Electronic device comprising structure for reducing damage to cover glass of flexible display, and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

This electronic device may comprise: a display panel; and a cover glass disposed on the display panel and defining a first glass portion, a second glass portion configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion, and a third glass portion extending from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The cover glass may include a substrate layer including a first portion disposed on the first glass portion, a second portion disposed on the second glass portion, and a third portion disposed on the third glass portion. The cover glass may include a reinforcement layer surrounding the substrate layer and including a first reinforcement layer formed on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate layer, and a second reinforcement layer formed on the first reinforcing layer and the second portion of the substrate layer.

Description

Electronic device including a structure for reducing breakage of cover glass of a flexible display and a method for manufacturing the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a structure for reducing breakage of a cover glass of a flexible display and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] As user demands diversify, electronic devices may include a structure capable of transforming a display for displaying content. For example, electronic devices may include a flexible display that is foldable or rollable. Electronic devices may require a structure or a method for manufacturing a cover glass of a flexible display that is capable of transforming, to reduce breakage.

[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 is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a display panel, and a cover glass disposed on the display panel, the cover glass defining a first glass portion, a second glass portion configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third glass portion extending from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The electronic device may include a foldable housing that accommodates the display panel and includes a first housing part and a second housing part coupled to the cover glass. The electronic device may include a hinge assembly configured to rotatably couple the first housing part and the second housing part and deform the second glass portion. The cover glass may include a substrate layer comprising a first portion disposed on the first glass portion, a second portion disposed on the second glass portion, and a third portion disposed on the third glass portion. The cover glass may include a first reinforcement layer formed on the first portion and the third portion of the base layer, and a second reinforcement layer formed on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the base layer, and may include a reinforcement layer surrounding the base layer.

[0005] An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a display panel, and a cover glass disposed on the display panel, the cover glass defining a first glass portion, a second glass portion configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third glass portion extending from the first glass portion to the second glass portion and gradually becoming thinner from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The cover glass may include a substrate layer including a first portion disposed on the first glass portion, a second portion disposed on the second glass portion, and a third portion disposed on the third glass portion. The cover glass may include a first reinforcement layer formed on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate layer, and a second reinforcement layer formed on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the substrate layer, the reinforcement layer surrounding the substrate layer. A thickness of the first reinforcement layer of the first glass portion may be greater than a thickness of the second reinforcement layer.

[0006] A method for manufacturing a cover glass for use in an electronic device is disclosed. The method may include forming a substrate from glass, the substrate including a first portion, a second portion having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion to the second portion. The method may include covering the second portion and the third portion of the substrate with a mask. The method may include forming a first reinforcement layer on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate through bathing, in which a portion of first ions contained in the glass are exchanged with second ions having larger thicknesses than the first ions. The method may include removing the mask from the substrate. The method may include forming a second reinforcement layer on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the substrate through bathing, in which a portion of the first ions and a portion of the second ions contained in the glass are exchanged with third ions having larger thicknesses than the second ions.

[0007] An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing part and a second housing part. The electronic device may include a flexible display accommodated in the first housing part and the second housing part, the flexible display including a display panel and a cover glass disposed on the display panel, the cover glass defining a first glass portion having a first thickness and a second glass portion having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness. The cover glass may include a glass substrate and a reinforcing layer substantially surrounding the glass substrate. The reinforcing layer may include a first reinforcing layer formed on the first glass portion among the first glass portion and the second glass portion, and a second reinforcing layer formed on both the first glass portion and the second glass portion.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2a illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0010] Figure 2b illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0011] Figure 2c is an exploded view of an exemplary electronic device.

[0012] Figure 2d illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0013] Figure 2e illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display of an exemplary electronic device taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2a.

[0015] Figure 4a is a top plan view of a cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0016] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the cover glass of an exemplary electronic device taken along line B-B' of FIG. 4a.

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates a cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates a manufacturing process of a cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0019] Figures 7a and 7b are graphs showing stress according to the depth of the cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0020] Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e illustrate cover glasses of exemplary electronic devices.

[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. 10A is a top plan view of an exemplary electronic device in a retracted state.

[0026] FIG. 10b is a bottom view of an exemplary electronic device in a reduced state.

[0027] FIG. 10c is a plan view of an exemplary electronic device in an extended state.

[0028] FIG. 10d is a bottom view of an exemplary electronic device in an expanded state.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0030] 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)).

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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).

[0034] 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).

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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).

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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).

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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)).

[0051] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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).

[0054] 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) surrounding at least a portion of the first front surface (211) and the first rear surface (212). The first side surfaces (213) can connect the periphery of the first front surface (211) and the periphery of the first back surface (212). The first front surface (211), the first back surface (212), and the first side surfaces (213) can define an internal space of the first housing part (210). According to one embodiment, the first housing part (210) can provide a space formed by the first front surface (211), the first back surface (212), and the first side surfaces (213) as a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101).

[0055] 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 a periphery of the second front surface (221) and a periphery 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 arranging 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).

[0056] 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 periphery 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 gaps 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).

[0057] 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.

[0058] The display (230) may be configured to display visual information. According to 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).

[0059] 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).

[0060] 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).

[0061] 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). According to one embodiment, 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.

[0062] 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). According to one embodiment, 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.

[0063] 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 change the electronic device (101) into an unfolding 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 each other in substantially the same direction, or into a folding 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.

[0064] 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. According to one embodiment, 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).

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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 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 exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101).

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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 modules (254) can be plural. For example, the plurality of hinge modules (254) can be arranged spaced apart from each other at both ends of the first hinge plate (252) and the second hinge plate (253), respectively.

[0069] 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).

[0070] 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). In one embodiment, 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).

[0071] 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). According to one embodiment, 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).

[0072] 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).

[0073] 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).

[0074] 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.

[0075] Fig. 2d illustrates an unfolded state of an exemplary electronic device. Fig. 2e illustrates a folded state of an exemplary electronic device.

[0076] The electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2d and 2e may include a housing (200) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220) rotatable with respect to the first housing (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. 2d and 2e may be referred to as a foldable electronic device in that it includes a display (230) including a third display portion (233) (or foldable portion) that is deformable by a hinge structure (250) (or hinge assembly) configured to rotate the second housing (220) relative to the first housing (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. 2d and 2e 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. 2D and 2E. However, the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 2E is exemplary, and the electronic device (101) may have various foldable form factors (e.g., the multi-foldable electronic device exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9D). Hereinafter, the electronic device (101) exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2E will be described with reference to the description of the components having the same reference numerals in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0077] An electronic device (101) may include a housing (200) including a first housing (210) and a second housing (220), and a hinge structure (or hinge assembly) (250). The first housing (210) may be rotatably connected to the hinge structure (250). The first housing (210) may be rotatable relative to the second housing (220) via the hinge structure (250). The second housing (220) may be rotatably connected to the hinge structure (250). The second housing (220) may be rotatable relative to the first housing (210) via the hinge structure (250).

[0078] The first housing (210) may include a first front surface (211), a first rear surface (212) facing away 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 (210) may provide a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101). The first housing (210) may include a conductive material, a non-conductive material, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The second housing (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 (220) may provide a space for arranging components of the electronic device (101).

[0080] The hinge structure (250) may be connected to the first housing (210) and the second housing (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 (210), and the first housing (210) may be rotated by the first hinge plate. The second hinge plate may be connected to the second housing (220), and the second housing (220) may be rotated by the second hinge plate.

[0081] 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 (210) and the second housing (220). The hinge structure (250) can be positioned between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) so that the electronic device (101) can be folded based on the folding axis (f).

[0082] 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 exposed to the outside or covered by the first housing (210) and the second housing (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. 2e), the hinge cover (251) may be at least partially exposed through a space between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). For example, while the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 2d), the hinge cover (251) may be covered by the first housing (210) and the second housing (220).

[0083] 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 (210) and a second housing (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 (210) and a second front surface (221) of the second housing (220). The display (230) may include a first display portion (flat portion) (231) aligned with respect to the first housing (210), a second display portion (232) spaced apart from the first display portion (231) and aligned with respect to the second housing (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 (210) and a second front surface (221) of the second housing (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.

[0084] The first display portion (231) and the second display portion (232) of the display (230) may be referred to as flat portions of the display (230) in that they do not deform or maintain a substantially flat shape while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. The third display portion (233) of the display (230) may be referred to as a foldable portion of the display (230) in that they bend or unfold while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0085] The electronic device (101) may include a sub-display (235) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) disposed within the first housing (210). The sub-display (235) may be visible through the second rear surface (222) of the first housing (210).

[0086] 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 (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 may 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.

[0087] 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. 2d) and a folded state (e.g., FIG. 2e). The electronic device (101) may transform or change 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 (210) and the second housing (220) may vary.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 2D, in the unfolded state, the first housing (210) and the second housing (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 (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 (220) (or the second display portion (232)) faces (e.g., the +z direction) may be substantially the same.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 2E, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101), the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can be folded to face each other by rotating around the folding axis (f). The first housing (210) and the second housing (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 (210) can face the second front surface (221) of the second housing (220) or overlap with the second front surface (221). The first housing (210) and the second housing (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 (210) faces (e.g., +z direction) and the direction in which the second front surface (221) of the second housing (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).

[0090] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display of an exemplary electronic device taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2a.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device (101) may include a display panel (310) and a cover glass (320).

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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 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 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.

[0094] 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).

[0095] For example, in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101), the first display portion (231) may face 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).

[0096] 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.

[0097] The display (230) may be referred to as a display stack or display structure in which multiple layers are combined. Since the display (230) includes a deformable third display portion (233), the multiple layers combined within the display (230) may be configured to at least partially deform in response to a change in the state of the electronic device (101). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0098] The display panel (310) may include pixels configured to emit light and sub-pixels included in each of the pixels. Through the pixels, the display panel (310) may provide visual information to the outside of the display (230). To provide visual information through the display panel (310), layers disposed on the display panel (310) may be formed of a substantially transparent material. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0099] The cover glass (320) may be disposed on the display panel (310). For example, the cover glass (320) may be disposed on the display panel (310). The cover glass (320) may reduce damage to the display panel (310) by covering the display panel (310). The cover glass (320) may be formed from substantially transparent or translucent glass so that visual information may be provided from the display panel (310) to the outside of the display (230) through the cover glass (320). For example, the cover glass (320) may be at least partially deformable or include one or more curved portions to provide flexibility to the display (230) (or the third display portion (233)). For example, the cover glass (320) may be referred to as a window of the display (230) in that it is an element that is transmitted by light emitted from the display panel (310), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0100] The cover glass (320) can define a first glass portion (321), a second glass portion (322) configured to be deformed and having a thickness (d2) smaller than that of the first glass portion (321), and a third glass portion (323) extending from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322).

[0101] For example, the first glass portion (321) may be included within the first display portion (231). The thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321) may be substantially constant within the first display portion (231). For example, the first glass portion (321) may be formed within the first display portion (231) so as to maintain a substantially flat shape or not be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0102] For example, the second glass portion (322) may be spaced apart from the first glass portion (321). The second glass portion (322) may be included within the third display portion (233) of the display (230). The second glass portion (322) may be a portion configured to be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes by being formed within the third display portion (233) of the cover glass (320). For example, the second glass portion (322) may have a thickness (d2) thinner than the first glass portion (321) to provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) of the display (230). For example, the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) may be substantially constant within the third display portion (233), but embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0103] For example, the third glass portion (323) may be included in the first display portion (231) together with the first glass portion (321). The third glass portion (323) may be positioned between the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322). For example, the third glass portion (323) may connect the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322). Since the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) is thinner than the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321), the thickness (d3) of the third glass portion (323) may vary or may not be constant between the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322). For example, the compressive stress and / or tensile stress applied to the third glass portion (323) may change as the second glass portion (322) connected to the third glass portion (323) is deformed, but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0104] Although the cover glass (320) is described as including a first glass portion (321), a second glass portion (322), and a third glass portion (323), the embodiments supported in this document are not limited thereto. For example, the cover glass (320) may include a fourth glass portion (324) included in the second display portion (232), and a fifth glass portion (325) included in the second display portion (232) and extending from the fourth glass portion (324) to the second glass portion (322). The fourth glass portion (324) may include a structure substantially the same as or similar to the first glass portion (321). The fifth glass portion (325) may have a structure substantially the same as or similar to the third glass portion (323). The fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) have structures that are substantially the same as or similar to the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively, with respect to the second glass portion (322), so that the cover glass (320) may include a structure that is symmetrical with respect to the folding axis of the display (e.g., the folding axis (f) of FIG. 2A), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0105] For example, the thickness (d1) of the fourth glass portion (324) may be substantially constant within the second display portion (232). For example, the fourth glass portion (324) may be formed within the second display portion (232) so as to maintain a substantially flat shape or not be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0106] For example, the fifth glass portion (325) may be positioned between the fourth glass portion (324) and the second glass portion (322). For example, the fifth glass portion (325) may connect the fourth glass portion (324) and the second glass portion (322). Since the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) is thinner than the thickness (d1) of the fourth glass portion (324), the thickness (d3) of the fifth glass portion (325) may vary or may not be constant between the fourth glass portion (324) and the second glass portion (322). For example, the compressive stress and / or tensile stress applied to the fifth glass portion (325) may change as the second glass portion (322) connected to the fifth glass portion (325) is deformed, but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0107] The third portion (323) of the cover glass (320) may extend at least partially inclined from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). For example, the third glass portion (323) may be a portion of the cover glass (320) in which at least one surface is inclined. For example, since the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321) is greater than the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322), the third glass portion (323) may have an incline between the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322). The first reinforcement layer (510) formed on the third glass portion (323) may be formed at least partially inclined. For example, the third glass portion (323) may have an inclined surface extending between the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322) having substantially flat surfaces. The first reinforcing layer (510) formed on the third glass portion (323) may be formed to be at least partially inclined along the third glass portion (323). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fifth glass portion (325) may be formed to be at least partially inclined from the fourth glass portion (324) to the second glass portion (322). The first reinforcing layer (510) formed on the fifth glass portion (325) may be formed to be at least partially inclined along the fifth glass portion (325). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0108] The glass portions (321, 324) of the cover glass (320) may be referred to as planar portions of the cover glass (320) in that they have a relatively large thickness and a substantially flat shape. The second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320) may be referred to as a deformable portion of the cover glass (320) in that they are deformable to provide flexibility to the third display portion (233) as the state of the electronic device (101) changes. The glass portions (323, 325) of the cover glass (320) may be referred to as thickness variable portions of the cover glass (320) in that they are portions within the cover glass (320) whose thicknesses change in order to provide flexibility to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the cover glass (320) may include one or more planar portions, one or more deformable portions, and / or one or more thickness-variable portions depending on the characteristics and / or function of the electronic device (101), such as the portions (801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 8A and below. The cover glass (320) may provide flexibility to a deformable portion of the display (230) (e.g., the third display portion (233)) by including one or more deformable portions. The cover glass (320) may guide deformation of the one or more deformable portions and provide flexibility of the one or more deformable portions by including one or more thickness-variable portions.

[0109] The electronic device (101) may include one or more adhesive layers (330) that attach a plurality of layers within the display (230) to each other. At least some of the one or more adhesive layers (330) may be disposed between the display panel (310) and the cover glass (320). The one or more adhesive layers (330) may be formed of a substantially transparent adhesive material, for example, to provide visual information from the display panel (310) to the exterior of the display (230), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0110] For example, the cover glass (320) may include a recess (326) formed by a second glass portion (322) having a smaller thickness than the first glass portion (321) and a third glass portion (323) having a thickness that varies between the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322). One or more adhesive layers (330) may be at least partially disposed within the recess (326). For example, the one or more adhesive layers (330) may include a first adhesive layer (331) and a second adhesive layer (332) interposed between the cover glass (320) and the display panel (310). The first adhesive layer (331) may be in contact with an outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320). The first adhesive layer (331) can fill a recess (326) formed toward the display panel (310) of the cover glass (320). The first adhesive layer (331) can compensate for a step of the cover glass (320) formed by the recess (326) by filling the recess (326). For example, the second adhesive layer (332) can be interposed between the first adhesive layer (331) and the display panel (310). For example, the first adhesive layer (331) can include an optically clear resin (OCR), and the second adhesive layer (332) can include an optically clear adhesive (OCA), but the embodiments supported in this document are not limited thereto.

[0111] The electronic device (101) may include a protection layer (340) attached on the cover glass (320). The protection layer (340) may protect the cover glass (320) from external impact by covering the cover glass (320). For example, one or more adhesive layers (330) in the display (230) may include a third adhesive layer (333) interposed between the cover glass (320) and the protection layer (340). The third adhesive layer (333) may include, for example, OCA, like the second adhesive layer (332), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the protection layer (340) may include at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PI (polyimide), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0112] The electronic device (101) may include a coating layer (350) forming the outer surface of the display (230). For example, the coating layer (350) may be a layer that is exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) and thus can be touched by a part of the user's body (e.g., a finger). For example, the coating layer (350) may be the outermost layer of the display (230). For example, the coating layer (350) may be attached on the protective layer (340). The coating layer (350) may be referred to as, for example, a shatterproof layer or an anti-fingerprint layer, but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0113] 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).

[0114] For example, the display (230) may include a polarizer attached under the cover glass (320). The polarizer 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.

[0115] The cover glass (320) may be vulnerable to breakage while the state of the electronic device (101) is changed due to the second glass portion (322) having a relatively thin thickness and configured to be deformed, and the glass portions (323, 325) having changeable thicknesses. The electronic device (101) (or display (230)) may require a reinforcement structure of the cover glass (320) to reduce breakage of the cover glass (320) when the state of the electronic device (101) is changed or an external impact is applied. The structure is exemplarily described through the illustration in FIG. 4A and below.

[0116] Fig. 4a is a top plan view of the cover glass of an exemplary electronic device. Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the cover glass of the exemplary electronic device taken along line B-B' of Fig. 4a.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 4A, a display (e.g., a display (230) of FIG. 2A) of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a display panel (e.g., a display panel (310) of FIG. 3), and a cover glass (320) disposed on the display panel (310). The cover glass (320) may define a first glass portion (321), a second glass portion (322) configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than the first glass portion (321), and a third glass portion (323) extending from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the cover glass (320) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4A and 4B may further define a fourth glass portion (324) and a fifth glass portion (325), as exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 3 , and the electronic device (101) including the cover glass (320) may include structures and / or configurations (e.g., one or more adhesive layers (330), a protective layer (340), a coating layer (350)) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 3 . Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of configurations having the same reference numerals as those described in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

[0118] The cover glass (320) may include a substrate (410) (e.g., a base layer). The substrate (410) may include a first portion (411) disposed on the first glass portion (321), a second portion (412) disposed on the second glass portion (322), and a third portion (413) disposed on the third glass portion (323). For example, the substrate (410) may be referred to as a base material and / or base layer of the cover glass (320). For example, the substrate (410) may be the inner-most layer of the cover glass (320). For example, the substrate (410) may be surrounded by a reinforcement layer (420).

[0119] For example, the thickness of the first portion (411) may be substantially constant within the first glass portion (321). For example, the first portion (411) may be formed within the first glass portion (321) so as to maintain a substantially flat shape or not be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0120] For example, the second portion (412) may be spaced apart from the first portion (411). The second portion (412) may be configured to be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes by being formed within the third glass portion (323). For example, the second portion (412) may have a thickness thinner than the first portion (411) to provide flexibility to the third glass portion (323) of the display (230). For example, the thickness of the second portion (412) may be substantially constant within the third glass portion (323), but embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0121] For example, the third portion (413) may be included in the third glass portion (323). The third portion (413) may be positioned between the first portion (411) and the second portion (412). For example, the third portion (413) may connect the first portion (411) and the second portion (412). Since the thickness of the second portion (412) is thinner than the thickness of the first portion (411), the thickness of the third portion (413) may vary or may not be constant between the first portion (411) and the second portion (412). For example, the compressive stress and / or tensile stress applied to the third portion (413) may vary as the second portion (412) connected to the third portion (413) is deformed, but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0122] Although the substrate (410) is described as including a first portion (411), a second portion (412), and a third portion (413), the embodiments supported in this document are not limited thereto. For example, the substrate (410) may include a fourth portion (414) included within a fourth glass portion (324), and a fifth portion (415) included within the fifth glass portion (325) and extending from the fourth portion (414) to the second portion (412). The fourth portion (414) may include a structure substantially the same as or similar to the first portion (411). The fifth portion (415) may have a structure substantially the same as or similar to the third portion (413). The fourth part (414) and the fifth part (415) have structures that are substantially the same as or similar to the first part (411) and the third part (413), respectively, with respect to the second part (412), so that the substrate (410) may include a structure that is symmetrical with respect to the folding axis of the display (e.g., the folding axis (f) of FIG. 2A), but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0123] For example, the thickness of the fourth portion (414) may be substantially constant within the fourth glass portion (324). For example, the fourth portion (414) may be formed within the fourth glass portion (324) so ​​as to maintain a substantially flat shape or not be deformed while the state of the electronic device (101) changes. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0124] For example, the fifth portion (415) may be positioned between the fourth portion (414) and the second portion (412) by being formed within the fifth glass portion (325). For example, the fifth portion (415) may connect the fourth portion (414) and the second portion (412). Since the thickness of the second portion (412) is thinner than the thickness of the fourth portion (414), the thickness of the fifth portion (415) may vary or may not be constant between the fourth portion (414) and the second portion (412). For example, a compressive stress and / or a tensile stress applied to the fifth portion (415) may vary as the second portion (412) connected to the fifth portion (415) is deformed, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0125] The cover glass (320) may include a reinforcement layer (420) that surrounds the substrate (410). For example, the reinforcement layer (420) may surround the substrate (410). The reinforcement layer (420) may be formed on the surface of the substrate (410). For example, the reinforcement layer (420) may include a different material from the substrate (410). For example, the reinforcement layer (420) may have higher rigidity than the substrate (410), thereby reducing damage to the substrate (410) (or the cover glass (320)) from external impact. For example, the reinforcement layer (420) may be the outermost layer of the cover glass (320). The reinforcement layer (420) may form, for example, an outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320). For example, the reinforcement layer (420) may be formed from the substrate (410) through an ion exchange process of ions included in the surface of the substrate (410), but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 4b, the thickness (t) of the reinforcing layer (420) may be substantially constant within the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325) of the cover glass (320). For example, the thickness (t) of each portion of the reinforcing layer (420) formed on the surface of each portion (411, 412, 413, 414, 415) of the substrate (410) may be substantially the same. Since the thickness of the glass portions (321, 324) is different from the thickness of the second glass portion (322) and / or the glass portions (323, 325), buckling may be formed in the cover glass (320) as a reinforcing layer (420) having a substantially constant thickness (t) is formed within the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325).

[0127] For example, the stress applied to each of the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322) in a state where the cover glass (320) is not coupled to the electronic device (101) may be as follows.

[0128]

[0129] In mathematical equation 1, The stress applied to the second glass portion (322) is can represent the stress applied to the first glass portion (321). In the above mathematical expression 1, The thickness of the second glass portion (322) is can represent the thickness of the first glass portion (321). In the above mathematical expression 1, The ion substitution depth according to the depth of the second glass portion (322) is can represent the ion substitution depth according to the depth of the first glass portion (321). In the above mathematical expression 1, B can represent the linear network dilatation coefficient (LNDC). When the cover glass (320) is coupled to the electronic device (101), since the lengths (e.g., the length in the +y direction) of the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322) are the same, the actual stress applied to each of the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322) can be as follows.

[0130]

[0131] In mathematical expression 2, is the actual stress applied to the second glass portion (322), can represent the actual stress applied to the first glass portion (321). In the above mathematical expression 2, h can represent the length of the cover glass (320) before strengthening, and L can represent the length of the cover glass (320) after strengthening. Since the stress applied to the glass portions (321, 322) is the same under the condition that buckling does not occur in the second glass portion (322), the balance of force to prevent buckling can be expressed by the following equation.

[0132]

[0133] In mathematical expression 3, The thickness cross-sectional area of ​​the second glass portion (322) is can represent the thickness cross-sectional area of ​​the first glass portion (321). E can represent the Young's modulus of the cover glass (320). Using mathematical expressions 2 and 3, the following formula can be obtained.

[0134]

[0135] In mathematical equation 4, is the width (e.g., length in the +x direction) of the second glass portion (322), can represent the width of the first glass portion (321). The additional stress applied to the second glass portion (322) can be expressed as the following equation using Equations 2 and 3.

[0136]

[0137] In mathematical expression 5, P can represent the stress additionally applied to the second glass portion (322). Since the second glass portion (322) can be assumed to be in a state where both ends are fixed, the buckling critical load can be expressed as in the following mathematical expression.

[0138]

[0139] In mathematical expression 6, may represent the buckling critical load of the second glass portion (322), and I may represent the second moment of inertia of the cross-section of the second glass portion (322). If the buckling critical load is smaller than the additionally applied stress of mathematical expression 5, buckling may occur in the second glass portion (322). Therefore, using mathematical expressions 5 and 6, a reinforcing layer for preventing buckling in the cover glass (320) may be designed.

[0140] For example, while a reinforcing layer (420) having a constant thickness (t) is formed on the substrate (410) through an ion substitution process of ions included in the surface of the substrate (410), relatively large cations (e.g., second ions (620) of FIG. 6) and relatively small cations (e.g., first ions (610) of FIG. 6) on the surface of the substrate (410) may be substituted. As the small cations are substituted with the large cations, expansion may occur on the surface of the cover glass (320). Since the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326) of the cover glass (320) each have substantially the same width, the amount of expansion in the width direction of each of the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326) while the reinforcing layer (420) is formed within the cover glass (320) may be substantially the same. Since the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) is less than or equal to the thickness (d1) of the glass portions (321, 324) and / or the thickness (d3) of the glass portions (323, 325), an additional compressive stress may be applied to the second glass portion (322). Buckling may be formed around the second glass portion (322) due to the additional compressive stress and the additional tensile stress applied to the second glass portion (322). The cover glass (320) may require a structure and / or a manufacturing process of the cover glass (320) to reduce the occurrence of the buckling due to the additional compressive stress. The structure and / or the manufacturing process of the cover glass (320) are described through the exemplary drawings of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0141] Figure 5 illustrates a cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a display panel (e.g., the display panel (310) of FIG. 3), and a cover glass (320) disposed on the display panel (310). The cover glass (320) may define a first glass portion (321), a second glass portion (322) configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than that of the first glass portion (321), and a third glass portion (323) extending from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). The cover glass (320) may include a substrate (410) including a first portion (411) disposed on the first glass portion (321), a second portion (412) disposed on the second glass portion (322), and a third portion (413) disposed on the third glass portion (323), and a reinforcing layer (420) surrounding the substrate (410). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the cover glass (320) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 4A and 4B may further define a fourth glass portion (324) and a fifth glass portion (325), as exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 3. The substrate (410) may further include a fourth portion (414) disposed on the fourth glass portion (324), and a fifth portion (415) disposed on the fifth glass portion (325). An electronic device (101) including the cover glass (320) may include structures and / or configurations (e.g., one or more adhesive layers (330), a protective layer (340), a coating layer (350)) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3 to 4B. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of configurations having the same reference numerals as those described in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

[0143] The reinforcement layer (420) may include a first reinforcement layer (510) formed on the first portion (411) and the third portion (413) of the substrate (410), and a second reinforcement layer (520) formed on the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second portion (412) of the substrate (410). The second thickness (t2) of the reinforcement layer (420) within the second glass portion (322) may be smaller than the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcement layer (420) within the first glass portion (321). For example, the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcement layer (420) within the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcement layer (420) within the second glass portion (322).

[0144] For example, two reinforcing layers (510, 520) may be formed on the substrate (410) of the cover glass (320). The reinforcing layers (510, 520) may have different mechanical and / or chemical properties. For example, a first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the first glass portion (321) may be substantially constant. A second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the second glass portion (322) may be substantially constant. The first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the second glass portion (322). For example, as one moves from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322), the third thickness (t3) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the third glass portion (323) connecting the first glass portion (321) and the second glass portion (322) may gradually become thinner. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) of the cover glass (320) may include reinforcing layer (420) structures that are substantially the same as or similar to those of the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively. For example, the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the fourth glass portion (324) may be greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322). For example, as one moves from the fourth glass portion (324) to the second glass portion (322), the third thickness (t3) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the fifth glass portion (325) connecting the fourth glass portion (324) and the second glass portion (322) may gradually become thinner. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0145] For example, the thickness (d3) of the third glass portion (323) may be within a range from the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) to the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321). For example, the third thickness (t3) of the third glass portion (323) may gradually (or linearly) become thinner from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). The third thickness (t3) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the third glass portion (323) may be greater than or equal to the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the first glass portion (321). The reinforcing layer (420) within the third glass portion (323) may be gradually (or linearly) thinner from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0146] For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the surface of the substrate (410) within the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323). The first reinforcement layer (510) may be interposed between the substrate (410) and the second reinforcement layer (520). For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the surfaces of substantially non-deformable portions (411, 412, 414, 415) of the substrate (410). For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be a reinforcement layer that is not formed within the deformable second glass portion (322) of the reinforcement layer (420). For example, a compressive load greater than that of the substrate (410) may be applied to the first reinforcement layer (510). Since the first reinforcing layer (510) is not formed within the second glass portion (322), the first reinforcing layer (510) can reduce buckling in the second glass portion (322) by distributing the compressive load additionally applied to the second glass portion (322).

[0147] For example, the second reinforcement layer (520) may be formed on the surface of the first reinforcement layer (510) and the surface of the second portion (412) of the substrate (410) configured to be deformed. The second reinforcement layer (520) may be a reinforcement layer that defines or forms the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) among the reinforcement layers (420). The second reinforcement layer (520) may be the outermost layer of the cover glass (320). For example, the second reinforcement layer (520) may surround the substrate (410) and / or the first reinforcement layer (510). A compressive load applied to the second reinforcement layer (520) may be different from a compressive load applied to the first reinforcement layer (510). For example, the thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520) within the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325) of the cover glass (320) may be substantially the same. Since the first reinforcing layer (510) formed between the second reinforcing layer (520) and the substrate (410) is formed within the glass portions (321, 323, 324, 325) excluding the second glass portion (322) configured to be deformed, the total thickness (t1) (first thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the first glass portion (321) (or the fourth glass portion (324)) may be greater than the total thickness (t2) (second thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322) (or the thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520)). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The reinforcing layer (420) of the cover glass (320) includes reinforcing layers (510, 520) each having different properties, and the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322) is formed relatively thin, thereby reducing buckling in the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0148] For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the first glass portion (321). However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and for example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the fourth glass portion (324). The second reinforcement layer (520) may be formed on the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of each of the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325) by surrounding the first reinforcement layer (510) and the substrate (410). However, the embodiment supported in the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0149] For example, the positions of the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second reinforcement layer (520) with respect to the substrate (410) may be exchanged. For example, although not shown, the second reinforcement layer (520) may be formed on the surface of the substrate (410). The second reinforcement layer (520) may surround the substrate (410). The first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the second reinforcement layer (520). For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may be spaced from the substrate (410) by the second reinforcement layer (520). The first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on glass portions (321, 323, 324, 325) excluding the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320). For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may overlap with portions (411, 413, 414, 415) of the substrate (410) when the cover glass (320) is viewed from above (e.g., when viewed in the +z direction). However, it should be noted that in the present disclosure, the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second reinforcement layer (520) are merely exemplarily described for the convenience of describing the reinforcement layer (420) including a plurality of layers, and therefore, the arrangement relationship between the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second reinforcement layer (520) within the reinforcement layer (420) is not intended to be limited.

[0150] The thickness (r2) of the first reinforcing layer (510) within the third glass portion (323) may become thinner as it goes from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). For example, the first reinforcing layer (510) may include a first reinforcing portion (511) formed within the first glass portion (321) and a second reinforcing portion (512) extending from the first reinforcing portion (511) and formed within the third glass portion (323). The thickness (r1) of the first reinforcing portion (511) may be substantially constant within the first glass portion (321). The thickness (r2) of the second reinforcing portion (512) may become gradually (or linearly) thinner as it goes from the first reinforcing portion (511) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) of the cover glass (320) may have a structure of the first reinforcement layer (510) that is substantially the same as or similar to the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively. For example, the first reinforcement layer (510) may include a third reinforcement portion (513) formed within the fourth glass portion (324) and a fourth reinforcement portion (514) extending from the third reinforcement portion (513) and formed within the fifth glass portion (325). The thickness (r1) of the third reinforcement portion (513) may be substantially constant within the fourth glass portion (324). The thickness (r2) of the fourth reinforcing portion (514) may gradually (or linearly) become thinner from the third reinforcing portion (513) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0151] The thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520) may be substantially the same within the first glass portion (321), the second glass portion (322), and the third glass portion (323). The thickness (r1) of the first reinforcing layer (510) within the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520). For example, the thickness (r1) of the first reinforcing portion (511) within the first glass portion (321) may be substantially constant. The thickness (r1) of the first reinforcing portion (511) may be greater than the thickness (r2) of the second reinforcing layer (520). The second reinforcing portion (512) extending from the first reinforcing portion (511) may include a portion having a thickness thinner than the second reinforcing layer (520) by gradually becoming thinner from the first reinforcing portion (511) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) of the cover glass (320) may have a structure of the first reinforcing layer (510) that is substantially the same as or similar to the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively. For example, the thickness (r1) of the third reinforcing portion (513) within the fourth glass portion (324) may be substantially constant. The thickness (r1) of the third reinforcing portion (513) may be greater than the thickness (r2) of the second reinforcing layer (520). The fourth reinforcing portion (514) extending from the third reinforcing portion (513) may include a portion having a thickness thinner than the second reinforcing layer (520) by gradually becoming thinner from the third reinforcing portion (513) to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0152] The depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322). For example, the reinforcing layer (420) may be formed such that a compressive load is applied to the reinforcing layer (420) by including ions larger than the ions included in the substrate (410). Since the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the first glass portion (321) is greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the second glass portion (322), the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) of the cover glass (320) may include structures of the reinforcement layer (420) that are substantially the same as or similar to those of the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively. For example, since the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcement layer (420) in the fourth glass portion (324) is greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcement layer (420) in the second glass portion (322), the depth of the compressive stress applied to the fourth glass portion (324) may be greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The cover glass (320) is formed so that the compressive stress applied to the relatively thick glass portions (321, 324) is greater than the compressive stress applied to the relatively thin second glass portion (322), thereby reducing the formation of buckling in the second glass portion (322).

[0153] The depth of the compressive stress applied to the third glass portion (323) may be greater than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321). For example, the thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520) may be substantially constant within the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325). Since the thickness (r2) of the first reinforcing layer (510) in the third glass portion (323) gradually becomes thinner from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322), the total thickness (t3) (third thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the third glass portion (323) may be greater than or equal to the total thickness (t2) (second thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the total thickness (t1) (first thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the first glass portion (321). The depth of the compressive stress applied to the third glass portion (323) may be greater than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and for example, the fourth glass portion (324) and the fifth glass portion (325) of the cover glass (320) may include a structure of a reinforcement layer (420) that is substantially the same as or similar to the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323), respectively. For example, since the thickness (r2) of the first reinforcing layer (510) in the fifth glass portion (325) gradually becomes thinner from the fourth glass portion (324) to the second glass portion (322), the total thickness (t3) (third thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the fifth glass portion (325) may be greater than or equal to the total thickness (t2) (second thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the total thickness (t1) (first thickness) of the reinforcing layer (420) of the fourth glass portion (324).The depth of the compressive stress applied to the fifth glass portion (325) may be greater than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) and less than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the fourth glass portion (324). However, the embodiment supported by the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The cover glass (320) is formed so that the compressive stress applied to the relatively thick glass portions (321, 323, 324, 325) is greater than the compressive stress applied to the relatively thin second glass portion (322), thereby reducing the formation of buckling in the second glass portion (322).

[0154] In FIG. 6 and below, a manufacturing process of cover glass (320) for forming reinforcement layers (510, 520) is exemplarily illustrated and described.

[0155] Figure 6 illustrates a manufacturing process of a cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary processes for manufacturing a cover glass (320) are illustrated.

[0157] In the process (600a), a substrate (410) for manufacturing a cover glass (320) may be provided from glass as a base material. The substrate (410) may be formed from glass. The substrate (410) may include a first portion (411), a second portion (412) having a smaller thickness than the first portion (411), and a third portion (413) extending from the first portion (411) to the second portion (412). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the substrate (410) may include a fourth portion (414) having a larger thickness than the second portion (412), and a fifth portion (415) extending from the fourth portion (414) to the second portion (412). The thicknesses of the first portion (411) and the fourth portion (414) may each be substantially constant. The thickness of the second portion (412) may be substantially constant. The thickness of the third portion (413) may gradually become thinner from the first portion (411) to the second portion (412). The thickness of the fifth portion (415) may gradually become thinner from the fourth portion (414) to the second portion (412). The portions (412, 413, 415) of the substrate (410) having relatively thin thicknesses may be formed through a glass etching, mechanical or chemical polishing process, but the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0158] In process (600b), the second portion (412), the third portion (413), and the fifth portion (415) of the substrate (410) may be covered by a mask (600). For example, the mask (600) may be attached to the surfaces of the portions (412, 413, 415) of the substrate (410). By being attached to the substrate (410), the mask (600) may prevent the second ions (620) from penetrating into the second portion (412) of the substrate (410) in process (600c).

[0159] In the process (600c), a first reinforcement layer (510) may be formed on the first portion (411) and the third portion (413) of the substrate (410) through bathing, in which some of the first ions (610) included in the glass of the substrate (410) are exchanged with second ions (620) larger than the first ions (610). For example, the first ions (610) may include lithium ions. The second ions (620) may include sodium ions having a larger size than the lithium ions. The first reinforcement layer (510) may include lithium and sodium. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, second ions (620) can penetrate into the third portion (413) and the fifth portion (415) of the substrate (410) through the gap between the mask (600) and the substrate (410). The second ions (620) can replace the first ions (610) in the third portion (413) and the fifth portion (415), thereby forming a first reinforcement layer (510) structure that gradually becomes thinner toward the second portion (412).

[0160] In process (600d), a mask (600) may be removed from the substrate (410). By removing the mask (600), a surface of a second portion (412) of the substrate (410) may be exposed. By exposing the second portion (412), the first ions (610) within the second portion (412) may be replaced with third ions (630) in process (600e), together with the first ions (610) and second ions (620) within the first reinforcement layer (510).

[0161] In the process (600e), a second reinforcement layer (520) may be formed on the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second portion (412) of the substrate (410) through immersion in which some of the first ions (610) and some of the second ions (620) included in the glass are replaced with third ions (630) larger than the second ions (620). For example, the first ions (610) may include lithium ions. The second ions (620) may include sodium ions having a larger size than the lithium ions. The third ions (630) may include potassium ions having a larger size than the sodium ions. The second reinforcement layer (520) may include lithium, sodium, and potassium. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto. By replacing the first ions (610) and the second ions (620) with the third ions (630), a second reinforcement layer (520) including the third ions (630) can be formed on the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second portion (412) of the substrate (410).

[0162] In the process (600f), a cover glass (320) having a reinforcement layer (420) including a first reinforcement layer (510) and a second reinforcement layer (520) formed on a substrate (410) can be manufactured through processes (600c, 600e), which are immersion processes. The cover glass (320) can include glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325) as exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 5. The cover glass (320) can reduce buckling in the second glass portion (322) through a structure of the reinforcement layer (420) including the reinforcement layers (510, 520) and / or a structure of the first reinforcement layer (510) that gradually becomes thinner toward the second glass portion (322).

[0163] Figures 7a and 7b are graphs showing stress according to the depth of the cover glass of an exemplary electronic device.

[0164] FIG. 7A illustrates stress according to depth of the cover glass (320) illustrated exemplarily in FIGS. 4A and 4B . The horizontal axis of the graph (710) represents the depth of the first glass portion (321) of the cover glass (320) of FIGS. 4A and 4B . The vertical axis of the graph (710) represents the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321) of the cover glass (320) of FIGS. 4A and 4B . The horizontal axis of the graph (720) represents the depth of the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320) of FIGS. 4A and 4B . The vertical axis of the graph (720) represents the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320) of FIGS. 4A and 4B .

[0165] Referring to the graphs (710, 720) and FIGS. 4A and 4B together, the reinforcing layer (420) may be formed as a single layer within the first glass portion (321), the second glass portion (322), and the third glass portion (323). The thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) may be smaller than the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321). A compressive stress (C1) may be applied to the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) by the reinforcing layer (420). The thickness of the reinforcing layer (420) may be substantially constant. Since the reinforcing layer (420) has substantially the same thickness in the glass portions (321, 322, 323), the depth (h2) of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) may correspond to the depth (h1) of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321). Since the cross-sectional area (or size) of the second glass portion (322) is smaller than the cross-sectional area (or size) of the first glass portion (321), an additional compressive stress may be applied to the second glass portion (322), which has substantially the same compressive stress depth as the first glass portion (321). Due to the additional compressive stress, buckling may occur in the second glass portion (322).

[0166] FIG. 7b illustrates stress according to the depth of the cover glass (320) illustrated as an example in FIG. 5. The horizontal axis of the graph (730) represents the depth of the first glass portion (321) of the cover glass (320) of FIG. 5. The vertical axis of the graph (730) represents the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321) of the cover glass (320) of FIG. 5. The horizontal axis of the graph (740) represents the depth of the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320) of FIG. 5. The vertical axis of the graph (740) represents the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320) of FIG. 5.

[0167] Referring to graphs (730, 740) and FIG. 5, the reinforcement layer (420) may be formed of two reinforcement layers (510, 520) within the first glass portion (321), the second glass portion (322), and the third glass portion (323). The thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) may be smaller than the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321). A compressive stress (C1) may be applied to the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) by the second reinforcement layer (520) among the reinforcement layers (420). The thickness of the second reinforcement layer (520) may be substantially constant. Since the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the second glass portion (322) is thinner than the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) in the first glass portion (321), the compressive stress depth (h1) applied to the first glass portion (321) may be greater than the compressive stress depth (h2) applied to the second glass portion (322). Since the compressive stress depth (h1) applied to the first glass portion (321) is greater than the compressive stress depth (h2) applied to the second glass portion (322), buckling of the second glass portion (322) due to additional compression applied to the second glass portion (322) can be reduced.

[0168] For example, the cover glass (320) may include a first section (751) defining an outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) and having a first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth, and a second section (752) extending from the first section (751) to a neutral stress plane of the cover glass and having a second compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth that is less than the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth. The first section (751) and the second section (752) may be formed within the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323) of the cover glass (320). For example, the first section (751) may be at least partially formed by the second reinforcing layer (520). By the second reinforcing layer (520), the cover glass (320) can have a first compressive stress reduction ratio from the outer surface (320a). For example, the second section (752) can be at least partially formed by the first reinforcing layer (510) under the second reinforcing layer (520). The second section (752) can be formed between the first section (751) and the neutral surface of the cover glass (320). For example, a compressive stress (C2) smaller than the compressive stress (C1) applied to the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) can be applied to the boundary surface between the second section (752) and the first section (751). The second section (752) can have a second compressive stress reduction ratio smaller than the first compressive stress reduction ratio of the first section (751). For example, the depth (h11) of the compressive stress applied to the first section (751) may be less than the depth (h12) of the compressive stress applied to the second section (752). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.The first glass portion (321) and / or the third glass portion (323) can reduce buckling of the second glass portion (322) due to additional compression applied to the second glass portion (322) by including sections (751, 752) having a compressive stress reduction rate that decreases from the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) toward the neutral surface by the reinforcing layers (510, 520).

[0169] For example, the second glass portion (322) can have a third compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth that is substantially the same as the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth of the first section (751) between the outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) and the neutral plane of the cover glass (320). For example, by the second reinforcing layer (520), the second glass portion (322) can include a section that has substantially the same compressive stress reduction rate as the first section (751) of the first glass portion (321). The first glass portion (321) can provide an additional depth (h12) to which compressive stress is applied and reduce buckling of the second glass portion (322) due to additional compression applied to the second glass portion (322) by having a compressive stress reduction rate that is less than the compressive stress reduction rates of the second glass portion (322) and / or the first section (751).

[0170] Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e illustrate cover glasses of exemplary electronic devices.

[0171] Duplicate descriptions of the configurations and / or structures of the cover glass (320) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 8A to 8E and having the same reference numerals as the configurations and / or structures exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 3 to 7B may be omitted. The embodiments of the cover glass (320) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 8A to 8E are merely exemplary, and the cover glass (320) may include a structure including reinforcing layers (510, 520) to provide various functions and / or form factors of the electronic device (101).

[0172] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a cover glass (320) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include glass portions (801, 802, 803, 804, 805), similar to the cover glass (320) illustrated in FIG. 5. The glass portions (801, 802, 803, 804, 805) may correspond to the glass portions (321, 322, 323, 324, 325) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIG. 5, respectively. The cover glass (320) of FIGS. 8A and 8B, similar to the cover glass of FIG. 5, can be placed in the electronic device (101) (or foldable electronic device) exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 2A to 2E, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0173] For example, referring to FIG. 8A, unlike FIG. 5, the recess (326) of the cover glass (320) may be formed on the other side opposite to the side facing the display panel (e.g., the display panel (310) of FIG. 3) of the cover glass (320) based on the stack structure of the display (e.g., the display (230) of FIG. 2A). For example, referring also to the exemplary illustration of FIG. 3, the recess (326) may be filled by a third adhesive layer (333) of one or more adhesive layers (330). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0174] For example, referring to FIG. 8B, unlike FIG. 5, the cover glass (320) may include recesses (326a, 326b) formed by glass portions (802, 803, 805). By the recesses (326a, 326b), a glass portion (802) having a relatively small thickness and being deformable may be formed. However, the embodiments supported in the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 8C, unlike FIG. 5, deformable glass portions (802, 806) may be formed at both ends of the glass portions (801, 803, 807) on which the reinforcing layers (510, 520) are formed. For example, the glass portions (802, 806) may be bent, stretched, or rolled relative to the glass portion (801). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0176] Referring to FIG. 8D, the cover glass (320) may include substantially non-deformable glass portions (801, 803, 804, 805, 807, 808, 809) and deformable glass portions (802, 806) disposed between the glass portions (801, 803, 804, 805, 807, 808, 809). The glass portions (801, 803, 804, 805, 807, 808, 809) may include reinforcing layers (510, 520). The glass portions (802, 806) may include a second reinforcing layer (520). For example, the cover glass (320) may be arranged in a multi-foldable electronic device exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 9A to 9D by including deformable glass portions (802, 806). For example, the width of the glass portion (802) and the width of the glass portion (806) may be formed differently, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 8E, the cover glass (320) may be disposed in a sliderable (or rollable) electronic device exemplarily illustrated and described in FIGS. 10A to 10D. Referring also to FIGS. 10A to 10D, the glass portions (801, 803) including the reinforcing layers (510, 520) may be portions that are disposed on the second housing part (1020) of the electronic device (101) to maintain a substantially flat shape. The glass portion (802) including the second reinforcing layer (520) may be configured to change the size of the display area of ​​the flexible display (1030) exposed to the outside by being rolled into the housing (200) while the second housing part (1020) moves relative to the first housing part (1010), or by being exposed to the outside of the housing (200). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0178] Figure 9a illustrates an exemplary electronic device in a first state. Figure 9b illustrates an exemplary electronic device in a second state.

[0179] 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.

[0180] 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).

[0181] 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).

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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).

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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.

[0188] The first hinge assembly (950) and the second hinge assembly (960) may be arranged so that 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) may face substantially the same direction. 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).

[0189] 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.

[0190] 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.

[0191] FIG. 9C is a top 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.

[0192] 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 (w1) of the first hinge assembly (950) may be narrower than a second width (w2) of the second hinge assembly (960). A difference between the first width (w1) of the first hinge assembly (950) and the second width (w2) 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 (w2) that is wider than the first width (w1) 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).

[0193] 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).

[0194] 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).

[0195] 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).

[0196] 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).

[0197] 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).

[0198] 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.

[0199] 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).

[0200] 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.

[0201] 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 (921). The third housing part (930) may include a third frame (935) that at least partially surrounds the third support portion (931). 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 a peripheral portion 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.

[0202] 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).

[0203] FIG. 10A is a top plan view of an exemplary electronic device in a retracted state.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 10A, an electronic device (101) may include a housing (200) including a first housing part (1010), a second housing part (1020) movable relative to the first housing part (1010) in a first direction (1061) parallel to the y-axis or a second direction (1062) parallel to the y-axis and opposite to the first direction (1061), and a flexible display (1030).

[0205] For example, the electronic device (101) may be in the collapsed state. For example, within the collapsed state, the second housing part (1020) may be movable relative to the first housing part (1010) in a first direction (1061) among the first direction (1061) and the second direction (1062). For example, within the collapsed state, the second housing part (1020) may not be movable relative to the first housing part (1010) in a second direction (1062) opposite to the first direction (1061).

[0206] For example, within the collapsed state, the flexible display (1030) may provide the display area having the smallest size. For example, within the collapsed state, the display area may correspond to the area (1030a). For example, although not shown in FIG. 10A, within the collapsed state, an area of ​​the flexible display (1030) other than the display area (1030a) (e.g., area (1030b) of FIG. 10C) may be located within the first housing part (1010). For example, within the collapsed state, the area may be covered by the first housing part (1010). For example, within the collapsed state, the area may be rolled into the first housing part (1010). For example, within the collapsed state, the area (1030a) may include a planar portion, unlike the area including a curved portion. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the region (1030a) may include a curved portion extending from the planar portion and positioned within the edge portion within the reduced state.

[0207] For example, the collapsed state may be referred to as a slide-in state or a closed state in that at least a portion of the second housing part (1020) is positioned within the first housing part (1010). For example, the collapsed state may be referred to as a collapsed state in that it provides the display area with the smallest size. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0208] For example, the first housing part (1010) may include a first image sensor (1050-1) within a camera module (e.g., camera module (180) of FIG. 1) that is visually exposed through a portion of the area (1030a) and parallel to the z-axis. For example, the camera module (180) may also be arranged to perform its function within the internal space of the electronic device without being visually exposed through a portion of the area (1030a). For example, although not illustrated in FIG. 10A, the second housing part (1020) may include one or more second image sensors within a camera module (180) that are exposed through a portion of the second housing part (1020) and parallel to the z-axis. For example, the one or more second image sensors may be exemplified through the description of FIG. 10B.

[0209] FIG. 10b is a bottom view of an exemplary electronic device in a reduced state.

[0210] Referring to FIG. 10b, within the reduced state, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) disposed within the second housing part (1020) may be positioned within a structure disposed within the first housing part (1010) for one or more second image sensors (1050-2).

[0211] For example, light from outside the electronic device (101) may be received by one or more second image sensors (1050-2) through the structure within the collapsed state. For example, since the one or more second image sensors (1050-2) are positioned within the structure within the collapsed state, the one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be exposed through the structure within the collapsed state. For example, the structure may be implemented in various ways. For example, the structure may be an opening or a notch. For example, the structure may be an opening (1012a) within a plate (1012) of the first housing part (1010) that surrounds at least a portion of the second housing part (1020). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, within the reduced state, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) contained within the second housing part (1020) may be covered by the plate (1012) of the first housing part (1010).

[0212] Referring again to FIG. 10a, the collapsed state can be changed to the expanded state.

[0213] For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) through one or more intermediate states between the collapsed state and the expanded state.

[0214] For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) based on a defined user input. For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to a user input to a physical button exposed through a part of the first housing part (1010) or a part of the second housing part (1020). For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to a touch input to an executable object displayed within the display area. For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to a touch input having a contact point on the display area and having a pressing strength greater than or equal to a reference strength. For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to a voice input received through a microphone of the electronic device (101). For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to an external force applied to the first housing part (1010) and / or the second housing part (1020) to move the second housing part (1020) with respect to the first housing part (1010). For example, the collapsed state (or the expanded state) may be changed to the expanded state (or the collapsed state) in response to a user input identified from an external electronic device (e.g., earbuds or a smart watch) connected to the electronic device (101). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0215] The above extended state can be exemplified through the description of FIG. 10c and FIG. 10d.

[0216] FIG. 10c is a plan view of an exemplary electronic device in an extended state.

[0217] Referring to FIG. 10C, the electronic device (101) may be in the expanded state. For example, in the expanded state, the second housing part (1020) may be movable relative to the first housing part (1010) in a second direction (1062) among the first direction (1061) and the second direction (1062). For example, in the expanded state, the second housing part (1020) may not be movable relative to the first housing part (1010) in the first direction (1061) opposite to the second direction (1062).

[0218] For example, within the expanded state, the flexible display (1030) may provide the display area having the largest size. For example, within the expanded state, the display area may correspond to an area (1030c) including an area (1030a) and an area (1030b). For example, within the collapsed state, an area (1030b) located within the first housing part (1010) may be exposed outside the housing (1010) within the expanded state. For example, within the expanded state, the area (1030a) may include a flat portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the area (1030a) may also include a curved portion extending from the flat portion and positioned within the edge portion. For example, within the expanded state, the area (1030b) may include a flat portion among the flat portion and the curved portion, unlike the area (1030a) within the collapsed state. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the region (1030b) may include a curved portion extending from the planar portion of the region (1030b) and positioned within the edge portion.

[0219] For example, the flexible display (1030) may include a region (1030a) disposed on the second housing part (1020), and a region (1030b) extending from the region (1030a) and at least partially residing within the first housing part (1010) or visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) as the second housing part (1020) moves relative to the first housing part (1010). For example, the region (1030a) may be a portion of the flexible display (1030) that is visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101). The region (1030a) may be a portion that is not deformed as the second housing part (1020) moves relative to the first housing part (1010). For example, the region (1030b) may be a portion that is deformable along the second housing part (1020) that moves relative to the first housing part (1010) of the flexible display (1030). The flexible display (1030) may be referred to as a flexible display in that it includes the deformable region (1030b), but is not limited thereto.

[0220] For example, the expanded state may be referred to as a slide-out state or an open state in that at least a portion of the second housing part (1020) is positioned outside the first housing part (1010). For example, the expanded state may be referred to as an expanded state in that it provides the display area having the largest size. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0221] For example, the first image sensor (1050-1) may be moved together with the area (1030a) according to the movement of the second housing part (1020) in the second direction (1062) when the state of the electronic device (101) changes from the collapsed state to the expanded state. For example, although not shown in FIG. 10c, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be moved according to the movement of the second housing part (1020) in the second direction (1062) when the state of the electronic device (101) changes from the collapsed state to the expanded state. For example, the relative positional relationship between one or more second image sensors (1050-2) and the structure within the first housing part (1010) illustrated through the description of FIG. 10b may be changed according to the movement of one or more second image sensors (1050-2). For example, the change in the above relative position relationship can be illustrated through Fig. 10d.

[0222] FIG. 10d is a bottom view of an exemplary electronic device in an expanded state.

[0223] Referring to FIG. 10d, within the expanded state, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be positioned outside the structure (e.g., an opening or a notch) within the first housing part (1010) as illustrated in the description of FIG. 10b. For example, within the expanded state, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be positioned outside the opening (1012a) within the plate (1012). For example, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be exposed through the opening (1012a) within the collapsed state. The one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be exposed by being positioned outside the opening (1012a) within the expanded state. For example, since one or more second image sensors (1050-2) are positioned outside the structure within the expanded state, the relative positional relationship between one or more second image sensors (1050-2) within the expanded state and the structure within the first housing part (1010) illustrated through the description of FIG. 10B may be different from the relative positional relationship within the collapsed state.

[0224] For example, if the electronic device (101) does not include the above structure such as the opening (1012a), one or more second image sensors (1050-2) in the collapsed state may not be exposed outside the housing, but in the expanded state, one or more second image sensors (1050-2) may be exposed outside the housing (200).

[0225] Although not shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the electronic device (101) may be in an intermediate state between the collapsed state and the expanded state. For example, the size of the display area of ​​the flexible display (1030) in the intermediate state may be larger than the size of the display area in the collapsed state and smaller than the size of the display area in the expanded state. For example, the display area in the intermediate state may correspond to an area including a portion of area (1030a) and area (1030b). For example, in the intermediate state, a portion of area (1030b) may be exposed, and another portion (or a remaining portion) of area (1030b) may be covered by the first housing part (1010) or rolled into the first housing part (1010). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0226] According to the above, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a display panel (e.g., a display panel (310) of FIG. 3), and a cover glass disposed on the display panel, the cover glass defining a first glass portion (e.g., a first glass portion (321) of FIG. 3), a second glass portion (e.g., a second glass portion (322) of FIG. 3) configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third glass portion (e.g., a third glass portion (323) of FIG. 3) extending from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The electronic device may include a foldable housing that accommodates the display panel and includes a first housing part and a second housing part coupled to the cover glass. The electronic device may include a hinge assembly that rotatably couples the first housing part and the second housing part and is configured to deform the second glass part. The cover glass may include a substrate layer (e.g., the substrate (410) of FIG. 4a) including a first portion (e.g., the first portion (411) of FIG. 4b) disposed on the first glass portion, a second portion (e.g., the second portion (412) of FIG. 4b) disposed on the second glass portion, and a third portion (e.g., the third portion (413) of FIG. 4b) disposed on the third glass portion. The cover glass may include a first reinforcement layer (e.g., the first reinforcement layer (510) of FIG. 5) formed on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate layer, and a second reinforcement layer (e.g., the second reinforcement layer (520) of FIG. 5) formed on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the substrate layer, and may include a reinforcement layer (e.g., the reinforcement layer (420) of FIG. 4b) surrounding the substrate layer. The first thickness of the reinforcing layer within the first glass portion may be greater than the second thickness of the reinforcing layer within the second glass portion.

[0227] For example, the thickness of the third glass portion may be within a range from the thickness of the second glass portion to the thickness of the first glass portion. The third thickness of the reinforcing layer within the third glass portion may be greater than or equal to the second thickness of the reinforcing layer within the second glass portion and less than or equal to the first thickness of the reinforcing layer within the first glass portion.

[0228] For example, the thickness of the first reinforcing layer within the third glass portion may become thinner as it goes from the first glass portion to the second glass portion.

[0229] For example, the thickness of the second reinforcing layer may be substantially the same within the first glass portion, the second glass portion, and the third glass portion. The thickness of the first reinforcing layer within the first glass portion may be greater than the thickness of the second reinforcing layer.

[0230] For example, the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion may be greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion.

[0231] For example, the depth of the compressive stress applied to the third glass portion may be greater than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion and less than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion.

[0232] For example, the electronic device may further include a foldable housing (e.g., housing (200) of FIG. 2A) coupled with the cover glass, which accommodates the display panel, and includes a first housing part (e.g., first housing part (210) of FIG. 2A) and a second housing part (e.g., second housing part (220) of FIG. 2A), and a hinge assembly (e.g., hinge structure (250) of FIG. 2C) that rotatably couples the first housing part and the second housing part. The second glass portion of the cover glass may be configured to be bent by the hinge assembly.

[0233] For example, the first reinforcing layer may include lithium and sodium, and the second reinforcing layer may include lithium, sodium, and potassium.

[0234] For example, the cover glass may further include a first section (e.g., the first section (751) of FIG. 7b) defining an outer surface of the cover glass (e.g., the outer surface (320a) of FIG. 3) and having a first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth, and a second section (e.g., the second section (752) of FIG. 7b) extending from the first section to a neutral stress plane of the cover glass and having a second compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth that is less than the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth. The first section and the second section may be formed within the first glass portion and the third glass portion of the cover glass.

[0235] For example, the second glass portion may have a third compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth between the outer surface and the neutral surface that is substantially equal to the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth.

[0236] For example, the depth of the second section may be greater than the depth of the first section.

[0237] For example, the electronic device may further include a housing including a first housing part (e.g., the first housing part (1010) of FIG. 10A) and a second housing part (e.g., the second housing part (1020) of FIG. 10A) movably coupled with respect to the first housing part. The first glass part and the third glass part may be coupled onto the second housing part. The second glass part may be configured to be rolled into the housing or exposed to the outside of the housing depending on movement of the second housing part with respect to the first housing part.

[0238] For example, the compressive stress applied to the first reinforcing layer may be less than the compressive stress applied to the second reinforcing layer.

[0239] For example, the cover glass may further include a recess formed by the second glass portion and the third glass portion. The cover glass may further include one or more adhesive layers (e.g., one or more adhesive layers (330) of FIG. 3) disposed at least partially within the recess and between the display panel and the cover glass.

[0240] For example, the thickness of the third portion of the substrate layer may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the second portion and less than or equal to the thickness of the first portion.

[0241] According to the above, the electronic device may include a display panel, and a cover glass disposed on the display panel, the cover glass defining a first glass portion, a second glass portion configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third glass portion extending from the first glass portion to the second glass portion and gradually becoming thinner from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The cover glass may include a substrate layer including a first portion disposed on the first glass portion, a second portion disposed on the second glass portion, and a third portion disposed on the third glass portion. The cover glass may include a first reinforcement layer formed on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate layer, and a second reinforcement layer formed on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the substrate layer, the reinforcement layer surrounding the substrate layer. A thickness of the first reinforcement layer of the first glass portion may be greater than a thickness of the second reinforcement layer.

[0242] For example, the first thickness of the reinforcing layer within the first glass portion may be greater than the second thickness of the reinforcing layer within the second glass portion. The third thickness of the reinforcing layer within the third glass portion may be greater than or equal to the second thickness of the reinforcing layer within the second glass portion and less than or equal to the first thickness of the reinforcing layer within the first glass portion.

[0243] For example, the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion may be greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion.

[0244] For example, the electronic device may further include a foldable housing coupled with the cover glass, accommodating the display panel, and including a first housing part and a second housing part, and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing part and the second housing part. The second glass portion of the cover glass may be configured to be bent by the hinge assembly.

[0245] A method for manufacturing a cover glass for use in an electronic device according to the above-described method may include forming a substrate from glass, the substrate including a first portion, a second portion having a thickness smaller than the first portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion to the second portion. The method may include covering the second portion and the third portion of the substrate with a mask. The method may include forming a first reinforcement layer on the first portion and the third portion of the substrate through bathing, in which a portion of first ions included in the glass are exchanged with second ions larger than the first ions. The method may include removing the mask from the substrate. The method may include forming a second reinforcement layer on the first reinforcement layer and the second portion of the substrate through bathing, in which a portion of the first ions and a portion of the second ions included in the glass are exchanged with third ions larger than the second ions.

[0246] An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing (e.g., a first housing part (210) of FIG. 2A) and a second housing (e.g., a second housing part (220) of FIG. 2A). The electronic device may include a flexible display accommodated in the first housing and the second housing, the flexible display including a display panel and a cover glass disposed thereon. The cover glass may include a glass substrate (e.g., a substrate (410) of FIG. 4B) and a reinforcing layer substantially surrounding the glass substrate. The cover glass may include a first glass portion having a first thickness and a second glass portion having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness. The reinforcing layer (420) may include a first reinforcing layer formed on the first glass portion among the first glass portion and the second glass portion, and a second reinforcing layer formed on both the first glass portion and the second glass portion.

[0247] For example, the first reinforcing layer may be formed between the glass substrate and the second reinforcing layer.

[0248] For example, the first reinforcing layer may be formed to surround a portion of the second reinforcing layer.

[0249] For example, the thickness of the first reinforcing layer may be greater than the thickness of the second reinforcing layer.

[0250] For example, the first reinforcing layer can be formed on the upper surface, side surface, and lower surface of the first glass portion.

[0251] For example, the cover glass may further include a third glass portion extending at least partially at an angle from the first glass portion to the second glass portion. The first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer may be formed on the third glass portion.

[0252] For example, the portion formed in the third glass portion of the second reinforcing layer may be formed to be at least partially inclined.

[0253] For example, the thickness of the first substrate portion of the glass substrate corresponding to the first glass portion may be greater than the thickness of the second substrate portion of the glass substrate corresponding to the second glass portion.

[0254] For example, the first substrate portion and the second substrate portion of the glass substrate, which respectively correspond to the first glass portion and the second glass portion, may have substantially the same thickness.

[0255] For example, the housing may be configured to be foldable by a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing. The first glass portion of the cover glass may substantially correspond to the first housing. The second glass portion of the cover glass may be configured to be at least partially folded or unfolded together with the display panel as the housing is folded or unfolded. The cover glass may further include a fourth glass portion substantially corresponding to the second housing. The first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer may be formed on the fourth glass portion.

[0256] For example, the width of the second glass portion may be substantially the same as the width of the bendable portion of the display when the housing is unfolded.

[0257] For example, the second housing may be slidably coupled to the first housing. The first glass portion of the cover glass may substantially correspond to the first housing. The second glass portion of the cover glass may be configured to at least partially bend or unfold together with the display panel as the second housing slides relative to the first housing.

[0258] 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.

[0259] 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.

[0260] 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).

[0261] 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.

[0262] 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.

[0263] 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 an electronic device (101), Display panel (310); A cover glass (320) disposed on the display panel (310) and defining a first glass portion (321), a second glass portion (322) configured to be deformed and having a thickness smaller than that of the first glass portion (321), and a third glass portion (323) extending from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322); A foldable housing (200) that accommodates the display panel (310) and includes a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220) that are coupled with the cover glass (320); and A hinge assembly (250) configured to rotatably connect the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220) and to deform the second glass portion (322) of the cover glass (320), The above cover glass (320) is A substrate layer (410) including a first part (411) disposed on the first glass part (321), a second part (412) disposed on the second glass part (322), and a third part (413) disposed on the third glass part (323); and A first reinforcement layer (510) formed on the first part (411) and the third part (413) of the base layer (410), and a second reinforcement layer (520) formed on the first reinforcement layer (510) and the second part (412) of the base layer (410), including a reinforcement layer (420) surrounding the base layer (410). Electronic device (101).

2. In paragraph 1, The first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the first glass portion (321) is is greater than the second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322), The thickness (d3) of the third glass portion (323) is It is within the range of the thickness (d2) of the second glass portion (322) to the thickness (d1) of the first glass portion (321), The third thickness (t3) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the third glass portion (323) is The second thickness (t2) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the second glass portion (322) is greater than or equal to the first thickness (t1) of the reinforcing layer (420) within the first glass portion (321). Electronic device (101).

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The thickness (r2) of the first reinforcing layer (510) within the third glass portion (323) is It becomes thinner from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322). Electronic device (101).

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, The thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520) is Substantially the same within the first glass portion (321), the second glass portion (322), and the third glass portion (323), The thickness (r1) of the first reinforcing layer (510) within the first glass portion (321) is Greater than the thickness (r3) of the second reinforcing layer (520), Electronic device (101).

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, The depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321) is Greater than the depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322), Electronic device (101).

6. In paragraph 5, The depth of the compressive stress applied to the third glass portion (323) is The depth of the compressive stress applied to the second glass portion (322) is greater than or equal to the depth of the compressive stress applied to the first glass portion (321), Electronic device (101).

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, A foldable housing (200) coupled with the cover glass (320), accommodating the display panel (310), and including a first housing part (210) and a second housing part (220); and It further includes a hinge assembly (250) that rotatably connects the first housing part (210) and the second housing part (220), The second glass portion (322) of the above cover glass (320) is configured to be bent by the above hinge assembly (250), Electronic device (101).

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The above first reinforcement layer (510) is Contains lithium and sodium, The above second reinforcement layer (520) is Containing lithium, sodium, and potassium, Electronic device (101).

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, The above cover glass (320) is A first section (751) defining an outer surface (320a) of the cover glass (320) and having a first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth; and Further comprising a second section (752) extending from the first section (751) to the neutral stress plane of the cover glass and having a second compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth that is less than the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth, The above first section (751) and the above second section (752), Formed within the first glass portion (321) and the third glass portion (323) of the cover glass (320), Electronic device (101).

10. In paragraph 9, The above second glass portion (322) is having a third compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth substantially equal to the first compressive stress reduction rate per unit depth between the outer surface (320a) and the neutral surface; Electronic device (101).

11. In paragraph 9 or 10, The depth of the above second section (752) is Greater than the depth of the above first section (751), Electronic device (101).

12. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, The above third glass part (323) is Extending at least partially inclined from the first glass portion (321) to the second glass portion (322), A part of the first reinforcing layer (510) formed on the third glass portion (323) is At least partially formed inclined along the third glass portion (323), Electronic device (101).

13. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, The compressive stress applied to the first reinforcing layer (510) is Less than the compressive stress applied to the second reinforcing layer (520), Electronic device (101).

14. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 13, The above cover glass (320) is Further comprising a recess (326) formed by the second glass portion (322) and the third glass portion (323), Further comprising one or more adhesive layers (330) disposed at least partially within the recess (326) and disposed between the display panel (310) and the cover glass (320). Electronic device (101).

15. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, The thickness of the third portion (413) of the above substrate layer (410) is The thickness of the second part (412) is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first part (411), Electronic device (101).

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