Antenna pattern frame and mold for manufacturing electronic device case including the same

There is provided an antenna pattern frame including: a radiator comprising an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; and a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator, allowing the antenna pattern portion to be embedded in a case of the electronic device, and supporting the radiator. The radiator frame includes a hydraulic recess introducing a resin material to a mold for manufacturing a case of the electronic device in which the radiator is embedded through injection molding, so that the radiator frame contacts the mold by injection pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0017247 filed on Feb. 25, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an antenna pattern frame and a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case including the same, and more particularly, to an antenna pattern frame having a radiator on a surface thereof such that an antenna radiator is embedded in an electronic device case, and a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile communications terminals such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptop computers, which support wireless communications, are indispensable devices in modern society. Functions including CDMA, wireless LANs, GSM and DMB have been added to these mobile communications terminals. One of the most important components that enable these functions is associated with antennas.

Antennas being used in these mobile communications terminals have advanced from external antennas, such as rod antennas or helical antennas, to internal antennas that are disposed inside terminals.

External antennas are susceptible to damage by external shock, while internal antennas increase the volume of terminals.

In order to solve these problems, research has been undertaken to manufacture antennas that are formed integrally with mobile communications terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides an antenna pattern frame and a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case including the same, capable of stably fixing an antenna pattern frame to the mold for manufacturing an electronic device case so as to prevent the protrusion thereof to the exterior, and protecting an antenna connection terminal from injection liquid.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna pattern frame including: a radiator including an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; and a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator, allowing the antenna pattern portion to be embedded in a case of the electronic device, and supporting the radiator. The radiator frame includes a hydraulic recess introducing a resin material to a mold for manufacturing a case of the electronic device in which the radiator is embedded through injection molding, so that the radiator frame contacts the mold by injection pressure.

The radiator may include a connection portion forming a part of the radiator and connecting the connection terminal portion with the antenna pattern portion so that the antenna pattern portion is disposed on one side of the radiator frame and the connection terminal portion is disposed on the other side thereof, which is opposite to the one side.

The connection terminal portion may be supported by a radiator support portion protruding from the other side of the radiator frame, which is opposite to the one side thereof on which the antenna pattern portion is disposed.

The hydraulic recess may be formed in the radiator support portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna pattern frame including: a radiator including an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; and a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator, allowing the antenna pattern portion to be embedded in a case of the electronic device, and supporting the radiator. The radiator frame includes a support hole in which a support boss, formed in a mold for manufacturing a case of the electronic device in which the radiator is embedded through injection molding, is inserted so that the radiator frame contacts the mold.

The radiator may include a connection portion forming a part of the radiator and connecting the connection terminal portion with the antenna pattern portion so that the antenna pattern portion is disposed on one side of the radiator frame and the connection terminal portion is disposed on the other side thereof, which is opposite to the one side.

The connection terminal portion may be supported by a radiator support portion protruding from the other side of the radiator frame, which is opposite to the one side thereof on which the antenna pattern portion is disposed.

The support hole may be formed in the radiator support portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case, the mold including: upper and lower molds receiving an antenna pattern frame including an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal, a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device, and a radiator frame supporting the radiator; and a resin material injection portion provided through the upper mold, the lower mold, or the upper and lower molds, the resin material injection portion through which a resin material is injected into an internal space, created between the upper and lower molds when the upper and lower molds are joined, so that the antenna pattern portion of the radiator frame is embedded in a case of the electronic device. The radiator frame includes a hydraulic recess introducing a resin material into the internal space for the injection molding of the case of the electronic device, so that the radiator frame contacts the mold by injection pressure, and the electronic device case in which the radiator frame is embedded is injection-molded by the internal space.

The connection terminal portion may contact a radiator support portion protruding from an opposite side to a side on which the antenna pattern portion of the radiator frame is formed, and the lower mold may include an insertion recess receiving the radiator support portion.

The insertion recess may be greater than the radiator support portion.

The lower mold may contact one side of the antenna pattern frame, and the upper mold may create a space with the other side of the antenna pattern frame, so that a resin material is introduced into the space.

The internal space may be provided with a curve forming portion so that the electronic device case has a curved portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case, the mold including: upper and lower molds receiving an antenna pattern frame including an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal, a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device, and a radiator frame supporting the radiator; and a resin material injection portion provided through the upper mold, the lower mold, or the upper and lower molds, the resin material injection portion through which a resin material is injected into an internal space, created between the upper and lower molds when the upper and lower molds are joined, so that the antenna pattern portion of the radiator frame is embedded in a case of the electronic device. The upper mold, the lower mold or the upper and lower molds include a support boss fixing and supporting the radiator frame to the internal space; and the radiator frame includes a support hole in which the support boss is inserted so that the radiator frame contacts the mold, and the electronic device case in which the radiator frame is embedded is injection-molded by the internal space.

The connection terminal portion may contact a radiator support portion protruding from an opposite side to a side on which the antenna pattern portion of the radiator frame is formed, and the lower mold may include an insertion recess receiving the radiator support portion.

The insertion recess may be greater than the radiator support portion.

The support boss may be formed in the insertion recess.

The support boss may contact the upper mold.

The lower mold may contact one side of the antenna pattern frame, and the upper mold may create a space with the other side of the antenna pattern frame so that a resin material is introduced into the space.

The internal space may have a curve forming portion so that the electronic device case has a curved portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. While those skilled in the art could readily devise many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention through the addition, modification or deletion of elements, such embodiments may fall within the scope of the present invention.

The same or equivalent elements are referred to by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view, with a cut-away portion, of a case of a mobile communications terminal, which is an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a schematic perspective view illustrating a radiator used in manufacturing an antenna pattern frame according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view illustrating an antenna pattern frame according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 4is a rear perspective view illustrating the antenna pattern frame depicted inFIG. 3.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, a radiator250, provided with an antenna pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is embedded in the case110of a mobile communications terminal100. In order that the radiator250having the antenna pattern be embedded in the case110, an antenna pattern frame200needs to be provided such that the radiator220having the antenna pattern is formed on a radiator frame210.

The antenna pattern frame200, according to an exemplary embodiment, may include the radiator250having an antenna pattern portion210, a connection terminal portion220, and the radiator frame230.

The radiator250, formed of a conductive material such as aluminum or copper, may receive an external signal and send the received external signal to a signal processor of an electronic device such as a mobile communications terminal100. Further, the radiator250may have the antenna pattern portion210, which is a meander line antenna pattern, in order to receive external signals with various bands.

As for the radiator250, the antenna pattern portion210receiving external signals, and the connection terminal portion220contacting a circuit board of an electronic device to transmit the external signal to the electronic device may be disposed in different planes.

Moreover, the radiator250may have a three-dimensional structure by being bent such that the antenna pattern portion210and the connection terminal portion220are disposed in different planes. Here, the antenna pattern portion210and the connection terminal portion220may be connected by a connection portion256.

The connection portion256may allow the antenna pattern portion210and the connection terminal portion220to be placed in different planes, that is, on one side210aof the radiator frame230and on the other side210bthereof, respectively. The connection terminal portion220, which is not embedded in the case110of an electronic device, may be exposed to the other side210bof the antenna pattern frame200.

That is, the radiator250may be bent to provide the antenna pattern portion210, the connection terminal portion220, and the connection portion256connected therebetween. Thus, the radiator250has a three-dimensional curved shape.

In order to support the radiator250having a three-dimensional curved shape, a radiator support portion258may protrude from the other side210bof the radiator frame230.

The radiator support portion258may firmly support the connection portion256and the connection terminal portion220exposed to the other side210b.

Here, the radiator support portion258may be formed by providing a resin material to the connection portion256and one side of the connection terminal portion220in a molding process using a mold400(SeeFIG. 6) to be described later.

Here, the radiator support portion258has a support hole260formed therein. A support boss550formed in a mold500(seeFIG. 9B) is inserted into this support hole260at the time of injection molding for forming an electronic device case110, in which the radiator frame230is embedded, within the internal space540of the mold500. In such a manner, the radiator frame230is fixed and supported in the internal space of the mold500.

The antenna pattern frame200may be fitted into the internal space540by the use of the support boss550formed in the mold500, so that the degradation of transmission or reception at the connection terminal portion220is prevented.

Further, the radiator support portion258may include a hydraulic recess270having the same function as the support hole260. A resin material flows into the hydraulic recess270at the time of injection molding for forming an electronic device case110, in which the radiator frame230is embedded, within the internal space540of a mold500(seeFIG. 10B). Thus, the radiator frame230is fixed and supported in the internal space of the mold500.

The antenna pattern frame200may be fitted into the internal space540by the resin material filling the hydraulic recess270, so that the degradation of transmission or reception at the connection terminal portion220is prevented.

Both a guide pin hole252and contact pin holes254may be formed in the radiator250, and these holes will be described later.

The connection terminal portion220transmits a received external signal to an electronic device, and may be formed by bending, forming or drawing a part of the radiator250.

Moreover, the connection terminal portion220may be manufactured separately from the radiator250, and then connected to the radiator250. The connection terminal portion220may be connected to a terminal310of a circuit board300.

The radiator frame230may have a three-dimensional structure consisting of a straight portion231having a flat profile and a curved portion233with a curvature. The radiator250may have flexibility such that the radiator250can be disposed along the curved portion233of the radiator frame230.

The radiator frame230is produced by injection-molding. While the antenna pattern portion210may be formed on one side210aof the radiator frame230, the connection terminal portion220may be formed on the other side210bopposite to the one side210a.

The one side210aof the radiator frame230, on which the antenna pattern portion210is formed, is bonded to the inside of the electronic device case120, so that the antenna pattern can be embedded in the electronic device case110.

As for the structure of the radiator250embedded in the electronic device case110, the antenna pattern portion210receiving external signals and the connection terminal portion220transmitting the received external signals to the electronic device may be arranged in different planes.

FIG. 5Ais a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIGS. 3 and 4.FIG. 5Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating how a mold for manufacturing an antenna pattern frame is filled with a resin material in order to manufacture the antenna pattern frame depicted inFIG. 5A.

Referring toFIG. 5A, a guide pin hole252or contact pin holes254may be formed in the radiator250of the antenna pattern frame200according to an exemplary embodiment.

The radiator250may have the guide pin hole252in which the guide pin480of a mold400is placed so as to prevent the radiator250from moving on the radiator frame230.

The radiator250may also have the contact pin hole254in which a contact pin470of the mold400is placed so as to prevent the radiator250from moving on the radiator frame230.

The contact pin470and the guide pin480may be formed on the radiator250. After molding, the radiator frame230under the contact pin470is full, while there is a hole in the radiator frame230under the guide pin480.

The contact pin470, inserted into the contact pin hole254formed in the radiator250, serves to prevent the radiator250from moving horizontally within the mold400for manufacturing the antenna pattern frame200.

The guide pin480, inserted into the guide pin hole252formed in the radiator250, serves to prevent the radiator250from moving vertically within the mold400for manufacturing the antenna pattern frame200.

Referring toFIG. 5B, the radiator250, after provided, is disposed in the internal space450of the mold400.

The internal space450is created when an upper mold420and a lower mold410are joined. Recesses formed in the upper mold420or the lower mold410become the internal space450as the upper and lower molds420and410are joined.

When the upper mold420and the lower mold410are joined, the guide pin480, the contact pin470, or the guide pin480and the contact pin470formed on the upper or lower mold410and420are placed in or contact the guide pin hole252, the contact pin hole254or the guide pin hole252and the contact pin hole254formed in the antenna pattern portion210, so that the radiator250can be fitted into the internal space450.

The internal space450is filled with a resin material so as to form the radiator frame230allowing the antenna pattern portion210to be embedded in the electronic device case110.

A resin material injection portion440may be formed in the upper mold410, the lower mold420or the upper and lower molds410and420. The resin material injection portion440allows a resin material to be introduced into the internal space450created when the upper and lower molds410and420are joined. In such a way, the radiator frame230, allowing the antenna pattern portion210to be embedded in the electronic device case110, is formed in the internal space450.

The resin material is provided such that the radiator250is on the same level as the radiator frame230. This improves the flow of a resin material when injection molding for manufacturing the electronic device case110is performed after placing the radiator frame230into a mold for manufacturing the electronic device case110in which an antenna pattern is embedded.

In this case, the internal space450of the upper or lower mold410or420may have a curved portion, so that the radiator frame230has a curved portion.

The internal space450of the upper and lower molds410and420receives the connection terminal portion220, and may have a radiator support portion forming recess460allowing for the formation of the radiator support portion258supporting the connection terminal portion220.

The radiator support portion forming recess460is filled with the resin material introduced through the resin material injection hole440, thereby forming the radiator support portion258in the antenna pattern frame220.

Further, the upper mold410, the lower mold420or the upper and lower molds410and420may include a compression pin430on the upper mold410, the lower mold420or the upper and lower molds410and420. The compression pin430compresses the connection terminal portion220so that the connection terminal portion220contacts the support portion forming recess460.

The compression pin430may prevent the resin material from flowing under the connection terminal portion220. If a part of the connection terminal portion220is covered with an injection-molded object, an electrical connection may become unstable. The compression pin430may serve to prevent this unstable electrical connection.

In addition, the compression pin430allows for the formation of the support hole260in the antenna pattern frame200since the resin material is blocked in the portion where the compression pin430is formed.

When injection molding is performed on the electronic device case110in which the radiator frame230is embedded, a support boss550(seeFIGS. 9A and 9B), formed in the mold500(seeFIG. 9B), is inserted into the support hole260, formed by the compression pin430. Thus, the support hole260, formed by the compression pin430, serves to fix and support the radiator frame230in the inner space of the mold500(seeFIG. 9B).

FIG. 6Ais a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna pattern frame according to another exemplary embodiment.FIG. 6Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating how a resin material flows into a mold for manufacturing an antenna pattern frame.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, the antenna pattern frame200may include a hydraulic recess270. The hydraulic recess270may be formed by a hydraulic recess forming pin490formed on the upper mold410, the lower mold420or the upper and lower molds410and420.

The length of the hydraulic recess forming pin490does not need to be fixed, and may be set to be long enough to fix and support the radiator frame230within the internal space of a mold for injection molding the electronic device case110in which the radiator frame230is embedded.

FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view illustrating a case of a mobile communications terminal, which is an electronic device in which an antenna pattern radiator according to an exemplary embodiment is embedded.

Referring toFIG. 7, a case110of an electronic device (hereinafter also “electronic device case”), in which the antenna pattern radiator200according to an exemplary embodiment is embedded, may include the radiator250, the radiator frame230, and the case frame120.

A description of the radiator250and the radiator frame230, described in the above embodiment, will be omitted.

The case frame120covers one side of the radiator frame230on which the antenna pattern portion210is disposed, thereby embedding the antenna pattern potion210between the case frame120and the radiator frame230.

Further, the radiator frame230and the case frame120may be integrated without having boundaries therebetween. When the electronic device case110is viewed from the rear side, only the connection terminal portion220is exposed, while the antenna pattern portion210is unseen.

The radiator frame230, the case frame120, or the radiator frame230and the case frame120may be formed by injection molding. In particular, if the radiator frame230and the case frame120are provided as separate injection-molded units, the radiator frame230including the radiator250is bonded to the case frame120.

The case frame120is injection-molded so as to be integrated with the radiator frame230. That is, double injection molding may be performed. In detail, the radiator frame is put into the mold500and insert-injection is performed, such that the radiator frame230and the case frame120are integrated.

When the radiator frame230is put into the mold500(seeFIGS. 10A and 10B) for manufacturing an electronic device case, the guide pin hole252or the contact pin hole254formed in the radiator frame230may be coupled with a guide pin or a contact pin formed in the mold500, thereby preventing the antenna pattern frame200from moving within the mold500.

FIG. 8is a schematic view illustrating a method of manufacturing an electronic device case in which an antenna pattern radiator is embedded.

Referring toFIG. 8, the case frame120is a separate injection-molded part having a radiator receiving space115corresponding to the radiator frame230. An electronic device case110in which an antenna pattern radiator is embedded may be manufactured by bonding the radiator frame230to the radiator receiving space115.

An adhesive layer495may be formed on the surface of the radiator250of the antenna pattern frame200.

In addition, the case frame120may have a projection430, formed by a resin material introduced when the radiator frame230is embedded in the electronic device case110being injection-molded.

FIGS. 9A and 9BandFIGS. 10A and 10Bare schematic cross-sectional views illustrating how an antenna pattern radiator is inserted into a mold for manufacturing an electronic device and how a resin material is provided in order to manufacture an electronic device case according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the antenna pattern frame200may be supported and fixed, by its support hole260, in the internal space540of the mold500for manufacturing an electronic device case according to an exemplary embodiment.

The support boss260of the lower mold510, inserted into the support hole250, supports and fixes the antenna pattern frame200, thereby preventing defects caused by the protrusion of the exterior, standing against injection pressure during the injection molding, and preventing the degradation in transmission and reception at the antenna pattern portion.

The support boss260may extend to the same length as the thickness of the electronic device case110formed by the introduction of a resin material. The support boss260inserted into the support hole260may help to achieve desirable flow effects.

The support boss260is illustrated inFIG. 9as being formed on the lower mold510. However, the invention is not limited to this illustration, and the support boss260may be formed on the upper mold520.

The radiator frame230is placed in the mold500for manufacturing an electronic device case, which has the internal space therein, and a resin material is introduced thereinto, thereby integrating the radiator frame230with the electronic device case110.

The radiator frame230and the case frame120may be formed without having a boundary therebetween.

The internal space540of the mold500may include a curve forming portion525shaping the electronic device case110to have a curved portion.

Here, the lower mold510may have an insertion recess505in which the radiator support portion258of the antenna pattern frame200is inserted.

The protruding radiator support portion258is received in the insertion recess505. The insertion recess505may be greater than the radiator support portion258in order to fix the antenna pattern frame200.

The radiator support portion258is inserted into the insertion recess505, and a resin material is inserted into the remaining space therein. In such a manner, the antenna pattern frame200is integrated with the electronic device case.

A resin material injection portion530may be formed in the upper mold510, the lower mold520or the upper and lower molds510and520. The resin material injection portion530allows a resin material to be introduced into the internal space540created when the upper and lower molds510and520are joined. In such a way, the electronic device case120is formed in the internal space540.

Like the radiator250, the radiator frame230also includes a guide pin hole or a contact pin hole. The guide pin hole or the contact pin hole may be fixed to the guide pin or the contact pin formed in the mold500, so that the radiator frame230is prevented from moving within the mold500.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, the antenna pattern frame200within the mold500for manufacturing an electronic device case, according to another exemplary embodiment, may be supported and fixed in the internal space540by the hydraulic recess270.

The resin material introduced into the hydraulic recess270supports and fixes the antenna pattern frame200, thereby preventing defects caused by the protrusion of the exterior, standing against injection pressure during the injection molding and preventing the degradation in transmission and reception at the antenna pattern portion.

As the resin material flows into the hydraulic recess270, the antenna pattern frame200may be supported and fixed in the internal space540of the mold500.

As described in the above exemplary embodiments, the antenna pattern frame200within the mold500for manufacturing the electronic device case may be supported and fixed in the internal space540of the mold500by the support hole260or the hydraulic recess270, thereby preventing defects caused by the protrusion of the exterior, standing against injection pressure during the injection molding and preventing the degradation in transmission and reception at the antenna pattern portion.

As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, an antenna pattern frame and a mold for manufacturing an electronic device case including the same can prevent defects caused by the protrusion of the exterior, stand against injection pressure during the injection molding and prevent the degradation in transmission and reception at the antenna pattern portion, when an electronic device case in which an antenna radiator is embedded is injection-molded.