U.S. patent application number 13/861094 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for method of manufacturing case for mobile communications terminal, case for mobile communications terminal and mobile communications terminal having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chan Gwang An, Ki Won Chang, Sung Eun Cho, Jae Gyu Go, Chang Mok Han, Ha Ryong HONG, Dae Kyu Lee, Dae Ki Lim, Jae Suk Sung, SR..
Application Number | 20130222193 13/861094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41683905 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130222193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HONG; Ha Ryong ; et
al. |
August 29, 2013 |
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CASE FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL,
CASE FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL AND MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a case for a mobile communications
terminal, includes disposing an antenna pattern inside a mold
having a shape of a case for a mobile communications terminal, the
mold including one or more magnets, and injecting a molding
material into the mold and molding a case for a mobile
communications terminal in which the antenna pattern is embedded.
The antenna pattern is fixed by a magnetic force of the one or more
magnets formed within the mold, and prevented from being deformed
or moved while the molding material is injected.
Inventors: |
HONG; Ha Ryong; (Hwaseong,
KR) ; Go; Jae Gyu; (Yongin, KR) ; Sung, SR.;
Jae Suk; (Yongin, KR) ; Lee; Dae Kyu; (Suwon,
KR) ; Han; Chang Mok; (Cheonan, KR) ; Lim; Dae
Ki; (Seongnam, KR) ; An; Chan Gwang; (Suwon,
KR) ; Chang; Ki Won; (Suwon, KR) ; Cho; Sung
Eun; (Suwon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon
KR
|
Family ID: |
41683905 |
Appl. No.: |
13/861094 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12608847 |
Oct 29, 2009 |
8442603 |
|
|
13861094 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
343/702 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 1/243 20130101;
B29C 33/16 20130101; B29C 45/14639 20130101; H04B 1/3833 20130101;
B29L 2031/3437 20130101; B29L 2031/3456 20130101; B29C 45/14065
20130101; H01Q 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
343/702 |
International
Class: |
H01Q 1/12 20060101
H01Q001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0022050 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A case for mobile communications terminal, comprising: a body
formed by injection molding a molding material; and an antenna
pattern embedded within the molding material, wherein the antenna
pattern includes an interconnection pin extending from one surface
of the antenna pattern, the body includes at least one recessed
portion, and the at least one recessed portion is formed in a
position corresponding to the antenna pattern.
10. The case of claim 9, wherein the recessed portion reaches the
antenna pattern.
11. The case of claim 9, wherein the antenna pattern is exposed
through the recessed portion.
12. The case of claim 9, wherein the antenna pattern is formed as a
flat pressed metallic member.
13. The case of claim 9, wherein the antenna pattern includes at
least one groove corresponding to the at least one recessed
portion.
14. The case of claim 9, wherein the antenna pattern is flat and
has a shape curved along a shape of the body.
16. A mobile communications terminal, comprising: a case of claim
9; and a board disposed inside the body and electronically
connected to the antenna pattern.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2009-0022050 filed on Mar. 16, 2009, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a
case for a mobile communications terminal, a case for a mobile
communications terminal, and a mobile communications terminal
having the same, and more particularly, to a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal, by which
an antenna pattern is embedded within a terminal case using an
injection-molding process, a case for a mobile communications
terminal, and a mobile communications terminal.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Mobile communications terminals, such as cellular phones,
personal digital assistants (PDAs) and notebook computers, are
playing an increasingly important role in modern society. Recently,
terminals with a variety of functions and designs have emerged due
to the fast growing market for portable wireless terminals that
separately or commonly use multiple bands, such as CDMA, PDA, DCS
and GSM. In addition, the terminals are required to be further
diversified in function while becoming smaller, slimmer and
lighter. Therefore, techniques for reducing terminal volume while
retaining antenna functions are currently in the spotlight.
[0006] As for antenna devices, rod antennas or helical antennas
that protrude outside terminals are advantageous in terms of their
omnidirectional radiation; however, they are susceptible to damage
when dropped, thereby undermining device portability. Therefore,
studies are being conducted on in-mold antennas that are integrated
into the cases of mobile communications terminals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An aspect of the present invention provides a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal, by which
an antenna pattern is embedded in a terminal case, a case for a
mobile communications terminal, and a mobile communications
terminal having the same.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of manufacturing a case for a mobile
communications terminal, the method including: disposing an antenna
pattern inside a mold having a shape of a case for a mobile
communications terminal, the mold including one or more magnets;
and injecting a molding material into the mold and molding a case
for a mobile communications terminal in which the antenna pattern
is embedded. The antenna pattern is fixed by a magnetic force of
the one or more magnets disposed within the mold, and prevented
from being deformed or moved while the molding material is
injected.
[0009] The antenna pattern may be formed into a flat type, and may
be a pressed metallic member.
[0010] The antenna pattern may be formed into a flat type, and have
a three-dimensional shape.
[0011] The one or more magnets may be disposed above or under the
antenna pattern disposed inside the mold.
[0012] The antenna pattern may be formed into a flat type, and
include an interconnection pin extending from one surface of the
antenna pattern. The molding of the case may be performed to expose
one open end of the interconnection pin to one surface of the case
for the mobile communications terminal.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a case for a mobile communications terminal,
manufactured according to the method of manufacturing a case for a
mobile communications terminal.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a mobile communications terminal manufactured according
to the method of manufacturing a case for a mobile communications
terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views for illustrating a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for illustrating a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views for illustrating a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0020] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal
(hereinafter, also referred to as a terminal case) according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the method of manufacturing a
case for a mobile communications terminal according to this
embodiment may include disposing an antenna pattern inside a mold
(FIG. 1A); and injecting a molding material into the mold and
molding a terminal case (FIG. 1B).
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates the process of inserting a flat antenna
pattern 130 into a mold 110. The mold 110 may include a first part
111 constituting the lower part of the mold 110, a second part 112
through which a molding material is injected, and constituting the
upper part of the mold 110, and a third part 113 connected to a
molding-material storage unit through a nozzle.
[0023] The flat antenna pattern 130 may be an antenna pattern
formed by performing press-processing on a flat metallic plate. The
use of such a pressed metallic member may facilitate the production
of an antenna pattern since an excessively thin flat plate is
unnecessary. The thickness of the antenna pattern 130 only needs to
be smaller than that of the terminal case. Thus, a flat metallic
plate used in the related art may be used to form the flat antenna
pattern 130. The flat antenna pattern 130 may be implemented in
various forms realizing antenna characteristics, provided that it
has a thickness sufficient to allow for the embedding thereof into
a terminal case according to this embodiment.
[0024] The flat antenna pattern 130 may be formed into a
three-dimensional shape. In this embodiment, the antenna pattern
may be implemented by being inserted into a case for a mobile
communications terminal. Accordingly, the flat antenna pattern may
be formed into a three-dimensional shape according to the curves or
the like of the terminal case. In this way, the process of
manufacturing the mobile communications terminal can be
performed.
[0025] In this process, the flat antenna pattern 130 may be
inserted between the first part 111 and the second part 112 of the
mold 110. The flat antenna pattern 130 may be fixed by protrusions
141 and 142 formed on the mold 110. In this embodiment, the
protrusions 141 and 142 maybe inserted to holes formed in the
antenna pattern 130, respectively.
[0026] According to this embodiment, a magnet 120 may be disposed
within the mold 110. The magnet 120 may fix the antenna pattern
130, inserted into the mold 110, with its magnetic force. The
protrusions 141 and 142 formed inside the mold 110 may serve to
prevent the horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 130, while the
magnet 120 serves to prevent the vertical motion of the antenna
pattern 130.
[0027] FIG. 1B illustrates the process of injecting a molding
material into the mold 110 and molding the terminal case.
[0028] In this process, in the state in which all the parts of the
mold 110 are joined together and fixed under constant pressure, a
molding material may be injected into the space of the mold 110
through a nozzle under constant pressure. The molding material may
be a polymer-based material for forming a terminal case. After the
space between the second part 112 and the first part 111 of the
mold 110 is filled with the molding material injected into the mold
110, the mold 110 may be maintained under constant pressure.
[0029] When the molding material is injected into the mold 110, if
the antenna pattern 130, disposed inside the mold 110, moves
vertically or horizontally or deforms due to the fluidity of the
molding material, this may impair antenna characteristics. In this
embodiment, the horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 130 can be
prevented due to the protrusions 141 and 142 inside the mold 110.
Furthermore, since the magnet 120, disposed within the mold 110,
fixes the antenna pattern 130 with its magnetic force, the antenna
pattern 130 can be prevented from being deformed as it is pushed by
the molding material.
[0030] The molding material, after being injected into the mold
110, is cooled down, cured (hardened) and processed, thereby
forming a case 150 for a mobile communications terminal, into which
the antenna pattern 130 is embedded.
[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
injection-molding process is used to form the antenna pattern
within the case for a mobile communications terminal, and the
magnet is formed within the mold to thereby prevent the motion or
deformation of the antenna pattern.
[0032] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views illustrating of a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the method of manufacturing a
mobile communications terminal according to this embodiment, may
include disposing an antenna pattern inside a mold (FIG. 2A), and
injecting a molding material into the mold and molding a terminal
case (FIG. 2B).
[0034] FIG. 2A illustrates the process of inserting an antenna
pattern 230 into a mold 210. The mold 210 may include a first part
211 constituting the lower part of the mold 210, a second part 212
through which a molding material is injected, and constituting the
upper part of the mold 210, and a third part 213 connected to a
molding-material storage unit through a nozzle.
[0035] The flat antenna pattern 230 may be an antenna pattern
formed by performing press-processing on a flat metallic plate. The
use of such a pressed metallic member may facilitate the production
of an antenna pattern since an excessively thin flat plate is
unnecessary. In this embodiment, the thickness of the antenna
pattern 230 only needs to be smaller than that of the terminal
case. Thus, a flat metallic plate used in the related art may be
used to form the flat antenna pattern 230. The flat antenna pattern
230 may be implemented in various forms realizing antenna
characteristics, provided that it has a thickness allowing for the
embedding thereof into the terminal case according to this
embodiment.
[0036] In this process, the flat antenna pattern 230 may be
inserted between the first part 211 and the second part 212 of the
mold 210. The flat antenna pattern 230 may be fixed by protrusions
241 and 242 formed in the mold 210. In this embodiment, the
protrusions 241 and 242 may be inserted into holes formed in the
antenna pattern 230.
[0037] Magnets 221 and 222 may be disposed within the mold 210 used
in this embodiment. The magnets 221 and 222 may fix the antenna
pattern 230 inserted into the mold 210 with their magnetic force.
In this embodiment, since the magnets 221 and 222 are respectively
disposed under and above the antenna pattern 230 inserted into the
mold 210, the magnetic force of the first and second magnets 221
and 222 is applied to the antenna pattern 230, thereby fixing the
antenna pattern 230.
[0038] The protrusions 241 and 242 formed in the mold 210 may serve
to prevent the horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 230, while
the magnets 221 and 222 may serve to prevent the vertical motion of
the antenna pattern 230.
[0039] FIG. 2B illustrates the process of injecting a molding
material into the mold 210 and molding a terminal case.
[0040] In this process, in the state in which all the parts of the
mold 210 are joined together and fixed under constant pressure, a
molding material may be injected into the space of the mold 210
through a nozzle under constant pressure. The molding material may
be a polymer-based material for forming a terminal case. After the
space between the second part 212 and the first part 211 of the
mold 210 is filled with the molding material injected into the mold
210, the mold 210 may be maintained under constant pressure.
[0041] When the molding material is injected into the mold 210, if
the antenna pattern 230 disposed inside the mold 210 moves
vertically or horizontally or deforms due to the fluidity of the
molding material, this may impair antenna characteristics. In this
embodiment, the horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 230 can be
prevented due to the protrusions 241 and 242 inside the mold 210.
Furthermore, since the ma.sub.gnets 221 and 222, disposed within
the mold 210, fixes the antenna pattern 230 with its magnetic
force, the antenna pattern 230 can be prevented from being deformed
as it is pushed by the molding material.
[0042] The molding material, after being injected into the mold
210, is cooled down, cured (hardened) and processed, thereby
forming a case 250 for a mobile communications terminal, into which
the antenna pattern 230 is embedded.
[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first
and second magnets for fixing the antenna pattern are disposed
under and above the antenna pattern, within the mold 210 used to
form a case for a mobile communications terminal into which the
antenna pattern is embedded. This prevents the motion or
deformation of the antenna pattern at the time of molding.
[0044] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating of a method of
manufacturing a case for a mobile communications terminal according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the method of manufacturing a
case for a mobile communications terminal according to this
embodiment, may include disposing an antenna pattern inside a mold
(FIG. 3A), and injecting a molding material into a mold and molding
a terminal case (FIG. 3B).
[0046] FIG. 3A illustrates the process of inserting a flat antenna
pattern 330 into a mold 310. The mold 310 may include a first part
311 constituting the lower part of the mold 310, a second part 312
through which a molding material is injected, and constituting the
upper part of the mold 310, and a third part 313 connected to a
molding-material storage unit through a nozzle.
[0047] The flat antenna pattern 330 may be an antenna pattern
formed by performing press-processing on a flat metallic plate. The
use of such a pressed metallic member may facilitate the production
of an antenna pattern since an excessively thin flat plate is
unnecessary. In this embodiment, the thickness of the antenna
pattern 330 only needs to be smaller than that of the terminal
case. Thus, a flat metallic plate used in the related art may be
used to form the flat antenna pattern 330. The flat antenna pattern
330 may be implemented in various forms realizing antenna
characteristics, provided that it has a thickness allowing for the
embedding thereof into the terminal case according to this
embodiment.
[0048] In this process, the flat antenna pattern 330 may be
inserted between the first part 311 and the second part 312 of the
mold 310. The flat antenna pattern 330 may be fixed by protrusions
341 and 342 formed in the mold 310. In this embodiment, the
protrusions 341 and 342 may be inserted into holes formed in the
antenna pattern 330.
[0049] According to this embodiment, the antenna pattern 330 may
include an interconnection pin 331 extending from one surface of
the antenna pattern 330. The interconnection pin 331 may be used
for an electrical connection between a board disposed inside a body
of a mobile communications terminal and the antenna pattern
embedded within the terminal case.
[0050] A magnet 320 may be disposed within the mold 310 used in
this embodiment. The magnet 320 may fix the antenna pattern 330
inserted into the mold 310 with its magnetic force. The protrusions
341 and 342 formed in the mold 310 may serve to prevent the
horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 330, while the magnet 320
serves to prevent the vertical motion of the antenna pattern
330.
[0051] FIG. 3B illustrates the process of molding a terminal case
by joining all the parts of the mold 310 together and injecting a
molding material thereinto.
[0052] In this process, in the state in which all the parts of the
mold 310 are joined and fixed under constant pressure, a molding
material may be injected into the space of the mold 310 through a
nozzle under constant pressure. The molding material may be a
polymer-based material for forming a terminal case. After the space
between the second part 312 and the first part 311 of the mold 310
is filled with the molding material injected into the mold 310, the
mold 310 may be maintained under constant pressure.
[0053] When the molding material is injected into the mold 310, if
the antenna pattern 330, disposed inside the mold 310, moves
vertically or horizontally or deforms due to the fluidity of the
molding material, this may impair antenna characteristics. In this
embodiment, the horizontal motion of the antenna pattern 330 can be
prevented due to the protrusions 341 and 342 inside the mold 310.
Furthermore, since the magnet 320, disposed within the mold 310,
fixes the antenna pattern 330 with its magnetic force, the antenna
pattern 330 can be prevented from being deformed as it is pushed by
the molding material.
[0054] In the injection-molding process of this embodiment, one
open end of the interconnection pin 331 extending from the antenna
pattern 330 maybe exposed to one surface of a terminal case
350.
[0055] The molding material, after being injected into the mold
310, is cooled down, cured (hardened) and processed, thereby
forming the terminal case 350 for a mobile communications terminal,
into which the antenna pattern 330 is embedded.
[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
antenna pattern including the interconnection pin can be embedded
within the terminal case using the injection-molding process.
Accordingly, an additional space for the antenna pattern can be
reduced, thereby contributing to reducing the size of a mobile
communications terminal. Furthermore, since the antenna pattern is
fixed by the magnet during the injection-molding process, the
deformation of the antenna pattern can be prevented.
[0057] As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of
the invention, the antenna pattern can be embedded within a case
for a mobile communications terminal, which is advantageous in
miniaturization and the prevention of the deformation or motion of
the antenna pattern during the injection-molding process.
[0058] While the present invention has been shown and described in
connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *