Electronic devices that incorporate hinge mechanisms.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- TH2501005625
- Authority / Receiving Office
- TH · TH
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-21
AI Technical Summary
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in securing efficient placement space for surrounding structures due to the rotation radius of wing plates, leading to potential malfunctions or jamming issues during frequent folding operations.
The implementation of a hinge device with a reduced rotation radius for wing plates, utilizing a pair of center bars that operate at different angles to support a flexible display, allowing for efficient placement space and enhanced rigidity without increasing the device's volume.
This solution ensures operational reliability and slim design by reducing the rotation radius of wing plates, preventing malfunctions and providing structural reinforcement for foldable electronic devices.
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Abstract
Description
Electronic device including a hinge device
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device including a hinge device.
[0002] As the functional gap between manufacturers significantly narrows, electronic devices are becoming increasingly slimmer to meet consumer purchasing demands. These devices are also being improved to increase rigidity, enhance design, and differentiate their functional elements. These electronic devices are moving beyond their standard rectangular form factor and evolving into diverse shapes. For example, electronic devices can be designed to be portable while also featuring a flexible structure that allows for large-screen displays when in use. As part of this trend, foldable devices are continuously being released, requiring operational reliability even with frequent folding.
[0003] An electronic device may include a foldable electronic device including a first housing, and a second housing foldably connected to the first housing via a hinge device (e.g., a hinge structure, a hinge module, or a hinge assembly). The first housing and the second housing are structurally connected to the hinge device, thereby ensuring operational reliability for a folded state and / or an unfolded state. The foldable electronic device may be operated in an in-folding manner and / or an out-folding manner, by allowing the first housing to rotate within a range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees with respect to the second housing via the hinge device. The foldable electronic device may include a flexible display arranged to span the first housing and the second housing when unfolded by 180 degrees.
[0004] The foldable electronic device may include a first wing plate and a second wing plate respectively disposed in the first housing and the second housing. The wing plates may be disposed adjacent to each other when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, thereby supporting the flexible display.
[0005] However, if the wing plates are arranged close together, the rotation radius of the wing plates must be considered when transitioning from the folded state to the unfolded state, and it may be difficult to secure efficient placement space for surrounding structures due to this rotation radius.
[0006] In order to secure the space for the arrangement of the surrounding structures according to the rotation radius, the wing plates may be spaced apart at a certain interval, and a single center bar may be arranged to be movable in a vertical direction from the hinge housing. When in the unfolded state, the center bar may be arranged to move so as to form the same plane as the wing plates while receiving support from the surrounding operating structures (e.g., a pair of hinge arms), and to descend when in the folded state.
[0007] However, since it is difficult for one center bar to be supported simultaneously by the operating structure, it may operate while tilting to one side due to interlocking deviation caused by sequential support, or it may cause malfunction due to joints or snagging by the surrounding support structures supporting the center bar.
[0008] Various embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an electronic device including a hinge device that can help secure efficient arrangement space for surrounding structures by reducing the rotational radius of wing plates.
[0009] According to various embodiments, an electronic device including a hinge device can be provided that can help reinforce rigidity by providing a high-strength rotational structure in a reduced rotational trajectory of wing plates.
[0010] According to various embodiments, an electronic device including a hinge device that can help reduce the rotational radius of wing plates to achieve slimming can be provided.
[0011] However, the problem to be solved in this disclosure is not limited to the problem mentioned above, and may be expanded in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0012] According to various embodiments, an electronic device comprises at least one hinge device that foldably connects a first housing, a second housing, and the first housing and the second housing from a first state to a second state, the hinge device comprising a rotator bracket, a first rotator rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket about a first rotation axis, a second rotator rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket about a second rotation axis, a first link rotatably coupled to the first rotator about a third rotation axis, a second link rotatably coupled to the second rotator about a fourth rotation axis, a first hinge arm rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket about a fifth rotation axis, and a second hinge arm rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket about a sixth rotation axis, a first wing plate fixed to the first rotator, and a second wing fixed to the second rotator. A flexible display comprising a plate, a first center bar rotatably arranged with respect to the first wing plate, a second center bar rotatably arranged with respect to the second wing plate, and a flexible display arranged to be supported by the first and second housings, the first and second wing plates, and the first and second center bars in the first state, wherein the first center bar and the second center bar are operable to correspond to the first wing plate and the second wing plate, respectively, until a third state between the first state and the second state, and from the third state to the second state, are operable to have a different rotation angle from the first wing plate and the second wing plate, respectively.
[0013] According to various embodiments, an electronic device comprises at least one hinge device that foldably connects a first housing, a second housing, and the first housing and the second housing from a first state to a second state, the hinge device comprising a rotator bracket, a first rotator rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket with respect to a first rotation axis, a second rotator rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket with respect to a second rotation axis, a first wing plate rotatably coupled to the first rotator with respect to a third rotation axis, a second wing plate rotatably coupled to the second rotator with respect to a fourth rotation axis, a first hinge arm rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket with respect to a fifth rotation axis, and a second hinge arm rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket with respect to a sixth rotation axis, a first center bar rotatably disposed with respect to the first wing plate, and a second center bar rotatably disposed with respect to the second wing plate. A second center bar that is possibly arranged and a flexible display that is arranged to be supported by the first and second housings, the first and second wing plates, and the first and second center bars in the first state, wherein the first center bar and the second center bar can be arranged to have different angles from the first wing plate and the second wing plate from the third state between the first state and the second state to the second state.
[0014] An electronic device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes at least one hinge device having a pair of center bars provided between wing plates and arranged to support a flexible display at different angles from the wing plates during operation, thereby securing an efficient arrangement space for a peripheral structure due to a reduced rotation radius of the wing plates compared to the rotation radius of conventional first and second wing plates that support a flexible display without center bars, and helping to slim down the electronic device. In addition, the structure of reducing the rotation radius of the wing plates due to the arrangement of the center bars can help to provide a space for reinforcing the rigidity of the peripheral rotation structure without increasing the volume of the electronic device.
[0015] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.
[0016] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.
[0017] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.
[0018] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an electronic device illustrating a flat state or unfolding state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 1b is a plan view illustrating the front of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 1C is a plan view illustrating the rear surface of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an electronic device illustrating a folding state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of an electronic device illustrating an intermediate state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an electronic device including a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3C are exploded perspective views of a hinge assembly viewed from the front and rear, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of a hinge device viewed from the front and rear, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a hinge device in an unfolded and folded state of the electronic device, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of a hinge device in an unfolded and folded state of the electronic device, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a first center bar according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 8b is a partial perspective view illustrating the arrangement structure of the first center bar and the first wing plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 8c is a drawing illustrating a combined structure of a first center bar and a first rotator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 8d is a drawing showing the arrangement structure with the first wing plate when the first center bar according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is mounted on the first rotator.
[0033] FIG. 8e is a side view illustrating the arrangement structure of the center bar and the wing plate in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 8f is a side view illustrating the arrangement structure of the center bar and the wing plate in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the position of the center bar in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b are drawings showing the combined structure of center bars and rotators according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the joint structure of the first center bar and the first wing plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a joint structure of center bars and hinge arms according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the joint structure of the first center bar and the first wing plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 14A is a plan view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 14b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14b-14b of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14c-14c of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 14d is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14d-14d of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 15a is a perspective view of center bars according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 15b is a perspective view of a rotator bracket according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIGS. 16A and 16B are drawings showing a support structure of center bars by a rotator bracket according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a support structure of center bars by hinge arms according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hinge device showing a support portion of center bars according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 19b is a cross-sectional perspective view of a hinge assembly taken along line 19b-19b of FIG. 19a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 20 is a plan view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0052] FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a rigid reinforcement structure in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 21b is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a hinge structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0054] FIG. 21c is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a gear structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 21d is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing the relationship between the amount of sagging of a flexible display and the amount of protrusion of a hinge housing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0056] FIGS. 21E and 21F are cross-sectional views of a portion of an electronic device showing the arrangement structure of wiring members in folded and unfolded states according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0057] FIGS. 22a and 22b are drawings showing the support structure of wing plates by hinge arms according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0058] FIGS. 23a and 23b are drawings showing the operating structure between the hinge arm and the links according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0059] FIG. 24A is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0060] FIG. 24b is a perspective view of the hinge device of FIG. 24a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0062] FIG. 26a is a cross-sectional view of a hinge device taken along line 26a-26a of FIG. 25 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0063] FIG. 26b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge device taken along line 26b-26b of FIG. 25 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0064] FIG. 27a is a perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0065] FIG. 27b is a cross-sectional perspective view of a hinge device taken along line 27b-27b of FIG. 27a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0066] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an electronic device in a flat state or unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a plan view illustrating a front side of an electronic device in a flat state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C is a plan view illustrating a rear side of an electronic device in a flat state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0067] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an electronic device illustrating a folded state of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an electronic device illustrating an intermediate state of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 2B, the electronic device (100) may include first and second housings (110, 120) (e.g., a foldable housing structure) that are foldably coupled to each other with respect to a hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, the hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B) may be arranged in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first display (130) (e.g., a flexible display, a foldable display, or a main display) arranged in a region (e.g., a recess) formed by the first and second housings (110, 120). In one embodiment, the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be arranged on both sides with respect to the folding axis (F) as the center, and may have a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to the folding axis (F). In one embodiment, the angle or distance between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may vary depending on the state of the electronic device (100). For example, the angle or distance between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may vary depending on whether the electronic device is in a flat state or unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state.
[0069] In one embodiment, the first housing (110) may include a first surface (111) facing a first direction (e.g., front direction) (z-axis direction) and a second surface (112) facing a second direction (e.g., rear direction) (-z-axis direction) opposite to the first surface (111) in an unfolded state of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, the second housing (120) may include a third surface (121) facing a first direction (z-axis direction) and a fourth surface (122) facing a second direction (-z-axis direction) in an unfolded state of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, in an unfolded state of the electronic device (100), the first surface (111) of the first housing (110) and the third surface (121) of the second housing (120) may face substantially the same first direction (z-axis direction). In one embodiment, in the folded state of the electronic device (100), the first side (111) of the first housing (110) and the third side (121) of the second housing (120) may face each other. In one embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (100), the second side (112) of the first housing (110) and the fourth side (122) of the second housing (120) may face substantially the same second direction (-z-axis direction). In one embodiment, in the folded state of the electronic device (100), the second side (112) of the first housing and the fourth side (122) of the second housing (120) may face opposite directions. For example, in the folded state of the electronic device (100), the second side (112) may face the first direction (z-axis direction) and the fourth side (122) may face the second direction (-z-axis direction). In this case, the first display (130) may not be visible from the outside (in folding mode). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may be folded so that the second side (112) of the first housing (110) and the fourth side (122) of the second housing (120) face each other. In this case, the first display (130) may be arranged to be visible from the outside (out folding mode).
[0070] According to various embodiments, the first housing (110) (e.g., the first housing structure) may include a first side member (113) that at least partially forms an exterior of the electronic device (100) and a first rear cover (114) that is coupled to the first side member (113) and forms at least a portion of a second side (112) of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, the first side member (113) may include a first side surface (113a), a second side surface (113b) extending from one end of the first side surface (113a), and a third side surface (113c) extending from the other end of the first side surface (113a). In one embodiment, the first side member (113) may be formed into a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular) shape through the first side (113a), the second side (113b), and the third side (113c).
[0071] According to various embodiments, the second housing (120) (e.g., the second housing structure) may include a second side member (123) that at least partially forms an exterior of the electronic device (100) and a second rear cover (124) that is coupled to the second side member (123) and forms at least a portion of a fourth side (122) of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, the second side member (123) may include a fourth side (123a), a fifth side (123b) that extends from one end of the fourth side (123a), and a sixth side (123c) that extends from the other end of the fourth side (123a). In one embodiment, the second side member (123) may be formed into a rectangular shape through the fourth side (123a), the fifth side (123b), and the sixth side (123c).
[0072] According to various embodiments, the first and second housings (110, 120) are not limited to the shapes and combinations shown, and may be implemented by combinations and / or combinations of other shapes or parts. In one embodiment, the first side member (113) may be formed integrally with the first rear cover (114), and the second side member (123) may be formed integrally with the second rear cover (124).
[0073] According to various embodiments, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (100), the second side (113b) of the first side member (113) and the fifth side (123b) of the second side member (123) may be connected without a gap. In one embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (100), the third side (113c) of the first side member (113) and the sixth side (123c) of the second side member (123) may be connected without a gap. In one embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (100), the sum of the lengths of the second side (113b) and the fifth side (123b) may be configured to be longer than the lengths of the first side (113a) and / or the fourth side (123a). In one embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (100), The sum of the lengths of the third side (113c) and the sixth side (123c) may be configured to be longer than the lengths of the first side (113a) and / or the fourth side (123a).
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the first side member (113) and / or the second side member (123) may be formed of metal or may further include a polymer that is injected into the metal. In one embodiment, the first side member (113) and / or the second side member (123) may also include at least one conductive portion (116 and / or 126) that is electrically segmented through at least one segment (1161, 1162 and / or 1261, 1262) formed of polymer. In such a case, the at least one conductive portion (116 and / or 126) may be used as at least a portion of an antenna that operates in at least one designated band (e.g., a legacy band) by being electrically connected to a wireless communication circuit included in the electronic device (100).
[0075] According to various embodiments, the first rear cover (114) and / or the second rear cover (124) may be formed by, for example, at least one or a combination of at least two of coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium).
[0076] According to various embodiments, the first display (130) may be arranged to extend from a first surface (111) of the first housing (110) across a hinge device (e.g., hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B) to at least a portion of a third surface (121) of the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the first display (130) may include a first region (130a) substantially corresponding to the first surface (111), a second region (130b) corresponding to the second surface (112), and a third region (130c) (e.g., a bendable region or a folding region) connecting the first region (130a) and the second region (130b). In one embodiment, the third region (130c) may be disposed at a position corresponding to a hinge device (e.g., hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B) as a part of the first region (130a) and / or the second region (130b). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a hinge housing (141) (e.g., hinge cover) that supports the hinge device (e.g., hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, the hinge housing (141) may be disposed so as to be exposed to the outside when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state, and may be inserted into the internal space of the first housing (110) and the internal space of the second housing (120) when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, thereby being invisible from the outside.
[0077] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may include a second display (131) (e.g., a sub-display) that is arranged separately from the first display (130). In one embodiment, the second display (131) may be arranged so as to be at least partially exposed on the second surface (112) of the first housing (110). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state, the second display (131) may replace at least a portion of the display function of the first display (130) to display at least a portion of the status information of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, the second display (131) may be arranged so as to be visible from the outside through at least a portion of the first rear cover (114). In one embodiment, the second display (131) may also be arranged on the fourth surface (122) of the second housing (120). In this case, the second display (131) may be arranged so as to be visible from the outside through at least a portion of the second rear cover (124).
[0078] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may include at least one of an input device (103) (e.g., a microphone), an audio output device (101, 102), a sensor module (104), a camera device (105, 108), a key input device (106), or a connector port (107). In the illustrated embodiment, the input device (103) (e.g., a microphone), an audio output device (101, 102), a sensor module (104), a camera device (105, 108), a key input device (106), or a connector port (107) is illustrated as a hole or a circular element formed in the first housing (110) or the second housing (120), but this is an exemplary illustration for description and is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the input device (103) may include at least one microphone (103) disposed in the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the input device (103) may include a plurality of microphones (103) arranged to detect the direction of sound. In one embodiment, the plurality of microphones (103) may be arranged at appropriate locations in the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the audio output device (101, 102) may include at least one speaker (101, 102). In one embodiment, the at least one speaker (101, 102) may include a call receiver (101) arranged in the first housing (110) and a speaker (102) arranged in the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the input device (103), the audio output device (101, 102), and the connector port (107) are arranged in a space provided in the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120) of the electronic device (100), and can be exposed to the external environment through at least one hole formed in the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120). In one embodiment, at least one connector port (107) can be used to transmit and receive power and / or data with an external electronic device.In one embodiment, at least one connector port (e.g., an ear jack hole) may accommodate a connector (e.g., an ear jack) for transmitting and receiving audio signals with an external electronic device. In one embodiment, the holes formed in the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120) may be used in common for the input device (103) and the audio output devices (101, 102). In one embodiment, the audio output devices (101, 102) may include a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) that is not exposed through the holes formed in the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120).
[0079] According to various embodiments, the sensor module (104) may generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device (100) or an external environmental state. In one embodiment, the sensor module (104) may detect an external environment through a first surface (111) of the first housing (110). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may further include at least one sensor module arranged to detect an external environment through a second surface (112) of the first housing (110). In one embodiment, the sensor module (104) (e.g., an illuminance sensor) may be arranged under the first display (130) to detect an external environment through the first display (130). In one embodiment, the sensor module (104) may include at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an ambient light sensor (104).
[0080] According to various embodiments, the camera devices (105, 108) may include a first camera device (105) (e.g., a front camera device) disposed on a first side (111) of the first housing (110) and a second camera device (108) disposed on a second side (112) of the first housing (110). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may further include a flash (109) disposed near the second camera device (108). In one embodiment, the camera devices (105, 108) may include at least one lens, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. In one embodiment, the camera device (105, 108) may be arranged such that two or more lenses (e.g., a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide-angle lens, or a telephoto lens) and two or more image sensors are positioned on one side (e.g., a first side (111), a second side (112), a third side (121), or a fourth side (122)) of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, the camera device (105, 108) may also include lenses and / or image sensors for time of flight (TOF).
[0081] According to various embodiments, the key input device (106) (e.g., a key button) may be disposed on the third side (113c) of the first side member (113) of the first housing (110). In one embodiment, the key input device (106) may be disposed on at least one of the other side surfaces (113a, 113b) of the first housing (110) and / or the side surfaces (123a, 123b, 123c) of the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may not include some or all of the key input devices (106), and the key input devices (106) that are not included may be implemented in another form, such as a soft key, on the first display (130). In one embodiment, the key input device (106) may be implemented using a pressure sensor included in the first display (130).
[0082] According to various embodiments, some of the camera devices (105, 108) (e.g., the first camera device (105)) or the sensor module (104) may be arranged to be exposed through the first display (130). In one embodiment, the first camera device (105) or the sensor module (104) may be optically exposed to the outside through an opening (e.g., a through hole) at least partially formed in the first display (130) in the internal space of the electronic device (100). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the sensor module (104) may be arranged so as not to be visually exposed through the first display (130) in the internal space of the electronic device (100). Referring to FIG. 2B, the electronic device (100) may be operable to maintain at least one designated folding angle in an intermediate state through a hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B). In this case, the electronic device (100) can control the first display (130) to display different contents in the display area corresponding to the first side (111) and the display area corresponding to the third side (121). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can operate in a substantially unfolded state (e.g., unfolded state of FIG. 1A) and / or a substantially folded state (e.g., folded state of FIG. 2A) based on a certain folding angle (e.g., angle between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) when the electronic device (100) is in an intermediate state) through a hinge device (e.g., hinge device (140) of FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can be operated to transition from an unfolded state (e.g., the unfolded state of FIG. 1a) to an unfolded state (e.g., the unfolded state of FIG. 1a) when a pressure is applied in the unfolding direction (direction A) from an unfolded state at a constant folding angle through a hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1b).In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can be operated to transition to a folded state (e.g., the folded state of FIG. 2a) when a pressure is applied in the folding direction (direction B) from an unfolded state at a certain folding angle through a hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1b). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can be operated to maintain an unfolded state (not shown) at various folding angles through a hinge device (e.g., the hinge device (140) of FIG. 1b) (free stop function).
[0083] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an electronic device including a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A and 3C are exploded perspective views of the hinge assembly viewed from the front and rear, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the electronic device (100) may include a first housing (110) (e.g., a first housing structure), a second housing (120) (e.g., a second housing structure) foldably connected to the first housing (110) through a hinge assembly (HA), and a flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A) arranged to be supported by the first housing (110) and the second housing (120).
[0085] According to various embodiments, the hinge assembly (HA) may include at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) coupled to a hinge housing (141), a pair of wing plates (311, 312) coupled to the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1), and a pair of center bars (313, 314) disposed between the pair of wing plates (311, 312). In one embodiment, the pair of wing plates (311, 312) may include a first wing plate (311) forming a same plane as the first housing (110) and a second wing plate (312) forming a same plane as the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the pair of center bars (313, 314) may include a first center bar (313) rotatably arranged under a first wing plate (311) and a second center bar (314) rotatably arranged under a second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first wing plate (311), the second wing plate (312), the first center bar (313), and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first housing (110) and the second housing (120), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be operated to rotate at the same angle as the first wing plate (311) from the first state in which the electronic device (100) is fully unfolded to the third state, which is an intermediate state between the second state in which the electronic device (100) is fully folded, and may be operated to rotate at a different angle from the first wing plate (311) from the third state to the second state. For example, the first center bar (313) may be rotated at a smaller rotation angle than the first wing plate (311) from the third state to the second state, or may not be rotated and its position may be slightly changed. In some embodiments, the first center bar (313) may not be operated from the third state to the second state.In one embodiment, the second center bar (314) may be operated to rotate at the same angle as the second wing plate (312) from the first state to the third state, and may be operated to rotate at a different angle from the second wing plate (312) from the third state to the second state. For example, the second center bar (314) may be rotated at a smaller rotation angle than the second wing plate (312) from the third state to the second state, or may not be rotated and its position may be slightly changed. In some embodiments, the second center bar (314) may not be operated from the third state to the second state.
[0086] In various embodiments, at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) may include a first hinge device (320) and a second hinge device (320-1) disposed at opposite ends of the wing plates (311, 312) and the center bars (313, 314), respectively. In some embodiments, the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) may be disposed one or more at a specified interval. In one embodiment, at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) may be at least partially secured to the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). In one embodiment, at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) may be at least partially secured to the hinge housing (141). In one embodiment, the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) may be fixed to at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) via screws (S). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be rotatably fixed to at least one hinge device (320, 320-1). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably fixed to the first wing plate (311), and the second center bar (314) may be rotatably fixed to the second wing plate (312).
[0087] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) are operated to approach the flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A) at an angle different from that of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) while the electronic device (100) is operated from the third state to the second state, thereby helping to secure an efficient arrangement space for the surrounding structure and to slim down the electronic device (100) through the reduced rotation radius of the first and second wing plates (311, 312) compared to the rotation radius of the conventional first and second wing plates that support the flexible display (130) without the center bars (313, 314).
[0088] In describing the drawings below, the first hinge device (320) among at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) has been described, but the second hinge device (320-1) may also have substantially the same configuration. In addition, the assembly structure and the operating structure of the first wing plate (311) and the first center bar (313) combined with at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) have been mainly described, but the assembly structure and the operating structure of the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1), the second wing plate (312), and the second center bar (314) may also have substantially the same configuration.
[0089] Figures 4a and 4b are exploded perspective views of a hinge device viewed from the front and rear, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 4a, 4b, 5, 6a, and 6b all share the concept of having six axes of rotation X1 to X6, and thus features of these embodiments can be combined. Whenever axes Xn are mentioned, those axes are preferably run parallel to each other as depicted in the drawings.
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the hinge device (320) includes a rotator bracket (321) fixed to a hinge housing (e.g., a hinge housing (141) of FIG. 3A) through a fastening member such as a screw (S), a first rotator (322) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (321) with respect to a first rotation axis (X1), a second rotator (323) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (321) with respect to a second rotation axis (X2), a first link (326) rotatably coupled to the first rotator (322) with respect to a third rotation axis (X3), a second link (327) rotatably coupled to the second rotator (323) with respect to a fourth rotation axis (X4), one end of which is rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (321) with respect to a fifth rotation axis (X5), and the other end of which is It may include a first hinge arm (324) movably coupled to the first link (326) and a second hinge arm (325) having one end rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket (321) about the sixth rotation axis (X6) and the other end movably coupled to the second link (327). Accordingly, a force for folding / unfolding applied to the first link (326) may cause rotation of the first hinge arm (324) and the first rotator (322). The first rotator (322) causes rotation of the first wing plate (311), which may be converted into rotation of the first center bar (313). In the same manner, a force for folding / unfolding applied to the second link (327) may cause rotation of the second hinge arm (325) and the second rotator (323). The second rotator (323) may cause rotation of the second wing plate (311). Rotation of the plate (312) is generated, which can be converted into rotation of the second center bar (314).
[0091] According to various embodiments, the first rotator (322) may include a first curved guide slit (3221) formed at one end. In one embodiment, the second rotator (323) may include a second curved guide slit (3231) formed at one end. In one embodiment, the first rotator (322) may include a third curved guide slit (3222) formed at the other end. In one embodiment, the second rotator (323) may include a fourth curved guide slit (3232) formed at the other end. In one embodiment, the first rotator (322) may be rotatably coupled about the first rotation axis (X1) by coupling the first curved guide rib (3211) formed on the rotator bracket (321) to the first guide slit (3221). In one embodiment, the second rotator (323) can be rotatably coupled about the second rotation axis (X2) by coupling a curved second guide rib (3212) formed on the rotator bracket (321) to a second guide slit (3231).
[0092] According to various embodiments, the first link (326) may be rotatably coupled about a third rotation axis (X3) by coupling a third guide rib (3261) having a curved shape formed at least in a portion thereof to a third guide slit (3222). In one embodiment, the second link (327) may be rotatably coupled about a fourth rotation axis (X4) by coupling a fourth guide rib (3271) having a curved shape formed at least in a portion thereof to a fourth guide slit (3232). In one embodiment, the first link (326) may be fixed to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the second link (327) may be fixed to a second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A).
[0093] According to various embodiments, the first hinge arm (324) may include a first guide body (3241) movably coupled to a first guide groove (3262) formed in a first link (326), a first gear structure (3242) formed on one side of the first guide body (3241), and a first cam structure (3243) formed in a direction opposite to the first gear structure (3242). According to one embodiment, the second hinge arm (325) may include a second guide body (3251) movably coupled to a second guide groove (3272) formed in a second link (327), a second gear structure (3252) formed on one side of the second guide body (3251), and a second cam structure (3253) formed in a direction opposite to the second gear structure (3252). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (324) can be slidably coupled to the first link (326) through the linear guide structure of the first guide body (3241) and the first guide groove (3262). In some embodiments, the first hinge arm (324) can also guide the first link (326) to rotate about a designated rotational axis (e.g., the ninth rotational axis (X9) of FIG. 23A) through the curved guide structure of the first guide body (3241) and the first guide groove (3262). In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (325) can be slidably coupled to the second link (327) through the linear guide structure of the first guide body (3241) and the second guide groove (3272). In some embodiments, the second hinge arm (325) may guide the first link (326) to rotate about a designated rotation axis (e.g., the tenth rotation axis (X10) of FIG. 23a) through the curved guide structure of the second guide body (3251) and the second guide groove (3272).
[0094] According to various embodiments, the hinge device (320) may be supported by a support member (3214) and a gear bracket (3215) formed on a rotator bracket (321), and may include a pair of idle gears (328) each coupled with a first gear structure (3242) and a second gear structure (3252). In one embodiment, one of the pair of idle gears (328) may be coupled with the first gear structure (3242) and the other gear, and the other gear may be coupled with the second gear structure (3252). Accordingly, when the first link (326) is unfolded or folded together with the first housing (110), the second link (327) and the second housing (120) can also be induced to unfold or fold together at the same angle through a pair of idle gears (328) gear-engaged with the first and second gear structures (3242, 3252).
[0095] According to various embodiments, the hinge device (320) may include a cam body (329) including a first cam structure (3243), a third cam structure (3291) cam-coupled with a second cam structure (3253), and a fourth cam structure (3292) cam-coupled with a second cam structure (3253), and a torque generating structure including a pair of springs (CS) that urge the cam body (329) in the direction of the first hinge arm (324) and the second hinge arm (325) via a shaft bracket (3216) (e.g., in the -x axis direction). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (324) may be rotatable about a fifth axis (X5). In one embodiment, the first shaft (HS1) passing through the first gear structure (3242) of the first hinge arm (324), the first cam structure (3243), the gear bracket (3215), the third cam structure (3291) of the cam body (329), the spring (CS), and the shaft bracket (3216) can be aligned. In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (325) can be rotated about the sixth axis (X6). In one embodiment, the second shaft (HS2) passing through the second gear structure (3252) of the second hinge arm (325), the first cam structure (3243), the gear bracket (3215), the fourth cam structure (3292) of the cam body (329), the spring (CS), and the shaft bracket (3216) can be aligned. In one embodiment, the first shaft (HS1) and the second shaft (HS2) may be restrained from being detached by an E-rig structure (3213). In one embodiment, the cam body (329) may be movable in a direction parallel to the fifth axis (X5) and the sixth axis (X6), and the first cam structure (3243) of the first hinge arm (324) may be arranged to be rotatable about the fifth axis (X5), and the second cam structure (3253) of the second hinge arm (325) may be arranged to be rotatable about the sixth axis (X6). In one embodiment, when the first cam structure (3243) is rotated about the fifth axis (X5) by the first hinge arm (324), the third cam structure (3291) coupled with the cam may be retracted rearward with the support of the spring (CS), thereby generating torque.Likewise, when the second cam structure (3253) is rotated about the sixth axis (X6) by the second hinge arm (325), the fourth cam structure (3292) coupled with the cam may retract rearward with the support of the spring (CS), thereby generating torque. Accordingly, torque may be generated as the cam body (329) retracts rearward due to the retraction of the third cam structure (3291) and the fourth cam structure (3292). In one embodiment, the magnitude of the torque may be determined according to the shape of the first cam structure (3243) and the third cam structure (3291) coupled thereto, and the shape of the second cam structure (3253) and the fourth cam structure (3292) coupled thereto, and the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be set to be pressed in a direction in which they are unfolded or folded at a specified inflection angle or more, or may be set to be stopped at a specified angle by the determined torque.
[0096] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the hinge device in an unfolded and folded state of the electronic device viewed along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the hinge device in an unfolded and folded state of the electronic device viewed along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the features of FIGS. 7A and 7B can be combined with the features of FIGS. 4A to 6B.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7B, the hinge device (320) may be arranged to support first and second wing plates (311, 312) and first and second center bars (313, 314) disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the first wing plate (311) may be fixed to the first rotator (322) via a fastening member (e.g., a screw). In one embodiment, the second wing plate (312) may be fixed to the second rotator (323) via a fastening member. In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be disposed between the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the second center bar (314) may be disposed between the second wing plate (312) and the first center bar (313). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably positioned, in part, between the first wing plate (311) and the first rotator (322). The second center bar (314) may be rotatably positioned, in part, between the second wing plate (312) and the second rotator (323).
[0098] According to various embodiments, the first rotator (322) can be rotatably coupled about the first rotation axis (X1) by coupling the first guide rib (3211) formed in the rotator bracket (321) to the first guide slit (3221). In one embodiment, the second rotator (323) can be rotatably coupled about the second rotation axis (X2) by coupling the second guide rib (3212) formed in the rotator bracket (321) to the second guide slit (3231). In one embodiment, the first link (326) can be rotatably coupled about the third rotation axis (X3) by coupling the third guide rib (3261) formed in at least a portion of the first link (326) to the third guide slit (3222). In one embodiment, the second link (327) can be rotatably coupled about a fourth rotation axis (X4) by coupling a fourth guide rib (3271) having a curved shape formed at least in a portion thereof to a fourth guide slit (3232). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (324) can be rotated about a fifth axis (X5) by the rotation of the first link (326). The second hinge arm (325) can be rotated about a sixth axis (X6) by the rotation of the first link (326). The first hinge arm (324) and the second hinge arm (325) can be induced to rotate at the same angle through idle gears (328) gear-coupled with the first gear structure (3242) and the second gear structure (3252).
[0099] According to various embodiments, the first wing plate (311) can be induced to rotate at an angle slightly larger than the folding angle (e.g., 90 degrees) of the first housing (110) through a coupling structure of a rotator bracket (321) that rotates based on a first rotation axis (X1) and a first rotator (322), a coupling structure of the first rotator (322) and a first link (326) by a third rotation axis (X3) different from the first rotation axis (X1), and a coupling structure by a slide coupling of the first hinge arm (324) and the first link (326). In one embodiment, the second wing plate (312) can be induced to rotate at an angle slightly larger than the folding angle (e.g., 90 degrees) of the second housing (120) through a coupling structure of a rotator bracket (321) and a second rotator (323) that rotate around a second rotation axis (X2), a coupling structure of the second rotator (323) and a second link (327) by a fourth rotation axis (X4) different from the second rotation axis (X2), and a coupling structure by a slide coupling of the second hinge arm (325) and the second link (327). In one embodiment, the space created by the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) rotating at an angle larger than the folding angles of the housings (110, 120) can be used as an accommodation space for accommodating a teardrop-shaped bending area of the flexible display.
[0100] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) are operated to approach the flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A) at different angles from the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) while the electronic device (100) is operated from the third state to the second state, thereby helping to secure efficient arrangement space for the surrounding structure and to slim down the electronic device (100) through the reduced rotation radius of the first and second wing plates (311, 312) compared to the rotation radius of the conventional first and second wing plates that support the flexible display (130) without the center bars (313, 314).
[0101] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a first center bar according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view illustrating the arrangement structure of the first center bar and the first wing plate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8C is a drawing illustrating the coupling structure of the first center bar and the first rotator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8D is a drawing illustrating the arrangement structure of the first center bar and the first wing plate when mounted on the first rotator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0102] Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8D, any of the first center bars (313) in the aforementioned drawings may include a center bar shaft (3131) extending downward. In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be arranged to rotate about the seventh axis (X7) via the center bar shaft (3131). In one embodiment, the center bar shaft (3131) may be arranged at a position overlapping the first wing plate (311).
[0103] According to various embodiments, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably arranged on the first rotator (322). For example, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably arranged in a shaft receiving groove (3223) formed on the first rotator (322) with a center bar shaft (3131) and may be restrained from being detached by the first wing plate (311) fixed to the first rotator (322). Accordingly, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably coupled to the first rotator (322) and may be arranged to have the same plane as the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be arranged to be pressed in a specified rotational direction through a torsion spring (TS1). For example, the torsion spring (TS1) may be arranged so that one end is supported by the first rotator (322) and the other end presses the first center bar (313) downward (e.g., in the opposite direction to the flexible display (130)). This is to prevent or reduce surface quality degradation, such as a lifting phenomenon, that may occur when the first center bar (313) arbitrarily presses the back surface of the flexible display (130) during operation. In some embodiments, the torsion spring (TS1) may be omitted. Although not shown, the second center bar (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 9) may also have substantially the same configuration, and may be arranged to be rotatable about the eighth rotation axis (e.g., the eighth rotation axis (X8) of FIG. 9) below the second wing plate (312).
[0104] FIG. 8e is a side view illustrating the arrangement structure of the center bar and the wing plate in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8f is a side view illustrating the arrangement structure of the center bar and the wing plate in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0105] Referring to FIGS. 8E and 8F, the first center bar (313) can be arranged to be rotatable about the seventh axis (X7) on the first rotator (322) via the center bar shaft (3131). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) can be prevented from being detached to the outside by the center bar shaft (3131) being interposed between the first wing plate (311) and the first rotator (322). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) can be arranged to be pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display via the torsion spring (TS1).
[0106] According to various embodiments, in the unfolded state, the first center bar (313) may be supported by the first rotator (322) so as to form the same plane as the first wing plate (311). In this case, the first center bar (313) may be in a state in which a downward pressure (direction ①) is applied to it through the torsion spring (TS1). In one embodiment, while the electronic device (100) is transitioned to the folded state, the first center bar (313) may be moved together with the first wing plate (311) at the same rotational angle. In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be supported by the surrounding structure when the electronic device (100) reaches a third state between the first state in which it is fully unfolded and the second state in which it is fully folded. In this case, while changing from the second state to the third state, the first wing plate (311) is continuously rotated, and the first center bar (313) can be slightly rotated and / or moved from that position, or maintained in that state. Therefore, the first center bar (313) can stably support the flexible display (130) that is bent into a water drop shape, and due to the different rotation angles of the first center bar (313) and the first wing plate (311), the rotation radius of the first wing plate (311) is partially reduced compared to the rotation radius of a conventional first wing plate that supports the flexible display (130) without the first center bar (313), and the reduced space can be utilized as an efficient arrangement space for surrounding structures.
[0107] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the position of the center bar (any of 313 and 314 of the drawings described above) in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 3A) may include a first wing plate (311) and a second wing plate (312) arranged to support a back surface of a flexible display (130) in a folded state. In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first center bar (313) arranged to be rotatable about a seventh rotation axis (X7) different from the first wing plate (311) under the first wing plate (311), and a second center bar (314) arranged to be rotatable about an eighth rotation axis (X8) different from the second wing plate (312) under the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be arranged to be pressed in the opposite direction (① direction) to the flexible display (130) through a torsion spring (TS1), and the second center bar (314) may also be arranged to be pressed in the opposite direction (① direction) to the flexible display (130) through a torsion spring (TS1). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be arranged to have different angles from the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) respectively, and may be driven in a manner to support the bending portion of the flexible display (130) formed in a water droplet shape while receiving support from the surrounding support structure when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state, and to be brought into contact with or close to the bending portion.
[0109] According to various embodiments, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be arranged below a normal line (L2) to a tangent line (L1) that passes through the outer circumference of the bending portion of the flexible display (130) in the folded state and is perpendicular to the surface (DS) of the display (DS) in the unfolded state. In one embodiment, through this arrangement structure of the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314), interference during the folding operation of the flexible display (130) is eliminated, and by supporting the lower portion of the bending portion, it may help prevent damage to the flexible display (130) due to external impact.
[0110] FIGS. 10A and 10B are drawings showing the combined structure of center bars (any of 313 and 314 of the drawings described above) and rotators (any of 322 and 323 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0111] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the hinge device (320) may include a first center bar (313) rotatably coupled to a first rotator (322) and a second center bar (314) rotatably coupled to a second rotator (323). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may include a first arm (3132) for rotatably inserting into a first arm receiving portion (3224) formed in the first rotator (322). In one embodiment, the second center bar (314) may include a second arm (3142) for rotatably inserting into a second arm receiving portion (3234) formed in the second rotator (323). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) can be rotatably arranged through hinge pins (HP) that are arranged to penetrate from the outside after the first arm (3132) and the second arm (3142) are received in the first arm receiving portion (3224) of the first rotator (322) and the second arm receiving portion (3234) of the second rotator (323), respectively. In one embodiment, the first arm (3132) and the second arm (3142) can be prevented from being detached to the outside through the first wing plate (e.g., the first wing plate (311) of FIG. 9) disposed on the upper portion of the first rotator (322) and the second wing plate (e.g., the second wing plate (312) of FIG. 9) disposed on the upper portion of the second rotator (323).
[0112] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a joint structure of a first center bar (any 313 of the drawings described above) and a first wing plate (any 311 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 11, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably arranged under the first wing plate (311) with respect to the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, the center bar shaft (3131) of the first center bar (313) may be arranged to be rotatably caught through a shaft catch (311a) formed under the first wing plate (311). In this case, the torsion spring (TS2) may be arranged so that one end is supported by the back surface of the wing plate (311) and the other end is arranged so as to press the first center bar (313) in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (130) of FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the torsion spring (TS2) may be omitted. Although not shown, the second center bar (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 9) may also be arranged in substantially the same manner on the second wing plate (e.g., the second wing plate (312) of FIG. 9).
[0114] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a joint structure of center bars (any of 313 and 314 of the drawings described above) and hinge arms (any of 324 and 325 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 12, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably arranged in a shaft receiving groove (3245) formed in the first hinge arm (324), and the second center bar (314) may be rotatably arranged in a shaft receiving groove (not shown) formed in the second hinge arm (325) in the same manner. In this case, the first center bar (313) may be supported by a torsion spring (TS3) that at least partially penetrates the first center bar shaft (3131) and has one end supported by the shaft receiving groove (3245) while the other end presses the first center bar (313) in the opposite direction to the flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (130) of FIG. 9). In substantially the same manner, the second center bar (314) may be supported by a torsion spring (TS3) that at least partially penetrates the second center bar shaft (3141).
[0116] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a joint structure of a first center bar (any 313 of the drawings described above) and a first wing plate (any 311 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 13, the first center bar (313) may be rotatably arranged to be coupled to the first rotator (322) by a rail coupling structure. In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may include a guide rail (3133) formed in a curved shape on the back surface, and the first rotator (322) may be formed in a curved shape corresponding to the guide rail (3133) and may include a guide slit (3225) for accommodating the guide rail (3133). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) may be arranged to move together with the first wing plate (311) up to a designated folding angle among the overall folding angles of the electronic device by having the guide rail (3133) guided along the guide slit (3225) of the first rotator (322). Although not shown, the second center bar (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 3a) may also be arranged with substantially the same rail coupling structure as the second rotator (e.g., the second rotator (323) of FIG. 3a).
[0118] FIG. 14A is a plan view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 14a, the hinge assembly (HA) may include at least one hinge device (e.g., at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) of FIG. 3b) coupled to a hinge housing (e.g., the hinge housing (141) of FIG. 3a), a pair of wing plates (311, 312) coupled to the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1), and a pair of center bars (313, 314) disposed between the pair of wing plates (311, 312). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first wing plate (311), the second wing plate (312), the first center bar (313), and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A).
[0120] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may include support structures such as the following, arranged to form the same plane as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312).
[0121] FIG. 14b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14b-14b of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 14b, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (130). In this case, even if the first center bar (313) is pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (130), it is supported in the direction (direction ②) toward the flexible display by making contact through a part of the first rotator (322), so that the phenomenon of sagging downward can be prevented. In one embodiment, even if the second center bar (314) is pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (130), it can be prevented from sagging downward because it is supported in the direction (direction ②) toward the flexible display by making contact through a part of the second rotator (323).
[0123] FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14c-14c of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0124] Referring to FIG. 14c, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (130). In this case, even if the first center bar (313) is pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (130), it is supported in the direction (direction ②) toward the flexible display by making contact through the first support portion (3246) formed in the first hinge arm (324), so that the phenomenon of sagging downward can be prevented. In one embodiment, even if the second center bar (314) is pressed in the opposite direction (① direction) to the flexible display (130), it can be prevented from sagging downward because it is supported in the direction (② direction) toward the flexible display by making contact through the second support portion (3256) formed on the second hinge arm (325).
[0125] FIG. 14d is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly taken along line 14d-14d of FIG. 14a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0126] Referring to FIG. 14d, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (130). In this case, even if the first center bar (313) is pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (130), it is supported in the direction (direction ②) toward the flexible display by making contact through the first support piece (3111) arranged on at least a portion of the first wing plate (311), so that the phenomenon of sagging downward can be prevented. In one embodiment, even if the second center bar (314) is pressed in the opposite direction (direction ①) to the flexible display (130), it can be prevented from sagging downward because it is supported in the direction (direction ②) toward the flexible display by making contact through the second support piece (3121) arranged on at least a portion of the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the first support piece (3111) may be formed integrally with the first wing plate (311) or formed separately and then structurally coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the second support piece (3121) may also be formed integrally with the second wing plate (312) or formed separately and then structurally coupled thereto.
[0127] The support structure of the center bars (313, 314) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of the support structures of FIGS. 14b to 14d described above.
[0128] According to various embodiments, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) operate to rotate at the same angle as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) from the first state in which the electronic device (100) is fully unfolded to the third state, which is an intermediate state between the second state in which the electronic device (100) is fully folded, and from the third state to the second state, they may rotate at different angles from the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), or the rotation operation may be stopped. For example, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may rotate at a smaller rotation angle than the first wing plate (311) from the third state to the second state, or may not rotate and their positions may be slightly changed. In one embodiment, the hinge device (320) may include a support structure for supporting these center bars (313, 314) to perform a different rotational motion from the wing plates (311, 312) from the third state to the second state.
[0129] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of center bars (any of 313 and 314 of the aforementioned drawings) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a rotator bracket according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0130] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may include at least one protrusion (3134, 3144) formed at least partially to protrude beyond the rear surface. In one embodiment, the rotator bracket (321) may include at least one contact portion (321a) formed protruding at a position corresponding to the at least one protrusion (3134, 3144) formed on the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314). In some embodiments, the at least one protrusion (3134, 3144) formed on the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be omitted.
[0131] FIGS. 16A and 16B are drawings showing a support structure of center bars (any of 313, 314 of the drawings described above) by a rotator bracket (any of 321 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, when the electronic device (100) transitions from a first state in which it is fully unfolded to a folded state, the first center bar (313) may rotate at the same angle as the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) reaches a third state between the first state in which it is fully unfolded and the second state in which it is fully folded, the protrusion (3134) protruding from the back surface of the first center bar (313) may come into contact with the contact portion (321a) of the rotator bracket (321). In this case, when the electronic device (100) continues to fold from the third state to the second state, the first wing plate (311) may continue to rotate, and the first center bar (313) may stop rotating, move slightly, or rotate at a different rotation angle from the first wing plate (311). Accordingly, the first center bar (313) may be changed to maintain an angle that allows it to contact or come into close contact with the lower side of the bending portion, unlike the first wing plate (311) that generally supports the upper part of the bending portion formed in the shape of a water droplet of the flexible display (130), through the support structure of the protrusion (3134) through the contact portion (321a) of the rotator bracket (321). Although not shown, the second center bar (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 15a) may also be operated in substantially the same manner.
[0133] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a support structure of center bars (any of 313, 314 of the drawings described above) by hinge arms (any of 324, 325 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 17, when the electronic device (100) transitions from a first state in which it is fully unfolded to a folded state, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be rotated at the same angle together with the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), respectively. In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) reaches a third state between the first state and the second state in which it is fully folded, the first center bar (313) may be in contact with at least a portion of the first hinge arm (324), and the second center bar (314) may be in contact with at least a portion of the second hinge arm (325). In this case, when the electronic device (100) is continuously folded from the third state to the second state, the first wing plate (311) is continuously rotated, and the first center bar (313) may stop rotating, move slightly, or rotate at a different rotation angle from the first wing plate (311) by the first hinge arm (324). Similarly, the second wing plate (312) is also continuously rotated, and the second center bar (314) may stop rotating, move slightly, or rotate at a different rotation angle from the second wing plate (312) by the second hinge arm (325). Accordingly, the first center bar (313) may be changed to maintain an angle at which it can contact or approach the lower side of the bending portion, which is formed in a water drop shape of the flexible display (130), unlike the first wing plate (311) that generally supports the upper side, by a support structure through at least a portion of the first hinge arm (324). Similarly, the second center bar (314) may also be changed to maintain an angle at which it can contact or approach the lower side of the bending portion, which is formed in a water drop shape of the flexible display (130), unlike the second wing plate (312) that generally supports the upper side.
[0135] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hinge device showing a supporting portion of center bars (any of 313, 314 of the drawings described above) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0136] Referring to FIG. 18, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be supported by at least one structure of the hinge device (320) when the electronic device (100) reaches the third state. For example, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be supported by at least a portion (e.g., portions of the dotted line region shown) of the shaft bracket (3216) arranged to support the gear structures (e.g., the first gear structure (3242), the second gear structure (3252), and the idle gears (328)) as components of the hinge device (320) and / or the spring (CS) when the third state is reached.
[0137] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the hinge assembly taken along line 19B-19B of FIG. 19A according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0138] According to various embodiments, the relatively narrow center bars (313, 314) may be subject to shaking or deformation due to external impact since there is no separate support structure in an area (e.g., a central area) other than the area where the hinge devices (320, 320-1) are arranged. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a deformation prevention structure to support the center bars (313, 314) in an area that is not supported by the hinge devices (320, 320-1).
[0139] Referring to FIGS. 19a and 19b, the hinge assembly (HA) may include at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) coupled to a hinge housing (e.g., hinge housing (141) of FIG. 3a), a pair of wing plates (311, 312) coupled to the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1), and a pair of center bars (313, 314) disposed between the pair of wing plates (311, 312). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the first wing plate (311), the second wing plate (312), the first center bar (313), and the second center bar (314) form the same plane as the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A), thereby smoothly supporting the flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A).
[0140] According to various embodiments, the hinge assembly (HA) may include a first support bar (311b) disposed under the first wing plate (311) to support the back surface of the first center bar (313) in an area where at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) is not disposed when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly (HA) may include a second support bar (312b) disposed under the second wing plate (312) to support the back surface of the second center bar (314) in an area where at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) is not disposed when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, the first support bar (311b) may be formed integrally with the first wing plate (311) or may be formed separately and structurally coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the second support bar (312b) may be formed integrally with the second wing plate (312) or may be formed separately and structurally connected thereto.
[0141] FIG. 20 is a plan view of a hinge assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 20, the hinge assembly (HA) may include at least one hinge device (e.g., at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) of FIG. 3b) coupled to a hinge housing (e.g., the hinge housing (141) of FIG. 3a), a pair of wing plates (311, 312) coupled to the at least one hinge device (320, 320-1), and center bars (313-1, 313-2, 314-1, 314-2) disposed between the pair of wing plates (311, 312). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, a pair of wing plates (311, 312) and center bars (313-1, 313-2, 314-1, 314-2) can smoothly support a flexible display (e.g., the first display (130) of FIG. 1A) by forming the same plane as the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A).
[0143] According to various embodiments, the center bars may include a first center bar (313-1) that overlaps at least a first hinge device (e.g., a first hinge device (320) of FIG. 3b) and is rotatably positioned under a first wing plate (311), and a second center bar (313-2) that overlaps at least a second hinge device (e.g., a second hinge device (320-1) of FIG. 3b) and is rotatably positioned under the first wing plate (311) at a position spaced from the first center bar (313-1). In one embodiment, the center bars may include a third center bar (314-1) that overlaps at least a first hinge device (e.g., the first hinge device (320) of FIG. 3B) and is rotatably positioned under the second wing plate (312), and a fourth center bar (314-2) that overlaps at least a second hinge device (e.g., the second hinge device (320-1) of FIG. 3B) and is rotatably positioned under the second wing plate (312) at a position spaced from the third center bar (314-1). In one embodiment, an area where the center bars (313-1, 313-2, 314-1, 314-2) are not disposed and do not overlap at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) may be positioned so that the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) extend so as to be close to each other. Accordingly, the vulnerable area where at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) is not arranged can be reinforced with rigidity through the extended portion of the first and second wing plates (311, 312) having a relatively wide width.
[0144] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when an electronic device changes from a third state to a second state, from a first state in which it is fully unfolded to a second state in which it is fully folded, the following advantages can be derived through the operating structure of the center bars (313, 314) that change at different angles from the wing plates (311, 312).
[0145] FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a rigid reinforcement structure in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 21A, the electronic device (100) may include a first wing plate (311) and a second wing plate (312) arranged to support the back surface of the flexible display (130). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first center bar (313) arranged to contact or be in proximity to the bending portion of the flexible display (130) at a different angle from the first wing plate (311) in a folded state, and a second center bar (314) arranged to contact or be in proximity to the bending portion of the flexible display (130) at a different angle from the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, through the modified operating structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314), the electronic device (100) may include regions (R1, R2) provided by at least partially reduced rotational trajectories of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312). These regions (R1, R2) may help provide a rigid reinforcement structure for the reinforced rotators (322, 323).
[0147] FIG. 21b is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a hinge structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0148] Referring to FIG. 21b, through the changed operating structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314), the electronic device (100) can help provide a reliable torque generation structure by increasing the radius (d1) of the cam structure without increasing the volume of the electronic device (100) through at least partially reduced rotational trajectories of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312).
[0149] FIG. 21c is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing a gear structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0150] Referring to FIG. 21c, through the changed operating structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314), the electronic device (100) can help provide a reliable driving structure by increasing the radius (d2) of the idle gears (328) without increasing the volume of the electronic device (100) through at least partially reduced rotational trajectories of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312).
[0151] FIG. 21d is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing the relationship between the amount of sagging of a flexible display and the amount of protrusion of a hinge housing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0152] Referring to FIG. 21d, through the changed operating structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314), the electronic device (100) can be designed to additionally secure the amount of sagging (d3) of the flexible display (130) without increasing the volume of the electronic device (100) through at least partially reduced rotational trajectories of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), and to reduce the amount of protrusion (d4) of the hinge housing (141) while securing a gap at the bottom of the flexible display (130).
[0153] FIGS. 21E and 21F are cross-sectional views of a portion of an electronic device showing the arrangement structure of wiring members in folded and unfolded states according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0154] Referring to FIGS. 21E and 21F, through the changed operating structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314), the electronic device (100) can efficiently reduce the length of the wiring member (FW) (e.g., FPCB, flexible printed circuit board) electrically connecting the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A) through at least a partially reduced rotational trajectory of the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312). In addition, when the wiring member (FW) is arranged in a limited space, the curvature of the wiring member (FW) can be made relatively large, which can be advantageous in securing the durability of the wiring member (FW) and securing the arrangement space due to frequent folding operations of the electronic device (100).
[0155] FIGS. 22a and 22b are drawings showing the support structure of wing plates by hinge arms according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0156] Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B, the electronic device (100) may include a first wing plate (311) and a second wing plate (312) arranged to support the back surface of the flexible display (130). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first center bar (313) arranged to contact or be in proximity to the bending portion of the flexible display (130) at a different angle from the first wing plate (311) in a folded state, and a second center bar (314) arranged to contact or be in proximity to the bending portion of the flexible display (130) at a different angle from the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, the first and second center bars (313, 314) may be configured to operate at the same rotational angle as the first and second wing plates (311, 312) from a fully unfolded first state to a fully folded second state to a third state, and to rotate at a different angle from the first and second wing plates (311, 312) from the third state to the second state.
[0157] According to various embodiments, the first and second center bars (313, 314) may be arranged to be supported by the first support portion (3246) of the first hinge arm (324) and the second support portion (3256) of the second hinge arm (325) in the unfolded state. In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (324) and the second hinge arm (325) may be configured to rotate later than the first rotator (322) and the second rotator (323), thereby relatively delaying the rotational speed of the first and second center bars (313, 314). In this case, the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) can be configured to rotate later than the first and second rotators (322, 323) by changing the coupling structure with the first and second guide grooves (e.g., the first and second guide grooves (3261, 3271) of FIG. 3a) of the first and second links (e.g., the first and second links (326, 327) of FIG. 3a).
[0158] FIGS. 23a and 23b are drawings showing the operating structure between the hinge arm and the links according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0159] Referring to FIG. 23a, the electronic device (100) may include a first wing plate (311) arranged to support a first rotator (322) that rotates about a first rotation axis (X1) on a rotator bracket (321) and a second wing plate (312) arranged to support a second rotator (323) that rotates about a second rotation axis (X2) on the rotator bracket (321). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first link (326) that is partially rotated about a third rotational axis (X3) on a first rotator (322) and another portion fixed to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A), and a second link (327) that is partially rotated about a fourth rotational axis (X4) on a second rotator (323) and another portion fixed to a second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first hinge arm (324) having one end rotatably arranged about a fifth rotation axis (X5) in a rotator bracket (321) and the other end movably coupled to a first link (326), and a second hinge arm (325) having one end rotatably arranged about a sixth rotation axis (X6) in the rotator bracket (321) and the other end movably coupled to a second link (327). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (324) may be movably inserted into a first guide groove (3262) formed in the first link (326) by a first guide body (3241). In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (325) may be movably inserted into a second guide groove (3272) formed in the second link (327) by a second guide body (3251). In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a first center bar (313) rotatably arranged about a seventh rotation axis (X7) under a first wing plate (311) and a second center bar (314) rotatably arranged about an eighth rotation axis (X8) under a second wing plate (312).In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) can form the same plane as the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) by being supported by at least a portion of the first rotator (322) and the second rotator (323) when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) can be rotated at the same rotation angle as the first and second wing plates (311, 312) from the first state to the third state, and can be rotated or slightly moved at a different angle from the first and second wing plates (311, 312) from the third state to the second state.
[0160] According to various embodiments, the rotation angle of the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) can be adjusted by changing the slide coupling structure with the first and second links (326, 327). For example, when the coupling shape of the first guide groove (3262) and the first guide body (3241) is formed along the first line (L3) that is curved upward so as to rotate around the ninth rotation axis (X9), the first hinge arm (324) can be induced to rotate at an angle smaller than 90 degrees compared to the first rotator (322) that rotates at 90 degrees. Likewise, when the combined shape of the second guide groove (3272) and the second guide body (3251) is formed along the second line (L4) that is curved upward so as to rotate based on the 10th rotation axis (X10), the second hinge arm (325) can be induced to rotate at an angle smaller than 90 degrees compared to the second rotator (323) that rotates at 90 degrees. For example, the angular velocity control structure through the combination of the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) and the first and second links (326, 327) may be replaced with the combination structure between the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) and the first and second links (326, 327) of FIGS. 4a to 5 described above.
[0161] In describing the electronic device of Fig. 23b, substantially identical components are given the same symbols, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.
[0162] Referring to FIG. 23b, the rotation angle of the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) can be adjusted by changing the slide coupling structure with the first and second links (326, 327). For example, when the coupling shape of the first guide groove (3262) and the first guide body (3241) is formed along the third line (L5) that is curved downward so as to rotate around the eleventh rotation axis (X11), the first hinge arm (324) can be induced to rotate at an angle greater than 90 degrees compared to the first rotator (322) that rotates at 90 degrees. Likewise, when the joint shape of the second guide groove (3272) and the second guide body (3251) is formed along the fourth line (L6) that is curved downward so as to rotate based on the 12th rotation axis (X12), the second hinge arm (325) can be induced to rotate at an angle greater than 90 degrees compared to the second rotator (323) that rotates at 90 degrees. For example, the angular velocity control structure through the joint of the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) and the first and second links (326, 327) can be replaced with the joint structure between the first and second hinge arms (324, 325) and the first and second links (326, 327) of FIGS. 4a to 5 described above.
[0163] FIG. 24a is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 24b is a combined perspective view of the hinge device of FIG. 24a according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0164] The hinge device (420) of FIGS. 24a and 24b can be replaced with at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) of FIGS. 3a and 3b.
[0165] Referring to FIGS. 24A and 24B, the hinge device (420) includes a rotator bracket (421) fixed to a hinge housing (e.g., a hinge housing (141) of FIG. 3A) through a fastening member such as a screw, a first rotator (422) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (421) with respect to a first rotation axis (X1), a second rotator (423) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (421) with respect to a second rotation axis (X2), a first fixed bracket (426) rotatably coupled to the first rotator (422) with respect to a third rotation axis (X3), a second fixed bracket (427) rotatably coupled to the second rotator (423) with respect to a fourth rotation axis (X4), and a second fixed bracket (427) rotatably coupled to the second rotator (423) with respect to a fifth rotation axis (X5), one end of which is rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (421) with respect to a fifth rotation axis (X5). The first hinge arm (424) may include a second hinge arm (425) that is rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket (421) with respect to the sixth rotation axis (X6). In one embodiment, the first fixed bracket (426) may be fixed to the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the second fixed bracket (427) may be fixed to the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the first center bar (313) arranged between the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) may be rotatably arranged with respect to the seventh rotation axis (e.g., the seventh rotation axis (X7) of FIG. 23A) located below the first wing plate (311), and the first center bar (313) arranged between the second wing plate (312) may be rotatably arranged with respect to the seventh rotation axis (e.g., the seventh rotation axis (X7) of FIG. 23A). The second center bar (314) may be arranged to be rotatable about an eighth rotation axis (e.g., the eighth rotation axis (X8) of FIG. 23a) located below the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the coupling structure and support structure for the first center bar (313) and the second center bar (314) may be substantially the same as the coupling structure and support structure of the first and second center bars (313, 314) illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 23b described above.In one embodiment, the hinge device (420) may include a first link (431) that is fixed to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and movably guides the other end of the first hinge arm (424), and a second link (432) that is fixed to a second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A) and movably guides the other end of the second hinge arm (425).
[0166] According to various embodiments, the first rotator (422) may include a first curved guide slit (4221) formed at one end. In one embodiment, the second rotator (423) may include a second curved guide slit (2231) formed at one end. In one embodiment, the first rotator (222) may include a third curved guide slit (4222) formed at the other end. In one embodiment, the second rotator (423) may include a fourth curved guide slit (4232) formed at the other end. In one embodiment, the first rotator (422) may be rotatably coupled about the first rotation axis (X1) by coupling the first curved guide rib (4211) formed on the rotator bracket (421) to the first guide slit (4221). In one embodiment, the second rotator (423) can be rotatably coupled about the second rotation axis (X2) by coupling a curved second guide rib (4212) formed on the rotator bracket (421) to a second guide slit (4231).
[0167] According to various embodiments, the first fixed bracket (426) can be rotatably coupled about a third rotation axis (X3) by coupling a third guide rib (4261) having a curved shape formed at least in a portion thereof to a third guide slit (4222). In one embodiment, the second fixed bracket (427) can be rotatably coupled about a fourth rotation axis (X4) by coupling a fourth guide rib (4271) having a curved shape formed at least in a portion thereof to a fourth guide slit (4232).
[0168] According to various embodiments, the first hinge arm (424) may include a first guide body (4241) movably coupled to a first guide groove (4311) formed in the first link (431) and a first cam structure (4242) formed on one side of the first guide body (4241). According to one embodiment, the second hinge arm (425) may include a second guide body (4251) movably coupled to a second guide groove (4321) formed in the second link (432) and a second cam structure (4252) formed on one side of the second guide body (4251). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (424) may guide the first link (431) to be rotatably moved about the ninth rotational axis (X9) through the curved guide structure of the first guide body (4241) and the first guide groove (4311). In some embodiments, the first hinge arm (424) may be slidably coupled to the first link (431) through the linear guide structure of the first guide body (4241) and the first guide groove (4311). In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (425) may guide the second link (432) to be rotatably moved about the tenth rotation axis (X10) through the curved guide structure of the second guide body (4251) and the second guide groove (4321). In some embodiments, the second hinge arm (425) may be slidably coupled to the second link (432) through the linear guide structure of the second guide body (4251) and the second guide groove (4321). In one embodiment, the first link (431) may be arranged to at least partially overlap the first fixing bracket (426). In one embodiment, the second link (432) may be positioned to at least partially overlap the second fixed bracket (427).
[0169] According to various embodiments, the hinge device (420) may include a first shaft (HS3) rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket (421) about a fifth rotation axis (X5) via a gear bracket (4215) and including a first gear (4281), and a second shaft (HS4) rotatably disposed on the rotator bracket (421) about a sixth rotation axis (X6) via the gear bracket (4215) and including a second gear (4282). In one embodiment, the hinge device (420) may include a pair of idle gears (428) each gear-engaged with the first gear (4281) and the second gear (4282). Accordingly, when the first fixed bracket (426) and the first link (431) are unfolded or folded together with the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3a), the second fixed bracket (427) and the second link (432) can be induced to unfold or fold together at the same angle with the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3a) through a pair of idle gears (428) gear-engaged with the first and second gears (4281, 4282).
[0170] According to various embodiments, the hinge device (420) may include a cam body (429) including a first cam structure (4242), a third cam structure (4291) cam-coupled with a second cam structure (4252), and a fourth cam structure (4292) cam-coupled with a second cam structure (4252), and a torque generating structure including a pair of springs (CS) that urge the cam body (429) in the direction of the first hinge arm (424) and the second hinge arm (425) through a shaft bracket (4216) and a pair of washer members (4217) fixed to the ends of the first and second shafts (HS3, HS4) (e.g., in the -x-axis direction). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (424) may be rotatable about the fifth axis (X5). In one embodiment, the first cam structure (4242) of the first hinge arm (424), the gear bracket (4215), the third cam structure (4291) of the cam body (429), the spring (CS), and the shaft bracket (4216) can be aligned through a first shaft (HS3) passing therethrough. In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (425) can be rotated about a sixth axis (X6). In one embodiment, the second cam structure (4252) of the second hinge arm (425), the gear bracket (4215), the fourth cam structure (4292) of the cam body (429), the spring (CS), and the shaft bracket (4216) can be aligned through a second shaft (HS4) passing therethrough. In one embodiment, the first shaft (HS1) and the second shaft (HS2) can be restrained from being dislodged through an E-rig structure (4213). In one embodiment, the cam body (429) can move in a direction parallel to the fifth axis (X5) and the sixth axis (X6), the first cam structure (4242) of the first hinge arm (424) can be arranged to be rotatable about the fifth axis (X5), and the second cam structure (4252) of the second hinge arm (425) can be arranged to be rotatable about the sixth axis (X6). In one embodiment, when the first cam structure (4242) is rotated about the fifth axis (X5) by the first hinge arm (424), the third cam structure (4291) coupled with the cam may be retracted rearward with the support of the spring (CS), thereby generating torque.Likewise, when the second cam structure (4252) is rotated about the sixth axis (X6) by the second hinge arm (425), torque may be generated as the fourth cam structure (4292) coupled with the cam moves backward with the support of the spring (CS). Accordingly, torque may be generated as the cam body (429) moves backward due to the movement of the third cam structure (4291) and the fourth cam structure (4292). In one embodiment, the magnitude of the torque can be determined based on the shape of the first cam structure (4242) and the third cam structure (4291) coupled thereto and the shape of the second cam structure (4252) and the fourth cam structure (4292) coupled thereto, and the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A) can be set to be pressed in a direction in which they are unfolded or folded at a specified inflection angle or more, or can be set to be stopped at a specified angle, based on the determined torque.
[0171] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 26a is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device taken along line 26a-26a of FIG. 25 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 26b is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device taken along line 26b-26b of FIG. 25 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0172] The hinge device (520) of FIGS. 25 to 26b can be replaced with at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) of FIGS. 3a and 3b.
[0173] Referring to FIGS. 25 to 26b, the hinge device (520) may include a rotator bracket (521), a first rotator (522) rotatably coupled to one side of the rotator bracket (521), a second rotator (523) rotatably coupled to the other side of the rotator bracket (521), a first wing plate (311) supported by the first rotator (522) and rotatably coupled to the first rotator (522), and a second wing plate (312) supported by the second rotator (523) and rotatably coupled to the second rotator (523). In one embodiment, the hinge device (520) may include a first center bar (313) rotatably coupled to the first wing plate (311) between the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), and a second center bar (314) rotatably coupled to the second wing plate (312) between the first center bar (313) and the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the hinge device (520) may include a first hinge arm (524) rotatably coupled about a first shaft (HS5) coupled to a rotator bracket (521), and a second hinge arm (525) rotatably coupled about a second shaft (HS6) coupled to the rotator bracket (521). In one embodiment, the first rotator (522) may be coupled to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3A) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the second rotator (523) may be coupled to a second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 3A) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 3A).
[0174] According to various embodiments, the first wing plate (311) may be coupled such that a first guide structure (3115) protrudingly formed on the rear surface thereof is rotatably guided to the first rotator (522). In one embodiment, the second wing plate (312) may be coupled such that a second guide structure (3125) protrudingly formed on the rear surface thereof is rotatably guided to the second rotator (523). In one embodiment, the first wing plate (311) may include a first guide rail (3116) including a first guide slit (3116a) through which a first guide pin (5211) formed on the rotator bracket (521) may be guided. In one embodiment, the second wing plate (312) may include a second guide rail (3126) including a second guide slit (3126a) through which a second guide pin (5212) formed on the rotator bracket (521) may be guided. This guide structure can assist in the stable rotational motion of the wing plates (311, 312). In one embodiment, the first guide slit (3116a) and the second guide slit (3126a) can be formed in a curved shape. In one embodiment, the first guide structure (3115) and the first guide rail (3116) can be formed integrally with the first wing plate (311). In one embodiment, the second guide structure (3125) and the second guide rail (3126) can be formed integrally with the second wing plate (312).
[0175] According to various embodiments, the first hinge arm (524) may include a first slit (5241) through which a first hinge pin (5242) coupled to the first rotator (522) may be guided. In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (525) may include a second slit (5251) through which a second hinge pin (5252) coupled to the second rotator (523) may be guided. In one embodiment, the first slit (5241) and the second slit (5251) may be formed in a curved shape.
[0176] According to various embodiments, when the first link and the second link are folded together with the first housing (110) and the second housing (120), the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) can be rotated together. In this case, the links are rotated with respect to the rotator bracket (521) through the rotators (522, 523), and through the bidirectional rotational coupling structure of the rotators (522, 523), when folded, they are rotated additionally than the housings (110, 120), thereby helping to provide a space that can support and accommodate the bent area of the flexible display (130). In this case, the hinge arms (524, 525) can be pivotally moved and rotated through the guide slits (5241, 5251) to correspond to additional rotation of the rotators (522, 523).
[0177] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge device (520) has wing plates (311, 312) rotatably coupled to rotators (522, 523), and the rotators (522, 523) are directly fixed to housings (110, 120), so that even if links (e.g., links (326, 327) of FIG. 4A) are excluded, substantially the same operation as the hinge device (320) of FIG. 4A can be performed, and this can help to slim down an electronic device by reducing parts.
[0178] Although not shown or described, the gear coupling structure and torque generating structure included in the hinge device (520) may be similar to or substantially identical to the gear coupling structure and torque generating structure configured in the hinge device (320) of FIG. 4a.
[0179] FIG. 27A is a perspective view of a hinge device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the hinge device taken along line 27B-27B of FIG. 27A according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0180] The hinge device (620) of FIGS. 27a and 27b may be replaced with at least one hinge device (320, 320-1) of FIGS. 3a and 3b.
[0181] Referring to FIGS. 27a and 27b, the hinge device (620) may include a rotator bracket (621), a first rotator (622) rotatably coupled to one side of the rotator bracket (621), a second rotator (623) rotatably coupled to the other side of the rotator bracket (621), a first link (626) rotatably coupled to the first rotator (622) and fixed to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 3a), a second link (627) rotatably coupled to the second rotator (623) and fixed to a second housing (120), a first hinge arm (624) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket (621), and a second hinge arm (625) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket (621). In one embodiment, the hinge device (620) may include a first wing plate (311) fixed to a first link (626), a second wing plate (312) fixed to a second link (627). In one embodiment, the hinge device (620) may include a first center bar (313) rotatably coupled to the first wing plate (311) between the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312), and a second center bar (314) rotatably coupled to the second wing plate (312) between the first center bar (313) and the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the first rotator (622) may have one end rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket (621) and the other end rotatably coupled to the first link (626). In one embodiment, the second rotator (623) may have one end rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket (621) and the other end rotatably coupled to the second link (627). In one embodiment, the first hinge arm (624) may be coupled in such a way that the first hinge pin (6241) coupled to the first hinge arm (624) is guided to the first guide slit (3117a) of the first guide structure (3117) protrudingly formed on the back surface of the first wing plate (311).In one embodiment, the second hinge arm (625) may be coupled in such a way that the second hinge pin (6251) coupled to the second hinge arm (625) is guided to the second guide slit (3127a) of the second guide structure (3127) protrudingly formed on the back surface of the second wing plate (312). In one embodiment, the first guide slit (3117a) and the second guide slit (3127a) may be formed in a curved shape.
[0182] According to various embodiments, when the first rotator (622) and the second rotator (623) are folded together with the first housing (110) and the second housing (120), the first wing plate (311) and the second wing plate (312) can be rotated together. In this case, the wing plates (311, 312) can be rotated additionally than the housings (110, 120) through the guide structures (3117, 3127), thereby helping to provide a space that can support and accommodate the bent area of the flexible display (130). In this case, the hinge arms (624, 625) can be pivotally moved and rotated through the guide slits (3117a, 3127a) to correspond to additional rotation of the rotators (622, 623).
[0183] A hinge device (620) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may help in stable operation by including links (626, 627) that are pivotally movable and rotatably coupled to hinge arms (624, 625) while being rotatably coupled to rotators (622, 623).
[0184] Although not shown or described, the gear coupling structure and torque generating structure included in the hinge device (620) may be similar to or substantially identical to the gear coupling structure and torque generating structure configured in the hinge device (320) of FIG. 4a.
[0185] According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (100) of FIG. 3A) comprises a first housing (e.g., a first housing (110) of FIG. 3A), a second housing (e.g., a second housing (120) of FIG. 3A), and at least one hinge device (e.g., a hinge device (320) of FIG. 4A) that foldably connects the first housing and the second housing from a first state to a second state, a rotator bracket (e.g., a rotator bracket (321) of FIG. 4A), a first rotator (e.g., a first rotator (322) of FIG. 4A) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket about a first rotation axis (e.g., a first rotation axis (X1) of FIG. 4A), and a second rotation axis (e.g., a second rotation axis (X2) of FIG. 4A) A second rotator (e.g., the second rotator (323) of FIG. 4a) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket, a first link (e.g., the first link (326) of FIG. 4a) rotatably coupled to the first rotator based on a third rotation axis (e.g., the third rotation axis (X3) of FIG. 4a), a second link (e.g., the second link (327) of FIG. 4a) rotatably coupled to the second rotator based on a fourth rotation axis (e.g., the fourth rotation axis (X4) of FIG. 4a), a fifth rotation axis (e.g., the fifth rotation axis (X5) of FIG. 4a), a first hinge arm (e.g., the first hinge arm (324) of FIG. 4a) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket based on a sixth rotation axis (e.g., the sixth rotation axis (X6) of FIG. 4a), At least one hinge device including a second hinge arm (e.g., the second hinge arm (325) of FIG. 4a), a first wing plate fixed to the first rotator (e.g., the first wing plate (311) of FIG. 3a), a second wing plate fixed to the second rotator (e.g., the second wing plate (312) of FIG. 3a), a first center bar rotatably arranged with respect to the first wing plate (e.g., the first center bar (313) of FIG. 3a), a second center bar rotatably arranged with respect to the second wing plate (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 3a), and in the first state, the first,2 housings, a flexible display (e.g., a flexible display (130) of FIG. 1A) arranged to be supported by the first and second wing plates and the first and second center bars, wherein the first center bar and the second center bar are operable to correspond to the first wing plate and the second wing plate, respectively, until a third state between the first state and the second state, and from the third state to the second state, they can be operated to have a different rotation angle from the first wing plate and the second wing plate, respectively.
[0186] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be rotatably coupled to the first rotator with respect to a seventh rotation axis (e.g., the seventh rotation axis (X7) of FIG. 9) located below the first wing plate, and the second center bar may be rotatably coupled to the second rotator with respect to an eighth rotation axis (e.g., the eighth rotation axis (X8) of FIG. 9) located below the second wing plate.
[0187] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be arranged to be pressed in a direction opposite to the flexible display via a torsion spring (e.g., the torsion spring (TS1) of FIG. 9).
[0188] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be rotatably coupled to the back surface of the first wing plate about a seventh rotation axis, and the second center bar may be rotatably coupled to the back surface of the second wing plate about an eighth rotation axis.
[0189] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be rotatably coupled to at least a portion of the first hinge arm about a seventh rotation axis located under the first wing plate, and the second center bar may be rotatably coupled to at least a portion of the second hinge arm about an eighth rotation axis located under the second wing plate.
[0190] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be arranged to be supported by the first rotator in the first state, and the second center bar may be arranged to be supported by the second rotator in the first state.
[0191] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be arranged to be supported by at least a portion of the first hinge arm (e.g., the first support portion (3246) of FIG. 14c) in the first state, and the second center bar may be arranged to be supported by at least a portion of the second hinge arm (e.g., the second support portion (3256) of FIG. 14c) in the first state.
[0192] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be arranged to be supported, in the first state, by at least a portion of a first support piece (e.g., the first support piece (3111) of FIG. 14d) extending from at least a portion of the first wing plate, and the second center bar may be arranged to be supported, in the first state, by at least a portion of a second support piece (e.g., the second support piece (3121) of FIG. 14d) extending from at least a portion of the second wing plate.
[0193] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be arranged to be supported by at least a portion of the rotator bracket between the third state and the second state.
[0194] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be arranged to support at least a portion of the first hinge arm and at least a portion of the second hinge arm between the third state and the second state.
[0195] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be positioned below a normal (e.g., a normal line (L2) in FIG. 9) to a tangent (e.g., a tangent line (L1) in FIG. 9) that passes through the outer circumferential surface of the bending portion of the flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (130) in FIG. 9) in the second state and is perpendicular to the surface of the display in the first state (e.g., the display surface (DS) in FIG. 9).
[0196] According to various embodiments, the first gear structure (e.g., the first gear structure (3242) of FIG. 4a) formed on the first hinge arm and rotated based on the fifth rotation axis and the second gear structure (e.g., the second gear structure (3252) of FIG. 4a) formed on the second hinge arm and rotated based on the sixth rotation axis are included, and the first gear structure and the second gear structure may be arranged to be gear-coupled with a pair of idle gears (e.g., the idle gear (328) of FIG. 4a) arranged on the rotator bracket.
[0197] According to various embodiments, a cam body including a first cam structure (e.g., a first cam structure (3243) of FIG. 4a) formed on the first hinge arm and rotated based on the fifth rotation axis, a second cam structure (e.g., a second cam structure (3253) of FIG. 4a) formed on the second hinge arm and rotated based on the sixth rotation axis, and a cam body (e.g., a cam body (329) of FIG. 4a) arranged to retract rearward according to the rotation of the first cam structure and the second cam structure, a third cam structure (e.g., a third cam structure (3291) of FIG. 4a) cam-coupled with the first cam structure and a fourth cam structure (e.g., a fourth cam structure (3292) of FIG. 4a) cam-coupled with the second cam structure, and at least one spring (e.g., a spring (CS) of FIG. 4a) for pressing the cam body in the direction of the first and second cam structures, When the first hinge arm and the second hinge arm rotate, torque can be generated between the first cam structure and the third cam structure and between the second cam structure and the fourth cam structure through the pressing force of the spring pressing the cam body.
[0198] According to various embodiments, the first hinge arm may include a first guide body (e.g., the first guide body (3241) of FIG. 4A) that is movably inserted into a first guide groove (e.g., the first guide groove (3262) of FIG. 4A) formed in the first link, and the second hinge arm may include a second guide body (e.g., the second guide body (3251) of FIG. 4A) that is movably inserted into a second guide groove (e.g., the second slide groove (3272) of FIG. 4A) formed in the second link.
[0199] According to various embodiments, the rotational angular velocity of the first hinge arm can be determined relative to the first rotator through a combination shape of the first guide body and the first guide groove, and the rotational angular velocity of the second hinge arm can be determined relative to the second rotator through a combination shape of the second guide body and the second guide groove.
[0200] According to various embodiments, the first center bar is arranged to be supported by at least a portion of the first hinge arm in the first state, the second center bar is arranged to be supported by at least a portion of the second hinge arm in the first state, and the first center bar and the second center bar can be rotated at an angular velocity that is the same as or different from the wing plate depending on the determined rotational angular velocity.
[0201] According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (100) of FIG. 3A) comprises a first housing (e.g., a first housing (110) of FIG. 3A), a second housing (e.g., a second housing (120) of FIG. 3A), and at least one hinge device (e.g., a hinge device (320) of FIG. 4A) that foldably connects the first housing and the second housing from a first state to a second state, a rotator bracket (e.g., a rotator bracket (321) of FIG. 4A), a first rotator (e.g., a first rotator (322) of FIG. 4A) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket about a first rotation axis (e.g., a first rotation axis (X1) of FIG. 4A), and a second rotation axis (e.g., a second rotation axis (X2) of FIG. 4A) A second rotator (e.g., the second rotator (323) of FIG. 4a) rotatably coupled to the rotator bracket, a first wing plate (e.g., the first wing plate (311) of FIG. 3a) rotatably coupled to the first rotator based on a third rotation axis (e.g., the third rotation axis (X3) of FIG. 4a), a second wing plate (e.g., the second wing plate (312) of FIG. 3a) rotatably coupled to the second rotator based on a fourth rotation axis (e.g., the fourth rotation axis (X4) of FIG. 4a), a fifth rotation axis (e.g., the fifth rotation axis (X5) of FIG. 4a), a first hinge arm (e.g., the first hinge arm (324) of FIG. 4a) and a sixth rotation axis (e.g., the sixth rotation axis (X6) of FIG. 4a) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket, a rotational axis (e.g., the first hinge arm (324) of FIG. 4a) and a sixth rotation axis (e.g., the sixth rotation axis (X6) of FIG. 4a)) rotatably arranged on the rotator bracket At least one hinge device including a second hinge arm (e.g., the second hinge arm (325) of FIG. 4a) that is rotatably arranged, a first wing plate (e.g., the first wing plate (311) of FIG. 3a) that is fixed to the first rotator, a second wing plate (e.g., the second wing plate (312) of FIG. 3a) that is fixed to the second rotator, and a first center bar (e.g., the first center bar (313) of FIG. 3a) that is rotatably arranged with respect to the first wing plate,A second center bar (e.g., the second center bar (314) of FIG. 3a) rotatably arranged with respect to the second wing plate and a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (130) of FIG. 1a) arranged to be supported by the first and second housings, the first and second wing plates and the first and second center bars in the first state, wherein the first center bar and the second center bar may be arranged to have different angles from the first wing plate and the second wing plate from a third state between the first state and the second state to the second state.
[0202] According to various embodiments, the first center bar may be rotatably coupled to the first rotator about a seventh rotation axis located under the first wing plate, and the second center bar may be rotatably coupled to the second rotator about an eighth rotation axis located under the second wing plate.
[0203] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be arranged to be pressed in a direction opposite to the flexible display via a torsion spring.
[0204] According to various embodiments, the first center bar and the second center bar may be positioned below a normal (e.g., a normal line (L2) in FIG. 9) to a tangent (e.g., a tangent line (L1) in FIG. 9) that passes through the outer circumferential surface of the bending portion of the flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (130) in FIG. 9) in the second state and is perpendicular to the surface of the display in the first state (e.g., the display surface (DS) in FIG. 9).
[0205] In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples to easily explain the technical contents according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and to help understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all changes or modified forms derived based on the technical ideas of the various embodiments of the present disclosure in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.