Patent ID: 12202190

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A configuration, an operation, and an operational effect of a film attachment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that, for purposes of convenience and clarity, constituent elements are omitted from the drawings or are schematically illustrated therein and that constituent elements illustrated are not in proportional to their actual sizes. In addition, the same constituent elements are depicted by the same reference numeral throughout the specification, and the reference numeral that depicts the same constituent elements is omitted from the individual drawing.

With reference toFIGS.1to9, a film attachment device10includes a position setting plate11, an auxiliary member20, and a protective film21having an attachment surface211formed as the lower surface thereof.

The position setting plate11includes a main body11a, a plurality of elastic members12, a first guide unit200, a second guide unit300, a third guide unit400, and a fourth guide unit500. A first long shaft110, a second long shaft120, a first short shaft130, and a second short shaft140are formed on the position setting plate11.

With reference toFIG.2, the first guide unit200includes a first lower guide210, a first guide220, and a first reinforcement member230. Furthermore, the second guide unit300includes a second lower guide310, a second guide320, and a second reinforcement member330. Furthermore, the third guide unit400includes a third lower guide410, and the fourth guide unit500includes a fourth lower guide510.

The main body11ais manufactured in the shape of a rectangle that extends over a long distance in the forward-backward direction. The first and second long shafts110and120are formed on first and second sides, respectively, of the bottom surface of the main body11a. The first and second short shafts130and140are formed on the rear and front sides, respectively, of the bottom surface of the main body11a.

The first guide unit200, the second guide unit300, the third guide unit400, and the fourth guide unit500are formed on the first long shaft110, the second long shaft120, the first short shaft130, and the second short shaft140, respectively. One or more elastic member12are coupled to each of the first guide unit200, the second guide unit300, the third guide unit400, and the fourth guide unit500.

The elastic members12, formed on the first and second long shafts110and120, respectively, are arranged in such a manner as to face each other. In this state, the elastic members12are coupled to the first and second guide units200and300, respectively. When a terminal1is inserted between the first and second long shafts110and120, the elastic members12press against both lateral surfaces, respectively, of the terminal1.

The elastic members12, formed on the first and second short shafts130and140, respectively, are arranged in such a manner as to face each other. In this state, the elastic members12are coupled to the third and fourth guide units400and500, respectively. When the terminal1is inserted into a position setting space13, the elastic members12press against a rear surface and a front surface, respectively, of the terminal1.

The elastic members12coupled to the main body11apress against both lateral surfaces, respectively, of the terminal1, thereby fixing a position of the terminal1and guiding attachment of the protective film21at a required position of the protective film21on a display2.

The required position of the protective film21on the display2at which the protective film21is attached refers to the arrangement of an upper surface of the display2underneath the attachment surface211of the protective film21in a state where the centerline of the protective film21and the centerline of the display2are on the same vertical line.

Respective first end portions of the plurality of elastic members12protrude downward from the main body11ain a state where the respective first end portions are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in such a manner as to surround the position setting space13. Respective second end portions thereof extend toward the main body11ain a bent manner and come into close contact with the terminal1inserted into the position setting space13.

The elastic members12, coupled to the main body11aat positions corresponding to the first and second short shafts130and140, respectively, are arranged to face each other. The respective second end portions of the plurality of elastic members12, positioned on the first and second short shafts130and140, respectively, are formed to extend up to a range of the position setting space13.

The elastic members12, formed on the first and second long shafts110and120, respectively, are arranged to face each other. The respective second end portions of the plurality of elastic members12, formed on the first and second long shafts110and120, respectively, are formed to extend up to the range of the position setting space13.

A longitudinal hole14, formed to be in parallel with the first and second long shafts110and120, is positioned in the center portion of the position setting plate11.

The longitudinal hole14communicates with the position setting space13. A first rectangular through-hole22is formed in a front portion of the auxiliary member20positioned under the position setting plate11, and a second rectangular through-hole23is formed in a rear portion of the auxiliary member20positioned under the position setting plate11.

The first guide unit200is coupled to a lower surface of the main body11abetween the first long shaft110and the position setting space13. The first guide unit200blocks the terminal1, inserted into the position setting space13, from moving excessively in a first-side direction.

Specifically, the first lower guide210is formed in such a manner that one end portion thereof extends over a long distance in the forward-backward direction. An upper surface of the first lower guide210is surface-coupled to the bottom surface of the main body11athat is adjacent to the first long shaft110.

A second end portion of the first lower guide210covers a first side of the elastic member12. One first-side edge part of a first end portion of the elastic member12extends toward downward over a predetermined distance and is coupled to the main body11aat the first long shaft110.

First end portions of the elastic members12that are coupled to the main body11aat the first long shaft110are connected to the main body11awithin a plurality of through-holes, respectively. The plurality of through-holes are formed by recessing end-portion parts, respectively, of the first lower guide210.

The first guide220is formed in the shape of a vertical plate that extends over a long distance in the forward-backward direction and has a relatively wide area arranged toward first and second sides. The first guide220is connected to a first end portion of the first lower guide210in a state where the first guide220is spaced a predetermined distance apart in a second-side direction from the second end portion of the first lower guide210.

A plurality of the first reinforcement members230are formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that extends in the upward-downward direction. The plurality of the first reinforcement members230are manufactured in such a manner that the plurality of the first reinforcement members230are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the forward-backward direction from each other between the second end portion of the first lower guide210and the first guide220and connect the first lower guide210and the first guide220to each other.

The second guide unit300is coupled to the lower surface of the main body11abetween the second long shaft120and the position setting space13. The second guide unit300blocks the terminal1, inserted into the position setting space13, from moving excessively in the second-side direction.

The second lower guide310is formed in such a manner that a first end portion thereof extends over a long distance in the forward-backward direction. An upper surface of the second lower guide310is surface-coupled to the bottom surface of the main body11athat is adjacent to the second long shaft120.

A second end portion of the second lower guide310covers a second side of the elastic member12. One second-side edge part of a first end portion of the elastic member12extends toward downward over a predetermined distance and is coupled to the main body11aat the second long shaft120.

First end portions of the elastic members12that are coupled to the main body11aat the second long shaft120are connected to the main body11awithin a plurality of through-holes, respectively. The plurality of through-holes are formed by recessing parts, respectively, of the second lower guide310.

The second guide320is formed in the shape of a vertical plate that extends over a long distance in the forward-backward direction and has a relatively wide area arranged toward the first and second sides. The second guide320is connected to a first end portion of the second lower guide310in a state where the second guide320is spaced a predetermined distance apart in the first-side direction from the second end portion of the second lower guide310.

A plurality of the second reinforcement members330are formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that extends in the upward-downward direction. The plurality of the second reinforcement members330connect the second lower guide310and the second guide320to each other between the second end portion of the second lower guide310and the second guide320in a state where the plurality of the second reinforcement members330are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the forward-backward direction from each other.

The third guide unit400is coupled to the lower surface of the main body11abetween the first short shaft130and the position setting space13. The third guide unit400blocks the terminal1, inserted into the position setting space13, from moving excessively toward backward.

Specifically, the third lower guide410is formed in such a manner that a first end portion thereof extends over a long distance toward the first and second sides. An upper surface of the third lower guide410is surface-coupled to the bottom surface of the main body11athat is adjacent to the first short shaft130.

A second end portion of the third lower guide410covers the rear of the elastic member12. A rear edge part of a first end portion of the elastic member12is formed to extend toward downward over a predetermined distance and is coupled to the main body11aat the first short shaft130.

The fourth guide unit500is coupled to the lower surface of the main body11abetween the second short shaft140and the position setting space13. The fourth guide unit500blocks the terminal1, inserted into the position setting space13, from moving excessively toward forward.

Specifically, the fourth lower guide510is formed in such a manner that a first end portion thereof extends over a long distance toward the first and second sides. An upper surface of the fourth lower guide510is surface-coupled to the bottom surface of the main body11athat corresponds to the second short shaft140.

A second end portion of the fourth lower guide510covers the front of the elastic member12. One front edge part of a first end portion of the elastic member12is formed to extend toward downward over a predetermined distance and is coupled to the main body11aat the second short shaft140.

With reference toFIGS.2and3, in a state where the auxiliary member20and the protective film21are arranged on the lower surface of the main body11a, the protective film21is arranged in such a manner that the attachment surface211thereof is on a higher horizontal line than the bottom surface of the first end portion of the first lower guide210, the bottom surface of the first end portion of the second lower guide310, the bottom surface of a first end portion of the third lower guide410, and the bottom surface of a first end portion of the fourth lower guide510.

With reference toFIGS.2and3, the position setting plate11, the auxiliary member20, and the protective film21are lowered, and the terminal1is inserted into the position setting space13, thereby coming into close contact with the second end portions of the elastic members12. In this state, one portion of an upper surface of the terminal1comes into contact with the bottom surfaces of the respective first end portions of the first lower guide210, the second lower guide310, the third lower guide410, and the fourth lower guide510.

The terminal1comes into close contact with the first lower guide210, the second lower guide310, the third lower guide410, and the fourth lower guide510. As a result, the attachment surface211of the protective film21is spaced a distance H apart from the display2.

One portion of a surface of the protective film21arranged on a lower surface of the auxiliary member20is exposed to the outside through the first rectangular through-hole22and the second rectangular through-hole23.

A plurality of third through-holes24are formed by recessing portions, respectively, of the auxiliary member20. A plurality of protrusions15, formed on the position setting plate11, are inserted into the plurality of third through-holes24, respectively, and thus the auxiliary member20is coupled to the position setting plate11.

With reference toFIG.1, a first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25is formed by recessing one front portion of the auxiliary member20, which is adjacent to the first rectangular through-hole22, in such a manner as to be spaced a distance apart from the first rectangular through-hole22. One portion of an upper surface of the protective film21is exposed to space over the auxiliary member20through the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25.

A second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26is formed by recessing one rear portion of the auxiliary member20, which is adjacent to the second rectangular through-hole23, in such a manner as to be spaced a distance apart from the second rectangular through-hole23. One portion of the upper surface of the protective film21is exposed to space over the auxiliary member20through the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26.

With reference toFIG.5, the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25is formed to have a relatively smaller width in first and second side directions than the first rectangular through-hole22.

In addition, with reference toFIG.5, the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26is formed to have a relatively smaller width in the first and second side directions than the second rectangular through-hole23.

The insertion of the plurality of protrusions15into the plurality of third through-holes24, respectively, on the lower portion of the main body11aarranges the auxiliary member20to come into contact with the bottom surface of the main body11aand arranges the protective film21to come into contact with the lower surface of the auxiliary member20within the position setting space13.

With reference toFIG.3, in a state where the terminal1is inserted into the position setting space13by lowering the position setting plate11, the attachment surface211of the protective film21is spaced a predetermined distance H apart from the display2of the terminal1.

Specifically, the terminal1is accommodated within the position setting space13in the film attachment device10in a manner that faces upward. The predetermined distance H is secured between the attachment surface211of the protective film21and the display2.

At this point, a user inserts the user's finger3into the longitudinal hole14extending over a long distance in the forward-backward direction and then moves the user's finger3in a linear direction from the first rectangular through-hole22to the second rectangular through-hole23, with the auxiliary member20and the protective film21being pressed with the user's finger3. As a result, dispersion adhesion S is fostered between the attachment surface211and the display2.

The auxiliary member20does not cause interference in a case where the protective film21is pressed with the user's finger3at positions of the first rectangular through-hole22, the second rectangular through-hole23, the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25, and the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26. Because of this, a downward adhesion pressure increases, and a speed of dispersion adhesion S increases.

The increase in the speed of the dispersion adhesion S finally causes the adhesion to disperse in a corner direction of the protective film21and facilitates discharging of air bubbles between the attachment surface211and the display2to the outside.

A configuration and a function of the embodiment are described in detail as follows.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to8, the protective film21may be manufactured of tempered glass material or plastic sheet material that is resistant to degradation and scratches. The attachment surface211, the lower surface of the protective film21, may be manufactured from a polymer material.

A change in the downward adhesion pressure applied through the longitudinal hole14to the auxiliary member20or the protective film21causes a change in the speed of the dispersion adhesion S between the attachment surface211of the protective film21and the display2.

The auxiliary member20may be manufactured of plastic material. The position setting plate11may be manufactured of high-intensity plastic material, but is not limited thereto.

The longitudinal hole14is positioned in an upper surface of the auxiliary member20. The longitudinal hole14is formed to have such a width in the first and second directions that the user's finger3can pass through the longitudinal hole14and to have a relatively greater length in the forward-backward direction than the main body11abetween the first rectangular through-hole22and the second rectangular through-hole23.

Accordingly, openings of the first rectangular through-hole22and the second rectangular through-hole23, which are exposed to the outside through the longitudinal hole14, may be different in shape from each other. It is possible to change the shapes of the openings of the first rectangular through-hole22and the second rectangular through-hole23according to a position of the auxiliary member20.

In a case where the protective film21is attached on the display2, the terminal1is positioned on a plane in such a manner that the display2faces upward, and the terminal1is arranged within the position setting space13by lowering the position setting plate11. When this is done, the respective second end portions of the plurality of elastic members12come into close contact with an external lateral surface of the terminal1.

When the respective second end portions of the plurality of elastic members12come into close contact with the external lateral surface of the terminal1, with an elastic force of the plurality of elastic members12, the terminal1is fastened at a required position of the terminal1within the position setting space13. The display2of the terminal1is spaced the distance H apart from the protective film21.

With reference toFIGS.3and4, in a state where the respective second end portions of the plurality of elastic members12come into close contact with the internal lateral surface of the terminal1, the position of the terminal1is fixed, and the protective film21is arranged at an exactly corresponding position on the upper surface of the display2to be spaced the distance H apart from the upper surface thereof.

When the protective film21is pushed from the front of the longitudinal hole14with the user's finger3, one portion of the attachment surface211of the protective film21comes into contact with the display2. When the user's finger3is pushed from the front of the longitudinal hole14to the rear thereof, the remaining portions of the attachment surface211of the protective film21are attached on the display2.

At this point, in a state where the plurality of third through-holes24are coupled to the plurality of protrusions15, respectively, an upward tensional force acts on one first side portion and one second side portion of the center of the auxiliary member20pressed by the user's finger3.

An upward tensional force also occurs on the protective film21attached on the lower surface of the auxiliary member20, and thus, the effect of the dispersion adhesion S between the attachment surface211and the display2starts to occur.

Specifically, with reference toFIG.5, when the center portion of the auxiliary member20is pressed by the user's finger3, the center portion of the auxiliary member20and the protective film21are lowered. Simultaneously, one portion of each of the first and second sides of the auxiliary member20moves upward, and one portion of each of the first and second sides of the protective film21moves upward. As a result, a phenomenon of the upward tensional force that moves away the display2occurs.

However, the downward adhesion pressure to the display2by the attachment surface211of the protective film21is relatively greater than the upward tensional force. Because of this, in the order illustrated inFIGS.5to8, the effect of the dispersion adhesion S proceeds between the protective film21and the display2.

Therefore, the upward tensional force of the auxiliary member20cancels out the downward adhesion pressure of the attachment surface211to the display2. Thus, the downward adhesion pressure is reduced by the upward tensional force of the auxiliary member20at one or several points at which the auxiliary member20comes into close contact with the protective film21, and the speed of the dispersion adhesion S decreases.

In contrast, in a case where the protective film21is pressed at the positions of the first rectangular through-hole22, the second rectangular through-hole23, the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25, and the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26, the protective film21is pressed with a normal pressure without being influenced by the upward tensional force of the auxiliary member20. As a result, the speed of the dispersion adhesion S is higher than in a case where the auxiliary member20and the protective film21are pressed together.

That is, a difference in the downward adhesion pressure and the like between the attachment surface211and the display2occurs depending on whether or not the first rectangular through-hole22, the second rectangular through-hole23, the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25, and the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26are present. Thus, the speed of the dispersion adhesion S changes, thereby guiding a direction of the dispersion adhesion S.

Specifically, with reference toFIG.5, according to the present disclosure, when the movement of the user's finger3pressing against the longitudinal hole14causes the attachment surface211within a region of the longitudinal hole14to be attached on the display2, the adhesion of the attachment surface211gradually disperses in the directions of the first and second short shafts130and140.

At this point, because each of the first and second short shafts130and140is shorter than one of the first and second long shafts110and120, the protective film21is quickly fully attached up to an edge of the display2.

In addition, in the case of the first and second long shafts110and120, the speed of the dispersion adhesion S is high at the first rectangular through-hole22and the second rectangular through-hole23. As a result, the protective film21is quickly fully attached up to the edge of the display2along the directions of the first and second long shafts110and120.

In addition, a normal pressure is maintained at positions of the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25and the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26, and the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25has a smaller width than the first rectangular through-hole22. As a result, the dispersion adhesion S of the protective film21proceeds in the direction from the first rectangular through-hole22to the first one-side-open rectangular through-hole25.

In addition, with reference toFIGS.6and7, the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26also has a smaller width than the second rectangular through-hole23. As a result, the dispersion adhesion S proceeds in the direction from the second rectangular through-hole23to the second one-side-open rectangular through-hole26.

Accordingly, with reference toFIGS.5to8, only the movement of the user's finger3enables the dispersion adhesion S that expands an attachment area from the center of the display2up to a corner of the display2.

With reference toFIG.9, when the position setting plate11and the auxiliary member20are separated from the terminal1by being raised therefrom, only the protective film21remains attached on the display2. As a result, the protective film21is fully attached on the display2.

The film attachment device provides the advantages of adhering the protective film21at the required position of the protective film21on the display2, facilitating discharging of air between the attachment surface211and the display2to the outside, and suppressing air bubbles from being formed between the attachment surface211and the display2.

A sticker that extends in the forward-backward direction in such a manner as to cover the top of the longitudinal hole14may be attached on an upper surface of the position setting plate11. An adhesive agent may be formed on the bottom surface of the sticker exposed at a lower surface of the position setting plate11through the longitudinal hole14. Thus, the sticker may be adhered to the upper surface of the auxiliary member20that is arranged within the position setting space13.

At this point, the upper surface of the protective film21remains adhered to the lower surface of the auxiliary member20. As a result, when, on the same vertical line, the position setting plate11is arranged on a relatively higher horizontal line than the auxiliary member20and the protective film21is arranged on a relatively lower horizontal line than the auxiliary member20, the position setting plate11, the auxiliary member20, and the protective film21can remain adhered to each other.

In addition, the terminal1needs to be arranged within the position setting space13in a state where the sticker, the position setting plate11, the auxiliary member20, and the protective film21are adhered to each other. To this end, the sticker, the position setting plate11, the auxiliary member20, and the protective film21are lowered. Then, the user's finger3moves the auxiliary member20or the protective film21in the forward-backward direction while pressing against the auxiliary member20or the protective film21through the longitudinal hole14, with the user's finger3pushing down the sticker. This movement adheres the protective film21to the display2in a dispersing manner.

In a state where the protective film21is adhered to the display2, the sticker is removed. Then, when the position setting plate11is separated from the terminal1, the auxiliary member20and the protective film21are separated from the position setting plate11. Then, the auxiliary member20is separated from the protective film21, thereby finishing a process of attaching the protective film21to the display2.

The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is described above only in an exemplary manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the configurations of the preferred embodiment are illustrated only in an exemplary manner in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the preferred embodiment does not implement all aspects of the technical idea of the present disclosure. It should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications to the preferred embodiment at the time of filing the present patent application. Therefore, it should be understood that the preferred embodiment is illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined in the following claims rather than the detailed description provided above. Alterations of, modifications to, and equivalents to the embodiment that are derived from the detailed description and the following claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.