Electronic device including conductive member

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a foldable housing and a flexible display. The housing may include: a protective member including a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion; and a side surface member forming a side surface of the housing and at least partially containing a conductive material. The conductive portion may include a first conductive portion disposed on an inner surface of the protective member and extending at least partially parallel to a length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion connected to the first conductive portion and extending in a direction different from a direction in which the first conductive portion extends.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate to an electronic device including a conductive member. Background Art

[0002] As the integration level of electronic devices increases and ultra-high speed and high-capacity wireless communications become popular, recently, a single electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal may be provided with various functions. For example, in addition to a communication function, various functions such as an entertainment function (e.g., a game function), a multimedia function (e.g., music / video playback), a communication and security function for mobile banking, etc., a schedule management function, and an electronic wallet function have been integrated into a single electronic device. In addition, electronic devices are increasingly equipped with a wider display panel, so that users have no inconvenience when using multimedia services.

[0003] Recently, a foldable electronic device including a flexible display has been disclosed. The term "foldable electronic device" may refer to an electronic device including a plurality of housings and a foldable display disposed on or inside the plurality of housings, wherein the plurality of housings rotate relative to each other.

[0004] For the purpose of helping to understand the present disclosure, the above information may be provided as background. No statement or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art relevant to the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Solution According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include: a housing including a first housing and a second housing and configured to be foldable about a folding axis; and a flexible display. The housing may include: a protection member having an outer surface facing the outside of the electronic device and an inner surface facing at least a part of the flexible display, wherein the protection member includes a non-conductive part and a conductive part provided on the inner surface; and a side surface member defining a side surface of the housing and including a first part formed of a conductive material, a second part formed of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first part, and a separation part provided between the first part and the second part and formed of an insulating material. The conductive part may include a first conductive part extending parallel to a length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive part extending from an end of the first conductive part toward the side surface member at a position corresponding to the separation part.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include: a housing including a first housing and a second housing and configured to be foldable about a folding axis, wherein the housing may include a first side surface portion extending parallel to the folding axis, a second side surface portion extending from a first end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, a third side surface portion extending from a second end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, and a fourth side surface portion extending between the second side surface portion and the third side surface portion and parallel to the folding axis; and a flexible display. The housing may include a protection member having an outer surface facing the outside of the electronic device and an inner surface facing at least a part of the flexible display, wherein the protection member includes a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion disposed on the inner surface; and a side surface member defining the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, and the fourth side surface portion of the housing, wherein the side surface member includes a first portion formed of a conductive material, a second portion formed of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion, and a separation portion formed of an insulating material between the first portion and the second portion. The conductive portion may include a first conductive portion extending along the first side surface portion parallel to the length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion extending from an end of the first conductive portion toward the side surface member at a position corresponding to the separation portion, so that the conductive portion can discharge static electricity.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include: a housing configured to be foldable; and a flexible display. The housing may include: a protection member including a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion; and a side surface member defining the side surface of the housing and at least partially formed of a conductive material. The conductive portion may include a first conductive portion disposed on the inner surface of the protection member and at least partially extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion connected to the first conductive portion and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the first conductive portion extends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above aspects, other aspects, configurations, and / or advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure may become more apparent through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 is a view showing an unfolded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 is a view showing a folded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' in Figure 3 of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding to line A-A' in Figure 1 of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 is a view showing the inner surface of a protection member according to an embodiment (first comparative example).

[0015] Figure 7 is a view showing the inner surface of a protection member according to an embodiment (second comparative example).

[0016] Figure 8 is a view showing the inner surface of a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 9 is a view showing an electrostatic discharge path (ESD path) in a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 10 is a view showing a conductive portion of a side surface member and an adjacent protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 11 is a sectional view corresponding to line D-D' in Figure 10 of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 12 is a sectional view corresponding to line E-E' in Figure 10 of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 13 is a sectional view corresponding to line F-F' in Figure 10 of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 14 is a view showing an equivalent circuit of a side surface member and a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 15 is a view showing a conductive portion of a side surface member and an adjacent protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figures 16a to 16iIt is a view showing various embodiments of a conductive part of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same parts, components, and / or structures. Detailed description

[0026] In an electronic device (e.g., a foldable electronic device), a physical separation space may be provided between components included in a display. The separation space may be set to prevent interference between the components included in the display during a folding operation of the display. However, static electricity may be introduced through the separation space, which may cause damage to the display. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) path (hereinafter, simply referred to as "static ESD") flowing into the display may be formed by using a protection member (e.g., a decorative member) surrounding the display. However, as the area of the protection member increases, the volume of the electronic device may increase or the size of the actual display area of the display may decrease.

[0027] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below, an electronic device including an effective electrostatic discharge path may be provided even when the protection member is miniaturized so as not to reduce the size of the actual display area of the display.

[0028] An electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to the above-described electronic devices.

[0029] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to specific embodiments, but include various changes, equivalent forms or alternative forms corresponding to the respective embodiments. For the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to refer to like or related elements. It will be understood that a singular noun corresponding to a term may include one or more things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding one of the plurality of phrases. As used herein, terms such as "first" and "second" or "1st" and "2nd" may be used to simply distinguish the corresponding components from another component and do not limit the components in other respects (e.g., importance or order). It will be understood that, in cases where the terms "operatively" or "communicatively" are used or in cases where the terms "operatively" or "communicatively" are not used, if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as "coupled with another element (e.g., a second element)", "coupled to another element (e.g., a second element)", "connected with another element (e.g., a second element)", or "connected to another element (e.g., a second element)", it means that the one element can be directly (e.g., wired) connected to the other element, wirelessly connected to the other element, or connected to the other element via a third element.

[0030] As used in connection with the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware and may be used interchangeably with other terms (e.g., "logic", "logic block", "portion", or "circuit"). A module may be a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions or the smallest unit or portion of the single integrated component. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0031] The various embodiments described herein can be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) including one or more instructions that are machine-readable (e.g., by an electronic device 101) and stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138). For example, under the control of a processor, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of the machine (e.g., electronic device 101) can call at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and run the at least one instruction, with or without using one or more other components. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions can include code generated by a compiler or code that can be run by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Herein, the term "non-transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but this term does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently in the storage medium and data being temporarily stored in the storage medium.

[0032] Figure 1 is a view showing an unfolded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a view showing a folded state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electronic device 10 is a foldable electronic device. Thus, the electronic device 10 includes a foldable housing 100 and a flexible or foldable display 200 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "flexible display" 200) disposed in a space defined by the foldable housing 100. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10 may further include a hinge cover 103 covering a foldable portion of the foldable housing 100. According to an embodiment, a surface on which the flexible display 200 is disposed may be defined as a front surface (e.g., first surface 101a and third surface 102a) of the electronic device 10. In addition, a surface opposite to the front surface may be defined as a rear surface (e.g., second surface 101b and fourth surface 102b) of the electronic device 10. A surface surrounding a space between the front surface and the rear surface may be defined as a side surface of the electronic device 10.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the foldable housing 100 may include a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a first rear surface cover 180, a second rear surface cover 190, and a hinge structure (e.g., Figure 3The hinge structure in (104). The first housing 101 may include a first side surface member 110, wherein the first side surface member 110 includes a (1-1) side surface portion 111, a (1-2) side surface portion 112, a (1-3) side surface portion 113, and a (1-4) side surface portion 114, and the second housing 102 may include a second side surface member 120, wherein the second side surface member 120 includes a (2-1) side surface portion 121, a (2-2) side surface portion 122, a (2-3) side surface portion 123, and a (2-4) side surface portion 124. The first side surface member 110 and the second side surface member 120 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 3 The first side surface member 110 and the second side surface member 120 will be described in detail.

[0035] The foldable housing 100 of the electronic device 10 is not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the shape and assembly shown, but may be implemented by a combination of different shapes or components and / or assemblies. For example, in another embodiment, the first housing 101 and the first rear surface cover 180 may be integrally formed, and the second housing 102 and the second rear surface cover 190 may be integrally formed. According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 may include a first surface 101a connected to a hinge structure (e.g., Figure 3 the hinge structure 104 in) and facing a first direction, and a second surface 101b facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second housing 102 may include a third surface 102a connected to a hinge structure (e.g., Figure 3 the hinge structure 104 in) and facing a third direction, and a fourth surface 102b facing a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. The second housing 102 may rotate relative to the first housing 101 about a hinge structure (e.g., Figure 3 the hinge structure 104 in). Accordingly, the electronic device 10 may be deformed into a folded state or an unfolded state. In the folded state of the electronic device 10, the first surface 101a may face the third surface 102a, and in the unfolded state, the third direction may be the same as the first direction.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be disposed on opposite sides around a folding axis A and may have a shape that is substantially symmetric with respect to the folding axis A. As will be described later, the angle or distance between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may vary depending on whether the electronic device 10 is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state. According to an embodiment, different from the first housing 101, the second housing 102 may further include a sensor area 106 provided with various sensors, and the first housing and the second housing may have a mutually symmetric shape in other areas. According to an embodiment, the folding axis A may be parallel to an axis included in a hinge structure (e.g., Figure 3the rotation axis of the gear in the hinge structure 104), and in some embodiments may include a plurality of axes (e.g., two axes) parallel to each other. According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may together define a recess for accommodating the flexible display 200.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include a structure into which a digital pen (e.g., a stylus) can be inserted. For example, a hole 105 into which the digital pen can be inserted may be provided in a side surface of the first housing 101 or a side surface of the second housing 102 of the electronic device 10.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be at least partially made of a metal or non-metal material having a level of stiffness selected to support the flexible display 200. At least a part made of a metal material may provide a ground plane of the electronic device 10 and may be electrically connected to a ground wire provided on a printed circuit board (e.g., Figure 3 the printed circuit board 160) therein.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the sensor area 106 may be provided to have a predetermined area adjacent to one corner of the second housing 102. However, the arrangement, shape, and size of the sensor area 106 are not limited to the illustrated example. For example, in another embodiment, the sensor area 106 may be provided in another corner, in any area between the upper and lower corners of the second housing 102, or in the first housing 101. In an embodiment, components embedded in the electronic device 10 to perform various functions may be exposed to the front surface of the electronic device 10 through the sensor area 106 or one or more openings provided in the sensor area 106. In various embodiments, the components may include various types of sensors. The sensors may include, for example, at least one of a front camera, a receiver, or a proximity sensor.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the first rear surface cover 180 may be provided on the rear surface of the electronic device 10 on one side of the folding axis A and may have a substantially rectangular perimeter, for example, that can be surrounded by the first housing 101. Similarly, the second rear surface cover 190 may be provided on the rear surface of the electronic device 10 on the other side of the folding axis A and may have a substantially rectangular perimeter that can be surrounded by the second housing 102.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the first rear surface cover 180 and the second rear surface cover 190 may have shapes that are substantially symmetric about the folding axis A. However, the first rear surface cover 180 and the second rear surface cover 190 do not necessarily have symmetric shapes with respect to each other, and in another embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include first and second rear surface covers 180 and 190 having various shapes.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the first rear surface cover 180, the second rear surface cover 190, the first housing 101, and the second housing 102 may define a space in which various components (e.g., a printed circuit board or a battery) of the electronic device 10 may be disposed. According to an embodiment, one or more components may be disposed on or visually exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 10. For example, at least a part of a sub-display (not shown) may be visually exposed through the first rear surface area 182 of the first rear surface cover 180. In another embodiment, one or more components or sensors may be visually exposed through the second rear surface area 192 of the second rear surface cover 190. In various embodiments, the sensors may include a proximity sensor and / or a rear camera.

[0043] According to an embodiment, a front camera exposed on the front surface of the electronic device 10 through one or more openings provided in the sensor area 106, or a rear camera exposed through the second rear surface area 192 of the second rear surface cover 190, may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. The flash may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. According to an embodiment, two or more lenses (such as an infrared camera, a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and a telephoto lens) and an image sensor may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device 10.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2 , the hinge cover 103 may be disposed between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 and may be configured to cover internal components (e.g., Figure 3 the hinge structure 104 in ). According to an embodiment, the hinge cover 103 may be covered by a part of the first housing 101 and a part of the second housing 102, or may be exposed to the outside according to the state of the electronic device 10 (an unfolded state (or a flat state) or a folded state).

[0045] According to an embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, when the electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the hinge cover 103 may not be exposed by being covered by the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. As another example, as Figure 2 shown, when the electronic device 10 is in the folded state (e.g., a fully folded state), the hinge cover 103 may be exposed to the outside between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. As another example, when the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are in an intermediate state of being folded at a certain angle therebetween, the hinge cover 103 may be partially exposed to the outside between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. However, the area exposed in this case may be smaller than the area exposed in the fully folded state. In an embodiment, the hinge cover 103 may include a curved surface.

[0046] Figure 3Exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] In the following description from Figure 3 the length direction of the electronic device 10 may be defined as the "Y-axis direction", the width direction may be defined as the "X-axis direction", and / or the height direction (thickness direction) may be defined as the "Z-axis direction". In the following detailed description, references to the length direction, width direction, and / or height direction (or thickness direction) may indicate the length direction, width direction, and / or height direction (or thickness direction) of the electronic device 10. In some embodiments, "negative / positive (- / +) " may be mentioned together with the Cartesian coordinate system regarding the direction of component orientation shown in the drawings. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the front surface of the electronic device 10 may be defined as the "surface facing the +Z-axis direction", and although not shown, the rear surface of the electronic device 10 may be defined as the "surface facing the -Z-axis direction". According to an embodiment, the layout relationship of a specific component or another component in the height direction, that is, the standard of above / below may be based on the +Z-axis direction / -Z-axis direction. That is, when it is described that a specific component is disposed above another component, it may mean that the specific component is disposed in the +Z-axis direction with respect to the other component, and when it is described that a specific component is disposed below another component, it may mean that the specific component is disposed in the -Z-axis direction with respect to the other component. At the same time, it should be noted that even when a specific component is disposed above or below another component, it does not mean that the specific element is completely above or below the entire other component. For example, it should be noted that a part of a specific component may be above a part of another component, while another part of the specific component may be below another part of the other component. In the following description, it should be noted that when it is described that a specific component overlaps (or is stacked on) another component, the above description of the layout relationship in the height direction is applicable. In the description of directions, in the case where "negative / positive (- / +) " is not indicated, unless otherwise defined, it may be interpreted as including both the + direction and the - direction. For example, the "X-axis direction" may be interpreted as including both the +X direction and the -X direction, and the "Y-axis direction" may be interpreted as including both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. In the description of directions, the description "toward one of the three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system" may include "toward a direction parallel to the one axis". It should be noted that this is based on the Cartesian coordinate system indicated in the drawings for the sake of concise description, and the description of these directions or components does not limit the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3 , the electronic device 10 includes a foldable housing 100 and a flexible display 200. The electronic device 10 may include a hinge structure 104, a bracket assembly 150, and a printed circuit board 160.

[0049] The foldable housing 100 may include a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a bracket assembly 150, a first rear surface cover 180, and a second rear surface cover 190. Figure 3 All or some of the components of the electronic device 10 in Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 may be the same as all or some of the components of the electronic device 10 in

[0050] The flexible display 200 may be disposed in the space defined by the foldable housing 100. For example, the flexible display 200 may be disposed in a recess defined by the foldable housing 100 and may form most of the front surface of the electronic device 10. Accordingly, the front surface of the electronic device 10 may be defined to include the flexible display 200 and portions of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 adjacent to the flexible display 200. Additionally, the rear surface of the electronic device 10 may be defined to include the first rear surface cover 180, a portion of the first housing 101 adjacent to the first rear surface cover 180, the second rear surface cover 190, and a portion of the second housing 102 adjacent to the second rear surface cover 190.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the term "flexible display" 200 may refer to a display whose at least a partial region may be deformed into a flat surface or a curved surface. According to an embodiment, the flexible display 200 may include a folding region 203, a first region 201 disposed on one side of the folding region 203 (e.g., Figure 1 the left side of the folding region 203 as shown in Figure 1 ), and a second region 202 disposed on the other side of the folding region 203 (e.g.,

[0052] the right side of the folding region 203 as shown in Figure 3 ). However, the region division of the flexible display 200 is illustrative, and the flexible display 200 may be divided into multiple regions (e.g., four or more regions or two regions) according to its structure or function. Referring to Figure 3 , the regions of the flexible display 200 may be divided by the folding region 203 or a folding axis (axis A) extending parallel to the Y-axis. However, in another embodiment, the flexible display 200 may be divided with reference to another folding region (e.g., a folding region parallel to the X-axis) or another folding axis (e.g., a folding axis parallel to the X-axis). According to an embodiment, the flexible display 200 may be coupled to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and / or a digital converter (not shown) configured to detect a magnetic-field type stylus, or may be disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and / or a digital converter (not shown) configured to detect a magnetic-field type stylus.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the first region 201 and the second region 202 of the flexible display 200 may have shapes that are substantially symmetric with respect to the folding region 203. However, unlike the first region 201, the second region 202 may include a notch cut due to the presence of the sensor region 106, but may have a shape symmetric to the first region 201 in a region other than the sensor region. In other words, the first region 201 and the second region 202 may include portions having shapes symmetric to each other and portions having non-symmetric shapes with respect to each other.

[0054] Hereinafter, operations of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 and corresponding regions of the flexible display 200 according to the state of the electronic device 10 (e.g., flat or unfolded state and folded state) will be described.

[0055] In the present disclosure, when it is described that the electronic device 10 is in an unfolded state (flat state) (e.g., Figure 1 ), it may refer to a fully unfolded state (fully flat state) in which an angle of 180 degrees is formed between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 and they face the same direction. Surfaces of the first region 201 and the second region 202 of the flexible display 200 may form 180 degrees with respect to each other and may face the same direction (e.g., the front direction of the electronic device). In this case, the folding region 203 may define the same plane as the first region 201 and the second region 202.

[0056] In addition, in the present disclosure, when it is described that the electronic device 10 is in a folded state (e.g., Figure 3 ), it may refer to a fully folded state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 face each other. Surfaces of the first region 201 and the second region 202 of the flexible display 200 may face each other and form a small angle with respect to each other (e.g., an angle between 0 degrees and 10 degrees). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, an embodiment in which 0 degrees is formed between the first surface 201a of the flexible display 200 and the surface of the second region 202 will be described. In this case, at least a part of the folding region 203 may form a curved surface having a predetermined curvature.

[0057] According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in an intermediate state (e.g., Figure 3 ), the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be set to form a specific angle with respect to each other. Surfaces of the first region 201 and the second region 202 of the flexible display 200 may form an angle greater than the angle in the folded state and less than the angle in the unfolded state. At least a part of the folding region 203 may form a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and the curvature in this case may be less than the curvature in the folded state.

[0058] According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the first direction toward the first surface 101a and the third direction toward the third surface 102a are parallel to the +Z direction, and the second direction toward the second surface 101b and the fourth direction toward the fourth surface 102b may be parallel to each other. According to an embodiment, in the folded state of the electronic device 10, the first direction and the fourth direction may be parallel to the +Z direction, and the second direction and the third direction may be parallel to the -Z direction. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the directions will be described with reference to the unfolded state of the electronic device 10.

[0059] The bracket assembly 150 may be used to support at least one component included in the electronic device 10. According to an embodiment, the bracket assembly 150 may include a first plate 152 and a second plate 154. A hinge structure 104 may be disposed between the first plate 152 and the second plate 154. When the hinge structure 104 is viewed from the outside, the hinge structure 104 may be covered by a hinge cover (e.g., Figure 2 the hinge cover 103 in). According to an embodiment, a printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) may be disposed across the first plate 152 and the second plate 154 on the bracket assembly 150. For example, each of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may include one or more electronic components, and the one or more electronic components disposed in each of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be electrically connected to each other through the FPCB.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board 160 may include a first circuit board 162 disposed on the first plate 152 and a second circuit board 164 disposed on the second plate 154. The first circuit board 162 and the second circuit board 164 may be disposed in a space defined by the bracket assembly 150, the first housing 101, the second housing 102, the first rear surface cover 180, and the second rear surface cover 190. Components for implementing various functions of the electronic device 10 may be mounted on the first circuit board 162 and the second circuit board 164.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be assembled in a manner of being respectively coupled to opposite sides of the bracket assembly 150. According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 may include a first side surface member 110 surrounding at least a part of the side surface of the first plate 152, and the second housing 102 may include a second side surface member 121 surrounding at least a part of the side surface of the second plate 154. According to an embodiment, the bracket assembly 150 may be integrally coupled to the first side surface member 110 and / or the second side surface member 120.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the first housing 101 may include a first rotational support surface 115, and the second housing 102 may include a second rotational support surface 125 corresponding to the first rotational support surface 115. The first rotational support surface 115 and the second rotational support surface 125 may include curved surfaces corresponding to the curved surface included in the hinge cover 103. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state (e.g., the electronic device in Figure 1 ), the first rotational support surface 115 and the second rotational support surface 125 may cover the hinge cover 103, and the hinge cover 103 may not be exposed or may be minimally exposed to the rear surface of the electronic device 10. As another example, when the electronic device 10 is in the folded state (e.g., the electronic device in Figure 2 ), the first rotational support surface 115 and the second rotational support surface 125 may rotate along the curved surface included in the hinge cover 103, and the hinge cover 103 may be maximally exposed to the rear surface of the electronic device 10.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the first side surface member 110 of the first housing 101 may include a (1-1) side surface portion 111 extending parallel to the folding axis A. Additionally, the first side surface member 110 may include a (1-2) side surface portion 112 extending from a first end of the (1-1) side surface portion 111 and perpendicular to the folding axis A. Additionally, the first side surface member 110 may include a (1-3) side surface portion 113 extending from a second end of the (1-1) side surface portion 111 and perpendicular to the folding axis A. Additionally, the first side surface member 110 may include a (1-4) side surface portion 114 and the (1-1) side surface portion 111 extending between the (1-2) side surface portion 112 and the (1-3) side surface portion 113 and parallel to the folding axis A. The (1-1) side surface portion 111, the (1-2) side surface portion 112, the (1-3) side surface portion 113, and the (1-4) side surface portion 114 may surround at least a part between the first surface 101a and the second surface 101b, and may be perpendicular to the first direction or the second direction.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the second side surface member 120 of the second housing 102 may include a (2-1) side surface portion 121 extending parallel to the folding axis A. Additionally, the second side surface member 120 may include a (2-2) side surface portion 122 extending from a first end of the (2-1) side surface portion 121 and perpendicular to the folding axis A. Additionally, the second side surface member 120 may include a (2-3) side surface portion 123 extending from a second end of the (2-1) side surface portion 121 and perpendicular to the folding axis A. Additionally, the second side surface member 120 may include a (2-4) side surface portion 124 and the (2-1) side surface portion 121 extending between the (2-2) side surface portion 122 and the (2-3) side surface portion 123 and parallel to the folding axis A. The (2-1) side surface portion 121, the (2-2) side surface portion 122, the (2-3) side surface portion 123, and the (2-4) side surface portion 124 may surround at least a portion between the third surface 102a and the fourth surface 102b, and may be perpendicular to the third direction or the fourth direction.

[0065] When describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be separately indicated and described, but the description of the first housing 101 may apply to the description of the second housing 102. From this perspective, the description of the components included in the first housing 101 may also apply to the description of the components included in the second housing 102. For example, in the following description with reference to the drawings, the (1-1) side surface portion 111 of the first side surface member 110 may be mainly described, and its description may also apply to the (2-1) side surface portion 121 of the second side surface member 120. As another example, the description of the (1-2) side surface portion 112 of the first side surface member 110 may apply to the (2-2) side surface portion 122 of the second side surface member 120, the description of the (1-3) side surface portion 113 of the first side surface member 110 may apply to the (2-3) side surface portion 123 of the second side surface member 120, and the description of the (1-4) side surface portion 114 of the first side surface member 110 may also apply to the (2-4) side surface portion 124 of the second side surface member 120. According to an embodiment, the (1-1) side surface portion 111 and the (2-1) side surface portion 121 may be collectively referred to as the first side surface portions 111 and 121, and the (1-2) side surface portion 112 and the (2-2) side surface portion 122 may be collectively referred to as the second side surface portions 112 and 122. Additionally, the (1-3) side surface portion 113 and the (2-3) side surface portion 123 may be collectively referred to as the third side surface portions 113 and 123, and the (1-4) side surface portion 114 and the (2-4) side surface portion 124 may be collectively referred to as the fourth side surface portions 114 and 124.

[0066] The above-described first side surface member 110 and / or the second side surface member 120 may be configured to at least partially surround the flexible display 200. Hereinafter, a detailed description of the structure of the flexible display 200 will be made with reference to Figure 4 a detailed description of the structure of the flexible display 200 will be given.

[0067] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line B-B' in Figure 3 .

[0068] With reference to Figure 4 , the flexible display 200 may include components for visually providing information to the outside of the electronic device 10 (e.g., to a user). Figure 4 All or some of the components of the flexible display 200 in Figure 1 and Figure 3 may be the same as the components of the flexible display 200 in. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the flexible display 200 is described for the flexible display 200 disposed at a position corresponding to the (1-1) side surface portion 111 of the first housing 101. The following description may be similarly applicable to the (2-1) side surface portion 121 of the second housing 102.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 200 may include a protective film 210 configured to protect the outer surface of the flexible display 200, a window member 220 disposed below the protective film 210 (e.g., in the -Z direction), a polarization layer 230 disposed on the window member 220 via an adhesive 222, a display panel 240 disposed below the polarization layer 230 and configured to display visual information, a bending protection layer (BPL) 250 configured to protect the display panel 240, a first protective film 262 disposed below the display panel 240, a buffer layer 270 disposed below the first protective film 262, a display support plate 280 disposed below the buffer layer 270, a columnar spacer 290 configured to separate substrates (e.g., a color filter substrate 292 and a TFT substrate 294) from each other, or at least one of a second protective film 264. Figure 4 may be a view schematically showing the arrangement relationship of the components. Therefore, it should be noted that the shape or size (e.g., thickness) of the components included in the flexible display 200 of the present disclosure is not limited by Figure 4 the drawings.

[0070] According to an embodiment, at least a part of the window member 220 may be made of a substantially transparent and flexible material. For example, the window member 220 may be made of ultra-thin glass (UTG) or a polyimide film. The display panel 240 may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device 10 through the window member 220.

[0071] According to an embodiment, a portion of the display panel 240 may be curved. The curved portion of the display panel 240 may be referred to as the curved portion 242. According to an embodiment, the curved portion 242 may be electrically connected to an electronic component (e.g., a display driving circuit). According to an embodiment, the display panel 240 may extend through the curved portion 242 and may surround at least a portion of other components of the display 200 (e.g., the buffer layer 270 or the display support plate 280). According to an embodiment, the position where the curved portion 242 is disposed may correspond to the first side surface portions 111 and 121 of the foldable housing 100.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the curved protective layer 250 may reduce the tensile stress applied to the display panel 240. According to an embodiment, the curved protective layer 250 may extend along the curved portion 242 of the display panel 240. The curved protective layer 250 may support the curved portion 242 such that the curved portion 242 bends along the neutral plane.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the display 200 may include a first separation space g1. At least a portion of the first separation space g1 may be surrounded by the display panel 240, the curved protective layer 250, and the polarization layer 230. For example, the curved protective layer 250 and the polarization layer 230 may be disposed on the display panel 240 to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the electronic device 10 (e.g., the X-axis direction). The first separation space g1 is a portion that may be physically exposed to the outside of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 the electronic device 10 in ) and, when there is no discharge structure, static electricity may flow into the display panel 240 through the first separation space g1. A structure for reducing static electricity flowing into the display panel 240 through the first separation space g1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 5

[0074] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line A-A' in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1

[0075] Referring to Figure 5 , the electronic device 10 includes a flexible display 200 (e.g., Figure 4 the flexible display 200 in ), a protection member 300, and a side surface member 410. The side surface member 410 may be a part of the support member 400. Figure 5 All or some components of the support member 400 of Figure 3 may be the same as the components of the foldable housing 100 of

[0076] According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may support components of the electronic device 10. For example, the support member 400 may support the display 200. According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may accommodate electronic components of the electronic device 10. For example, electronic components of the electronic device 10 (e.g., a battery (not shown)) may be disposed on the support member 400. According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may define a part of the outer surface of the electronic device 10.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may include a side surface member 410 and / or a bracket assembly 420. The bracket assembly 420 is a part that supports the display 200, and all or some of the bracket assembly may be the same as those of the bracket assembly 150 in Figure 3 The side surface member 410 is a part that defines the side surface of the electronic device 10. For example, the side surface member 410 may refer to Figure 1 at least one or all of the first side surface portions 111 and 121, the second side surface portions 112 and 122, the third side surface portions 113 and 123, and / or the fourth side surface portions 114 and 124 of

[0078] In the following, including Figure 5 the first side surface portions 111 and 121 of Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 shows the first side surface portion 411 (e.g., the (1-1) side surface portion 111) included in the first housing 101. Hereinafter, the description of the first side surface portion 411 (e.g., the (1-1) side surface portion 111) may equally apply to the (2-1) side surface portion 121.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may be made of a mixture of a conductive material and a non-conductive material. For example, the support member 400 may include at least a part of a metal region made of a metal (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum) and at least a part of a resin region made of a resin (e.g., plastic). According to an embodiment, the resin region may be manufactured by injection molding. According to an embodiment, the side surface member 410 and the bracket assembly 420 may at least partially include a metal region. According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may further include a resin part (e.g., the resin part 430 described later with reference to Figure 10 ). This resin part may correspond to the resin region.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the metal region of the support member 400 may provide a part of a discharge path. For example, the metal region of the side surface member 410 may provide a ground plane and may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (e.g., Figure 3The ground wire on the printed circuit board 160). The shapes of the resin portions of the side surface member 410, the bracket assembly 420, and the support member 400 (e.g., the resin portion 430 to be described later) may vary in some embodiments, and their arrangement positions may also vary in some embodiments. Figure 10 In some embodiments, the shape of the resin portion 430 to be described later) may vary, and their arrangement positions may also vary in some embodiments.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may include a side wall 415 and a protrusion 416. The side wall 415 may be a portion that defines the outside of the side surface member 410 included in the support member 400. According to an embodiment, the side wall 415 may include a first side wall portion 415-1 and a second side wall portion 415-2. The first side wall portion 415-1 may face the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the electronic device 10, and the second side wall portion 415-2 may face the width direction (X-axis direction). According to an embodiment, the second side wall portion 415-2 may face the inner space of the electronic device 10. The protrusion 416 may protrude a predetermined height in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the electronic device 10 from the metal region of the side surface member 410 at a position spaced apart from the side wall 415 by a predetermined distance in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device 10. The support member 400 may further include a placement portion 417 between the side wall 415 and the protrusion 416.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the protection member 300 may surround at least a portion of the display 200. For example, the protection member 300 may surround at least a portion of the space between the support member 400 and the display 200. According to an embodiment, the protection member 300 may at least partially overlap with the side wall 415, the protrusion 416, and / or the placement portion 417 of the support member 400. According to an embodiment, the protection member 300 may be spaced apart from the display 200 to prevent the protection member from contacting the display 200 when the electronic device 10 is folded. For example, the protection member 300 may be spaced apart from the display 200 in the height direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) and / or the width direction (e.g., X-axis direction) of the electronic device 10.

[0083] The protection member 300 includes an outer surface 301 facing the outside of the electronic device 10 and an inner surface 302 facing at least a portion of the display 200 inside the electronic device 10. The inner surface 302 may include a first inner surface facing the front surface of the display 200 and a second inner surface facing a direction different from the first inner surface. For example, the second inner surface may face the side surface of the display 200 (e.g., Figure 4the bent portion 242 and / or the bent protective layer 250). The protection member 300 may include an extension portion 303 extending toward the support member 400 of the electronic device 10. According to an embodiment, the extension portion 303 of the protection member 300 may be disposed on the placement portion 417 between the side wall 415 and the protrusion 416 of the support member 400. According to an embodiment, the protection member 300 may face the first side wall portion 415-1 and the second side wall portion 415-2 of the side wall 415 of the support member 400.

[0084] The protection member 300 includes a non-conductive portion 310 and a conductive portion 320. For example, the non-conductive portion 310 may be made of a resin material (e.g., plastic). The non-conductive portion 310 may be disposed on the outer surface 301 and the extension portion 303 of the protection member 300, and the conductive portion 320 may be disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, the conductivity of the non-conductive portion 310 may be lower than the conductivity of the metal region of the support member 400 or the conductive portion 320.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 of the protection member 300 may configure a discharge path of the electronic device 10. For example, the conductive portion 320 may transfer the power (e.g., electrostatic ESD) provided to the electronic device 10 from the outside of the electronic device 10 to the ground. For example, the conductive portion 320 may be electrically connected to the metal region of the support member 400. As used herein, the phrase "electrically connected" may refer to a structure in which a particular component is directly connected (e.g., in contact) with another component, or a structure in which a particular component is so close to another component that the current applied to the particular component can cause electron movement in the other component.

[0086] The conductive portion 320 is disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. The conductive portion 320 may face the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, and the inner surface 302 faces the bent protective layer (e.g., Figure 4 the bent protective layer 250 in Figure 4 the bent portion 242 in Figure 1 the folding axis A in). For example, the conductive portion 320 may extend along the length direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of the electronic device 10. The static ESD flowing into the first separation space g1 may be reduced by the conductive portion 320 facing the bent protective layer 250 and / or the bent portion 242. According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may extend parallel to the folding axis (e.g.,

[0087] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include a non-conductive member 500 between the protection member 300 and the display 200. According to an embodiment, the non-conductive member 500 may block foreign substances from entering the second separation space g2 between the protection member 300 and the display 200. For example, the non-conductive member 500 may be an elastic porous material (e.g., sponge) or a cushioning material (e.g., mohair or brush).

[0088] According to an embodiment, the non-conductive member 500 may be disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, the non-conductive member 500 may be disposed on a portion of the front surface of the protection member 300 facing the display 200. According to an embodiment, the non-conductive member 500 may restrict the flow of electrostatic ESD transferred to the conductive portion 320 of the protection member 300. For example, the non-conductive member 500 may prevent the electrostatic ESD from flowing in the path toward the display 200 through the conductive portion 320 of the protection member 300, and may guide the electrostatic ESD to move toward the extension 303 of the protection member 300.

[0089] Figure 5 The protection member 300, the support member 400, and the non-conductive member 500 of the electronic device 10 are shown located Figure 1 on the left side of the electronic device 10 (e.g., the cross-sectional view (e.g., line A-A') of the first housing 101), but this is merely an example for description, and the structure of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0090] Figure 6 is a view showing the inner surface of the protection member according to an embodiment (first comparative example).

[0091] According to an embodiment, the protection member 300 may have a shape with a width generally smaller than its length, and may be manufactured as a frame structure corresponding to the side surface (e.g., the first side surface member 110) of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 the electronic device 10 therein). Referring to Figure 6 , the protection member 300 may include a peripheral portion 311, 312, and 313 corresponding to the first side surface portion (e.g., Figure 1 the first side surface portion 111 therein), the second side surface portion (e.g., Figure 1 the second side surface portion 112 therein), and the third side surface portion (e.g., Figure 1 the third side surface portion 113 therein) of the side surface member (e.g., the first side surface member 110). The protection member is not limited thereto, and may further include a peripheral portion corresponding to the fourth side surface portion (e.g., Figure 1 the fourth side surface portion 114 therein).

[0092] Referring to Figure 6, the protection member 300 may include a non-conductive portion 310 through which electrostatic ESD does not pass and a conductive portion 320' through which electrostatic ESD can pass. The non-conductive portion 310 may be a portion that includes most of the entire volume of the protection member 300. Figure 6 The conductive portion 320' shown in Figure 6 may be disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320' may be disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300 to overlap with the non-conductive portion 310. The non-conductive portion 310 may be an element that restricts the discharge of electrostatic ESD on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. Although the volume of the conductive portion 320' may be smaller compared to the volume of the non-conductive portion 310, the discharge path of the electrostatic ESD may be disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. The description of the conductive portion 320 that overlaps with the description above with reference to Figure 5 may be omitted for the conductive portion 320' that overlaps with the description of Figure 6 the conductive portion 320'.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320' may include at least one of a conductive tape, a conductive sheet, a conductive film, or a conductive fabric. According to an embodiment, the conductive tape (or conductive sheet or conductive film) may be a tape (or sheet or film) containing a conductive metal (e.g., at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum). According to an embodiment, the conductive fabric may be made of a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. The conductive fabric may include wires and fibers of a metal (e.g., at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum).

[0094] Figure 6 The inner surface 302 of the protection member 300 shown may be substantially configured with the non-conductive portion 310 and the conductive portion 320'. According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320' may overlap with the surface of the non-conductive portion 310 to form the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, the area where the conductive portion 320' overlaps may occupy a significant portion compared to the area of the non-conductive portion 310. For example, on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, the conductive portion 320' may overlap with the non-conductive portion 310 in about 90% or more of the area along the length direction of the protection member 300 and may overlap in about 80% or more of the area along the width direction of the protection member 300. In the description with reference to Figure 6 it should be noted that the numerical limitations are only for understanding and do not limit the scope of applying the embodiments of the present disclosure. Since the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300 may include a curved surface, the "width of the conductive portion 320" disposed on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300 does not necessarily only include the width of the portion extending in the direction parallel to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10 inFigure 6 The width of the portions extending in various directions on the XZ plane between the X-axis and the Z-axis of the coordinate axes in

[0095] According to an embodiment, the static electricity ESD introduced into the position of the conductive portion 320' of the protection member 300 can be discharged toward the side surface member 410 of the support member 400. Additionally, as Figure 6 shown in the first enlarged view Figure 1 (EV1), a large area of the conductive portion 320' is ensured in the protection member 300. Therefore, even if the static electricity ESD is introduced into a position where the conductive portion 320' is not provided (for example, a position corresponding to the separation portion 411c which will be described later with reference to Figure 9 ), it can be easily guided in the longitudinal direction of the protection member 300 and / or can be easily discharged toward the side surface member 410 of the support member 400.

[0096] However, for example, when reducing the thickness of the protection member 300 including the conductive portion 320' shown in Figure 6 as one of the measures to make the design of the electronic device 10 more aesthetically pleasing, it may be difficult to ensure a sufficient width of the conductive portion 320' in the protection member 300 to effectively discharge static electricity. Additionally, when the conductive portion 320' is made of tape, in the protection member 300 including the conductive portion 320' shown in Figure 6 , the deviation of the radiation performance of the metal antenna provided around the conductive portion 320' may increase due to the deviation in the process of attaching the tape. According to an embodiment, the "metal antenna" may be a configuration in which the side surface member 410 of the support member 400 includes a metal region and operates as an antenna. Referring to Figure 6 , the conductive portion 320' may include a conductive portion 320a' provided at a position corresponding to the antenna region (for example, the metal antenna) of the side surface member 410 and a conductive portion 320b' provided at a position corresponding to the non-antenna region. The "antenna region" may be a region where the corresponding region is used as an antenna radiator, and the "non-antenna region" may be a region where the corresponding region is not used as an antenna radiator. Additionally, Figure 6 the protection member 300 including the conductive portion 320' shown in

[0097] Figure 7 may cause an effect similar to the presence of other conductors around the metal antenna due to the large area of the conductive portion 320', resulting in deterioration of the antenna radiation performance.

[0098] Similar to Figure 6 the protection member 300 shown in Figure 7The protective member 300 shown in the figure may also have a shape in which its width is generally smaller than its length, and may be manufactured as a frame structure corresponding to a side surface member (e.g., the first side surface member 110) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 10 in Figure 1 ). Referring to Figure 7 , the protective member 300 may include peripheral portions 311, 312, and 313 corresponding to a first side surface portion (e.g., the first side surface portion 111 in Figure 1 ), a second side surface portion (e.g., the second side surface portion 112 in Figure 1 ), and a third side surface portion (e.g., the third side surface portion 113 in Figure 1 ) of the side surface member (e.g., the first side surface member 110). The protective member is not limited thereto, and may also include a peripheral portion corresponding to a fourth side surface portion (e.g., the fourth side surface portion 114 in Figure 1 ). Hereinafter, when describing the embodiments of Figure 7 , for convenience, descriptions that are repetitive of the embodiments described above with reference to Figure 6 may be omitted.

[0099] Referring to Figure 7 , the protective member 300 may include a non-conductive portion 310 through which electrostatic ESD does not pass and a conductive portion 320” through which electrostatic ESD can pass. The non-conductive portion 310 may be a portion that includes most of the entire volume of the protective member 300.

[0100] In Figure 7 , the protective member 300 including the conductive portion 320” may be provided on the inner surface 302 of the protective member 300, and the conductive portion 320” has a smaller area than the above-described conductive portion 320'.

[0101] Figure 7 The inner surface 302 of the protective member 300 shown in the figure may be substantially configured with the non-conductive portion 310 and the conductive portion 320”. According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320” may overlap the surface of the non-conductive portion 310 to form the inner surface 302 of the protective member 300. According to an embodiment, on the inner surface 302 of the protective member 300, the area where the conductive portion 320” overlaps may occupy half or less of the area of the non-conductive portion 310. Alternatively, on the inner surface 302 of the protective member 300, the width of the portion where the conductive portion 320” overlaps may occupy half or less of the width of the non-conductive portion 310. For example, on the inner surface 302 of the protective member 300, the conductive portion 320” may overlap the non-conductive portion 310 in an area of about 90% or more along the length direction of the protective member 300, and may overlap in an area of about 20% to 30% along the width direction of the protective member 300. According to an embodiment, Figure 7 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The protection member 300 may further include a component in which the conductive portion 320 overlaps with the non-conductive portion 310 in an area of about 80% or more in the width direction of the protection member 300. At the same time, in the description with reference to Figure 7 It should be noted that the numerical limitations are only for understanding and do not limit the scope of applying the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may be configured with a conductive pattern. Here, the conductive pattern may be manufactured by a layer direct structuring (LDS) method or a pad printing method. For example, the conductive portion 320 may be a pattern (or plating) manufactured by coating a conductive metal (for example, at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum) on a pattern manufactured by using a laser. According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern may be manufactured by vapor depositing (evaporating) a conductive material on the protection member 300. For example, the conductive portion 320 may be a film or coating obtained by vapor depositing a conductive material (for example, at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum) on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300.

[0103] Referring to Figure 7 , the conductive portion 320 may include a conductive portion 321 extending in a direction parallel to the length direction of the electronic device (for example, Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in Figure 4 ), and a conductive portion 322 extending from the conductive portion 321 toward a side surface member (for example, Figure 4 the side surface member 410 in

[0104] As Figure 7 shown in the second enlarged view Figure 2 (EV2), the electrostatic ESD introduced into the protection member 300 at the position where the conductive portion 320 is provided may be discharged toward the side surface member 410 of the support member 400. Since Figure 7 the protection member 300 shown in Figure 6 includes a conductive portion 320 with a smaller area than the protection member 300 shown in Figure 7 (for example, including a conductive portion 321 with a smaller width in the width direction of the protection member 300), the limitation on reducing the width of the protection member 300 may be less, the deviation of the radiation performance between adjacent metal antennas may be smaller, and the deterioration of the radiation performance may be reduced and / or prevented. However, as Figure 3As shown in (EV3), since the area ensured in the conductive portion 320” of the protection member 300 is small, static electricity ESD introduced to a position where the conductive portion 320” is not provided (for example, a position corresponding to the separation portion 411c to be described later) may not be guided in the longitudinal direction of the protection member 300. In some cases, when static electricity ESD is introduced to a position where the conductive portion 320” is not provided (for example, a position corresponding to the separation portion 411c to be described later in Figure 9 ), the static electricity ESD may be introduced into the first separation space g1 instead of being guided to the side surface member 410 side, which may cause damage to the display 200. Figure 9

[0105] Figure 8 is a view showing the inner surface of the protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a view showing an electrostatic discharge path (ESD path) in the protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] Similar to Figure 7 the protection member 300 shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 the protection member 300 shown in may also have a shape in which its width is generally smaller than its length, and may be manufactured as a frame structure corresponding to a side surface member (for example, Figure 1 the side surface member 110 in) of an electronic device (for example,

[0107] Referring to Figure 8 the protection member 300 may include a first side surface portion (for example, Figure 1 the first side surface portion 111 in), a second side surface portion (for example, Figure 1 the second side surface portion 112 in), and a third side surface portion (for example, Figure 1 the third side surface portion 113 in) corresponding to a side surface member (for example, the first side surface member 110). The protection member is not limited thereto, and may also include a peripheral portion corresponding to a fourth side surface portion (for example, Figure 1 the fourth side surface portion 114 in).

[0108] In Figure 8 the protection member 300 including the conductive portion 320 may be provided on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, and the conductive portion 320 has a smaller area than the conductive portion 320' described above with reference to Figure 6

[0109] Figure 8 ​​The inner surface 302 of the protection member 300 shown in [Figure] can be substantially configured with a non-conductive portion 310 and a conductive portion 320. According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 can overlap the surface of the non-conductive portion 310 to form the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, the area where the conductive portion 320 overlaps can occupy half or less of the area of the non-conductive portion 310. For example, on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300, the conductive portion 320 can overlap the non-conductive portion 310 in about 90% or more of the area along the length direction of the protection member 300, and can overlap in about 20% to 30% of the area along the width direction of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, Figure 8 the protection member 300 may further include a component in which the conductive portion 320 overlaps the non-conductive portion 310 in an area of about 80% or more along the width direction of the protection member 300. Meanwhile, in the description made with reference to Figure 8 it should be noted that the numerical limitations are for understanding only and do not limit the scope of applying the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to Figure 9 , the protection member 300 can be arranged to overlap at least a part of the side surface member 410 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of an electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in [Figure]). At this time, the side surface member 410 can define the side surface of the housing and can include a first part 411a made of a conductive material, a second part 411b made of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first part 411a, and a separation part 411c made of an insulating material between the first part 411a and the second part 411b. According to an embodiment, in an electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in [Figure]), at least one of the first part 411a and the second part 411b of the side surface member 410 made of a conductive material can be used as a metal antenna radiator.

[0111] Referring together to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the protection member 300 can include a non-conductive portion 310 through which electrostatic ESD does not pass and a conductive portion 320 through which electrostatic ESD can pass. The non-conductive portion 310 can be a part that includes most of the entire volume of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, in order to correspond to the separation part 411c which is arranged to use a part of the side surface member 410 as an antenna, the conductive portion 320 can also be divided into two or more conductive portions 320 instead of extending integrally in the length direction of the electronic device. For example, the position of the interval or gap between the ends of the first conductive portion 321 of the conductive portion 320 extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device can correspond to the separation part 411c.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may be configured with a conductive pattern. Here, the conductive pattern may be manufactured by a layer direct structuring (LDS) method or a pad printing method. For example, the conductive portion 320 may be a pattern (or plating) manufactured by coating a conductive metal (e.g., at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum) on a pattern manufactured by using a laser. According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern may be manufactured by vapor-depositing (evaporating) a conductive material on the protection member 300. For example, the conductive portion 320 may be a film or coating obtained by vapor-depositing a conductive material (e.g., at least one of copper, nickel, gold, silver, or aluminum) on the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300.

[0113] Referring to Figure 8 , the conductive portion 320 may include a first conductive portion 321 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in Figure 5 ) and a second conductive portion 322 extending toward the side surface member 410. According to an embodiment, the second conductive portion 322 may extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 4 the electronic device 10 in

[0114] Referring to Figure 8 As shown in the enlarged view Figure 4 (EV4), the electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a second conductive portion 322 extending from an end of the first conductive portion 321 toward the side surface member 410. Since the protection member 300 shown in Figure 6 compared to the protection member 300 shown in Figure 8 includes a conductive portion 320 having a smaller area than the protection member 300 shown in Figure 6 (e.g., the first conductive portion 321 having a smaller width in the width direction of the protection member 300), the limitation on reducing the width of the protection member 300 may be less, the deviation of the radiation performance between adjacent metal antennas may be smaller, and the degradation of the radiation performance may be reduced and / or prevented. Additionally, referring to Figure 9, since the protection member 300 includes a second conductive portion 322 extending from the end of the first conductive portion 321 toward the side surface member 410, even when an electrostatic ESD is introduced into the position corresponding to the separation portion 411c, the electrostatic ESD can discharge toward the side surface member 410 without being induced into the first separation space g1. The electrostatic ESD introduced into the position corresponding to the separation portion 411c can be captured by the second conductive portion 322 when passing through the periphery of the second conductive portion 322 and can flow into the first conductive portion 321. The second conductive portion 322 can act as a bridge to transfer the electrostatic ESD to the first conductive portion 321. To discharge the electrostatic ESD, a wider width of the conductive portion 320 provided on the protection member 300 may be advantageous. In the present disclosure, when the side surface member 410 is used as an antenna radiator by reducing the width of the first conductive portion 321 provided in the length direction of the protection member 300, the ESD discharge performance can be ensured by the second conductive portion 322 provided at the position corresponding to the separation portion 411c while minimizing the influence on the radiation performance of the antenna.

[0115] Refer to together Figure 8 and Figure 9 , according to an embodiment, the first conductive portion 321 and the second conductive portion 322 can be respectively provided on both sides of the separation portion 411c. In this case, the first conductive portion 321 and the second conductive portion 322 provided on one side of the separation portion 411c and the first conductive portion 321 and the second conductive portion 322 provided on the other side can induce the electrostatic ESD introduced through the separation portion 411c in opposite directions.

[0116] In some embodiments, considering the side surface member 410 is used as a metal antenna and taking into account the amount of electrostatic ESD introduced into the separation portion 411c and the radiation performance of the metal antenna, the conductive pattern of the second conductive portion 322 can be freely manufactured to have various shapes and sizes. According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern of the second conductive portion 322 can vary from a thin wire shape on the same side and the other side of the separation portion 411c as the center to a rectangular planar shape, a triangular planar shape, etc. Refer to Figures 16a to 16i for a detailed example of the conductive pattern of the second conductive portion 322.

[0117] Refer to Figure 9, a part of the side surface member 410 (e.g., the first part 411a) can be used as a metal antenna radiator, and another part of the side surface member 410 (e.g., the second part 411b) can not be used as a metal antenna radiator. Accordingly, the conductive part 320 disposed at a position corresponding to the first part 411a of the side surface member 410 and the conductive part 320 disposed at a position corresponding to the second part 411b can have different shapes and sizes. For example, the first conductive part 321 can include a (1-1) conductive part 321a disposed at a position corresponding to the antenna area of the first side surface part 411, and a (1-2) conductive part 321b disposed at a position corresponding to the non-antenna area of the first side surface part 411. In addition, the second conductive part 322 can include a (2-1) conductive part 322a extending from the end of the (1-1) conductive part 321a toward the side surface member 410 and a (2-2) conductive part 322b extending from the end of the (1-2) conductive part 321b toward the side surface member.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the conductive part 320 may further include a third conductive part 323, and the third conductive part 323 extends from the first conductive part toward the side surface member 410 at a position not corresponding to the separation part 411c. The (2-1) conductive part 322a can transfer the electrostatic ESD to the (1-1) conductive part 321a, the (2-2) conductive part 322b can transfer the electrostatic ESD to the (1-2) conductive part (321b), and the third conductive part 323 can be used to discharge the electrostatic ESD to the side surface member 410. The third conductive part 323 can extend in the same direction as the second conductive part 322 and have the same width. The third conductive part 323 can have a wider width than the second conductive part 322. In Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the embodiment of, the third conductive part 323 is shown to be disposed at a position corresponding to the area not used as an antenna radiator, but is not limited thereto. The third conductive part 323 can also be disposed at a position corresponding to the area used as an antenna radiator.

[0119] Figure 10 is a view showing the conductive part of the side surface member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a protective member adjacent thereto.

[0120] Figure 10 shows a state in which the protective member 300 and the support member 400 are disposed upside down on one side (left side) and the other side (right side) of the axis C-C'.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the support member 400 may include a side surface member 410, a bracket assembly 420, and a resin portion 430. The side surface member 410 may define the appearance of the support member 400, the bracket assembly 420 may have at least one component disposed thereon or may support at least one component of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 10 in Figure 5 ), and the resin portion 430 may be disposed between the side surface member 410 and the bracket assembly 420. According to an embodiment, the side surface member 410 may be used as a metal antenna while being insulated from other components of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 10 in Figure 5 ) by the resin portion 430, and may radiate a signal having a predetermined frequency (e.g., an RF signal).

[0122] Referring to Figure 10 , the side surface member 410 may include a first side surface portion 411 (e.g., the (1-1) side surface portion 111 in Figure 1 ) extending parallel to the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis A in Figure 1 ), a second side surface portion 412 (e.g., the (1-2) side surface portion 112 in Figure 1 ) extending from a first end of the first side surface portion 411 and perpendicular to the folding axis A, and a third side surface portion 413 (e.g., the (1-3) side surface portion 113 in Figure 1 ) extending from a second end of the first side surface portion 411 and perpendicular to the folding axis A. Although not shown in Figure 10 , the side surface member 410 may include a fourth side surface portion (e.g., the (1-4) side surface portion 114 in Figure 1 ) extending between the second side surface portion 412 and the third side surface portion 413 and parallel to the folding axis.

[0123] The side surface member 410 may define the side surface of the housing, and may include a first portion 411a made of a conductive material, a second portion 411b made of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion 411a, and a separation portion 411c made of an insulating material between the first portion 411a and the second portion 411b. According to an embodiment, the first side surface portion 411 may extend along the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5The length direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic device 10) therein is divided into a plurality of sheets, and may include, for example, a first side surface portion 411 indicated by reference numerals 411-1, 411-2, and 411-3. According to an embodiment, the first side surface portions 411 indicated by reference numerals 411-1 and 411-3 may include a conductive material corresponding to the first portion 411a and may be used as an antenna radiator, or the first side surface portion 411 indicated by 411-2 may include a conductive material corresponding to the second portion 411b but may not be used as an antenna radiator.

[0124] Accordingly, the protection member 300 may include peripheral portions 311, 312, and 313 corresponding to the first side surface portion 411, the second side surface portion 412, and the third side surface portion 413. For example, when the side surface member 410 includes a fourth side surface portion, the protection member 300 may further include a peripheral portion corresponding to the fourth side surface portion. The conductive portion 320 may be provided on the peripheral portion 311 corresponding to the first side surface portion 411 among the peripheral portions 311, 312, and 313 of the protection member 300. The conductive portion 320 may be at least partially surrounded by the non-conductive portion 310. A plurality of separation portions 412c and 413c are respectively shown in the second side surface portion 412 and the third side surface portion 413, but the second side surface portion 412 and the third side surface portion 413 may not be provided with the conductive portion 320 because no separation space for the display 200 to move is provided in the second side surface portion 412 and the third side surface portion 413.

[0125] The conductive portion 320 may include a first conductive portion 321 extending parallel to the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10) therein) and a second conductive portion 322 extending from an end of the first conductive portion 321 corresponding to the separation portion toward the side surface member 410.

[0126] The first conductive portion 321 may include a (1-1) conductive portion 321 provided at a position corresponding to the first side surface portion 411 indicated by reference numerals 411-1 and 411-3 and a (1-2) conductive portion 321a provided at a position corresponding to the non-antenna region of the first side surface portion 411 indicated by reference numeral 411-2. Additionally, the second conductive portion 322 may include a (2-1) conductive portion 322a extending from an end of the (1-1) conductive portion 321a toward the side surface member 410 and a (2-2) conductive portion 322b extending from an end of the (1-2) conductive portion 321b toward the side surface member 410.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the width w2 of the first conductive portion 321 may be half or less of the width w1 of the protection member 300. In this way, the size of the protection member 300 can be reduced and its influence on the radiation performance of the metal antenna can be reduced and / or prevented. For example, the first conductive portion 321 may have a width w2 of 0.1 to 1.5 mm. For example, the first conductive portion 321 may be a conductive pattern having a width w2 of 0.5 mm.

[0128] According to an embodiment, when a part of the first side surface portion 411 is used as an antenna or is used to tune the radiation degradation of the antenna, the widths of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be configured to be different from each other. According to an embodiment, when the first side surface portion 411 indicated by the reference numeral 411-1 is used as an antenna and the first side surface portion 411 indicated by the reference numeral 411-2 is not used as an antenna, the width w4 of the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be greater than the width w3 of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a. Since the (2-2) conductive portion 322b adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 that is not used as an antenna has nothing to do with the radiation performance of the electronic device, the flow of electrostatic ESD can be induced more stably by increasing the width w4 of the conductive pattern. On the contrary, since the (2-1) conductive portion 322a adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 that is used as an antenna affects the radiation performance of the electronic device, the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in) can exhibit more stable radiation performance by reducing the width w3 of the conductive pattern. Since the radiation performance deteriorates as the width w3 of the conductive pattern increases, the (2-1) conductive portion 322a adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 that is used as an antenna may be a conductive pattern having as small a width as possible within the range that maximally satisfies the performance for discharging electrostatic ESD.

[0129] Referring to Figure 10 , the side surface member 410 may include at least a partially anodized region that has undergone an anodizing process. In order to make the electronic device (e.g., Figure 5The internal / external appearance design of the housing of the electronic device 10) is aesthetically pleasing. For example, the housing can be colored. To this end, the side surface member 410 of the electronic device may at least partially include an anodized region that has undergone anodizing treatment. In this regard, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-anodized region AO' (or may be referred to as an "anodizing opening region") that has not undergone anodizing treatment is at a position corresponding to the second conductive portion 322 and / or the third conductive portion 323 of the side surface member 410. Here, the non-anodized region AO may include not only a portion that has never undergone anodizing treatment even once, but also an example of a portion that is delaminated after undergoing anodizing treatment one or more times to form the non-anodized region AO. By providing the non-anodized region AO at a position corresponding to the second conductive portion 322 and / or the third conductive portion 323 of the side surface member 410, it is possible to discharge static electricity ESD through the conductive portion 320 of the protection member 300.

[0130] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line D-D' of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 10 of the electronic device. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line E-E' of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 10 of the electronic device. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line F-F' of an electronic device including a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 10 of the electronic device.

[0131] Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 may respectively show cross-sectional views of the electronic device 10 corresponding to Figure 10 lines D-D', E-E' and F-F'. By Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the conductive portion 320 of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood. In the description Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 of the embodiment, detailed descriptions that are repetitive with those described above with reference to Figure 5 will be omitted.

[0132] In Figure 11In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may be arranged such that the first conductive portion 321 and the second conductive portion 322 overlap most of the area of the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. The conductive portion 320 may include a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, the second conductive portion 322 may extend toward the side surface member 410 to be directly connected to the side surface member 410, but if the distance is sufficient to induce static electricity 800 toward the side surface member 410 side, the electrical connection with the side surface member 410 may be achieved without being directly connected to the side surface member 410. The first conductive portion 321 may be substantially facing the front surface of the display 200, and the second conductive portion 322 may face the side surface of the display 200. When static electricity 800 is introduced into the electronic device, the second conductive portion 322 may prevent static electricity 800 from being introduced into the display 200 through the first separation space g1, and may guide static electricity 800 to be transmitted to the first conductive portion 321 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic device 10.

[0133] In Figure 12 In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive portion 320 is shown to include only the narrow first conductive portion 321. The first conductive portion 321 may guide static electricity 800 to move in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic device 10.

[0134] In Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may be arranged such that the first conductive portion 321 and the third conductive portion 323 overlap most of the area of the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. The conductive portion 320 may include a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the inner surface 302 of the protection member 300. According to an embodiment, the third conductive portion 323 may extend toward the side surface member 410 to be directly connected to the side surface member 410, but if the distance is sufficient to induce static electricity 800 toward the side surface member 410 side, the electrical connection with the side surface member 410 may be achieved without being directly connected to the side surface member 410. The first conductive portion 321 may be substantially facing the front surface of the display 200, and the third conductive portion 323 may face the side surface of the display 200. When static electricity 800 is introduced into the electronic device, static electricity 800 may be guided by the third conductive portion 323 to be transmitted to the side surface member 410 and discharged without being introduced into the display 200 side through the first separation space g1. As Figure 13 shown in the embodiment of, according to an embodiment, at least a part of the side surface member 410 (e.g., the protrusion 416 and the mounting portion 417) may be arranged as a non-anodized area corresponding to the third conductive portion 323.

[0135] Figure 14A view showing an equivalent circuit of a side surface member and a protection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0136] According to an embodiment, as described above with reference to Figure 10 When the first side surface portion 411 indicated by reference numerals 411-1 and 411-3 is used as an antenna, the conductive portion 320 providing a discharge path at a position corresponding to the first side surface portion can be used as an antenna frequency tuning mechanism. For example, referring to Figure 14 , the first side surface portion 411 indicated by reference numeral 411-1 and the conductive portion 320 can be equivalent to a circuit in which a capacitive (CAP) antenna is added to an inverted-F antenna (IFA).

[0137] Figure 15 A view showing a conductive portion of a side surface member and a protection member adjacent thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the description Figure 15 of the embodiment, a description that duplicates the description made with reference to Figure 10 may be omitted.

[0138] Figure 10 and Figure 15 may respectively show an embodiment in which a second conductive portion 322 disposed adjacent to a separated portion 411c of the side surface member 410 is not used as a discharge path and an embodiment in which the second conductive portion is used as a discharge path.

[0139] Figure 10 The embodiment shown may be an embodiment including a Figure 3 conductive portion 323 in addition to the second conductive portion 322. Here, when electrostatic ESD is introduced into an electronic device (for example, Figure 5 the electronic device 10 in

[0140] ), the second conductive portion 322 can be used as a bridge for guiding the electrostatic ESD to the first conductive portion 321, and the third conductive portion 323 can provide a path for discharging the electrostatic ESD transmitted through the first conductive portion 321 to the side surface member 410. Figure 10 Different from the embodiment shown in Figure 15 the embodiment shown in Figure 5 may not additionally include the third conductive portion 323. Here, the second conductive portion 322 can provide a path for discharging the electrostatic ESD directly introduced through the separated portion 411c or transmitted via the first conductive portion 321 to the side surface member 410, rather than being used as a bridge for guiding the ESD to the first conductive portion 321 when the electrostatic ESD is introduced into an electronic device (for example, Figure 15 the electronic device 10 in Figure 10The width of the second conductive portion 322 of the illustrated embodiment. Additionally, according to Figure 15 In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the side surface member 410 may be provided as a non-anodized region AO corresponding to the position of the second conductive portion 322.

[0141] Figures 16a to 16i is a view showing various embodiments of the conductive portion of the present disclosure.

[0142] Referring to Figures 16a to 16i , various embodiments of the conductive portion 320a at a position corresponding to the metal antenna and the conductive portion 320b at a position not corresponding to the metal antenna can be discussed. It should be noted that although the third conductive portion (e.g., Figures 16a to 16i the third conductive portion 323 in Figure 10 ) is omitted in

[0143] As described in the above Figure 9 embodiment, a portion (e.g., the first portion 411a) of the side surface member (e.g., Figure 10 the side surface member 410 in

[0144] Figures 16a to 16i shows that the non-conductive portion 310 of the protection member 300 includes, as a side surface member (e.g., Figure 10The first peripheral portion 311 and the second peripheral portion 312 of the corresponding peripheral portion of the side surface member 410). The (1-1) conductive portion 321a and the (1-2) conductive portion 321b can each extend along the peripheral portion of the protection member 300 (e.g., the first peripheral portion 311). According to an embodiment, the (1-1) conductive portion 321a and the (1-2) conductive portion 321b can be arranged in a straight line. The (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can extend from one end of the (1-1) conductive portion 321a and the (1-2) conductive portion 321b in one direction (e.g., toward the side surface member 410). According to an embodiment, the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can extend in one direction and can have substantially the same length as each other. However, the shape and width of each of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can be differently configured according to the embodiment.

[0145] In Figure 16a the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 can correspond to the antenna region. According to an embodiment, the shape and width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can be the same as each other. In Figure 16a the embodiment, the conductive portion 320a provided at a position corresponding to the metal antenna (e.g., the first portion 411a) and the conductive portion 320b provided at a position corresponding to the non-antenna region (e.g., the second portion 411b) can both be configured as strip-shaped conductive patterns.

[0146] In Figure 16b the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 can correspond to the antenna region. According to an embodiment, the shape and width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can be the same as each other, but the width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b can be greater than Figure 16a the width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b shown in Figure 16a the embodiment can have a structure capable of discharging electrostatic ESD when a third conductive portion (e.g., Figure 10 the third conductive portion 323) is added at an arbitrary position on the first peripheral portion 311. In contrast, Figure 16b can have a structure capable of discharging electrostatic ESD via the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b.

[0147] In Figure 16cIn the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to the antenna region. According to an embodiment, the shapes and widths of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be the same as each other. In Figure 16c In the illustrated embodiment, the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may have a triangular shape. According to an embodiment, the triangular shape is a right triangle, and the sides other than the hypotenuse may be located on the conductive portion 320a and the conductive portion 320b, respectively.

[0148] In Figure 16d In the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to the antenna region. According to an embodiment, in this case, the shapes and widths of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be different from each other. In Figure 16d In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a may be substantially the same as the width of the (1-1) conductive portion 321a. The width of the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be greater than the width of the (1-2) conductive portion 321b and the width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a. As described in the embodiment above in Figure 10 Since the conductive portion 320b at a position corresponding to the non-antenna region may have little influence on the antenna radiation performance, the width of the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be increased to provide a structure favorable for electrostatic discharge.

[0149] In Figure 16e In the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to the non-antenna region. Additionally, the first peripheral portion 311 spaced apart from the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to the antenna region. In Figure 16e In the illustrated embodiment, the (2-2) conductive portion 322b having a relatively large width may be disposed closer to the second peripheral portion 312 than the (2-1) conductive portion 322a having a relatively small width.

[0150] In Figure 16f In the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to the antenna region. According to an embodiment, in this case, the shapes and widths of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be different from each other. In Figure 16f In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a may be substantially the same as the width of the (1-1) conductive portion 321a. The (2-2) conductive portion 322b may have a right triangle shape with sides other than the hypotenuse located on the conductive portion 320b.

[0151] In Figure 16e the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to a non-antenna region. Additionally, the first peripheral portion 311 spaced apart from the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to an antenna region. In Figure 16g the illustrated embodiment, the (2-2) conductive portion 322b having a right triangle shape may be disposed closer to the second peripheral portion 312 than the (2-1) conductive portion 322a having a strip shape.

[0152] In Figure 16h the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to an antenna region. According to an embodiment, in this case, the shapes and widths of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be different from each other. In Figure 16h the illustrated embodiment, the (2-1) conductive portion 322a may have a right triangle shape with a side other than the hypotenuse located on the conductive portion 320b, and the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may have a quadrilateral shape. According to an embodiment, the width of the (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be greater than the length of the side other than the hypotenuse of the (2-1) conductive portion 322a.

[0153] In Figure 16i the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral portion 311 adjacent to the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to a non-antenna region. Additionally, the first peripheral portion 311 spaced apart from the second peripheral portion 312 may correspond to an antenna region. In Figure 16i the illustrated embodiment, the (2-2) conductive portion 322b having a quadrilateral shape may be disposed closer to the second peripheral portion 312 than the (2-1) conductive portion 322a having a right triangle shape.

[0154] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure has the following advantages: The electronic device can include a protection member that provides an effective electrostatic discharge path even when the electronic device is miniaturized, and the radiation performance of a metal antenna disposed around the protection member does not deteriorate.

[0155] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device 10 can be provided. The electronic device 10 may include: a housing 100 including a first housing 101 and a second housing 102 and configured to be foldable about a folding axis A; and a flexible display 200. The housing may include: a protection member 300 having an outer surface 301 facing the outside of the electronic device and an inner surface 302 facing at least a part of the flexible display, wherein the protection member includes a non-conductive portion 310 and a conductive portion 320 provided on the inner surface 302; and a side surface member 410 including a first portion 410a defining a side surface of the housing and made of a conductive material, a second portion 410b made of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion, and a separation portion 411c provided between the first portion and the second portion and made of an insulating material. The conductive portion 320 may include a first conductive portion 321 extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion 322 extending from an end of the first conductive portion 321 toward the side surface member at a position corresponding to the separation portion. The separation portion 411c may be provided to use a part of the side surface member 410 as an antenna. Accordingly, the conductive portion 320 may also be separated into two or more conductive portions 320 instead of extending integrally in the length direction of the electronic device. The position of the interval or gap between the ends of the first conductive portion 321 of the conductive portion 320 extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device may correspond to the separation portion 411c. The electronic device may include a protection member having a smaller area, so that there are fewer restrictions on reducing the width of the electronic device, and the deterioration effect on antenna performance can be reduced. The separation portion 411c may be provided to use a part of the side surface member 410 as an antenna. The first conductive portion 321 extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device may guide electrostatic ESD in the length direction of the protection member 300, and the second conductive portion 322 extending toward the side surface member 410 may discharge the electrostatic ESD toward the side surface member 410. In addition, since the protection member 300 includes the second conductive portion 322 extending from the end of the first conductive portion 321 toward the side surface member 410, even when the electrostatic ESD is introduced at a position corresponding to the separation portion 411c, the electrostatic ESD can be discharged toward the side surface member 410 without being induced toward the flexible display 200. In addition, the electrostatic ESD introduced at the position corresponding to the separation portion 411c may be captured by the second conductive portion 322 when passing through the periphery of the second conductive portion 322 and may flow into the first conductive portion 321. Therefore, the second conductive portion 322 may serve as a bridge for transferring the electrostatic ESD to the first conductive portion 321.

[0156] According to an embodiment, the second conductive part may extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device. Accordingly, since the first conductive part 321 extending in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device may guide electrostatic ESD in the longitudinal direction of the protection member 300, and the second conductive part 322 extending toward the side surface member 410 may discharge the electrostatic ESD toward the side surface member 410, the ESD protection of the display may be improved.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the first conductive part and the second conductive part may be respectively disposed on opposite sides of the separation part. Accordingly, the first conductive parts 321 and 322 disposed on one side of the separation part 411c and the first conductive parts 321 and 322 disposed on the other side may induce the electrostatic ESD introduced through the separation part 411c in opposite directions.

[0158] According to an embodiment, the conductive part may be configured with a conductive pattern. Considering the amount of electrostatic ESD introduced into the separation part 411c according to the side surface member 410 serving as a metal antenna and / or the radiation performance of the metal antenna, the conductive pattern of the second conductive part 322 may be freely manufactured to have various shapes and sizes. In an example, the conductive pattern of the second conductive part 322 may vary from the same thin line shape on one side and the other side of the separation part 411c as the center to a rectangular planar shape, a triangular planar shape, etc.

[0159] According to an embodiment, the first conductive part may have a width w2 that is half or less of the width w1 of the protection member. In this way, the size of the protection member 300 may be reduced and / or the influence on the radiation performance when it serves as a metal antenna may be reduced or prevented.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the first conductive part may have a width w2 of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the side surface member 410 may include a first side surface part 411 extending parallel to the folding axis (e.g., Figure 1 the first side surface parts 111 and 121 in Figure 1 ), a second side surface part extending from a first end of the first side surface part and perpendicular to the folding axis (e.g., Figure 1 the second side surface parts 112 and 122 in Figure 1The fourth side surface portions 114 and 124 thereof), and the protection member is disposed along side surface members defining the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, and the fourth side surface portion of the housing.

[0162] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion of the protection member is disposed at a position corresponding to the first side surface portion of the side surface member.

[0163] According to an embodiment, the first conductive portion 321 may include a first (1-1) conductive portion 321a corresponding to the antenna region of the first side surface portion and a first (1-2) conductive portion 321b corresponding to the non-antenna region of the first side surface portion, and the second conductive portion 322 may include a second (2-1) conductive portion 322a extending from an end of the first (1-1) conductive portion 321a and a second (2-2) conductive portion 322b extending from an end of the first (1-2) conductive portion 321b. Accordingly, when the side surface member 410 is used as an antenna radiator by reducing the width of the first conductive portion 321 disposed along the length direction of the protection member 300, the ESD discharge performance can be ensured by the second conductive portion 322 disposed at a position corresponding to the separation portion 411c, while minimizing the influence on the radiation performance of the antenna.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the width w4 of the second (2-2) conductive portion 322b may be wider than the width w3 of the second (2-1) conductive portion 322a. Since the second (2-2) conductive portion 322b adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 not used as an antenna is not related to the radiation performance of the electronic device, the flow of static electricity ESD can be induced more stably by increasing the width w4 of the second (2-2) conductive portion 322b. On the contrary, since the second (2-1) conductive portion 322a adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 used as an antenna affects the radiation performance of the electronic device, the radiation performance of the electronic device can be made more stable by reducing the width w3 of the second (2-1) conductive portion 322a. Since the radiation performance deteriorates as the width w3 of the second (2-1) conductive portion 322a increases, the second (2-1) conductive portion 322a adjacent to the first side surface portion 411 used as an antenna may be a conductive portion having as small a width as possible within the range that maximally satisfies the performance for discharging static electricity ESD.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the second conductive portion may extend toward the side surface member and be directly connected to the side surface member, or may extend toward the side surface member such that static electricity is induced toward the side surface member. Accordingly, when static electricity is introduced into the electronic device, the second conductive portion 322 may effectively prevent the static electricity from flowing into the display 200, and due to the reduced distance, may effectively guide the static electricity 800 to be transferred in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic device 10 to the first conductive portion 321 and toward the side surface member 410.

[0166] According to an embodiment, the first conductive portion may be disposed at a position on the inner surface of the protection member facing the front surface of the flexible display, and the second conductive portion may extend from the first conductive portion and may be disposed at a position on the inner surface of the protection member facing the side surface of the flexible display. Such an orientation of the conductive member may prevent ESD from being transferred to the display to protect the display from more than one side. Accordingly, when static electricity is introduced into the electronic device, the second conductive portion 322 may prevent the static electricity 800 from being introduced into the display 200, and may guide the static electricity 800 to be transferred in the length direction of the electronic device 10 to the first conductive portion 321.

[0167] According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include: a non-conductive member 500 disposed on the inner surface of the protection member to be spaced apart from the flexible display by a predetermined distance at a position at least partially overlapping with the conductive portion. The non-conductive member 500 may block foreign substances from entering the display 200 through the space between the protection member 300 and the display 200. The non-conductive member 500 may prevent the static electricity ESD from flowing on a path toward the display 200 through the conductive portion 320 of the protection member 300, and may guide the static electricity ESD to move toward the protection member 300.

[0168] According to an embodiment, the conductive portion 320 may include a third conductive portion 323 that extends from the first conductive portion 321b toward the side surface member at a position not corresponding to the separation portion. The third conductive portion 323 may be used to discharge the static electricity ESD to the side surface member 410. The third conductive portion 323 may extend in the same direction as the second conductive portion 322 and have the same width. The third conductive portion 323 may have a width wider than that of the second conductive portion 322.

[0169] According to an embodiment, the side surface member 410 may include an anodized region that has been at least partially subjected to an anodizing process, and a position of the side surface member 410 corresponding to the second conductive part 322 or the third conductive part 323 may include a non-anodized region that has not been subjected to the anodizing process. By providing the non-anodized region AO at a position corresponding to the second conductive part 322 and / or the third conductive part 323 of the side surface member 410, electrostatic ESD discharge can be achieved through the conductive part 320 of the protection member 300.

[0170] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include: a housing 100 including a first housing 101 and a second housing 102 and configured to be foldable about a folding axis A, wherein the housing 100 includes a first side surface portion extending parallel to the folding axis, a second side surface portion extending from a first end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, a third side surface portion extending from a second end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, and a fourth side surface portion extending between the second side surface portion and the third side surface portion and parallel to the folding axis; and a flexible display 200. The housing may include a protection member 300 having an outer surface 301 facing the outside of the electronic device and an inner surface 302 facing at least a portion of the flexible display, wherein the protection member 300 includes a non-conductive part 310 and a conductive part 320 provided on the inner surface 302; and a side surface member 410 defining the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, and the fourth side surface portion of the housing, wherein the side surface member includes a first portion made of a conductive material, a second portion made of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion, and a separation portion made of an insulating material between the first portion and the second portion. The conductive part 320 may include a first conductive part 321 extending along the first side surface portion parallel to the length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive part 322 extending from an end of the first conductive part toward the side surface member at a position corresponding to the separation portion, so that the conductive part 320 can discharge static electricity.

[0171] According to an embodiment, the first conductive part 321 may include a (1-1) conductive part 321a corresponding to an antenna region of the first side surface portion and a (1-2) conductive part 321b corresponding to a non-antenna region of the first side surface portion, and the second conductive part 322 may include a (2-1) conductive part 322a extending from an end of the (1-1) conductive part 321a and a (2-2) conductive part 322b extending from an end of the (1-2) conductive part 321b.

[0172] According to an embodiment, the width w2 of the (2-2)nd conductive portion 322b may be wider than the width w1 of the (2-1)st conductive portion 322a.

[0173] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device 10 can be provided. The electronic device 10 may include: a housing 100 configured to be foldable; and a flexible display 200. The housing may include: a protection member 300 including a non-conductive portion 310 and a conductive portion 320; and a side surface member 410 defining a side surface of the housing and at least partially made of a conductive material. The conductive portion 320 may include a first conductive portion 321 disposed on an inner surface 302 of the protection member and at least partially extending parallel to a length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion 322 connected to the first conductive portion and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the first conductive portion extends.

[0174] According to an embodiment, the side surface member may include a first portion made of a conductive material, a second portion made of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion, and a separation portion made of an insulating material between the first portion and the second portion, and the second conductive portion may extend from an end of the first conductive portion toward the side surface member at a position corresponding to the separation portion.

[0175] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various embodiments are intended to be exemplary and not to limit the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the overall scope of the present disclosure including the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, the shapes of the protection member 300, the non-conductive portion 310, and / or the conductive portion 320 included therein may vary according to the embodiments and examples.

Claims

1. An electronic device (10) comprising: A housing (100) including a first housing (101) and a second housing (102) and configured to be foldable about a folding axis (A); And A flexible display (200), Wherein, the housing includes: A protection member (300) including an outer surface (301) facing the outside of the electronic device and an inner surface (302) facing at least a part of the flexible display (200), wherein the protection member (300) includes a non-conductive portion (310) and a conductive portion (320) provided on the inner surface (302); and A side surface member (410) defining a side surface of the housing and including a first portion (411a) formed of a conductive material, a second portion (411b) formed of a conductive material and electrically separated from the first portion, and a separation portion (411c) provided between the first portion and the second portion and formed of an insulating material, and Wherein, the conductive portion (320) includes a first conductive portion (321) extending parallel to the length direction of the electronic device, and a second conductive portion (322) extending from an end of the first conductive portion (321) toward the side surface member (410) at a position corresponding to the separation portion (411c).

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The second conductive portion (322) extends in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the electronic device.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first conductive portion (321) and the second conductive portion (322) are respectively provided on opposite sides of the separation portion (411c).

4. The electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The conductive portion (320) is formed as a conductive pattern.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first conductive portion (321) has a width (w2) that is half or less of the width (w1) of the protection member.

6. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first conductive portion has a width (w2) of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The side surface member (410) includes a first side surface portion (411) extending parallel to the folding axis, a second side surface portion (412) extending from a first end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, a third side surface portion (413) extending from a second end of the first side surface portion and perpendicular to the folding axis, and a fourth side surface portion (414) extending between the second side surface portion and the third side surface portion and extending parallel to the folding axis, and The protection member (300) is provided along the side surface member (410) defining the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, and the fourth side surface portion.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, The conductive portion (320) of the protection member (300) is provided at a position corresponding to the first side surface portion (411) of the side surface member (410).

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, The first conductive portion (321) includes a first (1-1) conductive portion (321a) disposed at a position corresponding to the antenna region of the first side surface portion, and a first (1-2) conductive portion (321b) disposed at a position corresponding to the non-antenna region of the first side surface portion, and the second conductive portion (322) includes a second (2-1) conductive portion (322a) extending from an end of the first (1-1) conductive portion (321a) toward the side surface member and a second (2-2) conductive portion (322b) extending from an end of the first (1-2) conductive portion (321b) toward the side surface member.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein, The width (w4) of the second (2-2) conductive portion (322b) is wider than the width (w3) of the second (2-1) conductive portion (322a).

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The second conductive portion (322) extends toward the side surface member (410) and is directly connected to the side surface member (410), or extends toward the side surface member (410) such that static electricity is induced toward the side surface member (410).

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The first conductive portion (321) is disposed at a position on the inner surface of the protection member (300) facing the front surface of the flexible display (200), and the second conductive portion (322) extends from the first conductive portion (321) and is disposed at a position on the inner surface of the protection member (300) facing the side surface of the flexible display (200).

13. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: A non-conductive member (500) is disposed on the inner surface of the protection member (300) so as to be spaced apart from the flexible display (200) by a specific distance at a position at least partially overlapping with the conductive portion (320).

14. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The conductive portion (320) includes a third conductive portion (323), wherein the third conductive portion (323) extends from the first conductive portion (321b) toward the side surface member (410) at a position not corresponding to the separation portion (411c).

15. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The side surface member (410) includes an anodized region that has been at least partially anodized, and a position of the side surface member (410) corresponding to the second conductive portion (322) or the third conductive portion (323) includes a non-anodized region that has not been anodized.

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