Patent Description:
The housing of a mobile electronic device is often manufactured by machining a metallic material. In this respect, the housing is generally made of metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, which has high workability. Recently, demands for a housing capable of providing a new appearance are increasing, and a change of the metallic material of the housing is required correspondingly. For example, the housing may contain two or more metallic materials.

The shape of the housing may be formed by pressing a thin metal plate by a press process.

However, a thin metal plate cannot provide sufficient strength to form a structure, such as a rib or a boss, in a housing. Therefore, a housing may further include a separate bracket having an internal structure formed thereon. In this case, a minute gap may be formed between a part forming a surface of a housing and a part forming an internal structure, but such a structure may be disadvantageous to heat dissipation performance. Furthermore, when a part forming a surface of a housing and a part forming an internal structure are made of different metallic materials, heat dissipation performance may be further deteriorated.

Known in the art is <CIT>, which discloses is a mobile terminal comprising: a housing including a rear case positioned on a rear surface thereof and a side case positioned on a side surface thereof; a display unit disposed on a front surface of the housing; a window glass covering the front surfaces of the display unit and the housing; a main board mounted inside the housing; and a wireless communication unit, mounted on the main board, for processing a radio signal, wherein the side case includes a first metal part and a second metal part formed in a layered structure and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the first metal part and the housing, wherein the first metal part and the second metal part extend to a first side surface of the housing and to at least a portion of a second side surface and a third side surface located on the right and left sides of the first side surface, wherein at least one of the first metal part and the second metal part is connected to the wireless communication unit to transmit and receive an RF signal.

Also known in the art is <CIT> which discloses a mobile terminal having a conductive case which forms an external appearance of a terminal body, according to the present invention, comprises: a rear base which comprises a first side part; and an inner case which is mounted on the inside of the rear case and comprises a second side part, wherein the first side part and the second side part are electrically separated from each other, and the first side part and the second side part comprise a first conductive member and a second conductive member which are electrically separated from each other. Thus, it is possible to provide various forms of antennas by using a plurality of conductive members provided on the side parts.

Otherwise known in the art are: <CIT>, which relates to an electronic device and method for making the same; <CIT>, which relates to a mobile phone middle plate with sectional outer frame; <CIT>, which relates to a front frame, mobile terminal comprising it and manufacturing method thereof; <CIT>, which relates to a terminal; <CIT>, which relates to and electronic device and method of manufacturing housing of the same; and <CIT>, which relates to a structural support for portable electronic devices.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device according to appended claim <NUM> or appended claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modification, equivalent, and/or alternative on the various embodiments described herein may be variously made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a front side of an electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a rear side of the electronic device <NUM>, according to the embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that includes a first surface (or a front surface) 110A, a second surface (or a rear surface) 110B, and side surfaces 110C that surround a space between the first surface 110A and the second surface 110B. In another embodiment, a housing may refer to a structure that forms some of the first surface 110A, the second surface 110B, and the side surfaces 110C of <FIG>. The first surface 110A may be formed of a first plate <NUM>, at least a portion of which is substantially transparent (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate that includes various coating layers). The second surface 110B may be formed of a second plate <NUM> that is substantially opaque. The second plate <NUM> may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, a polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two thereof. The side surfaces 110C may be formed of a side member (or a side bezel structure) <NUM> that is combined with the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> and that contains metal and/or a polymer. The first plate <NUM> and the side member <NUM> may be integrally formed with each other and may contain the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum).

The first plate <NUM> may include, at opposite long edges thereof, two first areas 110D that curvedly and seamlessly extend toward the second plate <NUM> from the first surface 110A. The second plate <NUM> may include, at opposite long edges thereof, two second areas 110E that curvedly and seamlessly extend toward the first plate <NUM> from the second surface 110B. In some embodiments, the first plate <NUM> (or the second plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first areas 110D (or the second areas 110E). Some of the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E may not be included. When viewed from a side of the electronic device <NUM>, the side member <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) at sides not including the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E and may have a second thickness less than the first thickness at sides including the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E.

The electronic device <NUM> may include at least one or more of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, key input devices <NUM>, light emitting elements <NUM>, and connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one component (e.g., the key input devices <NUM> or the light emitting elements <NUM>) among the aforementioned components, or may additionally include other component(s).

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a large portion of the first plate <NUM>. At least part of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the first plate <NUM> that forms the first surface 110A and the first areas 110D of the side surfaces 110C. The edge of the display <NUM> may be formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the adjacent periphery of the first plate <NUM>. A gap between the periphery of the display <NUM> and the periphery of the first plate <NUM> may be substantially constant to expand the area by which the display <NUM> is exposed.

Recesses or openings may be formed in a portion of a screen display area of the display <NUM>, and the electronic device <NUM> includes the audio module <NUM>, the sensor modules <NUM>, the camera modules <NUM>, and the light emitting elements <NUM> that are aligned with the recesses or the openings. The electronic device <NUM> may include, on a rear surface of the screen display area of the display <NUM>, at least one or more of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor modules <NUM>, the camera modules <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and the light emitting elements <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be combined with, or disposed adjacent to, touch detection circuitry, a pressure sensor for measuring an intensity (pressure) of a touch, and/or a digitizer for detecting a stylus pen of a magnetic type. At least a part of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least a part of the key input devices <NUM> may be disposed in the first areas 110D and/or the second areas 110E.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the microphone hole <NUM> and the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>. A microphone for obtaining a sound from the outside may be disposed in the microphone hole <NUM>, and a plurality of microphones may be disposed in the microphone hole <NUM> to sense the direction of a sound. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include the external speaker hole <NUM> and the receiver hole <NUM> for a telephone call. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented with one hole, and a speaker (e.g., a piezoelectric speaker) may be included without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or a data value that corresponds to an operational state inside the electronic device <NUM> or an environmental state outside the electronic device <NUM>. The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or the second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) that is disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>, and/or the third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor) and/or the fourth sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) that is disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed not only on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM>) but also on the second surface 110B. The electronic device <NUM> may further include a sensor module, e.g., at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, the illuminance sensor <NUM>, etc..

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 110A of the electronic device <NUM>, and the second camera device <NUM> and/or the flash <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B. The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (an IR camera lens, a wide angle lens, and a telephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input devices <NUM> may be disposed on the side surfaces 110C of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may not include all or some of the aforementioned key input devices <NUM>, and the key input devices <NUM> not included may be implemented in different forms such as soft keys on the display <NUM>. The key input devices <NUM> may include the sensor module <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>.

The light emitting elements <NUM> may be disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>. The light emitting elements <NUM> may provide, for example, state information of the electronic device <NUM> in the form of light. The light emitting elements <NUM> may provide a light source that operates in conjunction with operation of the camera module <NUM>. The light emitting elements <NUM> may include a light emitting diode (LED), an IR LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first connector hole <NUM> in which a connector (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data with an external electronic device is received, and/or the second connector hole <NUM> (e.g., an earphone jack) in which a connector for transmitting and receiving audio signals with an external electronic device is received.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a side member <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one component (e.g., the first support member <NUM> or the second support member <NUM>) among the aforementioned components, or may additionally include other component(s). At least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as, or similar to, at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, and repetitive descriptions are omitted here.

The first support member <NUM> may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM> and may be connected with the side member <NUM>, or may be integrally formed with the side member <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material and/or a nonmetallic material (e.g., a polymer material). The first support member <NUM> may have one surface to which the display <NUM> is coupled and an opposite surface to which the printed circuit board <NUM> is coupled. The printed circuit board <NUM> may have a processor, a memory, and/or an interface mounted thereon. The processor may include one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

The memory may include a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory.

The interface may include a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a USB interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface, for example, may electrically or physically connect the electronic device <NUM> with an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, an SD card/multimedia card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM> may be a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a primary cell that is not rechargeable, a secondary cell that is rechargeable, or a fuel cell. At least part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the printed circuit board <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed in the electronic device <NUM> and may be disposed so as to be detachable from the electronic device <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may include a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna <NUM> may perform short range communication with an external device, or may wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging. An antenna structure may be formed by the side member <NUM> and/or part of the first support member <NUM>, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and a side view from one end of the electronic device <NUM>, respectively, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the side member <NUM> may contain a first metallic material, a second metallic material, or a polymer material.

The side member <NUM> may include a plate structure <NUM> and a frame structure <NUM> that surrounds the periphery of the plate structure <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> may be integrally formed with each other, or may be assembled as separate members.

The frame structure <NUM> may include first parts 201a that extend a first length, second parts 201b that extend a second length longer than the first length, and third parts 201c formed between the first parts 201a and the second parts 201b.

The frame structure <NUM> may form the side surfaces of the electronic device <NUM>. The plate structure <NUM> may form a part of an arrangement space in which a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) and a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) are arranged.

The side member <NUM> may include a first metal part <NUM> containing the first metallic material, a second metal part <NUM> containing the second metallic material, and a polymer part <NUM> containing the polymer material.

The frame structure <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. The plate structure <NUM> may include the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. <FIG> described below in greater detail illustrate sectional views taken along lines 5a-5a and 5b-5b.

Referring to <FIG>, the side surfaces of the electronic device <NUM> that the frame structure <NUM> forms may include metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM> and metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM> formed by the first metal part <NUM> and polymer areas <NUM> formed by the polymer part <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may have holes <NUM> at least partially formed through the frame structure <NUM>. The polymer part <NUM> may be formed in the holes <NUM>.

The frame structure <NUM> may include a first edge <NUM> adjacent to a first plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM> of <FIG>) and a second edge <NUM> adjacent to a second plate (e.g., the second plate <NUM> of <FIG>). The polymer areas <NUM> may extend from the first edge <NUM> to the second edge <NUM> to segment the first metal part <NUM> into metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM> and metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM> and metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically insulated from each other.

A metal part (e.g., metal area <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>-<NUM>) that is insulated by the polymer areas <NUM> may form an antenna.

Although <FIG> illustrates an example where the polymer areas <NUM> are formed in the first part 201a of the frame structure <NUM>, the side member <NUM> disclosed herein or the housing including the side member <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the polymer areas <NUM> may be formed in the second part 201b of the frame structure <NUM>, or may be formed in both the first part 201a and the second part 201b.

<FIG> are sectional views of the side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrate sectional views taken along lines 5a-5a and 5b-5b illustrated in <FIG>, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include the first plate <NUM> facing a first direction, the second plate <NUM> facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the side member <NUM> surrounding the interior space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may include the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> that extends from the frame structure <NUM> to a space <NUM> between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> (e.g., the interior space of the housing).

The frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may structurally include an outer surface <NUM> forming the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM> directed toward the interior space, seating areas <NUM> that are formed between the outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> and on which waterproof members <NUM> are seated, and recess areas <NUM> that are formed between the seating areas <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> and in which the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are received.

The waterproof members <NUM> may be disposed between the display <NUM> and the frame structure <NUM> and between the second plate <NUM> and the frame structure <NUM>. However, the electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein does not necessarily include the waterproof members <NUM>, and the waterproof members <NUM> may be omitted (e.g., waterproof coating layers may be formed on the frame structure <NUM>). In this case, the second plate <NUM> or the display <NUM> may be directly seated on the seating area <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM>.

The first metallic material contained in the first metal part <NUM> may include an alloy containing at least one of titanium and stainless steel. The first metallic material may include an amorphous metallic material.

The second metallic material contained in the second metal part <NUM> may include an alloy containing at least one of aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and copper.

The second metallic material may include a metallic material having higher workability than the first metallic material. The second metallic material may include a metallic material having higher thermal conductivity than the first metallic material. The second metallic material may include a metallic material having higher density than the first metallic material.

The polymer material contained in the polymer part <NUM> may include at least one of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybutylene terephtalate (PBT), polyimide (PI), and polycarbonate (PC).

The first part 201a, shown in <FIG>, of the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> extend from the first part 201a. The first part 201a of the frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM>, and the polymer part <NUM>.

The hole <NUM> may be formed in the first part of the frame structure <NUM> (e.g., the first part 201a of <FIG>). The hole <NUM> may extend toward the interior space <NUM> of the housing from the outer surface <NUM>, but may not completely pass through the first part 201a. The hole <NUM> may pass through the part formed of the first metal part <NUM> and the part formed of the second metal part <NUM> and may pass through a portion of the part formed of the polymer part <NUM>.

The hole <NUM> is not limited to being formed in only the first part (e.g., the first part 201a of <FIG>) and may be formed in the second part (e.g., the second part 201b of <FIG>).

The first metal part <NUM> may form the outer surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> and a portion of each recess area <NUM>. The first metal part <NUM>, together with the second metal part <NUM>, may form the recess areas <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may be formed between the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may form a portion of each recess area <NUM>.

The polymer part <NUM> may form the inner surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> that extends from the inner surface <NUM> to the space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>. The polymer part <NUM> may form the seating areas <NUM>. For example, the polymer part <NUM> forming the seating areas <NUM> may absorb impacts applied to the display <NUM>, the first plate <NUM>, or the second plate <NUM>.

The second part 201b of the frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may form a portion of each recess area <NUM> and the seating areas <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may form the inner surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> that extends from the inner surface <NUM> to the space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The second part 201b of the frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may further include the polymer part <NUM> that forms the seating area <NUM> on which the display <NUM> or the plate is seated. The polymer part <NUM> may absorb impacts applied to the display <NUM>, the first plate <NUM>, or the second plate <NUM>.

An interface <NUM> may be formed between the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may be formed by bonding the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> together. The interface <NUM> may be formed to be a substantially flat surface. The interface <NUM> may be formed to be a flat surface that faces a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

The interface <NUM> may be advantageous for the transfer of heat conducted through the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> because the interface <NUM> is formed to be a flat surface. For example, heat generated from the interior of the electronic device <NUM> may be transferred from the second metal part <NUM> to the first metal part <NUM> through the interface <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be a compound including the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> and may have a lower thermal conductivity than the part formed of only the first metal part <NUM> and the part formed of only the second metal part <NUM>. Accordingly, the smaller the area of the interface <NUM>, the more advantageous it is for the interface <NUM> to conduct heat. To this end, the interface <NUM> may preferably be formed to be a flat surface.

The interface <NUM> may be formed in various positions between the outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be formed in a position where the interface <NUM> is capable of providing sufficient bonding force between the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>, as well as thermal conductivity. For example, the smaller the area of the interface <NUM>, the more advantageous it is for the interface <NUM> to conduct heat, whereas the bonding force between the metal parts <NUM> and <NUM> may be lowered.

When considering only thermal conductivity, an interface having the smallest area may be formed across the recess area <NUM> in which the first plate <NUM> is received and the recess area <NUM> in which the second plate <NUM> is received. However, the interface having the area may not provide sufficient bonding force between the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>.

Accordingly, the interface <NUM> may be formed in an appropriate position in consideration of the area by which the interface <NUM> is capable of providing sufficient bonding force between the metal parts <NUM> and <NUM> and the area by which the interface <NUM> is capable of providing high thermal conductivity.

The side member <NUM> may further include an adhesive layer formed between the part formed of the second metal part <NUM> and the part formed of the polymer part <NUM>. The adhesive layer may prevent moisture from infiltrating the plate structure <NUM> through the gap between the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. The adhesive layer may provide a waterproof function of preventing moisture from infiltrating the plate structure <NUM> on which a printed circuit board having electronic parts mounted thereon is disposed.

The adhesive layer may include an organic adhesive layer containing at least one of triazine thiol, dithiopyrimidine, or a silane compound.

<FIG> are sectional views of the side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM> may form the exterior of the side member <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may be surrounded by the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM>. Accordingly, the interface <NUM> formed by the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may not be exposed outside the side member <NUM>.

The first metal part <NUM> may form the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, and the second metal part <NUM> may be formed in the direction toward the interior of the housing with respect to the first metal part <NUM>. The polymer parts <NUM> may be formed on the surfaces of the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> and may form the exterior of the side member <NUM> (e.g., the seating areas <NUM> of <FIG>).

The side member <NUM> may further include adhesive layers <NUM> for preventing foreign matter infiltrating the housing.

The adhesive layers <NUM> may bond the polymer parts <NUM> to the second metal part <NUM>.

The adhesive layers <NUM> may be formed between the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM>. The adhesive layers <NUM> may be formed by coating the surfaces of the second metal part <NUM> with an adhesive material containing at least one of triazine thiol, dithiopyrimidine, or a silane compound. For example, the adhesive layers <NUM> may contain an organic adhesive material capable of preventing moisture from infiltrating the housing.

The adhesive layers <NUM> may be formed between the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM> and between the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may include a waterproof structure for preventing moisture from infiltrating the housing.

The waterproof structure may include the interface <NUM> that is surrounded by the polymer parts <NUM> and is not exposed outside the side member <NUM>. Accordingly, moisture may be prevented from infiltrating between the metal parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The side member <NUM> includes the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM>.

The waterproof structure may include the adhesive layers <NUM> formed at the interfaces between the metal parts <NUM> and <NUM> and the polymer parts <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the side member <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM>, and the polymer part <NUM>. The first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may form the interface <NUM>.

The waterproof member <NUM> may be disposed on the side member <NUM>. The waterproof member <NUM> may be disposed on the surface of the part formed of the first metal part <NUM>. The waterproof member <NUM> may be disposed outside with respect to the interface <NUM>. That is, the edge formed by the surface of the first metal part <NUM> and the surface of the second metal part <NUM> may be formed in a direction toward the interior space <NUM> of the housing with respect to the waterproof member <NUM>.

The waterproof member <NUM> may form a waterproof space together with the first plate <NUM> or the second plate <NUM>, and the interface <NUM> may be formed in the waterproof space. Accordingly, moisture may be prevented from infiltrating the interface <NUM>.

The waterproof member <NUM> may be disposed on the surface of the side member <NUM> to cover the interface <NUM>.

A coating layer <NUM> may be formed on the surface of the side member <NUM>. The coating layer <NUM> may be formed by coating the surface of the side member <NUM> with a coating solution. The coating layer <NUM> may be formed on the surface of the side member <NUM> to cover the interface <NUM>. Accordingly, the coating layer <NUM> may prevent moisture from infiltrating the interface <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> formed by the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may be subject to galvanic corrosion when exposed to a corrosion environment in the atmosphere. The first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may be corroded due to the corrosion at the interface <NUM>. The corrosion may be exposed outside the electronic device <NUM> through the first metal part <NUM>. To prevent the galvanic corrosion, the interface <NUM> may be covered with the polymer part <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>), or may be covered with the coating layer <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>). Alternatively, the edge of the interface <NUM> that is exposed on the surface of the side member <NUM> may be formed in the waterproof space formed by the waterproof member <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>). The side member <NUM> includes the display <NUM>, the frame structure <NUM>, and the plate structure <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and a side view from one end of the electronic device <NUM>, respectively, respectively, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the side member <NUM> may contain a first metallic material, a second metallic material, and a polymer material.

The frame structure <NUM> may include first parts 301a that extend a first length, second parts 301b that extend a second length longer than the first length, and corner parts 301c formed between the first parts 301a and the second parts 301b.

The frame structure <NUM> may form the side surfaces of the electronic device <NUM>. The plate structure <NUM> may form a part arrangement space in which a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) and a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) are arranged.

The frame structure <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM>, and/or the polymer part <NUM>. The plate structure <NUM> may include the second metal part <NUM> and/or the polymer part <NUM>. <FIG> described below in greater detail illustrate sectional views taken along lines 5a-5a and 5b-5b.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame structure <NUM> may include a first edge <NUM> adjacent to the first plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM> of <FIG>) and a second edge <NUM> adjacent to the second plate (e.g., the second plate <NUM> of <FIG>).

The sides surfaces of the electronic device <NUM> that the frame structure <NUM> forms may include a first area <NUM> formed by the first metal part <NUM>, second areas <NUM> formed by the second metal part <NUM>, and polymer areas <NUM> formed by the polymer part <NUM>.

The first area <NUM> may be formed between the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM>, and the second areas <NUM> may be formed between the first edge <NUM> and the first area <NUM> and between the second edge <NUM> and the first area <NUM>. That is, part of the periphery of the first area <NUM> may be surrounded by the second areas <NUM>.

The polymer areas <NUM> may extend from the first edge <NUM> to the second edge <NUM> and may electrically insulate one portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> from the other portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the frame structure <NUM>. The one portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> may form an antenna.

Although <FIG> illustrates an example where the polymer areas <NUM> are formed in the first part 301a of the frame structure <NUM>, the side member <NUM> disclosed herein or the housing including the side member <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the polymer areas <NUM> may be formed in the second part 301b of the frame structure <NUM>, or may be formed in both the first part 301a and the second part 301b.

The surface of the side member <NUM> that forms the outer surface (e.g., the side surfaces) of the electronic device <NUM> may include areas (e.g., the first area <NUM> and the second areas <NUM>) that at least two metallic materials form, respectively, and therefore the side member <NUM> may provide various esthetic senses, compared with the side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Different metallic materials may be formed on the exterior (e.g., the first area <NUM> and the second areas <NUM>) of the side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and therefore the texture and/or the color may vary.

<FIG> are sectional views of the side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> are sectional views taken along lines 9a-9a and 9b-9b illustrated in <FIG>, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include the first plate <NUM> facing the first direction, the second plate <NUM> facing the second direction, and the side member <NUM> surrounding the interior space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may include the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> that extends from the frame structure <NUM> to the space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may structurally include an outer surface <NUM> forming the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM> directed toward an interior space <NUM>, seating areas <NUM> that are formed between the outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> and on which waterproof members <NUM> are seated, and recess areas <NUM> that are formed between the seating areas <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> and in which the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are received.

The waterproof members <NUM> may be disposed between the display <NUM> and the frame structure <NUM> and between the second plate <NUM> and the frame structure <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may contain the first metallic material, the second metallic material, and the polymer material.

The polymer material contained in the polymer part <NUM> may include at least one of PEEK, PPS, PBT, PI, and PC.

The first part of the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM>. The first part of the frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM>, and the polymer part <NUM>.

A hole <NUM> may be formed in the first part of the frame structure <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may extend toward the interior space <NUM> of the housing from the outer surface <NUM>, but may not completely pass through the first part (e.g., the first part 301a of <FIG>).

The hole <NUM> may pass through the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> and may pass through a portion of the polymer part <NUM>.

The hole <NUM> is not limited to being formed in only the first part (e.g., the first part 301a of <FIG>) and may be formed in the second part (e.g., the second part 301b of <FIG>).

The first metal part <NUM> may form a portion of the outer surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may be formed between the first metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may form a portion of the outer surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> and the recess areas <NUM>.

The second part of the frame structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM> may include the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM>, together with the first metal part <NUM>, may form the outer surface <NUM> of the side member <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may form the recess areas <NUM> and the seating areas <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may form the inner surface <NUM> of the frame structure <NUM> and the plate structure <NUM> that extends from the inner surface <NUM> to the space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The second part of the frame structure <NUM> may further include the polymer part <NUM>. The polymer part <NUM> may form a portion of each seating area <NUM> on which the display <NUM> or the plate <NUM> or <NUM> is seated.

The interface <NUM> may be formed by bonding the first metallic material contained in the first metal part <NUM> and the second metallic material contained in the second metal part <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be formed to be a substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, the interface <NUM> may be formed to be a flat surface that faces the third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

The interface <NUM> may be advantageous for the transfer of heat conducted through the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> because the interface <NUM> is formed to be a flat surface. For example, heat generated from the interior of the electronic device <NUM> may be transferred from the second metal part <NUM> to the first metal part <NUM> through the interface <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may contain a compound including the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> and may have a lower thermal conductivity than the first metal part <NUM> formed of only the first metallic material and the second metal part <NUM> formed of only the second metallic material.

Accordingly, the smaller the area of the interface <NUM>, the more advantageous it is for the interface <NUM> to conduct heat. To this end, the interface <NUM> may preferably be formed to be a flat surface.

The side member <NUM> may further include an adhesive layer that is formed between the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. The adhesive layer may prevent moisture from infiltrating the plate structure <NUM> through the gap between the second metal part <NUM> and the polymer part <NUM>. For example, the adhesive layer may provide a waterproof function of preventing moisture from infiltrating the plate structure <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of an interface <NUM> of a side member of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the interface <NUM> is formed between a first metal part <NUM> and a second metal part <NUM>. The interface <NUM> contains a first metallic material <NUM> contained in the first metal part <NUM> and a second metallic material <NUM> contained in the second metal part <NUM>. The interface <NUM> contains a compound consisting of the first metallic material <NUM> and the second metallic material <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may face a third direction (direction ① or ② in <FIG>) that is substantially perpendicular to a first direction (e.g., the direction that the first plate <NUM> of <FIG> faces, the + Z-axis direction) and a second direction (e.g., the direction that the second plate <NUM> of <FIG> faces, the - Z-axis direction).

The interface <NUM> may be formed such that a ratio of the first metallic material <NUM> to the second metallic material <NUM> substantially increases with an approach to the first metal part <NUM> and a ratio of the second metallic material <NUM> to the first metallic material <NUM> substantially increases with an approach to the second metal part <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may not contain a separate adhesive material. According to the invention as claimed, the interface <NUM> contains a material formed by a physical and/or chemical reaction of the first metallic material <NUM> and the second metallic material <NUM> at high pressure. The first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may be completely brought into close contact with each other with no gap therebetween, and, thus, the interface <NUM> may be advantageous for heat conduction between the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of part of a method for manufacturing a housing of an electronic device (e.g., the side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing of the electronic device <NUM> may be manufactured by bonding a first metal plate and a second metal plate to form a laminated plate in step <NUM>, machining the formed laminated plate a first time in step <NUM>, coating part of the firstly machined laminated plate with an adhesive material in step <NUM>, performing insert-molding on the laminated plate, which is partly coated with the adhesive material, by using a polymer resin material in step <NUM>, and machining the laminated plate subjected to the insert-molding using the polymer resin material a second time in step <NUM>.

In step <NUM> of forming the laminated plate, the first metal plate containing a first metallic material and the second metal plate containing a second metallic material may be bonded together at high pressure. An interface may be formed between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The interface may contain the first metallic material and the second metallic material. The first metal plate and the second metal plate may be bonded together without a separate structure or a separate adhesive material. Accordingly, air-tightness and heat conduction performance may be improved.

Step <NUM> of machining the laminated plate a first time may include a press process of pressing the central portion of the first or second metal plate forming the inner surface of the housing such that one of the first metal plate and the second metal plate forms the outer surface of the housing and the other metal plate forms the inner surface of the housing. The second surface (e.g., the rear plate) and the third surface (e.g., the outer surface of the side member) of the housing may be integrally formed with each other by the press process. The step <NUM> of firstly machining the laminated plate may further include a CNC process for forming an internal structure on the laminated plate.

In step <NUM> of coating part of the laminated plate with the adhesive material, the adhesive material may be applied to the second metal plate that forms the inner surface of the housing. The adhesive material may form an adhesive layer on the surface of the second metal plate. The adhesive material may contain at least one of triazine thiol, dithiopyrimidine, and a silane compound. The adhesive layer may waterproof the housing. The adhesive material may include a material that has relatively high adhesive force with the second metal plate, but has relatively low adhesive force with the first metal plate. Accordingly, the polymer resin material, which is described below in greater detail, may be mainly bonded to the second metal plate without being bonded to the first metal plate.

The manufacturing method may further include removing the adhesive material, with which the first metal plate is coated, after the laminated plate is coated with the adhesive material.

In step <NUM> of performing the insert-molding on the laminated plate using the polymer resin material, the polymer resin material may be formed on the surface of the second metal plate that is coated with the adhesive material. The polymer resin material, which is an insulating material, may electrically insulate part of the first metal plate and the second metal plate from the remaining part to form the antenna area or the antenna part described above.

Step <NUM> of machining the laminated plate subjected to the insert-molding using the polymer resin material a second time may include a process of forming the exterior such that the surface of the first metal plate that forms the outer surface of the housing provides an esthetic sense. For example, step <NUM> may include a deposition process of depositing another material onto the surface of the first metal plate, a painting process for forming a color on the surface of the first metal plate, or an anodizing process for forming a film layer on the surface of the first metal plate.

<FIG> are views illustrating a method for manufacturing a housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a laminated plate <NUM> includes a first metal plate <NUM> that contains a first metallic material and a second metal plate <NUM> that is bonded to the first metal plate <NUM> and that contains a second metallic material. The first metal plate <NUM> may form an outer surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second metal plate <NUM> may form an inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. An interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>) that contains the first metallic material and the second metallic material may be formed between the first metal plate <NUM> and the second metal plate <NUM>. The interface may be formed with no separate adhesive material. The interface may contain a compound consisting of the first metallic material and the second metallic material.

The laminated plate <NUM> may have a sufficient thickness to form an internal structure <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Specifically, the laminated plate <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM>. 5T or more.

The laminated plate <NUM> includes a central portion <NUM> and an edge portion <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> of the laminated plate <NUM> may be pressed by a press process. Accordingly, the central portion <NUM> may form a second surface (e.g., the second surface 110B of <FIG>) of the housing <NUM> or a plate structure (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG> or the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG>) of a side member (e.g., the side member <NUM> of <FIG> or the side member <NUM> of <FIG>), and the edge portion <NUM> may be bent with respect to the central portion <NUM> to form a third surface (e.g., the third surface 110C of <FIG>) of the housing <NUM> or a third surface (e.g., the outer surface <NUM> of <FIG> or the outer surface <NUM> of <FIG>) of the side member (e.g., the side member <NUM> of <FIG> or the side member <NUM> of <FIG>).

The internal structure <NUM> may be formed on the second metal plate <NUM> that forms the inner surface <NUM> (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG> or <NUM> of <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. The internal structure <NUM> may be formed by CNC machining.

The internal structure <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> according to the illustrated embodiment without a separate bracket (e.g., the support member <NUM> of <FIG>), and thus the manufacturing process may be simplified. Furthermore, the housing <NUM> may be advantageous in that the first metallic material forms the outer surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to provide an esthetic sense and the second metallic material having higher workability than the first metallic material forms the inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the internal structure <NUM> to provide workability.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a side member <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the side member <NUM> includes a first metal part <NUM> containing a first metallic material, a second metal part <NUM> containing a second metallic material, a third metal part <NUM> containing a third metallic material, and a polymer part <NUM> containing a polymer material.

The first metallic material, the second metallic material, and the polymer material may be the same as those described above with reference to <FIG>.

The first metal part <NUM> may form part of a frame structure <NUM> that surrounds a plate structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM>. The first metallic material may form an outer surface <NUM> that forms the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may be formed in a direction toward an interior space <NUM> of the housing from the surface of the first metal part <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM>, together with the first metal part <NUM>, may form a first interface <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM>, together with the polymer part <NUM>, may form portions of seating areas <NUM> on which plates (e.g., the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>) or the display <NUM> is seated. The second metal part <NUM>, together with the first metal part <NUM>, may form recess areas <NUM>.

The first interface <NUM> may be referred to as the interface illustrated in <FIG> (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>). The first interface <NUM> may be formed by a physical and chemical bond of the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> without a separate adhesive material and may thus form a dense bonding structure. Accordingly, moisture may be prevented from infiltrating the housing.

The polymer part <NUM> may be formed in the direction toward the interior space <NUM> of the housing from the surface of the second metal part <NUM>. The polymer part <NUM> may extend toward the interior of the housing from the second metal part <NUM>. The polymer part <NUM> may form the plate structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM>.

The third metal part <NUM> may be formed in the direction toward the interior space <NUM> of the housing from the surface of the second metal part <NUM>. At least part of the third metal part <NUM>, together with the polymer part <NUM>, may form the plate structure <NUM> of the side member <NUM>. The third metal part <NUM> may be formed to be a ground area of an electrical element provided in the housing. For example, the electrical element may include an antenna.

An adhesive layer may be formed between the polymer parts <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>. An adhesive layer may be formed between the polymer part <NUM> and the third metal part <NUM>. The adhesive layers may provide adhesive forces to attach the polymer part <NUM> to the surfaces of the second metal part <NUM> and the third metal part <NUM>. Further, the adhesive layers may prevent foreign matter from infiltrating the housing through the gaps between the polymer part <NUM>, and the second metal part <NUM> and the third metal part <NUM>. For example, to prevent moisture infiltrating a printed circuit board in the housing, the adhesive layers may include an organic adhesive material containing at least one of triazine thiol, dithiopyrimidine, or a silane compound.

A second interface <NUM> may be formed between the third metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM>. Atoms of the third metallic material contained in the third metal part <NUM> and atoms of the second metallic material contained in the second metal part <NUM> may be physically mixed to form the second interface <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may contain a metallic material capable of providing sufficient bonding forces to the first metal part <NUM> and the third metal part <NUM>. For example, the first metal part <NUM> and the third metal part <NUM> may be bonded through the second metal part <NUM> formed therebetween and may thus be more firmly bonded than when the third metal part <NUM> is directly bonded to the first metal part <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a second interface <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

The second interface <NUM> may be referred to as the second interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second interface <NUM> may be formed by friction stir welding a third metal part <NUM> formed of a third metallic material <NUM> (e.g., the third metal part <NUM> of <FIG>) to a second metal part <NUM> formed of a second metallic material <NUM> (e.g., the second metal part <NUM> of <FIG>).

For example, the second interface <NUM> may be formed by inserting a threaded tool rotating at high speed into the second metal part <NUM> to generate frictional heat and forcibly mixing the second metallic material <NUM> and the third metallic material <NUM> that are softened by the frictional heat.

Comparing the first interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the second interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the boundary between the heterogeneous materials (e.g., the first metallic material <NUM> and the second metallic material <NUM>) at the first interface <NUM> may be formed to be a substantially flat surface, whereas the boundary between the heterogeneous materials (e.g., the second metallic material <NUM> and the third metallic material <NUM>) at the second interface <NUM> may be substantially non-uniformly formed. The difference may be based on, for example, the second interface <NUM> being formed by the friction stir welding using the rotating tool.

The second interface <NUM> may have a form in which the third metallic material <NUM> infiltrates the second metallic material <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second interface <NUM> may contain a third metallic material <NUM> surrounded by the second metallic material <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of part of a method for manufacturing a housing of the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), according to an embodiment. referring to <FIG>, a side member (e.g., the side member <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a plate structure (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG>) on which a printed circuit board is disposed and a frame structure (e.g., the frame structure <NUM> of <FIG>) that surrounds the plate structure and forms the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>.

The frame structure (e.g., the frame structure <NUM> of <FIG>) may be substantially formed by bonding a first metal plate and a second metal plate to form a first laminated plate in step <NUM>, cutting the formed first laminated plate in step <NUM>, and bending the cut first laminated plate in the lengthwise direction in step <NUM>. Thereafter, by welding a third metal plate to the bent first laminated plate in step <NUM>, as second laminated plate structure (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG>) may be substantially formed. In step <NUM>, the second laminated plate is machined a first time. In step <NUM>, part of the second laminated plate is coated with an adhesive material. In step <NUM>, insert-molding is performed on the second laminated plate using polymer resin. In step <NUM>, the second laminated plate is machined a second time.

In step <NUM> of forming the first laminated plate, the first metal plate containing a first metallic material (e.g., the first metallic material <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second metal plate containing a second metallic material (e.g., the second metallic material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be bonded together at high pressure. An interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>) may be formed between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The interface may contain the first metallic material and the second metallic material. The first metal plate and the second metal plate may be bonded together without a separate structure or a separate adhesive material. Accordingly, air-tightness and heat conduction performance may be improved.

In step <NUM> of bending the cut first laminated plate in the lengthwise direction, the cut first laminated plate may be bent such that an opening (e.g., an opening <NUM> of <FIG> described below) is formed inside and one end portion is connected to an opposite end portion. Then, the second metal plate may be formed to surround the opening, and the first metal plate may be formed to surround the second metal plate. The frame structure of the side member may be formed by the process described above.

In step <NUM> of forming the second laminated plate, the third metal plate containing a third metallic material (e.g., the third metallic material <NUM> of <FIG>) may be welded to the second metal plate and may be formed in the opening (e.g., the opening <NUM> of <FIG> described below). For example, the third metal plate may be bonded to the second metal plate by friction stir welding. The plate structure of the side member (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG>) may be substantially formed by the process described above.

Step <NUM> of machining the second laminated plate a first time may include a mechanical machining process such as a CNC process.

In step <NUM> of coating the second laminated plate with an adhesive material, the adhesive material may be applied to the surfaces of the second metal plate and the third metal plate. Then, the adhesive material may form adhesive layers on the surfaces of the second metal plate and the third metal plate. The adhesive material may include at least one of triazine thiol, dithiopyrimidine, and a silane compound. The adhesive material may include a material that has relatively high adhesive force with the second metal plate and the third metal plate, but has relatively low adhesive force with the first metal plate. Accordingly, a polymer resin material that will be described below may be mainly bonded to the second metal plate without being bonded to the first metal plate.

The manufacturing method may further include an operation of removing the adhesive material, with which the first metal plate is coated, after step <NUM> of coating the second laminated plate with the adhesive material.

In step <NUM> of performing insert-molding on the second laminated plate using the polymer resin material, the polymer resin material (e.g., the polymer material of <FIG>) may be formed on the surfaces of the second metal plate and the third metal plate that are coated with the adhesive material.

Step <NUM> of machining the second laminated plate subjected to the insert-molding using the polymer resin material a second time (e.g., the polymer material of <FIG>) may include a surface treatment process of forming the exterior such that the surface of the first metal plate that forms the outer surface of the housing provides an esthetic sense. For example, step <NUM> may include a deposition process of depositing another material onto the surface of the first metal plate, a painting process for forming a color on the surface of the first metal plate, or an anodizing process for forming a film layer on the surface of the first metal plate.

In addition, the operation of machining the second laminated plate subjected to the insert-molding using the polymer resin material a second time may further include a mechanical machining process such as a CNC process, and/or a laser machining process.

<FIG> is an illustration of part of a method for manufacturing a side member <NUM> of an electronic device (e.g., the side member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a laminated plate <NUM> includes a first metal plate <NUM> that contains a first metallic material <NUM> and a second metal plate <NUM> that is bonded to the first metal plate <NUM> and that contains a second metallic material <NUM>. An interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>) that contains the first metallic material <NUM> and the second metallic material <NUM> may be formed between the first metal plate <NUM> and the second metal plate <NUM>.

Laminated members <NUM> may each include the first metallic material <NUM> and the second metallic material <NUM>. The laminated members <NUM> may be formed by cutting the laminated plate <NUM>.

The laminated members <NUM> may be bent at a predetermined angle to form a frame structure <NUM> (e.g., the frame structure <NUM> of <FIG>) of the side member <NUM> (e.g., the side member <NUM> of <FIG>). The frame structure <NUM> may be formed by connecting the plurality of laminated members <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> may be formed by bending the laminated members <NUM> such that the opening <NUM> is formed inside. The frame structure <NUM> may be formed by bending the laminated members <NUM> such that the outer surface of the frame structure <NUM> is formed of the first metallic material <NUM> and the inner surface of the frame structure <NUM> is formed of the second metallic material <NUM>.

The side member <NUM> may include the frame structure <NUM> (e.g., the frame structure <NUM> of <FIG>) and a plate structure <NUM> (e.g., the plate structure <NUM> of <FIG>) that is surrounded by the frame structure <NUM>. The plate structure <NUM> may be formed by disposing a third metal plate <NUM> containing a third metallic material (e.g., the third metallic material of <FIG>) in the opening <NUM>. The third metal plate <NUM> may be bonded to the frame structure <NUM> by friction stir welding the third metallic material to the second metallic material <NUM> that forms the inner surface of the frame structure <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> including a front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>) that includes a first flat surface portion facing a first direction, a rear plate (e.g., the second plate <NUM>) that includes a second flat surface portion facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side member <NUM> that surrounds a space between the front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>) and the rear plate (e.g., the second plate <NUM>), a display <NUM> disposed in the space so as to be shown through the front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>), and a printed circuit board <NUM> disposed in the space and including a processor. The side member <NUM> may include an external member (e.g., the first metal part <NUM>) that contains a first metallic material and includes a first surface forming a surface of the side member <NUM> and a second surface facing a direction toward the space, when viewed from above the front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>), an internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) that contains a second metallic material and includes a third surface bonded to the second surface and a fourth surface facing the direction toward the space, the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) being surrounded by the external member (e.g., the first metal part <NUM>) when viewed from above the front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>), and a polymer member (e.g., the polymer part <NUM>) that contains a polymer material and that is at least partially surrounded by the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) when viewed from above the front plate (e.g., the first plate <NUM>). The second surface and the third surface may be formed to be flat surfaces facing a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) and the external member (e.g., the first metal part <NUM>) may be formed such that the thickness from the first surface to the fourth surface in the third direction is <NUM> or less.

The first metallic material may include stainless steel, and the second metallic material may include aluminum or aluminum alloy.

The electronic device may further include an adhesive layer formed between the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) and the polymer member (e.g., the polymer part <NUM>).

The electronic device may further include an interface <NUM> including the second surface and the third surface, and the interface <NUM> may contain a compound consisting of the first metallic material and the second metallic material.

The interface <NUM> may be formed such that a ratio of the first metallic material to the second metallic material increases with an approach to the second surface and a ratio of the second metallic material to the first metallic material increases with an approach to the third surface.

The interface <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> or less in a third direction.

The internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) may further include an extension (e.g., a plate part <NUM>) that extends into the space from the fourth surface, and the display <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed on the extension (e.g., the plate part <NUM>).

The external member (e.g., the first metal part <NUM>) and the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) may include a first part 210a and second parts 210b and 210c formed on opposite sides of the first part 210a, and the polymer member (e.g., the polymer part <NUM>) may extend between the first part 210a and the second parts 210b and 210c such that the first part 210a is electrically insulated from the second parts 210b and 210c.

A conductive pattern is formed on the fourth surface of the internal member (e.g., the second metal part <NUM>) that is included in the first part 210a, and the first part 210a may include an antenna.

An electronic device <NUM> may include a first plate <NUM> that includes a first flat surface portion <NUM> facing a first direction and forms a first surface of the electronic device <NUM>, a second plate <NUM> that includes a second flat surface portion <NUM> facing a second direction opposite to the first direction and forms a second surface of the electronic device <NUM>, a side member <NUM> including a first metal part that contains a first metallic material and forms at least part of a third surface between the first surface and the second surface and a second metal part <NUM> that contains a second metallic material and that is bonded with the first metal part <NUM>, and a display <NUM> disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> so as to be shown through the first plate <NUM>. The first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may form an interface <NUM> that contains the first metallic material and the second metallic material and that faces a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

The interface <NUM> may have a maximum thickness of <NUM> or less that is measured along the third direction.

The first metal part <NUM> may include an outer surface <NUM> that is opposite the interface <NUM> and that forms the third surface of the electronic device <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM> may include an inner surface <NUM> that is opposite the interface <NUM> and that faces a space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, and the side member <NUM> may have a maximum thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> that is measured along the third direction from the inner surface <NUM> to the outer surface <NUM>.

The second metal part <NUM> may further include an extension (e.g., the plate part <NUM>) that extends from the inner surface <NUM> toward the space between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> and on which the display <NUM> is disposed, and the electronic device <NUM> may further include a printed circuit board <NUM> disposed on the extension (e.g., the plate part <NUM>).

The first metal part <NUM> may contain stainless steel, and the second metal part <NUM> may contain aluminum.

The first plate <NUM> may include a first curved surface portion that surrounds an edge of the first flat surface portion <NUM>, and the second plate <NUM> may include a second curved surface portion that surrounds an edge of the second flat surface portion <NUM>. The side member <NUM> may include first recesses <NUM> and <NUM> in which the first curved surface portion of the first plate <NUM> is received and second recesses <NUM> and <NUM> in which the second curved surface portion of the second plate <NUM> is received, and the first recesses <NUM> and <NUM> and the second recesses <NUM> and <NUM> are formed by the second metal part <NUM>.

The first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> may form a first part 210a and second parts 210b and 210c spaced apart from the first part 210a. The side member <NUM> may further include a polymer part <NUM> containing a polymer material. The polymer part <NUM> may be formed between the first part 210a and the second parts 210b and 210c to electrically insulate the first part 210a from the second parts 210b and 210c. The first part 210a may form an antenna.

The second plate <NUM> may extend from the side member <NUM> and may be integrally formed with the side member <NUM>, and the second plate <NUM> may contain the first metallic material forming the second surface of the electronic device <NUM> and the second metallic material forming an inner surface <NUM> facing the first plate <NUM>.

A method for manufacturing a housing of an electronic device <NUM> may include step <NUM> of preparing a laminated plate <NUM> by bonding a first metal plate <NUM> containing a first metallic material and a second metal plate <NUM> containing a second metallic material different from the first metallic material; step <NUM> of pressing the laminated plate <NUM> such that the first metal plate <NUM> forms an outer surface <NUM> of the housing and the second metal plate <NUM> forms an inner surface <NUM> of the housing; step <NUM> of coating at least part of the second metal plate <NUM> with an adhesive material; step <NUM> of performing insert-molding on the laminated plate <NUM> using a polymer material; and step <NUM> of cutting part of the outer surface <NUM> and part of the inner surface <NUM>.

Step <NUM> of pressing the laminated plate <NUM> may include an operation of pressing a central portion <NUM> of the laminated plate <NUM> such that an edge portion <NUM> of the laminated plate <NUM> and the central portion <NUM> of the laminated plate <NUM> form surfaces of the housing facing different directions.

The method may further include forming a film layer on the outer surface <NUM> of the housing after step <NUM> of cutting the part of the outer surface <NUM> and the part of the inner surface <NUM>.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include a housing that contains a first metallic material forming an exterior and a second metallic material forming an internal structure and that includes a bonding structure capable of providing high thermal conductivity between the first metallic material and the second metallic material.

With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related components. It is to be understood that if a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it means that the component may be coupled with the other component directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third component.

According to the situation, the expression "adapted to or configured to" used herein may be interchangeably used as, for example, the expression "suitable for", "having the capacity to", "changed to", "made to", "capable of" or "designed to" in hardware or software. The expression "a device configured to" may mean that the device is "capable of" operating together with another device or other components. For example, a "processor configured to (or set to) perform A, B, and C" may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing corresponding operations or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) which performs corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs which are stored in a memory device (e.g., the memory <NUM>).

The term "module" used herein may include a unit, which is implemented with hardware, software, or firmware, and may be interchangeably used with the term "logic", "logical block", "component", "circuit", or the like. The "module" may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or a part thereof or may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The "module" may be implemented mechanically or electronically and may include, for example, an application-specific IC (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic device for performing some operations, which are known or will be developed.

According to various embodiments, at least a part of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or a method (e.g., operations) may be, for example, implemented by instructions stored in a computer-readable storage media (e.g., the memory <NUM>) in the form of a program module. The instruction, when executed by a processor (e.g., a processor <NUM>), may cause the processor to perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magnetooptical media (e.g., a floptical disk)), an embedded memory, and the like. The one or more instructions may contain a code made by a compiler or a code executable by an interpreter.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a front plate (<NUM>), a rear plate (<NUM>), and a side member (<NUM>) configured to surround a space between the front plate (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>), wherein the front plate (<NUM>) comprises a first flat surface portion configured to face a first direction, and wherein the rear plate (<NUM>) comprises a second flat surface portion configured to face a second direction opposite to the first direction;
a display (<NUM>) disposed in the space between the front plate (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>) so as to be shown through the front plate (<NUM>); and
a printed circuit board (<NUM>) disposed in the space between the front plate (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>) and a processor on the printed circuit board (<NUM>),
wherein the side member (<NUM>) comprises:
an external member comprising a first metallic material and comprising a first surface configured to form a surface of the side member (<NUM>) and a second surface configured to face a direction toward the space between the front plate (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>), when viewed from above the front plate (<NUM>);
an internal member comprising a second metallic material and comprising a third surface bonded to the second surface and a fourth surface configured to face the direction toward the space between the front plate (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>), wherein the internal member is surrounded by the external member when viewed from above the front plate (<NUM>); and
a polymer member (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) at least partially surrounded by the internal member when viewed from above the front plate (<NUM>),
wherein the second surface and the third surface are formed to be substantially flat surfaces, and
wherein a longest distance from the first surface to the fourth surface ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>; and
further comprising an interface layer (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising the second surface and the third surface,
wherein the interface layer (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprises a compound comprising the first metallic material and the second metallic material;
wherein the interface layer (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) contains a material formed by a physical and/or chemical reaction of the first metallic material (<NUM>) and the second metallic material (<NUM>) at high pressure.