Electronic device comprising support structure for reinforcing flexible display

Abstract

A foldable electronic device according to one embodiment may comprise: a flexible display including a first portion, a second portion, and a foldable third portion extending from the first portion to the second portion; a support plate for supporting the flexible display, the support plate being formed of glass and including a first support portion disposed below the first portion, a second support portion disposed below the second portion, and a third support portion that is disposed below the third portion and includes a plurality of slits; and a protective layer applied to the bottom of the support plate.

Description

An electronic device comprising a support structure for reinforcing a flexible display

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a structure for reinforcing a flexible display.

[0002] As user demands diversify, electronic devices may include a structure that allows the display to be transformed for displaying content. For example, an electronic device may include a foldable, flexible display. The electronic device may require a support structure for the display to reinforce the transformable display.

[0003] The above information may be provided as background art to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above-described matters constitute prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] A foldable electronic device is disclosed. The foldable electronic device includes a flexible display including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion to the second portion and being foldable. The foldable electronic device includes a support plate that supports the flexible display, the support plate being formed of glass and including a first support portion disposed under the first portion, a second support portion disposed under the second portion, and a third support portion disposed under the third portion and including a plurality of slits. The foldable electronic device includes a protective layer attached under the support plate. In one embodiment, the protective layer may be coated under the support plate.

[0005] A foldable electronic device is disclosed. The foldable electronic device may include a housing including a first housing part and a second housing part. The foldable electronic device may include a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first housing part and the second housing part. The foldable electronic device may include a flexible display including a first portion coupled to the first housing part, a second portion coupled to the second housing part, and a third portion extending from the first portion to the second portion and foldable by the hinge assembly. The foldable electronic device may include a support plate formed of glass and supporting the flexible display, the support plate including a first support portion disposed under the first portion, a second support portion disposed under the second portion, and a third support portion disposed under the third portion and including a plurality of slits. The foldable electronic device includes a protective layer attached under the support plate. The protective layer may be coated under the support plate. The neutral surface of the support plate may be disposed adjacent to the second surface among the first surface facing the flexible display and the second surface opposite to the first surface.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2a illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0008] Figure 2b illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0009] Figure 2c is an exploded view of an exemplary electronic device.

[0010] Figure 3a illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0011] Figure 3b illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electronic device taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2a or along line B-B' of FIG. 3a.

[0013] Figure 5a illustrates a support plate of an exemplary electronic device.

[0014] Figure 5b illustrates a support plate with a protective layer attached to an exemplary electronic device.

[0015] Figure 5c illustrates a portion of an exemplary electronic device.

[0016] Figures 5d and 5e illustrate a support plate with a protective layer attached to an exemplary electronic device.

[0017] Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e illustrate a support plate having a protective layer attached thereto of an exemplary electronic device.

[0018] FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of an exemplary electronic device in a folded state.

[0019] Figure 7b illustrates a portion of a support plate of an exemplary electronic device.

[0020] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F illustrate a portion of a support plate of an exemplary electronic device.

[0021] FIG. 9A illustrates an exemplary electronic device in a first state.

[0022] Figure 9b illustrates an exemplary electronic device within a second state.

[0023] FIG. 9c is a plan view of an exemplary electronic device in a first state with the flexible display removed.

[0024] FIG. 9d is a rear view of an exemplary electronic device in a first state with the back cover removed.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0026] 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). According to 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)).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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).

[0030] 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).

[0031] 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).

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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).

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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).

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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 at least one selected 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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)).

[0047] 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 one 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.

[0048] Figure 2a illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device. Figure 2b illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device. Figure 2c is an exploded view of an exemplary electronic device.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the electronic device (101) may include a housing (200) including a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220), a display (230), at least one camera (240) (e.g., the camera module (180) of FIG. 1), a hinge structure (250), and / or at least one electronic component (260).

[0050] The first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may form at least a portion of an outer surface of the electronic device (101) that can be gripped by a user. At least a portion of the outer surface of the electronic device (101) defined by the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may come into contact with a portion of the user's body when the electronic device (101) is used by the user. According to one embodiment, the first housing part (210) may include a first front surface (211), a first rear surface (212) facing the first front surface (211) and spaced apart from the first front surface (211), and first side surfaces (213) that surround at least a portion of the first front surface (211) and the first rear surface (212). The first side surfaces (213) may connect an edge of the first front surface (211) and an edge of the first rear surface (212). The first front (211), the first rear (212), and the first side surfaces (213) may define an internal space of the first housing part (210). According to one embodiment, the first housing part (210) may provide a space formed by the first front (211), the first rear (212), and the first side surfaces (213) as a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101).

[0051] The second housing part (220) may include a second front surface (221), a second rear surface (222) facing the second front surface (221) and spaced apart from the second front surface (221), and second side surfaces (223) surrounding at least a portion of the second front surface (221) and the second rear surface (222). The second side surfaces (223) may connect an edge of the second front surface (221) and an edge of the second rear surface (222). The second front surface (221), the second rear surface (222), and the second side surfaces (223) may define an interior space of the second housing part (220). According to one embodiment, the second housing part (220) may provide a space formed by a second front surface (221), a second rear surface (222), and second side surfaces (223) surrounding at least a portion of the second front surface (221) and the second rear surface (222), as a space for mounting components of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the second housing part (220) may be coupled to the first housing part (210) so as to be rotatable with respect to the first housing part (210).

[0052] Each of the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may include a first protective member (214) and a second protective member (224), respectively. The first protective member (214) and the second protective member (224) may be disposed on the first front surface (211) and the second front surface (221) along the edge of the display (230). According to one embodiment, the first protective member (214) and the second protective member (224) may prevent foreign substances (e.g., dust or moisture) from entering through the gap between the display (230) and the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). For example, the first protective member (214) may surround an edge of a first display portion (231) of the display (230), and the second protective member (224) may surround an edge of a second display portion (232) of the display (230). The first protective member (214) may be formed by being attached to the first side surfaces (213) of the first housing part (210), or may be formed integrally with the first side surfaces (213). The second protective member (224) may be formed by being attached to the second side surfaces (223) of the second housing part (220), or may be formed integrally with the second side surfaces (223).

[0053] The first side surfaces (213) and the second side surfaces (223) may include a conductive material, a non-conductive material, or a combination thereof. For example, the second side surfaces (223) may include at least one conductive portion (225) and at least one non-conductive portion (226). The at least one conductive portion (225) may include a plurality of conductive portions that are spaced apart from each other. The at least one non-conductive portion (226) may be positioned between the plurality of conductive portions. The plurality of conductive portions may be isolated from each other by the at least one non-conductive portion (226) positioned between the plurality of conductive portions. According to one embodiment, the plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions may together form an antenna radiator. The electronic device (101) may be capable of communicating with an external electronic device through the antenna radiator formed by the plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions.

[0054] The display (230) may be configured to display visual information. In one embodiment, the display (230) may be disposed on a first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) and a second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220) across the hinge structure (250). For example, the display (230) may include a first display portion (231) disposed on the first front surface (211) of the first housing, a second display portion (232) disposed on the second front surface (221) of the second housing, and a third display portion (233) disposed between the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232). The first display portion (231), the second display portion (232), and the third display portion (233) may form a front surface of the display (230). According to one embodiment, the display (230) may further include a sub-display (235) disposed on the second rear surface (222) of the second housing part (220). For example, the display (230) may be referred to as a flexible display. According to one embodiment, the display (230) may include a window exposed toward the outside of the electronic device (101). The window may protect the surface of the display (230) and may include a substantially transparent material to transmit visual information provided by the display (230) to the outside of the electronic device (101). For example, the window may include, but is not limited to, glass (e.g., UTG, ultra-thin glass) and / or a polymer (e.g., PI, polyimide).

[0055] At least one camera (240) may be configured to acquire an image based on receiving light from a subject external to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the at least one camera (240) may include first cameras (241), second cameras (242), and / or third cameras (243). The first cameras (241) may be disposed in the first housing part (210). For example, the first cameras (241) may be disposed inside the first housing part (210) and at least a portion of the first cameras (241) may be visible through the first rear surface (212) of the first housing part (210). The first cameras (241) may be supported by a bracket (not shown) within the first housing part (210). The first housing part (210) may include at least one opening (241a) that overlaps the first cameras (241) when viewed from above on the first rear surface (212). The first cameras (241) may acquire images based on receiving light from the outside of the electronic device (101) through the at least one opening (241a).

[0056] The second camera (242) may be disposed in the second housing part (220). For example, the second camera (242) may be disposed inside the second housing part (220) and may be visible through the sub-display (235). The second housing part (220) may include at least one opening (242a) that overlaps the second camera (242) when the second rear surface (222) is viewed from above. The second camera (242) may acquire an image based on receiving light from the outside of the electronic device (101) through the at least one opening (242a).

[0057] The third camera (243) may be disposed in the first housing part (210). For example, the third camera (243) may be disposed inside the first housing part (210) and at least a portion thereof may be visible through the first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210). As another example, the third camera (243) may be disposed inside the first housing part (210) and at least a portion thereof may be visible through the first display portion (231) of the display (230). The first display portion (231) of the display (230) may include at least one opening (not shown) that overlaps the third camera (243) when the display (230) is viewed from above. The third camera (243) may acquire an image based on receiving light from the outside of the display (230) through the at least one opening.

[0058] The second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may be positioned below the display (230) (e.g., toward the inside of the first housing part (210) or the inside of the second housing part (220). For example, the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may be under-display cameras (UDCs). When the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) are under-display cameras, an area of ​​the display (230) corresponding to the respective positions of the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may not be an inactive area. For example, when the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) are under-display cameras, an area of ​​the display (230) corresponding to the respective positions of the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may have a lower pixel density than the pixel density of other areas of the display (230). The inactive area of ​​the display (230) may refer to an area of ​​the display (230) that does not include pixels or does not emit light outside of the electronic device (101). For another example, the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may be punch-hole cameras. When the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) are punch-hole cameras, an area of ​​the display (230) corresponding to the respective positions of the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may be an inactive area. For example, when the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) are punch-hole cameras, an area of ​​the display (230) corresponding to the respective positions of the second camera (242) and the third camera (243) may include an opening that does not include pixels.

[0059] The hinge structure (250) can rotatably connect the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). The hinge structure (250) can be positioned between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) of the electronic device (101) so that the electronic device (101) can be bent, curved, or folded. For example, the hinge structure (250) can be positioned between a portion of the first side surfaces (213) and a portion of the second side surfaces (223) that face each other. The hinge structure (250) can be changed to an unfolded state in which the first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) and the second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220) face substantially the same direction as each other, or a folded state in which the first front surface (211) and the second front surface (221) face each other. When the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be folded or overlapped by facing each other.

[0060] When the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the direction in which the first front surface (211) faces and the direction in which the second front surface (221) faces may be different from each other. For example, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the direction in which the first front surface (211) faces and the direction in which the second front surface (221) faces may be opposite to each other. For another example, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the direction in which the first front surface (211) faces and the direction in which the second front surface (221) faces may be inclined with respect to each other. When the direction in which the first front surface (211) faces is inclined with respect to the direction in which the second front surface (221) faces, the first housing part (210) may be inclined with respect to the second housing part (220). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the folded state of the electronic device (101), the first rear surface (212) of the first housing part (210) may face the second rear surface (222) of the second housing part (220). When the first rear surface (212) and the second rear surface (222) face each other in the folded state of the electronic device (101), the direction in which the first front surface (211) faces and the direction in which the second front surface (221) faces may be opposite to each other. When the first rear surface (212) and the second rear surface (222) face each other in the folded state of the electronic device (101), the display (230) may be directly exposed to the outside in the folded state of the electronic device (101).

[0061] The electronic device (101) may be foldable based on a folding axis (f). The folding axis (f) may refer to an imaginary line extending through the hinge cover (251) in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (101), but is not limited thereto. For example, the folding axis (f) may be an imaginary line extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (101). When the folding axis (f) extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (101), the hinge structure (250) may extend in a direction parallel to the folding axis (f) to connect the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). The first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may be rotatable by the hinge structure (250) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic device (101).

[0062] The hinge structure (250) may include a hinge cover (251), a first hinge plate (252), a second hinge plate (253), and a hinge module (254). The hinge cover (251) may surround internal components of the hinge structure (250) and form an outer surface of the hinge structure (250). According to one embodiment, the hinge cover (251) surrounding the hinge structure (250) may be at least partially visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) through a space between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state, the hinge cover (251) may be covered by the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) and may not be visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101).

[0063] The first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253) are coupled to the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220), respectively, so that the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be rotatably connected. For example, the first hinge plate (252) can be coupled to the first bracket (215) of the first housing part (210), and the second hinge plate (253) can be coupled to the second bracket (227) of the second housing part (220). As the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253) are coupled to the first bracket (215) and the second bracket (227), respectively, the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be rotated according to the rotation of the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253).

[0064] The hinge module (254) can rotate the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253). For example, the hinge module (254) can rotate the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253) about the folding axis (f) by including gears that are interlocked with each other and can rotate. According to one embodiment, the hinge module (254) may be plural or may include plural components. For example, the plural hinge modules (254) may be spaced apart from each other at both ends of the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253), respectively.

[0065] The first housing part (210) may include a first bracket (215) and a first cover (216), and the second housing part (220) may include a second bracket (227) and a second cover (228). The first bracket (215) and the first cover (216) may support components of the electronic device (101). The first bracket (215) may define the first housing part (210) by being coupled with the first cover (216). The first cover (216) may define a portion of the outer surface of the first housing part (210). The second bracket (227) and the second cover (228) may support components of the electronic device (101). The second bracket (227) can define a second housing part (220) by being combined with the second cover (228). The second cover (228) can define a portion of the outer surface of the second housing part (220). For example, the display (230) can be disposed on one side of the first bracket (215) and one side of the second bracket (227). The first cover (216) can be disposed on the other side of the first bracket (215) opposite to the one side of the first bracket (215). The second cover (228) can be disposed on the other side of the second bracket (227) opposite to the one side of the second bracket (227). The sub-display (235) can be disposed between the second bracket (227) and the second cover (228).

[0066] A portion of the first bracket (215) may be surrounded by the first side surfaces (213), and a portion of the second bracket (227) may be surrounded by the second side surfaces (223). For example, the first bracket (215) may be formed integrally with the first side surfaces (213), and the second bracket (227) may be formed integrally with the second side surfaces (223). For another example, the first bracket (215) may be formed separately from the first side surfaces (213), and the second bracket (227) may be formed separately from the second side surfaces (223).

[0067] At least one electronic component (260) may implement various functions to be provided to a user. According to one embodiment, at least one electronic component (260) may include a first printed circuit board (261), a second printed circuit board (262), a flexible printed circuit board (263), a battery (264) (e.g., battery (189) of FIG. 1), and / or an antenna (265) (e.g., antenna module (197) of FIG. 1). The first printed circuit board (261) and the second printed circuit board (262) may each form an electrical connection between components within the electronic device (101). For example, components for implementing the overall function of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) may be placed on the first printed circuit board (261), and at least one electronic component for implementing a part of the function of the first printed circuit board (261) may be placed on the second printed circuit board (262). As another example, components for the operation of the sub-display (235) placed on the second rear surface (222) may be placed on the second printed circuit board (262).

[0068] A first printed circuit board (261) may be disposed within a first housing part (210). For example, the first printed circuit board (261) may be disposed on one surface of a first bracket (215). According to one embodiment, a second printed circuit board (262) may be disposed within a second housing part (220). For example, the second printed circuit board (262) may be spaced apart from the first printed circuit board (261) and disposed on one surface of a second bracket (227). A flexible printed circuit board (263) may connect the first printed circuit board (261) and the second printed circuit board (262). For example, the flexible printed circuit board (263) may extend from the first printed circuit board (261) to the second printed circuit board (262).

[0069] The battery (264) is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device (101), and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery (264) may be arranged substantially on the same plane as the first printed circuit board (261) or the second printed circuit board (262).

[0070] The antenna (265) may be configured to receive power or a signal from outside the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the antenna (265) may be positioned between the first cover (216) and the battery (264). The antenna (265) may include, for example, a near field communication (NFC) antenna, an antenna module, and / or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna (265) may, for example, perform short-range communication with an external device or wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging.

[0071] Fig. 3a illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device. Fig. 3b illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0072] The electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3A and 3B may include a housing (200) including a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220) rotatable with respect to the first housing part (210), like the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be referred to as a foldable electronic device in that it includes a display (230) including a third display part (233) (or foldable part (233)) that is deformable by a hinge structure (250) (or hinge assembly) configured to rotate the second housing part (220) with respect to the first housing part (210), like the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 2C. For example, the folding axis (f) of the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3A to 3B may be parallel to the x-axis, as illustrated. The folding axis (f) of the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 2C may be parallel to the y-axis, which is orthogonal to the x-axis, unlike the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3A to 3B. However, the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 3B is exemplary, and the electronic device (101) may have various foldable form factors (e.g., a multi-foldable electronic device exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9D). Hereinafter, an electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is described with reference to the description of components having the same reference numerals in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0073] An electronic device (101) may include a housing (200) including a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220), and a hinge structure (or hinge assembly) (250). The first housing part (210) may be rotatably connected to the hinge structure (250). The first housing part (210) may be rotatable relative to the second housing part (220) via the hinge structure (250). The second housing part (220) may be rotatably connected to the hinge structure (250). The second housing part (220) may be rotatable relative to the first housing part (210) via the hinge structure (250).

[0074] The first housing part (210) may include a first front surface (211), a first rear surface (212) facing and spaced from the first front surface (211), and first side surfaces (213) surrounding at least a portion of the first front surface (211) and the first rear surface (212). The first housing part (210) may provide a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101). The first housing part (210) may include a conductive material, a non-conductive material, or a combination thereof.

[0075] The second housing part (220) may include a second front surface (221), a second rear surface (222) facing and separated from the second front surface (221), and second side surfaces (223) surrounding at least a portion of the second front surface (221) and the second rear surface (222). The second housing part (220) may provide a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101).

[0076] The hinge structure (250) may be connected to the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220), respectively. For example, the hinge structure (250) may include a first hinge plate (e.g., the first hinge plate (252) of FIG. 2C) and a second hinge plate (e.g., the second hinge plate (253) of FIG. 2C) configured to be rotatable. The first hinge plate may be connected to the first housing part (210), and the first housing part (210) may be rotated by the first hinge plate. The second hinge plate may be connected to the second housing part (220), and the second housing part (220) may be rotated by the second hinge plate.

[0077] The electronic device (101) can be folded or unfolded based on a folding axis (f) passing through the hinge structure (250) according to the rotation of the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). The hinge structure (250) can be positioned between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) so that the electronic device (101) can be folded based on the folding axis (f).

[0078] The hinge structure (250) may include a hinge cover (251) for covering an internal structure constituting the mechanism of the hinge structure. The hinge cover (251) may be visually exposed to the outside or covered by the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) depending on the degree to which the electronic device (101) is folded. For example, while the electronic device (101) is in a folded state (e.g., FIG. 3b), the hinge cover (251) may be at least partially exposed between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). For example, while the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 3a), the hinge cover (251) may be covered by the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220).

[0079] The electronic device (101) may include a display (230) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) disposed within a space provided by a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220). For example, the display (230) may be at least partially accommodated within a recess formed in a first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) and a second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220). The display (230) may include a first display portion (231) aligned with respect to the first housing part (210), a second display portion (232) spaced apart from the first display portion (231) and aligned with respect to the second housing part (220), and a third display portion (233) aligned with respect to a hinge structure (250) and extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232). The display (230) may be referred to as a foldable display or a flexible display. The first display portion (231), the second display portion (232), and the third display portion (233) may form a surface of the display (230). The surface of the display (230) may at least partially form a first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) and a second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220). The first display portion (231), the second display portion (232), and the third display portion (233) may define a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area of ​​the display (230), respectively, on which visual information may be displayed.

[0080] The electronic device (101) may include a sub-display (235) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) disposed within the first housing part (210). The sub-display (235) may be visible through the second rear surface (222) of the second housing part (220).

[0081] The electronic device (101) may include a plurality of cameras (e.g., the camera module (180) of FIG. 1). For example, the electronic device (101) may include cameras (234, 236). The camera (234) may be positioned within the first housing part (210) so as to obtain an image through a portion of the first rear surface (212). The camera (236) may be positioned below the first display portion (231) of the display (230). The camera (236) may be aligned with an opening that at least partially penetrates the first display portion (231) and obtain an image through the hole. The camera (236) may be positioned within a screen display area of ​​the display (230), but is not limited thereto.

[0082] Hereinafter, the states of the electronic device (101) will be described. The electronic device (101) may include a plurality of states, including an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 3a) and a folded state (e.g., FIG. 3b). The electronic device (101) may be deformed or changed in the unfolded state and the folded state. In addition, the electronic device (101) may include a plurality of intermediate states between the unfolded state and the folded state. Depending on the state of the electronic device (101), the angle between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may vary.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 3A, in the unfolded state, the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) may form a first angle. For example, the first angle may be about 180 degrees. The first display portion (231), the second display portion (232), and the third display portion (233) of the display (230) may form a substantially flat surface. The direction in which the first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) (or the first display portion (231)) faces (e.g., the +z direction) and the direction in which the second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220) (or the second display portion (232)) faces (e.g., the +z direction) may be substantially the same.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 3B, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101), the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be folded to face each other by rotating around the folding axis (f). The first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be overlapped to form a second angle smaller than the first angle. For example, the second angle can be about 0 degrees. The third display portion (233) of the display (230) can be bent to correspond to the second angle. The first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) can face the second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220) or overlap with the second front surface (221). The first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) can be in at least partial contact, but are not limited thereto. The direction in which the first front surface (211) of the first housing part (210) faces (e.g., +z direction) and the direction in which the second front surface (221) of the second housing part (220) faces (e.g., -z direction) may be opposite to each other. In the unfolded state, at least a portion of the display (230) may not be visible from the outside of the electronic device (101), and the sub-display (235) may be visible from the outside of the electronic device (101).

[0085] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electronic device taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2a or along line B-B' of FIG. 3a.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device (101) may include a housing (200) including a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220), a display (230), a hinge structure (250), and a support plate (410).

[0087] The display (230) may include a first display portion (231), a second display portion (232) spaced apart from the first display portion (231), and a third display portion (233) that connects the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) and is foldable.

[0088] The unfolded state of the electronic device (101) may be a state in which the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) of the display (230) face in the same direction (e.g., +z direction). For example, the housing (200) may include a first front surface (e.g., the first front surface (211) of FIG. 2A) on which the first display portion (231) is disposed, and a second front surface (e.g., the second front surface (221) of FIG. 2A) on which the second display portion (232) is disposed. The unfolded state may be a state in which the first front surface (211) and the second front surface (221) face substantially in the same direction. For example, the unfolded state may be a state in which the display (230) is unfolded. The above unfolded state may be a state in which the first display portion (231), the second display portion (232), and the third display portion (233) of the display (230) form a substantially flat surface.

[0089] The folded state of the electronic device (101) may be a state in which the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) of the display (230) face each other. For example, the folded state may be a state in which the direction in which the first display portion (231) faces (e.g., -x direction) is opposite to the direction in which the second display portion (232) faces (e.g., +x direction). For example, the folded state may be a state in which the direction in which the first front surface (211) on which the first display portion (231) is disposed is opposite to the direction in which the second front surface (221) on which the second display portion (232) is disposed is opposite. For example, the folded state may be a state in which the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) are in contact by folding the third display portion (233).

[0090] For example, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101), the first display portion (231) may face substantially the same direction (e.g., +z direction) as the second display portion (232). For example, in the folded state of the electronic device (101), the first display portion (231) may face the second display portion (232). For example, the first display portion (231) may contact the second display portion (232) in the folded state. For example, the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) may form a substantially flat surface in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101) and the folded state of the electronic device (101). For example, the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) may be non-deformable portions of the display (230).

[0091] For example, the third display portion (233) may extend from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232). For example, the third display portion (233) may be positioned between the first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232). For example, the third display portion (233) may be configured to rotate the second display portion (232) relative to the first display portion (231) by being deformed.

[0092] The display (230) may be referred to as a display stack or display structure in which multiple layers are combined.

[0093] For example, the display (230) may include a window (310) (or cover glass), which is the uppermost layer visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101). The window (310) may be at least partially deformable or may include one or more curved portions. For example, the window (310) may include a stacked structure of multiple windows, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The window (310) may form a part of the exterior of the electronic device (101). For example, the window (310) may define a front surface of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first front surface (211), the second front surface (221) of FIG. 2A).

[0094] For example, the display (230) may include a reinforcing layer (330) attached under the window (310). The reinforcing layer (330) may be a substantially transparent thin-film layer. The reinforcing layer (330) may reinforce the window (310) by being attached under the window (310). The reinforcing layer (330) may be formed from at least one of polyimide (PI) or ultra-thin glass (UTG), for example, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The reinforcing layer (330) may be configured to be at least partially deformable together with the window (310) attached on the reinforcing layer (330).

[0095] For example, the display (230) may include a display panel (340) attached below the reinforcing layer (330). The display panel (340) may be configured to provide visual information, for example, through the reinforcing layer (330) and the window (310) on the substantially transparent display panel (340). For example, although not shown, the display panel (340) may include pixels configured to emit light and sub-pixels included in each of the pixels. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0096] For example, the display (230) may include a support layer (350) attached under the display panel (340). The support layer (350) may support the display panel (340), thereby reducing damage to the display panel (340) while the display (230) is deformed.

[0097] The layers or stack structure of layers included in the display (230) supported by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, some of the layers in the above-mentioned display (230) may be omitted or one or more layers may be added to the display (230).

[0098] For example, the display (230) may include a polarizing plate attached under the window (310). The polarizing plate may reduce the amount of light reflected within the display (230) after being incident from the outside of the electronic device (101). As the amount of light reflected within the display (230) is reduced, the visibility of the display (230) may be improved. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the display (230) may include a plurality of layers including at least partially deformable regions and / or a stacked structure of the plurality of layers.

[0099] The housing (200) can support the display (230). The housing (200) can include a first housing part (210) that supports a first display portion (231) and a second housing part (220) that supports a second display portion (232). For example, the first housing part (210) can surround at least a portion of the first display portion (231). The second housing part (220) can surround at least a portion of the second display portion (232). For example, the second housing part (220) can be configured to be rotatable with respect to the first housing part (210). The second housing part (220) can rotate the second display portion (232) with respect to the first display portion (231) by rotating with respect to the first housing part (210). For example, when viewing the display (230) from above (e.g., when viewing in the -z direction), the first housing part (210) may at least partially overlap the first display portion (231). For example, when viewing the display (230) from above (e.g., when viewing in the -z direction), the second housing part (220) may at least partially overlap the second display portion (232).

[0100] For example, the first display portion (231) may be disposed on the first housing portion (210). The second display portion (232) may be disposed on the second housing portion (220). It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element in this document, it may be directly on the other element or there may be intervening elements between them. It should also be noted that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it may mean that the element may be attached to, integrally joined to, or formed with the other element, and it should not be construed as limiting the arrangement relationship between the two elements.

[0101] For example, within this document, "B disposed on A" may represent "B disposed over A." For example, within this document, "B disposed on A" may represent "B facing A and spaced apart from A." For example, "the first display portion (231) disposed on the first housing part (210)" may represent "the first display portion (231) that contacts the first housing part (210)." For example, "the first display portion (231) disposed on the first housing part (210)" may represent "the first display portion (231) facing the first housing part (210) and spaced apart from the first housing part (210)."

[0102] The hinge structure (250) can be configured to rotatably connect the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) to provide a folded state in which the first display part (231) faces the second display part (232), and an unfolded state in which the first display part (231) and the second display part (232) face substantially the same direction. For example, the hinge structure (250) can rotatably connect the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). For example, the hinge structure (250) can be at least partially disposed between the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). For example, the hinge structure (250) can support the third display part (233) of the display (230). For example, the hinge structure (250) may be configured to deform the third display portion (233) by rotatably connecting the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220). For example, the hinge structure (250) may at least partially overlap the third display portion (233) when the display (230) is viewed from above (e.g., when viewed in the -z direction).

[0103] The support plate (410) can support the display (230) attached to the support plate (410) or the display layers included in the display (230). The support plate (410) can include a first support portion (411) disposed under a first display portion (231) of the display (230), a second support portion (412) disposed under a second display portion (232) of the display (230), and a third support portion (413) disposed under a third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the first support portion (411) can be spaced apart from the second support portion (412). For example, the third support portion (413) can connect the first support portion (411) and the second support portion (412). The third support portion (413) may extend from the first support portion (411) to the second support portion (412). For example, the third support portion (413) of the support plate (410) may include a plurality of slits (415) to provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the support plate (410) may be formed from metal or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) to support the display (230), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, at least a portion of the first support portion (411) and / or at least a portion of the second support portion (412) connected to the third support portion (413) may have some of the plurality of slits (415) formed therein to reduce damage to the display portions (231, 232) of the display (230) while the electronic device (101) is changed from an unfolded state to a folded state or from the folded state to the unfolded state. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0104] For example, the plurality of slits (415) may each have a width in a direction parallel to the x-axis. The width of each of the plurality of slits (415) may be substantially the same, but is not limited thereto. For example, the size and / or length of at least some of the plurality of slits (415) may be different from each other. For example, the plurality of slits (415) may be formed in a portion of the first support portion (411) and at least a portion of the third support portion (413). The plurality of slits (415) may be arranged such that the width and / or length gradually decrease from the first support portion (411) to the center of the third support portion (413). For example, the plurality of slits (415) may be formed in a portion of the second support portion (412) and at least a portion of the third support portion (413). The plurality of slits (415) may be arranged such that the width and / or length gradually decrease from the second support portion (412) to the center of the third support portion (413). For example, the plurality of slits (415) may be arranged such that the density per unit area within the support plate (410) decreases from the first support portion (411) and / or the second support portion (412) to the third support portion (413). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the plurality of slits (415) may be formed or arranged in various shapes to provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the support plate (410) can guide deformation of display layers included in the third display portion (233) and placed on the support plate (410) and support the display layers by including a third support portion (413) including a plurality of slits (415).The above support plate (410) may be referred to as a lattice structure and / or a lattice plate in terms of including a plurality of slits (415) for guiding deformation of the display (230), but is not limited thereto.

[0105] The electronic device (101) may include a protective member (420) attached below the third support portion (413) of the support plate (410). The protective member (420) may be elastic so as to be deformed as the third support portion (413) of the support plate (410) is deformed. The protective member (420) may include, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The protective member (420) may cover, for example, a plurality of slits (415) formed in the third support portion (413). For example, the protective member (420) may be disposed between adhesive layers (324) that attach the electromagnetic induction panel (430) to the support plate (410). The protective member (420) is positioned between the adhesive layers (324), thereby reducing the step formed by the adhesive layers (324). The protective member (420) is attached below the third support portion (413), thereby reducing the inflow of foreign substances into the plurality of slits (415) formed in the third support portion (413). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0106] The electronic device (101) may include an electromagnetic induction panel (430) that can be interoperable with a stylus that can be used with the display (230). The electromagnetic induction panel (430) may be referred to as a digitizer in terms of interacting with the stylus, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may be configured to electromagnetically interact with the stylus. A processor of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1 ) may be configured to obtain input information from the electrical interaction between the stylus and the electromagnetic induction panel (430). For example, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may generate a magnetic field of a specified strength by allowing an alternating current to flow through the electromagnetic induction panel (430). As the stylus approaches the electromagnetic induction panel (430), an induced current may flow in a coil disposed within the stylus due to the magnetic field. The stylus can detect the induced current flowing in the coil and transmit an electromagnetic wave signal to the electromagnetic induction panel (430). The electromagnetic induction panel (430) can be configured to detect the position and intensity of the electromagnetic wave signal received from the stylus and transmit information related to the electromagnetic wave signal to the processor (120) of the electronic device (101). The processor (120) can be configured to receive information related to the electromagnetic wave signal from the electromagnetic induction panel (430) and display information according to the operation of the stylus through the display (230).

[0107] For example, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may be attached (e.g., via the adhesive layer (324)) under the support plate (410). For example, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may include a first panel (431) attached to a first support portion (411) of the support plate (410) and a second panel (432) attached to a second support portion (412) of the support plate (410) to provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230). The first panel (431) and the second panel (432) may be separated from each other based on the third display portion (233) of the display (230). By separating the first panel (431) and the second panel (432), the electromagnetic induction panel (430) can provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230) while the electronic device (101) is changed from an unfolded state to a folded state or from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0108] The electronic device (101) may include a shielding layer (440) for absorbing electromagnetic waves from an electromagnetic induction panel (430). The shielding layer (440) may be attached under the electromagnetic induction panel (430). The shielding layer (440) may include, for example, magnetic metal powder (MMP), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the shielding layer (440) may cover a portion of the electromagnetic induction panel (430). For example, the shielding layer (440) may include shielding portions (441, 442, 443) that are separated from each other to provide flexibility to a third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the first shielding portion (441) may be attached under the first panel (431). The second shielding portion (442) may be attached under the second panel (432). The third shielding portion (443) may be attached under a portion of the first panel (431) and a portion of the second panel (432). For example, the third shielding portion (443) may be positioned under the third display portion (233) of the display (230) within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0109] The electronic device (101) may include a conductive layer (450) for reducing the influence of the electromagnetic induction panel (430) by at least one conductive portion (e.g., at least one conductive portion (225) of FIG. 2A) included in the housing (200). The conductive layer (450) may be attached (e.g., via the adhesive layer (325)) under the shielding layer (440). The conductive layer (450) may include, for example, at least one of copper and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The conductive layer (450) may be configured such that the frequency of a signal from the electromagnetic induction panel (430) is maintained to be even. The conductive layer (450) may include a first conductive layer (451) attached under the first shielding portion (441), and a second conductive layer (452) attached under the second shielding portion (442). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0110] The electronic device (101) may include one or more adhesive layers (320) for attaching display layers within the display (230) and / or a plurality of layers attached below the display (230) to each other. For example, the display (230) may include adhesive layers (321, 322). The adhesive layer (321) may be interposed between the window (310) and the reinforcing layer (330), thereby attaching the reinforcing layer (330) to the window (310). The adhesive layer (322) may be interposed between the reinforcing layer (330) and the display panel (340), thereby attaching the display panel (340) to the reinforcing layer (330).

[0111] For example, the electronic device (101) may include an adhesive layer (323) interposed between the display (230) and the support plate (410) to attach the support plate (410) to the display (230). For example, the electronic device (101) may include an adhesive layer (324) interposed between the support plate (410) and the electromagnetic induction panel (430) to attach the electromagnetic induction panel (430) to the support plate (410). For example, the electronic device (101) may include an adhesive layer (325) interposed between the shielding layer (440) and the conductive layer (450) to attach the conductive layer (450) to the shielding layer (440). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and one or more adhesive layers (320) may include a plurality of adhesive layers configured to attach a plurality of display layers within the display (230) to each other or to attach a plurality of layers beneath the display (230) to each other, wherein the characteristics of each of the plurality of adhesive layers may be substantially the same or different from each other.

[0112] When the support plate (410) is formed of metal, signal interference may occur between the electromagnetic induction panel (430) disposed under the support plate (410) and the stylus outside the electronic device (101). In addition, for example, when the support plate (410) is formed of CFRP, the visibility of the display (230) or the reinforcing performance of the display (230) may be reduced by the support plate (410). The electronic device (101) may require a structure around the support plate (410) and / or the support plate (410) to reinforce the visibility and rigidity of the display (230) while reducing signal interference to the electromagnetic induction panel (430). From this perspective, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an improved structure for reinforcing a flexible display is provided. The structure is described through examples below in FIG. 5A.

[0113] Figure 5a illustrates a support plate of an exemplary electronic device. Figure 5b illustrates a support plate of an exemplary electronic device with a first protective layer attached thereto. Figure 5c illustrates a portion of an exemplary electronic device. Figures 5d and 5e illustrate a support plate of an exemplary electronic device with a protective layer attached thereto.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, an electronic device (101) may include a display (230) and a support plate (510) supporting the display (230). The display (230) may include a first display portion (231), a second display portion (232), and a third display portion (233) extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232) and being foldable. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5c, the electronic device (101) may include structures and / or components (e.g., a housing (200), a hinge structure (250), a window (310), one or more adhesive layers (320) and / or adhesive layers (321, 322, 323), a reinforcing layer (330), a display panel (340), a support layer (350), a protective member (420), an electromagnetic induction panel (430)) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as those described in FIG. 4 are omitted.

[0115] The support plate (510) may be formed of glass. The support plate (510) may include a first support portion (511) disposed under the first display portion (231), a second support portion (512) disposed under the second display portion (232), and a third support portion (513) disposed under the third display portion (233) and including a plurality of slits (515). The arrangement of the support portions (511, 512, 513) of the support plate (510) and / or the arrangement of the support portions (511, 512, 513) of the support plate (510) may be substantially the same as or similar to the arrangement of the support plate (410) and / or the support portions (411, 412, 413) of the support plate (410) of FIG. 4. For example, the first support portion (511) may be aligned under the first display portion (231) of the display (230). The second support portion (512) may be aligned under the second display portion (232) of the display (230). The third support portion (513) may be aligned under the third display portion (233) of the display (230) between the first support portion (511) and the second support portion (512). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0116] For example, the support plate (510) may be substantially transparent. The support plate (510) may be referred to as a glass layer and / or a glass plate, such as, for example, the window (310) and / or the reinforcing layer (330) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4 and 5C. The support plate (510) is formed of glass, thereby reducing signal interference of the electromagnetic induction panel (430) disposed under the support plate (510) and improving the visibility of the display (230). For example, the glass forming the support plate (510) may have a higher rigidity than CFRP. The glass may have a surface roughness smaller than that of the CFRP. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0117] The neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) may be a plane on which tensile stress and compressive stress applied to the support plate (510) are in equilibrium while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. For example, a portion of the support plate (510) corresponding to the neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) may be a portion on which substantially no stress is applied while the state of the electronic device (101) changes, as the tensile stress and compressive stress are in equilibrium. For example, the neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) may correspond to a first neutral plane (N1) that is bent in a folded state of the electronic device (101), as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) may correspond to a second neutral plane (N2) that is substantially flat in an unfolded state of the electronic device (101). However, the neutral surface (N) described in the present disclosure is merely an example as a virtual surface for convenience of illustration and explanation, and thus the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) may be deformed or moved as the state of the electronic device (101) changes.

[0118] The central plane (C) of the support plate (510) may be a plane that includes the center (or center of gravity) of the support plate (510). For example, the central plane (C) may be a plane that includes midpoints of a first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230) and a second surface (510b) opposite to the first surface (510a). The distance from the central plane (C) of the support plate (510) to the first surface (510a) may correspond to or be substantially the same as the distance from the central plane (C) to the second surface (510b).

[0119] Referring to FIG. 5A, the support plate (510) may include a first portion (501) to which compressive stress is applied within a folded state of the electronic device (101) and a second portion (502) to which tensile stress is applied within the folded state of the electronic device (101). For example, the first portion (501) may be a portion that is compressed within the folded state of the electronic device (101) by being disposed adjacent to the display (230) of the support plate (510). The second portion (502) may be a portion that is formed below the first portion (501) by being tensile within the folded state of the electronic device (101). For example, the first portion (501) and the second portion (502) may be defined based on a neutral plane (N). The first portion (501) may be a portion disposed above the neutral plane (N). The second portion (502) may be a portion positioned below the neutral surface (N). For example, the first portion (501) may be a portion defining a first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230). The second portion (502) may be a portion defining a second surface (510b) of the support plate (510) opposite to the first surface (510a). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 5A, the neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) may correspond to the center plane (C) of the support plate (510). For example, the thickness (d1) of the first portion (501) to which compressive stress is applied in the folded state of the electronic device (101) may correspond to the thickness (d2) of the second portion (502) to which tensile stress is applied in the folded state. Since the support plate (510) is formed from glass, the second portion (502) to which tensile stress is applied may be more vulnerable to breakage than the first portion (501) to which compressive stress is applied. In order to reduce breakage of the support plate (510) formed from glass, the electronic device (101) may require a structure for adjusting the neutral plane (N) of the support plate (510) to be positioned below the center plane (C).

[0121] Referring to FIG. 5B, the electronic device (101) may include a first protective layer (520) attached under the support plate (510). In one embodiment, the first protective layer (520) may be coated under the support plate (510). For example, the first protective layer (520) may be attached under the support plate (510). The first protective layer (520) may be attached to a second side (510b) of the support plate (510) opposite to the first side (510a) facing the display (230). For example, the first protective layer (520) may form a continuous layer under the support plate (510). For example, the first protective layer (520) may cover a plurality of slits (515) formed in the third support portion (513) of the support plate (510) instead of the protective member (420) of FIG. 5A. For example, the first protective layer (520) may cover the second surface (510b) of the support plate (510) or be attached to the second surface (510b). For example, the first protective layer (520) may be at least partially deformable to provide flexibility to the support plate (510). For example, the first protective layer (520) may have elasticity to support the support plate (510) that is deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0122] For example, by the first protective layer (520), the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) may be positioned below the center surface (C) of the support plate (510). For example, the distance (d1) between the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230) and the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) may be greater than the distance (d2) between the second surface (510b) of the support plate (510) opposite to the first surface (510a) and the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510). For example, the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) may be disposed adjacent to the second surface (510b) of the support plate (510) among the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230) and the second surface (510b) of the support plate (510) opposite the first surface (510a). For example, in the folded state of the electronic device (101), the thickness (d1) of the first portion (501) to which the compressive stress is applied may be greater than the thickness (d2) of the second portion (502) to which the tensile stress is applied in the folded state. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The electronic device (101) includes a first protective layer (520) attached under the support plate (510), thereby reducing damage to the support plate (510) while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed, and reducing damage to the internal structure of the electronic device (101) around the support plate (510) due to damage to the support plate (510).

[0123] The first protective layer (520) may include at least one of an anti-scattering film or an anti-scattering coating. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first protective layer (520) may include various coating materials to prevent the first protective layer (520) from scattering when damaged while the state of the electronic device (101) changes.

[0124] The first protective layer (520) may include at least one of acrylic, silicone, or resin. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and for example, the first protective layer (520) may include various elastic materials (e.g., polyurethane, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), rubber, etc.) to provide flexibility to the support plate (510).

[0125] The thickness (d) of the support plate (510) may be within a range of about 30 μm to 150 μm. For example, the vertical distance (d) from the first side (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230) to the second side (510b) opposite the first side (510a) may be within a range of about 30 μm to 150 μm. Preferably, the thickness (d) of the support plate (510) may be positioned within a range of about 60 μm to 80 μm to reduce damage to the support plate (510) and provide flexibility to the support plate (510). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0126] The modulus of the support plate (510) may be in the range of about 60 GPa to 80 GPa. Preferably, the modulus of the support plate (510) may be about 73 GPa to reduce breakage of the support plate (510) and provide flexibility to the support plate (510). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0127] The electronic device (101) may include an elastic material (530) that fills the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513). For example, the elastic material (530) may be in contact with the first protective layer (520) or connected to the first protective layer (520). For example, the elastic material (530) may be formed from a material substantially the same as the first protective layer (520), thereby being formed integrally with the first protective layer (520). For example, the elastic material (530) may occupy the internal space of the plurality of slits (515). For example, the elastic material (530) may deform together with the third support portion (513) while the state of the electronic device (101) changes, thereby providing flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the elastic material (530) may be an anti-slip layer and / or an anti-slip coating, such as the first protective layer (520), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The electronic device (101) may include an elastic material (530) filling the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513), thereby reducing damage to the third support portion (513) that is deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 5c, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may be attached under the first protective layer (520). For example, the first protective layer (520) may be interposed between the electromagnetic induction panel (430) and the support plate (510). For example, the first protective layer (520) may form a continuous layer between the support plate (510) and the electromagnetic induction panel (430). For example, the first protective layer (520) may include an adhesive material to attach the electromagnetic induction panel (430) under the support plate (510). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0129] For example, the electromagnetic induction panel (430) may include a first panel portion (430a) attached below the first display portion (231), a second panel portion (430b) attached below the second display portion (232), and a third panel portion (430c) extending from the first panel portion (430a) to the second panel portion (430b) and including a plurality of slits (435). The protective member (420) of the electronic device (101) may be attached below the third panel portion (430c) so as to cover the plurality of slits (435) of the third panel portion (430c). For example, the first panel portion (430a) may be aligned with respect to the first support portion (511) of the support plate (510). The second panel portion (430b) may be aligned with respect to the second support portion (512) of the support plate (510). The third panel portion (430c) may be aligned under the third support portion (513) of the support plate (510). For example, the plurality of slits (435) of the third panel portion (430c) may be formed under the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0130] Referring to FIGS. 5d and 5e, the support plate (510) may include a combined structure and / or a stack structure of two or more glass plates (e.g., glass plates (540, 550)), unlike those illustrated in FIGS. 5a to 5c. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5d and 5e, the support plate (510) may include a first glass plate (540) and a second glass plate (550) disposed below the first glass plate (540). For example, the first glass plate (540) may include first openings (545) formed in a third support portion (513) of a plurality of slits (515) of the support plate (510). The second glass plate (550) may include second openings (555) formed in the third support portion (513) among the plurality of slits (515). However, the embodiment supported by the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the support plate (510) may include a bonding or joining structure of the plurality of glass plates.

[0131] For example, the first glass plate (540) can define a first surface (510a) facing the display (230) of the support plate (510). The second glass plate (550) attached under the first glass plate (540) can define a second surface (510b) opposite the first surface (510a). For example, the first protective layer (520) can be attached under the second glass plate (550). By attaching the first protective layer (520) under the second glass plate (550), the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) can be formed within the second glass plate (550). For example, a PSA, a transparent resin, an anti-slip coating and / or an anti-slip layer may be placed between the glass plates (540, 550), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 5d, the first openings (545) within the third support portion (513) can be aligned with the second openings (555), respectively. Since the first openings (545) are aligned with the second openings (555), the elastic material (530) connected to the first protective layer (520) can fill both the first openings (545) and the second openings (555).

[0133] Referring to FIG. 5e, unlike FIG. 5d, at least some of the first openings (545) may be misaligned with at least some of the second openings (555), respectively. For example, the elastic material (530) connected to the first protective layer (520) may be disposed within the second openings (555) among the first openings (545) and the second openings (555). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the size, width, and shape of the pattern of the openings (545, 555) formed in each of the glass plates (540, 550) may be different from each other. For example, the width (or size) of each of the second openings (555) of the second glass plate (550) in which the neutral surface (N) is formed may be larger than the width (or size) of each of the first slits of the first glass plate (540) in order to accommodate the elastic material (530), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0134] According to the above-described embodiment, the support plate (510) of the electronic device (101) can improve the visibility of the display (230) of the electronic device (101) and increase the rigidity of the support plate (510) by including glass. The electronic device (101) can reduce damage to the support plate (510) while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed by including a first protective layer (520) attached under the support plate (510).

[0135] Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e illustrate a support plate having a first protective layer attached thereto of an exemplary electronic device.

[0136] Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, the electronic device (101) may include a display (e.g., a display (230) of FIG. 2A), a support plate (510) supporting the display (230), and a first protective layer (520) attached under the support plate (510). The display (230) may include a first display portion (e.g., a first display portion (231) of FIG. 2A), a second display portion (e.g., a second display portion (232) of FIG. 2A), and a third display portion (e.g., a third display portion (233) of FIG. 2A) extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232) and being foldable. The above support plate (510) may be formed of glass and include a first support portion (511) positioned below the first display portion (231), a second support portion (512) positioned below the second display portion (232), and a third support portion (513) positioned below the third display portion (233) and including a plurality of slits (515). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the electronic device (101) may include structures and / or components (e.g., a housing (200), a hinge structure (250), a window (310), one or more adhesive layers (320) and / or adhesive layers (321, 322, 323), a reinforcing layer (330), a display panel (340), a support layer (350), a protective member (420), an electromagnetic induction panel (430), an elastic material (530)) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4 to 5C. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as described in FIGS. 4 to 5C are omitted.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 6A, the first protective layer (520) may include a first protective portion (521) attached under the first support portion (511), a second protective portion (522) attached under the second support portion (512), and a third protective portion (523) attached under the third support portion (513). For example, the first protective portion (521) may be aligned under the first support portion (511). The second protective portion (522) may be aligned under the second support portion (512). The third protective portion (523) may be aligned under the third support portion (513) to cover the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513). The third protective portion (523) may be disposed between the first protective portion (521) and the second protective portion (522). For example, the elastic material (530) may be connected to the third protective portion (523) among the protective portions (521, 522, 523) or may be formed integrally with the third protective portion (523). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0138] The modulus of the third protection portion (523) may be smaller than the modulus of the first protection portion (521) and the modulus of the second protection portion (522). For example, the material forming the third protection portion (523) may be different from the material forming the first protection portion (521) and / or the second protection portion (522). For example, the rigidity of the first protection portion (521) may be greater than the rigidity of the third protection portion (523). The rigidity of the second protection portion (522) may be greater than the rigidity of the third protection portion (522). The third protection portion (523) may be an elastic or deformable portion among the protection portions (521, 522, 523) of the first protection layer (520). For example, the first protective portion (521) and / or the second protective portion (522) may be portions having a substantially flat shape while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. For example, the first protective portion (521) and / or the second protective portion (522) may be portions that are not substantially deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The first protective layer (520) may provide flexibility to the third support portion (513) and support the first support portion (511) and the second support portion (512) by being configured such that the modulus of the third protective portion (523) is smaller than the modulus of the first protective portion (521) and the modulus of the second protective portion (522).

[0139] Referring to FIGS. 6b to 6e, the electronic device (101) may include a second protective layer (610) attached on a support plate (510). In one embodiment, the second protective layer (610) may be coated on the support plate (510). The thickness (t1) of the first protective layer (520) may be greater than the thickness (t2) of the second protective layer (610). For example, the second protective layer (610) may be disposed on a first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230). The second protective layer (610) may cover the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510). The second protective layer (610) can seal or cover a plurality of slits (515) formed in the third support portion (513) together with the first protective layer (520) disposed on the second surface (510b) opposite to the first surface (510a).

[0140] For example, the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) may be positioned below the center surface (C) of the support plate (510) by having a thickness (t2) of the second protective layer (610) attached on top of the support plate (510) less than a thickness (t1) of the first protective layer (520) attached below the support plate (510). For example, the second protective layer (610) may be formed from a material substantially the same as or similar to that of the first protective layer (520). For example, the second protective layer (610) may include at least one of an anti-slip film or an anti-slip coating, like the first protective layer (520), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 6B, the second protective layer (610) may form a continuous layer on the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the display (230). The second protective layer (610) may be formed from, for example, a material substantially identical to, or integrally formed with, the elastic material (530) that fills the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513). For example, the second protective layer (610) may form a coating integrally formed with the first protective layer (520) and the elastic material (530) to prevent scattering of the support plate (510). For example, the elastic material (530) may extend from the first protective layer (520) to the second protective layer (610) within the plurality of slits (515). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 6C, together with FIG. 6A, the second protective layer (610) may include a fourth protective portion (611) disposed on the first support portion (511), a fifth protective portion (612) disposed on the second support portion (512), and a sixth protective portion (613) disposed on the third support portion (513). For example, referring to the exemplary illustration and description of FIG. 6A, similar to the first protective layer (520), the modulus of the sixth protective portion (613) may be less than the modulus of the fourth protective portion (611) and the modulus of the fifth protective portion (612). For example, the third protective portion (523), the elastic material (530) of the first protective layer (520), and the sixth protective portion (613) of the second protective layer (610) may be formed as one piece. The third protective portion (523), the elastic material (530), and the sixth protective portion (613) formed as a single body may be formed of a different material from the other protective portions (521, 522, 611, 612). For example, the third protective portion (523), the elastic material (530), and the sixth protective portion (613) may be portions that are elastically deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. The remaining other protective portions (521, 522, 611, 612) may be portions that are substantially not deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The electronic device (101) includes a second protective layer (610) having a thickness (t2) smaller than that of the first protective layer (520) and configured such that the modulus of the sixth protective portion (613) is smaller than the modulus of the fourth protective portion (611) and the modulus of the fifth protective portion (612), thereby providing flexibility to the third support portion (513) and supporting the first support portion (511) and the second support portion (512).

[0143] Referring to FIG. 6d, together with FIG. 6b, the electronic device (101) may include a third protective layer (620) attached to a third surface (510c) extending from a first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) to a second surface (510b). In one embodiment, the third protective layer (620) may be coated on the third surface (510c). For example, the third protective layer (620) may extend from the first protective layer (520) to the second protective layer (610). For example, the third protective layer (620) may cover, seal, surround, wrap, and / or coat the support plate (510) together with the first protective layer (520) and the second protective layer (610). For example, the first protective layer (520), the second protective layer (610), the elastic material (530), and the third protective layer (620) may be formed as an integral body. The first protective layer (520), the second protective layer (610), the elastic material (530), and the third protective layer (620) may be formed from a coating material (m), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The electronic device (101) may include the third protective layer (620) that surrounds the third surface (510c) of the support plate (510), thereby reducing damage to structures of the electronic device (101) around the support plate when the support plate (510) is damaged.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 6e, the first protective layer (520) may be attached below the third support portion (513) among the support portions (511, 512, 513) of the support plate (510). The second protective layer (610) may be attached on the third support portion (513) among the support portions (511, 512, 513). For example, when referring to FIG. 6c together, the first protective portion (521) and the second protective portion (522) of the first protective layer (520) may be omitted. The fourth protective portion (611) and the fifth protective portion (612) of the second protective layer (610) may be omitted. For example, the first protective layer (520), the second protective layer (610), and the elastic material (530) may be attached to the third support portion (513) and form a coating formed as one body. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0145] Fig. 7a illustrates a portion of an exemplary electronic device in a folded state. Fig. 7b illustrates a portion of a support plate of the exemplary electronic device.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the electronic device (101) may include a display (230), a support plate (510) supporting the display (230), and a first protective layer (e.g., the first protective layer (520) of FIG. 5B) attached under the support plate (510). In one embodiment, the first protective layer may be coated under the support plate (510). The display (230) may include a first display portion (231), a second display portion (232), and a third display portion (233) extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232) and being foldable. The support plate (510) may be formed of glass and include a first support portion (e.g., the first support portion (511) of FIG. 5A) positioned below the first display portion (231), a second support portion (e.g., the second support portion (512) of FIG. 5A) positioned below the second display portion (232), and a third support portion (513) positioned below the third display portion (233) and including a plurality of slits (515). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the electronic device (101) may include components (e.g., a housing (200), a hinge structure (250), a window (310), one or more adhesive layers (320) and / or adhesive layers (321, 322, 323), a reinforcing layer (330), a display panel (340), a support layer (350), a protective member (420), an electromagnetic induction panel (430), an elastic material (530)) and / or structures exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4 to 6e. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as described in FIGS. 4 to 6e are omitted.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 7A, the third display portion (233) of the display (230) may include a deformable portion (233a), a first planar portion (233b) between the deformable portion (233a) and the first display portion (231), and a second planar portion (233c) between the deformable portion (233a) and the second display portion (232). For example, the deformable portion (233a) may form a central portion of the display (230). The deformable portion (233a) may provide a folding axis (e.g., the folding axis (f) of FIG. 2A) of the display (230). For example, the deformable portion (233a) may be bent or unfolded while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. The flat portions (233b, 233c) extending from the above-described deformable portion (233a) may be configured to maintain a substantially flat shape while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 7b, the third support portion (513) of the support plate (510) may include a first bendable portion (701), a second bendable portion (702) disposed between the first bendable portion (701) and the first support portion (511), a third bendable portion (703) disposed between the first bendable portion (701) and the second support portion (512), and a plurality of bridges (516) forming ends of a plurality of slits (515) and spacing the plurality of slits (515) apart from each other. The plurality of slits (515) may include first slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701), second slits (720) formed in the second bendable portion (702), and third slits (730) formed in the third bendable portion (703). The plurality of bridges (516) may include first bridges (740) formed in the first bendable portion (701), second bridges (750) formed in the second bendable portion (702), and third bridges (760) formed in the third bendable portion (703).

[0149] For example, when referring to FIG. 7A together, the first bendable portion (701) may be positioned below the deformable portion (233a) of the third display portion (233). The second bendable portion (702) may be positioned below the deformable portion (233a) and the first flat portion (233b). The second bendable portion (702) may be positioned below the boundary between the deformable portion (233a) and the first flat portion (233b). The third bendable portion (703) may be positioned below the deformable portion (233a) and the second flat portion (233c). The third bendable portion (703) may be positioned below the boundary between the deformable portion (233a) and the second flat portion (233c). However, it should be noted that the bendable portions (701, 702, 703) of the third support portion (513) illustrated in the present disclosure are merely illustrative for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the arrangement relationship. In addition, the patterns or sizes of the slits (710, 720, 730) and / or bridges (740, 750, 760) included in the bendable portions (701, 702, 703) of the third support portion (513) may be different from each other. For example, with respect to the first bendable portion (701), the pattern of the second slits (750) formed in the second bendable portion (702) may be symmetrical with the pattern of the third slits (760) formed in the third bendable portion (703), or may be asymmetrical. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 7B, since the plurality of slits (515) have the same shape, damage to the second bendable portion (702) and / or the third bendable portion (703) may be caused while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. For example, the second slits (720) of the second bendable portion (702) disposed below the boundary between the deformable portion (233a) and the first flat portion (233b) may form a pattern substantially identical to the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701) disposed below the deformable portion (233a), thereby causing damage to the second bendable portion (702) while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. For example, the third slits (730) of the third bendable portion (703) disposed below the boundary between the deformable portion (233a) and the second flat portion (233c) may form a pattern substantially identical to the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701) disposed below the deformable portion (233a), thereby causing damage to the third bendable portion (703) while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed. In order to reduce damage to the bendable portions (701, 702, 703), the third support portion (513) of the support plate (510) may require a structure in which the shapes and / or patterns of the slits (710, 720, 730) disposed in each of the bendable portions (701, 702, 703) are different from each other. The structure is described through an exemplary illustration in FIG. 8A and below.

[0151] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F illustrate a portion of a support plate of an exemplary electronic device.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F, the electronic device (101) may include a display (e.g., display (230) of FIG. 2A), a support plate (510) supporting the display (230), and a first protective layer (e.g., first protective layer (520) of FIG. 5B) attached under the support plate (510). In one embodiment, the first protective layer may be coated under the support plate (510). The display (230) may include a first display portion (e.g., the first display portion (231) of FIG. 2A), a second display portion (e.g., the second display portion (232) of FIG. 2A), and a third display portion (e.g., the third display portion (233) of FIG. 2A) extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232) and being foldable. The support plate (510) may be formed of glass and include a first support portion (e.g., the first support portion (511) of FIG. 5A) disposed under the first display portion (231), a second support portion (e.g., the second support portion (512) of FIG. 5A) disposed under the second display portion (232), and a third support portion (513) disposed under the third display portion (233) and including a plurality of slits (515).However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the electronic device (101) may include structures and / or configurations (e.g., a housing (200), a hinge structure (250), a window (310), one or more adhesive layers (320) and / or adhesive layers (321, 322, 323), a reinforcing layer (330), a display panel (340), a support layer (350), a protective member (420), an electromagnetic induction panel (430), an elastic material (530), a deformable portion (233a), a first planar portion (233b), a second planar portion (233b), slits (710, 720, 730), bridges (740, 750, 760)) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4 to 7b. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as those described in FIGS. 4 to 7b are omitted.

[0153] The second slits (720) formed in the second bendable portion (702) may have a different pattern from the first slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701). The third slits (730) formed in the third bendable portion (703) may have a different pattern from the first slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701).

[0154] Referring to FIG. 8A, the width of each of the second bridges (750) of the second bendable portion (702) may be greater than the width of each of the bridges of the first bendable portion (701). The width of each of the third bridges (760) of the third bendable portion (703) may be greater than the width of each of the bridges of the first bendable portion (701).

[0155] For example, the widths (h0) of the first bridges (740) disposed within the first bendable portion (701) may be substantially the same. The widths (h1) of the second bridges (750) disposed within the second bendable portion (702) may be greater than the widths (h0) of the first bridges (740). The widths (h1) of the third bridges (760) disposed within the third bendable portion (703) may be greater than the widths (h0) of the first bridges (740). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 8B, the width (w1) of each of the second slits (720) of the second bendable portion (702) may be smaller than the width (w0) of each of the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701). The width (w1) of each of the third slits (730) of the third bendable portion (703) may be smaller than the width (w0) of each of the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 8C, the first bridges (740) of the first bendable portion (701) may include a first set of bridges (741) arranged in a first direction (801) that is perpendicular to a second direction (802) that is a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of slits (515). The second bridges (750) of the second bendable portion (702) may include a second set of bridges (750a) arranged in a third direction (803) that is inclined with respect to the second direction (802). The third bridges (760) of the third bendable portion (703) may include a third set of bridges (760a) arranged in a fourth direction (804) that is inclined with respect to the second direction (802). Within the present disclosure, a set of bridges may mean bridges arranged in a specified direction, such that they are adjacent to each other or right next to each other. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0158] For example, the first slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701) may each have the same shape. Some of the second slits (720) formed in the second bendable portion (702) may have a length smaller than the length of the slits of the first slits (710). Some of the third slits (730) formed in the third bendable portion (703) may have a length smaller than the length of the slits of the first slits (710).

[0159] For example, a first direction (801) in which a first set of bridges (741) of a first bendable portion (701) are arranged may be perpendicular to a second direction (802) which is a longitudinal direction of a plurality of slits (515). A second set of bridges (750a) of a second bendable portion (702) may be arranged in a third direction (803) that is inclined with respect to the first direction (801) and the second direction (802). A third set of bridges (760a) of a third bendable portion (703) may be arranged in a fourth direction (804) that is inclined with respect to the first direction (801) and the second direction (802) and is different from the third direction (803). However, the embodiment supported by the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the second bridges (750) of the second bendable portion (702) may include a third set of bridges (760a) arranged in the fourth direction (804). The third bridges (760) of the third bendable portion (703) may include a fourth set of bridges (760b) arranged in the third direction (803). However, the embodiment supported by the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the slits (720, 730) formed in the second bendable portion (702) and / or the third bendable portion (703) may form a different pattern from the first slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701), thereby reducing damage to the third support portion (513).

[0160] Referring to FIG. 8d, the width of each of the second bridges (750) of the second bendable portion (702) may be greater than the width of each of the bridges of the first bendable portion (701). The width of each of the third bridges (760) of the third bendable portion (703) may be greater than the width of each of the bridges of the first bendable portion (701).

[0161] For example, the widths (h0) of the first bridges (740) disposed within the first bendable portion (701) may be substantially the same. The widths of the second bridges (750) disposed within the second bendable portion (702) may sequentially increase from the first bendable portion (701) toward the first support portion (511) (e.g., toward the +x direction). For example, the second bridges (750) may include a first bridge (751) having a width (h1) greater than the width (h0) of the first bridges (740). The second bridges (750) may include a second bridge (752) disposed in the column immediately following the first bridge (751) and having a width (h2) greater than the width (h1) of the first bridge (751). The second bridges (750) may include a third bridge (753) arranged in the row immediately following the second bridge (752) and having a width (h3) greater than the width (h2) of the second bridge (752). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the widths of the third bridges (760) arranged within the third bendable portion (703) may sequentially increase from the first bendable portion (701) toward the second support portion (512) (e.g., toward the -x direction). For example, the third bridges (760) may include a fourth bridge (761) having a width (h1) greater than the width (h0) of the first bridges (740). The third bridges (760) may include a fifth bridge (762) arranged in the row immediately following the fourth bridge (761) and having a width (h2) greater than the width (h1) of the fourth bridge (761). The third bridges (760) may include a sixth bridge (763) arranged in the row immediately following the fifth bridge (762) and having a width (h3) greater than the width (h2) of the fifth bridge (762). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 8E, the width of each of the second slits (720) of the second bendable portion (702) may be smaller than the width of each of the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701). The width of each of the third slits (730) of the third bendable portion (703) may be smaller than the width of each of the first slits (710) of the first bendable portion (701).

[0163] For example, the widths (w0) of the first slits (710) arranged within the first bendable portion (701) may be substantially the same. The widths of the second slits (720) arranged within the second bendable portion (702) may sequentially decrease from the first bendable portion (701) toward the first support portion (511) (e.g., toward the +x direction). For example, the second slits (720) may include first slits (721) having a width (w1) smaller than the width (w0) of the first slits (710). The second slits (720) may include second slits (722) arranged in the row immediately following the first slits (721) and having a width (w2) smaller than the width (w1) of the first slits (721). The second slits (720) may include third slits (723) arranged in the row immediately following the second slits (722) and having a width (w3) smaller than the width (w2) of the second slits (722). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the widths of the third slits (730) arranged within the third bendable portion (703) may sequentially decrease from the first bendable portion (701) toward the second support portion (512) (e.g., toward the -x direction). For example, the third slits (730) may include fourth slits (731) having a width (w1) smaller than the width (w0) of the first slits (710). The third slits (730) may include a fifth slit (732) arranged in the row immediately following the fourth slit (731) and having a width (w2) smaller than the width (w1) of the fourth slit (731). The third slits (730) may include a sixth slit (733) arranged in the row immediately following the fifth slit (732) and having a width (w3) smaller than the width (w2) of the fifth slit (732). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 8F, a structure in which the structures exemplarily described through FIGS. 8D and 8E are combined may be provided in the third support portion (513). For example, the widths (h0) of the first bridges (740) disposed within the first bendable portion (701) may be substantially the same. The widths of the second bridges (750) disposed within the second bendable portion (702) may sequentially increase from the first bendable portion (701) toward the first support portion (511) (e.g., toward the +x direction). For example, the second bridges (750) may include first bridges (751) having a width (h1) greater than the width (h0) of the first bridges (740). The second bridges (750) may include a second bridge (752) arranged in the row immediately following the first bridge (751) and having a width (h2) greater than the width (h1) of the first bridge (751). The second bridges (750) may include a third bridge (753) arranged in the row immediately following the second bridge (752) and having a width (h3) greater than the width (h2) of the second bridge (752). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the widths of the third bridges (760) arranged within the third bendable portion (703) may sequentially increase from the first bendable portion (701) toward the second support portion (512) (e.g., toward the -x direction). For example, the third bridges (760) may include a fourth bridge (761) having a width (h1) greater than the width (h0) of the first bridges (740). The third bridges (760) may include a fifth bridge (762) arranged in the row immediately following the fourth bridge (761) and having a width (h2) greater than the width (h1) of the fourth bridge (761).The third bridges (760) may include a sixth bridge (763) arranged in the row immediately following the fifth bridge (762) and having a width (h3) greater than the width (h2) of the fifth bridge (762). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0165] For example, the widths (w0) of the first slits (710) arranged within the first bendable portion (701) may be substantially the same. The widths of the second slits (720) arranged within the second bendable portion (702) may sequentially decrease from the first bendable portion (701) toward the first support portion (511) (e.g., toward the +x direction). For example, the second slits (720) may include first slits (721) having a width (w1) smaller than the width (w0) of the first slits (710). The second slits (720) may include second slits (722) arranged in the row immediately following the first slits (721) and having a width (w2) smaller than the width (w1) of the first slits (721). The second slits (720) may include third slits (723) arranged in the row immediately following the second slits (722) and having a width (w3) smaller than the width (w2) of the second slits (722). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the widths of the third slits (730) arranged within the third bendable portion (703) may sequentially decrease from the first bendable portion (701) toward the second support portion (512) (e.g., toward the -x direction). For example, the third slits (730) may include fourth slits (731) having a width (w1) smaller than the width (w0) of the first slits (710). The third slits (730) may include a fifth slit (732) arranged in the row immediately following the fourth slit (731) and having a width (w2) smaller than the width (w1) of the fourth slit (731). The third slits (730) may include a sixth slit (733) arranged in the row immediately following the fifth slit (732) and having a width (w3) smaller than the width (w2) of the fifth slit (732). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0166] According to the above-described embodiment, the support plate (510) of the electronic device (101) can reduce damage to the third support portion (513) of the support plate (510) by having the first bendable portion (701) and the second and third bendable portions (702, 703) having different patterns.

[0167] Figure 9a illustrates an exemplary electronic device in a first state. Figure 9b illustrates an exemplary electronic device in a second state.

[0168] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B , an electronic device (101) may include a housing (200), a flexible display (940), a first hinge assembly (950), and a second hinge assembly (960). The housing (200) may include a first housing part (910), a second housing part (920), and a third housing part (930). The housing (200) may include multiple housing parts (910, 920, 930) and may be referred to as a multi-foldable housing in that it may be folded multiple times. The electronic device (101) may be referred to as a multi-foldable electronic device in that it includes a housing (200) and / or a flexible display (940) that may be folded multiple times. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0169] The first housing part (910) can be rotatably coupled to the second housing part (920) by the first hinge assembly (950). The second housing part (920) and the first housing part (910) can be rotated with respect to the first hinge assembly (950). While the first housing part (910) is rotated with respect to the first hinge assembly (950), the second housing part (920) can be rotated with respect to the first hinge assembly (950). For example, when the second housing part (920) and the first housing part (910) are rotated with respect to the first hinge assembly (950), the angular displacement of the second housing part (920) can be substantially equal to the angular displacement of the first housing part (910).

[0170] The third housing part (930) can be rotatably coupled to the second housing part (920) by the second hinge assembly (960). The second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930) can be rotated with respect to the second hinge assembly (960). While the second housing part (920) is rotated with respect to the second hinge assembly (960), the third housing part (930) can be rotated with respect to the second hinge assembly (960). For example, when the second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930) are rotated with respect to the second hinge assembly (960), the angular displacement (or angular change) of the second housing part (920) can be substantially equal to the angular displacement of the third housing part (930).

[0171] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) can change the state of the electronic device. The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) can provide (or enable) a first state (101a) of the electronic device (101) (or a first state (101a) of the housing (200)). The first state (101a) of the electronic device (101) (or the first state (101a) of the housing (200)) can be described as an unfolded state of the electronic device (101) (or the housing (200)). Within the first state (101a), the front surface of the first housing part (910), the front surface of the second housing part (920), and the front surface of the third housing part (930) can define the front surface of the electronic device (101). Within the first state (101a), the front surface of the first housing part (910), the front surface of the second housing part (920), and the front surface of the third housing part (930) can face substantially the same direction. Within the first state (101a), the electronic device (101) can provide a large display area of ​​the flexible display (940) to the user.

[0172] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) can provide a second state (101b) of the electronic device (101) (or a second state (101b) of the housing (200)). The second state (101b) of the electronic device (101) (or the second state (101b) of the housing (200)) can be described as a multi-folded state of the electronic device (101) (or the housing (200)). Within the second state (101b), the front surface of the first housing part (910) and the front surface of the second housing part (920) can face in opposite directions, and the front surface of the second housing part (920) and the front surface of the third housing part (930) can face in opposite directions. Within the second state (101b), the front surface of the first housing part (910) and the front surface of the third housing part (930) may face the same direction. For example, within the second state (101b), the front surface of the second housing part (920) may face the front surface of the first housing part (910), and the front surface of the third housing part (930) may face the rear surface of the first housing part (910). Within the second state (101b), the electronic device (101) may be folded to enhance portability.

[0173] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) can provide a third state of the electronic device (101). The third state of the electronic device (101) can be described as a state in which the electronic device (101) is partially folded and partially unfolded (or a single folded state or a half folded state). For example, within the third state, the front surface of the second housing part (920) and the front surface of the third housing part (930) can face the same direction, and the front surface of the first housing part (910) and the front surface of the second housing part (920) can face opposite directions. For example, within the third state, the first housing part (910) and the second housing part (920) can be folded, and the second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930) can be unfolded.

[0174] A flexible display (940) can at least partially define the appearance of the electronic device (101). The flexible display (940) can be partially disposed within the housing (200). The flexible display (940) can define the front surface of the electronic device (101). The flexible display (940) can include a first planar portion (941), a second planar portion (942), a third planar portion (943), a first foldable portion (944), and a second foldable portion (945). The first planar portion (941) of the flexible display (940) can be disposed on the front surface of the first housing part (910). The second planar portion (942) of the flexible display (940) can be disposed on the front surface of the second housing part (920). The third flat portion (943) of the flexible display (940) may be disposed on the front side of the third housing part (930). The first foldable portion (944) of the flexible display (940) may be disposed between the first flat portion (941) and the second flat portion (942) of the flexible display (940). For example, the first foldable portion (944) of the flexible display (940) may be disposed on the first hinge assembly (950) connecting the first housing part (910) and the second housing part (920). The second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) may be disposed between the second flat portion (942) and the third flat portion (943) of the flexible display (940). For example, the second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) may be placed on a second hinge assembly (960) connecting the second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930).

[0175] In the first state (101a), the entire display area of ​​the flexible display (940) can be seen from the front of the housing (200). For example, the first planar portion (941), the second planar portion (942), the third planar portion (943), the first foldable portion (944), and the second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) can be visually exposed. The electronic device (101) can provide a user with a large display area including the first planar portion (941), the second planar portion (942), the third planar portion (943), the first foldable portion (944), and the second foldable portion (945). In the second state (101b), the display area of ​​the flexible display (940) can be invisible. For example, the first planar portion (941), the second planar portion (942), the third planar portion (943), the first foldable portion (944), and the second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) may not be visually exposed. In the third state, the display area of ​​the flexible display (940) may be partially visible from the front of the third housing part (930). For example, the third planar portion (943) may be visually exposed, and the first planar portion (941) and the second planar portion (942) may not be visually exposed.

[0176] As a non-limiting example, when the flexible display (940) is used to display a screen in a first state (101a) of the electronic device (101), all portions (941, 942, 943, 944, 945) of the flexible display (940) can be activated. As a non-limiting example, when the flexible display (940) is used to display a screen in a second state (101b), all portions (941, 942, 943, 944, 945) of the flexible display (940) can be deactivated. As a non-limiting example, when the flexible display (940) is used to display a screen in a third state of the electronic device (101), the third planar portion (943) can be activated, and other portions (941, 942, 944, 945) of the flexible display (940) can be deactivated.

[0177] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) may face substantially the same direction as the first planar portion (941) of the flexible display (940), the second planar portion (942) of the flexible display (940), and the third planar portion (943) of the flexible display (940). In the first state (101a), the first foldable portion (944) and the second foldable portion (945) may be arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane as the first planar portion (941), the second planar portion (942), and the third planar portion (943).

[0178] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) can provide a second state (101b) of the electronic device (101). Within the second state (101b), the second planar portion (942) of the flexible display (940) can face the first planar portion (941) of the flexible display (940), and the third planar portion (943) of the flexible display (940) can face the back of the first housing part (910). Within the second state (101b), the first foldable portion (944) of the flexible display (940) can be folded such that the first planar portion (941) of the flexible display (940) and the second planar portion (942) of the flexible display (940) face different directions. Within the second state (101b), the second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) can be folded such that the second flat portion (942) of the flexible display (940) and the third flat portion (943) of the flexible display (940) face different directions.

[0179] Within the second state (101b), the first housing part (910) may be disposed between the second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930). Within the second state (101b), the second foldable portion (945) of the flexible display (940) disposed on the second hinge assembly (960) may be partially oriented toward the side surface (910c) of the first housing part (910). For example, a sub-display may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the second housing part (920) to provide visual information to the user within the second state (101b). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0180] FIG. 9C is a plan view of an exemplary electronic device in a first state with the flexible display removed. FIG. 9D is a rear view of the exemplary electronic device in a first state with the back cover removed.

[0181] Referring to FIGS. 9c and 9d, the electronic device (101) may include a first hinge assembly (950) and a second hinge assembly (960). A first width (g1) of the first hinge assembly (950) may be narrower than a second width (g2) of the second hinge assembly (960). A difference between the first width (g1) of the first hinge assembly (950) and the second width (g2) of the second hinge assembly (960) may be equal to or greater than a thickness of the first housing part (910). For example, the second hinge assembly (960) may have a second width (g2) that is wider than the first width (g1) such that the first housing part (910) is disposed between the second housing part (920) and the third housing part (930) according to the second state (101b). The first hinge assembly (950) may be referred to as a narrow hinge structure in that it has a narrower width than the second hinge assembly (960). The second hinge assembly (960) may be referred to as a wide hinge structure in that it has a wider width than the first hinge assembly (950).

[0182] A first hinge assembly (950) may include a first set of gears (951), a first hinge plate (952), and a second hinge plate (953). The first hinge plate (952) may be coupled to a first support portion (911) of a first housing part (910). The second hinge plate (953) may be coupled to a second support portion (921) of a second housing part (920). The gears included in the first set of gears (951) may be configured to rotate the first hinge plate (952) and the second hinge plate (953). For example, the gears included in the first set of gears (951) can rotate the second hinge plate (953) (or the second housing part (920)) in conjunction with the rotation of the first hinge plate (952) (or the first housing part (910)). After the first hinge plate (952) (or the first housing part (910)) is rotated, the gears included in the first set of gears (951) can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the first hinge plate (952) (or the first housing part (910)). The second hinge plate (953) (or the second housing part (920)) can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first hinge plate (952) in accordance with the rotation of the gears included in the first set of gears (951).

[0183] A second hinge assembly (960) may include a second set of gears (961), a third hinge plate (962), a fourth hinge plate (963), and a support plate (964). The third hinge plate (962) may be coupled to a second support portion (921) of a second housing part (920). The fourth hinge plate (963) may be coupled to a third support portion (931) of a third housing part (930). The gears included in the second set of gears (961) may be configured to rotate the third hinge plate (962) and the fourth hinge plate (963). For example, the gears included in the second set of gears (961) can rotate the fourth hinge plate (963) (or the third housing part (930)) in conjunction with the rotation of the third hinge plate (962) (or the second housing part (920)). After the third hinge plate (962) (or the second housing part (920)) is rotated, the gears included in the second set of gears (961) can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the third hinge plate (962) (or the second housing part (920)). The fourth hinge plate (963) (or the third housing part (930)) can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the third hinge plate (962) in accordance with the rotation of the gears included in the second set of gears (961).

[0184] An electronic device (101) may include a first printed circuit board (971), a second printed circuit board (972), and a third printed circuit board (973). Various hardware components may be mounted on each of the printed circuit boards (971, 972, 973).

[0185] A first printed circuit board (971) may be disposed on a first support portion (911) of a first housing part (910). Hardware components within the first housing part (910) may be disposed on the first printed circuit board (971). A second printed circuit board (972) may be disposed on a second support portion (921) of a second housing part (920). Hardware components within the second housing part (920) may be disposed on the second printed circuit board (972). A third printed circuit board (973) may be disposed on a third support portion (931) of a third housing part (930). Hardware components within the third housing part (930) (e.g., a rear camera (975)) may be disposed on the third printed circuit board (973).

[0186] The hardware components placed on the first printed circuit board (971) can support or operate independently of the hardware components placed on the second printed circuit board (972) and / or the hardware components placed on the third printed circuit board (973).

[0187] The hardware components arranged on the second printed circuit board (972) may support or operate independently of the hardware components arranged on the first printed circuit board (971) or the third printed circuit board (973). The hardware components arranged on the second printed circuit board (972) may include a speaker, a front camera, and / or a display driving circuit.

[0188] Hardware components arranged on the third printed circuit board (973) may include at least one processor including a processing circuit, a memory including one or more storage media, a communication circuit, and a rear camera (975). The rear camera (975) may be exposed through a structure (e.g., an opening) on ​​the rear of the third housing part (930).

[0189] The electronic device (101) may further include batteries. Each of the batteries may be attached to support portions (911, 921, 931) included in the housing parts (910, 920, 930). The support portions (911, 921, 931) may support rechargeable batteries.

[0190] The housing (200) may include frames (915, 925, 935). For example, the frames (915, 925, 935) may form an edge of the electronic device (101) within the first state (101a). For example, the first housing part (910) may include a first frame (915) that at least partially surrounds the first support portion (911). The second housing part (920) may include a second frame (925) that at least partially surrounds the second support portion (912). The third housing part (930) may include a third frame (935) that at least partially surrounds the third support portion (913). The second frame (925) may be positioned between the first frame (915) and the third frame (935) within the first state (101a) of the electronic device (101). The frames (915, 925, 935) may be referred to as the periphery and / or deco of the housing (200) in that they are positioned along the edge of the electronic device (101) to protect the edge of the flexible display (940), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0191] Although the first housing part (910) and the third housing part (930) are shown as rotating in opposite directions with respect to the second housing part (920), this is not limited thereto. For example, during the change from the first state (101a) to the second state (101b), the first housing part (910) may rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second housing part (920), and the third housing part (930) may rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second housing part (920). As the first housing part (910) and the third housing part (930) rotate in the same direction, a portion of the display area of ​​the flexible display (940) within the second state may be visually exposed. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, while changing from the first state (101a) to the second state (101b), the first housing part (910) may rotate clockwise with respect to the second housing part (920), and the third housing part (930) may rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second housing part (920). The electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 9A to 9D supported by the present disclosure may have various form factors depending on the rotational direction of the first housing part (910) and / or the third housing part (930) with respect to the second housing part (920).

[0192] The electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 9A to 9D may include a support plate (510) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 8A to 8F. Since the electronic device (101) includes two hinge assemblies (950, 960) configured to deform the display (940), the support plate (510) may include sections in which a plurality of slits (515) are formed at positions corresponding to each of the hinge assemblies (950, 960). The shapes of the plurality of slits (515) formed in the sections may vary, for example, depending on the widths (g1, g2) of each of the hinge assemblies (950, 960).

[0193] For example, the plurality of slits (515) formed in a portion corresponding to the first hinge assembly (950) having a relatively small width (g1) among the support plates (510) may have a different shape from the shape of the plurality of slits (515) formed in a portion corresponding to the second hinge assembly (960) having a width (g2) greater than the width (g1). For example, the width of each of the plurality of slits (515) formed in the portion corresponding to the first hinge assembly (950) of the support plate (510) may be larger than the width of each of the plurality of slits (515) formed in the portion corresponding to the second hinge assembly (960). For example, the width and / or length of each of the plurality of bridges (516) of the portion corresponding to the first hinge assembly (950) of the support plate (510) may be smaller than the width and / or length of each of the plurality of bridges (516) of the portion corresponding to the second hinge assembly (960). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the patterns of the plurality of slits (515) formed in the portions of the support plate (510) corresponding to each of the hinge assemblies (950, 960) may be different from each other depending on the function of each of the hinge assemblies (950, 960).

[0194] 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 will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0195] As described above, a foldable electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a flexible display including a first display portion (e.g., first display portion (231) of FIG. 2A), a second display portion (e.g., second display portion (232) of FIG. 2A), and a third display portion extending from the first display portion to the second display portion and being foldable (e.g., third display portion (233) of FIG. 2A). The foldable electronic device may include a support plate (e.g., the support plate (510) of FIG. 5A) that supports the flexible display, the support plate including a first support portion (e.g., the first support portion (511) of FIG. 5A) formed of glass and disposed under the first display portion, a second support portion (e.g., the second support portion (512) of FIG. 5A) disposed under the second display portion, and a third support portion (e.g., the third support portion (513) of FIG. 5A) disposed under the third display portion and including a plurality of slits (e.g., the plurality of slits (515) of FIG. 5A). The foldable electronic device may include a protective layer (e.g., the first protective layer (510) of FIG. 5B) attached under the support plate. In one embodiment, the protective layer may be coated under the support plate.

[0196] For example, a distance (e.g., d1 in FIG. 5b) between a first surface of the support plate facing the flexible display (e.g., the first surface (510a) in FIG. 5a) and a neutral surface (e.g., the neutral surface (N) in FIG. 5b) of the support plate may be greater than a distance (e.g., d2 in FIG. 5b) between a second surface of the support plate opposite to the first surface (e.g., the second surface (510b) in FIG. 5a) and the neutral surface of the support plate.

[0197] For example, the support plate may further include a first portion (e.g., the first portion (501) of FIG. 5A) to which compressive stress is applied in a folded state of the electronic device, and a second portion (e.g., the second portion (502) of FIG. 5A) formed integrally with the first portion and to which tensile stress is applied. The thickness of the first portion (e.g., d1 of FIG. 5B) may be greater than the thickness of the second portion (e.g., d2 of FIG. 5B).

[0198] For example, the thickness of the support plate (e.g., d in FIG. 5a) may be in the range of 30 μm to 150 μm. More preferably, the thickness of the support plate may be in the range of 50 μm to 130 μm. Even more preferably, the thickness of the support plate may be in the range of 70 μm to 110 μm. The present invention is not limited to the range. For example, the thickness of the support plate may be arranged to be less than 30 μm or greater than 150 μm.

[0199] For example, the modulus of the support plate may be in the range of 60 GPa to 80 GPa. More preferably, the modulus of the support plate may be in the range of 65 GPa to 75 GPa. The present invention is not limited to this range. For example, the modulus of the support plate may be arranged to be less than 60 GPa or greater than 80 GPa.

[0200] For example, the protective layer may include a first protective portion attached under the first support portion (e.g., the first protective portion (521) of FIG. 6A), a second protective portion attached under the second support portion (e.g., the second protective portion (612) of FIG. 6A), and a third protective portion attached under the third support portion (e.g., the third protective portion (613) of FIG. 6A).

[0201] For example, the modulus of the third protection portion may be smaller than the modulus of the first protection portion and the modulus of the second protection portion.

[0202] For example, the foldable electronic device may include an elastic material (e.g., an elastic material (530) of FIG. 5B) extending from the third protective portion and filling the plurality of slits of the third support portion.

[0203] For example, the foldable electronic device may further include another protective layer (e.g., the second protective layer (610) of FIG. 6B) attached on the support plate. In one embodiment, the other protective layer may be coated on the support plate. The thickness of the protective layer (e.g., t1 of FIG. 6B) may be greater than the thickness of the other protective layer (e.g., t2 of FIG. 6B).

[0204] For example, the protective layer may include at least one of an anti-slip film or an anti-slip coating.

[0205] For example, the protective layer may include at least one of acrylic, silicone, or resin.

[0206] For example, the third support portion of the support plate may include a first bendable portion (e.g., the first bendable portion (701) of FIG. 8B), a second bendable portion (e.g., the second bendable portion (702) of FIG. 8B) disposed between the first bendable portion and the first support portion, a third bendable portion (e.g., the third bendable portion (703) of FIG. 8B) disposed between the first bendable portion and the second support portion, and a plurality of bridges (e.g., the plurality of bridges (516) of FIG. 8B) forming ends of the plurality of slits and spacing the plurality of slits apart from each other. The plurality of slits may include first slits formed in the first bendable portion (e.g., first slits (710) of FIG. 7B), second slits formed in the second bendable portion and having a different pattern from the first slits (e.g., second slits (720) of FIG. 7B), and third slits formed in the third bendable portion and having a different pattern from the first slits (e.g., third slits (730) of FIG. 7B).

[0207] For example, the plurality of bridges may include first bridges (e.g., first bridges (740) in FIG. 7B) that space the first slits apart from each other in the first bendable portion, second bridges (e.g., second bridges (750) in FIG. 7B) that space the second slits apart from each other in the second bendable portion, and third bridges (e.g., third bridges (760) in FIG. 7B) that space the third slits apart from each other in the third bendable portion. A width of each of the second bridges may be greater than a width of each of the first bridges. A width of each of the third bridges may be greater than a width of each of the first bridges.

[0208] For example, the plurality of bridges may include a first set of bridges (e.g., the first set of bridges (741) of FIG. 8A) arranged in a first direction (e.g., the first direction (801) of FIG. 8A) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of slits (e.g., the second direction (802) of FIG. 8A) disposed within the first bendable portion, a second set of bridges (e.g., the second set of bridges (750a) of FIG. 8A) arranged in a second direction inclined with respect to the first direction (e.g., the third direction (803) of FIG. 8A) disposed within the second bendable portion, and a third set of bridges (e.g., the third set of bridges (760a) of FIG. 8A) arranged in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction (e.g., the fourth direction (804) of FIG. 8A) disposed within the third bendable portion. there is.

[0209] For example, the width of each of the second slits may be smaller than the width of each of the first slits. The width of each of the third slits may be smaller than the width of each of the first slits.

[0210] According to the above, the foldable electronic device may include a housing including a first housing part and a second housing part. The foldable electronic device may include a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first housing part and the second housing part. The foldable electronic device may include a flexible display including a first display part coupled to the first housing part, a second display part coupled to the second housing part, and a third display part extending from the first display part to the second display part and foldable by the hinge assembly. The foldable electronic device may include a support plate that supports the flexible display, the support plate being formed of glass and including a first support part disposed under the first display part, a second support part disposed under the second display part, and a third support part disposed under the third display part and including a plurality of slits. The foldable electronic device may include a protective layer attached under the support plate. In one embodiment, the protective layer may be coated under the support plate. The neutral surface of the support plate may be disposed adjacent to the second surface among the first surface facing the flexible display and the second surface opposite the first surface.

[0211] For example, the thickness of the support plate may be in the range of 30 μm to 150 μm.

[0212] For example, the protective layer may include a first protective portion attached under the first support portion, a second protective portion attached under the second support portion and having a modulus greater than that of the first protective portion, and a third protective portion attached under the third support portion and having a modulus greater than that of the first protective portion.

[0213] For example, the foldable electronic device may further include another protective layer attached to the support plate. In one embodiment, the other protective layer may be coated on the support plate. The thickness of the protective layer may be greater than the thickness of the other protective layer.

[0214] For example, the third support portion of the support plate may include a first bendable portion, a second bendable portion disposed between the first bendable portion and the first support portion, and a third bendable portion disposed between the first bendable portion and the second support portion. The plurality of slits may include first slits formed in the first bendable portion, second slits formed in the second bendable portion and having a different pattern from the first slits, and third slits formed in the third bendable portion and having a different pattern from the first slits.

[0215] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0216] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document 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, electronic devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0217] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document 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 this document, 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 those 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.

[0218] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document 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).

[0219] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions 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 instruction among the one or more instructions 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 called instruction. The one or more instructions 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.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document 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 an intermediary server.

[0221] 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 placed 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.

Claims

1. In a foldable electronic device (101), A flexible display (230) comprising a first display portion (231), a second display portion (232), and a third display portion (233) extending from the first display portion (231) to the second display portion (232) and being foldable; A support plate (510) formed of glass and supporting the flexible display (230), the support plate (510) including a first support portion (511) positioned below the first display portion (231), a second support portion (512) positioned below the second display portion (232), and a third support portion (513) positioned below the third display portion (233) and including a plurality of slits (515); and A protective layer (520) attached under the above support plate (510), Foldable electronic device (101).

2. In paragraph 1, The above protective layer (520) is coated under the support plate (510), The distance (d1) between the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) facing the flexible display (230) and the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) is The distance (d2) between the second surface (510b) opposite to the first surface (510a) of the support plate (510) and the neutral surface (N) of the support plate (510) is greater than that The neutral surface (N) of the above support plate (510) is a plane where the tensile stress and compressive stress applied to the support plate (510) are balanced while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. Foldable electronic device (101).

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above support plate (510) is, in the folded state of the foldable electronic device (101): a first portion (501) to which compressive stress is applied; and It further includes a second part (502) formed integrally with the first part (501) and to which tensile stress is applied, The thickness (d1) of the above first part (501) is Greater than the thickness (d2) of the second part (502) above, Foldable electronic device (101).

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, The thickness (d) of the above support plate (510) is Within the range of 30μm to 150μm, Foldable electronic device (101).

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, The modulus of the above support plate (510) is Within the range of 60GPa to 80GPa, Foldable electronic device (101).

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The above protective layer (520) is A first protective part (521) attached below the first support part (511); A second protective part (522) attached below the second support part (512); and Including a third protective part (523) attached under the third support part (513), Foldable electronic device (101).

7. In paragraph 6, The modulus of the third protective portion (523) is The modulus of the first protection portion (521) is smaller than the modulus of the second protection portion (522). Foldable electronic device (101).

8. In paragraph 6, Extending from the third protective portion (523), further comprising an elastic material (530) filling the plurality of slits (515) of the third support portion (513). Foldable electronic device (101).

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, Further comprising another protective layer (610) attached on the above support plate (510), The thickness (t1) of the above protective layer (520) is Greater than the thickness (t2) of the other protective layer (610) above, Foldable electronic device (101).

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, The above protective layer (520) is Comprising at least one of an anti-slip film or an anti-slip coating, Foldable electronic device (101).

11. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, The above protective layer (520) is Containing at least one of acrylic, silicone, or resin, Foldable electronic device (101).

12. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, The third support part (513) of the above support plate (510) is First bendable portion (701); A second bendable part (702) disposed between the first bendable part (701) and the first support part (511); A third bendable part (703) arranged between the first bendable part (701) and the second support part (512); and It includes a plurality of bridges (516) that form the ends of the plurality of slits (515) and space the plurality of slits (515) apart from each other, The above plurality of slits (515) are, First slits (710) formed in the first bendable portion (701); Second slits (720) formed in the second bendable portion (702) and having a different pattern from the first slits (710); and Formed in the third bendable portion (703) and including third slits (730) having a different pattern from the first slits (710), Foldable electronic device (101).

13. In paragraph 12, The above plurality of bridges (516) are, First bridges (740) that space the first slits (710) within the first bendable portion (701) apart from each other; Second bridges (750) that space the second slits (720) within the second bendable portion (702) apart from each other; and Including third bridges (760) that space the third slits (730) apart from each other in the third bendable portion (703), The width of each of the above second bridges (750) is Larger than the width of each of the above first bridges (740), The width of each of the above third bridges (760) is Larger than the width of each of the above first bridges (740), Foldable electronic device (101).

14. In paragraph 12, The above plurality of bridges (516) are, A first set of bridges (741) arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of slits (515) and disposed within the first bendable portion (701); A second set of bridges (750a) arranged in a second direction inclined with respect to the first direction and disposed within the second bendable portion (702); and A third set of bridges (760a) arranged in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction and disposed within the third bendable portion (703), Foldable electronic device (101).

15. In paragraph 12, The width of each of the above second slits (720) is smaller than the width of each of the first slits (710), The width of each of the above third slits (730) is smaller than the width of each of the first slits (710), Foldable electronic device (101).

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