Abstract:
A method of making a housing includes providing a substrate having an opening, providing a plurality of metal sheets, providing a plurality of non-conductive members, and bonding the metal sheets together through the non-conductive members, forming a metal sheets member, placing the metal sheets member in the opening, bonding the metal sheets member with the substrate through the non-conductive members, and removing excess parts of the substrate to form the housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a division application of U.S. patent application entitled “HOUSING; ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING SAME, AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME” with application Ser. No. 14/692217, filed on Apr. 21, 2015 and having the same assignee as the instant application. 
         [0002]    This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410847159.7 filed on Dec. 31, 2014, and claims priority to U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 14/692217, filed on Apr. 21, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The subject matter herein generally relates to a housing, an electronic device using the housing, and a method for making the housing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Metal housings are widely used for electronic devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Antennas are also important components in electronic devices. However, the signals of the antenna located in the metal housing are often shield by the metal housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a housing of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the housing shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the housing along line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, isometric view of a circled portion V shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a method for making a housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
         [0013]    The term “comprising” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like. The term “coupled” when utilized, means “either a direct electrical connection between the things that are connected, or an indirect connection through one or more passive or active intermediary devices, but not necessarily limited to”. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. The electronic device  100  can be, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant or a tablet computer. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device  100  can be a mobile phone. The electronic device  100  includes a body  10 , a housing  30  assembled to the body  10 , and an antenna  50  located inside the body  10 . 
         [0015]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in at least one exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  can be a back cover of the electronic device  100 . The housing  30  includes a substrate  31 , at least one metal sheet  33  and a plurality of non-conductive members  35 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  includes a plurality of metal sheets  33 . 
         [0016]    The substrate  31  can have a desired three dimensional shape. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a cross section of the substrate  31  is substantially “U” shaped, such that the substrate  31  has a receiving space  300  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0017]    The receiving space  300  can cooperate with the body  10  to receive internal elements of the electronic device  100 , such as the antenna  50 , a battery (not shown) and so on. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates that the substrate  31  has at least one opening  310  aligning with the antenna  50 . The substrate  31  can be separated by the opening  310 , and forming at least two main bases  311 , in at least one exemplary embodiment, the main bases  311  can be separated from each other. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the main bases  311  can be connected with each other by an end of the opening  310 . The substrate  31  can be made of a metal which can be selected from a group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnalium and stainless steel. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the metal sheets  33  and the non-conductive members  35  can be positioned in the opening  310 . The metal sheets  33  and the non-conductive members  35  can be alternately arranged in the opening  310 . For example, the non-conductive members  35  are respectively positioned between two adjacent metal sheets  33 , such that the metal sheets  33  can be bonded with each other through the non-conductive members  35 , forming a metal sheets member  330 . The metal sheets member  330  can be bonded with the main bases  311  through the non-conductive members  35 , and each main base  311  is dielectrically connected with one metal sheet  33  adjacent to the main base  311 . 
         [0020]    Each metal sheet  33  has a width of about  0 . 1  mm to about  1 . 0  mm along a direction from an adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at one side of a metal sheet  33  to another adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at an opposite side of the metal sheet  33 . The metal sheet  33  can be made of a metal which can be selected from a group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnalium and stainless steel. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , each non-conductive member  35  includes two adhesive layers  351  and an insulative member  353 , the two adhesive layers  351  can be formed on two opposite surfaces of the insulative member  353 . Each main base  311  can also bond with the metal sheet  33  adjacent to the main base  311  though the adhesive layer  351 . The adhesive layers  351  can be made of an adhesive, such as an epoxy resin. The insulative members  353  can support the non-conductive members  35 , such that the non-conductive members  35  can be firmly bonded with the metal sheets  33  and the main bases  311 . The insulative member  353  can be made of a resin which can be selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyformaldehyde (POM), polypheylene ether (PPE), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBTP). It should be understood that each non-conductive member  35  may include a single adhesive layer  351 . The adhesive layers  351  are respectively located between two adjacent metal sheets  33 , and between each main base  311  and one metal sheet  33  adjacent to the main base  311 . Each non-conductive member  35  has a width of about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm along a direction from an adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at one side of the metal sheet  33  to another adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at an opposite side of the metal sheet  33 , such that each space between the two adjacent metal sheet  33  and each space between the main base  311  and the metal sheet  33  adjacent to the main base  311  can both have a width of about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm along a direction from an adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at one side of the metal sheet  33  to another adjacent non-conductive member  35  located at an opposite side of the metal sheet  33 . As the location of the antenna  50  corresponds to the opening  310 , such that signals of the antenna  50  can pass through the spaces and the non-conductive member  35 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3 and 5  illustrate that one end of each main base  311  has a lateral surface  3111 , each metal sheet  33  has two opposite lateral surfaces  331 . The lateral surface  3111  has a plurality of holes  3113 , the lateral surfaces  331  also have a plurality of holes  3311 , the holes  3113 ,  3311  have a diameter of about 1 nm to about 1 mm. 
         [0023]    The diameter of the holes  3113  formed on the main bases  311  can gradually decrease along a direction extending away from the main base  311 . The diameter of the holes  3311  formed on the metal sheets  33  can gradually decrease along a direction extending away from the metal sheets  33 . Each non-conductive member  35  has a plurality of ribs  355  corresponding to the holes  3113 ,  3311 , the ribs  355  can be engaged in the holes  3113 ,  3311 , such that the non-conductive members  35  can be strongly bond with the main bases  311  and the metal sheets  33 . 
         [0024]    When the housing  30  is assembled to the body  10 , the metal sheets member  330  aligns with the antenna  50 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, the main bases  311  can be coupled with the antenna  50 , and the main bases  311  can be a part of the antenna  50 , signals of the antenna  50  can pass through the non-conductive member  35 , such that the antenna  50  can have a high radiaton efficiency. 
         [0025]    In alternative embodiments, the main base  311  is not coupled with the antenna  50 , such that the main base  311  is not used as a part of the antenna  50 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart is presented in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The method  600  is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method  600  described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , for example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining method  600 . Each block shown in  FIG. 6  represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines carried out in the method  600 . Furthermore, the order of blocks is illustrative only and the order of the blocks can change. Additional blocks can be added or fewer blocks can be utilized, without departing from this disclosure. The method  600  can begin at block  601 . 
         [0027]    At block  601 , a substrate  31  is provided. The substrate  31  can be made by casting, punching, or computer number control technology (CNC). The substrate  31  can be made of a metal which can be selected from a group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnesium and stainless steel. 
         [0028]    At block  602 , a plurality of metal sheets  33  is provided. Each metal sheet  33  has two opposite lateral surfaces  331 . The metal sheets  33  can be made by casting, punching, or computer number control technology (CNC). The metal sheets  33  can be made of a metal which can be selected from a group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnalium and stainless steel. 
         [0029]    At block  603 , at least one opening  310  is formed by cutting the substrate  31 , the opening  310  aligns with an antenna  50 . The substrate  31  can be spaced by the opening  310 , and forming at least two main bases  311 , in at least one exemplary embodiment, the main bases  311  can be spaced from each other. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the opening  310  does not completely separate the substrate  31  such that the main bases  311  can be connected with each other by at least one end of the opening  310 . Each main base  311  has a lateral surface  3111 . 
         [0030]    At block  604 , a plurality of holes  3113  is formed on the lateral surface  3111 , a plurality of holes  3311  is also formed on the lateral surfaces  331  of the metal sheets  33 . The holes  3113  and  3311  can be formed by a dipping process, an electrochemical etching process, a chemical etching process, or an anodic oxidation process. The holes  3113  and  3311  are irregular and have a diameter of about 1 nm to about 1 mm. The diameter of the holes  3113  formed on the main base  311  can gradually decrease along a direction extending away from the main base  311 . The diameter of the holes  3311  formed on the metal sheets  33  can gradually decrease along a direction extending away from the metal sheets  33 . 
         [0031]    At block  605 , a plurality of insulative members  353  is provided. The insulative members  353  are substantially sheet shaped and can be a resin film which can be selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyformaldehyde (POM), polypheylene ether (PPE), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBTP). 
         [0032]    At block  606 , a metal sheets member  330  is formed by bonding the metal sheets  33  with the insulative members  353 . The metal sheets member  330  can be made by either of the following methods: 
         [0033]    In a first method, each lateral surface  331  of the metal sheet  33  can be coated with adhesive, and the insulative members  353  can be respectively placed between two adjacent metal sheets  33  having the adhesive, then the metal sheets  33  having the adhesive and the insulative members  353  can be dried in an oven at a temperature of about  150 ° C., the drying time can last for about  40  minutes. During the drying process, the insulative members  353  can be melted, then the melted insulative members  353  can be solidified to bond with the metal sheets  33  having the adhesive, forming the metal sheets member  330 . The adhesives formed on the lateral surfaces  3111  can be defined as adhesive layers  351 . 
         [0034]    In a second method, the insulative members  353  can be respectively formed on one lateral surface  331  of each metal sheet  33  by the adhesive layers  351 . Each metal sheet  33  coated with the insulative member  353  can bond with one lateral surface  331  of the metal sheet  33  uncoated with the insulative member  353  through the adhesive layers  351 , forming the metal sheets member  330 . 
         [0035]    At block  607 , the metal sheets member  330  is bonded with the main bases  311 . The lateral surface  3111  of each main base  311  facing the opening  310  and two opposite surface of the metal sheets member  330  can be coated with adhesive, one insulative member  353  can be located in each space between each main base  311  and the metal sheets member  330 , then the main bases  311 , the metal sheets member  330  and the insulative members  353  can be dried in an oven at a temperature of about 150° C., the drying time can last for about 40 minutes, such that the main bases  311 , the metal sheets member  330  and the insulative members  353  can bond together. The metal sheets member  330  is located in the opening  310 . 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that during the block  606 , adhesive can be engaged in the holes  3113 ,  3311 , forming the ribs  3115 ,  3313 . 
         [0037]    At block  608 , the substrate  31  is surface treated, such that the substrate  31  can have an entire metal appearance. The surface treatment can be a polish process, a surface drawing process, or a grinding process. 
         [0038]    At block  609 , a decorative layer (not shown) can be formed on an outer surface of the substrate  31 , such that the substrate  31  can have a good appearance, and the decorative layer can protect the substrate  31  from being damaged. The decorative layer can be formed through a spraying process, a physical vapor deposition process or an anodic oxidation process. 
         [0039]    At block  610 , an ink layer (not shown) is formed on the decorative layer, the ink layer can protect the decorative layer from being damaged. 
         [0040]    At block  611 , useless parts of the substrate  31  are removed by a CNC process. 
         [0041]    At block  612 , the ink layer is removed from the substrate, forming the housing  30 . 
         [0042]    It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of assembly and function, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.