	US 11,956,378 B2
	Electronic device including torque structure
Jaeho Kang, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/526,373.
Application 17/526,373 is a continuation of application No. PCT/KR2021/015890, filed on Nov. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2020-0154908 (KR), filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0159109 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01); H04M 1/02 (2006.01)

CPC H04M 1/022 (2013.01) [G06F 1/1616 (2013.01); G06F 1/1652 (2013.01); G06F 1/1681 (2013.01); H04M 1/0268 (2013.01)]

24 Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing; and

a hinge structure connected to the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing rotates about a first axis of rotation parallel to a first axial direction and the second housing rotates about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axial direction,

wherein the first housing and the second housing form an angle,

wherein the hinge structure includes:

a first arm shaft configured to operate based on rotation of the first housing, the first arm shaft being parallel to the first axial direction;

a second arm shaft configured to operate based on rotation of the second housing, the second arm shaft being parallel to the first axial direction; and

a torque structure,

wherein the torque structure includes:

first cam structures disposed on the first arm shaft, wherein at least one of the first cam structures linearly moves in the first axial direction along the first arm shaft;

a first elastic member configured to be compressed or uncompressed by at least one of the first cam structures;

second cam structures disposed on the second arm shaft, wherein at least one of the second cam structures linearly moves in the first axial direction along the second arm shaft; and

a second elastic member configured to be compressed or uncompressed by at least one of the second cam structures,

wherein the torque structure is configured to:

provide a first friction torque in a fully folded state;

provide a third friction torque greater than the first friction torque in a free stop section defined between the fully folded state and a flat state; and

provide a second friction torque independently of the angle in a first section defined between the fully folded state and the free stop section, and

wherein the second friction torque is greater than the first friction torque and less than the third friction torque.