Hinge structure and electronic device comprising same

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device can be provided. The electronic device may comprise: a housing including a first housing and a second housing; a flexible display disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a hinge assembly which is connected to the first housing and the second housing and by which the first housing and the second housing can be rotatably coupled to each other; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed on the rear surface of the flexible display. The hinge assembly can include: a first support member disposed in the first housing; a second support member disposed in the second housing; and an intermediate support member disposed between the first support member and the second support member. In an unfolded state of the electronic device, at least a portion of a first end portion of the first support member close to the intermediate support member and at least a portion of a second end portion of the second support member close to the intermediate support member overlap at least a portion of the intermediate support member and, in a folded state of the electronic device, a portion of the first end portion of the first support member and a portion of the second end portion of the second support member are in contact with the flexible printed circuit board. Other various embodiments can be applied.

Description

Hinge structure and electronic device including the same

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a hinge structure and an electronic device including the hinge structure.

[0002] Thanks to remarkable advancements in information and communication technology and semiconductor technology, the proliferation and use of various electronic devices is rapidly increasing. In particular, recent electronic devices are being developed to enable portable communication.

[0003] Electronic devices can refer to devices that perform specific functions based on the programs installed on them, such as home appliances, electronic notebooks, portable multimedia players, mobile communication terminals, tablet PCs, audio / video devices, desktop / laptop computers, and car navigation systems. For example, these electronic devices can output stored information as audio or video. As electronic device integration increases and ultra-high-speed, high-capacity wireless communications become more widespread, a single electronic device, such as a mobile communication terminal, can now be equipped with a variety of functions. For example, in addition to communication functions, entertainment functions such as games, multimedia functions such as music / video playback, communication and security functions such as mobile banking, and functions such as schedule management and electronic wallets are being integrated into a single electronic device. These electronic devices are becoming smaller and more portable for users.

[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, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing; a flexible display disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a hinge assembly connected to the first housing and the second housing and allowing the first housing and the second housing to be rotatably coupled; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) at least partially accommodated in a space between the flexible display and the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may include a first support member disposed in the first housing, a second support member disposed in the second housing, and an intermediate support member disposed between the first support member and the second support member. When the electronic device is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of a first end of the first support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, and at least a portion of a second end of the second support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, may overlap with at least a portion of the intermediate support member, and when the electronic device is in a folded state, a portion of the first end of the first support member and a portion of the second end of the second support member may be configured to contact the flexible printed circuit board.

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing; a flexible display disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display; and a hinge assembly connected to the first housing and the second housing, allowing the first housing and the second housing to be rotatably coupled, and providing an internal space for accommodating at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board. The hinge assembly may include a first support member supporting a portion of the flexible display, and a second support member supporting another portion of the flexible display. The first end of the first support member in its longitudinal direction and the second end of the second support member in its longitudinal direction are set to substantially face each other when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first end may overlap the FPCB and include a first protrusion protruding toward the FPCB (260).

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing; a flexible display disposed in the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing; a first flexible printed circuit board (first FPCB) disposed on a back surface of the flexible display within the first housing and the second housing, and a second flexible printed circuit board (second FPCB) disposed on a back surface of the flexible display within the first housing and the third housing; and a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the flexible display and the first FPCB and rotatably connected to each of the first housing and the second housing. A first hinge assembly (HA1) may include a first support member and a second support member, which are respectively disposed and spaced apart from each other in the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and a first ending portion of the first support member in the longitudinal direction and a second ending portion of the second support member in the longitudinal direction are set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the second housing are fully unfolded, and the first end may include a first protrusion protruding toward the first FPCB in an area overlapping the first FPCB. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the flexible display and the second FPCB and rotatably connected to each of the first housing and the third housing.The second hinge assembly may include a third support member and a fourth support member, which are respectively disposed and spaced apart from each other in the first housing and the third housing, and a third end of the third support member in the longitudinal direction thereof and a fourth end of the fourth support member in the longitudinal direction thereof are set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the third housing are fully unfolded, and the third end may include a third protrusion protruding toward the second FPCB in an area overlapping the second FPCB.

[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 block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment, according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a hinge module in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 may illustrate an example of a flexible display omitted from FIG. 5, according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA), according to one embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 8 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of the first support member, the second support member, and the intermediate support member according to a comparative example.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of a first support member, a second support member, and an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA), according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA), according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a first end of a first support member and a first protrusion formed thereon, according to one embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 26 is a perspective view of an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0036] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0038] Throughout the attached drawings, similar reference numbers may be assigned to similar parts, components and / or structures.

[0039] In foldable electronic devices including flexible displays, reducing and / or preventing wrinkles in the display is considered an important task. In order to solve the above task, the design of a hinge assembly for implementing a "folding motion (folding motion) and / or unfolding motion (unfolding motion)" (hereinafter, abbreviated as "folding motion") of the foldable electronic device may be important. As a structure of the hinge assembly, a U-shaped (or wedge-shaped) hinge structure in which components included in the hinge assembly are spread out in a U shape and face each other when the electronic device is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state), and a water drop-shaped (or dumbbell-shaped) hinge structure in which components included in the hinge assembly form a negative angle (e.g., -5 degrees) when the electronic device is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state) have been disclosed.

[0040] A hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure can increase the bending radius of a flexible display compared to a hinge assembly having a U-shaped hinge structure. Therefore, among the hinge assembly having a U-shaped hinge structure and the hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure, the hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure is known to be effective in reducing wrinkles in a flexible display and advantageous in reducing lifting of the flexible display.

[0041] In this way, although a hinge assembly having a waterdrop-shaped hinge structure is advantageous in improving the quality of the screen of a flexible display, there may be an issue related to the service life of the circuit board compared to a hinge assembly having a U-shaped hinge structure. A circuit board may be arranged on the back of the flexible display. For example, as the circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (hereinafter, abbreviated as 'FPCB') may be laminated on the back of the flexible display. In a hinge assembly having a waterdrop-shaped hinge structure, a problem may occur in which the FPCB tilts in the space inside the hinge assembly.

[0042] Since the FPCB contains a flexible material (e.g., polyimide (PI) material), it may be difficult for the foldable electronic device to maintain the shape intended by the designer of the electronic device when the folding motion is repeated. For example, if the foldable electronic device repeats the folding motion several times, the FPCB may not maintain its designated shape in the space within the hinge assembly. Here, "maintaining the designated shape" may mean that the shape of a certain component and / or the position of a certain component is maintained. For example, the FPCB included in the electronic device can exhibit optimal performance (e.g., optimal performance of the signal transmission efficiency of the FPCB) when the designated shape is maintained within a specified tolerance range based on the state in which the electronic device was initially manufactured as a finished product. In this way, it may be important for the FPCB to maintain its shape within the electronic device. However, a hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure has a greater degree of freedom for the FPCB to move compared to a hinge assembly having a U-shaped hinge structure. This may result in unintended phenomena such as tilting without maintaining the shape. If the FPCB is tilted, the bending radius of the FPCB may decrease, which may cause a reduction in the service life of the foldable electronic device.

[0043] The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a hinge assembly having a teardrop-shaped hinge structure, wherein the FPCB does not tilt and the FPCB maintains its shape. In addition, the present disclosure can provide an electronic device (e.g., a foldable electronic device) including such a hinge assembly.

[0044] 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 the present disclosure pertains from the description below.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The term "module" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure 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 part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0049] According to one embodiment, 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 separated and placed in other components. According to one embodiment, 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 such a 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.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0052] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0053] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0054] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0055] The program (140) may be stored as software in the memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0056] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0057] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0058] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0059] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0060] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0061] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0062] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0063] The haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0064] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0065] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0066] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0067] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0068] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0069] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0070] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0071] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0072] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0073] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an unfolded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a folded state of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the electronic device (101) may include a housing (201) for accommodating a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a hinge assembly (HA) of FIG. 4), and a display (230) disposed within a space formed by the housing (201).

[0076] According to one embodiment, the housing (201) may be referred to as a foldable housing (201). According to one embodiment, the display (230) may be referred to as a flexible display (230).

[0077] According to one embodiment, the housing (201) may include a first housing (210) and a second housing (220). According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) and / or the second housing (220) may form at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device (101).

[0078] The housing (201) may be deformable. For example, the housing (201) may be foldable or unfoldable. This may be understood as the second housing (220) being folded or unfolded relative to the first housing (210), or as the first housing (210) being folded or unfolded relative to the second housing (220). In the following description and claims, reference may only be made to the movement of the second housing (220) relative to the first housing (210), which may also apply to the movement of the first housing (210) relative to the second housing (220). The first housing (210) may provide relative motion relative to the second housing (220), and the second housing (220) may provide relative motion relative to the first housing (210).

[0079] According to one embodiment, the second housing (220) can rotate relative to the first housing (210) using a hinge assembly (e.g., the hinge assembly (HA) of FIG. 4). Accordingly, the electronic device (101) can be changed from an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 2) to a folded state (e.g., FIG. 3) or vice versa. Here, the unfolded state may be referred to as an opened state, and the folded state may be referred to as a closed state. In the present disclosure, an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 2) of an electronic device (101) may mean a fully unfolded state of the electronic device (101) unless otherwise specified, and a folded state (e.g., FIG. 3) of an electronic device (101) may mean a fully folded state of the electronic device (101) unless otherwise specified. In the fully folded state, the first front surface (210a) may face the second front surface (220a) (or may be inclined at approximately a predetermined negative angle (e.g., -5 degrees)), and in the fully unfolded state, a direction in which the first front surface (210a) faces may be the same as a direction in which the second front surface (220a) faces. For example, in a fully unfolded state, the first front surface (210a) may be positioned substantially on the same plane as the second front surface (220a).

[0080] According to one embodiment, the surface on which the display (230) is visually exposed may be defined as the front surface (e.g., the first front surface (210a) and the second front surface (220a)) of the electronic device (101) and / or the housing (201). In addition, the surface opposite to the front surface may be defined as the back surface (e.g., the first back surface (210b) and the second back surface (220b)) of the electronic device (101). In addition, the surface surrounding at least a portion of the space between the front surface and the back surface may be defined as the side surface (e.g., the first side surface (210c) and the second side surface (220c)) of the electronic device (101).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) 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). According to one embodiment, the angle or distance between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may vary depending on whether the state of the electronic device (101) 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 (210) and the second housing (220) can rotate about different folding axes with respect to the hinge assembly (HA). For example, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can be each rotatably coupled to the hinge assembly (HA) and can rotate about the folding axis (A) or about different folding axes, thereby rotating between a folded position to an inclined position with respect to the other or an unfolded position parallel to the other.

[0082] 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., the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) of the housing (201)) 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 the 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.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a hinge housing (240). The hinge housing (240) may be disposed between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (240) may be covered by a portion of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) or exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101), depending on the state of the electronic device (101). For example, when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 2), at least a portion of the hinge housing (240) may be covered by the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101), and when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state (e.g., FIG. 3), at least a portion of the hinge housing (240) may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are in an intermediate state where they are folded at a certain angle, the hinge housing (240) may be partially exposed to the outside between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). However, in this case, the exposed area may be less than in the folded state. In one embodiment, the hinge housing (240) may include a curved surface.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (240) can protect a hinge module (e.g., a hinge module (250) of FIG. 4 described below) and / or a component (e.g., an FPCB (260)) positioned inside the electronic device (101) from external impact of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the hinge housing (240) can be interpreted and / or referred to as a 'hinge cover (240)' for protecting the hinge module and / or the component.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the display (230) may refer to a display in which at least a portion of the display can be transformed into a flat or curved surface. For example, the display (230) may be formed to be variable in response to the relative movement of the second housing (220) with respect to the first housing (210). According to one embodiment, the display (230) may include a folding area (233), a first display area (231) disposed on one side of the folding area (233), and a second display area (232) disposed on the other side. According to one embodiment, the folding area (233) may be positioned in response to a hinge assembly (e.g., the hinge assembly (HA) of FIG. 4). According to one embodiment, the first display area (231) may be disposed on the first housing (210), and the second display area (232) may be disposed on the second housing (220). According to one embodiment, the display (230) can be accommodated in the first housing (210) and the second housing (220).

[0086] According to one embodiment, the display (230) may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch sensing 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 (101) may include a rear display (234). The rear display (234) may be arranged to face a different direction from the display (230). For example, the display (230) may be visually exposed through the front side (e.g., the first front side (210a) and / or the second front side (220a)) of the electronic device (101), and the rear display (234) may be visually exposed through the rear side (e.g., the first rear side (210b)) of the electronic device (101). In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the position and size of the rear display (234) are exemplary, and the position and size may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include at least one camera (204, 206) and a flash (208). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a front camera (204) exposed through a front side (e.g., a first front side (210a)) and / or a rear camera (206) exposed through a rear side (e.g., a first rear side (210b)). The cameras (204, 206) may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, a flash, and / or an image signal processor. The flash (208) 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 (101).

[0089] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a hinge module in an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 may illustrate a hinge assembly positioned on a lower surface of a display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] In the detailed description below, the length direction of the electronic device (101) 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. 4, the front of the electronic device (101) or the housing (201) 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 -X-axis direction toward the +X-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. Similarly, 'X-axis direction' can be interpreted to include both the +X direction and the -X direction, and 'Y-axis direction' can be interpreted to include both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. In describing directions, toward any one of the three axes of the orthogonal coordinate system can include toward a direction parallel to said axis.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the electronic device (101) may include a housing (201) including a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a display (230), a hinge housing (240), a hinge module (250), a first circuit board (260), a second circuit board (270), and a battery (280). The configurations of the first housing (210), the second housing (220), the display (230), and the hinge housing (240) of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be all or part of the same as the configurations of the first housing (210), the second housing (220), the display (230), and the hinge housing (240) of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the housing (201) may include a first bracket (212) and a second bracket (222). For example, the first housing (210) may include a first bracket (212), and the second housing (220) may include a second bracket (222). According to one embodiment, the first bracket (212) and / or the second bracket (222) may support components of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a display (230), a first circuit board (260), and a battery (280)). According to one embodiment, the first bracket (212) may be referred to as a 'first support bracket' or a 'first front plate'. According to one embodiment, the second bracket (222) may be referred to as a 'second support bracket' or a 'second front plate'.

[0093] In one embodiment, the first bracket (212) and / or the second bracket (222) may be formed of a metallic material and / or a non-metallic (e.g., polymer) material. In one embodiment, the first bracket (212) may be positioned between the display (230) and the battery (280). For example, the display (230) may be coupled to one surface of the first bracket (212), and the battery (280) and the second circuit board (270) may be positioned on the other surface.

[0094] In one embodiment, the housing (201) may include a first decor member (214) and a second decor member (224). For example, the first housing (210) may include the first decor member (214), and the second housing (220) may include the second decor member (224). In one embodiment, the decor members (214, 224) may protect the display (230) from external impact. For example, the first decor member (214) may surround at least a portion of a part of the display (230) (e.g., the first display area (231) of FIG. 2), and the second decor member (224) may surround at least a portion of another part of the display (230) (e.g., the second display area (232) of FIG. 2).

[0095] In one embodiment, the housing (201) may include a first back plate (216) and a second back plate (226). For example, the first housing (210) may include a first back plate (216) connected to a first support member (212), and the second housing (220) may include a second back plate (226) connected to a second support member (222). In one embodiment, the back plates (216, 226) may form a portion of the exterior of the electronic device (101). For example, the first back plate (216) may form a first back surface (e.g., the first back surface (210b) of FIG. 1), and the second back plate (226) may form a second back surface (e.g., the second back surface (220b) of FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the first battery (282) and the second-first circuit board (272) may be disposed between the first bracket (212) and the first back plate (216), and the second battery (284) and the second-second circuit board (274) may be disposed between the second bracket (222) and the second back plate (226).

[0096] In one embodiment, the hinge housing (240) can accommodate at least a portion of the hinge module (250). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of the hinge housing (240) can be positioned between the hinge module (250) and the housing (201). The hinge housing (240) can include an internal space (242) for accommodating the hinge module (250). In the present disclosure, the combination of the hinge housing (240) and the hinge module (250) can be referred to as a hinge assembly (HA).

[0097] In one embodiment, the first circuit board (260) can electrically connect components located in the first housing (210) (e.g., the 2-1 circuit board (272)) and components located in the second housing (220) (e.g., the 2-2 circuit board (274)). The first circuit board (260) can include at least a portion of a flexible material (e.g., polyimide (PI)). The first circuit board (260) can include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). In one embodiment, the first circuit board (260) can cross the hinge housing (240). For example, a portion of the first circuit board (260) can be disposed within the first housing (210) and another portion can be disposed within the second housing (220). According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first circuit board (260) may be disposed in the interior space (242) of the hinge housing (240).

[0098] According to one embodiment, the hinge module (250) may be connected to each of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). According to one embodiment, the second housing (220) may rotate with respect to the first housing (210) using the hinge module (250). For example, the first housing (210) may rotate around an axis parallel to the width direction of the electronic device (e.g., the first axis (Ax1) of FIG. 5), and the second housing (220) may rotate around another axis parallel to the axis about which the first housing (210) rotates (e.g., the third axis (Ax3) of FIG. 5). According to one embodiment, the hinge module (250) may include a plurality of hinge modules (250-1, 250-2) arranged in parallel. For example, the hinge module (250) may include a first hinge module (250-1) positioned corresponding to the hinge housing (240) and a second hinge module (250-2) positioned opposite the first hinge module (250-1) with respect to the intermediate support member (251). According to one embodiment, the first hinge module (250-1) may be symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line drawn in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of the electronic device (101) with respect to the second hinge module (250-2).

[0099] FIG. 6 may illustrate an example of a flexible display omitted from FIG. 5, according to one embodiment.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a top view of an electronic device can be shown, and through the embodiment of FIG. 5, a hinge module, components included in the hinge module, and their positions in the electronic device can be known.

[0101] In FIG. 5, the hinge module is depicted as being visible to the outside of the electronic device (101) through the flexible display (230), but in reality, the hinge module may not be visible to the outside because it is covered by a substantially opaque display panel of the flexible display (230).

[0102] Hereinafter, in describing an electronic device (101) including a hinge module (250) of the present disclosure and various components included in the hinge module (250), the description may be centered on the first hinge module (250-1), and the description of the first hinge module (250-1) may be applied to the second hinge module (250-2).

[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, the hinge module (250) may include a rotation member (252), a connecting member (253), an arm member (254), a cam member (255), and a support member (300).

[0104] The rotating member (252) is a component that can rotate around two axes, and can implement and / or guide the rotational motion of the first housing (210) and / or the second housing (220) by rotating the rotating member (252). According to one embodiment, the rotating member (252) may include a first rotating member (2521) that implements the rotational motion of the first housing (210) by rotating along one axis (the first axis (Ax1)) and a second rotating member (2522) that implements the rotational motion of the second housing (220) by rotating along the other axis (the third axis (Ax3)). The first rotation member (2521) includes two rotation elements (e.g., rail structures and / or pin structures) each configured to move about different axes, one of which is configured to rotate about one axis (the first axis (Ax1)) and the other rotation element can be configured to rotate on a separate axis (the second axis (Ax2)) so that the flexible display (230) can be naturally folded. The second rotation member (2522) includes two rotation elements (e.g., rail structures and / or pin structures) each configured to move about different axes, one of which is configured to rotate about the axis (the third axis (Ax3)) and the other rotation element can be configured to rotate on a separate axis (the fourth axis (Ax4)) so that the flexible display (230) can be naturally folded. In addition, a support member (300) is arranged on one side of the rotating member (252), and a linear motion element (e.g., a rail structure) is formed on the rotating member (252) to guide the support member (300) to slide linearly with respect to the rotating member (252).

[0105] The connecting member (253) is a component including two guide rails, and can be supported by a bracket (e.g., the first bracket (212), the second bracket (222) of FIG. 3) included in the electronic device (101) on one side, and can connect the rotating member (252) and the arm member (254) on the other side. For example, the connecting member (253) may have a bracket (e.g., the first bracket (212), the second bracket (222)) coupled to the lower surface, and the rotating member (252) and the arm member (254) arranged along the width direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the electronic device on the upper surface. At this time, the rotating member (252) and the arm member (453) may be arranged substantially on the same plane and parallel to each other in the length direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the electronic device.

[0106] The arm member (254) is a component including a cam shape and can rotate in response to rotation of the rotating member (252) about an axis (e.g., first axis (Ax1), third axis (Ax3)). According to one embodiment, the arm member (254) allows the electronic device (101) to perform a detent behavior in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) stop at a predetermined angle with respect to each other. For example, the arm member (254) can cause the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) to maintain a state at a certain specific angle, and at this time, the cam of the arm member (254) can serve as a resistance element that does not allow rotation unless an external force (e.g., detent force) greater than a predetermined value is applied.

[0107] In one embodiment, the connecting member (253) may include a first connecting member (2531) and a second connecting member (2532). The arm member (254) may include a first arm member (2541) and a second arm member (2542). The first connecting member (2531) may connect the first rotation member (2521) and the first arm member (2541), and the second connecting member (2532) may connect the second rotation member (2522) and the second arm member (2542). In one embodiment, the first arm member (2541) and the second arm member (2542) included in the arm member (254) may be engaged and coupled to the cam member (255), respectively. When a user applies an external force exceeding a preset value to fold the electronic device (101), the arm member (254) can be released from the state of engagement with the cam member (255) to allow rotation of the first housing (210) and / or the second housing (220), and when no external force is applied or an external force less than a preset value is applied, the engagement between the arm member (254) and the cam member (255) is maintained to keep the first housing (210) and / or the second housing (220) stationary.

[0108] The support member (300) is a component having an overall flat shape, and can support a portion (e.g., a reverse curvature portion) of the flexible display (230) when the electronic device (101) 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 support member (300) may be configured to be arranged on one surface of the rotation member (252), and to be formed to be able to slide while maintaining parallel to one surface of the rotation member (252).

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together, the support member (300) may include a first support member (310) and a second support member (320), wherein the first support member (310) may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the first rotation member (2521), and the second support member (320) may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the second rotation member (2522). In another embodiment, the first support member (310) may be arranged to cover not only the first rotation member (2521) but also at least a portion of the first arm member (2541), and the second support member (320) may be arranged to cover not only the second rotation member (2522) but also at least a portion of the second arm member (2542). In the present disclosure, the support member (300) may be referred to as a 'hinge plate' or a 'wing plate'. According to one embodiment, the first support member (310) may be referred to as a 'first hinge plate' or a 'first wing plate', and the second support member (320) may be referred to as a 'second hinge plate' or a 'second wing plate'.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 6, a portion of the first circuit board (260) is illustrated as being disposed in the first housing (210), and another portion of the first circuit board (260) is illustrated as being disposed in the second housing (220). The first circuit board (260) may be configured to cross an internal space (242) formed between the hinge module (250) and the hinge housing (e.g., the hinge housing (240) of FIG. 4) in an area corresponding to the support member (300).

[0111] The description of each component included in the hinge module (250) of the above FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided to understand the behavior of the electronic device in the unfolded state and the folded state of FIG. 7 and below, and may be exemplary and may be modified according to the embodiment.

[0112] The hinge module (250) and the hinge housing (240) of the electronic device (101) illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 can provide a hinge assembly (HA) having a water drop-shaped hinge structure. In addition, the present disclosure provides various embodiments of a hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure, in which a first circuit board (260) does not tilt and has a hinge structure capable of maintaining the shape of the first circuit board (260), and an electronic device (101) including the same.

[0113] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA) according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 may illustrate a cross-section of an electronic device (101) including the hinge assembly (HA) in the embodiment of Fig. 5 taken along the line A-A'. In describing the following embodiment of Fig. 7, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions given above in Figs. 1 to 6 may be omitted.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 7, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIGS. 1 to 6) may include a housing (201) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220). In addition, the electronic device (101) may include a flexible display (230) disposed in the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). In addition, the electronic device (101) may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (260) disposed on one side (e.g., a back side) of the flexible display (230). For example, the flexible printed circuit board (260) may be laminated with the flexible display (230) so as to face the back side of the flexible display (230). In the description of FIG. 7 and below of the present disclosure, the first circuit board (260) may be referred to as 'FPCB (260)' for convenience.

[0115] The electronic device (101) may include a hinge assembly (HA) that is connected to the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) and provides an internal space (242) that accommodates at least a portion of the FPCB (260) while allowing the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) to be rotatably coupled. The hinge assembly (HA) may include a hinge module (250) and a hinge housing (240). The hinge assembly (HA) may include a first support member (310) that supports a portion of the flexible display (230), a second support member (320) that supports another portion of the flexible display, and an intermediate support member (251) that is disposed between the first support member (310) and the second support member (320).

[0116] In one embodiment, the FPCB (260) may be disposed at least partially on top of a bracket and / or hinge housing (240) disposed within the electronic device (101). Referring to FIG. 7, the FPCB (260) may have one portion disposed on the first bracket (212), another portion disposed on the hinge housing (240), and another portion disposed on the second bracket (222). The FPCB (260) may have a configuration that crosses the internal space (242) between the hinge housing (240) and the hinge module (250). In one embodiment, the FPCB (260) may cross the internal space (242) between the hinge housing (240) and the hinge module (250) while penetrating the openings of the first bracket (212) and the second bracket (222).

[0117] According to one embodiment, the FPCB (260) may be configured to include a flexible portion, but partially include a rigid portion. Referring to FIG. 7, the FPCB (260) may include, for example, a first portion (2601) disposed in an internal space (242) of a hinge housing (240) and surrounded by the hinge housing (240), a fourth portion (2604) and a fifth portion (2605) disposed outside the internal space (242) of the hinge housing (240), and a second portion (2602) between the first portion (2601) and the fourth portion (2604), and a third portion (2603) between the first portion (2601) and the fifth portion (2605). In one embodiment, the fourth portion (2604) and the fifth portion (2605) may include rigid portions, and the second portion (2602) and the third portion (2603) may include flexible portions. In one embodiment, the first portion (2601) may also include a flexible portion. In one embodiment, the first portion (2601) may be a portion that can be maintained in a fixed shape so as to be approximately parallel to the flexible display (230) in the housing interior space (242).

[0118] According to one embodiment, at least one pressing member may be arranged inside the housing of the electronic device (101). The at least one pressing member may be configured to press or fix at least a portion of the FPCB (260). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the electronic device (101) includes a first pressing member (411) and a second pressing member (412), wherein the first pressing member (411) may be configured to press and / or fix the fourth portion (2604) and the second pressing member (412) may be configured to press and / or fix the fifth portion (2605).

[0119] The hinge assembly (HA) of the present disclosure may have a water drop shape (or dumbbell shape) hinge structure in which components included in the hinge assembly form a negative angle (e.g., -5 degrees) when the electronic device is in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state). In the hinge assembly (HA) having a water drop shape hinge structure, the FPCB (260) may be configured to bend around the hinge housing (240). As illustrated in FIG. 7, the FPCB (260) may be bent multiple times around the hinge housing (240). For example, the second portion (2602) and the third portion (2603) of the FPCB (260) may be portions that are bent between the first portion (2601) and the fourth portion (2604), and between the first portion (2601) and the fifth portion (2605), respectively. At this time, the bending portion may be formed at a position (E and / or F) adjacent to the fourth portion (2604) and / or the fifth portion (2605). In addition, the bending portion may be formed at a position where the second portion (2602) and / or the third portion (2603) contacts the first support member (310) and / or the second support member (320) or at a position adjacent thereto (corresponding to regions A and / or D). In addition, the bending portion may be formed at a position (corresponding to regions B and / or C) between the first portion (2601) and the second portion (2602) and / or between the first portion (2601) and the third portion (2603).

[0120] According to one embodiment, regions A and / or D are regions where a force is applied to the FPCB (260) to move away from the hinge housing (240), and the amount of change in strain (e.g., delta strain) may be greater than that of other regions of the FPCB (260) as the electronic device is bent in the opposite direction of the unfolding direction (when transformed from a folded state to an unfolded state) during an unfolding operation of the electronic device, and the electronic device is bent in the same direction as the folding direction (when transformed from an unfolded state to a folded state) during a folding operation of the electronic device. Regions B and / or C are regions adjacent to the first portion (2601) close to the folding axis, and the amount of change in strain may be relatively smaller than that of regions A and / or D as the shape change is not large during an unfolding operation or a folding operation of the electronic device. A hinge assembly (HA) having a water drop-shaped hinge structure may have regions E and / or F formed therein that bend in a direction toward the support member (300) at positions adjacent to the fourth portion (2604) and / or the fifth portion (2605). The regions E and / or F may be regions formed due to a behavior (e.g., a behavior to form a negative angle) of the first support member (310) and / or the second support member (320). For example, in the case of a hinge assembly having a U-shaped (or wedge-shaped) hinge structure, a bending portion may not be formed at a position (corresponding to regions E and / or F) adjacent to the fourth portion (2604) and / or the fifth portion (2605).

[0121] The support member (300) may be disposed between the flexible display (230) and the FPCB (260). The support member (300) may support at least a portion of the flexible display (230) on one surface when the electronic device is unfolded or folded. And, the support member (300) may be in contact with a portion of the FPCB (260) (e.g., the second portion (2602) and the third portion (2603)) on the other surface. According to one embodiment, the unfolding or folding operation of the electronic device may be implemented while the support member (300) is in contact with a portion of the FPCB (260) (e.g., the second portion (2602) and the third portion (2603)). According to one embodiment, an adhesive member (430) may be provided on the other surface of the support member (300). For example, a first adhesive member (431) may be attached to a first support member (310), and a second adhesive member (432) may be attached to a second support member (320).

[0122] The present disclosure provides a hinge assembly (HA) having a hinge structure that prevents the FPCB (260) from tilting and maintains the shape of the FPCB (260). To this end, the hinge assembly (HA) of the present disclosure may have a structure in which, in an unfolded state of an electronic device (101), a part of a first end (311) of a first support member (310) and a part of a second end (321) of the second support member are received in at least a part of an intermediate support member (251). In addition, the hinge assembly (HA) of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in a folded state of the electronic device (101), a part of a first end (311) of the first support member (310) and a part of a second end (321) of the second support member (320) are in contact with the FPCB (260).

[0123] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may substantially face each other in the unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0124] The first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may each include a protrusion portion (312, 322) for contacting the FPCB (260). According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) may include a first protrusion portion (312) (e.g., 312 of FIG. 9) for contacting the FPCB (260). According to one embodiment, the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may include a second protrusion portion (322) (e.g., 322 of FIG. 9) for contacting the FPCB (260).

[0125] The intermediate support member (251) may be disposed between the first support member (310) and the second support member (320) in the unfolded state of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the intermediate support member (251) may be referred to as an 'intermediate support structure' or a 'center bar'. The intermediate support member (251) may include a body portion (2511). In addition, a recess (2512) may be formed on one side and the other side of the intermediate support member (251) (e.g., the body portion (2511) of the intermediate support member (251)). In the unfolded state of the electronic device, a portion of the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and a portion of the second end (321) of the second support member (320) can be accommodated in at least a portion of the recess (2512) of the intermediate support member (251).

[0126] Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device (101) may further include a sealing member (420) for blocking waterproofing and / or external foreign substances when the electronic device is unfolded or folded. For example, the sealing member (420) may include a first sealing member (421) disposed on an opening of the bracket and a second sealing member (422) disposed between the hinge housing (240) and the bracket. According to one embodiment, the first sealing member (421) may include a 1-1 sealing member (4211) disposed on the first bracket (212) and a 1-2 sealing member (4212) disposed on the second bracket (222). According to one embodiment, the second sealing member (422) may include a second-first sealing member (4221) disposed on the first bracket (212) and a second-second sealing member (4222) disposed on the second bracket (222).

[0127] Fig. 8 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of a first support member, a second support member, and an intermediate support member according to a comparative example. Fig. 9 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of a first support member, a second support member, and an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0128] In the case of a hinge assembly having a U-shaped (or wedge-shaped) hinge structure, it may not include a configuration corresponding to the intermediate support member of the present disclosure. In contrast, a hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure may include an intermediate support member (251). In the case of a hinge assembly having a water drop-shaped hinge structure including an intermediate support member (251), it should not interfere with the intermediate support member (251) during an unfolding or folding operation of the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 8, for this purpose, the first support member (310') and / or the second support member (320') may need to be spaced apart from the intermediate support member (251') by a predetermined distance. For example, the distance between the first end (311') of the first support member (310') and the intermediate support member (251') illustrated in FIG. 8, and the distance between the second end (321') of the second support member (320') and the intermediate support member (251') may be spaced apart by, for example, a distance 'G1' illustrated by the drawing symbol in FIG. 8.

[0129] FIG. 9 illustrates a hinge assembly (HA) having a water drop-shaped hinge structure of the present disclosure, wherein a recess (2512) may be formed in a body portion (2511) of an intermediate support member (251) of FIG. 9. The recess (2512) may include a first recess (2512a) formed on one side of the body portion (2511) and a second recess (2512b) formed on the other side of the body portion (2511). According to one embodiment, in an unfolded state of the electronic device as illustrated in FIG. 9, at least a portion of a first end portion (311) of the first support member (310) and at least a portion of a second end portion (321) of the second support member (320) may overlap at least a portion of the intermediate support member (251). Here, 'overlap' may mean a form in which a component overlaps another component in the height direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) of the electronic device (101). FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which at least a portion of the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and at least a portion of the second end (321) of the second support member (320) overlap with at least a portion of the intermediate support member (251) in the height direction of the electronic device in an unfolded state of the electronic device. According to one embodiment, in the unfolded state of the electronic device, at least a portion of the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and at least a portion of the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may be accommodated in at least a portion (e.g., a recess (2512)) of the intermediate support member (251). The recess (2512) of the intermediate support member (251) may provide a space in which a component may be received and / or seated. For example, at least a portion of a first end (311) of the first support member (310) and at least a portion of a second end (321) of the second support member (320) may be received in the recess (2512).

[0130] In one embodiment, an elastic member (450) may be disposed in the recess (2512). For example, a first elastic member (451) may be disposed in a first recess (2512a), and a second elastic member (452) may be disposed in a second recess (2512b). The elastic member (450) being disposed in the recess (2512) includes, but is not necessarily limited to, directly facing the recess (2512). In one embodiment, the elastic member (450) may be provided in a space between the recess (2512) and the ends (311, 312) of the support member (300) while being attached to the recess (2512). Alternatively, according to one embodiment, the elastic member (450) may be provided in the space between the recess (2512) and the end portion (311, 312) of the support member (300) while being attached to the end portion (311, 312) of the support member (300). According to one embodiment, the elastic member (450) may be omitted as needed.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may each include a protrusion portion (312, 322) for contacting the FPCB (260). The first end (311) of the first support member (310) may include a first protrusion portion (312) for contacting the flexible printed circuit board. The second end (321) of the second support member may include a second protrusion portion (322) for contacting the FPCB (260). According to one embodiment, the first protrusion portion (312) and the second protrusion portion (322) may be formed to substantially face each other in an unfolded state of the electronic device. In one embodiment, a portion of the first protrusion (312) and a portion of the second protrusion (322) may overlap at least a portion of the intermediate support member (251). In one embodiment, a portion of the first protrusion (312) and a portion of the second protrusion (322) may be accommodated in at least a portion of the intermediate support member (251) (e.g., a recess (2512)).

[0132] Even in the case of a hinge assembly (HA) having a water drop-shaped hinge structure including an intermediate support member (251) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there should be no interference with the intermediate support member (251) during an unfolding or folding operation of the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 9, the first support member (310) and / or the second support member (320) may be spaced apart from the intermediate support member (251) by a predetermined distance. However, the hinge assembly (HA) of the present disclosure may form a recess (2512) in the intermediate support member (251), and a protrusion formed by bending at one end of the support member (300) may be positioned to correspond to the recess (2512). According to one embodiment, the first protrusion (312) formed by bending at the first end (311) of the first support member (310) may be positioned to correspond to the first recess (2512a). According to one embodiment, a second protrusion (322) formed by bending at a second end (321) of a second support member (320) may be positioned to correspond to a second recess (2512b).

[0133] Referring to FIG. 9, compared to the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the first end (311) of the first support member (310) further includes a first protrusion (312), and the first protrusion (312) extends further in the width direction of the electronic device toward the first recess (2512a). In addition, it can be seen that the second end (321) of the second support member (320) further includes a second protrusion (322), and the second protrusion (322) extends further in the width direction of the electronic device toward the second recess (2512b). According to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the second end (321) of the second support member (320) can be spaced apart, for example, by a distance 'G2' shown by the reference numeral in FIG. 9, without interfering with the intermediate support member (251). The distance 'G2' according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 can be shorter than the distance 'G1' according to the comparative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8. According to the embodiment of FIG. 9, since the distance between the first end (311) and the intermediate support member (251) and the distance between the second end (311) and the intermediate support member (251) are shorter than in the comparative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 (i.e., G1 > G2), the areas of the first support member (310) and the second support member (320) that actually support the display can be secured wider than in the comparative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the electronic device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 may have higher durability and a longer display lifespan compared to the electronic device according to the comparative embodiment of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA) according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly (HA) according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 may illustrate an electronic device in an unfolded state (e.g., a fully unfolded state), and FIG. 11 may illustrate an electronic device in a folded state (e.g., a fully folded state).

[0134] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 together, in an unfolded state of the electronic device, at least a portion of the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and at least a portion of the second end (321) of the second support member (320) overlap with at least a portion (e.g., a recess (2512)) of the intermediate support member (251), and in a folded state of the electronic device, a portion of the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and a portion of the second end (321) of the second support member (320) may be in contact with the FPCB (260).

[0135] Referring to FIG. 11, at least a portion of the first protrusion (312) may be formed to contact the first contact (P1) of the FPCB (260) when the electronic device is in a folded state. In addition, at least a portion of the second protrusion (322) may be formed to contact the second contact (P2) of the FPCB (260) when the electronic device is in a folded state. Here, the first contact (P1) and the second contact (P2) may be formed at different positions on the surface of the FPCB (260) facing the flexible display (230). According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, in the unfolded state of the electronic device, the side of the first part (2601) of the FPCB (260) facing the flexible display (230) is spaced apart from the body of the intermediate support member (251), but referring to FIG. 11, in the folded state of the electronic device, the side of the first part (2601) of the FPCB (260) facing the flexible display (230) can come into contact with the body of the intermediate support member (251).

[0136] According to one embodiment, the first contact point (P1) may be formed between the first part (2601) and the second part (2602) of the FPCB (260), and the second contact point (P2) may be formed between the first part (2601) and the third part (2603) of the FPCB (260). When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first protrusion (312) and / or the second protrusion (322) may contact the flexible display (230) of the FPCB (260) at the first contact point (P1) and / or the second contact point (P2), thereby allowing the first part (2601) of the FPCB (260) to be fully unfolded even when the electronic device is in a folded state. This allows the shape of the FPCB (260) to be maintained.

[0137] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first protrusion (312) that comes into contact with the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) may be formed as a curved surface. In addition, at least a portion of the second protrusion (322) that comes into contact with the second contact point (P2) of the FPCB (260) may be formed as a curved surface. The shapes of the first protrusion (312) and the second protrusion (322) will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 19 to 21.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the first contact point (P1) and the second contact point (P2) of the FPCB (260) where the first protrusion (312) and the second protrusion (322) come into contact can be set at positions where they are accommodated in the hinge housing (240). For example, the first contact point (P1) and the second contact point (P2) of the FPCB (260) can be formed at positions surrounding the hinge housing (240) in the folded state of the electronic device, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the second end (321) of the second support member (320) are in contact with the first contact (P1) and the second contact (P2) of the FPCB (260), respectively, and an air gap distance between the first contact (P1) and the second contact (P2) may have a first distance (d1) in an unfolded state of the electronic device and a second distance (d2) longer than the first distance (d1) in a folded state of the electronic device. For example, referring to FIG. 10, in the unfolded state of the electronic device, the air gap distance between the first contact (P1) to be in contact with the first end (311) and the second contact (P2) to be in contact with the second end (321) may be spaced apart by the first distance (d1). According to one embodiment, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the first distance (d1) may be shorter than the distance 'd3' between a contact point in contact with the first support member (310) and / or the first adhesive member (431) attached to the first support member (310) in the second portion (2602) of the FPCB (260) and a contact point in contact with the second support member (320) and / or the second adhesive member (432) attached to the second support member (320) in the third portion (2603) of the FPCB (260). For example, referring to FIG. 11, in a folded state of the electronic device, an air gap distance between the first contact point (P1) in contact with the first end (311) and the second contact point (P2) in contact with the second end (321) may be spaced apart by the second distance (d2). In Fig. 11, the second distance (d2) between the first contact point (P1) and the second contact point (P2) may be longer than the first distance (d1) between the first contact point (P1) and the second contact point (P2) in Fig. 10.According to one embodiment, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the second distance (d2) may be longer than a distance 'd4' between a contact point in contact with the first support member (310) and / or the first adhesive member (431) attached to the first support member (310) in the second portion (2602) of the FPCB (260) and a contact point in contact with the second support member (320) and / or the second adhesive member (432) attached to the second support member (320) in the third portion (2603) of the FPCB (260).

[0140] According to one embodiment, a part and another part of the FPCB (260) are folded to face each other with a gap in a folded state of the electronic device, and the gap between the part and the another part of the FPCB (260) may be greatest between the first contact point and the second contact point. According to one embodiment, a distance between the first contact point (P1) and the second contact point (P2) may be formed such that the distance when the electronic device is folded is greater than the distance when the electronic device is unfolded.

[0141] According to one embodiment, the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) may be positioned closer to the hinge housing (240) than to the flexible display (230) in the folded state of the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 11, the distance (d5) between the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) and the hinge housing (240) in the folded state of the electronic device may be shorter than the distance (d6) between the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) and the hinge housing (240). That is, it can be confirmed that the first contact point (P1) is positioned closer to the hinge housing (240) than to the flexible display (230). According to one embodiment, the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) may be maintained closer to the hinge housing (240) than to the flexible display (230) in the unfolded state of the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 10, in the unfolded state of the electronic device, the distance between the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) and the hinge housing (240) may be shorter than the distance between the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) and the hinge housing (240). That is, it can be confirmed that the first contact point (P1) is maintained closer to the hinge housing (240) than to the flexible display (230). Such behavior may be applied to the behavior between the second contact point (P2) of the FPCB (260) and the hinge housing (240), and the second contact point (P2) and the flexible display (230).

[0142] Hereinafter, the elastic member will be described in detail through the embodiments of FIGS. 12 to 15.

[0143] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment. FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an elastic member according to one embodiment. FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate a first elastic member (451) included in an elastic member (450), and the description thereof may be applied to a second elastic member (452).

[0144] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an embodiment in which the first elastic member (451) includes an elastic layer (4511) and a first adhesive layer (4512), and FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an embodiment further including a non-adhesive layer (4513) and a second adhesive layer (4514).

[0145] In addition, FIGS. 12 and 14 illustrate an embodiment in which the first elastic member (451) is disposed on one surface (311a) of one end (e.g., the first end (311)) of a support member (e.g., the first support member (310)), and FIGS. 13 and 15 illustrate an embodiment in which the first elastic member (451) is disposed in a recess (e.g., the first recess (2512a)).

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the first elastic member (451) may include an elastic layer (4511) and a first adhesive layer (4512). The elastic layer (4511) may be provided to protect the first end (311) of the first support member (310) from impact when the electronic device is unfolded (transformed from a folded state to an unfolded state) and overlaps the intermediate support member (251). The first adhesive layer (4512) may be provided to attach the elastic layer (4511) to one surface (311a) of the first end (311) or the first recess (2512a). The elastic layer (4511) may include a material such as, for example, sponge or rubber. The first adhesive layer (4512) may include, for example, an adhesive or an adhesive tape.

[0147] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the first elastic member (451) may further include, in addition to the elastic layer (4511) and the first adhesive layer (4512), a non-adhesive layer (4513) and a second adhesive layer (514). The non-adhesive layer (4513) may be provided to prevent noise due to the stickiness of the elastic layer. The second adhesive layer (4514) may be provided for attachment between the elastic layer (4511) and the non-adhesive layer (4513). The non-adhesive layer (4513) may include an unsticky tape. The second adhesive layer (4514) may include, for example, an adhesive or an adhesive tape. However, examples of the first elastic member (451) are not limited to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. The first elastic member (451) may additionally include various other layers in addition to the elastic layer (4511) and the first adhesive layer (4512). In addition, one of the non-adhesive layer (4513) or the second adhesive layer (4514) included in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be omitted.

[0148] According to one embodiment, the height (or thickness) of the electronic device of the first elastic member (451) in the height direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) may be formed to be no greater than the depth of the recess (2512) of the intermediate support member (251).

[0149] Hereinafter, the intermediate support member and the recess formed therein will be described in detail through the embodiments of FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0150] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment. FIG. 17 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment. FIG. 18 is a drawing showing an intermediate support member according to one embodiment.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 16, the intermediate support member (251) may include a body portion (2511), a first recess (2512a) formed on one side of the body portion (2511), and a second recess (2512b) formed on the other side of the body portion (2511). The first recess (2512a) and the second recess (2512b) may have a step with respect to the body portion (2511). Here, the first recess (2512a) and the second recess (2512b) may be formed by concavely processing a portion of the body portion (2512), or may be formed by injecting a molding liquid into a mold formed to form the first recess (2512a) and the second recess (2512b) and solidifying the molding liquid.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 17, the intermediate support member (251) may include a body portion (2511), a first recess (2512a) formed on one side of the body portion (2511), and a second recess (2512b) formed on the other side of the body portion (2512). Here, the first recess (2512a) and the second recess (2512b) may be formed substantially integrally. The embodiment of FIG. 17 may additionally include a second body portion (256) different from the body portion (2511), rather than a method of separately processing the recess (2512) on the body portion (2511) or using a mold having a body portion separated from the recess. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the intermediate support member (251) may include a second body portion (256) formed as a separate layer on the body portion (2511). The body part (2511) and the second body part (256) form a body part assembly (2511, 256), and the body part assembly (2511, 256) may have a step with the first recess (2512a) and the second recess (2512b).

[0153] Referring to FIG. 18, the intermediate support member (251) may additionally include a second body portion (257) different from the body portion (2511). In one embodiment, the body portion (2511) and the second body portion (257) may be formed of different materials. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, the second body portion (257) may include a second body (2571), a first recess (2572a) stepped from the second body (2571), and a second recess (2572b).

[0154] Hereinafter, the end portion of the support member and the protrusion formed thereon will be described in detail through the embodiments of FIGS. 19 to 24. FIGS. 19 to 24 illustrate a first end portion (311) and a first protrusion portion (312), and the description thereof can also be applied to a second end portion (321) and a second protrusion portion (322).

[0155] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0156] In one embodiment, the first support member (310) may include a first end (311). The first end (311) may be a portion extending toward the intermediate support member (251) in an unfolded state of the electronic device. In one embodiment, a portion of the first end (311) may overlap a portion (e.g., a recess (2512)) of the intermediate support member (251) in an unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0157] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) may include a first surface (311a) for overlapping with a portion (e.g., a recess (2512)) of the intermediate support member (251) in an unfolded state of the electronic device. The first surface (311a) may form a predetermined step with a second surface (311b) that does not overlap with a portion (e.g., a recess (2512)) of the intermediate support member (251) in an unfolded state of the electronic device. Here, an inclined surface (311c) may be formed between the first surface (311a) and the second surface (311b). According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first surface (311a), the second surface (311b), and / or the inclined surface (311c) may include a curved surface.

[0158] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) may include a first protrusion (312). The first protrusion (312) may be provided to contact the FPCB (260) in a folded state of the electronic device.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 19, according to one embodiment, the first protrusion (312) may protrude integrally from the first end (311). Referring to FIG. 19, the first protrusion (312) may protrude from the first end (311) in a direction parallel to the Y-axis. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, one side of the first protrusion (312) may be stepped by a predetermined height in a direction parallel to the Z-axis with respect to the second side (311b) of the first end (311). Here, one side of the first protrusion (312) may be defined as a portion that is substantially the same as the first side (311a) of the first end (311).

[0160] In FIG. 20, an embodiment is shown in which a first surface (311a) of a first end portion (311) is substantially the same as one surface of a first protrusion (312). Referring to FIG. 20, the first protrusion (312) may protrude from the first end portion (311) in a direction parallel to the Y-axis. Referring to FIG. 20, according to one embodiment, the first protrusion (312) may protrude integrally from the first end portion (311), but may have a bent shape from the first end portion (311). In the embodiment of FIG. 20, one surface of the first protrusion (312) may be stepped by a predetermined height in a direction parallel to the Z-axis with respect to a second surface (311b) of the first end portion (311). According to one embodiment, the first end portion (311) and the first protrusion portion (312) have substantially the same thickness, but the first protrusion portion (312) may be bent by a predetermined portion from the first end portion (311) and then further extended in a direction parallel to the first end portion (311) so that a step is formed between the first surface (311a) and the second surface (311b). For example, a bent portion (313) may be formed between the first end portion (311) and the first protrusion portion (312).

[0161] Referring to Fig. 21, the first end portion (311) and the first protrusion portion (312) are formed integrally and may be substantially identical. In addition, the first end portion (311) and a separate layer (314) may be laminated on the first end portion (311), thereby forming a first protrusion portion (312) having an external shape similar to that of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 19.

[0162] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a first end and a first protrusion according to one embodiment.

[0163] FIGS. 22 to 24 illustrate various embodiments in which at least a portion of the first protrusion (312) that comes into contact with the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) is formed as a curved surface.

[0164] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first protrusion (312) that comes into contact with the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) may have a curved surface.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, a curved surface (311d) is added to the first end (311) illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 19 and 20, respectively. By including the curved surface (311d) in the first end (311), the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) can be prevented from being damaged by the first end (311) during a folding operation of the electronic device (when transformed from an unfolded state to a folded state).

[0166] Referring to FIG. 24, in the manufacturing process of forming the first end of the first support member (310), a hemming structure (315) may be included. According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member (310) may include the hemming structure (315) together with a protrusion (312). The hemming structure (315) may be a portion formed by bending in a direction different from the direction in which the protrusion (312) protrudes from the first end (311). According to one embodiment, the bending portion (311e) between the protrusion (312) of the first support member (310) and the hemming structure (315) may be processed (e.g., cutting processed). At this time, the first end (311) may include a curved surface (311d) formed from a bending portion (311e). The shape of the protrusion (312) of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 24 described above, and may vary depending on the embodiment. For example, the protrusion (312) may have a different shape from the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 24, corresponding to the shape of the recess (2512) of the intermediate support member (251) in which the protrusion (312) is accommodated.

[0167] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a first end (311) of a first support member (310) and a first protrusion (312) formed thereon, according to one embodiment.

[0168] Fig. 25 may illustrate the relationship between the width (W1) of the first protrusion (312) formed at the first end (311) of the first support member (310) and the width (W2) of the FPCB (260). Although only the first protrusion (312) is illustrated in Fig. 25, the description thereof may also be applied to the second protrusion (322) formed at the second end (321) of the second support member (320).

[0169] According to one embodiment, the width (W1) of the first protrusion (312) can be formed to be equal to or greater than the width (W2) of the FPCB (260). By forming the width (W1) of the first protrusion (312) to be at least equal to the width (W2) of the FPCB (260), the first contact point (P1) of the FPCB (260) can be prevented from being damaged by the first end (311) during a folding operation of the electronic device (when transformed from an unfolded state to a folded state).

[0170] Fig. 26 is a perspective view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment. Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment. Fig. 28 is a perspective view of an electronic device in a folded state according to one embodiment. Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment.

[0171] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the electronic device (101) including the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) described through the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 25, an electronic device (500) including the first housing (510), the second housing (520), and the third housing (530) illustrated in FIGS. 26 to 29 may be disclosed. Descriptions that overlap with those of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 25 may be omitted below. The embodiments of FIGS. 26 to 29 may illustrate multi-foldable electronic devices.

[0172] Referring to FIGS. 26 to 28, the electronic device (500) may include a housing (501) including a first housing (510), a second housing (520), and a third housing (530). The electronic device (500) may include a flexible display (502) disposed in the first housing (510), the second housing (520), and the third housing (530). The second housing (520) may be folded or unfolded relative to the first housing (510), and the third housing (530) may be folded or unfolded relative to the first housing (510).

[0173] The electronic device (500) may include a first flexible printed circuit board (first FPCB) (560) disposed on the back surface of the flexible display (502) within the first housing (510) and the second housing (520), and a second flexible printed circuit board (second FPCB) (570) disposed on the back surface of the flexible display (502) within the first housing (510) and the third housing (530).

[0174] Referring to FIGS. 26 to 29, the electronic device (500) may include a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the flexible display (502) and the first FPCB (560) and rotatably connected to each of the first housing (510) and the second housing (520). The first hinge assembly (HA1) may include a first hinge housing (540) and a first hinge module (M1). In addition, the electronic device (500) may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the flexible display (502) and the second FPCB (570) and rotatably connected to each of the first housing (510) and the third housing (530). The second hinge assembly (HA2) may include a second hinge housing (550) and a second hinge module (M2).

[0175] A first hinge assembly (HA1) may include a first support member (610) and a second support member (620) disposed and spaced apart from each other, respectively, in a first housing (510) and a second housing (520). A first end (611) of the first support member (610) in the longitudinal direction and a second end (621) of the second support member (620) in the longitudinal direction may be set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the second housing are fully unfolded. The first end (611) may include a first protrusion (612) protruding toward the first FPCB (560) in an area overlapping the first FPCB (560). Additionally, the second end (621) may include a second protrusion (622) protruding toward the first FPCB (560) in an area overlapping the first FPCB (560).

[0176] The first hinge assembly (HA1) may include a first intermediate support member (651) disposed between the first support member (610) and the second support member (620) in an unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the second housing (520). The first intermediate support member (651) may include a first body portion (6511), and a recess (6512) may be formed on one side and the other side of the first body portion (6511). In the unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the second housing (520), a portion of a first end of the first support member (610) may be received in at least a portion of the recess (6512) of the first intermediate support member (651). In the unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the second housing (520), a portion of the second end of the second support member (620) can also be accommodated in at least a portion of the recess (6512) of the first intermediate support member (651).

[0177] The second hinge assembly (HA2) may include a third support member (630) and a fourth support member (640) disposed and spaced apart from each other, respectively, in the first housing (510) and the third housing (530). A third end (631) of the third support member (630) in the longitudinal direction and a fourth end (641) of the fourth support member (640) in the longitudinal direction may be set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the third housing are fully unfolded. The third end (631) may include a third protrusion (632) protruding toward the second FPCB (570) in an area overlapping the second FPCB (570). Additionally, the fourth end (641) may include a fourth protrusion (642) protruding toward the second FPCB (570) in an area overlapping the second FPCB (560).

[0178] The second hinge assembly (HA2) may include a second intermediate support member (661) disposed between the third support member (630) and the fourth support member (640) in an unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the third housing (530). The second intermediate support member (661) may include a second body portion (6611), and a recess (6612) may be formed on one side and the other side of the second body portion (6611). In an unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the third housing (530), a portion of a third end of the third support member (630) may be received in at least a portion of the recess of the second intermediate support member (661). In the unfolded state between the first housing (510) and the third housing (530), a portion of the fourth end of the fourth support member (640) can also be accommodated in at least a portion of the recess (6612) of the second intermediate support member (661).

[0179] According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 29, the first hinge assembly (HA1) and the second hinge assembly (HA2) may each provide an in-folding hinge structure. At this time, an intermediate support member included in either the first hinge assembly (HA1) or the second hinge assembly (HA2) may be formed to have a wider width (or area) than the other intermediate support member. For example, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 26 to 28, the width of the first intermediate support member (661) may be formed to be wider than the width (or area) of the second intermediate support member (662).

[0180] FIG. 29 illustrates that both the first hinge assembly (HA1) and the second hinge assembly (HA2) include components of the hinge assembly (HA) of the embodiment of FIG. 7. However, this is not necessarily limited thereto. According to one embodiment, as the multi-foldable electronic device (500) of FIGS. 26 to 29, only one of the first hinge assembly (HA1) and the second hinge assembly (HA2) may include components of the hinge assembly (HA) described through the embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0181] 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.

[0182] 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 component (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.

[0183] The term "module" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure 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 part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0184] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more commands stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one command among the one or more commands stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one command called. The one or more commands may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0185] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0186] According to various embodiments, 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 separated and arranged in other components. According to various embodiments, 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 such a 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 various embodiments, 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.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) may be provided. The electronic device (101) may include a housing (201) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220); a flexible display (230) disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a hinge assembly (HA) connected to the first housing and the second housing and allowing the first housing and the second housing to be rotatably coupled; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (260) at least partially accommodated in a space between the flexible display and the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may include a first support member (310) disposed in the first housing, a second support member (320) disposed in the second housing, and an intermediate support member (251) disposed between the first support member and the second support member. When the electronic device is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of a first end (311) of the first support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, and at least a portion of a second end (321) of the second support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, may overlap with at least a portion of the intermediate support member, and when the electronic device is in a folded state, at least a portion of the first end of the first support member and at least a portion of the second end of the second support member may be configured to contact the flexible printed circuit board.

[0188] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member may each include a protrusion portion (312, 322) for contacting the flexible printed circuit board.

[0189] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member may include a first protrusion (312).

[0190] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first protrusion may be formed to contact the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board in a folded state of the electronic device.

[0191] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first protrusion that comes into contact with the first contact point (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board may have a curved surface.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the hinge assembly includes a hinge housing (240) for protecting the internal space, and the first contact point (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board can be accommodated in the hinge housing.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board may be positioned closer to the hinge housing than to the flexible display in the folded state of the electronic device.

[0194] According to one embodiment, the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board can be maintained at a position closer to the hinge housing than to the flexible display in the unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0195] According to one embodiment, the second end (321) of the second support member may include a second protrusion (322).

[0196] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member may be formed to substantially face each other in an unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0197] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member contact the first contact and the second contact of the flexible printed circuit board, respectively, and an air gap distance between the first contact and the second contact may have a first distance in an unfolded state of the electronic device and a second distance longer than the first distance in a folded state of the electronic device.

[0198] According to one embodiment, the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member may be in contact with the first contact (P1) and the second contact (P2) of the flexible printed circuit board, respectively. One portion and the other portion of the flexible printed circuit board are folded to face each other with a gap in a folded state of the electronic device, and the gap between the one portion and the other portion of the flexible printed circuit board may be greatest between the first contact and the second contact.

[0199] In one embodiment, the width of the protrusion may be equal to or greater than the width of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0200] According to one embodiment, a recess (2512) is formed on one side and the other side of the intermediate support member, and in an unfolded state of the electronic device, at least a portion of a first end (311) of the first support member and at least a portion of a second end (321) of the second support member can be received in at least a portion of the recess of the intermediate support member.

[0201] According to one embodiment, the recess may further include an elastic member disposed therein.

[0202] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) may be provided. The electronic device (101) may include: a housing (201) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220); a flexible display (230) disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (260) disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display; and a hinge assembly (HA) connected to the first housing and the second housing and configured to rotatably couple the first housing and the second housing, and providing an internal space for accommodating at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board. The hinge assembly may include a first support member (310) supporting a portion of the flexible display, and a second support member (320) supporting another portion of the flexible display. The first end (311) of the first support member in its longitudinal direction and the second end (321) of the second support member in its longitudinal direction are set to substantially face each other when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first end (311) may overlap the FPCB (260) and include a first protrusion (312) protruding toward the FPCB (260).

[0203] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the protruding region may be set to contact the first contact of the FPCB in a folded state of the electronic device.

[0204] According to one embodiment, the hinge assembly further includes an intermediate support member disposed between the first support member and the second support member, wherein at least a portion of the first protrusion of the first end can be disposed below a portion of the intermediate support member in an unfolded state of the electronic device.

[0205] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (500) may be provided. The electronic device (500) includes a housing (501) including a first housing (510), a second housing (520), and a third housing (530); a flexible display (502) disposed in the first housing (510), the second housing (520), and the third housing (530); a first flexible printed circuit board (first FPCB) (560) disposed on a back surface of the flexible display (502) within the first housing (510) and the second housing (520), and a second flexible printed circuit board (second FPCB) (570) disposed on a back surface of the flexible display (502) within the first housing (510) and the third housing (530); And a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the flexible display (502) and the first FPCB (560), and rotatably connected to each of the first housing (510) and the second housing (520), wherein the first hinge assembly includes a first support member (610) and a second support member (620) disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and spaced apart from each other, and a first end (611) of the first support member in the longitudinal direction and a second end (621) of the second support member in the longitudinal direction are set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the second housing are fully unfolded, and the first end (611) is connected to the first FPCB (560) and It may include a first protrusion protruding toward the first FPCB (560) in the overlapping area.The electronic device may be disposed between the flexible display (502) and the second FPCB (570), and may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) rotatably connected to each of the first housing (510) and the third housing (530), the second hinge assembly including a third support member (630) and a fourth support member (640) disposed in the first housing (510) and the third housing (530), respectively, and spaced apart from each other, a third end of the third support member (630) in the longitudinal direction and a fourth end of the fourth support member in the longitudinal direction are set to substantially face each other when the first housing and the third housing are fully unfolded, and the third end may include a third protrusion protruding toward the second FPCB in an area overlapping the second FPCB.

[0206] According to one embodiment, the first hinge assembly may include a first intermediate support member (650) disposed between the first support member (610) and the second support member (620) in an unfolded state between the first housing and the second housing.

[0207] According to one embodiment, a recess (6512) is formed on one side and the other side of the first intermediate support member, and in an unfolded state between the first housing and the second housing, a portion of the first end of the first support member (610) can be received in at least a portion of the recess of the first intermediate support member.

[0208] While this disclosure has been described by way of example and illustration, it should be understood that these various embodiments are illustrative and not 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 an electronic device (101), A housing (201) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220); A flexible display (230) disposed in the first housing and the second housing; A hinge assembly (HA) connected to the first housing and the second housing and allowing the first housing and the second housing to be rotatably coupled; and A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (260) is included, at least partially accommodated in the space between the flexible display and the hinge assembly; The hinge assembly includes a first support member (310) disposed in the first housing, a second support member (320) disposed in the second housing, and an intermediate support member (251) disposed between the first support member and the second support member. An electronic device, wherein when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of a first end (311) of the first support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, and at least a portion of a second end (321) of the second support member, which is an end close to the intermediate support member, overlap with at least a portion of the intermediate support member, and when the electronic device is in a folded state, at least a portion of the first end of the first support member and at least a portion of the second end of the second support member are configured to contact the flexible printed circuit board.

2. In paragraph 1, An electronic device wherein the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member each include a protrusion portion (312, 322) for contacting the flexible printed circuit board.

3. In paragraph 2, An electronic device wherein the first end (311) of the first support member includes a first protrusion (312).

4. In paragraph 3, An electronic device wherein at least a portion of the first protrusion is formed to contact the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board in a folded state of the electronic device.

5. In paragraph 4, An electronic device, wherein at least a portion of the first protrusion that comes into contact with the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board has a curved surface.

6. In paragraph 4, An electronic device, wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge housing (240) for protecting the internal space, and the first contact point (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board is accommodated in the hinge housing.

7. In paragraph 6, An electronic device, wherein the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board is positioned closer to the hinge housing than to the flexible display in a folded state of the electronic device.

8. In paragraph 7, An electronic device, wherein the first contact (P1) of the flexible printed circuit board is maintained at a position closer to the hinge housing than to the flexible display in the unfolded state of the electronic device.

9. In paragraph 2, An electronic device wherein the second end (321) of the second support member includes a second protrusion (322).

10. In paragraph 1, An electronic device in which the first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member are formed to substantially face each other in an unfolded state of the electronic device.

11. In paragraph 1 or 2, An electronic device in which a first end (311) of the first support member and a second end (321) of the second support member contact a first contact point and a second contact point of the flexible printed circuit board, respectively, and an air gap distance between the first contact point and the second contact point has a first distance in an unfolded state of the electronic device and a second distance longer than the first distance in a folded state of the electronic device.

12. In paragraph 11, The first end (311) of the first support member and the second end (321) of the second support member are in contact with the first contact (P1) and the second contact (P2) of the flexible printed circuit board, respectively. An electronic device in which a portion and another portion of the flexible printed circuit board are folded to face each other with a gap in a folded state of the electronic device, and the gap between the portion and another portion of the flexible printed circuit board is the largest between the first contact and the second contact.

13. In any one of paragraphs 2 to 12, An electronic device wherein the width of the protrusion is equal to or greater than the width of the flexible printed circuit board.

14. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 13, An electronic device in which a recess (2512) is formed on one side and the other side of the intermediate support member, and in an unfolded state of the electronic device, at least a part of a first end (311) of the first support member and at least a part of a second end (321) of the second support member are accommodated in at least a part of the recess of the intermediate support member.

15. In paragraph 14, An electronic device further comprising an elastic member disposed in the recess.

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