an upward movement and a rotation movement. In the states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM> may be fixed by the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM>, and only the camera module unit <NUM> and the slide portion <NUM> may move upward. The camera module unit <NUM> and the slide portion <NUM> may move upward by a second length H2. The pinion gear <NUM> may rotate in engagement with the rack gear rail <NUM>. Therefore, the camera module unit <NUM> may move in rotation. In a state <NUM>, a camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may face a front surface (e.g., fourth direction and third state) of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may be used as a front camera. This state may be referred to as a third state.

<FIG> is a diagram of a downward operation of a camera module unit, according to an embodiment.

With reference to <FIG>, the camera module unit <NUM> may perform a downward operation or a rotation operation based on a user input (e.g., rear photographing switching input or photographing ending input). As the camera module unit <NUM> rotates, at least one camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may be used as a rear camera.

In a state <NUM>, the camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may face a front surface (e.g., fourth direction and third state) of the electronic device <NUM>. The camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may face a front surface of the electronic device <NUM> by a previously input user input (e.g., front photographing switching input or front photographing app execution).

In the states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the camera module unit <NUM> may perform a downward movement and/or a rotational movement. In the states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a state may be maintained in which the rack gear rail <NUM> is fixed by the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM>, and only the camera module unit <NUM> and the slide portion <NUM> may move downward. The camera module unit <NUM> and the slide portion <NUM> may move downward by the second length H2. The pinion gear <NUM> may rotate in engagement with the rack gear rail <NUM>. Therefore, the camera module unit <NUM> may move in rotation. In this process, an unexpected external force may be applied to the slide portion <NUM>, and this force may be transferred to the rack gear rail <NUM>; thus, when the rack gear rail <NUM> moves downward, the camera module unit <NUM> may be damaged while interfering with the screen unit <NUM> during a rotation thereof. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM>, in a state in which the locking hook <NUM> is protruding, a movement of the locking guide <NUM> is physically limited in a second direction according to interference, and in the states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM> may be prevented from moving downward. In other words, in a state <NUM> in which a rotation of the camera module unit <NUM> is completed via the states <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the slide portion <NUM> may move downward.

In the state <NUM>, the camera included in the camera module unit <NUM> may face a rear surface (e.g., third direction and second state) of the electronic device <NUM>. In the state <NUM>, the camera module unit <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM>, and the slide portion <NUM> may perform a downward movement together. In this case, a contact state between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be released. The camera module unit <NUM>, the rack gear rail <NUM>, and the slide portion <NUM> may move by the first length H1. In the state <NUM>, the camera module unit <NUM> may return to an original position (e.g., the state <NUM>).

<FIG> is a diagram of a locking guide, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram of a locking hook, according to an embodiment.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may protrude toward each other on the same plane (e.g., xy plane) to be disposed to face each other. At the right side (e.g., y direction) of the locking guide <NUM>, a first inclined plane 243a may be formed based on the illustrated state of <FIG> or <FIG>, and at the left side of the locking guide <NUM>, a second inclined plane 243b may be formed. The first inclined surface 243a may be formed more smoothly than the second inclined surface 243b. <FIG> illustrates a state (state <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the rack gear rail <NUM> moves by a first length H1 (see <FIG>) together with the slide portion <NUM> to be fixed by the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> or a state (states <NUM> to <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the camera module unit <NUM> rotates before the slide portion <NUM> returns to an original state. In this state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inclined surface 226c of the locking hook <NUM> may come into contact with the second inclined surface 243b of the rocking guide <NUM> having a steep slope to provide large resistance to a slide movement of the rack gear rail <NUM>. Therefore, when a contact state of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> is released first, the rack gear rail <NUM> may slide smoothly in the second direction.

With reference to <FIG>, at an end portion in the y direction of the locking hook <NUM>, an inclined surface 226c may be formed. In the inclined surface 226c, a process may be performed smoothly in which the locking hook <NUM> slides together with the rack gear rail <NUM> and contacts the first inclined surface 243a or the second inclined surface 243b of the locking guide <NUM> to couple to or release from the first inclined surface 243a or the second inclined surface 243b.

In the locking hook <NUM>, a first protrusion 226a and a second protrusion 226b may be formed. The first protrusion 226a may protrude toward a front surface (e.g., ?z direction) of the electronic device <NUM> and be inserted into the first guide slit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the second guide slit <NUM> (see <FIG>) to guide protrusion and return of the locking hook <NUM>. In other words, the first protrusion 226a may move in the y-axis direction along the second section 224b of the first guide slit <NUM>, and move in the x-axis direction along the second guide slit <NUM> and the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM>. The second protrusion 226b may protrude toward the rear surface (e.g., z direction) of the electronic device <NUM>, which is a direction opposite to that of the first protrusion 226a, and be inserted into a third guide slit 227a (see <FIG>) to guide smooth protrusion and return of the locking hook <NUM>. A third protrusion 226d may protrude in the same direction as that of the second protrusion 226b and be inserted into a fourth guide slit 227b (see <FIG>) formed in parallel with the third guide slit 227a. The locking hook <NUM> may be prevented from rotating about the second protrusion 226b in a process of protruding and returning.

<FIG> is a diagram of an operation of releasing a locking hook and a locking guide in a downward operation of a camera module unit, according to an embodiment. States <NUM> to <NUM> are illustrated by subdividing a movement of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> in the states <NUM> to <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to the state <NUM> of <FIG>, <NUM>-b is a diagram illustrating <NUM>-a viewed in a direction A, and <NUM>-c is a diagram illustrating <NUM>-a viewed in a direction B. The up and down direction based on an illustrated state of <NUM>-a may be a direction (e.g., -z direction) in which the lower side faces the front surface of the electronic device in the z-axis direction, the left and right direction based on an illustrated state of <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c may indicate the x-axis direction, and the up and down direction may indicate the y-axis direction.

With reference to <NUM>-c of the state <NUM> of <FIG>, the first guide slit <NUM> may include a first section 224a and a second section 224b. The first section 224a may be formed to be diagonal to a width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM> and to recede from the locking guide <NUM>. The second section 224b may be connected to the first section 224a and be extended in a longitudinal direction (e.g., y-axis direction) of the rack gear rail <NUM>. Coupling and release of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be implemented by the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM>. A length of the first guide slit <NUM> in the y-axis direction may correspond to a second length H2.

When the camera module rotates toward a rear surface of the electronic device, in the states <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-c, <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-c, <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c in which an amount of rotation is much, the first protrusion 226a of the locking hook <NUM> moves only in the second section 224b of the first guide slit <NUM>. Thus, a state may be maintained in which the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> are coupled to each other.

In the state <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c, at a time point in which the first hook 226a of the locking hook <NUM> starts to enter the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM>, release of a contact state of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be started.

In the state <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c, the first protrusion 226a of the locking hook <NUM> moves (e.g., the locking hook <NUM> may return toward the rack gear rail <NUM> and move in the x direction) in a direction of receding the locking hook <NUM> from the guide slit while the first protrusion 226a moves in the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM>. Thus, release of a contact state between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be started.

In the state <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c, a movement of the first protrusion 226a of the locking hook <NUM> is completed within the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM>, and a contact state of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be released completely. Accordingly, the slide portion <NUM> may move freely as much as the first length H1 from the state <NUM> to the state <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram of a torsion spring for releasing a locking hook and a locking guide, according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, a contact state between the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> is gradually released through the first section 224a of the first guide slit <NUM> formed diagonally. However, <FIG> is different in that a contact state of the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> is instantaneously released by an elastic force of the torsion spring <NUM>.

By approaching a state <NUM> in which a rotation of the camera module unit <NUM> is almost completed by quickly changing the states <NUM> and <NUM>, the locking hook <NUM> and the locking guide <NUM> may be released. Thereby, the slide portion <NUM> may be fixed until immediately before a rotation of the camera module unit <NUM> is completed.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, a display positioned in the housing and exposed through a portion of the housing, a slide portion comprising an opening exposed to an outside of the electronic device and configured to slide with respect to the housing, a camera module unit disposed at the opening, configured to rotate within the opening, and to rotate in association with an operation of the slide portion, and a sliding motion controller configured to implement a slide operation of the slide portion and a rotation operation of the camera module unit. The sliding motion controller includes a sliding plate coupled to the slide portion to slide together with the slide portion, a rack gear rail disposed in a sliding direction of the slide portion and configured to move together with the slide portion by a first length and having a gear formed at a first end thereof, a locking hook protruding from a second end of the rack gear rail so as to intersect a sliding direction of the rack gear rail, and a locking guide formed to correspond to a position of the locking hook and coupled to the locking hook.

The slide portion includes a first state in which the camera module unit is positioned to overlap with the display, a second state from movement by a first length in a first direction toward an arbitrary edge of the display in the first state, and a third state from movement by a second length in the first direction in the second state.

When the slide portion moves from the first state to the second state, the sliding plate, the rack gear rail, and the locking hook of the sliding motion controller move together, and the locking hook and the locking guide may be coupled to each other to fix the rack gear rail.

When the slide portion moves from the second state to the third state, the sliding plate of the sliding motion controller moves may and the camera module rotates.

The camera module unit may face a third direction in the first state and the second state, face a fourth direction in the third state, and rotate toward a fourth direction different from the third direction when switching from the second state to the third state.

The third direction and the fourth direction may be opposite to each other.

In the sliding plate, a first guide slit including a first section formed diagonally in a width direction of the rack gear rail and a second section formed in a longitudinal direction of the rack gear rail is formed, at the other end of the rack gear rail, a second guide slit are formed in a width direction of the rack gear rail, and in the locking hook, a first protrusion inserted into the first guide slit and the second guide slit to move is be formed.

When the slide portion moves from the third state to the second state, a second protrusion of the locking hook may move along the second section of the second guide slit and release the locking hook from the locking guide.

The locking guide may have a first inclined surface formed to gradually approach the rack gear rail in the first direction.

The locking guide may have a second inclined surface formed to gradually recede from the rack gear rail in the second direction and to have a steeper slope than that of an inclined surface of the first direction.

In an end portion of the first direction of the locking hook and an end portion of the second direction opposite to the first direction, an inclined surface may be formed to correspond to an inclined surface of the locking guide.

The electronic device may further include a slide drive unit configured to provide a driving force to an operation of the slide portion.

The camera module unit may include a camera housing including at least one camera device and a pinion gear formed along a rotation axis of the camera housing and configured to engage with a gear of the rack gear rail.

The sliding motion controller may further include a push rod having one side fixed to the sliding plate and the other side connected to the camera module unit, where the camera module unit may further include an extension portion protruding from the camera housing and formed in a shaft between the pinion gears and configured to receive a force in contact with the push rod to rotate in a rotation hole of the slide portion, and where the push rod may push the camera module unit by a second length in a process of moving from the second state to the third state.

When the push rod exerts a force on the extension portion, the pinion gear may rotate on the gear of the rack gear rail to rotate the camera module unit.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing including a first surface facing in a first direction and a second surface facing in a second direction opposite of the first direction, where the first surface includes a first side having a substantially quadrangular shape and extending in a third direction and having a first length and a second side extending in a fourth direction substantially perpendicular to the third direction and having a second length, and the second surface includes a third side having a quadrangular shape having an area smaller than that of the quadrangular shape of the first side and parallel to the first side and having the first length and a fourth side parallel to the second side and having a third length smaller than the second length. The electronic device includes a display disposed inside the housing and visible through the first surface and a camera structure slidable in the fourth direction between a first position and a second position, where the camera structure includes a third surface forming a surface substantially extended to the second surface, the third surface including a fifth side substantially aligned with or adjacent to the first side, and a sixth side substantially in contact with or adjacent to the third side when viewed from above the second surface at the first position. The electronic device also includes at least one image sensor facing in the second direction at the first position and rotatable to face in the first direction at the second position, where the first side is positioned between the third side and the fifth side at the second position when viewed from above the second surface. The electronic device also includes a drive structure disposed inside the housing and configured to move the camera structure in the fourth direction, a first pinion gear coupled to the camera structure while being rotatable along a first path in the fourth direction, a first rack gear engaged with the first pinion gear while being extended along the first path, a first shaft coupled to or integrally formed with the first rack gear and extending in the fourth direction, and a first hook member connected to the first shaft while being movable in the third direction with respect to the first shaft, where the first hook member includes a first structure protruding from an area of the first shaft in the third direction and a second structure protruding in the first direction or the second direction when viewed from the second surface, and a first rail structure coupled to the camera structure and configured to slidably receive the first shaft, where the first rail structure includes a first guide structure configured to guide the second structure such that the first hook member first moves in the fourth direction and then moves in the third direction while the camera structure moves from the second position to the first position.

The screen unit may be a concept of collectively referring to both the first surface and the display. The third surface is a portion corresponding to an area difference between the slide portion and the rear cover and may correspond to the opening area. The rack gear rail may be a concept including both the first rack gear and the first shaft.

The electronic device may further include a first stopper in contact with the first structure at the second position, and while the camera structure moves from the second position to the first position, the first structure may be first stopped by the first stopper while the first rail structure moves in the y-axis direction, and the first structure may move in the x-axis direction while the first rail structure further moves in the y-axis direction.

The first hook member may further include a third structure protruding in an opposite direction from the second structure, and while the camera structure further moves from the second position to the first position, the first shaft may contact the first stopper and thus may include a second guide structure for guiding the third structure so that the first hook member moves in the x-axis direction with respect to the first shaft.

The first guide structure may include first openings and including a first portion extending in the y-axis direction and a second portion extending in a direction forming an acute angle with the y-axis direction, and the second structure may move within the first openings.

The second guide structure may include a second opening extending in the x-axis direction, and the third structure may move in the second opening.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a display (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned in the housing and exposed through a portion of the housing;
a slide portion (<NUM>) comprising an opening exposed to an outside of the electronic device and configured to slide with respect to the housing;
a camera module unit (<NUM>) disposed at the opening, configured to rotate within the opening, and to rotate in association with an operation of the slide portion, the camera module comprising a pinion gear (<NUM>) formed along a rotation axis of the camera module unit; and
a sliding motion controller (<NUM>) configured to implement a slide operation of the slide portion and a rotation operation of the camera module unit,
wherein the sliding motion controller comprises:
a sliding plate (<NUM>) coupled to the slide portion to slide together with the slide portion;
a rack gear rail (<NUM>) disposed in a sliding direction of the slide portion and configured to move together with the slide portion by a first length and having a gear formed at a first end thereof, the gear of the rack gear rail being configured to engage with the pinion gear;
a locking hook (<NUM>) protruding from a second end of the rack gear rail so as to intersect a sliding direction of the rack gear rail; and
a locking guide (<NUM>) formed to correspond to a position of the locking hook and coupled to the locking hook,
wherein the slide portion further comprises:
a first state in which the camera module unit is positioned to overlap with the display;
a second state from movement by a first length in a first direction toward an arbitrary edge of the display in the first state; and
a third state from movement by a second length in the first direction in the second state,
wherein in the sliding plate, a first guide slit (<NUM>) comprising a first section formed diagonally in a width direction of the rack gear rail and a second section formed in a longitudinal direction of the rack gear rail is formed,
wherein at the second end of the rack gear rail, a second guide slit (<NUM>) is formed in a width direction of the rack gear rail, and
wherein in the locking hook, a first protrusion (226a) inserted into the first guide slit and the second guide slit to move is formed.