US 11,726,530 B2
Foldable electronic device including hinge assembly
Jaeho Kang, Gyeonggi-do (KR); and Minsung Lee, Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/109,602.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2019-0158437 (KR), filed on Dec. 2, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0165466 A1, Jun. 3, 2021
Int. Cl. E05D 11/10 (2006.01); E05D 3/06 (2006.01); G06F 1/16 (2006.01); H04B 1/3827 (2015.01); H04M 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1681 (2013.01) [H04B 1/3833 (2013.01); H04M 1/0268 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foldable device comprising:
a housing including a first housing and a second housing;
a hinge structure coupled with the first housing and the second housing and accommodated in a hinge housing; and
a flexible display accommodated in the first housing and the second housing;
wherein the hinge structure includes:
a first bracket coupled with the first housing and configured to rotate about a first axis;
a second bracket coupled with the second housing and configured to rotate about a second axis;
a first support member coupled with the first bracket, and including a first support rib protruding from one region of the first support member;
a second support member coupled with the second bracket and including a second support rib protruding from one region of the second support member;
a third support member at least partially disposed between the first support member and the second support member; and
a stopper;
and
an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is in contact with one region of the stopper and is arranged such that the elastic member is deformed while the third support member is moved in a first direction opposite to the hinge housing by the first support rib of the first support member and the second support rib of the second support member, while the foldable device is being changed from a folded state to an unfolded state,
wherein the third support member is configured to support at least one region of the flexible display when the foldable device is in the unfolded state, and
wherein the third support member is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the elastic restoration force of the elastic member, while the foldable device is being changed from the unfolded state to the folded state.