Electronic device including flexible display

Abstract

An electronic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document comprises: a hinge device; a first housing connected to the hinge device; a second housing connected to the hinge device so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing; and a flexible display supported by the first housing and the second housing, in which the flexible display may include: a first display portion having a first amount of movement according to a rotation operation of the first housing and the second housing; a second display portion having a second movement amount smaller than the first movement amount according to a rotation operation of the first housing and the second housing; the display device includes a first display portion, a second display portion, a first protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the first display portion and having a first modulus, and a second protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the second display portion and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus. Other various embodiments are possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The various embodiments disclosed in this document relate to an electronic device including a flexible display. Background Technology

[0002] Many electronic devices are becoming increasingly thinner, and design factors are being enhanced and improved, resulting in increased rigidity and unique functional elements. Electronic devices may increasingly adopt various shapes deviating from a uniform rectangular shape. They may have deformable structures, allowing users to easily carry and use large-screen displays. For example, electronic devices with deformable structures may include foldable housings that operate when folded or unfolded relative to each other. Electronic devices may require enhanced durability to withstand external impacts, as well as support structures to improve the surface quality of flexible displays according to folding operations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical issues The foldable electronic device may include a hinge mechanism (e.g., a hinge structure or hinge module) and a first housing and a second housing foldably connected to each other via the hinge mechanism. Because the first housing is rotatable relative to the second housing, making the electronic device foldable, the first and second housings can be foldably connected. The foldable electronic device can operate in an inward and / or outward folding manner when the first housing rotates relative to the second housing within a range of 0 to 360 degrees via the hinge mechanism. The foldable electronic device can also operate in an inward and / or outward folding manner when the first housing rotates relative to the second housing from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 180 degrees via the hinge mechanism. The foldable electronic device may include a flexible display configured to be at least partially supported by the first and second housings and exposed for use when the first and second housings are in an unfolded state. The flexible display may include multiple layers (e.g., a window layer, POL, polymer layer, or at least one functional layer) disposed on a top and / or bottom surface based on a display panel.

[0004] Foldable electronic devices may not include a protective cover (e.g., a decorative cover or protective frame) configured to make the edge areas (e.g., edges) of the flexible display invisible from the outside. For example, in electronic devices without a protective cover, the flexible display may be supported by a first housing and a second housing and configured to make the edges visible from the outside. In this case, the edge areas of the flexible display may be susceptible to external foreign objects or external impacts. Specifically, because the edge areas, including curved portions extending from the display panel (e.g., COP (chip-on-panel or chip-on-plastic)), are susceptible to external impacts, the edge areas may be damaged, which could lead to malfunctions. This problem can be solved by the present disclosure.

[0005] However, the purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, but can be extended in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0006] Technical solution An electronic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include: a hinge mechanism; a first housing connected to the hinge mechanism; a second housing connected to the hinge mechanism for rotatability relative to the first housing; and a flexible display supported by the first and second housings, wherein the flexible display includes: a first display portion having a first degree of movement according to rotational operation of the first and second housings; a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement according to rotational operation of the first and second housings; a first protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the first display portion and having a first modulus; and a second protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the second display portion and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0007] An electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge device configured to connect the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing are foldable; and a flexible display supported by the first housing and the second housing and including a plurality of layers, wherein the flexible display includes: a first layer having a first sliding movement amount according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing; a second layer having a second sliding movement amount less than the first sliding movement amount according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, and located below the first layer; a first protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the first layer and having a first modulus; and a second protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the second layer and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0008] An electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge mechanism configured to connect the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing are foldable; and a flexible display supported by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the flexible display includes: a folding portion configured to bend according to a folding operation of the first housing and the second housing; a planar portion configured to remain planar during a folding operation of the first housing and the second housing; a first protective material located on at least a portion of a side surface of the folding portion and having a first modulus; and a second protective material located on at least a portion of a side surface of the planar portion and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0009] Technical effect According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a flexible display can be divided into a first display portion and a second display portion based on the degree of movement or the amount of deformation. A soft protective material can be disposed on the side surface of the first display portion having a relatively large degree of movement (e.g., a folded portion of the flexible display or a layer among multiple layers of the flexible display having a relatively large amount of sliding). A hard protective material can be disposed on the side surface of the second display portion having a relatively small degree of movement (e.g., a planar portion of the flexible display or a layer among multiple layers of the flexible display having a relatively small amount of sliding). Therefore, in a flexible display, movement or deformation of portions having a relatively large degree of movement or a relatively large amount of deformation is permitted, and the durability of portions having a relatively large degree of movement or a relatively large amount of deformation can be improved by the soft protective material. In a flexible display, the durability of portions having a relatively small degree of movement or a relatively small amount of deformation can be improved by the hard protective material.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, protective structures are provided for curved portions of a display panel, enabling the provision of electronic devices that include flexible displays capable of improving durability against external impacts.

[0011] In addition, various effects that can be determined directly or indirectly through this document may be provided.

[0012] The effects obtained through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0013] In conjunction with the description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.

[0014] Figure 1a This is a front perspective view of an electronic device in an unfolded (or flat) state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1b This is a top plan view showing the front surface of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1c This is a top plan view showing the rear surface of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2a This is a perspective view of an electronic device in a folded state (folded state) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2b This is a perspective view of an electronic device in an intermediate state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4a This is an exploded perspective view of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4b This is a structural diagram of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear surface.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a stacked diagram of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6a Is it along Figure 1a A partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed along lines 6a-6a.

[0024] Figure 6b Is it along Figure 1a The lines 6b-6b are partial cross-sectional views of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 6c Is it along Figure 1a The lines 6c-6c are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6d Is it along Figure 1a A partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed along line 6d-6d.

[0027] Figure 6e Is it along Figure 1a The line 6d-6d in the diagram is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows the connection with... Figure 6d The embodiment in which the area is expanded compared to the area occupied by the third protective material disposed between the window layer and the display panel.

[0028] Figure 7a This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molded portion and protective member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are disposed between the curved portion and the side member of the flexible display.

[0029] Figure 7b and Figure 7c This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of applying a molded portion and a protective member to a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 8a This is a schematic diagram illustrating an experimental process of dropping a ball onto the front surface of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8b This is a schematic diagram illustrating a Charpy impact test on the side surface of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 9a Is it along Figure 1a The line 6d-6d in the diagram is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, that is, a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the window layer of the flexible display extends toward the curved portion.

[0033] Figure 9b This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the window layer of the flexible display extends toward the side surface of the flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a view illustrating the process of filling the side surface of a portion of the window layer and the side surface of a layer disposed below the window layer in the edge region of a flexible display with a protective material according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 11a This is a top plan view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 11b This is a side view of an electronic device in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 12a This is a top plan view of an electronic device in a slid-in state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 12b Is it along Figure 12a The lines 12b-12b are cross-sectional views of electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 12c This is a top plan view of an electronic device in a slide-out state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 12d Is it along Figure 12c The line 12d-12d in the diagram is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0041] It should be understood that the various embodiments of this disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to the particular embodiments, but rather to include various changes, equivalents or substitutions to the respective embodiments.

[0042] Regarding the description of the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It should be understood that, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form of the noun corresponding to an item may include one or more things.

[0043] 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 or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase. As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish the respective component from another component and do not limit the components in any other way (e.g., in terms of importance or order). It will be understood that, in the use of the terms “operably” or “communically” or in the absence of the terms “operably” or “communically”, if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as “coupled to another element (e.g., a second element),” “coupled to another element (e.g., a second element),” “connected to another element (e.g., a second element),” or “connected to another element (e.g., a second element)”, it means that the element can be directly (e.g., wiredly) connected to said other element, wirelessly connected to said other element, or connected to said other element via a third element.

[0044] Figure 1a This is a perspective view of an electronic device in an unfolded (or flat) state, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1b This is a plan view showing the front surface of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1c This is a plan view showing the rear surface of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 2a This is a perspective view of an electronic device in a folded state, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2b This is a perspective view of an electronic device showing an intermediate state of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Reference Figures 1a to 2b The electronic device 100 may include a hinge-based device (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge device 140) is combined with a first housing 110 and a second housing 120 in a foldable manner (e.g., a foldable housing structure). In an embodiment, the hinge device (e.g., Figure 1bThe hinge device 140 may be positioned in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a first display 400 (e.g., a flexible display, a foldable display, or a main display) disposed in a region (e.g., a recess) formed by the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. According to an embodiment, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be positioned on opposite sides about a folding axis F and may have a substantially symmetrical shape about the folding axis F. The hinge device 140 may include the folding axis F. According to an embodiment, the angle or distance between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may vary depending on the state of the electronic device 100. For example, the angle or distance between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may vary depending on whether the electronic device is in an unfolded (or flat) state, a folded state, or an intermediate state.

[0047] According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the first housing 110 may include a first surface 111 pointing in a first direction (e.g., forward direction) (z-axis direction) and a second surface 112 pointing in a second direction (e.g., rearward direction) (-z-axis direction) opposite to the first surface 111. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the second housing 120 may include a third surface 121 pointing in the first direction (z-axis direction) and a fourth surface 122 pointing in the second direction (-z-axis direction). According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the first surface 111 of the first housing 110 and the third surface 121 of the second housing 120 may point in substantially the same first direction (z-axis direction). In an embodiment, in the folded state of the electronic device 100, the first surface 111 of the first housing 110 and the third surface 121 of the second housing 120 may face each other. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the second surface 112 of the first housing 110 and the fourth surface 122 of the second housing 120 may point in substantially the same second direction (-z-axis direction). In one embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is folded, the second surface 112 of the first housing and the fourth surface 122 of the second housing 120 may point in opposite directions. For example, in the folded state of the electronic device 100, the second surface 112 may point in a first direction (z-axis direction), and the fourth surface 122 may point in a second direction (-z-axis direction). In this case, the first display 400 cannot be viewed from the outside (inward folding mode). In another embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be folded such that the second surface 112 of the first housing 110 and the fourth surface 122 of the second housing 120 face each other. In this case, the first display 400 may be configured to be viewed from the outside (outward folding mode).

[0048] According to various embodiments, a first housing 110 (e.g., a first housing structure) may include a first side member 113 forming the appearance of an electronic device 100, and a first rear cover 114 combined with the first side member 113 and forming at least a portion of a second surface 112 of the electronic device 100. The first side member 113 may form a portion of the outer surface of the first housing 110. According to embodiments, the first side member 113 may include a first side surface 113a, a second side surface 113b extending from one end of the first side surface 113a, and a third side surface 113c extending from the other end of the first side surface 113a. According to embodiments, the first side member 113 may be formed in a quadrilateral (e.g., square or rectangular) shape by means of the first side surface 113a, the second side surface 113b, and the third side surface 113c.

[0049] According to various embodiments, the second housing 120 (e.g., a second housing structure) may include a second side member 123 that at least partially forms the appearance of the electronic device 100, and a second side cover 124 that is combined with the second side member 123 and forms at least a portion of the fourth surface 122 of the electronic device 100. The second side member 123 may form a portion of the outer surface of the second housing 120. According to embodiments, the second side member 123 may include a fourth side surface 123a, a fifth side surface 123b extending from one end of the fourth side surface 123a, and a sixth side surface 123c extending from the other end of the fourth side surface 123a. According to embodiments, the second side member 123 may be formed in a quadrilateral shape by the fourth side surface 123a, the fifth side surface 123b, and the sixth side surface 123c.

[0050] According to various embodiments, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are not limited to the shapes and combinations shown, but can be implemented by combinations and / or combinations of other shapes or components. In embodiments, the first side member 113 may be integrally formed with the first rear cover 114, and the second side member 123 may be integrally formed with the second rear cover 124.

[0051] According to various embodiments, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the second side surface 113b of the first side member 113 and the fifth side surface 123b of the second side member 123 can be connected to each other without gap. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the third side surface 113c of the first side member 113 and the sixth side surface 123c of the second side member 123 can be connected to each other without gap. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the sum of the lengths of the second side surface 113b and the fifth side surface 123b can be configured to be longer than the lengths of the first side surface 113a and / or the fourth side surface 123a. According to an embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the sum of the lengths of the third side surface 113c and the sixth side surface 123c can be configured to be longer than the lengths of the first side surface 113a and / or the fourth side surface 123a.

[0052] Reference Figure 2a and Figure 2b The first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123 may be formed of metal, or may further include a polymer injected into the metal. According to an embodiment, the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123 may include at least one conductive portion 116 and / or 126 electrically segmented by at least one segmented portion 1161, 1162 and / or 1261, 1262 formed of polymer. In this case, at least one conductive portion 116 and / or 126 may be electrically connected to a wireless communication circuit included in the electronic device 100, and thus may be used as at least a portion of an antenna operating in at least one specified frequency band (e.g., a conventional frequency band).

[0053] According to various embodiments, the first back cover 114 and / or the second back cover 124 may be formed of at least one or a combination of at least two of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS) or magnesium).

[0054] According to various embodiments, the first display 400 may be configured to span the hinge device (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge device 140 extends from a first surface 111 of the first housing 110 to at least a portion of a third surface 121 of the second housing 120. In an embodiment, the first display 400 may include a first region 130a substantially corresponding to the first surface 111, a second region 130b corresponding to the second surface 121, and a third region 130c (e.g., a flexible region or a folding region) connecting the first region 130a and the second region 130b to each other. According to an embodiment, the third region 130c may be a part of the first region 120a and / or the second region 130b, and may be positioned with respect to the hinge device (e.g., Figure 1bAt the corresponding position of the hinge device 140. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a support hinge device (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge housing 141 (e.g., hinge cover) of the hinge device 140. In an embodiment, the hinge housing 141 may be configured to be exposed to the outside when the electronic device 100 is in a folded state, and to be invisible from the outside when the electronic device 100 is in an unfolded state because the hinge housing 141 is pulled into the interior space of the first housing 110 and the interior space of the second housing 120.

[0055] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include a second display 131 (e.g., a sub-display) disposed separately from the first display 400. According to embodiments, the second display 131 may be configured to be at least partially exposed on a second surface 112 of the first housing 110. In embodiments, when the electronic device 100 is in a folded state, the second display 131 may display at least a portion of the status information of the electronic device 100, replacing at least a portion of the display function of the first display 400. According to embodiments, the second display 131 may be configured to be viewed from the outside through at least a portion of a first rear cover 114. In embodiments, the second display 131 may be disposed on a fourth surface 122 of the second housing 120. In this case, the second display 131 may be configured to be viewed from the outside through at least a portion of a second rear cover 124.

[0056] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include at least one of an input device 103 (e.g., a microphone), sound output devices 101 and 102, a sensor module 104, camera devices 105 and 108, a key input device 106, or a connector port 107. In the illustrated embodiments, although the input device 103 (e.g., a microphone), sound output devices 101 and 102, sensor module 104, camera devices 105 and 108, key input device 106, or connector port 107 are shown as holes or circular elements formed on the first housing 110 or the second housing 120, these are shown exemplarily for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. According to various embodiments, the input device 103 may include at least one microphone 103 disposed on the second housing 120. In embodiments, the input device 103 may include a plurality of microphones 103 configured to sense the direction of sound. In embodiments, the plurality of microphones 103 may be disposed at appropriate locations on the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120. According to an embodiment, sound output devices 101 and 102 may include at least one speaker 101 and 102. According to an embodiment, at least one speaker 101 and 102 may include a receiver 101 for making calls disposed on a first housing 110 and a speaker 102 disposed on a second housing 120. In an embodiment, input device 103, sound output devices 101 and 102, and connector port 107 may be disposed within spaces provided in the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120 of the electronic device 100, and may be exposed to the external environment through at least one hole formed in the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120. According to an embodiment, at least one connector port 107 may be used to send power and / or data to and receive power and / or data from an external electronic device. In an embodiment, at least one connector port (e.g., a headphone jack) may accommodate a connector (e.g., a headphone jack) for sending audio signals to and receiving audio signals from an external electronic device. In one embodiment, the holes formed in the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120 may be used together for the input device 103 and the sound output devices 101 and 102. In another embodiment, the sound output devices 101 and 102 may include loudspeakers (e.g., piezoelectric loudspeakers) that are not exposed through the holes formed in the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120.

[0057] According to various embodiments, sensor module 104 can generate electrical signals or data values ​​corresponding to the internal operating state or external environmental state of electronic device 100. According to embodiments, sensor module 104 can detect the external environment via a first surface 111 of the first housing 110. In embodiments, electronic device 100 may also include at least one sensor module configured to detect the external environment via a second surface 112 of the first housing 110. According to embodiments, sensor module 104 (e.g., an illuminance sensor) may be configured to detect the external environment below the first display 400 via the first display 400. According to embodiments, sensor module 104 may include at least one of a gesture sensor, gyroscope sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, accelerometer, grip sensor, color sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, biosensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, illuminance sensor, proximity sensor, ultrasonic sensor, or illuminance sensor 104.

[0058] According to various embodiments, camera devices 105 and 108 may include a first camera device 105 (e.g., a front-facing camera device) disposed on a first surface 111 of the first housing 110 and a second camera device 108 disposed on a second surface 112 of the first housing 110. In embodiments, the electronic device 100 may also include a flash 109 disposed near the second camera device 108. According to embodiments, camera devices 105 and 108 may include at least one lens, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. According to embodiments, camera devices 105 and 108 may be configured such that two or more lenses (e.g., wide-angle lenses, ultra-wide-angle lenses, or telephoto lenses) and two or more image sensors are located on a surface of the electronic device 100 (e.g., a first surface 111, a second surface 112, a third surface 121, or a fourth surface 122). In embodiments, camera devices 105 and 108 may include lenses and / or image sensors for time-of-flight (TOF) measurement.

[0059] According to various embodiments, a key input device 106 (e.g., a key button) may be disposed on a third side surface 113c of a first side member 113 of the first housing 110. In embodiments, the key input device 106 may be disposed on at least one of the other side surfaces 113a and 113b of the first housing 110 and / or side surfaces 123a, 123b, and 123c of the second housing 120. In embodiments, the electronic device 100 may not include some or all of the key input devices 106, and the un-included key input devices 106 may be implemented on the first display 400 in another form, such as soft keys. In embodiments, the key input device 106 may be implemented using a pressure sensor included in the first display 400.

[0060] According to various embodiments, one of the camera devices 105 and 108 (e.g., the first camera device 105) or the sensor module 104 may be configured to be exposed through the first display 400. According to embodiments, the first camera device 105 or the sensor module 104 may be optically exposed to the outside through an opening (e.g., a through-hole) formed at least partially in the interior space of the electronic device 100 on the first display 400. According to embodiments, at least a portion of the sensor module 104 may be configured not to be visually exposed through the first display 400 in the interior space of the electronic device 100. (See also...) Figure 2b The electronic device 100 is operable via a hinge mechanism (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge device 140) holds at least one specified folding angle in a neutral state. In this case, the electronic device 100 can control the first display 400 to display different kinds of content on a display area corresponding to the first surface 111 and a display area corresponding to the third surface 121. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 can use the hinge device (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge device 140 is in a basically unfolded state (e.g., when the electronic device 100 is in an intermediate state) based on a specific folding angle (e.g., the angle between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120) at a specific folding angle. Figure 1a (the unfolded state) and / or the basically folded state (e.g., Figure 2a (in a folded state). In an embodiment, if the electronic device 100 operates via a hinge device (e.g., Figure 1b When the hinge device 140 is in a state where it is unfolded at a specific folding angle, and a pressing force is applied in the unfolding direction (direction A), the electronic device 100 can be operated to change to the unfolded state (e.g., Figure 1a (The unfolded state). In an embodiment, if the electronic device 100 is connected by a hinge device (e.g., Figure 1b When the hinge device 140 is in a state where it is unfolded at a specific folding angle, and a pressing force is applied in the folding direction (direction B), the electronic device 100 can be operated to change to a folded state (e.g., Figure 2a (The folded state). In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 is operable via a hinge mechanism (e.g., Figure 1b The hinge device 140) is held in the extended state at various angles (not shown) (free stop function).

[0061] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] Reference Figure 3The electronic device 100 may include a first side member 113 (e.g., a first side frame), a second side member 123 (e.g., a second side frame), and a hinge device 140 (e.g., a hinge module or hinge structure) that rotatably connects the first side member 113 and the second side member 123 to each other. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a first support member 1131 (e.g., a first support plate) extending at least partially from the first side member 113, and a second support member 1231 (e.g., a second support plate) extending at least partially from the second side member 123. According to an embodiment, the first support member 1131 may be integrally formed with the first side member 113, or may be structurally combined with the first side member 113. In an embodiment, the second support member 1231 may be integrally formed with the second side member 123, or may be structurally combined with the second side member 123. According to an embodiment, a first display 400 may be configured to be supported by the first support member 1131 and the second support member 1231. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a first rear cover 114 that combines with a first side member 113 and provides a first space together with a first support member 1131, and a second rear cover 124 that combines with a second side member 123 and provides a second space together with a second support member 1231. In an embodiment, the first side member 113 and the first rear cover 114 may be integrally formed with each other. In an embodiment, the second side member 123 and the second rear cover 124 may be integrally formed. According to an embodiment, a first housing 110 may include a first side member 113, a first support member 1131, and a first rear cover 114. According to an embodiment, a second housing 120 may include a second side member 123, a second support member 1231, and a second rear cover 124. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a second display 131 configured to be viewed from the outside through at least a portion of the first rear cover 114.

[0063] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include a first plate 161 (e.g., a first plate assembly or main printed circuit board), a camera assembly 163, a first battery 171, or a first bracket 151 disposed in a first space between the first side member 113 and the first rear cover 114. According to embodiments, the camera assembly 163 may include multiple camera devices (e.g., ...). Figure 1a and Figure 2aThe camera assembly 105 and 108 are electrically connected to the first plate 161. According to an embodiment, the first bracket 151 provides a support structure for supporting the first plate 161 and / or the camera assembly 163 and increasing rigidity. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a second plate 162 (e.g., a second plate assembly or sub-printed circuit board), an antenna 190 (e.g., a coil component), a second battery 172, or a second bracket 152 disposed in a second space between the second side member 123 and the second rear cover 124. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include wiring members 180 (e.g., flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs)) of multiple electronic components (e.g., configured to extend to the second plate 162, the second battery 172, or the antenna 190 and provide electrical connections) disposed between the second side member 123 and the second rear cover 124 across a hinge device 140 from the first plate 161. According to an embodiment, the antenna 190 may include a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and / or a magnetically secure transmission (MST) antenna.

[0064] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may further include a first protective cover 115 (e.g., a first protective frame or a first decorative member) assembled along the edge of the first housing 110, and a second protective cover 125 (e.g., a second protective frame or a second decorative member) assembled along the edge of the second housing 120. According to embodiments, the first protective cover 115 and / or the second protective cover 125 may be formed of a metallic or polymeric material. According to embodiments, the first protective cover 115 and / or the second protective cover 125 may serve as decorative members. In this case, the first display 400 may be configured such that the edge of the first region 130a is not visible from the outside between the first housing 110 and the first protective cover 115. According to embodiments, the first display 400 may be configured such that the edge of the second region 130b is not visible from the outside between the second housing 120 and the second protective cover 125.

[0065] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may also include a third region configured to protect the first display 400 (e.g., Figure 1b The protective cap 135 is located at the edge of the third region 130c. In this case, it can be provided by setting a protective cap 135 at the edge of the folded area (e.g., Figure 1b The protective cap 135 at the corresponding position of the folded area 130c is used to protect the edge of the first display 400.

[0066] According to various embodiments, the first support member 1131 may include a first support surface 1131a pointing in a first direction (z-axis direction) and a second support surface 1131b pointing in a second direction opposite to the first direction (-z-axis direction). According to an embodiment, in the deployed state of the electronic device 100, the second support member 1231 may include a third support surface 1231a pointing in the first direction and a fourth support surface 1231b pointing in the second direction. According to an embodiment, the first display 400 may be configured to be supported by the first support surface 1131a of the first support member 1131 and the third support surface 1231a of the second support member 1231.

[0067] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include at least one waterproof member 481, 482, 483, and 484 disposed between the first display 400 and the second support member 1231 and between the first display 400 and the first support member 1131. According to embodiments, some of the at least one waterproof member 481, 482, and 483 may include a first waterproof member 481 disposed between the first display 400 and the second support member 1231, a second waterproof member 482 connected to the first waterproof member 481, and a third waterproof member 483 providing a first waterproof space 4813 by connecting one end 4811 of the first waterproof member 481 to one end of the second waterproof member 482 and connecting the other end 4812 of the first waterproof member 481 to the other end of the second waterproof member 482. In embodiments, the first waterproof member 481, the second waterproof member 482, and / or the third waterproof member 483 may be integrally formed. According to an embodiment, at least one of the waterproof components 481, 482, 483, and 484, the waterproof component 484, may include a fourth waterproof component 484 providing a second waterproof space 4841 in a closed-loop shape disposed between the first display 400 and the first support member 1131. According to an embodiment, multiple electronic components including the control circuitry of the first display 400 (e.g., a display driver IC (DDI)) are disposed within a first sealed waterproof space 4813 formed between the first display 400 and the second support member 1231 via the first waterproof component 481, the second waterproof component 482, and the third waterproof component 483, thus protecting it from external moisture and / or foreign matter. According to an embodiment, since at least one electronic component (e.g., a sensor module) is disposed via the first support member 1131, the first waterproof component 484 provides protection for the first display 400. Figure 1a The sensor module 104) and / or camera device (e.g., Figure 1aThe camera device 105 is disposed in a second waterproof space 4841 formed by the closed-loop shape of a fourth waterproof member 484 between the first display 400 and the first support member 1131, thus protecting it from external moisture and / or foreign matter. The types of constituent elements disposed in the first waterproof space 4813 and / or the second waterproof space 4841 according to various embodiments are not limited.

[0068] Figure 4a This is an exploded perspective view of a flexible display according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4b This is a structural diagram of a flexible display according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear surface.

[0069] Figure 4a and Figure 4b The flexible display 400 in the middle can be at least partially similar to Figure 1a The first display 400 is included, and other embodiments of flexible displays are also included.

[0070] The display (e.g., flexible display 400) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may include an indestructible (UB) type OLED display (e.g., a bendable display). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Flexible display 400 may include a flat panel display, which is an OCTA (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode, abbreviated as AMOLED) type display.

[0071] Reference Figure 4a and Figure 4b The flexible display 400 may include a window layer 410, and includes a polarizing layer (POL) 420 (e.g., a polarizing film) sequentially disposed on the rear surface (e.g., in the -z-axis direction) of the window layer 410, a display panel 430, a polymer layer 440, a support plate 450, and a reinforcing plate 470. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may further include a digitizer 460 disposed between the support plate 450 and the reinforcing plate 470. In an embodiment, the digitizer 460 may be disposed between the polymer layer 440 and the support plate 450. For example, if the flexible display 400 is a non-polarized display, the polarizing layer may not be included, and a transparent reinforcement layer (e.g., a buffer layer) may be disposed at the location of the polarizing layer. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may not be included.

[0072] According to an embodiment, window layer 410 may include a first layer that is stacked sequentially (e.g., Figure 5 The first layer 411) and the second layer (e.g., Figure 5The second layer 412 is a second layer in the first layer. In an embodiment, the first layer 411 may be made of a polymer (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)). In an embodiment, the second layer 412 may be made of glass. According to an embodiment, the second layer may include ultrathin glass (UTG). In any embodiment, the flexible display 400 may be formed as part of the window layer 410 and may also include a coating disposed on the upper portion of the first layer 411. In this case, the coating may include a hard coating (HC layer), an anti-reflective (AR) / low-reflective (LR) coating, a shatterproof (SP) coating, an anti-fingerprint (AF) coating, etc. In any embodiment, the coating may be formed between the first layer 411 and the second layer 412, on the side surface of the first layer 411, or on at least one of the rear surface or side surface of the second layer 412.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the window layer 410, polarization layer 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, and support plate 450 may be configured to traverse the first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The first surface of the first housing 110 in the first housing (e.g., Figure 1a At least a portion of the first surface 111) and the second shell (e.g., Figure 1a The third surface of the second housing 120 (e.g., Figure 1a At least a portion of the third surface 121 in the first housing. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may include a portion of the third surface 121 in the first housing. Figure 1a The first reinforcing plate 471 corresponding to the first housing 110 and the second housing (e.g., Figure 1a The second housing 120 in the second housing corresponds to a second reinforcing plate 472. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may serve as a ground for providing rigidity to the flexible display 400 and preventing malfunction of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may be made of a metallic material. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may be made of SUS or A1. In an embodiment, the window layer 410, polarizing layer 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, and reinforcing plates 471 and 472 may be attached to each other by bonding members P1, P2, P3, and P4 (or adhesives). For example, bonding members P1, P2, P3, and P4 may each include at least one of optically clear adhesive (OCA), pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), thermally reactive adhesive, universal adhesive, and double-sided tape. In an embodiment, the reinforcing plate 470 may be attached to the first support member 1131 and / or the second support member 1231 by bonding member P5.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the display panel 430 may include a plurality of pixels and wiring structures (e.g., electrode patterns). In an embodiment, the polarization layer 420 may selectively transmit light generated from a light source of the display panel 430 and vibrating in a predetermined direction. In an embodiment, the display panel 430 and the polarization layer 420 may be integrated. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may also include a touch panel (not shown).

[0075] According to an embodiment, a polymer layer 440 may be disposed beneath the display panel 430 to provide a dark background for ensuring the visibility of the display panel 430, and the polymer layer 440 may be made of a cushioning material for ensuring buffered operation. In any embodiment, to ensure the water resistance of the flexible display 400, the polymer layer 440 may be removed or disposed beneath the support plate 450. In any embodiment, if the support plate 450 is made of an opaque material, the polymer layer 440 may not be included.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the support plate 450 may provide bending characteristics to the flexible display 400. For example, the support plate 450 may be made of a non-metallic sheet-shaped material (such as fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP))) having rigidity characteristics for supporting the display panel 430. In an embodiment, the support plate 450 may include a first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The first portion 451 corresponding to the first housing 110 in the first housing, and the second housing (e.g., Figure 1a The second housing 120 in the second housing 451 has a corresponding second portion 452, and a third portion 453 (flexible or curved portion) configured to connect the first portion 451 and the second portion 452. In an embodiment, to improve flexibility, the third portion 453 may include a plurality of openings formed from the top surface to the rear surface through the support plate 450, and / or a plurality of grooves formed in a portion of the top surface and / or a portion of the rear surface. In an embodiment, the bending characteristics of the third portion 453 may be determined based on at least one of the size, shape, and arrangement density of at least some of the plurality of openings and / or at least some of the plurality of grooves. In an embodiment, the support plate 450 may be made of a metallic material such as steel with stainless steel (SUS) (e.g., stainless steel (STS)), Cu, Al, or metallic CLAD (e.g., a stacked member of alternating SUS and Al)). In this case, a plurality of openings may be formed over the entire area of ​​the support plate 450, causing detection operation of a digital converter 460 disposed below the support plate 450. In an embodiment, the support plate 450 may help enhance the electronic device (e.g., Figure 1a The rigidity of the electronic device 100 blocks ambient noise and disperses heat dissipated from the external heat dissipation components.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the display 400 may further include a digitizer 460 disposed below a support plate 450 as a detection member and configured to receive input from an electronic pen (e.g., a stylus). In an embodiment, the digitizer 460 may include a coil member disposed on a dielectric substrate (e.g., a dielectric film or dielectric sheet) for detecting an electromagnetically induced resonant frequency applied from the electronic pen. In an embodiment, the digitizer 460 may include a coil member disposed with respect to a first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The first digital converter in the corresponding area of ​​the first housing 110, and the first digital converter electrically connected to the first digital converter and disposed in relation to the second housing (e.g., Figure 1a The second digital converter in the corresponding area of ​​the second housing 120.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include at least one functional component (not shown) disposed between the polymer layer 440 and the support plate 450 or disposed below the support plate 450. In an embodiment, the functional component may include a graphite sheet for heat dissipation, a force-touch FPCB, a fingerprint sensor FPCB, a communication antenna radiator, or a conductive / non-conductive tape. In an embodiment, if the functional component cannot be bent, the functional component may be independently disposed in the first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The first housing 110) and the second housing (e.g. Figure 1a The second housing 120 is located on the wall. In an embodiment, where the functional member is bendable, the functional member can be connected via a hinge device (e.g., Figure 3 The hinge device 140 in the first housing (e.g.) is disposed in the first housing (e.g.) Figure 1a From the first housing 110 in the middle to the second housing (e.g. Figure 1a At least a portion of the second shell 120 in the middle.

[0079] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 4b As shown, the flexible display 400 can be formed in a quadrilateral shape. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include a first edge region 401, a second edge region 402 extending vertically from the first edge region 401, a third edge region 403 extending from the second edge region 402 in a direction parallel to the first edge region 401, and a fourth edge region 404 extending from the third edge region 403 to the first edge region 401. In an embodiment, the first edge region 401 and the third edge region 403 may be slidable regions of the flexible display 400 layers, as described below. In an embodiment, the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 may be regions where no sliding occurs. In an embodiment, the first edge region 401 may be disposed with respect to a second housing (e.g., Figure 1a The fourth side surface of the second housing 120 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1aThe second edge region 402 is located at a position corresponding to the fourth side surface 123a in the first housing. In an embodiment, the second edge region 402 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The second side surface of the first housing 110 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1a The second side surface 113b) and the second shell (e.g., Figure 1a The fifth side surface of the second housing 120 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1a The third edge region 403 may be located at a position corresponding to the fifth side surface 123b in the first housing. In an embodiment, the third edge region 403 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the fifth side surface 123b in the first housing. Figure 1a The first side surface of the first housing 110 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1a The fourth edge region 404 may be located at a position corresponding to the first side surface 113a in the first housing. According to one embodiment, the fourth edge region 404 may be disposed in relation to the first housing (e.g., Figure 1a The third side surface of the first housing 110 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1a The third side surface 113c) and the second shell (e.g., Figure 1a The sixth side surface of the second housing 120 in the middle (e.g., Figure 1a At the corresponding position on the sixth side surface 123c.

[0080] According to an embodiment, in the first edge region 401, the flexible display 400 may include a curved portion 432 configured to fold from the display panel 430 to at least a portion of the rear surface (e.g., in the -z-axis direction) of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the curved portion 432 may include an extension portion 4321 extending from the display panel 430 and including control circuitry 4321a, and a flexible substrate 4322 electrically connected to the extension portion 4321 and including a plurality of electronic components. In an embodiment, the control circuitry 4321a may include a display driver IC (DDI) or touch display driver IC (TDDI) mounted on the extension portion 4321 having an electrical wiring structure. In an embodiment, the curved portion 432 may include a chip-on-panel or chip-on-plastic (COP) structure in which the control circuitry 4321a is directly disposed on the extension portion 4321. In an embodiment, the curved portion 432 may include a chip-on-film (COF) structure in which the control circuitry 4321a is mounted on a separate connecting film (not shown) configured to connect the extension portion 4321 and the flexible substrate 4322. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include a plurality of electronic components (e.g., ...) disposed on a flexible substrate 4322. Figure 4b (electronic component 4322a in the substrate). In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include electronic components extending from the flexible substrate 4322 and electrically connected to electronic devices (e.g., electronic components 4322a in the substrate). In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include electronic devices extending from the flexible substrate 4322 and electrically connected to electronic devices (e.g., electronic components 4322a in the substrate). Figure 3 The substrate of the electronic device 100 (e.g., Figure 3The second substrate 162 in the second housing (e.g., the FPCB connection portion 4323) is a connector portion. In an embodiment, multiple electronic components may include passive components such as touch ICs, display flash memory, ESD protection diodes, pressure sensors, fingerprint sensors, or cover opening mechanisms. As another embodiment, the curved portion 432 is disposed in the first housing facing the flexible display 400 (e.g., the first housing). Figure 1a In the case of the area of ​​the first housing 110), the FPCB connection portion 4323 can be electrically connected to an electronic device (e.g., Figure 3 Another substrate of the electronic device 100 (e.g., Figure 3 The first substrate 161 in the middle.

[0081] According to an embodiment, electronic devices (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 100 may include one or more waterproof components 481, 482, 483, and 484. In an embodiment, one or more waterproof components 481, 482, and 483 may be integrated with a second housing (e.g., Figure 1a At least a portion of the second housing 120 is correspondingly and configured to define a first waterproof member 481, a second waterproof member 482, and a third waterproof member 483 defining a first waterproof space 4813, wherein the first waterproof space 4813 is used to protect control circuitry 4321a substantially disposed on the extension 4321 of the curved portion 432 and a plurality of electronic components 4322a disposed on the flexible substrate 4322 from external moisture and / or foreign matter. In an embodiment, at least one waterproof member may include a fourth waterproof member 484 configured to correspond to at least a portion of the second housing. In an embodiment, the fourth waterproof member 484 provides a sealed second waterproof space 4841. In an embodiment, electronic devices (e.g., Figure 1a The electronic device 100 in the second waterproof space 4841 may include at least one electronic component disposed in a first arrangement region 4842 and a second arrangement region 4843, wherein the first arrangement region 4842 and the second arrangement region 4843 are disposed in at least a portion of the second waterproof space 4841. In an embodiment, the at least one electronic component may include a camera device disposed in the first arrangement region 4842 (e.g., a camera device disposed in the first arrangement region 4842). Figure 1a The camera device 105 in the middle and the sensor module (e.g., in the second arrangement area 4843) are arranged in the second arrangement area 4843. Figure 1a (Sensor module 104 in the middle).

[0082] Figure 5 This is a stacked diagram of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the electronic device 100 may include a first housing (e.g., Figure 1aThe first housing 110 in the middle), coupled to the first housing 110 so as to be connected by a hinge device (e.g., Figure 3 The hinge device 140 in the first housing 110 and the flexible display 400 are configured to be foldable, and a second housing 120 is foldable, and a flexible display 400 is configured to be supported by the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include a display panel 430, and includes a top surface 4301 (e.g., a first surface) sequentially stacked on the display panel 430. Figure 6d The flexible display 400 may include a POL 420, a window layer 410, a first layer 411, and a second layer 412 sequentially stacked on the top surface 4301 (e.g., the rear surface 4302, or the second surface) of the display panel 430. Figure 6d The display panel 430 has a polymer layer 440, a support plate 450, and a reinforcing plate 470 on its rear surface 4302. In an embodiment, the window layer 410, polarizing layer 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, and reinforcing plate 470 can be attached to each other by bonding members P1, P2, P3, and P4 (or adhesive). In an embodiment, the support plate 450 can be attached by bonding members to the reinforcing plate disposed between the support plate 450 and the housings 110 and 120 (e.g., ...). Figure 4a (Reinforcing plate 470 in the embodiment). In an embodiment, reinforcing plate 470 may be attached to first support member 1131 and / or second support member 1231 by means of a bonding member (e.g., bonding member P5). In an embodiment, window layer 410 may include a first layer 411 made of polymer (e.g., PET layer or TPU layer) and a second layer 412 (e.g., UTG layer) disposed below the first layer 411 and made of glass. In an embodiment, polarizing layer 420 may not be included.

[0084] In an embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the digital converter 460 may be disposed between the support plate 450 and the reinforcing plate 470, or may replace the reinforcing plate 470 and be disposed below the support plate 450.

[0085] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the flexible display 400 may be disposed in a first housing 110 and supported by a first side member 113 and a first support member 1131 extending from the first side member 113 into an internal space. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may be disposed in a second housing 120 and supported by a second side member 123 and a second support member 1231 extending from the second side member 123 into an internal space. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may include a curved portion 432 (e.g., COP or COF) disposed in a first edge region 401, wherein the curved portion 432 interacts with a fourth side surface of the second housing 120 (e.g., ...). Figure 1aCorrespondingly, the fourth side surface 123a) extends from the display panel 430 and curves toward the rear surface of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the curved portion 432 may be protected by a protective layer 431. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may be configured so as not to overlap with the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123 when viewed from above. In an embodiment, the curved portion 432 may be configured so as not to overlap with the second side member 123 when viewed from above.

[0086] In an embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is folded or unfolded (e.g., a folding operation), the layers constituting the flexible display 400 (e.g., window layer 410, POL 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470) are slidable (e.g., gliding). In an embodiment, sliding can be a sliding movement of the layers constituting the flexible display 400 relative to other layers when the flexible display 400 is folded in accordance with the folding operation of the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is folded, the amount of sliding (e.g., the amount of linear movement) can vary with the outermost layer (e.g., based on the folding operation of the flexible display 400). Figure 4a Layers located in the +Z direction are adjacent to each other and increase in number. For example, during the folding operation of the electronic device 100, compared with the POL 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450 and / or digitizer 460 located below the window layer 410, the window layer 410 located in the outermost layer of the flexible display 400 can be in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis F (e.g., ...). Figure 4a It has a greater degree of movement (or a greater amount of sliding movement or a greater degree of sliding movement) in the Y-axis direction.

[0087] According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is folded, the support plate 450 of the flexible display 400 may have a relatively smaller amount of sliding than other layers (e.g., the window layer or the display panel 430). In an embodiment, reference is made to... Figure 5 Based on the support plate 450, the flexible display 400 can be divided into a first layer S1 with a relatively large amount of sliding and a second layer S2 with a smaller amount of sliding than the first layer S1. In an embodiment, the first layer S1 may be located above the support plate 450 (e.g., in a structure based on...). Figure 4a (in the +Z direction). The second layer S2 may be located below the support plate 450 (e.g., in the +Z direction). Figure 4a(in the -Z direction). In an embodiment, the first layer S1 may include a window layer 410, a POL 420, a display panel 430, and / or a polymer layer 440 located above the support plate 450. In an embodiment, the second layer S2 may include a digital converter 460, a buffer member E, and / or a reinforcing plate 470 located below the support plate 450. In an embodiment, the first layer S1 may include the window layer 410, and the second layer S2 may include the display panel 430. For ease of description, the following description will be given assuming that the first layer S1 includes a layer located above the support plate 450 and the second layer S2 includes a layer located below the support plate 450.

[0088] In embodiments, the electronic device 100 may not include a protective cover (e.g., a decorative cover or protective frame) configured to make the edge regions (e.g., edges) 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 invisible from the outside. For example, in an electronic device 100 without a protective cover, the flexible display 400 may be supported by a first housing 110 and a second housing 120 and configured to make the edges visible from the outside. In this case, the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 may be susceptible to external foreign objects or external impacts. Protective materials (e.g., coatings) for protecting the flexible display 400 from external foreign objects or external impacts may be provided in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In embodiments, when a rigid protective material is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400, it can impede slippage between layers of the flexible display 400 that occurs during the folding operation of the electronic device 100. This could lead to buckling, twisting, misalignment, and reduced surface quality of the flexible display 400. In embodiments, when a soft protective material is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400, durability may be reduced compared to when a rigid protective material is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. According to embodiments of this disclosure, soft protective materials (e.g., a first protective material 491) and rigid protective materials (e.g., a second protective material 492) can be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, taking into account the degree of movement of each portion of the flexible display 400. For example, a first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surface of the first display portion having a relatively large degree of movement or a relatively large amount of deformation (e.g., any one of edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 or the portion facing side members 113 and 123), and a second protective material 492, which is harder than the first protective material 491, may be disposed on the side surface of the second display portion having a relatively small degree of movement or a relatively small amount of deformation (e.g., any one of edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 or the portion facing side members 113 and 123). Therefore, the first protective material 491 allows movement of the portion of the flexible display 400 having a large degree of movement or a large amount of deformation, and the second protective material 492 improves the durability of the portion of the flexible display 400 having a small degree of movement or a small amount of deformation.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 400 can be divided according to the degree of movement. In an embodiment, the flexible display 400 can be divided into a first display portion having a first degree of movement and a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. In an embodiment, the first display portion can be a first layer S1 having a relatively large amount of sliding and / or a relatively large amount of deformation, and the second display portion can be a second layer S2 having a relatively small amount of sliding and / or a relatively small amount of deformation. As described below, in an embodiment, the first display portion can be a folded portion 130c (e.g., a third region 130c) that folds or unfolds according to the rotation operation of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The second display portion can be a first planar portion 130a (e.g., a first region 130a) and a second planar portion 130b (e.g., a second region 130b) that remain flat during the rotation operation of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. As described below, in an embodiment, the first display portion (e.g., Figure 5 The first layer S1) can be a portion of the flexible display 400 that has a relatively large amount of sliding (or a relatively large degree of sliding movement), and the second display portion (e.g., Figure 5 The second layer (S2) in the flexible display 400 can be a portion of the layer with a relatively small amount of sliding. As described below, in an embodiment, the first display portion can be a region of the flexible display 400 facing the support members (e.g., the first support member 1131 and the second support member 1231) with a first degree of movement. The second display portion can be a region of the flexible display 400's rear surface region with a second degree of movement greater than the first degree of movement. The above examples can be configured as a single embodiment or through a combination of embodiments.

[0090] The first display portion and the second display portion are distinguished only for ease of description and do not need to be physically separated on the flexible display 400.

[0091] According to an embodiment, protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491 and second protective material 492) may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 to protect the side surfaces of the flexible display 400 (e.g., first edge region 401, second edge region 402, third edge region 403, and / or fourth edge region 404) from external impacts and foreign objects. In an embodiment, edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 may be the edges of layers of the flexible display 400 (e.g., window layer 410, POL 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470). In an embodiment, protective materials 491 and 492 may be located between the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400, the housings 110 and 120, and / or the side members 113 and 123.

[0092] In embodiments, protective materials 491 and 492 may have different properties depending on the degree of movement of the flexible display 400, and protective materials 491 and 492 may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In embodiments, the first protective material 491, which is configured to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the first display portion, and the second protective material 492, which is configured to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the second display portion, may have different properties. In embodiments, the side surfaces of the first display portion (e.g., any one of the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 or the portions facing the side members 113 and 123) and the side surfaces of the second display portion (e.g., any one of the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 or the portions facing the side members 113 and 123) may be the portions of the first and second display portions facing the side members 113 and 123, respectively. In embodiments, the first protective material 491 may be relatively softer than the second protective material 492 to accommodate movement of the first display portion. The second protective material 492 may be relatively harder than the first protective material 491 to ensure the durability of the side surfaces of the second display portion. In an embodiment, the first protective material 491 may have a first modulus. The second protective material 492 may have a second modulus higher than that of the first protective material 491. In an embodiment, "modulus" may be Young's modulus. Modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in a material when the material undergoes linear elastic deformation. The first modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the first protective material 491 when the first protective material 491 undergoes linear elastic deformation. The second modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the second protective material 492 when the second protective material 492 undergoes linear elastic deformation. In an embodiment, as the modulus increases, the deformation caused by external impact may be relatively reduced. In addition, as the modulus increases, the protective material may become relatively harder. The second protective material 492, having a modulus higher than that of the first protective material 491 (e.g., the second modulus), may be harder than the first protective material 491. Optionally, the first protective material 491 may be softer than the second protective material 492. In embodiments, the hardness of the protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, fourth protective material 494, fifth protective material, and sixth protective material) may be proportional to their modulus. In embodiments, the second protective material 492 may have a second hardness higher than the first hardness of the first protective material 491. In embodiments, the surface strength increases with increasing hardness of the protective materials 491, 492, 493, and 494. Therefore, the durability against external impacts can increase with increasing hardness.

[0093] In the embodiments, reference is made to Figure 5The protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491 and second protective material 492) may have different properties depending on the amount of sliding that occurs in each layer constituting the flexible display 400, and protective materials 491 and 492 may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surface of a first layer S1 (e.g., a first display portion) having a relatively large amount of sliding. The second protective material 492 may be disposed on the side surface of a second layer S2 (e.g., a second display portion) having a smaller amount of sliding than the first layer S1. The first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 are adapted to the sliding between the layers of the flexible display 400 caused by the operation of folding or unfolding the electronic device 100 (e.g., a folding operation), thereby reducing the occurrence of defects (such as buckling) caused by sliding, which may help improve the surface quality of the flexible display 400. In addition, the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 can protect the edge areas 401, 402, 403 and 404 of the flexible display 400 from external impacts and foreign objects.

[0094] In an embodiment, to simplify the process, the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 of the flexible display 400 may be filled only with a first protective material 491 having soft properties.

[0095] Figure 6a Is it along Figure 1a The line 6a-6a is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6b Is it along Figure 1a The line 6b-6b is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6c Is it along Figure 1a The lines 6c-6c in the diagram are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6d Is it along Figure 1a The line 6d-6d in the diagram is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6e Is it along Figure 1a The line 6d-6d in the diagram is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows the relationship with... Figure 6d The area in this embodiment is expanded compared to the area occupied by the third protective material 493 disposed between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430.

[0096] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 6a and Figure 6bAs shown, the flexible display 400 may include a first planar portion 130a, a second planar portion 130b, and a folding portion 130c, wherein the folding portion 130c is configured to fold by the folding operation of the electronic device 100 when connecting the first planar portion 130a and the second planar portion 130b, which are not deformed by the folding operation of the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the protective material may have different properties depending on the degree of movement of the flexible display 400, and the protective material may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, referring to... Figure 6a A soft first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surface of the folded portion 130c, which performs movement to a greater extent than the planar portions 130a and 130b. In an embodiment, reference is made to... Figure 6b A rigid second protective material 492 can be applied to the side surfaces of the first planar portion 130a and the second planar portion 130b, which move to a lesser extent than the folding portion 130c. Because the first protective material 491 is relatively softer than the second protective material 492, the first protective material 491 can protect the side surfaces of the folding portion 130c from external impacts and foreign objects without hindering the folding operation of the flexible display 400. Additionally, the second protective material 492 can protect the side surfaces of the first planar portion 130a and the second planar portion 130b from external impacts and foreign objects. Because the second protective material 492 is relatively harder than the first protective material 491, the second protective material 492 can protect the side surfaces of the first planar portion 130a and the second planar portion 130b with a higher strength than the side surfaces of the folding portion 130c.

[0097] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 6a and Figure 6b As shown, when viewed vertically (e.g., based on...) Figure 6a When viewed in the -Z direction, the edges of the layers of the flexible display 400 (e.g., window layer 410, POL 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470) can be aligned with each other. Each layer of the flexible display 400 may have a structure made by integrally cutting at least one of edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. For example, in the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 where no slippage occurs, the layers at the edges of the flexible display 400 can be aligned with each other when the flexible display 400 is viewed vertically.

[0098] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 6c As shown, protective material can be disposed in the third edge region 403 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, refer to... Figure 6cThe first protective material 491 may be disposed in the third edge region 403 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the second protective material 492 may be disposed in the third edge region 403 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, as... Figure 5 As shown, in the third edge region 403 of the flexible display 400, a first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surface of the first layer S1 located above the support plate 450, and a second protective material 492 may be disposed on the side surface of the second layer S2 located below the support plate 450.

[0099] In an embodiment, in the third edge region 403, the layers may be misaligned when the flexible display 400 is viewed in the vertical direction. For example, refer to... Figure 6c The edge of the support plate 450 may protrude further than the edges of other layers (e.g., window layer 410 and display panel 430). Therefore, when an external impact is applied to a surface of each side member 113 and 123 facing the third edge region 403 (e.g., first side surface 113a), the impact applied to the other layers of the flexible display 400 can be mitigated when the edge of the support plate 450 collides with the other layers of the flexible display 400.

[0100] According to the embodiments, as shown in Table 1, the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 may have the following physical properties.

[0101] [Table 1]

[0102] In an embodiment, the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 may be made of acrylic polyurethane material. In an embodiment, the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 may be cured by at least one of natural curing, thermosetting, and UV curing. In an embodiment, the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 of the flexible display 400 may be closer to the side members 113 and 123 than the first edge region 401 and the third edge region 403 where slippage occurs. In an embodiment, the first edge region 401 and the third edge region 403 may be spaced apart from the side members 113 and 123 at a predetermined interval to accommodate slippage between the layers of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, reference... Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6cIn the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404, the shortest distance (a2-a1) between the side members 113 and 123 and the first protective material 491 located on the side surface of the folded portion 130c may be equal to or longer than the shortest distance (a4-a3) between the side members 113 and 123 in the second edge region 402 and the second protective material 492 located on the side surface of the planar portions 130a and 130b (e.g., any one of the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 or the portion facing the side members 113 and 123). In an embodiment, the shortest distance (a2-a1) between the side members 113 and 123 and the first protective material 491 located on the side surface of the folded portion 130c (e.g., any one of the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 or the portion facing the side members 113 and 123) may be shorter than the shortest distance (a4-a3) between the side members 113 and 123 and the second protective material 492 located on the side surface of the planar portions 130a and 130b. In an embodiment, the shortest distance (b2-b1) between the side members 113, 123 and the protective material (e.g., the first protective material 491) located in the third edge region 403 may be longer than the shortest distance (a2-a1) between the side members 113, 123 and the first protective material 491 located on the side surface of the folded portion 130c and the shortest distance (a4-a3) between the side members 113, 123 and the second protective material 492 located on the side surface of the planar portions 130a, 130b. In an embodiment, the shortest distance (c) between side members 113 and 123 and the fourth protective material 494 located on the curved portion 432 in the first edge region 401, which will be described below, may be longer than the shortest distance (a2-a1) between side members 113 and 123 and the first protective material 491 located on the side surface of the folded portion 130c, and the shortest distance (a4-a3) between side members 113 and 123 and the second protective material 492 located on the side surfaces of the planar portions 130a and 130b. The intervals between the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 and the side members 113 and 123 may be smaller than the intervals between the first edge region 401 and the side members 113 and 123, and the intervals between the third edge region 403 and the side members 113 and 123. According to an embodiment, as Figure 6dAs shown, a third protective material 493 and a fourth protective material 494 may be disposed in a first edge region 401 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the third protective material 493 may be disposed between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430. In an embodiment, the fourth protective material 494 may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 430. The fourth protective material 494 can ensure the durability of the curved portion 432 against external impacts. In an embodiment, the third protective material 493 may have a third modulus, and the fourth protective material 494 may have a fourth modulus higher than the third modulus. The third modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the third protective material 493 when the third protective material undergoes linear elastic deformation. The fourth modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the fourth protective material 494 when the fourth protective material undergoes linear elastic deformation. In an embodiment, the third protective material 493 may include a first protective material 491. In an embodiment, the fourth protective material 494 may include a second protective material 492.

[0103] According to an embodiment, when the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 is filled with a fourth protective material 494, natural sliding between the layers of the flexible display 400 caused by the folding operation is suppressed, and buckling occurs on the flexible display 400, which may reduce the surface quality of the flexible display 400. Specifically, buckling may occur on the flexible display 400 when the window layer 410, which has a sliding distance longer than the other layers, is physically connected to the space in the display panel 430 via a second protective material 492. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, as Figure 6d As shown, the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 (e.g., including the space containing POL 420) can be filled with a third protective material 493. Because the third protective material 493 accommodates the sliding between the layers of the flexible display 400 caused by the folding and unfolding operations of the electronic device 100, the third protective material 493 can reduce the occurrence of defects such as buckling, which can improve the surface quality of the flexible display 400.

[0104] According to the embodiments, as shown in Table 2, the third protective material 493 and the fourth protective material 494 may have the following physical properties.

[0105] [Table 2]

[0106] In an embodiment, the third protective material 493 and the fourth protective material 494 may be made of acrylic polyurethane material. In an embodiment, the third protective material 493 and the fourth protective material 494 may be cured by at least one of natural curing, heat curing, and ultraviolet curing. In an embodiment, when the fourth protective material 494 is disposed and cured in the curved portion 432 before the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 is filled with the third protective material 493, the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 may be filled with the fourth protective material 494. In this case, the fourth protective material 494 may impede the sliding of the window layer 410. Therefore, after the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 is filled with the third protective material 493 and the third protective material 493 is cured, the fourth protective material 494 may be disposed in the curved portion 432 and cured. According to an embodiment, as Figure 6d and Figure 6e As shown, the area occupied by the third protective material 493 in the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 can vary depending on the amount of sliding of the window layer 410. Furthermore, the thickness of the fourth protective material 494 coated on the curved portion 432 can vary depending on the required durability of the curved portion 432. For example, Figure 6d The spacing W1 between the edge of the middle window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 of the third protective material 493 can be less than Figure 6e The spacing W′1 between the edge of the middle window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 of the third protective material 493. Additionally, applied to... Figure 6d The thickness W2 of the fourth protective material 494 on the curved portion 432 can be greater than that applied to Figure 6e The thickness W'2 of the fourth protective material 494 on the curved portion 432. In summary, the spacing W1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494, and the thickness W2 of the fourth protective material 494, can be determined with consideration for the durability of the curved portion 432 rather than... Figure 6d A predetermined example of the amount of sliding occurring in the window layer 410. For example, the spacing W1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 can be approximately 230 μm, and the thickness W2 of the fourth protective material 494 can be approximately 200 μm. Figure 6eIn this context, the spacing W′1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494, and the thickness W′2 of the fourth protective material 494, can be predetermined examples that take into account the amount of sliding of the window layer 410 rather than the durability of the bent portion 432. For example, the spacing W′1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 can be about 460 μm, and the thickness W′2 of the fourth protective material 494 can be about 110 μm.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 400 may be supported by a first support member 1131 extending from a first side member 113 and a second support member 1231 extending from a second side member 123. In an embodiment, protective materials (e.g., a fifth protective material and a sixth protective material) may be disposed between the flexible display 400 and the support members (e.g., the first support member 1131 and the second support member 1231). In an embodiment, the space between the flexible display 400 and the support members 1131 and 1231 may be filled with protective material. In an embodiment, the first display portion may be a region of the flexible display 400 facing the support members (e.g., the first support member 1131 and the second support member 1231) with a first degree of movement. The second display portion may be a region of the flexible display 400 on the rear surface with a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. For example, the first display portion may be a folded portion 130c of the flexible display 400, and the second display portion may be planar portions 130a and 130b.

[0108] In an embodiment, a fifth protective material having a fifth modulus may be disposed between the first display portion and the support members 1131 and 1231. The fifth modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the fifth protective material when it undergoes linear elastic deformation. A sixth protective material having a sixth modulus higher than the fifth modulus may be disposed between the second display portion and the support members 1131 and 1231. The sixth modulus may represent the ratio of stress to strain in the sixth protective material when it undergoes linear elastic deformation. In an embodiment, the fifth protective material may be the same as the first protective material 491 or the third protective material 493. The sixth protective material may be the same as the second protective material 492 or the fourth protective material 494. In an embodiment, because the first display portion has a relatively greater degree of movement than the second display portion, the fifth protective material disposed on the first display portion may be disposed more sparsely or at greater intervals than the sixth protective material disposed on the second display portion. Conversely, because the second display portion has a relatively smaller degree of movement than the first display portion, the sixth protective material disposed on the second display portion can be disposed more densely or at smaller intervals than the fifth protective material disposed on the first display portion. Therefore, the fifth and sixth protective materials can improve the durability of the flexible display 400 against external impacts applied to the electronic device 100 and accommodate the movement of the flexible display 400 relative to the support members 1131 and 1231.

[0109] According to an embodiment, during the folding operation of the electronic device 100, the window layer 410 located on the outermost layer of the flexible display 400 can be in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis F (e.g., Figure 4a The flexible display 400 has a greater degree of movement (or a greater amount of sliding movement) in the Y-axis direction than the POL 420, display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470 located below the window layer 410. In embodiments, protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, fourth protective material 494, fifth protective material, and / or sixth protective material) can accommodate sliding between the layers constituting the flexible display 400, but can generate a predetermined level of resistance against sliding. Therefore, it may be ideal that no protective material is provided on the side surface of the window layer 410 where a large amount of sliding occurs. Specifically, the first edge region 401 and the third edge region 403 of the flexible display 400 may be areas that slide according to the folding operation of the electronic device 100. In embodiments, refer to the description below. Figure 10In the first edge region 401 and / or the third edge region 403, a protective material (e.g., a first protective material 491) may not be applied to the side surface of the window layer 410 (e.g., the first layer 411). In an embodiment, the protective material may not be applied to the side surface of the window layer 410 (e.g., the first edge region 401, the second edge region 402, the third edge region 403, and the fourth edge region 404) of the flexible display 400. Because the protective material of the flexible display 400 does not impede the sliding of the window layer 410, buckling that occurs during the folding operation of the electronic device 100 when sliding is impeded can be prevented. Additionally, in the flexible display 400, the protective material is applied to the side surface of the layer located below the window layer 410, which improves durability against external impacts. However, the above description does not exclude embodiments in which the protective material is applied to the side surface of the window layer 410. In an embodiment, the protective material may be applied to the side surface of the window layer 410.

[0110] Figure 7a This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molded portion and protective member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are disposed between the curved portion and the side member of the flexible display. Figure 7b and Figure 7c This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of applying a molded portion and a protective member to a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 6d , Figure 6e and Figure 7a As shown, the electronic device 100 may include a molded portion 510 disposed within a second housing 120 and configured to surround a curved portion 432. In an embodiment, in a first edge region 401 of the flexible display 400, the molded portion 510 may be configured to surround the edge of a layer (e.g., window layer 410) stacked on the top surface of the display panel 430, the edge of a layer (e.g., polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470) stacked on the rear surface 4302, and the curved portion 432. In an embodiment, the molded portion 510 may be configured to surround a side surface of the flexible display 400. For example, the molded portion 510 may be configured to surround a first edge region 401, a second edge region 402, a third edge region 403, and a fourth edge region of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the molded portion 510 may be configured to surround at least one of edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In one embodiment, the portion between the flexible display 400 and the support members 1131 and 1231 may be filled with the molded portion 510.

[0112] In one embodiment, the curved portion 432 may be located within a molded portion 510 formed by curing a liquid molding liquid injected into the periphery of the first edge region 401 of the flexible display 400. In another embodiment, the molded portion 510 may be formed by curing a molding liquid injected via a molding syringe. For example, the molding liquid may be cured by at least one of natural curing, thermal curing, and UV curing. In another embodiment, when the molding liquid is cured, the molded portion 510 may be made of a material having a molding modulus value of about 10 MPa or less (e.g., a soft molding liquid). In yet another embodiment, when the molding liquid is cured, the molded portion 510 may be made of a material having a molding modulus value of about 5 MPa or less. In yet another embodiment, when the molding liquid is cured, the molded portion 510 may be made of a material having a molding modulus value of about 1 MPa or less. In yet another embodiment, the molded portion 510 may be formed by curing a silicone-based molding liquid. In an embodiment, because the molded portion 510 accommodates sliding between layers of the flexible display 400 (e.g., window layer 410 and display panel 430) caused by the folding and unfolding operations of the electronic device 400, the molded portion 510 can reduce the occurrence of defects such as buckling, which can help improve the surface quality of the flexible display 400.

[0113] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 7a and Figure 7c As shown, the electronic device 100 may include a protective member (e.g., a rigid body) 520 at least partially embedded in the molded portion 510. In an embodiment, reference is made to... Figure 7b The protective member 520 may include a plate portion 521, a first curved portion 522 curved from the upper end of the plate portion 521 in the direction of the curved portion 432 (e.g., the y-axis direction), and a second curved portion 523 curved from the lower end of the plate portion 521 in the direction of the curved portion 432 (e.g., the y-axis direction). In an embodiment, the plate portion 521 may have a first length L1 in the x-axis direction and a first height H in the z-axis direction. In an embodiment, the first length L1 may be equal to or longer than the second length of the curved portion 432 in the x-axis direction (e.g., ...). Figure 7a The second length L2 in the middle.

[0114] In an embodiment, the width of the first curved portion 522 and the width of the second curved portion 523 may be equal to or different from each other. In an embodiment, the first curved portion 522 and / or the second curved portion 523 may be bent at right angles. In an embodiment, the first curved portion 522 and the second curved portion 523 may be bent to have obtuse or acute angles relative to the plate portion 521. In an embodiment, the first curved portion 522 and / or the second curved portion 523 may be configured as a planar or curved surface. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be formed to have a first length L1 in the x-axis direction.

[0115] In the embodiments, reference is made to Figure 7c The protective member 520 may be configured such that, when viewed from the outside (e.g., in the y-axis direction) of the second side member 123, the plate portion 521 at least overlaps with the bent portion 432. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be configured to be spaced apart from the bent portion 432 at a specified interval. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the protective member 520 may be formed to surround at least a portion of the bent portion 432. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be formed as… "Shape." In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may have a modulus value higher than at least one of the first modulus of the first protective material 491, the second modulus of the second protective material 492, the third modulus of the third protective material 493, and the fourth modulus of the fourth protective material 494. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be made of a material having strength for improving the durability of the bent portion 432 against external impacts. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may include at least one of metal (e.g., SUS), PC, and FRP (e.g., CFRP and / or GFRP). In an embodiment, the protective member 520 protects the bent portion 432, which may help improve the durability of the flexible display 400.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the layers of the flexible display 400 (e.g., display panel 430, polymer layer 440, support plate 450, digitizer 460, and / or reinforcing plate 470) may be formed with a normal stepped structure to be uniformly applied in the first edge region 401 when molding liquid for forming the molded portion 510 is injected. In an embodiment, layers 430, 440, 450, and 470 may each be disposed in the first edge region 401 such that, when the flexible display 400 is viewed from above, the edges of the layers are disposed below layers 430, 440, 450, and 470. For example, in the first edge region 401, when the flexible display 400 is viewed from above, the polymer layer 440 may be positioned closer to the curved portion 432 than the display panel 430. In an embodiment, in the first edge region 401, when the flexible display 400 is viewed from above, the support plate 450 may be positioned closer to the curved portion 432 than the polymer layer 440.

[0117] In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be configured such that a first length L1 in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) is equal to or longer than a second length L2 of the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the first length L1 of the protective member 520 may be equal to or shorter than the total length L3 of the flexible display 400 in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction). For example, the first length L1 of the protective member 520 may be longer than the second length L2 of the curved portion 432 and shorter than the total length L3 of the flexible display 400 in the width direction. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may include fixing guides 520a and 520b extending from two opposite ends of the plate portion 521, respectively.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the space including the curved portion 432 and the protective member 520 can be filled with a molding liquid. For example, the space including the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 400 can be filled with a molding liquid, and the molding liquid can be cured into the molding portion 510 by at least one of natural curing, heat curing, and ultraviolet curing. According to an embodiment, after the molding liquid has been cured, the fixing guides 520a and 520b protruding from the two opposite ends of the molding portion 510 can be removed by a cutting process.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be configured to face at least one of a first edge region 401, a second edge region 402, a third edge region 403, and a fourth edge region 404 of the flexible display 400. In another embodiment, the protective member 520 may be configured to face all edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. Therefore, the protective member 520 may be disposed in the molding portion 510 and configured to face the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400, thereby protecting the flexible display 400 from external impacts.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be disposed in protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, and fourth protective material 494) disposed in the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be configured such that, taking into account the degree of movement of the flexible display 400, protective materials with relatively low modulus (e.g., first protective material 491 and third protective material 493) may be sparsely disposed or disposed at large intervals, and protective materials with relatively high modulus (e.g., second protective material 492 and fourth protective material 494) may be densely disposed or disposed at small intervals.

[0121] In an embodiment, where the protective member 520 is made of a metallic material, the protective member 520 can be used as a radiator for an antenna. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the protective member 520 can be electrically connected to a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a transceiver) disposed in the internal space of the electronic device 100 (e.g., the internal space of the first housing 110 and / or the second housing 120), such that the protective member 520 can be used as a preset antenna for transmitting or receiving radio signals in at least one specified frequency band.

[0122] In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may be made of a conductive material and electrically connected to at least one of the first housing 110, the second housing 120, and ground, which are disposed within the internal space of the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the protective member 520 may guide charges introduced into the electronic device 100 or generated within the electronic device 100 to ground, the first housing 110, and / or the second housing 120. In an embodiment, charges introduced between the side members 113 and 123 and the flexible display 400 may be guided via the second curved portion 523 to ground of the support members (e.g., the first support member 1131 and / or the second support member 1231) and / or the peripheral structure (e.g., the substrate). In an embodiment, charges generated within the electronic device 100 may be guided via the protective member 520 to ground of the support members (e.g., the first support member 1131 and / or the second support member 1231) and / or the peripheral structure (e.g., the substrate). Therefore, malfunctions of the electronic device 100 caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD) resulting in the release of charges to peripheral electronic components can be reduced.

[0123] According to an embodiment, when the protective member 520 is made of metal, it can serve as a dummy conductor (e.g., a parasitic pattern or dummy pattern) for the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123, where the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123 serves as an antenna. In this case, the protective member 520 can be configured to have a capacitive coupling interval with the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123. Therefore, the protective member 520 can help improve the radiation performance (e.g., extend bandwidth) of the antenna operating through the first side member 113 and / or the second side member 123. In an embodiment, the antenna may also include a laser direct-formed (LDS) pattern, wherein the LDS pattern is disposed within the internal space of the electronic device 100, disposed on the antenna carrier or substrate, and disposed at a location that can be coupled to the protective member 520.

[0124] Figure 8a This is a schematic diagram illustrating an experimental process of dropping a ball onto the front surface of a flexible display 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8b This is a schematic diagram illustrating a Charpy impact test on the side surface of a flexible display 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] In an embodiment, Figure 8a The ball drop test can be used to identify when a ball b with a predetermined strength is directed toward the front surface of the flexible display 400 (e.g., in...). Figure 4aThe drop ball test is an experiment to assess the degree to which an impact is applied to edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 when a ball is dropped onto a surface (pointing to the +Z direction). In an embodiment, the drop ball test may be an experiment performed under the assumption that an impact is applied to the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 on the front surface of the electronic device 100. For example, Figure 8a The ball drop test can be an experiment used to identify the durability of the flexible display 400 by changing the distance between the flexible display 400 and the ball b. The durability of the flexible display 400 can increase with the increase of the distance between the flexible display 400 and the ball b. Table 3, which will be described below, shows the results of identifying the durability of the first display portion covered by the first protective material 491 and the second display portion covered by the second protective material 492 when a ball b with a predetermined strength falls toward the front surface of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the drop distance in Table 3 can be the maximum drop distance within the range where the flexible display 400 will not be damaged. The result values ​​in Table 3 can be determined under the premise of using the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 having the physical properties shown in Table 1.

[0126] [Table 3]

[0127] In this embodiment, the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 may be located in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In this case, the planar portions 130a and 130b spaced apart from the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 may have constant durability regardless of the configuration of the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. For example, as shown in Table 3, the falling distance of the ball b, which does not cause damage to the planar portions, may be constant at approximately 14 cm, regardless of the configuration of the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In the embodiments, as shown in Table 3, when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of ball b that does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 can be approximately 17 to 19 cm. Conversely, when the protective material (e.g., the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492) is not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of ball b that does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 can be approximately 11 cm. When the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of the ball b, which does not cause damage to the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, can be increased by approximately 55% to 73% compared to the case where the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In summary, it can be determined that when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400, durability is increased compared to the case where the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In an embodiment, when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the folded portion 130c, the falling distance of the ball b, which does not cause damage to the folded portion 130c, can be approximately 12 cm. Conversely, when protective materials 491 and 492 are not provided in the folded portion 130c, the falling distance of ball b, which does not damage the folded portion 130c, can be approximately 6 cm. When the first protective material 491 is provided on the folded portion 130c, compared to the case where protective materials 491 and 492 are not provided on the folded portion 130c, the falling distance of ball b, which does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, can be increased by approximately 100%.In summary, it can be determined that when the first protective material 491 is provided on the folded portion 130c of the flexible display 400, the durability is increased compared to when the protective materials 491 and 492 are not provided on the folded portion 130c.

[0128] In the embodiments, as shown in Table 3, when the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of ball b that does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 can be approximately 18 cm to 25 cm. Conversely, when the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of ball b that does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 can be approximately 11 cm. When the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the falling distance of ball b that does not damage the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 can be increased by approximately 64% to 127% compared to when the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In summary, it can be determined that when the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 of the flexible display 400, the durability is increased compared to when the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404.

[0129] In an embodiment, Figure 8bA Charpy test can be illustrated assuming an impact is directly applied to the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. In an embodiment, the Charpy test can be an experiment performed under the assumption that an impact is applied to the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 on the side surface of the electronic device 100. The Charpy test can apply an impact to a first protective material 491 and a second protective material 492 disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 by means of a rotatable Charpy device H. Table 4, described below, shows the results of identifying the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H within the range where the flexible display 400 will not be damaged, both when the first protective material 491 and / or the second protective material 492 are disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 and when the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400. The durability of the flexible display 400 can increase with the increase of the rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H. The results in Table 4 can be determined under the premise of using the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492 having the physical properties shown in Table 1.

[0130] [Table 4]

[0131] In the embodiments, as shown in Table 4, when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 40° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. Conversely, when the protective materials (e.g., the first protective material 491 and the second protective material 492) are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 27° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. It can be determined that when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H increases by approximately 48% compared to the case where the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In summary, it can be determined that when the first protective material 491 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the durability of the flexible display 400 increases in the edge regions. In the embodiment, as shown in Table 4, when the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 32° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. Conversely, when the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 27° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. It can be determined that when the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H increases by approximately 19% compared to the case where the protective materials 491 and 492 are not disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In summary, it can be determined that when the second protective material 492 is disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, the durability of the flexible display 400 increases in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404. In the embodiment, Table 5 shows the results of the drop ball test and the Charpy test with the fourth protective material 494 disposed on the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 400. Figure 6d As shown, the 'Experiment 1' described below can be the result of a drop ball test and a Charpy test performed on the bent portion 432 of the flexible display 400 when the spacing W1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 is about 230 μm and the thickness W2 of the fourth protective material 494 is about 200 μm. Figure 6eAs shown, 'Experiment 2', which will be described below, can be the result of a drop ball test and a Charpy test performed on the bent portion 432 of the flexible display 400, with the spacing W′1 of the third protective material 493 between the edge of the window layer 410 and the edge of the fourth protective material 494 being approximately 460 μm and the thickness W′2 of the fourth protective material 494 being approximately 110 μm. The result values ​​in Table 5 can be determined under the premise of using the third protective material 493 and the fourth protective material 494 having the physical properties shown in Table 2.

[0132] [Table 5]

[0133] In the embodiments, as shown in Table 5, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432 under the conditions of "Experiment 1", the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 can be approximately 21 cm. Conversely, when the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432, the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 can be approximately 7 cm. It can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432, the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 increases by approximately 200% compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432. In summary, it can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 400, the durability increases compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432. In the embodiment, as shown in Table 5, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432 under the conditions of "Experiment 2", the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 can be approximately 15 cm. Conversely, when the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432, the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 can be approximately 7 cm. It can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432, the falling distance of the ball b that does not damage the curved portion 432 increases by approximately 114% compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432. In summary, it can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 400, the durability increases compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the curved portion 432. In the embodiments, as shown in Table 5, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432 under the conditions of "Experiment 1", the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 12° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. Conversely, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 6° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. It can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H increases by approximately 100% compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the bent portion 432. In summary, it can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the durability of the flexible display 400 is increased in the bent portion 432.

[0134] In the embodiments, as shown in Table 5, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432 under the conditions of "Experiment 2", the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 11° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. Conversely, when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H can be 6° within the range where the flexible display 400 is not damaged. It can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the maximum rotation angle θ of the Charpy device H increases by approximately 83% compared to the case where the fourth protective material 494 is not provided on the bent portion 432. In summary, it can be determined that when the fourth protective material 494 is provided on the bent portion 432, the durability of the flexible display 400 is increased in the bent portion 432.

[0135] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first protective material 491, the second protective material 492, the third protective material 493, and the fourth protective material 494 are adapted to the sliding between the layers of the flexible display 400 caused by the operation of folding or unfolding the electronic device 100 (e.g., folding operation), thereby reducing the occurrence of defects such as buckling, which can help improve the surface quality of the flexible display 400. Additionally, the first protective material 491, the second protective material 492, the third protective material 493, and the fourth protective material 494 can protect the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 from external impacts and foreign objects.

[0136] Figure 9a Is it along Figure 1a The line 6d-6d in the diagram is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, that is, a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the window layer 410 of the flexible display 400 extends toward the curved portion 432. Figure 9b This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the window layer 410 of the flexible display 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure extends toward the side surface of the flexible display 400.

[0137] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 9a As shown, the edges 4111 and 4121 of window layer 410 (e.g., the edge 4111 of the first layer 411 and the edge 4121 of the second layer 412) can be configured to have a larger size when overlapping or including the curved portion 432 when the flexible display 400 is viewed from above. In an embodiment, when the flexible display 400 is viewed from above, the edge 4111 of the first layer 411 may extend to have a size that at least overlaps with or includes the curved portion 432. Black matrix (BM) (e.g., Figure 9a and Figure 9bThe BM (Browser Beam) can be printed on the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410. For example, the BM can be printed on the edge 4111 of the first layer 410. In this case, when the flexible display is viewed from above, the curved portion 432 can be covered by the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410.

[0138] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 9b As shown, the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410 located in the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 may protrude further than the edges of the layers located below the window layer 410, wherein there is no slippage in the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 due to the folding operation of the electronic device 100 in the flexible display 400. For example, the edges of the layers located below the window layer 410 may be included in the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410. In an embodiment, the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410 extending from the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404 may serve as guides such that when the portion between the flexible display 400 and the side members 113 and 123 is filled with the first protective material 491 and / or the second protective material 492 by the injection device N, the first protective material 491 and / or the second protective material 492 are applied to the edges of each layer of the flexible display 400. In this embodiment, BM can be printed on the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410 located in the second edge region 402 and the fourth edge region 404. In this case, when the flexible display is viewed from above, the first protective material 491 and / or the second protective material 492 can be covered by the edges 4111 and 4121 of the window layer 410. Therefore, the problem of visually identifying the first protective material 491 and / or the second protective material 492 from the front of the electronic device 100 can be solved.

[0139] Figure 10 This is a view illustrating the process of filling the side surface of a portion of the window layer 410 and the side surface of a layer disposed below the window layer 410 with a protective material in the edge region of a flexible display 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 10As shown, the method of applying protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, and / or fourth protective material 494) to the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 may include the steps of placing the window layer 410 of the flexible display 400 on the guide jig J, and the step of injecting the protective material into the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 400 using the injection device N. In an embodiment, the position of the flexible display 400 may be fixed by the guide jig J. For example, the position of the flexible display 400 can be fixed when the window layer 410 is placed on the guide jig J. As described above, the amount of sliding of the window layer 410 located on the outermost layer of the flexible display 400 may be greater than the amount of sliding of other layers. Specifically, the amount of sliding of the first layer 411 of the window layer 410 may be greater than the amount of sliding of the second layer 412. Therefore, the construction where no protective material is applied to the side surface of the window layer 410 can cause the window layer 410 or the first layer 411 of the window layer 410 to slide naturally, which can facilitate the folding operation of the flexible display 400. Therefore, the guide jig J may have a groove formed to receive the first layer 411 of the window layer 410. Because the first layer 411 of the window layer 410 is located in the groove of the guide jig J, when the protective material is injected into the side surface of the flexible display 400 by the injection device N, no protective material can be applied to the side surface of the first layer 411. Therefore, the protective material can be applied only to the side surface of the layer located below the window layer 410. Because the protective material of the flexible display 400 does not hinder the sliding of the first layer 411, buckling that occurs when sliding is hindered during the folding operation of the electronic device 100 can be prevented. Furthermore, in the flexible display 400, the application of protective material to the side surface of the layer located below the first layer 411 improves durability against external impacts. The description has already been given without any protective material being applied to the first layer 411. However, it is possible that no protective material is applied to the side surface of the window layer 410. In this case, with the window layer 410 of the flexible display 400 located in the groove of the guide jig J, the protective material can be applied to the side surface of the flexible display 400.

[0141] The above description assumes that the reinforcing plate 470 is positioned below the support plate 450 of the flexible display 400. Figure 5 , Figures 6a to 6e , Figure 7a and Figures 8a to 10 However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In embodiments, the digital converter 460 may be disposed between the support plate 450 and the reinforcing plate 470, or may be disposed below the support plate 450 instead of the reinforcing plate 470.

[0142] Figure 11a This is a top plan view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 11b This is a side view of an electronic device in a folded state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0143] The following will describe the basis and reference. Figures 1a to 10 The electronic device 100 is described, along with different embodiments of the electronic device 600. For the purpose of description... Figure 11a Electronic device 600 in, and Figure 1a Components of the electronic device 100 that are substantially the same as those in the accompanying drawings will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted. Additionally, refer to... Figures 1a to 10 The description of the protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, fourth protective material 494, fifth protective material and / or sixth protective material) can be equivalently applied to references. Figure 11a The described electronic device 600. For example, the flexible display 640 can be divided according to the degree of movement (e.g., Figure 4a (Flexible display 640 in the embodiment). In this embodiment, the flexible display 640 may be divided into a first display portion having a first degree of movement and a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. The protective material may have different properties depending on the degree of movement of the flexible display 640, and the protective material may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 of the flexible display 640.

[0144] Reference Figure 11a and Figure 11b The electronic device 600 may include a first housing 610, a second housing 620 connected to the first housing 610 and configured to be folded about a first folding axis F1 via a first hinge device (not shown) on one side of the first housing 610, and a third housing 630 connected to the first housing 610 and configured to be folded about a second folding axis F2 via a second hinge device (not shown) on the other side of the first housing 610. In an embodiment, the electronic device 600 may include a flexible display 640 extending from at least a portion of the second housing 620 to at least a portion of the third housing 630 when traversing the first housing 610. In an embodiment, the flexible display 640 may be configured to be supported by the first housing 610, the second housing 620, and the third housing 630.

[0145] According to an embodiment, in a folded state (fully folded state), the electronic device 600 is operable such that the first housing 610 faces the second housing 620 and the third housing 630 faces the second housing 620. For example, in the folded state, the electronic device 600 is operable such that when the first housing 610 is viewed from above, the first housing 610, the second housing 620, and the third housing 630 at least partially overlap each other. In an embodiment, in the folded state, the electronic device 600 is operable such that the second housing 620 is stacked on top of the first housing 610, and the third housing 630 is sequentially stacked on top of the second housing 620. In an embodiment, in the folded state, the flexible display 640 can be bent in such a manner that the corresponding areas of the first housing 610 and the second housing 620 face each other (e.g., inward folding). In an embodiment, the flexible display 640 can be bent in such a manner that the corresponding areas of the first housing 610 and the third housing 630 face each other (e.g., inward folding). In this configuration, the flexible display 640, in its folded state, may include a first folded region 640a formed by folding the first housing 610 and the second housing 620, and a second folded region 640b formed by folding the first housing 610 and the third housing 630. In one embodiment, in the folded state, the curvature of the first folded region 640a may be greater than the curvature of the second folded region 640b. In another embodiment, in the folded state, the radius of curvature of the first folded region 640a may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the second folded region 640b.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 640 can be divided according to the degree of movement. In an embodiment, the flexible display 640 can be divided into a first display portion having a first degree of movement and a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. In an embodiment, the first display portion can be a folded region (e.g., a first folded region 640a and a second folded region 640b) that folds or unfolds according to the rotational operation of the first housing 610, the second housing 620, and the third housing 630, and the second display portion can be a first planar portion 611, a second planar portion 621, and a third planar portion 631 that remain flat during the folding operation of the electronic device 600.

[0147] In embodiments, the flexible display 640 may have a large degree of movement (or a large amount of deformation) in the first folding region 640a and the second folding region 640b. For example, the flexible display 640 may include a first planar portion 611 corresponding to the first housing 610, a second planar portion 621 corresponding to the second housing 620, and a third planar portion 631 corresponding to the third housing 630. The first planar portion 611, the second planar portion 621, and the third planar portion 631 may be regions that remain substantially planar without deformation during the folding operation of the electronic device 600. During the folding operation of the electronic device 600, the first folding portion 640a and the second folding portion 640b may have a greater degree of movement or deformation than the first planar portion 611, the second planar portion 621, and the third planar portion 631. In embodiments, a first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the first folding region 640a and the second folding region 640b. The second protective material 492 may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 640, excluding the first folded region 640a and the second folded region 640b. The first protective material 491 is adaptable to the movement of the first folded region 640a and the second folded region 640b of the flexible display 640 and improves the durability of the side surfaces of the first folded region 640a and the second folded region 640b. The second protective material 492 improves the durability of the remaining edge regions 401, 402, 403, and 404 of the flexible display 640, excluding the folded regions 640a and 640b.

[0148] In this embodiment, the first display portion may be a first layer S1 with a relatively large amount of sliding, and the second display portion may be a second layer S2 with a relatively small amount of sliding. The first layer S1 may include a support plate (e.g., Figure 4a The layer above the support plate 450 in the middle (e.g., Figure 4a The second layer S2 can be a layer located below the support plate (e.g., window layer 410, POL 420, display panel 430, and polymer layer 440). Figure 4a The digital converter 460, the buffer member E, and / or the reinforcing plate 470 are included. In an embodiment, a relatively soft first protective material 491 may be disposed on the side surface of the first layer S1, which has a large amount of sliding. A relatively hard second protective material 492 may be disposed on the side surface of the second layer S2, which has a smaller amount of sliding than the first layer S1.

[0149] In an embodiment, the space between the window layer 410 and the display panel 430 (e.g., including the space containing the POL) may be filled with a third protective material 493 (e.g., Figure 6dThe third protective material 493 (in the context of the third protective material 493). Because the third protective material 493 accommodates the sliding between layers of the flexible display 600 caused by the folding and unfolding operations of the electronic device 600, the third protective material 493 can reduce the occurrence of defects (such as buckling), which can improve the surface quality of the flexible display. In an embodiment, a fourth protective material 494 (e.g., Figure 6d The fourth protective material 494 can be configured to surround the curved portion 432 of the flexible display 600. The fourth protective material 494 can ensure the durability of the curved portion 432 against external impacts.

[0150] In an embodiment, the first display portion may be a region of the flexible display 640 facing the rear surface region of the first housing 610, the second housing 620, and the third housing 630, having a first degree of mobility. The second display portion may be a region of the flexible display 640's rear surface region having a second degree of mobility greater than the first degree of mobility. In an embodiment, a fifth protective material may be disposed between the first display portion and the housings 610, 620, and 630. A sixth protective material may be disposed between the second display portion and the housings 610, 620, and 630. In an embodiment, the fifth protective material may be softer than the sixth protective material. In an embodiment, because the first display portion has a relatively greater degree of mobility than the second display portion, the fifth protective material disposed on the first display portion may be disposed more sparsely or at larger intervals than the sixth protective material disposed on the second display portion. Conversely, because the second display portion has a relatively smaller degree of mobility than the first display portion, the sixth protective material disposed on the second display portion may be disposed more densely or at smaller intervals than the fifth protective material disposed on the first display portion. Therefore, the fifth and sixth protective materials improve the durability of the flexible display 640 against external impacts applied to the electronic device 600 and accommodate the movement of the flexible display 640 relative to the housings 610, 620, and 630. Furthermore, the protective materials can be disposed at various locations on the flexible display 640.

[0151] Figure 12a This is a top plan view of an electronic device in a slid-in state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12b Is it along Figure 12a The lines 12b-12b are cross-sectional views of electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12c This is a top plan view of an electronic device in a slide-out state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12d Is it along Figure 12c The line 12d-12d in the diagram is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0152] The following will describe the basis and reference. Figures 1a to 10 The electronic device 100 is described, along with different embodiments of the electronic device 700. For the purpose of description... Figure 12a Electronic device 700 in, and Figure 1a Components of the electronic device 100 that are substantially the same as those in the accompanying drawings will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted. Additionally, refer to... Figures 1a to 10 The description of the protective materials (e.g., first protective material 491, second protective material 492, third protective material 493, fourth protective material 494, fifth protective material and / or sixth protective material) can be equivalently applied to references. Figure 12a The described electronic device 700. For example, the flexible display 730 can be divided according to the degree of movement (e.g., Figure 4a (Flexible display 400 in the embodiment). In this embodiment, the flexible display 730 may be divided into a first display portion having a first degree of movement and a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. The protective material may have different properties depending on the degree of movement of the flexible display 730, and the protective material may be disposed in the edge regions 401, 402, 403 and 404 of the flexible display 730.

[0153] Reference Figures 12a to 12d The electronic device 700 may include a first housing 710 and a second housing 720 coupled to be slidable from the first housing 710 in a specified direction and reciprocating distance. In an embodiment, the electronic device 700 may include a flexible display 730, wherein the flexible display 730 is fixed to at least a portion of the second housing 720 and configured to change its display area by sliding into or out of the interior space 7101 of the first housing 710 according to a sliding operation of the second housing 720. For example, when the second housing 720 is slid out of the first housing 710 in a first direction (e.g., direction ①), the flexible display 730 may have a first display area. In an embodiment, when the second housing 720 is slid inward in a second direction (e.g., direction ②) opposite to the first direction (e.g., direction ①), the flexible display 730 may have a second display area smaller than the first display area.

[0154] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 730 may include a first planar portion 730a fixed to a second housing 720, a curved portion 730b extending from the first planar portion 730a, and a second planar portion 730c extending from the curved portion 730b. The curved portion 730b is configured such that it is exposed and visible from the outside in a slid-out state, and is not visible from the outside in a slid-in state by bending into the interior space 7101 of the first housing 710. The second planar portion 730c is located within the interior space 7101 of the first housing 710 and is never exposed. In this embodiment, the curved portion 730b of the flexible display 730 needs to have durability capable of maintaining surface quality while adapting to user pressure in the slid-out state, and the curved portion 730b of the flexible display 730 needs to have excellent flexibility in the slid-in state, allowing it to flexibly bend into the interior space 7101 of the first housing 710.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 730 can be divided according to the degree of movement. In an embodiment, the flexible display 730 can be divided into a first display portion having a first degree of movement and a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement. In an embodiment, the first display portion can be a curved portion 730b that bends through a sliding operation of the first housing 710 and the second housing 720. The second display portion can be a first planar portion 730a and a second planar portion 730b that remain flat during a sliding operation of the electronic device 700. In an embodiment, a first protective material 491 can be disposed on the side surface of the curved portion 730b. A second protective material 492 can be disposed on the side surface of the first planar portion 730a and the side surface of the second planar portion 730b. The first protective material 491 can accommodate the movement of the curved portion 730b of the flexible display 730 and improve the durability of the side surface of the curved portion 730b. The second protective material 492 can improve the durability of the side surfaces of the first planar portion 730a and the second planar portion 730b of the flexible display 730.

[0156] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a hinge device 140; a first housing 110 connected to the hinge device; a second housing 120 connected to the hinge device for rotatability relative to the first housing; and a flexible display 400 supported by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the flexible display includes: a first display portion having a first degree of movement according to rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing; a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement according to rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing; a first protective material 491 positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the first display portion and having a first modulus; and a second protective material 492 positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the second display portion and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0157] Additionally, the first display portion may include a folding portion 130c configured to fold or unfold according to the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, with a first protective material located on the side surface of the folding portion 130c, and the second display portion may include planar portions 130a and 130b configured to remain planar during the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, with a second protective material located on the side surfaces of the planar portions 130a and 130b.

[0158] Additionally, the flexible display may include multiple layers, the first display portion may include a first layer S1 of the multiple layers and be located above the second display portion, the second display portion may include a second layer S2 of the multiple layers located below the first layer, the first protective material may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the first layer, and the second protective material may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the second layer.

[0159] Additionally, the first layer may include a window layer 410, and the second layer may include a display panel 430 located below the window layer.

[0160] Additionally, the flexible display may include a support plate 450, with a first layer located above the support plate and a second layer located below the support plate.

[0161] In addition, when the flexible display is viewed in the vertical direction, the first layer, the second layer, and the support plate can be aligned with each other on at least one edge.

[0162] Additionally, the flexible display may include a window layer 410, a display panel 430 disposed below the window layer, a planar portion of the display panel, and a curved portion 432 extending from the planar portion toward the rear surface of the display panel. A first protective material may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the window layer, and a second protective material may be positioned to partially cover at least a portion of the curved portion.

[0163] Additionally, the electronic device may include side members 113 and 123, configured to define at least a portion of the side surface of the electronic device and configured to surround the side surface of the flexible display, and the flexible display may include: a window layer 410, a display panel 430 disposed below the window layer, a curved portion 432 extending from a planar portion of the display panel toward a rear surface of the display panel, a first edge region 401 therein where the curved portion is located, a second edge region 402 extending vertically from the first edge region, a third edge region 403 extending from the second edge region in a direction parallel to the first edge region, and a fourth edge region 404 extending from the third edge region to the first edge region.

[0164] Additionally, the electronic device may include a third protective material 493 located on at least a portion of the side surface of the window layer, between the window layer and the display panel.

[0165] Additionally, the electronic device may include a fourth protective material 494, positioned to cover at least a portion of the curved portion.

[0166] Additionally, the first display portion may include a folding portion 130c, which is configured to fold or unfold according to the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, and a first protective material is located on the side surface of the folding portion 130c. The second display portion may include planar portions 130a and 130b, which are configured to remain planar during the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, and a second protective material is located on the side surfaces of the planar portions 130a and 130b. The shortest distance (a2-a1) between the side member on the side surface of the folding portion in the second edge region and the first protective material may be longer than the shortest distance (a4-a3) between the side member on the side surface of the planar portion in the second edge region and the second protective material.

[0167] Additionally, the first display portion may include a folding portion 130c, which is configured to fold or unfold according to the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, and a first protective material is located on the side surface of the folding portion 130c. The second display portion may include planar portions 130a and 130b, which are configured to remain planar during the rotational operation of the first housing and the second housing, and a second protective material is located on the side surfaces of the planar portions 130a and 130b. The shortest distance (c) between the side member of the curved portion and the fourth protective material may be longer than the shortest distance (a2-a1) between the side member of the folding portion and the first protective material located in the second edge region and the fourth edge region, and the shortest distance (a4-a3) between the side member of the planar portion and the second protective material located in the second edge region and the fourth edge region.

[0168] In addition, the first protective material may have a first hardness, and the second protective material may have a second hardness higher than the first hardness.

[0169] Additionally, the electronic device may include: side members 113 and 123, configured to define at least a portion of the side surface of the electronic device and configured to surround the side surface of the flexible display; support members 1131 and 1231, extending from the side members and located below the flexible display; a fifth protective material located between the first display portion and the support members; and a sixth protective material located between the second display portion and the support members and having a modulus higher than that of the fifth protective material.

[0170] In addition, the first protective material may be the same as the fifth protective material, and the second protective material may be the same as the sixth protective material.

[0171] In addition, the edges of the window layer in the second and fourth edge regions may protrude more towards the side members than the edges of the multiple layers of the flexible display disposed below the window layer.

[0172] Additionally, the edge of the window layer may extend toward the side member so that when the flexible display is viewed vertically, the edge of the window layer at least partially overlaps with the curved portion.

[0173] Additionally, the electronic device may include: a molded portion 510 configured to surround at least some of the first edge region, second edge region, third edge region, and fourth edge region; and at least one protective member 520 embedded in the molded portion and configured to surround at least some of the first edge region, second edge region, third edge region, and fourth edge region.

[0174] An electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first housing 110; a second housing 120; a hinge device 140 configured to connect the first housing and the second housing, such that the first housing and the second housing are folded; and a flexible display 400 supported by the first housing and the second housing and including a plurality of layers, wherein the flexible display may include: a first layer S1 having a first sliding movement amount according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing; a second layer S2 having a second sliding movement amount less than the first sliding movement amount according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, and located below the first layer; a first protective material 491 positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the first layer and having a first modulus; and a second protective material 492 positioned to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the second layer and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0175] An electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first housing 110; a second housing 120; a hinge device 140 configured to connect the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing are foldable; and a flexible display 400 supported by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the flexible display may include: a folding portion 130c configured to bend according to a folding operation of the first housing and the second housing; planar portions 130a and 130b configured to remain planar during a folding operation of the first housing and the second housing; a first protective material 491 located on at least a portion of the side surface of the folding portion and having a first modulus; and a second protective material 492 located on at least a portion of the side surface of the planar portion and having a second modulus higher than the first modulus.

[0176] The flexible display 400 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be divided into a first display portion and a second display portion according to the degree of movement or the amount of deformation. A soft protective material (e.g., a first protective material 491) can be disposed on the side surface of the first display portion (e.g., a folded portion 130c of the flexible display or a layer among the multiple layers of the flexible display with a relatively large degree of movement) having a relatively large degree of movement. A hard protective material (e.g., a second protective material 492) can be disposed on the side surface of the second display portion (e.g., planar portions 130a and 130b of the flexible display or a layer among the multiple layers of the flexible display with a relatively small amount of movement) having a relatively small degree of movement. Therefore, in the flexible display 400, movement or deformation of the portion having a relatively large degree of movement or a relatively large amount of deformation is permitted, and the durability of the portion having a relatively large degree of movement or a relatively large amount of deformation can be improved by the soft first protective material 491. In the flexible display 400, the durability of the portion having a relatively small degree of movement or a relatively small amount of deformation can be improved by the hard second protective material 492.

[0177] A foldable electronic display according to at least one embodiment may include a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being arranged adjacent to the second layer such that an edge is formed where the first layer and the second layer meet, the foldable display further including: a first protective material arranged to cover a first region of the edge; and a second protective material arranged to cover a second region of the edge.

[0178] The first protective material may cover both the first and second layers. The second protective material may cover both the first and second layers.

[0179] The first and second layers may include a window layer, a polarizing layer, a display panel, a polymer layer, a support plate, and a reinforcing plate. The display may include additional layers.

[0180] In the foldable electronic display according to an embodiment, the first protective material has a first modulus, and the second material has a second modulus greater than the first modulus. It is possible that the second protective material is relatively harder than the first protective material. It is possible that the elasticity of the second protective material is relatively less than the elasticity of the first protective material. It is possible that the first protective material experiences greater elastic deformation under an equivalent load than the second protective material. It is possible that, when measured in a direction parallel to the edge, the first protective material experiences greater elastic deformation under an equivalent load than the second protective material.

[0181] In the foldable electronic display according to the embodiment, it is possible that the foldable electronic display is arranged to have a greater degree of movement in a first region than in a second region. The foldable electronic display may be arranged to bend, hinge, or otherwise deform in the first region. In use, the second region may remain relatively rigid compared to the first region. The first region may correspond to a hinge member supporting the foldable electronic display. The second region may correspond to one or more support members supporting the foldable electronic display and attached to the hinge member.

[0182] In a portion of the second region of the foldable electronic display, the first layer may include a curved portion extending beyond the second layer and surrounding an edge, and a third protective material is disposed to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the curved portion. The third protective material may have a third modulus different from the first and second moduli. A fourth protective material may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the curved portion. The fourth protective material may have a fourth modulus different from the first, second, and third moduli.

[0183] The electronic device according to at least one embodiment may include the foldable electronic display as described above. The electronic device may also include a housing supporting the foldable electronic display. The housing may include a hinge member corresponding to a first region of the edge. The housing may include one or more support members corresponding to a second region of the edge. The housing may include a side member arranged adjacent to at least one of the first and second protective materials on the side of the protective material opposite to the display. It is possible that the side member does not contact the protective material.

[0184] It should be understood that all the above embodiments and their technical features can be combined with each other in each combination unless there is a conflict between the two embodiments or features. That is, each combination of two or more of the above embodiments is contemplated and included within this disclosure. One or more features from the embodiments can be incorporated into any other embodiment, and provide corresponding one or more advantages.

[0185] In addition, various effects that can be directly or indirectly identified through this document may be provided.

[0186] The effects obtained through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Claims

1.An electronic device comprising: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge device configured to foldably connect the first housing and the second housing; and a flexible display supported by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the flexible display comprises: a first display portion having a first degree of movement based on a folding and unfolding operation of the first housing and the second housing; a second display portion having a second degree of movement less than the first degree of movement based on the folding and unfolding operation of the first housing and the second housing; a first protective material covering at least a portion of a side surface of the first display portion, the first protective material having a first modulus; and a second protective material covering at least a portion of a side surface of the second display portion, the second protective material having a second modulus greater than the first modulus. the first display portion includes a folding portion configured to be folded or unfolded together according to the folding and unfolding operation of the first housing and the second housing, the first protective material is located on a side surface of the folding portion, and 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the second display portion includes a planar portion, wherein the planar portion is configured to remain planar during the folding and unfolding operation of the first housing and the second housing, the second protective material is located on a side surface of the planar portion. the flexible display comprises a plurality of layers, 3.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the first display portion is located on an upper portion of the second display portion and comprises a first layer of the plurality of layers, wherein the second display portion comprises a second layer of the plurality of layers located below the first layer, wherein the first protective material is positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the first layer, and wherein the second protective material is positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the second layer. the first layer comprises a window layer, and the second layer comprises a display panel located below the window layer. 4.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein, the flexible display comprises a support plate, 5.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein wherein the first layer is located on an upper portion of the support plate, and wherein the second layer is located on a lower portion of the support plate. the first layer, the second layer, and the support plate are aligned with each other at at least one edge when viewed in a perpendicular direction of the flexible display. 6.The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, the flexible display comprises a window layer, a display panel disposed below the window layer, and a curved portion extending from a planar portion of the display panel toward a rear surface of the display panel, 7.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein wherein the first protective material is positioned to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the window layer, and wherein the second protective material is positioned to cover at least a portion of the curved portion. a side member configured to form at least a portion of the electronic device and surround a side surface of the flexible display, 8.The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the flexible display comprises: a window layer, a display panel disposed below the window layer, and a curved portion extending from a planar portion of the display panel toward a rear surface of the display panel, a first edge area in which the curved portion is located, a second edge area extending from the first edge area in a perpendicular direction, a third edge area extending from the second edge area in a direction parallel to the first edge area, and a fourth edge area extending from the third edge area to the first edge area. ​ 9.The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising: a third protective material located on at least a portion of a side surface of the window layer and between the window layer and the display panel, and a fourth protective material positioned to cover at least a portion of the curved portion. 10.The electronic device of claim 9, wherein, The first display portion includes a folding portion configured to be folded or unfolded together according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, a first protective material located on a side surface of the folding portion, wherein the second display portion includes a planar portion configured to remain planar during the folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, a second protective material located on a side surface of the planar portion, and a shortest distance (a2-a1) between the first protective material located at the side surface of the folding portion in the second edge area and the fourth edge area and the side member located at the side surface of the folding portion is greater than a shortest distance (a4-a3) between the second protective material located at the side surface of the planar portion and the side member in the second edge area and the fourth edge area. 11.The electronic device of claim 10, wherein The first display portion includes a folding portion configured to be folded or unfolded together according to folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, a first protective material located on a side surface of the folding portion, wherein the second display portion includes a planar portion configured to remain planar during the folding and unfolding operations of the first housing and the second housing, a second protective material located on a side surface of the planar portion, and a shortest distance (c) between the fourth protective material located at the curved portion and the side member is greater than a shortest distance (a2-a1) between the first protective material located at the side surface of the folding portion in the second edge area and the fourth edge area and a shortest distance (a4-a3) between the second protective material located at the side surface of the planar portion and the side member in the fourth edge area. 12.The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a side member configured to form at least a portion of a side surface of the electronic device and to surround a side surface of the flexible display; a support member extending from the side member so as to be located below the flexible display; a fifth protective material located between the first display portion and the support member; and a sixth protective material located between the second display portion and the support member, the sixth protective material having a modulus higher than a modulus of the fifth protective material. The first protective material is the same as the fifth protective material, and the second protective material is the same as the sixth protective material. 13.The electronic device of claim 12, wherein, An edge of the window layer in the second edge area and the fourth edge area protrudes more toward the side member than an edge of a plurality of layers of the flexible display disposed below the window layer. 14.The electronic device of claim 8, wherein The edge of the window layer extends toward the side member such that, when the flexible display is viewed perpendicularly, at least a portion of the edge of the window layer overlaps the curved portion. 15.The electronic device of claim 8, wherein The first protective material located at the side surface of the folding portion in the second edge area and the fourth edge area and the side member located at the side surface of the folding portion in the second edge area and the fourth edge area are spaced apart from each other by a distance (a2-a1) that is greater than a distance (a4-a3) between the second protective material located at the side surface of the planar portion and the side member in the second edge area and the fourth edge area.

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