Hinge module and electronic device comprising same

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device including a hinge module may be provided. The foldable electronic device may comprise: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge module for coupling the first housing and the second housing so as to be rotatable about a folding axis; and a flexible display. The hinge module includes: a first rotation member; a first arm member which rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis with respect to an axis different from the first axis and the second axis; a first connection member for connecting the first rotation member and the first arm member; and a first wing plate positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member and the first arm member and rotating according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device. In addition, according to various other embodiments, a hinge module and a foldable electronic device including the same may be provided.

Description

Hinge module and electronic device including the same

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electronic devices, for example, hinge modules and electronic devices including the same.

[0002] With the advancement of electronics, information, and communication technologies, a variety of functions are being integrated into a single electronic device. For example, smartphones incorporate functions such as audio playback, imaging, and electronic notebooks in addition to communication functions. Furthermore, the installation of additional applications allows smartphones to offer even more diverse functions.

[0003] As the use of personal, portable electronic devices such as smartphones becomes more widespread, user demand for portability and ease of use is increasing. For example, touchscreen displays serve as output devices, such as screens, for displaying visual information, while also providing a virtual keyboard that replaces physical input devices (e.g., keypads). Furthermore, electronic devices with flexible displays, such as foldable or rollable displays, have become commercially available to provide enhanced usability (e.g., larger screens).

[0004] The above information may be provided as background information to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device including a hinge module may include: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge module rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis; and a flexible display. The hinge module may include a first rotation member including a first rotation element configured to rotate about a first axis, a second rotation element configured to rotate about a second axis, and a reciprocating element configured to linearly reciprocate a first wing plate in a direction perpendicular to the first and second axes; a first arm member configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first and second axes; a first connecting member connecting the first rotation member and the first arm member; and a first wing plate positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member and the first arm member and rotating in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge module can be provided. The hinge module includes a first rotation member including a first rail that rotates about a first axis and has a convex shape in a first direction, a second rail that rotates about a second axis and has a convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction or a first pin hole formed on the second axis, and a third rail that has an opening shape; a rotation bracket including a first rotation guide hole for guiding the first rail; a first arm member including a first cam portion that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first and second axes and a first arm rail that slides in response to the rotation of the first cam portion; a first connecting member including a first guide rail that guides the second rail or a second pin hole aligned with the first pin hole, a second guide rail that guides the first arm rail, and a fourth rail; And a first wing plate positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member, and including a first protrusion that slides on the third rail and a second protrusion that slides on the fourth rail.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing, a hinge module that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis, and a flexible display. The hinge module comprises a first rotation member including a first rail that rotates about a first axis and has a convex shape in a first direction, a second rail that rotates about a second axis and has a convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction or a first pin hole formed on the second axis, and a third rail in the form of an opening, a second rotation member including a sixth rail that rotates about a third axis and has a convex shape in a third direction, a seventh rail that rotates about a fourth axis and has a convex shape in a fourth direction different from the third direction or a third pin hole formed on the fourth axis, and an eighth rail in the form of an opening, a first arm member that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first axis and the second axis, a second arm member that rotates in response to the rotation of the third axis about an axis different from the third axis and the fourth axis, and a first rotation member and the first The foldable electronic device may include a first connecting member connecting the arm members, a second connecting member connecting the second rotating member and the second arm member, a first wing plate positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member and rotating in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device, and a second wing plate positioned to cover at least a portion of the second rotating member and the second arm member and rotating in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0008] The above-described aspects or other aspects, configurations and / or advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be further clarified by the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a hinge module arranged on a lower surface of a display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 8b is a front view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8c is a drawing showing a top view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8d is a cross-sectional view showing a surface on which a wing plate is mounted and a third rail cut from a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9b is a drawing showing a top view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 9c is a drawing showing a fourth rail of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 10A is a drawing showing a top view of a female member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10b is a front view of a female member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wing plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 12A is a drawing showing a hinge module with the wing plate removed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 12b is a drawing showing a hinge module including a wing plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 13b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a hinge module in an intermediate state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 14b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge module in an intermediate state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 15b is a cross-sectional view of a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 16A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 16b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 16a taken along the line AA' according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 16c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 16a taken along the DD' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 17A is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 17b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 17a taken along the line AA' according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 17c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 17a taken along the DD' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 18A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 18b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 18a taken along the BB' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 18c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 18a taken in the CC' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 19A is a drawing showing a hinge module when the electronic device is in an intermediate state between an unfolded state and a folded state, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 19b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 19a taken along the BB' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 19c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 19a taken in the CC' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 20A is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 20b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 20a taken along the BB' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 20c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 20a taken in the CC' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 21A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 21b is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 22A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 22b is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 23a is a perspective view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 23b is a perspective view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 24b is a drawing showing a side view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 24c is a drawing showing a rear view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 25a is a perspective view showing a state in which a rotating member and a connecting member are combined according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 25b is a drawing showing a state in which a rotating member and a connecting member are combined according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Throughout the attached drawings, similar reference numbers may be assigned to similar parts, components and / or structures.

[0061] The following description, with reference to the attached drawings, is provided to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. While it includes numerous specific details to aid understanding, these should be considered merely exemplary. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0062] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to their literary meanings and are used solely by the inventors to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Therefore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0063] Singular forms such as "a," "an," and "the" may be understood to include plural entities unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes one or more of those surfaces.

[0064] In foldable electronic devices including flexible displays, reducing and / or preventing wrinkles in the display is considered an important task. To solve the above task, the design of the hinge module may be important. As hinge modules, a U-shaped hinge module in which components included in the hinge module are spread out in a U shape and face each other when folded, and a dumbbell-shaped (or water drop-shaped) hinge module in which components included in the hinge module form a negative angle (e.g., -5 degrees) when folded have been disclosed. In addition, among the U-shaped hinge module and the dumbbell-shaped hinge module, the dumbbell-shaped hinge module is known to be effective in reducing wrinkles and advantageous in reducing lifting phenomenon at the contact area between screens.

[0065] A dumbbell-shaped hinge module may require a motion in which a portion (e.g., a plate) supporting the display leans back to support the display when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, while providing space for the display to bend when the electronic device is in a folded state. A conventionally disclosed dumbbell-shaped hinge module includes a rotating rail structure in the portion supporting the display as a configuration for implementing the motion, and the rotating rail structure may occupy space in the width direction of the electronic device. In addition, the rotating rail structure may be a constraint on the effective arrangement of components included in the electronic device.

[0066] In the present disclosure, various embodiments are provided that can improve the operating structure of a hinge module and substantially expand a placement area for arranging components in a foldable electronic device including a dumbbell-shaped hinge module.

[0067] The technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which this document belongs from the description below.

[0068] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0069] Electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0070] The various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present disclosure, each of the phrases "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" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0071] The term "module" as used herein may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or portion of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0072] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separately arranged in other components. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to one embodiment, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0073] It should be understood that the blocks and combinations of flowcharts in each flowchart can be performed by one or more computer programs containing computer-executable instructions. The entirety of one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device, or the one or more computer programs may be divided into different parts stored in multiple different memory devices.

[0074] The functions or tasks described herein may be performed by a single processor or multiple processors. The single processor or multiple processors are circuits that perform processing, and include circuits such as an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless-fideity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth™ chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, a connectivity chip, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a fingerprint sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), an integrated circuit (IC), and the like.

[0075] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device (100) may include a foldable housing (102) (hereinafter, housing (102)) for accommodating a component of the electronic device (100) (e.g., hinge module (180) of FIG. 3), and a flexible or foldable display (130) (hereinafter, display (130)) disposed within the space formed by the housing (102).

[0077] According to one embodiment, the housing (102) may include a first housing (110) and a second housing (120).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120) may form at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device (100). According to one embodiment, the surface on which the display (130) is visually exposed is defined as the front surface (e.g., the first front surface (110a) and the second front surface (120a)) of the electronic device (100) and / or the housing (102). And, the surface opposite to the front surface is defined as the back surface (e.g., the first back surface (110b) and the second back surface (120b)) of the electronic device (100). In addition, the surface surrounding at least a portion of the space between the front surface and the back surface is defined as the side surface (e.g., the first side surface (110c) and the second side surface (120c)) of the electronic device (100).

[0079] According to one embodiment, the first housing (110) can rotate with respect to the second housing (120) using a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module (180) of FIG. 3). Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can be changed into a folded state (e.g., FIG. 2) or an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 1). In the folded state, the first front surface (110a) can face the second front surface (120a), and in the unfolded state, the direction in which the first front surface (110a) faces can be the same as the direction in which the second front surface (120a) faces. For example, in the unfolded state, the first front surface (110a) can be positioned on substantially the same plane as the second front surface (120a). In one embodiment, the first housing (110) can provide relative motion to the second housing (120), and the second housing (120) can provide relative motion to the first housing (110).

[0080] According to one embodiment, the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be arranged on both sides with respect to the folding axis (A) as the center, and may have an overall symmetrical shape with respect to the folding axis (A). As described below, the angle between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be changed depending on whether the state of the electronic device (100) is an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state between the unfolded state and the folded state. According to one embodiment, the folding axis (A) may be a virtual axis located between (e.g., in the middle) a first axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5) and a third axis (e.g., the third axis (Ax3) of FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be rotatable relative to the hinge module (180) about different folding axes. For example, the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be each rotatably coupled to the hinge module (180) and may rotate about the folding axis (A) or about different folding axes, thereby rotating between a folded position to an inclined position relative to the other or an unfolded position parallel to the other.

[0081] In the present disclosure, the phrase "positioned parallel to each other" or "extending parallel to each other" may mean a state in which two structures (e.g., housing structures (110, 120)) are positioned at least partially next to each other, or a state in which at least portions positioned next to each other are arranged in parallel. In some embodiments, the phrase "positioned parallel to each other" may mean that two structures are positioned next to each other and are arranged to face in a parallel direction or the same direction. Although expressions such as "parallel" and "parallel" may be used in the detailed description below, this can be easily understood according to the shape or arrangement relationship of the structures with reference to the attached drawings, etc.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a hinge housing (140). The hinge housing (140) may be disposed between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) may be covered by a portion of the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) or may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device (100) depending on the state of the electronic device (100). According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) may protect a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module (180) of FIG. 3) from an external impact of the electronic device (100). According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) may be interpreted as a hinge cover for protecting the hinge module (180).

[0083] According to one embodiment, the angle or distance between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may vary depending on whether the state of the electronic device (100) is an extended state (flat state, unfolded state) (or opened state), a folded state (or closed state), or an intermediate state.

[0084] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the electronic device (100) is in an unfolded state, the hinge housing (140) may be covered by the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) and may not be exposed. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state), the hinge housing (140) may be exposed to the outside between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). According to one embodiment, when the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) are in an intermediate state where they are folded at a certain angle, the hinge housing (140) may be partially exposed to the outside between the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). However, in this case, the exposed area may be less than in the fully folded state. In one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) may include a curved surface.

[0085] In one embodiment, the display (130) may be a display in which at least a portion of the display can be transformed into a flat or curved surface. For example, the display (130) may be configured to be variable in response to the relative movement of the second housing (120) with respect to the first housing (110). According to one embodiment, the display (130) may include a folding area (133), a first display area (131) disposed on one side (e.g., above (in the +Y direction) of the folding area (133) illustrated in FIG. 1) with respect to the folding area (133), and a second display area (132) disposed on the other side (e.g., below (in the -Y direction) of the folding area (133) illustrated in FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the folding area (133) may be positioned on a hinge module (e.g., the hinge module (180) illustrated in FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the first display area (131) may be disposed on the first housing (110), and the second display area (132) may be disposed on the second housing (120). According to one embodiment, the display (130) may be disposed on the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). It can be accepted.

[0086] However, the division of the regions of the display (130) illustrated in FIG. 1 is exemplary, and the display (130) may be divided into a plurality of regions (for example, four or more or two) depending on the structure or function. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the regions of the display (130) may be divided by a folding region (133) extending parallel to the X-axis or a folding axis (A-axis), but in one embodiment, the display (130) may be divided into regions based on another folding region (for example, a folding region parallel to the Y-axis) or another folding axis (for example, a folding axis parallel to the Y-axis). According to one embodiment, the display (130) may be combined with or disposed adjacent to a touch detection circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the intensity (pressure) of a touch, and / or a digitizer configured to detect a magnetic field-type stylus pen.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a rear display (134). The rear display (134) may be arranged to face a different direction than the display (130). For example, the display (130) may be visually exposed through the front side of the electronic device (100) (e.g., the first front side (110a) and / or the second front side (120a)), and the rear display (134) may be visually exposed through the rear side of the electronic device (100) (e.g., the first rear side (110b)).

[0088] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include at least one camera (104, 106) and a flash (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a front camera (104) exposed through a front side (e.g., a first front side (110a)) and / or a rear camera (106) exposed through a rear side (e.g., a first rear side (110b)). The cameras (104, 106) may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, a flash, and / or an image signal processor. The flash (108) may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In some embodiments, two or more lenses (an infrared camera, a wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens) and image sensors may be arranged on one side of the electronic device (100).

[0089] Hereinafter, the operation of the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) and each area of ​​the display (130) according to the operating state (e.g., extended state and folded state) of the electronic device (100) will be described.

[0090] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an extended state (e.g., the state of FIG. 1), the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) form an angle of 180 degrees, and the first front surface (110a) and the second front surface (120a) of the display may be arranged to face the same direction, for example, to display the screen in a direction parallel to each other. In addition, the folding region (133) may form the same plane as the first front surface (110a) and the second front surface (120a). In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, the state of the electronic device (100) being an “extended state” may mean a “fully extended state” in which the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) of the electronic device form an angle of 180 degrees.

[0091] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state (e.g., the state of FIG. 2), the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be arranged to face each other. For example, when the electronic device (100) is in a folded state (e.g., the state of FIG. 2), the first front surface (110a) and the second front surface (120a) of the display (130) may form a narrow angle (e.g., between 0 and 10 degrees) with each other and face each other. When the electronic device (100) is in a folded state (e.g., the state of FIG. 2), the folding area (133) may form a curved surface having at least a predetermined curvature. The state of the electronic device (100) being a “closed state” may mean a state in which the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) of the electronic device form an angle of 0 degrees or an angle within 10 degrees.

[0092] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is in an intermediate state, the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) may be arranged to form a certain angle with respect to each other, for example, a 90 degree or 120 degree angle. For example, in the intermediate state, the first front surface (110a) and the second front surface (120a) of the display (130) may form an angle that is greater than that in the folded state and less than that in the unfolded state. The folding area (133) may be formed as a curved surface having at least a certain curvature, and the curvature at this time may be less than that in the folded state. The state of the electronic device (100) being an “intermediate state” may mean a state in which the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) form an angle between the angle formed in the “unfolded state” and the angle formed in the “closed state” of the first housing (110) and the second housing (120).

[0093] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a hinge module arranged on a lower surface of a display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] In the detailed description below, the length direction of the electronic device (100) may be defined as the 'Y-axis direction', the width direction as the 'X-axis direction', and / or the height direction (thickness direction) as the 'Z-axis direction'. In the detailed description below, references to the length direction, the width direction, and / or the height direction (or thickness direction) may indicate the length direction, the width direction, and / or the height direction (or thickness direction) of the electronic device. In some embodiments, with respect to the direction in which a component is oriented, 'negative / positive (- / +)' may be mentioned together with the rectangular coordinate system illustrated in the drawing. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the front of the electronic device (100) or the housing (102) may be defined as the 'side facing the +Z-axis direction', and the rear side may be defined as the 'side facing the -Z-axis direction'. According to one embodiment, the arrangement relationship in the height direction of a certain component or another component, for example, the reference of up / down, may follow the +Z-axis direction / -Z-axis direction. For example, when a component is said to be positioned on another component, it may mean that the component is positioned in the +Z-axis direction with respect to the other component, and when a component is said to be positioned under another component, it may mean that the component is positioned in the -Z-axis direction with respect to the other component. Meanwhile, it should be noted that even if a component is positioned on or under another component, it does not mean that the entire component is positioned on or under the entire components of the other component. For example, a part of a component may be positioned on top of a part of another component, but another part of the component may be positioned below another part of the other component. In one embodiment, when a component is said to be 'viewed from above', it may mean looking at the component from the +Z-axis direction toward the -Z-axis direction from a place that is a predetermined distance away from the component.Also, according to one embodiment, when a component is said to be 'viewed in the width direction of the electronic device', this may mean looking at the component from the -Z-axis direction toward the +Z-axis direction at a place spaced apart from the component by a predetermined distance. According to one embodiment, when a component is said to be 'facing a certain direction', it may be understood that not only does the component face 'the same direction as the certain direction', but also the component faces 'the direction parallel to the certain direction'. It should be noted that in the following description, when a component is said to be overlapped (or stacked) with another component, the description of the arrangement relationship in the height direction described above may be applied. In the description of the direction, if 'yin / yang (- / +)' is not described, it may be interpreted to include both the + direction and the - direction unless otherwise defined. For example, 'the Z-axis direction' may be interpreted to include both the +Z direction and the -Z direction. Likewise, the 'X-axis direction' can be interpreted to include both the +X direction and the -X direction, and the 'Y-axis direction' can be interpreted to include both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. In describing directions, referring to facing one of the three axes of the orthogonal coordinate system can include facing in a direction parallel to the axis. Hereinafter, in the description to be given below, the 'first direction' can mean the -Z-axis direction or a direction parallel to the -Z-axis, and the 'second direction' can mean the +Z-axis direction or a direction parallel to the +Z-axis. It should be noted that the above description is based on the orthogonal coordinate system described in the drawings for the sake of brevity of description, and the description of such directions or components does not limit the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic device (100) may include a housing (102) including a first housing (110), a second housing (120), a display (130), a hinge housing (140), a battery (150), a printed circuit board (160), a flexible printed circuit board (170), and a hinge module (180). The configuration of the first housing (110), the second housing (120), the display (130), and the hinge housing (140) of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be all or part of the same as the configuration of the first housing (110), the second housing (120), the display (130), and the hinge housing (140) of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0096] In one embodiment, the housing (102) may include a first support member (112) and a second support member (122). For example, the first housing (110) may include a first support member (112), and the second housing (120) may include a second support member (122). In one embodiment, the first support member (112) and / or the second support member (122) may support components of the electronic device (100) (e.g., a display (130), a battery (150), and a printed circuit board (160)). In one embodiment, the first support member (112) and the second support member (122) may be referred to as a 'first support bracket or first front' and a 'second support bracket or second front', respectively.

[0097] In one embodiment, the first support member (112) and / or the second support member (122) may be formed of a metallic material and / or a non-metallic (e.g., polymer) material. In one embodiment, the first support member (112) may be disposed between the display (130) and the battery (150). For example, the display (130) may be coupled to one surface of the first support member (112), and the battery (150) and the printed circuit board (160) may be disposed on the other surface.

[0098] In one embodiment, the housing (102) may include a first decor member (114) and a second decor member (124). For example, the first housing (110) may include a first decor member (114), and the second housing (120) may include a second decor member (124). In one embodiment, the decor members (114, 124) may protect the display (130) from external impact. For example, the first decor member (114) may surround at least a portion of a part of the display (130) (e.g., the first display area (131) of FIG. 1), and the second decor member (124) may surround at least a portion of another part of the display (130) (e.g., the second display area (132) of FIG. 1).

[0099] In one embodiment, the housing (102) may include a first back plate (116) and a second back plate (126). For example, the first housing (110) may include a first back plate (116) connected to a first support member (112), and the second housing (120) may include a second back plate (126) connected to a second support member (122). In one embodiment, the back plates (116, 126) may form a portion of the exterior of the electronic device (100). For example, the first back plate (116) may form a first back surface (e.g., the first back surface (110b) of FIG. 1), and the second back plate (126) may form a second back surface (e.g., the second back surface (120b) of FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the first battery (152) and the first printed circuit board (162) may be disposed between the first support member (112) and the first back plate (116), and the second battery (154) and the second printed circuit board (164) may be disposed between the second support member (122) and the second back plate (126).

[0100] In one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) can accommodate at least a portion of the hinge module (180). For example, the hinge housing (140) can include a receiving groove (142) for accommodating the hinge module (180). In one embodiment, the hinge housing (140) can be coupled with the hinge module (180). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) is unfolded, at least a portion of the hinge housing (140) can be positioned between the hinge module (180) and the housing (102).

[0101] According to one embodiment, the battery (150) is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device (100), and may include a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. The battery (150) may be integrally disposed within the electronic device (100), or may be detachably disposed with the electronic device (100). According to one embodiment, the battery (150) may include a first battery (152) disposed within a first housing (110) and a second battery (154) disposed within a second housing (120). For example, the first battery (152) may be disposed on a first support member (112), and the second battery (154) may be disposed on a second support member (122).

[0102] According to one embodiment, the printed circuit board (160) may be equipped with a processor, memory, and / or an interface. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor. The memory may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and / or an audio interface. The interface may electrically or physically connect the electronic device (100) to an external electronic device, and may include, for example, a USB connector, an SD card / MMC connector, or an audio connector. According to one embodiment, the printed circuit board (160) may include a first printed circuit board (162) disposed within a first housing (110) and a second printed circuit board (164) disposed within a second housing (120).

[0103] In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board (170) can electrically connect a component (e.g., a first printed circuit board (162)) located in the first housing (110) and a component (e.g., a second printed circuit board (164)) located in the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board (170) can cross the hinge housing (140). For example, a portion of the flexible printed circuit board (170) can be disposed within the first housing (110) and another portion can be disposed within the second housing (120). In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board (170) can include a first flexible printed circuit board (172) connected to an antenna and a second flexible printed circuit board (174) connected to a display (130).

[0104] According to one embodiment, the hinge module (180) may be connected to the first housing (110) and the second housing (120). According to one embodiment, the first housing (110) may be rotated relative to the second housing (120) using the hinge module (180). For example, the first housing (110) may be rotated about an axis parallel to the width direction of the electronic device (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5 below), and the second housing (120) may be rotated about another axis parallel to the axis about which the first housing (110) and / or the first rotation member (210) rotate (e.g., the third axis (Ax3) of FIG. 5 below). According to one embodiment, the hinge module (180) can rotatably connect the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) from a folded state (e.g., FIG. 2) to an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the hinge module (180) can include a plurality of hinge modules (180-1, 180-2) arranged in parallel. For example, the hinge module (180) can include a first hinge module (180-1) arranged on the hinge housing (140) and a second hinge module (180-2) arranged on the opposite side of the first hinge module (180-1) with respect to a center bar (181). According to one embodiment, the first hinge module (180-1) may be symmetrical with respect to a virtual line drawn in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of the electronic device (100) with respect to the second hinge module (180-2). Hereinafter, when describing the electronic device (100) including the hinge module (180) of the present disclosure, the description may be centered on the first hinge module (180-1), and the description of the first hinge module (180-1) may be applied to the second hinge module (180-2).

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to one embodiment, the hinge module (180) may include a rotating member (200), a connecting member (300), an arm member (400), and / or a wing plate (500). According to one embodiment, only the components of the rotating member (200), the connecting member (300), and the arm member (400), excluding the wing plate (500), may be referred to as a hinge module.

[0106] The rotating member (200) is a component that can rotate around two axes, and by rotating the rotating member (200), the rotating member can implement and / or guide the rotational motion of the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120). According to one embodiment, the rotating member (200) may include a first rotating member (210) that implements the rotational motion of the first housing (110) by rotating along one axis (the first axis (Ax1)) and a second rotating member (220) that implements the rotational motion of the second housing (120) by rotating along the other axis (the third axis (Ax3)). The first rotation member (210) includes two rotation elements (e.g., the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) of FIG. 6 below) each configured to move around different axes, one of which (e.g., the first rail (211) of FIG. 6 below) is configured to rotate around one axis (the first axis (Ax1)), and the other rotation element (e.g., the second rail (212) of FIG. 6 below) can be configured to rotate on a separate axis (the second axis (Ax2)) so that the display (130) can be naturally folded. The second rotation member (220) includes two rotation elements (e.g., the sixth rail (221) and the seventh rail (222) of FIG. 6 below) each configured to move around different axes, one of which (e.g., the sixth rail (221) of FIG. 6 below) is configured to rotate around the axis (the third axis (Ax3)), and the other rotation element (e.g., the seventh rail (222) of FIG. 6 below) can be configured to rotate on a separate axis (the fourth axis (Ax4)) so that the display (130) can be naturally folded.In addition, a wing plate (500) is arranged on one side of the rotating member (200) (e.g., the first mounting surface (213), the second mounting surface (223) of FIG. 6 below), and another rail (e.g., the third rail (214), the eighth rail (224) of FIG. 6 below) is formed on the rotating member (200) so that the wing plate (500) can be guided to slide linearly with respect to the rotating member (200).

[0107] The connecting member (300) is a component including two guide rails, and can be supported by a supporting member (e.g., the first supporting member (112), the second supporting member (122) of FIG. 3) included in the electronic device (100) on one side, and can connect the rotating member (200) and the arm member (400) on the other side. For example, the connecting member (300) is a component that is relatively long in the width direction of the electronic device (e.g., the X-axis direction), relatively short in the length direction of the electronic device (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and relatively thin in the height direction of the electronic device (e.g., the Z-axis direction), and the supporting member (e.g., the first supporting member (112), the second supporting member (122)) can be coupled to the lower surface, and the rotating member (200) and the arm member (400) can be arranged on the upper surface along the width direction of the electronic device (e.g., the X-axis direction). At this time, the rotating member (200) and the female member (400) can be arranged substantially on the same plane and parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of the electronic device.

[0108] The arm member (400) is a component including a cam shape, and can rotate about a linkage axis (hereinafter, the first linkage axis (Rx1) and the third linkage axis (Rx3) of FIG. 7) that is parallel to the axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) and the third axis (Ax3)) in response to rotation of the rotating member (200) about the axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) and the third axis (Ax3)). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform a detent behavior in which the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) stop at a predetermined angle with respect to each other by the arm member (400). For example, the female member (400) can maintain the first housing (110) and the second housing (120) at a certain angle, and at this time, the cam of the female member (400) can act as a resistance element that does not allow rotation unless an external force (e.g., a detent force) greater than a predetermined value is applied.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the connecting member (300) may include a first connecting member (310) and a second connecting member (320). The arm member (400) may include a first arm member (410) and a second arm member (420). The first connecting member (310) may connect the first rotational member (210) and the first arm member (410), and the second connecting member (320) may connect the second rotational member (220) and the second arm member (420). According to one embodiment, the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) included in the arm member (400) may be engaged and coupled to a cam member (430), respectively. When a user applies an external force exceeding a preset value to fold the electronic device (100), the arm member (400) can be released from the state of engagement with the cam member (430) to allow rotation of the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120), and when no external force is applied or an external force less than a preset value is applied, the engagement between the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) is maintained to keep the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (120) stationary.

[0110] The wing plate (500) is a component having an overall flat shape, and can support a portion (e.g., a reverse curvature portion) of the display (130) when the electronic device (100) changes from one of a folded state, an intermediate state between a folded state and an unfolded state, and an unfolded state to another state. According to one embodiment, the wing plate (500) may be configured to be arranged on one surface of the rotation member (200) and to be slidably formed while maintaining parallel to the one surface of the rotation member (200). The wing plate (500) may include a first wing plate (510) and a second wing plate (520), and the first wing plate (510) may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member (210), and the second wing plate (520) may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the second rotation member (220). According to another embodiment, the first wing plate (510) may be arranged to cover not only the first rotation member (210) but also at least a portion of the first arm member (410), and the second wing plate (520) may be arranged to cover not only the second rotation member (220) but also at least a portion of the second arm member (420).

[0111] Referring to FIG. 5, the rotation bracket (230) is a component whose position is fixed on an imaginary line drawn from the axis of the center bar (181), and the first rail (211) of the first rotation member (210) can be rotatably inserted into one side, and the sixth rail (221) of the second rotation member (220) can be rotatably inserted into the other side. The first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) can be rotatably coupled to the rotation bracket (230) about the first axis (Ax1) and the third axis (Ax3), respectively. The first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) are configured to be rotatable about the first axis (Ax1) and the third axis (Ax3), respectively, with the rotation bracket (230) as the center, while the first rotation member (210) is configured to be rotatable about the second axis (Ax2) with respect to the first connecting member (310), and the second rotation member (220) can be configured to be rotatable about the fourth axis (Ax4) with respect to the second connecting member (320).

[0112] The configuration of the rotating member (200), connecting member (300), arm member (400), and / or wing plate (500) included in the hinge module (180) will be described in more detail through the drawings below in FIG. 6.

[0113] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 may show the hinge module illustrated in Fig. 6 in a combined configuration, excluding the wing plate.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 together, the hinge module (180) may further include other components, such as, for example, a gear member (350), a gear bracket (360), a plate spring (418, 428), a shaft bracket (390), an elastic member (441, 451), a fastening member (442, 452), and a support ring (443, 453), in addition to the rotating member (200), the connecting member (300), the arm member (400), and / or the wing plate (500) discussed in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and some of the above components may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

[0115] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge module (180) may be provided with a plurality of components for driving the same, one in each pair, and may be arranged symmetrically left / right (or up / down) with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the electronic device in the width direction. For example, a first rotation member (210) and a second rotation member (220), which are components for driving the hinge module (180), may have substantially the same components and may be provided symmetrically left / right on one side and the other side with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the center bar (181). The description of the first rotation member (210) may be applied to the second rotation member (220), which is a line-symmetrical component. The description of the components arranged symmetrically left and right with respect to the center bar (181) can be similarly applied to the description of other components included in the hinge module (180) (e.g., the first connecting member (310), the second connecting member (320), the first arm member (410), and the second arm member (420)). In the following description of the components symmetrically provided left and right, the description of one component can be applied to the description of another component symmetrical thereto even if there is no separate mention. For example, the description of the first rotating member (210) can be applied to the second rotating member (220). In addition, the description of the first connecting member (310) can be applied to the second connecting member (320). In addition, the description of the first arm member (410) can be applied to the second arm member (420). Additionally, the description of the first wing plate (510) may be applied to the second wing plate (520).

[0116] According to one embodiment, the first rotation member (210) may be coupled to the rotation bracket (230) on one side and coupled to the first connection member (310) on the other side. The first rotation member (210) may include a first rail (211) and a second rail (212). According to one embodiment, the first rotation member (210) may be rotatably coupled to the rotation bracket (230) using the first rail (211) and may be rotatably coupled to the first connection member (310) independently using the second rail (212). According to one embodiment, the first rotation member (210) can rotate about a first axis (Ax1) by inserting the first rail (211) into the first rotation guide hole defined between the first-first opening (233) and the first-second opening (234) formed in the rotation bracket (230), and the first-first opening (233) and the first-second opening (234). The first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation bracket (230). According to one embodiment, the first rotation member (210) can rotate about a second axis (Ax2) by interlocking the second rail (212) with the first guide rail (312) formed in the first connecting member (310). The first guide rail (312) formed on the first connecting member (310) may correspond to a rotation guide rail that allows the first rotation member (210) to rotate around the second axis (Ax2) along the first guide rail (312).

[0117] According to one embodiment, the second rotation member (220) may be coupled to the rotation bracket (230) on one side and coupled to the second connecting member (320) on the other side. The second rotation member (220) may include a sixth rail (221) and a seventh rail (222). According to one embodiment, the second rotation member (220) may be rotatably coupled to the rotation bracket (230) using the sixth rail (221) and may be rotatably coupled to the second connecting member (320) independently using the seventh rail (222). According to one embodiment, the second rotation member (220) can rotate about a third axis (Ax3) by inserting the sixth rail (221) into a second rotation guide hole defined between the second-first opening (235) and the second-second opening (236) formed in the rotation bracket (230), and the second rotation guide hole defined between the second-first opening (235) and the second-second opening (236). According to one embodiment, the first end (221a) and the second end (221b) of the sixth rail (221) can be parallel to each other. According to one embodiment, the second rotation member (220) can rotate about a fourth axis (Ax4) by arranging the seventh rail (222) to be engaged with the third guide rail (322) formed in the second connecting member (320). The third guide rail (322) formed on the second connecting member (320) may correspond to a rotation guide rail that allows the second rotation member (220) to rotate around the fourth axis (Ax4) along the third guide rail (322).

[0118] The hinge module (180) may include a gear member (350) including a first gear (353), a second gear (354), and / or a linkage gear (355). The linkage gear (355) may include idle gears (356, 357) for linking the rotation of the first housing (110) with the rotation of the second housing (120). The first gear (353) may include a first shaft (351) that can rotate about a first linkage axis (Rx1) that is parallel to the first axis (Ax1), and a tooth portion provided on one side of the first shaft (351) to mesh with a tooth portion of the linkage gear (355). For example, the second gear (354) may include a second shaft (352) that can rotate about a second linkage axis (Rx2) that is parallel to the second axis (Ax2), and a tooth portion provided on one side of the second shaft (352) so as to mesh with the tooth portion of the linkage gear (355). A space may be provided on one side of the rotation bracket (230) for seating an end of the gear member (350), and the first gear (353) and the second gear (354) of the gear member (350) may rotate about the first linkage axis (Rx1) and the second linkage axis (Rx2) while seated on the rotation bracket (230). According to one embodiment, a gear bracket (360) is coupled between the gear member (350) and the arm member (400) to prevent or reduce damage due to friction caused by movement of the gear member (350) and movement of the arm member (400).

[0119] The first arm member (410) may have one side connected to the first shaft (351) and the other side connected to the first connecting member (310). According to one embodiment, the first arm member (410) may be arranged so that the first shaft (351) is fitted into a through hole formed in the first cam portion (411), and the second guide rail (313) formed in the first connecting member (310) is engaged with the first arm rail (412) formed on the side. The first arm member (410) may have the first cam portion (411) rotatably connected to the first shaft (351) on the first linkage axis (Rx1), and the first arm rail (412) may be connected to be able to move linearly on the second guide rail (313) formed in the first connecting member (310). The second arm member (420) may be arranged so that the second shaft (352) is fitted into the through hole formed in the second cam portion (421), and the fourth guide rail (323) formed in the second connecting member (320) is engaged with the second arm rail (422) formed on the side. The second arm member (420) may be arranged so that the second cam portion (421) is connected to the second shaft (352) on the second linkage axis (Rx2), and the second arm rail (422) is connected to enable linear movement on the fourth guide rail (323) formed in the second connecting member (320). According to one embodiment, a first plate spring (418) and a second plate spring (428) are respectively arranged on the lower surfaces of the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) to assist the movement of the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420).

[0120] The hinge module (180) may include two types of cam structures. Here, one of the two types of cam structures may be a cam included in the arm member (400), and the other may be a cam included in the cam member (430). The cam included in the arm member (400) is a cam that moves based on the angle between a first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 1) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1), and the cam included in the cam member (430) may be a fixed cam that is capable of moving on a cam axis by an elastic member (441, 451) disposed on the cam axis, but is not capable of rotating about the cam axis. The arm member (400) may have cams formed in a portion toward the center of the electronic device (100), for example, in the first cam portion (411) of the first arm member (410) and the second cam portion (421) of the second arm member (420), and the cam member (430) may have a first counter cam (431) and a second counter cam (432) formed at positions corresponding to the first cam portion (411) of the first arm member (410) and the second cam portion (421) of the second arm member (420), respectively. The cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may have valley portions and mounting portions formed therein so as to be engaged with each other. For example, the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may have valley portions and mounting portions alternately arranged along a circumference. According to one embodiment, the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may each include an inclined portion between the rib portion and the mountain portion.According to one embodiment, when the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) are interlocked with each other, even if a spring force is transmitted in the direction of the cam axis, the relative positions of the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may not change unless a separate external force is applied due to a frictional force acting on the cam. However, when an external force greater than a preset size is applied, the cams included in the arm member (400) may move in a centrifugal direction perpendicular to the cam axis. Accordingly, the relative positions of the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may change. According to one embodiment, the cams included in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) can be configured to maintain a firmly folded state by continuously applying a force to push the cams by the elastic members (441, 451) when the electronic device is in a folded state, maintain a partially unfolded state by themselves within a specific angle range when in an intermediate state between the folded state and the unfolded state, and implement a free stop function (e.g., flex mode) of the electronic device in which the elastic members (441, 451) continuously apply a force to push the cams when in an unfolded state, thereby maintaining a firmly unfolded state.

[0121] A first arm member (410) and a second arm member (420) are fitted to the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352), respectively, and the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) can move clockwise (or counterclockwise) and counterclockwise (or clockwise) about the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352), respectively, when viewed in the width direction of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, a rotation bracket (230) may be coupled to one end of the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352), and a shaft bracket (390) for supporting the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352) may be coupled to the other end. And, a gear bracket (360) may be arranged between one end and the other end of the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352). According to one embodiment, an arm member (400) and a cam member (430) may be arranged between the gear bracket (360) and the shaft bracket (390). In addition, an elastic member (441, 451) for applying a spring force to cams provided in the arm member (400) and the cam member (430) may be arranged between the gear bracket (360) and the shaft bracket (390). For example, the elastic member (441, 451) may include a first elastic member (441) and a second elastic member (451). For example, the elastic member (441, 451) may be a torsional spring. Additionally, at least one fastening member (e.g., washer) (442, 452) and at least one support ring (e.g., snap ring or e-ring) (443, 453) may be arranged between the elastic member (441, 451) and the shaft bracket (390).According to one embodiment, at least one fastening member (442, 452) may include a first fastening member (442) and a second fastening member (452) that are inserted into the first shaft (351) and the second shaft (352), respectively, and fastened to the first elastic member (441) and the second elastic member (451). According to one embodiment, at least one support ring (443, 453) may include a first support ring (443) that is inserted into the first shaft (351) and supports the first elastic member (441), and a second support ring (453) that is inserted into the second shaft (352) and supports the second elastic member (451).

[0122] The wing plate (500) may include a first wing plate (510) positioned on the first housing (110) side with respect to the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1) and a second wing plate (520) positioned on the second housing (120) side. The first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be arranged symmetrically upward and downward with respect to the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1). The first wing plate (510) may include a first surface (511) facing the second direction (+Z-axis direction) and a second surface (512) facing the first direction (-Z-axis direction). According to one embodiment, the first side (511) of the first wing plate (510) may be configured as a flat surface to support the display (130), and the second side (512) may include a plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) for coupling with other components. In this case, the first wing plate (510) may be coupled to the first rotation member (210) using some of the plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) (e.g., the first protrusion (514)), and may also be coupled to the first connection member (310) using other parts of the plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) (e.g., the second protrusion (515), the third protrusion (516)). In response to this, the first rotating member (210) may include a first mounting surface (213) on which the second surface (512) of the first wing plate (510) is arranged, and a third rail (214) may be formed on the first mounting surface (213) to which a first protrusion (514) is coupled. The first connecting member (310) may be formed with a fourth rail (315) and / or a fifth rail (316) to which the second protrusion (515) and / or the third protrusion (516) of the first wing plate (510) are coupled.According to various embodiments, when there are two or more protrusions performing the same role among the plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) (e.g., the second protrusion (515), the third protrusion (516)), one of the protrusions may be omitted, or another protrusion configuration not shown in the drawing may be additionally arranged. The second wing plate (520) may include a third face (521) facing the second direction (+Z-axis direction) and a fourth face (522) facing the first direction (-Z-axis direction). According to one embodiment, the third face (521) of the second wing plate (520) may be configured as a plane to support the display (130), and the fourth face (522) may include a plurality of protrusions (524, 525, 526) for coupling with other components. At this time, the second wing plate (520) can be coupled to the second rotation member (220) using some of the plurality of protrusions (524, 525, 526) (e.g., the fourth protrusion (524)), and can also be coupled to the second connecting member (320) using other parts of the plurality of protrusions (524, 525, 526) (e.g., the fifth protrusion (525), the sixth protrusion (526)). Correspondingly, the second rotation member (220) includes a second mounting surface (223) on which the fourth surface (522) of the second wing plate (520) is arranged, and an eighth rail (224) on which the fourth protrusion (524) is coupled can be formed on the second mounting surface (223). The second connecting member (320) may be formed with a ninth rail (325) and / or a tenth rail (326) to which the fifth protrusion (525) and / or the sixth protrusion (526) of the second wing plate (520) are coupled.According to various embodiments, when there are two or more protrusions performing the same role among the plurality of protrusions (524, 525, 526) (e.g., the fifth protrusion (525), the sixth protrusion (526)), one of the protrusions may be omitted, or another protrusion configuration not shown in the drawing may be additionally arranged.

[0123] Hereinafter, the components included in the hinge module (180) will be described in more detail through the embodiments of FIG. 8a and below.

[0124] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sub-components of two substantially identical components may be described without distinguishing between 'first' and 'second'. Hereinafter, when describing the sub-components of two substantially identical components, for example, the description of the sub-components included in the 'first component' may be equally applied to the description of the sub-components included in the 'second component'. Accordingly, the description of the sub-components included in the 'second component' may be omitted to the extent that it overlaps with the description of the sub-components included in the 'first component', and the description of the sub-components included in the 'first component' may be equally applied to the description of the sub-components included in the 'second component'. For example, as previously examined through the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, the first rotating member (210) and the second rotating member (220) may have substantially the same structure, and their technical characteristics may also be identical. Accordingly, the description of the first rotating member (210) can be applied to the second rotating member (220). In addition, the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420), the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may also each have substantially the same structure. For example, the description of the first connecting member (310), the first arm member (410), and the first wing plate (510) can be applied to the second connecting member (320), the second arm member (420), and the second wing plate (520), respectively.

[0125] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is a front view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8C is a top view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a surface on which a wing plate is mounted and a third rail.

[0126] Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8D , a rotational member (e.g., a first rotational member (210)) may include two rotational elements (e.g., a first rail (211) and a second rail (212)) configured to be rotatable about different axes. For example, when a surface of the first rotational member (210) facing the second direction (+Z-axis direction) is referred to as an upper surface (210c), the first rotational member (210) may include a first rail (211) and a second rail (212) formed on a first side (210a) facing the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the first rotational member (210) may also have a first rail (211) and a second rail (212) formed on a second side (210b) facing the width direction of the electronic device. The first rail (211) and the second rail (212) arranged on the first side (210a) may be formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line that passes through the center of the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) arranged on the second side (210b) and the first rotation member (210) in the longitudinal direction. According to one embodiment, in the hinge module (180), the first rail (211) may be arranged closer to the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1) than the second rail (212). According to one embodiment, the first rail (211) may have a convex shape toward the first direction (-Z-axis direction), and the second rail (212) may have a convex shape toward the second direction (+Z-axis direction). According to one embodiment, the first rail (211) may be configured in the shape of an arc when viewed in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the first end (211a) and the second end (211b) of the first rail (211) may be parallel to each other.The first rail (211) moves along the first rotation guide hole defined between the first-first opening (233) and the first-second opening (234) of the rotation bracket (230) illustrated in FIG. 6, and the first-first opening (233) and the first-second opening (234), and can rotate around a first axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5). According to one embodiment, the second rail (212) may also be configured in the shape of an arc when viewed in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. The second rail (212) moves while engaging with the first guide rail (312) of the first connecting member (310) illustrated in FIG. 6, and can rotate around a second axis (e.g., the second axis (Ax2) of FIG. 5). According to one embodiment, the first axis (Ax1) and the second axis (Ax2), which are the centers of rotation of the first rail (211) and the second rail (212), may be formed at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and may not be formed on the same plane (e.g., XY plane). Correspondingly, the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) of the first rotation member (210) may also not be formed on the same plane (e.g., XY plane). For example, the first rail (211) may be formed adjacent to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210), and the second rail (212) may be formed adjacent to the lower surface (210d) of the first rotation member (210). In the foldable operation of the electronic device, the first axis (Ax1) of the first rotational member (210) is fixed without changing its relative position, and the second axis (Ax2) can have its position dependently changed by the rotation of the first axis (Ax1). According to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the second axis (Ax2) of the first rotational member (210) is formed at a lower position than the first axis (Ax1), and when the electronic device is in a folded state, the second axis (Ax2) of the first rotational member (210) can be formed at a higher position than the first axis (Ax1).According to one embodiment, the first rotating member (210) may include a first mounting surface (213) that is a surface facing the first wing plate (510). According to one embodiment, the first mounting surface (213) may be formed to be parallel to an upper surface (210c) facing the second direction (+Z-axis direction) and have a predetermined step with the upper surface (210c). At least a portion of the first wing plate (510) may be mounted on the first mounting surface (213). According to one embodiment, a separate third rail (214) different from the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may be formed on the first mounting surface (213). The first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may be configured so that the first rotation member (210) can rotate around a first axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5) and a second axis (e.g., the second axis (Ax2) of FIG. 5), respectively. Meanwhile, the third rail (214) may be configured so that the first wing plate (510) can slide linearly along one direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device). Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, the third rail (214) may be configured as a component in the form of an opening or a through hole, into which a first protrusion (e.g., the first protrusion (514) of FIG. 6) disposed on the lower surface of the first wing plate (510) is inserted and fastened so as to move along the third rail (214). For example, a step portion (215) may be formed on the third rail (214) so ​​that a first protrusion (514) disposed on the lower surface of the first wing plate (510) can be fastened in a hook manner. The first wing plate (510) can slide along a first path (P1) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the third rail (214) while the first protrusion (514) is fastened to the third rail (214) and is seated on the first seating surface (213).

[0127] According to one embodiment, the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may face different directions. For example, the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may face opposite directions. The directions of the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may be determined based on the length of each arc (or the angle of the arc corresponding to the length of the arc) and / or the position of the arc. At this time, the direction of the first rail (211) may be expressed based on the direction of a virtual line (L1) connecting the center of the length of the arc from the center (C1) of the arc of the first rail (211), and the direction of the second rail (212) may be described based on the direction of a virtual line (L2) connecting the center of the length of the arc from the center (C2) of the arc of the second rail (212).

[0128] Referring to FIG. 8b, the first rail (211) may be concave toward the second direction (+Z-axis direction) (or convex toward the first direction (-Z-axis direction)), and the second rail (212) may be convex toward the second direction (+Z-axis direction). For another example, the first rail (211) may be expressed as being convex downward, and the second rail (212) may be expressed as being convex upward. For another example, the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) may be expressed as being convex in opposite directions. Here, 'convex in opposite directions' may mean that the direction of the first rail (211) and the rough direction of the second rail (212) are opposite. Even if the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) are convex in opposite directions, this does not necessarily mean that the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) have an angular difference of, for example, 180 degrees. According to one embodiment, the angle (θ) between a virtual line (L1) connecting the center of the arc length from the center (C1) of the arc of the first rail (211) to the center of the arc length and a virtual line (L2) connecting the center of the arc length from the center (C2) of the arc of the second rail (212) to the center of the arc length can be formed within, for example, 120 degrees to 240 degrees. For example, in FIG. 8b, the angle (θ) between a virtual line (L1) connecting the center of the arc length from the center (C1) of the arc of the first rail (211) and a virtual line (L2) connecting the center of the arc length from the center (C2) of the arc of the second rail (212) may be 135 degrees. However, the angle difference may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0129] The description of the first rail (211), the second rail (212), the first mounting surface (213), and the third rail (214) of the first rotating member (210) described above can be applied to the description of the sixth rail (221), the seventh rail (222), the second mounting surface (223), and the eighth rail (224) of the second rotating member (220).

[0130] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9B is a top view of the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9C is a view showing a fourth rail of the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, a connecting member (e.g., a first connecting member (310)) may include a body portion (e.g., a first body portion (311)) and two guide rails (e.g., a first guide rail (312) and a second guide rail (313)) formed at a predetermined distance from each other along the longitudinal direction of the body portion (311). According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (310) may be fixedly coupled to a support member (e.g., the first support member (112) of FIG. 3) on a lower surface of the first body portion (311), and may be fastened to a first rotation member (210) and a first arm member (410) on an upper surface of the first body portion (311), respectively. The second rail (212) of the first rotating member (210) may be engaged with the first guide rail (312) of the first connecting member (310), and the first arm rail (412) of the first arm member (410) may be engaged with the second guide rail (313) of the first connecting member (310). According to one embodiment, the first guide rail (312) may correspond to a rotating guide rail that guides the second rail (212) to rotate along an axis (e.g., the second axis (Ax2) of FIG. 7). According to one embodiment, the first guide rail (312) may be formed in an arc shape when viewed in the width direction of the electronic device. For example, the first guide rail (312) may be formed in an arc shape corresponding to an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the second guide rail (313) may be formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature that is significantly larger than that of the first guide rail (312). In addition, in contrast to the first guide rail (312) guiding the second rail (212) along an axis (e.g., the second axis (Ax2)), the second guide rail (313) may guide the female rail (412) in a nearly straight line.According to one embodiment, the first guide rail (312) and the second guide rail (313) in the first connecting member (310) may be provided in pairs corresponding to the first rail (211) and the second rail (212) formed on both sides of the first rotating member (210), respectively. A first wing plate (510) may be arranged on the first connecting member (310). At least a portion of the first connecting member (310) may face a second surface (512) of the first wing plate (510) facing the first direction (-Z axis direction). According to one embodiment, at least one rail may be formed on the first connecting member (310). For example, the first connecting member (310) may be formed with a fourth rail (315). Additionally or alternatively, a fifth rail (316) may be formed on the first connecting member (310) with respect to the fourth rail (315). The fourth rail (315) and / or the fifth rail (316) may be formed in a recessed shape to accommodate at least a portion of another component (e.g., the second protrusion (515) and / or the third protrusion (516)). The fourth rail (315) may be configured to move along the fourth rail (315) by inserting and engaging at least one second protrusion (515) disposed on the lower surface of the first wing plate (510). In the drawings included in the present disclosure, it is illustrated that at least two rails are formed on the first connecting member (310) and at least two protrusions are formed on the first wing plate (510) corresponding to the rails. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and it should be noted that, depending on the embodiment, the first connecting member (310) and the first wing plate (510) may be formed with one rail and one protrusion, or may include a configuration of three or more rails and three or more protrusions.According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 along with FIGS. 9A to 9C, two protrusions (e.g., a second protrusion (515), a third protrusion (516)) protruding by a predetermined length in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device may be arranged on the lower surface of the first wing plate (510), and correspondingly, two rails (e.g., a fourth rail (315), a fifth rail (316)) having a predetermined depth in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device may be formed on the first connecting member (310). Referring to FIG. 9c, the first wing plate (510) is configured such that the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) are respectively fastened to the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316), and the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) can slide along a second path (P2) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316). According to one embodiment, the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316) can be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second direction (+Z-axis direction) when the electronic device is unfolded. By forming the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316) to be inclined as shown in FIG. 9c, for example, when the electronic device changes from an unfolded state to a folded state, the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) can be made to move away from the center of the hinge module (180), but closer to the first connecting member (310) and / or the supporting member (e.g., the supporting member (112) of FIG. 3) that supports the first connecting member (310). The description of the first body part (311), the first guide rail (312), the second guide rail (313), the fourth rail (315), and the fifth rail (316) of the first connecting member (310) is the same as the description of the second body part (321), the third guide rail (322), and the fourth guide rail (323) of the second connecting member (320). It can be applied to the description of the rail (323), the 9th rail (325), and the 10th rail (326).

[0132] FIG. 10A is a top view of a female member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10B is a front view of a female member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the arm member (e.g., the first arm member (410)) may include a through hole into which a shaft (e.g., the first shaft (351)) is fitted and a cam portion (e.g., the first cam portion (411)) that engages with the cam member (430). In addition, the arm member (e.g., the first arm member (410)) may include a rail (e.g., the first arm rail (412)) configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation member (e.g., the first rotation member (210)). For example, the first arm member (410) may include a first arm rail (412) formed on a first side surface (410a) facing the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the first arm member (410) may also have a first arm rail (412) formed on a second side surface (410b) facing the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. The first arm rail (412) may be formed so that at least a portion thereof has a predetermined curvature when viewed in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. In addition, the first arm rail (412) may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second direction (+Z-axis direction) when the electronic device is unfolded. When the first arm member (410) moves in response to rotation of the first rotation member (210) along an axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1)), the first cam portion (411) of the first arm member (410) and the first arm rail (412) may rotate around a linkage axis (e.g., the first linkage axis (Rx1)) parallel to the axis (Ax1). For example, when the electronic device transitions from an unfolded state to a folded state, the first arm rail (412) of the first arm member (410) may be completely engaged with the second guide rail (313) of the first connecting member (310), but may become disengaged or only partially engaged.The description of the first cam portion (411) and the first arm rail (412) of the first arm member (410) may be applied to the description of the second cam portion (421) and the second arm rail (422) of the second arm member (420).

[0134] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wing plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12a is a drawing showing a hinge module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure with the wing plate removed. FIG. 12b is a drawing showing a hinge module including a wing plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0135] FIG. 12a may show a top view of the hinge module with the wing plate removed in an unfolded state of the electronic device, and FIG. 12b may show a bottom view of the hinge module including the wing plate in an unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0136] FIG. 11 may be such that the side (e.g., the second side (512)) facing the first direction (-Z-axis direction) of the wing plate (e.g., the first wing plate (510)) faces upward. Referring to FIG. 11, the first side (511) of the first wing plate (510) may be flat, and a plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) may be formed on the second side (512). Any one of the plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516) may be the first protrusion (514), which may be inserted into a third rail (214) formed on the first rotating member (210) and formed to be slidable along the third rail (214). For example, the first protrusion (514) may be a hook-shaped protrusion that protrudes in the first direction (-Z-axis direction) by a correction height and has an end formed so as to be fixed by being caught on a step formed in the third rail (214) (e.g., the step (215) of FIG. 8d). In addition, among the plurality of protrusions (514, 515, 516), the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) may be formed so as to be inserted into the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316) formed in the first connecting member (310) and to be able to slide along the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316). For example, the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) may have a cylindrical shape. In addition, the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) may be arranged so that the bottom and / or the top of the cylinder shape face a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first wing plate (510) (i.e., a direction parallel to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device). According to one embodiment, by providing the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) that are movable on the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316), the moving distance of the wing plate (510) can be set. Accordingly, the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316) may be referred to as 'distance determining protrusion rails'.According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b, two rotation elements (e.g., a fourth rail (315) and a fifth rail (316)) formed on a connecting member (e.g., a first connecting member (310)) may be formed at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device on the connecting member (e.g., the first connecting member (310)). According to one embodiment, the fifth rail (316) may be provided as a single-type rail at an edge of the first connecting member (310) as indicated by reference numeral 316, and the fourth rail (315) may be provided as a dual-type rail at a middle position of the first connecting member (310) as indicated by reference numeral 315. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 illustrates that a third protrusion (516) is formed corresponding to the single type rail (the fifth rail (316)) with one side supported by the wing plate and the other side having a free end, and a second protrusion (515) with one side and the other side having a free end, respectively, is formed corresponding to the dual type rail (the fourth rail (315)). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and protrusions having a form in which one side and the other side each have a free end may be formed on both the single type rail and the dual type rail, as illustrated in FIG. 12b. The description of the first protrusion (514), the second protrusion (515), and the third protrusion (516) of the first wing plate (510) is the same as that of the fourth protrusion (524), the fifth protrusion (525), and the sixth protrusion (526) of the second wing plate (520). It can be applied to the description.

[0137] Below, the operating principle of the hinge module of the present disclosure is described in detail through drawings including FIG. 13a and below.

[0138] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a hinge module of an electronic device in an unfolded state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the hinge module of the electronic device in an unfolded state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a hinge module of an electronic device in an intermediate state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the hinge module of the electronic device in an intermediate state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a hinge module of an electronic device in a folded state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the hinge module of the electronic device in a folded state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] FIGS. 13B, 14B, and 15B may illustrate a view of the hinge module when viewed in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. FIGS. 13B, 14B, and 15B may additionally illustrate a view in which a display (130) is arranged on the hinge module (180). As mentioned above, the hinge module (180) may include components that are symmetrical with respect to a folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1) or a center bar (181). As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the symmetrical components may be spread apart by approximately 180 degrees with respect to each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, when the electronic device is in an intermediate state between an unfolded state and a folded state, the symmetrical components may be spread apart by, for example, approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other. In the folded state of the electronic device of FIGS. 15A and 15B, the symmetrical components may face each other or may be separated by, for example, an angle of approximately negative (e.g., -5 degrees). It should be noted that the reference to the 90 degree angle in the intermediate state and the -5 degree angle in the folded state are merely examples and are not necessarily limited thereto. In one embodiment, when the components included in the hinge module (180) are separated by a negative angle (e.g., -5 degrees) (e.g., a dumbbell-shaped (or water drop-shaped) hinge module), it is more effective in reducing wrinkles in the display (130) and, when the electronic device is folded, it may be more effective in reducing lifting at the contact area between screens than when the components included in the hinge module are separated by a U shape and face each other (e.g., a U-shaped hinge module).

[0140] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge module (180) may adopt a dumbbell-shaped (or water drop-shaped) hinge module in which wrinkles of the display (130) and lifting between the screens are reduced. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the dumbbell-shaped (or water drop-shaped) hinge module secures a space so that the display (130) can be smoothly folded around the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1) when the electronic device is folded, as illustrated in FIG. 15b, and can firmly support the display (130) when the electronic device is unfolded.

[0141] According to one embodiment, when the electronic device is unfolded, the wing plate (e.g., the first wing plate (510)) can support the display (130) in a flat state, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13b. Conversely, when the electronic device is folded, the first wing plate (510) can support the display (130) in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second direction (+Z-axis direction) of the electronic device, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15b. For example, the first wing plate (510) can be configured to be switchable between a flat support form and an inclined support form. The first wing plate (510) can be connected to the first rotation member (210) using the first protrusion (514), and can be configured to be seated on the first mounting surface (213) of the first rotation member (210) and slidable on the first mounting surface (213). In addition, the first wing plate (510) may be connected to the first connecting member (310) using the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516), and the second protrusion (515) and the third protrusion (516) may be configured to slide on the fourth rail (315) and the fifth rail (316) of the first connecting member (310). According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (310), as shown again in FIGS. 9A to 9C , may be formed such that at least a portion of the first body portion (311) is inclined with respect to the second direction (+Z-axis direction). For example, the first body portion (311) may be formed such that all of the bulkheads arranged around the first guide rail (312) and the second guide rail (313) are inclined with respect to the second direction (+Z-axis direction). By means of this inclined structure, the electronic device of the first wing plate (510) can be implemented as the inclined support member when switching from an unfolded state to a folded state.

[0142] The description of the first rotation member (210), the first connection member (310), the first arm member (410), and the first wing plate (510) with respect to the above FIGS. 13a to 15b may be applied to the description of the second rotation member (220), the second connection member (320), the second arm member (420), and the second wing plate (520).

[0143] FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a hinge module of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16B may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 16A taken along line AA' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16C may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 16A taken along line DD' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating a hinge module of an electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17B may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 17A taken along line AA' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17C may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 17A taken along line DD' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] Through the illustrations of FIGS. 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b and 17c, one can understand the relative positions and behaviors between components, for example, between components such as the first rotating member (210), the second rotating member (220), the first connecting member (310), the second connecting member (320), the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420), during the process of transitioning the electronic device from an unfolded state to a folded state (or from a folded state to an unfolded state).

[0145] Referring to FIGS. 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b, the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) included in the hinge module (180) can rotate about a first axis (Ax1) and a third axis (Ax3), respectively, with respect to the rotation bracket (230). In the process of the electronic device switching from an unfolded state to a folded state (or vice versa), the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) can rotate about a second axis (Ax2) and a fourth axis (Ax4), respectively, with respect to the first connection member (310) and the second connection member (320). According to one embodiment, the first axis (Ax1) and the third axis (Ax3), which are the centers of rotation of the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220), may be formed in a space around the hinge module (180), and the second axis (Ax2) and the fourth axis (Ax4) may also be formed in a space around the hinge module (180). According to one embodiment, the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) are supported by the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) during the rotation process with respect to the rotation bracket (230), and the range of motion may be partially limited. Additionally, according to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the first rotating member (210) and the second rotating member (220) may be supported by a support member (311', 321') of the body portion, one side of which is included in the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), respectively.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 16A, 16C, 17A, and 17C, the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) included in the hinge module (180) can rotate about the shafts (351, 352), respectively. In the process of converting the electronic device from an unfolded state to a folded state, the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) slide relative to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), respectively, and as the electronic device is folded at a narrower angle, the area where their rails engage with each other may decrease. In the process of converting the electronic device from a folded state to an unfolded state, the first arm member (410) and the second arm member (420) slide relative to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), respectively, and the area where their rails engage with each other may increase. For example, when the electronic device is unfolded, the area where the first arm rail (412) and the second arm rail (422) engage with the second guide rail (313) and the fourth guide rail (323), respectively, may be the largest, and when the electronic device is folded, the area where the first arm rail (412) and the second arm rail (422) engage with the second guide rail (313) and the fourth guide rail (323), respectively, may be the smallest.

[0147] FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a hinge module of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18B may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 18A taken along line BB' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18C may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 18A taken along line CC' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a hinge module of an electronic device in an intermediate state between an unfolded state and a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19B may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 19A taken along line BB' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19C may illustrate a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 19A taken along line CC' according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a hinge module of an electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20b may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 20a taken along the BB' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20c may represent a cross-section of the hinge module of FIG. 20a taken along the CC' direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] Referring to FIGS. 18a, 18b, 18c, 19a, 19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, and 20c, the relative positions and behaviors of the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) with respect to the first rotating member (210), the second rotating member (220), and / or the first connecting member (310), the second connecting member (320) during the process of transitioning the electronic device from an unfolded state to a folded state (or from a folded state to an unfolded state) can be understood. Through the embodiments of FIGS. 18a, 18b, 18c, 19a, 19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, and 20c, the sliding behavior of the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate, the rotational behavior of the first rotating member (210) and the second rotating member (220) with respect to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), and also the leaned back motion of the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) during rotation are described in detail. The backward-tilting behavior of the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) will be described with reference to the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) of FIG. 6, but this description can also be applied to the third protrusion (516) and the sixth protrusion (526). The first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can slide on one surface of the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220). According to one embodiment, the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) are slidable on the third rail (214) of the first rotational member (210) and the eighth rail (224) of the second rotational member (220), respectively, and as the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) slide along the first path (P1), the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) are also movable.Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be arranged on the same plane. When the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) may be located at one end portion of the first path (P1). In the process of folding the electronic device from the unfolded state, the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) may move from one end portion of the first path (P1) toward the other end portion. Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, when the electronic device is in an intermediate state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to each other. When the electronic device is in an intermediate state, the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) may be positioned in the middle of the first path (P1). At this time, the angle formed by the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may have a positive (+) value, and the electronic device may move by a first distance (S1) from its initial position in the unfolded state. Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be inclined with respect to each other by a predetermined angle. In the process of folding the electronic device from an unfolded state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may face each other in parallel in a specific intermediate state, and in a completely folded state, the angle formed by the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may have a negative (-) value. In addition, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may move a second distance (S2) from the initial position in the unfolded state of the electronic device.When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) may be positioned at another end portion of the first path (P1). In addition, according to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) may be supported on one side by body support members (311', 321') included in the first connection member (310) and the second connection member (320), respectively.

[0149] The first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520), and the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) supporting the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can rotate by a predetermined angle with respect to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) when the electronic device switches from an unfolded state to a folded state. However, according to one embodiment, as soon as the electronic device switches from an unfolded state to a folded state, the first rotational member (210) and the second rotational member (220) do not rotate with respect to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), but rather, the first rotational member (210) and the second rotational member (220) may remain substantially parallel with respect to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) until the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) are tilted by a predetermined angle. Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18C, when the electronic device is unfolded, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be disposed on the same plane, and the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be disposed parallel to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), respectively. When the electronic device is unfolded, the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) may be positioned at one end portion of the second path (P2). When the electronic device is folded from the unfolded state, the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) may not move from the one end portion of the second path (P2) directly toward the other end portion, but may maintain that position until the electronic device is folded to a preset angle or less.Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19C, when the electronic device is in an intermediate state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to each other. As mentioned in the embodiment of FIGS. 19A and 19B above, the angle formed by the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can have a positive (+) value, and can move at a predetermined distance from the initial position when the electronic device is in an unfolded state. However, the relative positions of the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) with respect to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) can be maintained the same as in the embodiment of FIGS. 18A and 18B. According to one embodiment, the fourth rail (315) may include a 4-1 rail (315a) and a 4-2 rail (315b), and the ninth rail (325) may include a 9-1 rail (325a) and a 9-2 rail (325b). According to one embodiment, the fourth rail (315) may include a 4-1 rail (315a) that supports rotation of the second protrusion (515) according to a folding operation in a first angle range of the foldable electronic device, and a 4-2 rail (315b) that extends in one direction from the 4-1 rail (315a) and supports sliding movement of the second protrusion (515) according to a folding operation in a second angle range of the foldable electronic device. The ninth rail (325) may include a 9-1 rail (325a) that supports rotation of the fifth protrusion (525) according to a folding operation in a first angle range of the foldable electronic device, and a 9-2 rail (325b) that extends in one direction from the 9-1 rail (325a) and supports sliding movement of the fifth protrusion (525) according to a folding operation in a second angle range of the foldable electronic device. Here, the 4-2 rail (315b) may be formed to be inclined with respect to the 4-1 rail (315a).Additionally, the 9-2 rail (325b) may be formed to be inclined with respect to the 9-1 rail (325a). Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19C, when the electronic device transitions from an unfolded state to a folded state, the second protrusion (515) may be positioned on the 4-1 rail (315a) of the 4th rail (315) until the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) form a predetermined angle. And the 5th protrusion (525) may be positioned on the 9-1 rail (325a) of the 9th rail (325). When the electronic device is in an intermediate state, when the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) form a specific angle (e.g., when the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) move by a first distance (S1), the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) can move along the second path (P2). At this time, the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) can move on the 4-2 rail (315b) of the 4th rail (315) and the 9-2 rail (325b) of the 9th rail (325), respectively. Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20C, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may be inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., having a negative (-) value) with respect to each other. When the electronic device is in a folded state, the second protrusion (515) and the fifth protrusion (525) may be positioned at another end portion of the second path (P2). In addition, according to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the first rotation member (210) and the second rotation member (220) may be supported by supports (311', 321') of the body portion, each side of which is included in the first connection member (310) and the second connection member (320).

[0150] As the electronic device transitions from an unfolded state to a folded state, the first housing (e.g., the first housing (110) of FIG. 1) and the second housing (e.g., the second housing (120) of FIG. 2) (or the first support member (112) and the second support member (122) of FIG. 3) rotate about the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis of FIG. 1), and at this time, the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) can also rotate at the same angle. Referring to FIGS. 18b, 18c, 19b, 19c, 20b and 20c, when the electronic device is switched from an unfolded state to a folded state, the first rotational member (210) and the second rotational member (220) are connected to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) to rotate about the second axis (Ax2) and the fourth axis (Ax4), respectively, and the first rotational member (210) and the second rotational member (220) can rotate relative to the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) (or the first support member (112) and the second support member (122)), respectively. When the electronic device is in a folded state, when an imaginary line L1 drawn from the second connecting member (320) (or the first connecting member (310)) is parallel to the second direction (+Z-axis direction), an imaginary line L2 drawn from the first rotating member (210) (or the second rotating member (220)) can be inclined at a predetermined angle from L1. The first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520), which are configured to slide linearly using the first protrusion (514) and the fourth protrusion (524) on the first rotating member (210) and the second rotating member (220), can also rotate at the same angle as the first rotating member (210) and the second rotating member (220).At this time, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can be connected to the fourth rail (315), the fifth rail (316), the ninth rail (325), and the tenth rail (326) formed on the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) using the second protrusion (515), the third protrusion (516), the fifth protrusion (525), and the sixth protrusion (526). The second protrusion (515), the third protrusion (516), the fifth protrusion (525), and the sixth protrusion (526) can move relatively closer to the first support member (112) and the second support member (122) and away from the center of the hinge module (180) (e.g., see the gear bracket (360) or the center bar (181) of FIGS. 18c, 19c, and 20c).

[0151] The behavior of the hinge module (180) as the electronic device transitions from an unfolded state to a folded state can be implemented in reverse when the electronic device transitions from a folded state to an unfolded state.

[0152] FIG. 21A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21B is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] FIGS. 21a and 21b can provide one embodiment of a third rail (214) included in a first rotating member (210) and a first protrusion (514) inserted therein and capable of sliding movement.

[0154] Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, the first mounting surface (213) on which the third rail (214) according to one embodiment is formed may be formed to be inclined with respect to the upper surface (210c) (e.g., the upper surface) of the first rotational member (210). According to one embodiment, the first protrusion (514) inserted into the third rail (214) and slidably moved moves along the inclined first mounting surface (213), and thus moves along a first-first path (P1') that is different from the first path (P1), which is a movement path when the upper surface (210c) of the first rotational member (210) and the first mounting surface (213) are parallel. The first path (P1), which is the existing movement path, is formed so that the movement direction of the first wing plate (510) is parallel to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210), and the other movement path, the 1-1 path (P1'), is formed so that the movement direction of the first wing plate (510) is not parallel to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210). In this way, when the first mounting surface (213) on which the third rail (214) is formed is formed to be inclined with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210), not only the first protrusion (514) but also the movement path of the first wing plate (510) can be inclined with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210). Accordingly, the first wing plate (510) may move away from the center of the hinge module (180) (e.g., see the gear bracket (360) or the center bar (181) of FIGS. 18c, 19c, and 20c) compared to the conventional one. The dashed line S in FIG. 21b may indicate the position of the first wing plate (510) along the conventional movement path. For example, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming the first mounting surface (213) to be inclined with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210), the range in which the first wing plate (510) is tilted backward may be increased. Accordingly, the necessary display escape space can be further secured when the electronic device is folded.

[0155] FIG. 21a and FIG. 21a illustrate the first rotating member (210) and the first wing plate (510), and the explanation thereof can be applied to embodiments of the second rotating member (220) and the second wing plate (520).

[0156] FIG. 22A is a drawing showing a hinge module in an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 22B is a drawing showing a hinge module in a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0157] The embodiments of FIGS. 22a and 22b may provide additional or alternative examples of the connection relationship between the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320) and the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520).

[0158] According to the embodiments discussed above, the hinge module (180) may include a second protrusion (515), a third protrusion (516), a fifth protrusion (525), a sixth protrusion (526) connecting the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) and the first connecting member (310) and the second connecting member (320), and a fourth rail (315), a fifth rail (316), a ninth rail (325), and a tenth rail (326). Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to or as an alternative to the above-described embodiments, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) may include a flexible member (or elastic member) (190-1, 190-2) connecting the first support member (112) and the second support member (122), respectively. The flexible member (190-1, 190-2) may be, for example, a material such as a tape, a rubber sheet, or a lattice metal having flexibility (or elasticity). According to one embodiment, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can be attached to the first support member (112) and the second support member (122), respectively, using the flexible members (190-1, 190-2). Accordingly, the first wing plate (510) and the second wing plate (520) can have the effect of pulling the first support member (112) and the second support member (122) sideways. Accordingly, the required display escape space can be further secured when the electronic device is folded.

[0159] FIG. 23a is a perspective view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23b is a front view of a rotating member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] Referring to FIGS. 23a and 23b, a rotational member (e.g., a first rotational member (210)) may include two rotational elements (e.g., a first rail (211) and a first pin hole (216)) configured to be rotatable about different axes. For example, when a surface of the first rotational member (210) facing the second direction (+Z-axis direction) is referred to as an upper surface (210c), the first rotational member (210) may include a first rail (211) and a first pin hole (216) formed on a first side surface (210a) facing the width direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the first rotational member (210) may also have a first rail (211) and a first pin hole (216) formed on a second side surface (210b) facing the width direction of the electronic device. The first rail (211) and the first pin hole (216) arranged on the first side (210a) may be formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line that passes through the center of the first rotation member (210) in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first rail (211) and the first pin hole (216) arranged on the second side (210b). According to one embodiment, in the hinge module (180), the first rail (211) may be arranged closer to the folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (A) of FIG. 1) than the first pin hole (216). According to one embodiment, the first rail (211) may have a convex shape toward the first direction (-Z-axis direction), and the first pin hole (216) may have a shape in which a hole of a predetermined diameter passes through in the width direction of the electronic device.

[0161] The first rail (211) moves along the rotation guide hole and can rotate around a first axis (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5). According to one embodiment, a first pin (318) illustrated in FIGS. 25A and 25B is inserted into the first pin hole (216), and the rotation member (210) can be configured to rotate around the first pin hole (216) with respect to the connecting member (310) illustrated in FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C using the first pin (318). The first axis (Ax1) and the second axis (Ax2), which are the centers of rotation of the first rail (211) and the first pin hole (216), can be formed at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and may not be formed on the same plane (e.g., the XY plane). Accordingly, the first rail (211) and the first pin hole (216) of the first rotation member (210) may not be formed on the same plane (e.g., XY plane). For example, the first rail (211) may be formed adjacent to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member (210), and the first pin hole (216) may be formed adjacent to the lower surface (210d) of the first rotation member (210). In the foldable operation of the electronic device, the first axis (Ax1) of the first rotation member (210) is fixed without its relative position being variable, and the second axis (Ax2) may have its position dependently variable by the rotation of the first axis (Ax1). According to one embodiment, when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the second axis (Ax2) of the first rotational member (210) may be formed at a lower position than the first axis (Ax1), and when the electronic device is in a folded state, the second axis (Ax2) of the first rotational member (210) may be formed at a higher position than the first axis (Ax1).In addition, the description of the rotating member described above in FIGS. 8a to 8d may be applied to the description of the rotating member (e.g., the first rotating member (210)) in FIGS. 23a and 23b, and the description in the overlapping range may be omitted.

[0162] According to one embodiment, the angle (θ) between a virtual line (L1) connecting the center of the arc length from the center (C1) of the arc of the first rail (211) and a virtual line (L2) drawn from the center (C2) of the first pin hole (216) may be formed within, for example, 120 to 240 degrees. For example, in FIG. 23b, the angle (θ) between the virtual lines (L1, L2) may be 135 degrees. However, the difference in angle may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0163] The description of the first rail (211) and the first pin hole (216) of the first rotating member (210) described above can be applied to the description of the sixth rail (221) and the third pin hole (not shown) of the second rotating member (220).

[0164] FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24B is a drawing showing a second pin hole of the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24C is a side view of the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 25A is a perspective view showing a rotating member coupled to the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 25B is a front view showing a rotating member coupled to the connecting member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 24a, 24b, and 24c, a connecting member (e.g., a first connecting member (310)) may include a body portion (e.g., a first body portion (311)) and two rotational elements (e.g., a second pin hole (317) and a second guide rail (313)) formed at a predetermined distance apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the body portion (311). According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (310) may be fixedly coupled to a support member (e.g., the first support member (112) of FIG. 3) on a lower surface of the first body portion (311), and may be fastened to a first rotational member (210) and a first arm member (410) on an upper surface of the first body portion (311), respectively. Referring to FIGS. 25a and 25b, it can be seen that only the first rotation member (210) is coupled to the upper surface of the first body part (311) of the first connecting member (310).

[0166] Referring to FIGS. 24a, 24b, 24c, 25a, and 25b, when the first rotation member (210) and the first connection member (310) are coupled, the first pin hole (216) of the first rotation member (210) may be aligned with the second pin hole (317) of the first connection member (310). According to one embodiment, a first pin (318) may be inserted into the first pin hole (216) and the second pin hole (317). The first pin (318) may correspond to a rotation element that guides the first rotation member (210) to rotate along an axis (e.g., the second axis (Ax2) of FIG. 7).

[0167] In addition, the description of the connecting member described above in FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c may be applied to the description of the connecting member (e.g., the first connecting member (310)) in FIGS. 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 24c, 25a, and 25b, and the description in the overlapping range may be omitted. The description of the first body part (311), the second pin hole (317), the second guide rail (313), the fourth rail (315), and the fifth rail (316) of the first connecting member (310) may be applied to the description of the second body part (321), the fourth pin hole rail (not shown), the fourth guide rail (323), the ninth rail (325), and the tenth rail (326) of the second connecting member (320).

[0168] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device (100) including a hinge module (180) may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include a first housing (110); a second housing (120); a hinge module (180) that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis (A); and a flexible display (130). Here, the hinge module (180) includes a first rotating member (210) that includes a first rotary element (211) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1), a second rotary element (212; 216) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2), and a reciprocating element (214) that performs a linear reciprocating motion in a direction perpendicular to the first and second axes. The foldable electronic device may include a first arm member (410) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first axis and the second axis; a first connecting member (310) that connects the first rotating member and the first arm member; and a first wing plate (510) that is positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member and rotates in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0169] According to one embodiment, the first rotating member may include a first rail (211) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) as the first rotating element and has a convex shape in one direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) as the second rotating element and has a convex shape in a direction different from the first rail, and a third rail (214) that has an open shape as the reciprocating element.

[0170] According to one embodiment, the first rotating member may include a first rail (211) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) as the first rotating element and has a convex shape in one direction, a first pin hole (216) formed on a second axis (Ax2) as the second rotating element, and a third rail (214) that has an open shape as the reciprocating element.

[0171] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device (100) including a hinge module (180) may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include a first housing (110); a second housing (120); a hinge module (180) that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis (A); and a flexible display (130). The hinge module (180) includes a first rotation member (210) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) and has a first rail (211) that is convex in a first direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) and has a second rail that is convex in a second direction different from the first direction, and a third rail (214) that has an opening shape. The foldable electronic device may include a first arm member (410) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first axis and the second axis; a first connecting member (310) that connects the first rotating member and the first arm member; and a first wing plate (510) that is positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member and rotates in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0172] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may include a first protrusion (514) that slides in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device in response to the third rail.

[0173] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may include a second protrusion (515), and the first connecting member may include a fourth rail (315) corresponding to the second protrusion to guide the second protrusion to slide in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0174] According to one embodiment, the fourth rail may include a 4-1 rail (315a) that supports rotation of the second protrusion according to a folding operation in a first angle range of the foldable electronic device, and a 4-2 rail (315b) that extends in one direction from the 4-1 rail (315a) and supports sliding movement of the second protrusion (515) according to a folding operation in a second angle range of the foldable electronic device.

[0175] According to one embodiment, the first rotation member may include a rotation bracket (230) including a first rotation guide hole for guiding the first rail.

[0176] According to one embodiment, the first rotation guide hole may be defined by a space between a first-first opening (233) formed on one side of the rotation bracket and a first-second opening (234) formed on the other side.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the first connecting member may include a first guide rail (312) for guiding the second rail of the first rotating member.

[0178] According to one embodiment, the first arm member may include a first cam portion (411) that rotates in response to rotation of the first axis and a first arm rail (412) that slides in response to rotation of the first cam portion.

[0179] According to one embodiment, the first connecting member may include a second guide rail (313) for guiding the first arm rail (412) of the first arm member.

[0180] In one embodiment, the first connecting member can be coupled to a first support member disposed in the first housing.

[0181] According to one embodiment, the first flexible member (190-1) connecting the first connecting member and the first supporting member may be further included.

[0182] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may be mounted on the first mounting surface (213) of the first rotating member, and the first protrusion may be configured to move on the third rail and slide in a direction parallel to the first mounting surface according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0183] According to one embodiment, the first settling surface may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member, so that the first wing plate may be configured to slide in an inclined direction with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotation member.

[0184] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may include a third protrusion (516), and the first connecting member may include a fifth rail (316) corresponding to the third protrusion to guide the third protrusion to slide in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0185] According to one embodiment, the gear member (350) may further include a shaft (351; 352) forming a linkage axis (Rx1; Rx2) for the female member to rotate; and a gear (353; 354) located at an end of the shaft.

[0186] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge module (180) may be provided. The hinge module includes a first rotation member (210) including a first rail (211) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) and has a convex shape in a first direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) and has a convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction or one of a first pin hole (216) formed on the second axis, and a third rail (214) that has an opening shape; a rotation bracket (230) that includes a first rotation guide hole for guiding the first rail; a first arm member (410) including a first cam portion (411) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first and second axes, and a first arm rail (412) that slides in response to the rotation of the first cam portion; A first connecting member (310) including a first guide rail (312) guiding the second rail or a second pin hole (317) aligned with the first pin hole (216), a second guide rail (313) guiding the first arm rail, and a fourth rail (315); and a first wing plate (510) positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member and the first arm member, and including a first protrusion (514) that slides on the third rail, and a second protrusion (515) that slides on the fourth rail.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge module (180) may be provided. The hinge module includes a first rotation member (210) including a first rail (211) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) and has a convex shape in a first direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) and has a convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction, and a third rail (214) that has an opening shape; a rotation bracket (230) that includes a first rotation guide hole for guiding the first rail; a first arm member (410) including a first cam portion (411) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first and second axes, and a first arm rail (412) that slides in response to the rotation of the first cam portion; A first connecting member (310) including a first guide rail (312) guiding the second rail, a second guide rail (313) guiding the first arm rail, and a fourth rail (315); and a first wing plate (510) positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member and the first arm member, and including a first protrusion (514) that slides on the third rail, and a second protrusion (515) that slides on the fourth rail.

[0188] In one embodiment, the first connecting member can be coupled to the first support member.

[0189] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may be mounted on the first mounting surface (213) of the first rotating member, and the first protrusion may be configured to move on the third rail and slide in a direction parallel to the first mounting surface according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device (100) including a hinge module (180) may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include a first housing (110); a second housing (120); a hinge module (180) that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis (A); and a flexible display (130).The hinge module (180) comprises a first rotation member (210) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) and has a first convex shape in a first direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) and has a second convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction, or one of a first pin hole (216) formed on the second axis, and a third rail (214) that has an opening shape; a second rotation member (220) that rotates about a third axis (Ax3) and has a sixth rail (221) that rotates about a third axis (Ax3) and has a third convex shape in a third direction, a seventh rail (222) that rotates about a fourth axis (Ax4) and has a fourth convex shape in a fourth direction different from the third direction, or one of a third pin hole formed on the fourth axis, and an eighth rail (224) that has an opening shape; The foldable electronic device may include a first arm member (410) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first axis and the second axis; a second arm member (420) that rotates in response to the rotation of the third axis about an axis different from the third axis and the fourth axis; a first connecting member (310) that connects the first rotating member and the first arm member; a second connecting member (320) that connects the second rotating member and the second arm member; a first wing plate (510) that is positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member and rotates in response to the folding operation of the foldable electronic device; and a second wing plate (520) that is positioned to cover at least a portion of the second rotating member and the second arm member and rotates in response to the folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0191] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device (100) including a hinge module (180) may be provided. The foldable electronic device may include a first housing (110); a second housing (120); a hinge module (180) that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing about a folding axis (A); and a flexible display (130). The hinge module (180) includes a first rotation member (210) that rotates about a first axis (Ax1) and has a first rail (211) that is convex in a first direction, a second rail (212) that rotates about a second axis (Ax2) and has a second rail that is convex in a second direction different from the first direction, and a third rail (214) that has an opening shape. A second rotation member (220) including a sixth rail (221) that rotates about a third axis (Ax3) and has a convex shape in a third direction, a seventh rail (222) that rotates about a fourth axis (Ax4) and has a convex shape in a fourth direction different from the third rail, and an eighth rail (224) that has an opening shape; a first arm member (410) that rotates in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis different from the first axis and the second axis; a second arm member (420) that rotates in response to the rotation of the third axis about an axis different from the third axis and the fourth axis; a first connecting member (310) that connects the first rotation member and the first arm member; a second connecting member (320) that connects the second rotation member and the second arm member; It may include a first wing plate (510) positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member and the first arm member and rotated according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device; and a second wing plate (520) positioned to cover at least a portion of the second rotation member and the second arm member and rotated according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the first wing plate may include a first protrusion (514) that slides in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device corresponding to the third rail and a second protrusion (515) that slides in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device corresponding to the fourth rail (315) of the first connecting member, and the second wing plate may include a fourth protrusion (524) that slides in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device corresponding to the eighth rail and a fifth protrusion (525) that slides in accordance with a folding operation of the foldable electronic device corresponding to the ninth rail (325) of the second connecting member.

[0193] In one embodiment, the first connecting member may include a first guide rail configured to guide a second pin hole aligned with the first pin hole of the first rotating member.

[0194] According to one embodiment, the first cam portion may be configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis corresponding to the rotation of the first axis and a different axis.

[0195] While this disclosure has been described by way of example and illustration, it should be understood that these various embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the overall scope of this disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. In a foldable electronic device (100), First housing (110); Second housing (120); A hinge module (180) that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing around the folding axis (A); and Including a flexible display (130), The above hinge module (180) A first rotating member (210) including a first rotary element (211) configured to rotate about a first axis (Ax1), a second rotary element (212; 216) configured to rotate about a second axis (Ax2), and a reciprocating element (214) configured to linearly reciprocate at least a portion of the first wing plate in a direction perpendicular to the first and second axes; A first arm member (410) configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the first axis about an axis other than the first axis and the second axis; and It includes a first connecting member (310) connecting the first rotating member and the first arm member; A foldable electronic device, wherein the first wing plate (510) is positioned to cover at least a portion of the first rotating member and the first arm member and rotates according to a folding motion of the foldable electronic device.

2. In paragraph 1, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first rotating member comprises a first rail (211) configured to rotate about a first axis (Ax1) and having a convex shape in a first direction, a second rail (212) configured to rotate about a second axis (Ax2) and having a convex shape in a second direction different from the first direction, and a third rail (214) having an opening shape.

3. In paragraph 2, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first connecting member includes a first guide rail (312) configured to guide the second rail of the first rotating member.

4. In paragraph 1, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first rotating member is configured to rotate about a first axis (Ax1) and includes a first rail (211) having a convex shape in one direction, a first pin hole (216) formed on a second axis (Ax2), and a third rail (214) having an opening shape.

5. In paragraph 2 or paragraph 4, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first wing plate includes a first protrusion (514) configured to slide in accordance with a folding motion of the foldable electronic device in response to the third rail.

6. In paragraph 5, A foldable electronic device in which the first wing plate is mounted on the first mounting surface (213) of the first rotating member, and the first protrusion moves on the third rail according to a folding operation of the foldable electronic device and slides in a direction parallel to the first mounting surface.

7. In paragraph 6, A foldable electronic device in which the first mounting surface is formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotating member, so that the first wing plate slides in an inclined direction with respect to the upper surface (210c) of the first rotating member.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The above first wing plate includes a second protrusion (515), A foldable electronic device, wherein the first connecting member includes a fourth rail (315) configured to guide the second protrusion to slide in accordance with a folding motion of the foldable electronic device in response to the second protrusion.

9. In paragraph 8, The above fourth rail, A foldable electronic device comprising a 4-1 rail (315a) that supports rotation of a second protrusion according to a folding operation in a first angle range of the foldable electronic device, and a 4-2 rail (315b) that extends in one direction from the 4-1 rail (315a) and supports sliding movement of the second protrusion (515) according to a folding operation in a second angle range of the foldable electronic device.

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, The above first wing plate includes a third protrusion (516), A foldable electronic device, wherein the first connecting member includes a fifth rail (316) configured to guide the third protrusion to slide in accordance with a folding motion of the foldable electronic device in response to the third protrusion.

11. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, A foldable electronic device including a rotation bracket (230) including a first rotation guide hole configured to guide the first rail of the first rotation member.

12. In paragraph 11, A foldable electronic device in which the first rotation guide hole is defined by a space between a 1-1 opening (233) formed on one side of the rotation bracket and a 1-2 opening (234) formed on the other side.

13. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first arm member includes a first cam portion (411) configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the first axis and a first arm rail (412) configured to slide in response to the rotation of the first cam portion.

14. In paragraph 13, A foldable electronic device, wherein the first connecting member includes a second guide rail (313) configured to guide the first arm rail (412) of the first arm member.

15. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, A foldable electronic device wherein the first connecting member is coupled to a first supporting member disposed in the first housing.

Images