Electronic device housing and manufacturing method thereof

An electronic device housing includes a bottom housing, a support frame, a display panel, and a side frame. The bottom housing includes a base plate and four sidewalls extending from a periphery of the base plate. The support frame is welded to the sidewalls of the bottom housing. The support frame is received in the bottom housing and made up of at least two support plates, two ends of each are welded to ends of the adjacent support plates. The support frame forms at least two welding lines at joints of the at least two support plates, and each welding line corresponds to a middle portion of one sidewall. The display panel is positioned on the support frame sandwiched between the support frame and the side frame. The side frame is connected to a top edge of the bottom housing.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic device housings, and more particularly, to an electronic device housing manufactured by welding.

2. Description of Related Art

A typical electronic device housing includes a bottom housing, a side frame, and a display panel. The display panel is positioned on the side frame. The side frame includes four support boards. Two ends of each support board are joined to the ends of the adjacent support board by welding, and form welding lines therebetween at corners of the electronic device. An outer periphery of the side frame is welded to the bottom housing. However, after welding, a welding portion between the side frame and the bottom housing may generate weld marks, thus deteriorating device appearance. Moreover, upon impact, the display screen and side frame are easily damaged due to insufficient structural strength at the corners of the side frame.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, an embodiment of an electronic device housing30includes a bottom housing31, a support frame32, a display panel33, and a side frame34. The support frame32is welded in the bottom housing31. The display panel33is positioned on the support frame32. The side frame34is connected to a top edge of the bottom housing31.

Referring also toFIG. 3, the bottom housing31includes a base plate311and four sidewalls312. The base plate311is substantially rectangular. Each sidewall312is a curved wall and extends from a periphery of the base plate311. An end of each sidewall312away from the base plate311extends inward such that ends of the four sidewalls312cooperatively define a neck313(seeFIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom housing31is metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or their alloys.

The support frame32is substantially a rectangular frame and securely received in the bottom housing31. The supporting frame32includes at least two support plates321. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame32includes four support plates321. Each of the support plates321is substantially L-shaped. Two ends of each support plate321are welded to the ends of the adjacent support plates321, respectively. As a result, the support frame32forms four welding lines323at joints of the four support plates321, and each welding line323corresponds to a middle portion of one sidewall312. It should be pointed out that the support frame32may include two or more support plates321rather than four, such as two support plates321which are U-shaped, as long as each welding line323is at a middle portion of one sidewall312of the support frame32. Referring toFIG. 3, each support plate321forms an angled portion325in an edge thereof adjacent to the sidewall312. The support frame32is metal such as aluminum.

The display panel33is a touch panel. The side frame34is substantially rectangular in this embodiment. The side frame34is plastic.

A manufacturing method for the electronic device housing30is as follows. First, the bottom housing31, four support plates321, the display panel33, and the side frame34are provided. Four support plates321are then positioned in the bottom housing31from the neck313, the ends of each resist the ends of the adjacent support plates321, and a connecting portion of two adjacent support plates321correspond to the center of one sidewall312. The connecting portions of the support plates321are welded by a laser (not shown) to form the supporting frame32, thereby forming a receiving groove35(seeFIG. 3) between the sidewalls312of the bottom housing31and the angled portions322of the support plates321. A connecting portion of the bottom housing31and the support frame32is welded by a laser (not shown) along a transverse axis of the support frame32, in which some welding slag will fill in the receiving groove35. The connecting portion of the bottom housing31and the support frame32is then milled by a cutter (not shown). Finally, the display panel33is positioned on the support frame32and the side frame34is adhered to the top edge of the bottom housing31, such that the display panel33is sandwiched between the support frame32and the side frame34.

The support frame32is welded in the bottom housing31so the electronic device housing30exhibits a favorable appearance. The display panel33is positioned between the support frame32and the side frame34, and the side frame34can form a decorative pattern.

The four support plates321are positioned in the bottom housing31through the neck313. The four support plates321are then welded together to form the support frame32received in the bottom housing31and larger than the neck313, which is thereby capable of being manufactured together with the bottom housing31, simplifying manufacture of the electronic device housing30.

When the electronic device housing30is subjected to external force, for example, a drop, four corners of the electronic device housing30absorb more external force, such that the force on the welding lines323is relative small, thereby protecting the support frame32and the display panel33from damage.

It should be appreciated that the support plates321may be first welded to the sidewalls12at the same height, then welded together to form the support frame32. In addition, cushion blocks may be positioned between the support frame32and the display panel33, thereby preventing the display panel33from damage by external force.