Electronic apparatus including flexible display

Abstract

An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a foldable housing comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The electronic apparatus may comprise a first hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing to the second housing. The electronic apparatus may comprise a second hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing to the third housing. The electronic apparatus may comprise a flexible display including a first area supported by the first housing, a second area supported by the second housing, and a third area supported by the third housing. The flexible display may comprise a first layer, and a second layer disposed under the first layer. The flexible display may comprise an adhesive layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer to attach the first layer and the second layer together. The flexible display may comprise a seat member disposed between the first layer and the second layer at a portion corresponding to the first area. Various other embodiments are possible.

Description

Electronic device including a flexible display

[0001] The various embodiments disclosed in this document relate to electronic devices including flexible displays.

[0002] Electronic devices are becoming increasingly slimmer and are being developed to enhance design aspects while simultaneously differentiating their functional elements. Electronic devices are moving away from uniform rectangular shapes and are gradually transforming into various shapes. Electronic devices can have a deformable structure that allows for convenient portability and the use of large-screen displays. For example, as part of a deformable structure, an electronic device may have a structure (e.g., foldable structure, multi-foldable structure) that can vary the display area of ​​a flexible display through the support of at least two housings rotatably coupled to each other. Such electronic devices may require an efficient arrangement structure for electronic components that takes into account the combined structure of housings that operate to fold relative to each other.

[0003] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display comprising a first region supported by the first housing, a second region supported by the second housing, and a third region supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer and a second layer disposed below the first layer. The flexible display may include an adhesive layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer. The flexible display may include a sheet member disposed in a portion corresponding to the first region between the first layer and the second layer.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display comprising a first region supported by the first housing, a second region supported by the second housing, and a third region supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer and a second layer disposed below the first layer. The flexible display may include an adhesive layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, and comprising a first adhesive portion in which at least a portion corresponds to the first region, a second adhesive portion in which at least a portion corresponds to the second region, and a third adhesive portion in which at least a portion corresponds to the third region. The modulus of the first adhesive portion may be higher than the modulus of the second adhesive portion and the modulus of the third adhesive portion.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display comprising a first region supported by the first housing, a second region supported by the second housing, and a third region supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer, a second layer disposed below the first layer, and an adhesive layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, with at least a portion of the part corresponding to the first region removed.

[0007] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

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

[0009] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a multi-foldable electronic device in an unfolded state viewed from the front according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of a multi-foldable electronic device in an unfolded state viewed from the rear according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first housing and the second housing of a multi-foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention are folded, and the first housing and the third housing are unfolded.

[0012] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic drawings showing the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing of a multi-foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention in a folded state.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing viewed from the rear with some components of a multi-foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure removed.

[0014] Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6a-6a shown in Figure 2a.

[0015] FIG. 6b is a rear perspective view of a flexible display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 7a is a drawing showing buckling occurring in the first region of a flexible display in a comparative example.

[0017] FIG. 7b is a drawing of a flexible display in a first region with improved buckling according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8a is a drawing in which a sheet member is disposed in a part of an adhesive layer corresponding to a first region, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8b is a drawing of the shape of a sheet member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a drawing in which a sheet member is disposed in an area where a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to a first area has been removed, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a drawing in which the thicknesses of the first and second parts of a sheet member are formed differently according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 11a is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of the first adhesive portion is formed higher than the modulus of the second adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion.

[0023] FIG. 11b is a drawing in which the first adhesive portion of FIG. 11a is extended in the direction of the second and third regions.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion corresponding to the first folding area and the fifth adhesive portion corresponding to the second folding area are formed differently from the modulus of the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of a second adhesive portion corresponding to a second region and a first folding region is formed lower than the modulus of a third adhesive portion corresponding to a third region and a second folding region.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice them. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with an electronic device (104) or a server (108) through 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) through a server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), memory (130), input module (150), sound output module (155), display module (160), audio module (170), sensor module (176), interface (177), connection terminal (178), haptic module (179), camera module (180), power management module (188), battery (189), communication module (190), subscriber identification module (196), or antenna module (197). In some embodiments, at least one of these components (e.g., connection terminal (178)) may be omitted from the electronic device (101), or one or more other components may be added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module (176), camera module (180), or antenna module (197)) may be integrated into a single component (e.g., display module (160)).

[0029] The processor (120) can control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing software (e.g., program (140)), for example, and can perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) can store commands or data received from other components (e.g., sensor module (176) or communication module (190)) in volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in volatile memory (132), and store the resulting data in non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., central processing unit or application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) that can operate independently or together with it (e.g., graphics processing unit, neural processing unit (NPU), image signal processor, sensor hub processor, or communication processor). For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and an auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use lower power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a designated function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as part thereof.

[0030] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160), sensor module (176), or communication module (190)) 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. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as part of another functionally related component (e.g., camera module (180) or communication module (190)). According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence is performed, or through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm may 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 may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers.An artificial neural network may be 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 the hardware structure, the artificial intelligence model may include a software structure, either additionally or substantially.

[0031] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software (e.g., program (140)) and related commands. The memory (130) may include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0032] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0033] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used for a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120)) from outside the electronic device (101) (e.g., user). The input module (150) may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0034] The sound output module (155) can output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device (101). The sound output module (155) may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver may be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from the speaker or as part thereof.

[0035] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external (e.g., 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 said 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 the force generated by said touch.

[0036] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal or, conversely, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150) or output sound through the sound output module (155) or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphones) connected directly or wirelessly to the electronic device (101).

[0037] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., power or temperature) or the external environmental state (e.g., user state) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0038] The interface (177) may support one or more specified protocols that can be used for the electronic device (101) to be connected directly or wirelessly to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to 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.

[0039] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) can 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).

[0040] The haptic module (179) can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus that the user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic senses. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulation device.

[0041] The camera module (180) can capture still images and video. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0042] The power management module (188) can manage the power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0043] The battery (189) can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0044] The communication module (190) can support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between an 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 include one or more communication processors that operate independently of the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and 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., cellular communication module, short-range wireless communication module, or GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., LAN (local area network) communication module, or power line communication module). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device (104) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., 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 may 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 identify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0045] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following 4G networks, for example, new radio access technology. NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (massive machine type communications (mMTC)), or high reliability and low latency (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC)). The wireless communication module (192) can support a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate, for example. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in the high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), 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), external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (104)), or network system (e.g., 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 realizing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for realizing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) for realizing URLLC.

[0046] An antenna module (197) can transmit a signal or power to or from an external source (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna comprising a radiator made of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to 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 a first network (198) or a second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by a communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, other components (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module (197).

[0047] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., top surface or side surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving a signal of the specified high frequency band.

[0048] At least some of the above components can be connected to each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)) and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other.

[0049] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) through a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102, or 104) may be the same or different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations performed on the electronic device (101) may be performed on one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, if the electronic device (101) needs to perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service instead of performing the function or service itself or additionally. One or more external electronic devices that receive the above request may execute at least part of the requested function or service, or 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 provide the result as is or additionally processed as at least part of the response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used. The electronic device (101) may provide ultra-low latency services using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or neural networks. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included within a 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.

[0050] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a multi-foldable electronic device in an unfolded state viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of a multi-foldable electronic device in an unfolded state viewed from the rear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] According to various embodiments, embodiments of the electronic device (101) disclosed in FIG. 1 may be included in embodiments of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) disclosed below. For example, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) disclosed in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b may include the processor (120), memory (130), input module (150), sound output module (155), display module (160), audio module (170), sensor module (176), interface (177), connection terminal (178), haptic module (179), camera module (180), antenna module (197) and / or subscriber identification module (196) disclosed in FIG. 1.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, a multi-foldable electronic device (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a third housing (230), a first hinge assembly (HA1) (e.g., the first hinge assembly (HA1) of FIG. 5, the first hinge module), a second hinge assembly (HA2) (e.g., the second hinge assembly (HA2) of FIG. 5, the second hinge module) and / or a flexible display (240).

[0053] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a first housing (210) may be positioned between a second housing (220) and a third housing (230). A second housing (220) may be foldably connected to a first side (e.g., in the -x-axis direction) of the first housing (210). A third housing (230) may be foldably connected to a second side (e.g., in the +x-axis direction) of the first housing (210). For example, the first housing (210) may have a first side (e.g., -x-axis direction) operatively coupled to at least a part of the second housing (220) through a first hinge assembly (HA1), and a second side (e.g., +x-axis direction) operatively coupled to at least a part of the third housing (230) through a second hinge assembly (HA2).

[0054] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a second housing (220) may be foldably coupled to a first side (e.g., in the -x-axis direction) of a first housing (210). A first hinge assembly (HA1) may be coupled between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). The first hinge assembly (HA1) may be positioned so that the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can be folded or unfolded relative to each other. According to one embodiment, a third housing (230) may be foldably coupled to a second side (e.g., in the +x-axis direction) of the first housing (210). A second hinge assembly (HA2) may be coupled between the first housing (210) and the third housing (230). The second hinge assembly (HA2) can be positioned so that the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) can be folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first hinge assembly (HA1) includes a first hinge housing (266) that accommodates at least one first hinge module (e.g., a first hinge device or a first hinge structure) connecting the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), and the second hinge assembly (HA2) may include a second hinge housing (267) that accommodates at least one second hinge module (e.g., a second hinge device or a second hinge structure) connecting the first housing (210) and the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the first hinge housing (266) may cover the first hinge module so that it is not visible from the outside while the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are in a fully folded state or a folded state. In one embodiment, the first hinge housing (266) may be positioned so as not to be seen from the outside when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are in a fully unfolded state. In one embodiment, the second hinge housing (267) may cover the second hinge module so as not to be seen from the outside while the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) are in a fully folded state or a folding state. In one embodiment, the second hinge housing (267) may be positioned so as not to be seen from the outside when the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) are in a fully unfolded state. In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a foldable housing (e.g., a multi-foldable housing) configured through a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a third housing (230), a first hinge housing (266), and a second hinge housing (267). In some embodiments, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a foldable housing configured through a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230).In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a flexible display (240) (e.g., a first display) positioned to be supported by a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230). In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a sub-display (250) (e.g., a second display) positioned through the first housing (210). In this document, the surface on which the flexible display (240) is positioned may be defined as the front of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), and the surface opposite to the front may be defined as the rear of the multi-foldable electronic device (200). In one embodiment, the surface surrounding the space between the front and the rear may be defined as the side of the electronic device (200). In this document, the state in which the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and the third housing (230) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) are fully unfolded may be defined as a ‘first state’ or ‘fully unfolded state’, the state in which the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and the third housing (230) are fully folded relative to each other may be defined as a ‘second state’ or ‘fully folded state’, and the state in which only the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are folded relative to each other may be defined as a ‘third state’ or ‘intermediate state’.

[0056] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4a to be described later, a multi-foldable electronic device (200) may first fold a second housing (220) with respect to a first housing (210) with respect to a first folding axis (A1) via a first hinge assembly (HA1), and subsequently fold a third housing (230) with respect to the first housing (210) with respect to a second folding axis (A2) via a second hinge assembly (HA2). For example, the second housing (220) may be folded in an in-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) via the first hinge assembly (HA1). For example, the third housing (230) may be folded in an in-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) via the second hinge assembly (HA2). The in-folding can be in a form where the flexible display (240) is folded inward so that they face each other.

[0057] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the width (W2) of the second housing (220) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions) may be configured to be smaller than the width (W1) of the first housing (210) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions). The width (W1) of the first housing (210) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions) may be configured to be substantially the same as the width (W3) of the third housing (230) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions). According to various embodiments, the width (W3) of the third housing (230) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions) may be configured to be larger or smaller than the width (W1) of the first housing (210) in the horizontal direction (e.g., x-axis and -x-axis directions).

[0058] According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are positioned on both sides of the first folding axis (A1) on which the first hinge assembly (HA1) is positioned, and may have a shape that is asymmetric with respect to the first folding axis (A1). According to various embodiments, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may have a shape that is symmetric with respect to the first folding axis (A1). The angle or distance between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may vary depending on whether the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) are positioned on both sides of the second folding axis (A2) on which the second hinge assembly (HA2) is positioned, and may have a shape that is substantially symmetric with respect to the second folding axis (A2). According to various embodiments, the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) may have an asymmetric shape with respect to the second folding axis (A2). The angle or distance between the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) may vary depending on whether the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate state.

[0060] According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the flexible display (240) may include a first area (240a) corresponding to at least a part of the first housing (210), a second area (240b) extending from one side (e.g., left) of the first area (240a) and corresponding to at least a part of the second housing (220), and a third area (240c) extending from the other side (e.g., right) of the first area (240a) and corresponding to at least a part of the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the flexible display (240) may include a portion of a first region (240a) and a portion of a second region (240b), and a bendable fourth region (240d) (e.g., a first folding region) corresponding to a first hinge assembly (HA1), and a portion of a first region (240a) and a portion of a third region (240c), and a bendable fifth region (240e) (e.g., a second folding region) corresponding to a second hinge assembly (HA2). In one embodiment, the region division of the flexible display (240) is merely an exemplary division by three housings (210, 220, 230) and two hinge assemblies (HA1, HA2), and the flexible display (240) may be displayed as a substantially seamless, single full screen. In one embodiment, the first region (240a) and the second region (240b) may have a shape that is symmetrical overall or partially asymmetrical with respect to the fourth region (240d) and / or the first folding axis (A1). In one embodiment, the first region (240a) and the third region (240c) may have a shape that is symmetrical overall or partially asymmetrical with respect to the fifth region (240e) and / or the second folding axis (A2). In one embodiment, in a direction perpendicular to the first folding axis (A1) (e.g., x-axis direction), the first folding width (BW1) of the fourth region (240d) may be smaller than the second folding width (BW2) of the fifth region (240e). In some embodiments, the area of ​​the fourth region (240d) may be smaller than the area of ​​the fifth region (240e).This may be due to the fact that the first hinge assembly (HA1) connecting the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) and the second hinge assembly (HA2) connecting the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) are different from each other. For example, the size of at least one first hinge module (e.g., narrow hinge module) of the first hinge assembly (HA1) connecting the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be smaller than the size of at least one second hinge module (e.g., wide hinge module) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) connecting the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) and folding the flexible display (240) in a folded state. Through this configuration, the second hinge housing (267) may have a first width (L1) greater than the thickness of the first housing (210) (e.g., the first width (L1) of FIG. 4a), and the first hinge housing (266) may have a second width (L2) smaller than the first width (W1) (e.g., the second width (L2) of FIG. 4a).

[0061] According to one embodiment, the width of the second hinge assembly (HA2) may be configured to be wider than the width of the first hinge assembly (HA1). For example, by configuring the width (L2) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) to be wider than the width of the first hinge assembly (HA1), the second housing (220) may be folded first with respect to the first housing (210), and the third housing (230) may be folded with respect to the first housing (210), so that the third housing (230) may be positioned on top of the second housing (220). For example, the first hinge assembly (HA1) may be a first in-folding hinge, a slim hinge, or a small hinge that is narrower than the width of the second hinge assembly (HA2). For example, the second hinge assembly (HA2) may be a second in-folding hinge, a wide hinge, or a big hinge that is wider than the first hinge assembly (HA1). For example, the second hinge assembly (HA2) may have a larger radius of curvature than the first hinge assembly (HA1). The first hinge assembly (HA1) may have a smaller radius of curvature than the second hinge assembly (HA2). In one embodiment, the width of the second hinge assembly (HA2) is described as being wider than the width of the first hinge assembly (HA1), but is not limited thereto, and depending on the type and / or operation of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), the width of the first hinge assembly (HA1) may be configured to be wider than the width of the second hinge assembly (HA2). In this case, the third housing (230) can be folded first with respect to the first housing (210), and then the second housing (220) can be folded with respect to the first housing (210).

[0062] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the first housing (210) may include a first surface (211) positioned to face the front of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) (e.g., z-axis direction), a second surface (212) facing in the opposite direction of the first surface (211), and / or a first side member (213) surrounding at least a portion of the first space between the first surface (211) and the second surface (212). According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the second housing (220) may include a third side (221) which is connected to at least a portion of the first hinge assembly (HA1) and is positioned to face the front of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) (e.g., z-axis direction), a fourth side (222) which faces in the opposite direction of the third side (221), and / or a second side member (223) which surrounds at least a portion of the second space between the third side (221) and the fourth side (222). According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the third housing (230) may include a fifth face (231) positioned to face the front (e.g., z-axis direction) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), a sixth face (232) facing in the opposite direction of the fifth face (231), and / or a third side member (233) surrounding at least a portion of the third space between the fifth face (231) and the sixth face (232).

[0063] According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the first surface (211), the third surface (221), and the fifth surface (231) may face substantially the same direction (e.g., z-axis direction). When the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the second surface (212), the fourth surface (222), and the sixth surface (232) may face substantially the same direction (e.g., z-axis direction).

[0064] According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) are in a folded state, the first surface (211) and the third surface (221) may be arranged to face each other. As illustrated in FIG. 4a, when the third housing (230) is in a folded state relative to the first housing (210) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), and the third housing (230) is positioned on the upper side (e.g., in the z-axis direction) of the second housing (220), the fourth surface (222) of the second housing (220) and the fifth surface (231) of the third housing (230) may be arranged to face each other.

[0065] According to various embodiments, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a recess (245) formed to accommodate a flexible display (240) through the structural combination of a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230). The recess (245) may have substantially the same size as the flexible display (240).

[0066] According to various embodiments, when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and the third housing (230) form an angle of about 180°, and the first region (240a), the second region (240b), and the third region (240c) of the flexible display (240) form substantially the same plane and may be arranged to face substantially the same direction (e.g., z-axis direction).

[0067] According to various embodiments, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can form an angle that can stop at a specified folding angle between a folded state and an unfolded state using the first hinge assembly (HA1) (e.g., free stop function). In various embodiments, the second housing (220) may also rotate to move toward the first surface (211) (e.g., front) of the first housing (210) while being pressed in the unfolding direction (e.g., -z-axis direction) relative to a specified inflection angle using the first hinge assembly (HA1).

[0068] According to various embodiments, the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) may form an angle that can stop at a specified folding angle between a folded state and an unfolded state using the second hinge assembly (HA2). In various embodiments, the third housing (230) may also rotate to move toward the fourth face (222) (e.g., rear) of the second housing (220) while being pressed in the unfolding direction (e.g., -z-axis direction) relative to a specified inflection angle using the second hinge assembly (HA2).

[0069] According to various embodiments, the flexible display (240) may be positioned to be supported by the first surface (211) of the first housing (210), the first hinge assembly (HA1), the third surface (221) of the second housing (220), the second hinge assembly (HA2), and the fifth surface (231) of the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the sub-display (250) may be positioned so as to be visible from the outside at least partially through the second surface (212) in the internal space of the first housing (210).

[0070] According to one embodiment, the flexible display (240) can be mainly used when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in an unfolded state, and the sub-display (250) can be mainly used when the multi-foldable electronic device (200) is in a folded state.

[0071] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a first rear cover (270) disposed on a second side (212) of a first housing (210), a second rear cover (280) disposed on a fourth side (222) of a second housing (220), and / or a third rear cover (290) disposed on a sixth side (232) of a third housing (230). In various embodiments, at least a portion of the first rear cover (270) may be formed integrally with a portion of the first side member (213). In various embodiments, at least a portion of the second rear cover (280) may be formed integrally with a portion of the second side member (223). In various embodiments, at least a portion of the third rear cover (290) may be formed integrally with a portion of the third side member (233). According to one embodiment, at least one of the first rear cover (270), the second rear cover (280), and the third rear cover (290) may be formed as a substantially transparent plate (e.g., a glass plate including various coating layers, or a polymer plate) or an opaque plate.

[0072] According to various embodiments, the first rear cover (270) may be formed through a substantially transparent plate, such as glass or a polymer, for example. The sub-display (250) may be positioned within the internal space of the first housing (210) so as to be visible from the outside through the first rear cover (270). According to various embodiments, the second rear cover (280) may be formed by an opaque plate, such as coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the materials. According to various embodiments, the third rear cover (290) may be formed by an opaque plate, such as coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the materials.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a first grip sensor (262a), a second grip sensor (262b) and / or a third grip sensor (262c).

[0074] According to one embodiment, a first grip sensor (262a) may be placed in a first housing (210). The first grip sensor (262a) may detect whether a user of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) has grasped at least a portion of the first housing (210) using a hand (e.g., palm and / or fingers). For example, a second grip sensor (262b) may be placed in a second housing (220). The second grip sensor (262b) may detect whether a user has grasped at least a portion of the second housing (220) using a hand. For example, a third grip sensor (262c) may be placed in a third housing (230). The third grip sensor (262c) may detect whether a user has grasped at least a portion of the third housing (230) using a hand.

[0075] According to various embodiments, the function and operation of the first grip sensor (262a), the second grip sensor (262b), and / or the third grip sensor (262c) described above may be performed using a touch circuit of the flexible display (240) and / or sub-display (250). For example, the flexible display (240) may use a touch circuit to detect whether a user has grasped the first housing (210) (e.g., first area (240a)), the second housing (220) (e.g., second area (240b)), and the third housing (230) (e.g., third area (240c)).

[0076] According to various embodiments, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include at least one of an input module (261), an acoustic output module (263, 265), a sensor module (267a, 267b, 267c), a camera module (271a, 271b, 271c), a key input device (275), an indicator (not shown), or a connector port (276). In various embodiments, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may omit at least one of the above-described components or additionally include at least one other component.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the input module (261) may include at least one microphone positioned to detect the direction of sound. The input module (261) may include the input module (150) disclosed in FIG. 1a.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the acoustic output module (263, 265) may include at least one speaker. The acoustic output module (263, 265) may include a call receiver (263) disposed through a second surface (212) of a first housing (210), and a speaker (265) disposed in part of the upper (e.g., y-axis direction) and lower (e.g., -y-axis direction) of a second side member (223) of a second housing (220) and / or part of the upper (e.g., y-axis direction) and lower (e.g., -y-axis direction) of a third side member (233) of a third housing (230). The acoustic output module (263, 265) may include the acoustic output module (155) disclosed in FIG. 1.

[0079] According to one embodiment, an input module (261), an acoustic output module (263, 265), and a connector port (276) are disposed in the space of a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and / or a third housing (230) and may be exposed to the external environment through at least one hole formed in the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and / or the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the holes formed in the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and / or the third housing (230) may be used in common for the input module (261) and the acoustic output module (263, 265). In one embodiment, the acoustic output module (263, 265) may include a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) that is operated with the holes formed in the second housing (220) and / or the third housing (230) excluded.

[0080] According to various embodiments, the camera module (271a, 271b, 271c) may include a first camera module (271a) disposed on a first surface (211) of a first housing (210), a second camera module (271b) disposed on a sixth surface (232) of a third housing (230), and / or a third camera module (271c) disposed on a second surface (212) of the first housing (210). According to one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a flash (295) disposed near the second camera module (271b). The flash (295) may include, for example, a light-emitting diode or a xenon lamp. According to one embodiment, camera modules (271a, 271b, 271c) may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and / or an image signal processor. In one embodiment, at least one camera module among the camera modules (271a, 271b, 271c) may include two or more lenses (e.g., wide-angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors, and may be disposed together on any one side of a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and / or a third housing (230). For example, camera modules (271a, 271b, 271c) may include the camera module (180) disclosed in FIG. 1.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the sensor modules (267a, 267b, 267c) can generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to an internal operating state or an external environmental state of the multi-foldable electronic device (200). According to various embodiments, the sensor modules (267a, 267b, 267c) may include a first sensor module (267a) disposed on a first surface (211) of a first housing (210), a second sensor module (267b) disposed on a second surface (212) of the first housing (210), and / or a third sensor module (267c) disposed on a sixth surface (232) of a third housing (230). For example, the sensor modules (267a, 267b, 267c) may include the sensor module (176) disclosed in FIG. 1a.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may further include at least one of the following sensor modules not illustrated, for example, a 6-axis sensor (e.g., accelerometer and gyroscope), an angle sensor, a Hall sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a folding and unfolding detection sensor, a proximity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gesture sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, an illuminance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a distance detection sensor (e.g., a TOF (time of flight) sensor, a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor), and a fingerprint recognition sensor.

[0083] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the key input device (275) may be positioned to be exposed to the outside through the third side member (233) of the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the key input device (275) may also be positioned to be exposed to the outside through the second side member (223) of the second housing (220). In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may not include some or all of the key input devices (275), and the key input devices (275) that are not included may be implemented in other forms, such as soft keys, on the flexible display (240) and / or sub-display (250). In various embodiments, the key input device (275) may be implemented using a touch sensor and / or pressure sensor included in the flexible display (240) and / or sub-display (250). In one embodiment, the key input device (275) may include a power button and / or volume control button of the multi-foldable electronic device (200).

[0084] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the connector port (276) may include a connector (e.g., a USB connector or an IF module (interface connector port module)) for transmitting and receiving power and / or data with an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device (102, 104, 108) of FIG. 1a). In one embodiment, the connector port (276) may perform the function of transmitting and receiving audio signals with the external electronic device, or may further include a separate connector port (e.g., an earphone jack hole) for performing the function of transmitting and receiving audio signals. For example, the connector port (276) may be formed in a part of the first side member (213) of the first housing (210). For example, the connector port (276) may include the connection terminal (178) disclosed in FIG. 1a. In some embodiments, the connector port (276) may be formed in a part of the third side member (233) of the third housing (230).

[0085] According to various embodiments, at least one camera module (271a, 271b, 271c) among the camera modules (271a, 271b, 271c), at least one sensor module (267a, 267c) among the sensor modules (267a, 267b, 267c), and / or an indicator may be arranged to be exposed through at least one display (240, 250). For example, at least one camera module (271a, 271c), at least one sensor module (267a, 267c) and / or an indicator may be positioned in the internal space of at least one housing (210, 220, 230), below the display area of ​​at least one display (240, 250), and may be positioned to come into contact with the external environment through an opening or transparent area perforated to a cover member (e.g., a window layer (not shown) of the flexible display (240) and / or a third rear cover (290)).

[0086] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the first housing and the second housing of a multi-foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state, and the first housing and the third housing in an unfolded state. FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are schematic diagrams showing the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing of a multi-foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state.

[0087] According to one embodiment, FIG. 3 may be a drawing viewed from the y-axis direction in which the second housing (220) of a multi-foldable electronic device (200) is folded toward the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) is unfolded approximately 180° relative to the first housing (210).

[0088] According to one embodiment, FIG. 4a may be a view from the y-axis direction in which the second housing (220) of a multi-foldable electronic device (200) is first folded toward the first housing (210), and the third housing (230) is later folded toward the first housing (210), so that the third housing (230) is positioned on the upper part (e.g., in the z-axis direction) of the second housing (220).

[0089] According to one embodiment, FIG. 4b may be a schematic perspective view showing that at least a portion of a sub-display (250) is exposed to the outside when the second housing (220) and the third housing (230) of a multi-foldable electronic device (200) are folded toward the first housing (210). For example, in addition to the example disclosed in FIG. 3, FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may be folded such that after the third housing (230) is folded toward the first housing (210), the second housing (220) is folded toward the first housing (210), so that the second housing (220) is placed on the third housing (230). In this case, the sub-display (250) may be placed on the fourth side (222) of the second housing (220). A second camera module (271b), which is a rear camera of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), may be placed on the second surface (212) of the first housing (210). According to various embodiments, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may be folded in various types (e.g., Z type). For example, the second housing (220) may be folded in an in-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) with respect to the first folding axis (A1), and the third housing (230) may be folded in an out-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) with respect to the second folding axis (A2). In-folding is a method of folding inward so that the flexible display (240) faces, and out-folding is a folding operation that folds in the opposite way to in-folding, so that a part of the flexible display (240) may be exposed to the outside.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a first housing (210), a second housing (220), a third housing (230), a first hinge assembly (HA1) and a second hinge assembly (HA2).

[0091] According to one embodiment, when the second housing (220) is folded against the first housing (210) through a first hinge assembly (HA1) (e.g., a first in-folding hinge) and the third housing (230) is folded toward the second housing (220) through a second hinge assembly (HA2) (e.g., a second in-folding hinge) so that the third housing (230) is positioned on the upper side (e.g., in the z-axis direction) of the second housing (220), at least a portion of the sub-display (250) positioned on the second side (212) of the first housing (210) may be visually exposed to the outside of the multi-foldable electronic device (200).

[0092] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a multi-foldable electronic device with rear covers omitted in an unfolded state, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear direction.

[0093] In describing FIG. 5, components substantially identical to the components of the electronic device described above have been given the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 5, a multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a first housing (210) including a first side member (213), a second housing (220) including a second side member (223) rotatably coupled to one side of the first housing (210) through a first hinge assembly (HA1), and a third housing (230) including a third side member (233) rotatably coupled to the other side of the first housing (210) through a second hinge assembly (HA2). In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a first battery (B1) disposed in a first space (2101) of a first housing (210), and a first substrate (281) and a first sub-sub In one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a third battery (B3) disposed in a third space (2301) of a third housing (230), a third substrate (283) and a third sub-sub

[0095] According to various embodiments, at least one wiring member (284a, 284b) may include a first wiring member (284a) extending from a first space (2101) across a first hinge assembly (HA1) to a second space (2201), and a second wiring member (284b) extending from the first space (2101) across a second hinge assembly (HA2) to a third space (2301). In one embodiment, the first and second wiring members (284a, 284b) may include a flexible substrate (FPCB) having an elastic restoring force capable of accommodating the folding operation of each housing (210, 220, 230). In one embodiment, the first substrate (281) and the second substrate (282) may be electrically connected through the first wiring member (284a). In one embodiment, the first substrate (281) and the third substrate (283) can be electrically connected through the second wiring member (284b).

[0096] According to various embodiments, the size of the first battery (B1), the second battery (B2), and the third battery (B3) may be determined by the number and / or arrangement structure of electronic components placed in the first space (2101), the second space (2201), and the third space (2301). For example, the first battery (B1) may be set to the smallest size due to the arrangement structure of major components such as a first substrate (281) containing a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1), a first sub-sub In one embodiment, the third battery (B3) may be set to be larger than the first battery (B1) and smaller than the second battery (B2) due to the arrangement structure of electronic components such as a speaker, a third substrate (283), a third sub-sub

[0097] According to various embodiments, the first housing (210), the second housing (220), and the third housing (230) of the electronic device (200) may include a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting an angle (e.g., a folding angle and an unfolding angle) between the housings (210, 220, 230). In one embodiment, a first sensor may be placed in the first housing (210), a second sensor in the second housing (220), and / or a third sensor in the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the first sensor and / or the second sensor may detect an angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). For example, when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are folded or unfolded through the first hinge assembly (HA1), the first sensor and / or the second sensor may detect an angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). For example, the first sensor or the second sensor may include a 6-axis sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an angle sensor.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the first sensor and / or the third sensor can detect an angle between the first housing (210) and the third housing (230). For example, when the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) are folded or unfolded through the second hinge assembly (HA2), the first sensor and / or the third sensor can detect an angle between the first housing (210) and the third housing (230). For example, the third sensor may include a 6-axis sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an angle sensor.

[0099] According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may include a plurality of magnets (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11). In one embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth magnets (M1, M2, M3, M4) may be placed in the first space (2101) of the first housing (210). In one embodiment, the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth magnets (M5, M6, M7, M8, M9) may be placed in the second space (2201) of the second housing (220). In one embodiment, the tenth and eleventh magnets (M10, M11) may be placed in the third space (2301) of the third housing (230). In one embodiment, the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th magnets (M5, M6, M7, M8) may be positioned such that they generate an attractive force with the 1st magnet (M1), 2nd magnet (M2), 3rd magnet (M3), and 4th magnet (M4) respectively placed in the 1st housing (210) when the 2nd housing (220) is folded relative to the 1st housing (210). In one embodiment, the 10th magnet (M10) may be positioned in the 3rd housing (230) such that it generates an attractive force with the 9th magnet (M9) placed in the 2nd housing (220) when the 3rd housing (230) is folded relative to the 1st housing (210) after the 2nd housing (220) is first folded relative to the 1st housing (210). In one embodiment, the 11th magnet (M11) may be placed in the 3rd housing (230) such that an attractive force is generated with the 8th magnet (M8) placed in the 2nd housing (220) after the 2nd housing (220) is first folded relative to the 1st housing (210) and the 3rd housing (230) is folded relative to the 1st housing (210). The number and position of the magnets described above are merely examples, and the position and number of magnets can be varied in many ways.

[0100] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6a-6a shown in FIG. 2a. FIG. 6b is a rear perspective view of a flexible display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 6a, a flexible display (240) may include a window layer (310), a polarizing layer (POL) (polarizer) (320) (e.g., polarizing film) sequentially disposed on the back surface (e.g., -z-axis direction) of the window layer (310), a display panel (330), a polymer layer (340), a support plate (350), and at least one lower layer (360). In one embodiment, the window layer (310), the polarizing layer (320), the display panel (330), the polymer layer (340), the support plate (350), and at least one lower layer (360) may be attached to each other through an adhesive (P) (or adhesive). For example, the adhesive (P) may include at least one of an optical clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), a heat-reactive adhesive, a general adhesive, or a double-sided tape.

[0102] According to various embodiments, the window layer (310) may include a glass layer (e.g., UTG (ultra thin glass) or FTG (foldable thin glass)) or a polymer layer. In some embodiments, the window layer (310) may be arranged in a plurality of layers to include a glass layer and a polymer layer.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the window layer (310) may include a laminated first window layer (e.g., glass layer, first layer) and a second window layer laminated to the first window layer (e.g., protective layer, second layer). According to one embodiment, the first window layer may be formed of glass. According to one embodiment, the first window layer may include ultra-thin glass (UTG). According to one embodiment, the second window layer may be formed of a polymer (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)).

[0104] According to various embodiments, the display panel (330) may include a plurality of pixels and a wiring structure (e.g., an electrode pattern). In one embodiment, a polarizing layer (320) may be arranged to selectively pass light that is generated from a light source of the display panel (330) and vibrates in a certain direction. In one embodiment, the display panel (330) and the polarizing layer (320) may be formed integrally. In one embodiment, the flexible display (240) may include a touch panel (not shown).

[0105] According to various embodiments, the polymer layer (340) may be placed below the display panel (330) to provide a dark background for ensuring visibility of the display panel (330) and may be formed as a cushioning material for cushioning. In some embodiments, for waterproofing of the flexible display (240), the polymer layer (340) may be removed or placed below the support plate (350). In some embodiments, the polymer layer (340) may be omitted if the support plate (350) is formed of an opaque material.

[0106] According to various embodiments, the support plate (350) may provide rigidity and bending characteristics to the flexible display (240). For example, the support plate (350) may be formed from a non-metallic thin-plate material or a metallic material, such as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastics or glass fiber reinforced plastics) having rigid characteristics for supporting the display panel (330). In one embodiment, the support plate (350) may include a pattern (e.g., a plurality of openings and / or recesses) that can help improve bendability by being formed in an area corresponding to the folding regions of the flexible display (240) (e.g., the fourth region (240d) and / or the fifth region (240e) of FIG. 2b).

[0107] According to various embodiments, at least one lower layer (360) may include at least one reinforcing plate placed below the support plate (350) to improve the surface quality and provide rigidity of the flexible display (240) and / or at least one digitizer placed for the use of an electronic pen.

[0108] According to various embodiments, the flexible display (240) may include a bending portion (332) that extends outward from the display panel (330) and is arranged to be folded toward the back surface of the flexible display (240) (e.g., at least one lower layer (360)). In one embodiment, the flexible display (240) may further include a bending portion protection layer (3324) (e.g., BPL (bending protection layer)) that is laminated on the outer surface of the bending portion (332) and protects at least a portion of the bending portion (332). In one embodiment, the bending portion (332) may include an extension portion (3321) that extends from the display panel (330) and includes a control circuit (3321a), and a flexible substrate (3322) that is connected to the extension portion (3321) and includes a plurality of electrical elements. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6b, the flexible substrate (3322) may include a connector (3322a) for electrically connecting to a second substrate (282) placed in a second space (2201). In one embodiment, the bending portion (332) may be attached to the lower layer (360) after being bent toward the back of the flexible display (240). In one embodiment, the extension portion (3321) may be attached to the lower layer (360) from the back of the flexible display (240) via a first adhesive member (T1). According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate (3322) may be attached to the lower layer (360) via a second adhesive member (T2). For example, the first adhesive member (T1) may serve as a tape member having a specified thickness, and may also function as a spacer having a thickness to maintain the bent state of the extension (3321) and to compensate for the height difference between the extension (3321) and the flexible substrate (3322). In one embodiment, the first adhesive member (T1) and / or the second adhesive member (T2) may be composed of a waterproof member (e.g., waterproof tape) because they are at least partially exposed to the outside.In one embodiment, the second adhesive member (T2) may include a conductive tape for electrically connecting the ground of the flexible substrate (3322) to the lower layer (360).

[0109] According to various embodiments, a control circuit (3321a) disposed on an extension (3321) may be protected by a cover member (3325) attached to cover at least a portion of the extension (3321) from at least a portion of the flexible substrate (3322). In one embodiment, the control circuit (3321a) may be sealed by being disposed between the cover member (3325) and the extension (3321) and between the flexible substrate (3322) and a third adhesive member (T3). In one embodiment, the third adhesive member (T3) may be composed of a waterproof member (e.g., waterproof tape). In one embodiment, the third adhesive member (T3) may be disposed between the bending portion protection layer (3324) and the control circuit (3321a). In one embodiment, since at least a portion of the cover member (3325) comes into direct contact with external moisture and / or foreign matter, it may be formed of a material having a waterproof structure. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the cover member (3325) may be attached to one side of the second housing (220) through a waterproof member (WP).

[0110] FIG. 7a is a drawing showing buckling occurring in a first region of a flexible display in a comparative example. FIG. 7b is a drawing showing a state in which buckling is improved in a first region of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the flexible display (240) may include a plurality of layers (e.g., the first layer (410), the second layer (420) of FIG. 8a), including a window layer (310), a polarizing layer (320), a display panel (330), a polymer layer (340), a support plate (350), and / or a lower layer (360), as illustrated in FIG. 6a above. Referring to FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, the flexible display (240) that folds along folding axes (A1, A2) may have a sliding slip between the plurality of layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) constituting the flexible display (240) according to the folding operation. In one embodiment, at both ends of the flexible display (240), a plurality of layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) are not aligned in a straight line and may have different relative positions. In one embodiment, slip between each layer (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) constituting the flexible display (240) may be achieved through an adhesive layer (e.g., adhesive (P) of FIG. 6a and / or adhesive layer (430) of FIG. 8a) that adheres each layer (310, 320, 330, 340, 350). In one embodiment, the adhesive layer (430) may accommodate slip between the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) as it is formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0112] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, slip between layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) of the flexible display (240) can occur in both directions with respect to the folding axes (A1, A2). For example, slip between layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) can occur in both directions substantially perpendicular to the first folding axis (A1) with respect to the first folding axis (A1). Additionally, slip between layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) can occur in both directions substantially perpendicular to the second folding axis (A2) with respect to the second folding axis (A2). As illustrated in FIG. 7a, as the flexible display (240) is folded along the first folding axis (A1), a plurality of layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) can be slid along the first folding axis (A1) in a direction toward the first region (240a) (e.g., the first region (240a) of FIG. 2a) (e.g., the + X direction of FIG. 7a) and a second region (240b) (e.g., the second region (240b) of FIG. 2a). Additionally, as the flexible display (240) is folded along the second folding axis (A2), a plurality of layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) may be slid in a direction toward the first region (240a) (e.g., the -X direction in FIG. 7a) and a direction toward the third region (240c) (e.g., the third region (240c) in FIG. 2a). In this case, as the slid directions between the plurality of layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) are opposite to each other, buckling may occur, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) may be degraded.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7b, a structure can be provided to reduce the amount of slip occurring between layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) in a first region (240a) of a flexible display (240). For example, an adhesive layer (e.g., the adhesive layer (430) of FIG. 8a) may be disposed between the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350). The volume and / or thickness of a portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) can be reduced compared to the volume and / or thickness of another portion (e.g., a portion corresponding to the second region (240b), a portion corresponding to the third region (240c)) to reduce the amount of slip occurring between layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) occurring in the first region (240a).

[0114] Additionally, the modulus of a portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) can be formed higher than the modulus of other portions (e.g., a portion corresponding to the second region (240b), a portion corresponding to the third region (240c)), thereby reducing the amount of slip occurring between the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240). In this case, the amount of slip occurring in the first region (240a) of the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) with respect to the first folding axis (A1) may be less than the amount of slip occurring in the second region (240b) toward the end of the flexible display (240) with respect to the first folding axis (A1). Additionally, the amount of slip occurring in the first region (240a) of the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) of the flexible display (240) relative to the second folding axis (A2) may be less than the amount of slip occurring in the third region (240c) toward the end of the flexible display (240) relative to the second folding axis (A2). Accordingly, as the amount of slip between the layers (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) decreases, the buckling occurring in the first region (240a) can be improved, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) can be improved.

[0115] A structure for reducing slip between layers in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) will be described in detail below.

[0116] Additionally, in the following description, the plurality of layers will be described as a first layer (410) and a second layer (420). In one embodiment, the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) may include any one of a window layer (310), a polarizing layer (320), a display panel (330), a polymer layer (340), a support plate (350), and / or a lower layer (360).

[0117] FIG. 8a is a drawing in which a sheet member is disposed in a portion of an adhesive layer corresponding to a first region, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8b is a drawing of the shape of a sheet member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8a, a plurality of layers (410, 420) constituting a flexible display (240) (e.g., window layer (310), polarizing layer (320), display panel (330), polymer layer (340), support plate (350), bottom layer (360) of FIG. 6a) can be bonded through an adhesive layer (430). In one embodiment, the adhesive layer (430) (e.g., adhesive (P) of FIG. 6a) has elasticity in a semi-solid state, thereby accommodating slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420). In one embodiment, the thicker the adhesive layer (430), the greater the allowable amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420). Accordingly, the amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) can be increased. Conversely, as the thickness of the adhesive layer (430) decreases, the allowable amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) may decrease. Therefore, the amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) may decrease.

[0119] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a, 8b and FIGS. 9 and 10 to be described later, a sheet member (500) (e.g., film, layer, sheet, core, reinforcing member, backing layer) may be disposed between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) in a portion corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240). In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the sheet member (500) may be disposed inside the adhesive layer (430), and at least a portion may be disposed in a portion corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240). For example, the adhesive layer (430) may include a first adhesive portion corresponding to a first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), a second adhesive portion corresponding to a second region (240b), and a third adhesive portion corresponding to a third region (240c). As the sheet member (500) is disposed on the first adhesive portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), the volume and / or thickness (e.g., length in the Z-axis direction of FIG. 8a) of the first adhesive portion may be smaller than the volume and thickness of the second adhesive portion and / or the third adhesive portion. Accordingly, the amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) may be reduced compared to the second region (240b) and the third region (240c). For example, the amount of slip (e.g., displacement) of the first layer (410) relative to the second layer (420) in the first region (240a) may be smaller than the amount of slip (e.g., displacement) of the first layer (410) relative to the second layer (420) in the second region (240b) and the third region (240c). Accordingly, as the amount of slip between the layers (410, 420) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) is reduced, the buckling occurring in the first region (240a) may be improved, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) may be improved.

[0120] In the above description, the adhesive layer (430) is described as being divided into a first adhesive portion, a second adhesive portion, and a third adhesive portion, but it may not be physically separated. For example, the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, and the third adhesive portion may be conceptually separated according to corresponding portions for each region (240a, 240b, 240c) of the flexible display (240). In one embodiment, the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, and the third adhesive portion may be formed integrally and may have the same physical and chemical properties.

[0121] In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may be formed in various shapes. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8b, the sheet member (500) may be in a form in which at least a portion extends from the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) to the second region (240b) and / or the third region (240c). In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8b (b) and (c), the sheet member (500) may be placed in a first folding region (240d) (e.g., the fourth region (240d) of FIG. 2a) connecting the first region (240a) and the second region (240b) and / or a second folding region (240e) (e.g., the fifth region (240e) of FIG. 2a) connecting the first region (240a) and the third region (240c). In one embodiment, as a sheet member (500) formed with a higher modulus than the adhesive layer (430) is positioned in the first folding area (240d) and / or the second folding area (240e), the wrinkling phenomenon caused by folding in the first folding area (240d) and / or the second folding area (240e) can be improved.

[0122] In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may be formed from various materials. In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may be formed from a material having a higher modulus, elastic recovery force, stiffness, and / or strength than the adhesive layer (430). For example, the sheet member (500) may be formed from a material with moldability, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), nylon, glass fiber, or metal material. The modulus ('modulus') may be Young's modulus. In one embodiment, the higher the modulus, the relatively reduced deformation due to external impact may be. Additionally, the higher the modulus, the relatively harder it may be.

[0123] In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may be formed of a material that is physically and chemically different from the adhesive layer (430). Accordingly, an interface may be formed in the portion of the sheet member (500) that contacts the adhesive layer (430).

[0124] In addition, the sheet member (500) is disposed in a portion corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) between a plurality of layers (410, 420) and may be any object formed physically and chemically differently from the adhesive layer (430) and having a higher modulus, elastic recovery force, stiffness and / or strength than the adhesive layer (430).

[0125] FIG. 9 is a drawing in which a sheet member is disposed in an area where a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to a first area has been removed, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, at least a portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) may be removed. A sheet member (500) may be placed in the portion where the adhesive layer (430) has been removed. For example, the sheet member (500) may be placed between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420), between a portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the second region (240b) of the flexible display (240) and a portion of the adhesive layer (430) corresponding to the third region (240c). In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may be placed in the removed region after the adhesive layer (430) has been removed. In some embodiments, after a sheet member (500) is placed in a first region (240a) between a first layer (410) and a second layer (420), an adhesive layer (430) may be applied to both sides of the sheet member (500). Thus, as the sheet member (500) having a higher modulus, elastic recovery force, strength, and / or stiffness than the adhesive layer (430) is placed in the first region (240a) between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420), the amount of slip between layers in the first region (240a) may be reduced. Thus, buckling occurring in the first region (240a) may be improved or prevented, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) may be improved.

[0127] In one embodiment, the sheet member (500) may not be placed in the area where the adhesive layer (430) has been removed. The area where the adhesive layer (430) has been removed between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) may be an empty space. In this case, since the adhesive layer (430) is not present in the portion corresponding to the first area (240a) of the flexible display (240) between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420), the amount of slip occurring between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) in the first area (240a) may be reduced. Accordingly, buckling occurring in the first area (240a) may be improved or prevented, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) may be improved.

[0128] FIG. 10 is a drawing in which the thicknesses of the first and second parts of a sheet member are formed differently according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the multi-foldable electronic device (200) may first fold a second housing (220) with respect to a first housing (210) with respect to a first folding axis (A1) via a first hinge assembly (HA1), and later fold a third housing (230) with respect to a first housing (210) with respect to a second folding axis (A2) via a second hinge assembly (HA2). According to one embodiment, the width (L2) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) may be configured to be wider than the width (L1) of the first hinge assembly (HA1). For example, the width (L2) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) is configured to be wider than the width of the first hinge assembly (HA1), so that the second housing (220) is folded first with respect to the first housing (210), and the third housing (230) is folded with respect to the first housing (210), so that the third housing (230) can be placed on top of the second housing (220).

[0130] In one embodiment, the second hinge assembly (HA2) may have a larger radius of curvature than the first hinge assembly (HA1) as the width (L2) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) is configured to be wider than the width (L1) of the first hinge assembly (HA1). In this case, a higher stress (e.g., repulsive force) may be applied in the first folding region (240d) of the flexible display (240) (e.g., the fourth region (240d) of FIG. 2a) than in the second folding region (240e) (e.g., the fifth region (240e) of FIG. 2a). According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a sheet member (600) (e.g., sheet member (500) of FIG. 8a) may include a first portion (601) adjacent to a first folding area (240d) and a second portion (602) adjacent to a second folding area (240e). In one embodiment, the thickness of the first portion (601) in a direction perpendicular to the flexible display (240) (e.g., the Z-axis direction of FIG. 10) may be smaller than the thickness of the second portion (602). In this case, the thickness of the adhesive layer (430) (e.g., the length in the Z-axis direction of FIG. 10) may be thicker in the portion adjacent to the first folding area (240d) than in the portion adjacent to the second folding area (240e). Additionally, the volume of the adhesive layer (430) may be larger in the section adjacent to the first folding area (240d) than in the section adjacent to the second folding area (240e). Therefore, the stress generated in the first folding area (240d) during the process of folding the second housing (220) relative to the first housing (210) can be reduced. Furthermore, when the second housing (220) and the third housing (230) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) are folded with the same external force relative to the first housing (210), the second housing (220) may be folded relative to the first housing (210) before the third housing (230).

[0131] FIG. 11a is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of a first adhesive portion is formed higher than the modulus of a second adhesive portion and a third adhesive portion. FIG. 11b is a drawing in which the first adhesive portion of FIG. 11a is extended in the direction of a second region and a third region.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the lower the modulus of the adhesive layer (430), the greater the allowable slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420). In one embodiment, the adhesive layer (430) may be formed with a higher modulus in the portion corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) than in other portions of the adhesive layer (430). In one embodiment, the adhesive layer (430) may include a first adhesive portion (431) corresponding to the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), a second adhesive portion (432) corresponding to the second region (240b), and a third adhesive portion (433) corresponding to the third region (240c). In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 11a, at least a portion of the second adhesive portion (432) of the adhesive layer (430) may correspond to the first folding region (240d) (e.g., the fourth region (240d) of FIG. 2a). At least a portion of the third adhesive portion (433) may correspond to the second folding region (240e) (e.g., the fifth region (240e) of FIG. 2a). Referring to FIG. 11b, the first adhesive portion (431) of the adhesive layer (430) may extend toward the second region (240b) and the third region (240c) to correspond to the first folding region (240d) and the second folding region (240e).

[0133] According to one embodiment, a first adhesive portion (431) corresponding to a first region (240a) of a flexible display (240) may be formed to be higher than the modulus of a second adhesive portion (432) and a third adhesive portion (433). Accordingly, the first adhesive portion (431) may be harder than the second adhesive portion (432) and the third adhesive portion (433). The amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) may be reduced compared to the second region (240b) and the third region (240c). For example, the amount of slip (e.g., movement) of the first layer (410) to the second layer (420) in the first region (240a) may be smaller than the amount of slip (e.g., movement) of the first layer (410) to the second layer (420) in the second region (240b) and the third region (240c). Accordingly, as the amount of slip between layers in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) is reduced, the buckling occurring in the first region (240a) may be improved, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) may be improved.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the modulus of the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433) may be determined through the material and / or curing method. For example, the first adhesive portion (431) may be formed from a material having a higher modulus than the second adhesive portion (432) and the third adhesive portion (433). In one embodiment, the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433) may be cured through at least one of natural curing, thermal curing, or UV curing. The modulus of the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433) may be determined by the curing time, curing temperature, and UV intensity.

[0135] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11b, the first adhesive portion (431) of the adhesive layer (430) may extend toward the second region (240b) and the third region (240c) to correspond to the first folding region (240d) and the second folding region (240e). For example, when viewing the flexible display (240) from above, at least a portion of the first adhesive portion (431) may overlap with at least one of the first folding region (240d) and the second folding region (240e). In this case, the first adhesive portion (431), which is relatively harder than the second adhesive portion (432) and the third adhesive portion (433), is located in the first folding region (240d) and / or the second folding region (240e), thereby improving the wrinkling phenomenon caused by folding.

[0136] FIG. 12 is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion corresponding to the first folding area and the fifth adhesive portion corresponding to the second folding area are formed differently from the modulus of the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the adhesive layer (430) may include a first adhesive portion (431) corresponding to a first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), a second adhesive portion (432) corresponding to a second region (240b), a third adhesive portion (433) corresponding to a third region (240c), a fourth adhesive portion (434) corresponding to a first folding region (240d), and / or a fifth adhesive portion (435) corresponding to a second folding region (240e).

[0138] According to one embodiment, the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion (434) and the fifth adhesive portion (435) may differ from the modulus of the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433). For example, the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion (434) and the modulus of the fifth adhesive portion (435) may be higher than the modulus of the second adhesive portion (432) and the modulus of the third adhesive portion (433), and lower than the modulus of the first adhesive portion (431). Accordingly, the fourth adhesive portion (434) is formed with a modulus lower than the first adhesive portion (431) and higher than the second adhesive portion (432), thereby mitigating the modulus difference between the first adhesive portion (431) and the second adhesive portion (432) by connecting the first adhesive portion (431) and the second adhesive portion (432). Additionally, the fifth adhesive portion (435) is formed with a modulus lower than the first adhesive portion (431) and higher than the third adhesive portion (433), thereby mitigating the modulus difference between the first adhesive portion (431) and the third adhesive portion (433) by connecting the first adhesive portion (431) and the third adhesive portion (433).

[0139] According to one embodiment, the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion (434) and the fifth adhesive portion (435) may be formed to be lower than the modulus of the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433). For example, the fourth adhesive portion (434) and the fifth adhesive portion (435) may be softer than the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), and the third adhesive portion (433). Thus, during the folding operation of the multi-foldable electronic device (200), the repulsive force generated in the first folding area (240d) and the second folding area (240e) can be reduced, thereby inducing natural folding.

[0140] FIG. 13 is a drawing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the modulus of a second adhesive portion corresponding to a second region and a first folding region is formed lower than the modulus of a third adhesive portion corresponding to a third region and a second folding region.

[0141] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the adhesive layer (430) may include a first adhesive portion (431) corresponding to a first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), a second adhesive portion (432) corresponding to a second region (240b) and a first folding region (240d), and a third adhesive portion (433) corresponding to a third region (240c) and a second folding region (240e).

[0142] In one embodiment, the second hinge assembly (HA2) may have a larger radius of curvature than the first hinge assembly (HA1) as the width (L2) of the second hinge assembly (HA2) is configured to be wider than the width (L1) of the first hinge assembly (HA1). In this case, a higher stress (e.g., repulsive force) may be applied in the first folding region (240d) of the flexible display (240) (e.g., the fourth region (240d) of FIG. 2a) than in the second folding region (240e) (e.g., the fifth region (240e) of FIG. 2a). In one embodiment, the second adhesive portion (432) corresponding to the second region (240b) and the first folding region (240d) may be formed to be softer than the first adhesive portion (431) and the third adhesive portion (433). For example, the modulus may be higher in the order of the first adhesive portion (431), the third adhesive portion (433), and the second adhesive portion (432). Therefore, the stress generated in the first folding area (240d) during the process of folding the second housing (220) relative to the first housing (210) can be reduced. In this case, when the second housing (220) and the third housing (230) of the multi-foldable electronic device (200) are folded with the same external force relative to the first housing (210), the second housing (220) may be folded relative to the first housing (210) before the third housing (230).

[0143] In the above description, the adhesive layer (430) was described as being divided into a first adhesive portion (431), a second adhesive portion (432), a third adhesive portion (433), a fourth adhesive portion (434), and / or a fifth adhesive portion (435), but it may not be a physically separated configuration. For example, the first adhesive portion (431), the second adhesive portion (432), the third adhesive portion (433), the fourth adhesive portion (434), and / or the fifth adhesive portion (435) may be physically connected and conceptually separated according to corresponding portions for each region (240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e) of the flexible display (240).

[0144] There is an increasing demand from users for the expansion of the display of a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device may be implemented in the form of a multi-foldable electronic device (200) comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230).

[0145] The multi-foldable electronic device may include a flexible display (240) positioned at least partially across the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing.

[0146] The multi-foldable electronic device may operate the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing in an in-folding and / or out-folding manner using a first hinge assembly (HA1) (e.g., a first hinge module) and a second hinge assembly (HA2) (e.g., a second hinge module). For example, the multi-foldable electronic device may rotate about a first folding axis (A1) through the first hinge assembly (HA1) and rotate about a second folding axis (A2) through the second hinge assembly (HA2).

[0147] The flexible display may include a plurality of layers (410, 420) including a window layer (310), a polarizing layer (320), a display panel (330), a polymer layer (340), a support plate (350), and / or a bottom layer (360). In one embodiment, the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) may be any one of the window layer (310), the polarizing layer (320), the display panel (330), the polymer layer (340), the support plate (350), and / or the bottom layer (360).

[0148] The flexible display that folds along the folding axis (A1, A2) may have a slip occurring between multiple layers constituting the flexible display according to the folding operation. An adhesive layer (430) that adheres the multiple layers (410, 420) can accommodate the slip between the multiple layers (410, 420).

[0149] Meanwhile, slip between the layers (410, 420) of the flexible display (240) may occur in both directions with respect to the folding axis (A1, A2). For example, slip between the layers (410, 420) may occur in both directions substantially perpendicular to the first folding axis (A1) with respect to the first folding axis (A1). Additionally, slip between the layers may occur in both directions substantially perpendicular to the second folding axis (A2) with respect to the second folding axis (A2). In such cases, buckling may occur in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240), where at least a portion is located between the first folding axis (A1) and the second folding axis (A2), as the slip directions between the multiple layers (410, 420) are opposite to each other, thereby degrading the surface quality of the flexible display (240).

[0150] The multi-foldable electronic device (200) may be in the form where a second housing (220) is placed to the left of a first housing (210) and a third housing (230) is placed to the right of the first housing (210).

[0151] The above problem to be solved can be applied to all cases where the second housing (220) is folded first with respect to the first housing (210) and then the third housing (230) is folded with respect to the first housing (210), where the third housing (230) is folded first with respect to the first housing (210) and then the second housing (220) is folded with respect to the first housing (210), and where the second housing (220) is folded in an in-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) is folded in an out-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210).

[0152] However, the problems intended to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and may be expanded in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0153] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101, 200) may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230). The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display (240) comprising a first region (240a) supported by the first housing, a second region (240b) supported by the second housing, and a third region (240c) supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer (410), a second layer (420) disposed below the first layer, and an adhesive layer (430) disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer. The flexible display may include a sheet member (500, 600) disposed between the first layer and the second layer in a portion corresponding to the first region.

[0154] In one embodiment, the sheet member may be disposed in a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to the first region.

[0155] In one embodiment, the adhesive layer may include a first adhesive portion corresponding to the first region, a second adhesive portion corresponding to the second region, and a third adhesive portion corresponding to the third region. The volume of the first adhesive portion on which the sheet member is disposed may be smaller than the volume of the second adhesive portion and the volume of the third adhesive portion.

[0156] In one embodiment, at least one of the modulus, strength, stiffness, and elastic recovery force of the sheet member may be higher than that of the adhesive layer.

[0157] In one embodiment, the sheet member may extend toward at least one of the second region and the third region.

[0158] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to the first region may be removed. The sheet member may be disposed in the portion where the adhesive layer has been removed.

[0159] In one embodiment, the foldable housing can rotate about a folding axis (A1, A2) through the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly. Based on the rotational movement of the foldable housing, the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the first region may be smaller than the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the second region and the third region.

[0160] In one embodiment, the flexible display may include a first folding area (240d) that connects the first area and the second area, corresponds to the first hinge assembly, and is bendable, and a second folding area (240e) that connects the first area and the third area, corresponds to the second hinge assembly, and is bendable. The first folding width (BW1) of the first folding area may be smaller than the second folding width (BW2) of the second folding area. After the first housing and the second housing are folded, the third housing may be additionally folded.

[0161] In one embodiment, the sheet member may include a first portion (601) adjacent to the first folding area and a second portion (602) adjacent to the second folding area. In a direction perpendicular to the flexible display, the thickness of the first portion may be smaller than the thickness of the second portion.

[0162] In one embodiment, the sheet member may include at least one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, nylon, metal material, and glass fiber.

[0163] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101, 200) may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230). The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display (240) comprising a first region (240a) supported by the first housing, a second region (240b) supported by the second housing, and a third region (240c) supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer (410), a second layer (420) disposed below the first layer, and an adhesive layer (430) disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, comprising a first adhesive portion (431) in which at least a portion corresponds to the first area, a second adhesive portion (432) in which at least a portion corresponds to the second area, and a third adhesive portion (433) in which at least a portion corresponds to the third area. The modulus of the first adhesive portion may be higher than the modulus of the second adhesive portion and the modulus of the third adhesive portion.

[0164] In one embodiment, the foldable housing can rotate about a folding axis (A1, A2) through the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly. Based on the rotational movement of the foldable housing, the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the first region may be smaller than the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the second region and the third region.

[0165] In one embodiment, the flexible display may include a first folding area (240d) that connects the first area and the second area and corresponds to the first hinge assembly and is bendable, and a second folding area (240e) that connects the first area and the third area and corresponds to the second hinge assembly and is bendable. The first folding width (BW1) of the first folding area is smaller than the second folding width (BW2) of the second folding area, and after the first housing and the second housing are folded, the third housing may be additionally folded.

[0166] In one embodiment, when the flexible display is viewed from above, at least a portion of the first adhesive portion may overlap with at least one of the first folding area and the second folding area.

[0167] In one embodiment, the adhesive layer may include a fourth adhesive portion (434) corresponding to the first folding area and a fifth adhesive portion (435) corresponding to the second folding area. The modulus of the fourth adhesive portion and the fifth adhesive portion may be different from the modulus of the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, and the third adhesive portion.

[0168] In one embodiment, the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion and the modulus of the fifth adhesive portion may be higher than the modulus of the second adhesive portion and the modulus of the third adhesive portion and lower than the modulus of the first adhesive portion.

[0169] In one embodiment, the modulus of the fourth adhesive portion and the modulus of the fifth adhesive portion may be lower than the modulus of the first adhesive portion and the modulus of the second adhesive portion.

[0170] In one embodiment, the modulus of the second adhesive portion may be lower than the modulus of the third adhesive portion.

[0171] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101, 200) may include a foldable housing comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230). The electronic device may include a first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may include a second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing. The electronic device may include a flexible display (240) comprising a first region (240a) supported by the first housing, a second region (240b) supported by the second housing, and a third region (240c) supported by the third housing. The flexible display may include a first layer (410), a second layer (420) disposed below the first layer, and an adhesive layer (430) disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, with at least a portion of the part corresponding to the first area removed.

[0172] In one embodiment, the foldable housing can rotate about a folding axis (A1, A2) through the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly. Based on the rotational movement of the foldable housing, the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the first region may be smaller than the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the second region and the third region.

[0173] According to various embodiments disclosed in this document, a structure can be presented that reduces the amount of slip (e.g., amount of slip) between layers (410, 420) in a first region (240a) of a flexible display (240) and induces slip between layers (410, 420) to a second region (240b) and a third region (240c) located to the left and right of the first region (240a). For example, the amount of slip between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) in the first region (240a) can be reduced by reducing the thickness or volume of the part of the adhesive layer (430) located between the first layer (410) and the second layer (420) that corresponds to the first region (240a), or by forming the modulus higher than other parts.

[0174] Accordingly, as the amount of slip between layers in the first region (240a) of the flexible display (240) is reduced, the buckling occurring in the first region (240a) can be improved, and the surface quality of the flexible display (240) can be improved.

[0175] In addition, various effects that can be identified directly or indirectly through this document may be provided.

[0176] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0177] The effects obtainable from the above disclosure can be applied in all cases where the second housing (220) is folded first with respect to the first housing (210) and then the third housing (230) is folded with respect to the first housing (210), where the third housing (230) is folded first with respect to the first housing (210) and then the second housing (220) is folded with respect to the first housing (210), and where the second housing (220) is folded in an in-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210) and the third housing (230) is folded in an out-folding manner with respect to the first housing (210).

[0178] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said 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 said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish said components from other said components and do not limit said components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order). Where any (e.g., 1st) component is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., 2nd) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0179] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, program, or other components 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.

[0180] It will be understood that the present invention considers and includes, in addition to the embodiments disclosed above, embodiments based on any two or more combinations of the disclosed embodiments and embodiments including any combination of the features disclosed herein. That is, the absence of an explicit indication that two features can be combined or two embodiments can be combined does not mean that such combination is not conceived, but should be understood as such combination being included herein.

Claims

1. In an electronic device (101, 200), A foldable housing comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230); A first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing; A second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing; and A flexible display (240) comprising a first region (240a) supported by the first housing, a second region (240b) supported by the second housing, and a third region (240c) supported by the third housing; The above flexible display is, 1st layer (410), A second layer (420) placed below the first layer, An adhesive layer (430) disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, and An electronic device comprising a sheet member (500, 600) disposed in a portion corresponding to the first region between the first layer and the second layer.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above sheet member is, An electronic device disposed on a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to the first region.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above adhesive layer is, It includes a first adhesive portion corresponding to the first region, a second adhesive portion corresponding to the second region, and a third adhesive portion corresponding to the third region. The volume of the first adhesive portion on which the sheet member is disposed is, An electronic device smaller than the volume of the second adhesive portion and the volume of the third adhesive portion.

4. In Paragraph 1, An electronic device in which at least one of the modulus, strength, stiffness, and elastic restoring force of the sheet member is higher than that of the adhesive layer.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above sheet member is, An electronic device extending toward at least one of the second region and the third region.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above adhesive layer is, At least a portion of the part corresponding to the first region is removed, and The above sheet member is, An electronic device placed in the portion where the above adhesive layer has been removed.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned foldable housing is, Rotates about the folding axis (A1, A2) through the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly, and Based on the rotational movement of the above-mentioned foldable housing, the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the first region is, An electronic device that is smaller than the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the second region and the third region.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above flexible display is, A first folding area (240d) that connects the first area and the second area, corresponds to the first hinge assembly, and is bendable, and Connecting the first region and the third region, and including a second folding region (240e) that corresponds to the second hinge assembly and is bendable, The first folding width (BW1) of the first folding area is smaller than the second folding width (BW2) of the second folding area, and An electronic device in which, after the first housing and the second housing are folded, the third housing is additionally folded.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above sheet member is, It includes a first part (601) adjacent to the first folding area and a second part (602) adjacent to the second folding area, An electronic device in which the thickness of the first part is smaller than the thickness of the second part in a direction perpendicular to the flexible display.

10. In an electronic device (101, 200), A foldable housing comprising a first housing (210), a second housing (220), and a third housing (230); A first hinge assembly (HA1) disposed between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing; A second hinge assembly (HA2) disposed between the first housing and the third housing and rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing; A flexible display (240) comprising a first region (240a) supported by the first housing, a second region (240b) supported by the second housing, and a third region (240c) supported by the third housing; The above flexible display is, 1st layer (410), A second layer (420) placed below the first layer, and The adhesive layer (430) is disposed between the first layer and the second layer to bond the first layer and the second layer, and includes a first adhesive portion (431) in which at least a portion corresponds to the first region, a second adhesive portion (432) in which at least a portion corresponds to the second region, and a third adhesive portion (433) in which at least a portion corresponds to the third region. The modulus of the first adhesive portion above is, An electronic device with a modulus higher than that of the second adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above-mentioned foldable housing is, Rotates about the folding axis (A1, A2) through the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly, and Based on the rotational movement of the above-mentioned foldable housing, the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the first region is, An electronic device that is smaller than the amount of movement of the first layer relative to the second layer in the second region and the third region.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above flexible display is, A first folding area (240d) that connects the first area and the second area, corresponds to the first hinge assembly, and is bendable, and Connecting the first region and the third region, and including a second folding region (240e) that corresponds to the second hinge assembly and is bendable, The first folding width (BW1) of the first folding area is smaller than the second folding width (BW2) of the second folding area, and An electronic device in which, after the first housing and the second housing are folded, the third housing is additionally folded.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above first adhesive portion is, An electronic device in which, when viewed from above, at least a portion overlaps with at least one of the first folding region and the second folding region.

14. In Paragraph 12, The above adhesive layer is, It includes a fourth adhesive portion (434) corresponding to the first folding area and a fifth adhesive portion (435) corresponding to the second folding area, The modulus of the fourth adhesive portion and the fifth adhesive portion is, The modulus of the first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, and the third adhesive portion, and other electronic devices.

15. In Paragraph 10, An electronic device in which the modulus of the second adhesive portion is lower than the modulus of the third adhesive portion.

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