US 12,356,569 B2
Electronic device for moving flexible printed circuit board along support plate during unfolding operation
Youngsun Lee, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Sep. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/903,405.
Application 17/903,405 is a continuation of application No. PCT/KR2022/011093, filed on Jul. 28, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0102111 (KR), filed on Aug. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0040036 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. H05K 5/02 (2006.01); F16C 11/04 (2006.01); H04M 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 5/0226 (2013.01) [F16C 11/04 (2013.01); H04M 1/022 (2013.01); H04M 1/0237 (2013.01); H04M 1/0268 (2013.01); H04M 1/0277 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foldable electronic device configured to move a flexible printed circuit board along a support plate during an unfolding operation, the electronic device comprising:
a hinge;
a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the hinge;
a display disposed in the first housing and the second housing and deformable based on movement of the first housing and the second housing; and
the flexible printed circuit board provided at an inside of the first housing and the second housing,
wherein the hinge comprises:
a hinge body;
a pair of first support plates connected to the first housing and rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a first rotation axis;
a pair of second support plates connected to the second housing and rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a second rotation axis;
a first slider positioned between the pair of first support plates, slidable along the first support plate and configured to support one side of the flexible printed circuit board;
a second slider positioned between the pair of second support plates, slidable along the second support plate and configured to support the other side of the flexible printed circuit board;
a first circuit board disposed on the first slider; and
a second circuit board disposed on the second slider;
wherein the flexible printed circuit board is connected to the first circuit board and the second circuit board.
 
16. A foldable electronic device comprising a hinge supporting a flexible printed circuit board, the electronic device comprising:
a hinge comprising:
a hinge body;
a pair of support plates rotatably connected to the hinge body;
a slider positioned between the pair of support plates, slidable along the support plate and configured to support the flexible printed circuit board;
a connecting part configured to connect the support plate to a connecting plate; and
a first circuit board disposed on the slider, configured to connect the flexible printed circuit board.
 
20. A foldable electronic device configured to move a flexible printed circuit board along a support plate during an unfolding operation, the electronic device comprising:
a hinge;
a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to the hinge;
a display disposed in the first housing and the second housing and deformable based on movement of the first housing and the second housing; and
the flexible printed circuit board provided at an inside of the first housing and the second housing,
wherein the hinge comprises:
a hinge body;
a pair of first support plate connected to the first housing and rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a first rotation axis;
a pair of second support plate connected to the second housing and rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a second rotation axis;
a first slider positioned between the pair of first support plates, slidable along the first support plate and configured to support one side of the flexible printed circuit board;
a second slider positioned between the pair of second support plates, slidable along the second support plate and configured to support the other side of the flexible printed circuit board;
a first connecting part configured to connect the first support plate to the first slider;
a second connecting part configured to connect the second support plate to the second slider;
a first guide plate rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a third rotation axis and configured to support the first slider;
a second guide plate rotatably connected to the hinge body based on a fourth rotation axis and configured to support the second slider; and
a first circuit board disposed on the first slider; and
a second circuit board disposed on the second slider;
wherein the flexible printed circuit board is connected to the first circuit board and the second circuit board.