Glass screen film applicator and carrier module thereof

A glass screen film applicator includes a carrier, a positioning member integrally formed as a one-piece structure, and a clamping mechanism fastened to the carrier. The carrier includes a mounting slot and an accommodating trough, and the accommodating trough includes a rail hole recessed in a bottom thereof. The positioning member includes an L-shaped structure and a plurality of positioning pillars extending from the L-shaped structure, and the L-shaped structure has a positioning corner arranged on an inner side thereof. The clamping mechanism includes a holder and a moving unit. The holder and the positioning corner respectively clamp two diagonal corners of a mobile device by the moving unit, and the positioning pillars allow the glass screen film structure to be disposed on and aligned with the mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a film applicator; in particular, to a glass screen film applicator and a carrier module thereof.

Description of Related Art

A conventional mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) is usually attached with a glass screen film on a screen thereof, thereby preventing the screen from being scratched. However, since a film attaching process of the glass screen film and the screen is achieved by a user's observation, the glass screen film cannot be accurately adhered onto the screen due to observation error or finger jitter. That is to say, the glass screen film and the screen easily have an offset, so that the glass screen film needs to be torn off and abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a glass screen film applicator and a carrier module thereof to solve the inadequacies associated with a film attaching process of conventional glass screen film and a mobile device.

The present disclosure provides a glass screen film applicator, which includes a carrier, a positioning member, and a clamping mechanism. The carrier includes a mounting slot and an accommodating trough. The carrier defines a longitudinal direction and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the accommodating trough includes a rail hole recessed in a bottom thereof and parallel to the longitudinal direction. The positioning member is integrally formed as a one-piece structure and is mounted in the mounting slot. The positioning member includes an L-shaped structure and a plurality of positioning pillars extending from the L-shaped structure and arranged in a row parallel to the longitudinal direction. The L-shaped structure has a positioning corner arranged on an inner side thereof. Each of the positioning pillars is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and the positioning corner has two lateral walls parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, respectively. The clamping mechanism includes a holder and a moving unit. A part of the moving unit is arranged in the carrier, and another part of the moving unit passes through the rail hole and is connected to the holder. The moving unit is configured to move the holder for adjusting a relative position between the holder and the positioning corner, and the positioning pillars are configured for positioning a glass screen film structure. When a mobile device is disposed on the carrier, the holder and the positioning corner are configured to respectively clamp two diagonal corners of the mobile device, and the positioning pillars are configured to allow the glass screen film structure to be disposed on and aligned with the mobile device.

The present disclosure also provides a carrier module of a glass screen film applicator, and the carrier module includes a carrier and a positioning member. The carrier includes a mounting slot and an accommodating trough. The carrier defines a longitudinal direction and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the accommodating trough includes a rail hole recessed in a bottom thereof and parallel to the longitudinal direction. The positioning member is integrally formed as a one-piece structure and is mounted in the mounting slot. The positioning member includes an L-shaped structure and a plurality of positioning pillars extending from the L-shaped structure and arranged in a row parallel to the longitudinal direction. The L-shaped structure has a positioning corner arranged on an inner side thereof. Each of the positioning pillars is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and the positioning corner has two lateral walls parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, respectively. The positioning corner is configured to abut against a corner of a mobile device, and the positioning pillars are configured to position a glass screen film structure.

In summary, for the glass screen film applicator and the carrier module provided by the present disclosure, since the L-shaped structure and the positioning pillars are integrally formed as a one-piece structure, the relative position of the positioning pillars and the positioning corner of the L-shaped structure can be effectively maintained. Therefore, the glass screen film structure sleeving around the positioning pillars and the mobile device abutted against the positioning corner can have a more accurate relative position therebetween.

In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the present disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the present disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, and should not be construed as restricting the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

References are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the present disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and should not be construed as restricting the scope of the present disclosure.

First Embodiment

Reference is made toFIGS. 1 to 11, which illustrate a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 6, the present embodiment discloses a glass screen film applicator100for accurately aligning a glass screen film structure300with a screen of a mobile device200(e.g., a smart phone). It should be noted that the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment is not applied to a soft screen film.

The glass screen film structure300includes a glass screen film, a release film attached to an adhesive surface of the glass screen film, and an aligning film attached to a protective surface of the glass screen film that is provided without viscosity. The glass screen film of the present embodiment means a hard screen film, and the material of the glass screen film is not limited by glass. In other words, the glass screen film of the present embodiment can be any materials other than glass.

The glass screen film applicator100includes a carrier1, a positioning member2and a clamping mechanism3both fastened to the carrier1, and an abutting block4disposed on the positioning member2(and the carrier1). The carrier1, the positioning member2, and the abutting block4in the present embodiment can be jointly defined as a carrier module (not labeled), and the carrier module in the present embodiment cooperates with the clamping mechanism3, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the carrier module can be independently used or can cooperate with other mechanisms.

As shown inFIGS. 7 to 9, the carrier1in the present embodiment is formed by connecting an upper housing1ato a lower housing1b, the functional design of the carrier1is mainly formed on the upper housing1a, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. To facilitate a better understanding of the present embodiment, the carrier1defines a longitudinal direction L, a width direction W, and a height direction H, which are perpendicular to each other. The height direction H in the present embodiment is parallel to a connecting direction of the upper housing1aand the lower housing1b.

The carrier1includes a carrying surface11and an L-shaped retaining wall12arranged on an outer portion of the carrying surface11. The carrying surface11is configured to bear a back surface of the mobile device200. The carrying surface11is in a substantially rectangular shape having a chamfer111, and the chamfer111is arranged adjacent to, and preferably facing towards, an inner corner of the L-shaped retaining wall12, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The carrier1includes a mounting slot13and an accommodating trough14. In the present embodiment, the mounting slot13is recessed from the inner edge of the L-shaped retaining wall12to the chamfer111of the carrying surface11, and the mounting slot13is in a substantial L-shape. The accommodating trough14is configured to accommodate any electronic component (e.g., a camera or a flash lamp) protruding from the back surface of the mobile device200. The accommodating trough14is recessed in a portion of the carrying surface11arranged not connected to the chamfer111. An area of the accommodating trough14is substantial 50% of an area of the carrying surface11, a length of the accommodating trough14is substantial 50% of a length of the carrying surface11, and a width of the accommodating trough14is substantial 90% of a width of the carrying surface11, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Moreover, the accommodating trough14includes two rail holes141recessed in a bottom thereof and parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The two rail holes141are arranged adjacent to the mounting slot13. In the present embodiment, the number of the rail holes141is two, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the accommodating trough14can include at least one rail hole141.

The carrier1is recessed to form a stepped portion15parallel to the longitudinal direction L and arranged in the mounting slot13. In the present embodiment, the stepped portion15is in an elongated shape, a long edge of the stepped portion15(i.e., a top edge of the stepped portion15as shown inFIG. 8) is connected to a long edge of the carrying surface11, and a short edge of the stepped portion15(i.e., a right edge of the stepped portion15as shown inFIG. 8) is connected to the chamfer111of the carrying surface11.

The positioning member2is integrally formed as a one-piece structure, and is preferably manufactured by processing a metallic material. In other words, a hardness of the positioning member2is preferably larger than that of the carrier1(e.g., the carrier1can be made of plastic), thereby preventing the positioning member2from being deformed to affect the positioning accuracy between the glass screen film300and the mobile device200, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The positioning member2is mounted in the mounting slot13of the carrier1. The positioning member2includes an L-shaped structure21, a reinforcing sheet22connected to an inner edge of the L-shaped structure21, and a plurality of positioning pillars23extending from the L-shaped structure21and arranged in a row parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In the height direction H, a lower portion of the L-shaped structure21and the reinforcing sheet22are not higher than the carrying surface11of the carrier1, that is, not protruding out of the carrying surface11, and an upper portion of the L-shaped structure21and the positioning pillars23extending therefrom are higher than the carrying surface11of the carrier1. In the present embodiment, the L-shaped structure21of the positioning member2is in substantial complementation with the L-shaped retaining wall12of the carrier1. That is to say, an outer surface of the L-shaped structure21is flush with that of the L-shaped retaining wall12, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Specifically, the L-shaped structure21has a positioning corner211arranged on an inner side of the L-shaped structure21, and the positioning corner211has two lateral walls2111,2112respectively parallel to the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W. In other words, the positioning corner211is of a substantial right angle and is arranged adjacent to the chamfer111of the carrier1. When the mobile device200is disposed on the carrying surface11of the carrier1, the positioning corner211in the present embodiment is configured to abut against a corner of the mobile device200. Moreover, the L-shaped structure21includes a receiving groove212parallel to the longitudinal direction L and arranged adjacent to the stepped portion15, and when the mobile device200is disposed on the carrying surface11of the carrier1, the receiving groove212is configured to accommodate at least one button arranged on a lateral side of the mobile device200. In the present embodiment, the receiving groove212is recessed in a lateral surface of the L-shaped structure21facing the accommodating trough14(or the clamping mechanism3), and is arranged adjacent to the stepped portion15. The receiving groove212is preferably recessed from an end of the L-shaped structure21, which is distant from the positioning corner211, to the lateral wall2111of the positioning corner211, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The reinforcing sheet22is connected to the two lateral walls2111and2112of the positioning corner211, thereby increasing the structural strength of the positioning corner211. The reinforcing sheet22is in complementation with the chamfer111of the carrier1. In the present embodiment, an oblique edge of the reinforcing sheet22is substantially aligned with that of the chamfer111, and an outer surface of the reinforcing sheet22is coplanar with the carrying surface11of the carrier1, so that the back surface of the mobile device200can be flatly disposed on the carrying surface11of the carrier1and the reinforcing sheet22.

Each of the positioning pillars23in the present embodiment is parallel to the height direction H, and is formed by integrally extending from a surface of the L-shaped structure21(e.g., a top surface of the L-shaped structure21as shown inFIG. 7) facing away from the lower housing1bof the carrier1, so that the positioning pillars23can be used to position the glass screen film structure300for maintaining the relative position between the glass screen film structure300and the positioning corner211.

In more detail, a portion of the L-shaped structure21(i.e., a left portion of the L-shaped structure21as shown inFIG. 3) arranged beside the positioning corner211in the width direction W is preferably provided with at least one of the positioning pillars23, and a portion of the L-shaped structure21(i.e., a right portion of the L-shaped structure21as shown inFIG. 3) arranged adjacent to the rail holes141can be provided without any one of the positioning pillars23, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Since the L-shaped structure21, the reinforcing sheet22, and the positioning pillars23in the present embodiment are integrally formed as a one-piece structure, the positioning corner211of the L-shaped structure21and the reinforcing sheet22can provide movement restrictions in longitudinal direction L, the width direction W, and the height direction H to the mobile device200, and the relative position of the positioning pillars23, the positioning corner211of the L-shaped structure21, and the reinforcing sheet22can be effectively maintained. Therefore, a more accurate relative position between the glass screen film structure300sleeving around the positioning pillars23and the mobile device300abutted against the positioning corner211(and the reinforcing sheet22) can be attained.

The abutting block4is movably disposed on the receiving groove212of the positioning member2and the stepped portion15of the carrier1, and the abutting block4is movable along the receiving groove212and the stepped portion15, so that when the mobile device200is disposed on the carrying surface11of the carrier1, the abutting block4is configured to abut against the lateral side of the mobile device200. In other words, the position of the butting block4can be adjusted according to the position of the button of the mobile device200, thereby allowing that the button of the mobile device200is arranged in the receiving groove212and the lateral side of the mobile device200is abutted against the abutting block4.

Specifically, the abutting block4includes a sliding portion41and an abutting portion42connected to an end of the sliding portion41. The sliding portion41is slidably inserted into the receiving groove212, and a lower part of the abutting portion42is disposed on the stepped portion15and is limited by (or sandwiched between) the L-shaped structure21and the stepped portion15, thereby preventing the abutting block4from being rotated when moving. An upper part of the abutting portion42protrudes from the carrying surface11of the carrier1for abutting against the lateral side of the mobile device200. Moreover, a surface of the abutting block4for abutting against the lateral side of the mobile device200is preferably coplanar with the lateral wall2111of the positioning corner211.

As shown inFIGS. 6, 10, and 11, the clamping mechanism3includes a moving unit31, a holder32connected to the moving unit31, and a supporting member33detachably fastened to the holder32. A part of the moving unit31is arranged in the carrier1, and another part of the moving unit31passes through the rail holes141and is connected to the holder32. Accordingly, the moving unit31is configured to move the holder32for adjusting a relative position between the holder32and the positioning corner211. When the mobile device200is disposed on the carrying surface11of the carrier1, the holder32and the positioning corner211are configured to respectively clamp two diagonal corners of the mobile device200, so that the glass screen film structure300sleeving around the positioning pillars23can be disposed on and aligned with the mobile device200.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the moving unit31in the present embodiment includes a rail member311, a sliding member312, and an elastic member (not shown). The rail member311is disposed in the carrier1. The sliding member312is slidably disposed on the rail member311and partially protrudes from the carrier1via the rail holes141. The elastic member is connected to the sliding member312so as to allow that the sliding member312moves toward the positioning corner211.

As shown inFIGS. 6, 10, and 11, the holder32includes a longitudinal holding member321fixed on the moving unit31(e.g., the sliding member312) and a transverse holding member322movably connected to the longitudinal holding member321. The longitudinal holding member321and the transverse holding member322are movable along the longitudinal direction L via the moving unit31(e.g., the longitudinal holding member321and the transverse holding member322are moved by moving the sliding member312along the rail member311), and the transverse holding member322is movable along the width direction W relative to the longitudinal holding member321. Moreover, the longitudinal holding member321is preferably provided with an elastic member (not labeled) for allowing that the transverse holding member322moves toward the receiving groove212relative to the longitudinal holding member321.

Specifically, the longitudinal holding member321includes a seat3211fastened to the moving unit31(e.g., the sliding member312) and a longitudinal holding portion3212fixed to the seat3211. The longitudinal holding portion3212is preferably parallel to the width direction W. In other words, the longitudinal holding portion3212faces the lateral wall2112of the positioning corner211.

The transverse holding member322includes a slider3221slidably disposed on the seat3211and a transverse holding portion3222fixed on the slider3221. The transverse holding portion3222is preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the transverse holding portion3222faces the receiving groove212. The longitudinal holding portion3212and the transverse holding portion3222jointly define a corner obliquely facing the positioning corner212.

Moreover, the transverse holding member322is spaced apart from the carrier1, and the transverse holding portion3222is hung over the carrier1. In other words, the transverse holding portion3222is spaced apart from the bottom of the accommodating trough14by a distance.

The supporting member33is detachably fastened to the slider3221of the transverse holding member322, and a part of the supporting member33is arranged between the transverse holding portion3222and the bottom of the accommodating trough14, thereby preventing the transverse holding member322from offsetting relative to the carrier1.

Accordingly, when the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment is used to position the mobile device200, the positioning corner211, the abutting block4, and the holder3of the glass screen film applicator100respectively abut against three corners of the mobile device200, thereby firmly positioning the mobile device200on the carrier1through the three-points positioning manner.

Second Embodiment

Reference is made toFIGS. 12 to 15, which illustrate a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment resides in that the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment further includes a height adjustment assembly5.

Specifically, the height adjustment assembly5is fastened to the carrier1and is arranged adjacent to the L-shaped structure21(or the positioning pillars23). The height adjustment assembly5in the present embodiment includes a first pivotal structure51and a second pivotal structure52cooperating with the first pivotal structure51. A height position of the glass screen film structure300held on the glass screen film applicator100can be adjusted by the first pivotal structure51and/or the second pivotal structure52, so that the glass screen film applicator100can be applied to mobile devices200having a different thickness.

The first pivotal structure51is fastened to the carrier1and is arranged adjacent to the positioning pillars23. The first pivotal structure51includes a first fastening portion511and a first sheet512connected to the first fastening portion511. The first fastening portion511is fastened to and rotatable relative to the carrier1. The first fastening portion511in the present embodiment is a pivotally rotatable structure, but the structure of the first fastening portion511in the present disclosure can be changed according to design requirements.

Moreover, the first sheet512in the present embodiment is in an elongated shape parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The first sheet512has a plurality of first thru-holes513arranged along the longitudinal direction L. The first thru-holes513respectively correspond in position to the positioning pillars23. Each of the first thru-holes513in the present embodiment is larger than a cross section of each of the positioning pillars23.

In addition, when the first fastening portion511is rotated to place the first sheet512on the L-shaped structure21, the positioning pillars23formed on the L-shaped structure21respectively pass through the first thru-holes513for positioning the glass screen film structure300(as show inFIG. 15).

The second pivotal structure52is fastened to the carrier1and is arranged adjacent to the first pivotal structure51. The second pivotal structure52includes a second fastening portion521and a second sheet522connected to the second fastening portion521. The second fastening portion521is fastened to and rotatable relative to the carrier1. The second fastening portion521in the present embodiment is a pivotally rotatable structure, but the structure of the second fastening portion521in the present disclosure can be changed according to design requirements.

Moreover, the second sheet522in the present embodiment is in an elongated shape parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The second sheet522has a plurality of second thru-holes523arranged along the longitudinal direction L. The second thru-holes523respectively correspond in position to the positioning pillars23. Each of the second thru-holes523in the present embodiment is larger than a cross section of each of the positioning pillars23.

In addition, when the first sheet512is placed on the L-shaped structure21and the second fastening portion521is rotated to place the second sheet522on the first sheet512, the positioning pillars23formed on the L-shaped structure21respectively pass through the second thru-holes523. In other words, each of the positioning pillars23sequentially passes through the corresponding first thru-hole513and the corresponding second thru-hole523.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 15, the second sheet522and the first sheet512can clamp a portion of the glass screen film structure300sleeving around the positioning pillars23, thereby effectively maintaining the relative position of the glass screen film structure300and the mobile device200. Moreover, the glass screen film structure300can be disposed on the second sheet522stacked on the first sheet512, and sleeving around the top portion of each of the positioning pillars23passing through the second sheet522, so that the glass screen film applicator100can be applied to the mobile devices200having a larger thickness. Accordingly, the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment can be applied to the mobile device200of at least three different thicknesses.

In the present embodiment, the glass screen film applicator100is provided with the first pivotal structure51and the second pivotal structure52, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the height adjustment assembly5can further includes a third pivotal structure, or the height adjustment assembly5can only include the first pivotal structure51.

Third Embodiment

Reference is made toFIGS. 16 to 18, which illustrate a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, and the difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment resides in that the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment further includes a retainer6and corresponding structure of the carrier1.

Specifically, the carrier1has an elongated hole112recessing in the carrying surface11and parallel to the width direction W. The elongated hole112faces a substantial middle portion of the chamfer111in the width direction W. In other words, the elongated hole112is arranged apart from the accommodating trough14. Moreover, the carrier1includes an inner rail portion16arranged therein and corresponding in positioning to the elongated hole112.

The retainer6is movably connected to the carrier1by passing through the elongated hole112and is arranged apart from the accommodating trough14. In the present embodiment, the retainer6includes a moving portion61, an elastic member62, and a retaining portion63. The moving portion61is movably arranged in the carrier1and is slidable along the inner rail portion16. The elastic member62is arranged in the carrier1, and the elastic member62connects the moving portion61and an inner portion of the carrier1that is under the reinforcing sheet22. The retaining portion63is fastened to the moving portion61by passing through the elongated hole112and not in contact with the carrying surface11. In other words, the retaining portion63is substantially arranged out of the carrier1.

Moreover, the elastic member62is configured to pull the moving portion61and the retaining portion63toward the lateral wall2111of the positioning corner211parallel to the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, when the glass screen film applicator100of the present embodiment is used to position the mobile device200, the positioning corner211, the abutting block4, the holder3, and the retainer6of the glass screen film applicator100respectively abut against four corners of the mobile device200, thereby firmly positioning the mobile device200on the carrier1through the four-points positioning manner.

Technical Effects of the Present Embodiments

In summary, the present disclosure provides a glass screen film applicator and a carrier module having technical features including that, since the L-shaped structure, the reinforcing sheet, and the positioning pillars are integrally formed as a one-piece structure, the positioning corner of the L-shaped structure and the reinforcing sheet can provide movement restrictions in longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the height direction to the mobile device, and the relative position of the positioning pillars, the positioning corner of the L-shaped structure, and the reinforcing sheet can be effectively maintained. Therefore, the glass screen film structure sleeving around the positioning pillars and the mobile device abutted against the positioning corner (and the reinforcing sheet) can have a more accurate relative position therebetween.

The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; however, the characteristics of the present disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alterations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure delineated by the following claims.