A foldable shell and a method for preparing the same

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a foldable shell and a method for preparing the same. The foldable shell includes: a first soft rubber layer, the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area, and are used to connect with the carrier; a second soft rubber layer, the second soft rubber layer covers the first soft rubber layer in the bending area, and is used to enable the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier area to rotate relative to the first soft rubber layer in the bending area so as to limit the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier area within a preset angle range. The embodiment of the present invention prepares the foldable shell by rolling process and hot pressing process, and the foldable shell not only improves the reliability of the shell folding, but also has a simple and easy preparation process, is pollution-free, and is suitable for matching production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic equipment housing structure, and in particular to a foldable housing and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, manufacturers of smart devices are competing to launch flexible bendable screen designs to achieve a large-screen user experience in small-size devices.

[0003] With the update and development of a series of electronic devices such as electronic devices, mobile phones, and tablet computers, electronic devices with foldable screens have begun to attract people's attention. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a shell that matches the foldable screen to adapt to the foldable characteristics of electronic device screens, mobile phone screens, tablet computer screens, and other electronic device screens. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a foldable shell and a preparation method thereof, which can improve the reliability of folding the shell.

[0005] To achieve the above objective, a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a foldable housing.

[0006] A foldable shell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first soft rubber layer, the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area, and are used to be connected to the carrier; a second soft rubber layer, the second soft rubber layer covers the first soft rubber layer in the bending area, and is used to enable the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier area to rotate relative to the first soft rubber layer in the bending area so as to confine the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier area within a preset angle range.

[0007] Optionally, the foldable shell also includes: a carrier, which is a flexible film layer, and the flexible film layer covers the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier respectively, and is used to support the first soft rubber layer, and the flexible film layer can drive the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier area to rotate relative to the second soft rubber layer of the bending area to confine the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier area within a preset angle range.

[0008] Optionally, the thickness of the flexible film layer is the same as the thickness of the second soft adhesive layer.

[0009] Optionally, the thickness of the first soft adhesive layer and the second soft adhesive layer are both 0.15-2.0 mm.

[0010] Optionally, the first carrier region and the second carrier region are symmetrically distributed at two ends of the bending region.

[0011] Optionally, the bending area is located in the middle of the first soft adhesive layer and partially extends along two ends of the first soft adhesive layer to separate the first carrier area from the second carrier area.

[0012] Optionally, the soft rubber layer is a low-temperature resistant silicone layer, and the flexible film layer is a PET film layer.

[0013] To achieve the above objective, a second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a foldable shell.

[0014] A method for preparing a foldable shell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: using soft rubber raw material to form a first soft rubber layer and a second soft rubber layer through a rolling process, wherein the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, and the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area; forming a flexible film layer on the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area, and forming a second soft rubber layer on the first soft rubber layer in the bending area; hot pressing the first soft rubber layer compounded with the second soft rubber layer and the flexible film layer to obtain a foldable shell.

[0015] Optionally, forming the flexible film layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area includes: bonding the flexible film layer to the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area by gluing.

[0016] Optionally, the temperature of the hot pressing molding is 120-130° C., and the pressure of the hot pressing molding is 30-300 tons of pressure / 2-20 minutes.

[0017] Based on the above, the foldable shell provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when in use, the first carrier area and the second carrier area of ​​the first soft rubber layer are respectively connected to the carrier, and the bending area of ​​the first soft rubber layer is connected to the second soft rubber layer. Since the second soft rubber layer can make the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier area rotate relative to the first soft rubber layer of the bending area, the carrier of the first carrier area and the carrier of the second carrier area can rotate relative to the second soft rubber layer of the bending area, so that the carrier of the first carrier area and the carrier of the second carrier area can be confined within a preset angle range, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding.

[0018] The method for preparing a foldable shell provided in an embodiment of the present invention obtains a first soft glue layer and a second soft glue layer by a rolling process, and covers a flexible film layer and a second soft glue layer on the first soft glue layer, and then hot presses the first soft glue layer covered with the flexible film layer and the second soft glue layer to obtain a foldable shell. The preparation process is simple and easy to operate, has no pollution, and is suitable for mass production.

[0019] The further effects of the above-mentioned non-conventional optional manner will be described below in conjunction with the specific implementation manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a foldable shell provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a top view of a first soft rubber layer in a foldable shell provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a left side view of a foldable housing provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a flow chart of a method for preparing a foldable shell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Among them, 10, first soft rubber layer, 11, bending area, 12, carrier area, 121, first carrier area, 122, second carrier area, 20, second soft rubber layer, 30, carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a foldable shell provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first soft glue layer 10, the first soft glue layer 10 is divided into a bending area 11 and a carrier area 12, the carrier area 12 is divided into a first carrier area 121 and a second carrier area 122, the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 are respectively located at two ends of the bending area 11, and are used to connect with the carrier 30; a second soft glue layer 20, the second soft glue layer 20 covers the first soft glue layer 10 in the bending area 11, and is used to enable the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 to rotate relative to the first soft glue layer 10 of the bending area 11 so as to confine the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 within a preset angle range.

[0028] Specifically, when the foldable shell of the embodiment of the present invention is used, the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 of the first soft glue layer 10 are connected to the carrier respectively, and the bending area 11 of the first soft glue layer 10 is connected to the second soft glue layer 20. Since the second soft glue layer 20 can make the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 rotate relative to the first soft glue layer 10 of the bending area 11, the carrier 30 of the first carrier area 121 and the carrier 30 of the second carrier area 122 can rotate relative to the second soft glue layer 20 of the bending area 11, so that the carrier of the first carrier area 121 and the carrier of the second carrier area 122 can be limited within a preset angle range, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding. For example, the lower surface of the first soft glue layer 10 is divided into the first carrier area 121, the second carrier area 122 and the bending area 11, and the bending area 11 is arranged between the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122; the area of ​​the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 can be the same or different.

[0029] The preset angle is 0°-180°. When the angle between the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 is 0°, the flexible screen of the electronic device is in a closed state. When the angle between the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 is 180°, the flexible screen of the electronic device is in the same plane.

[0030] like Figure 3As shown, in an optional embodiment, the foldable shell also includes: a carrier 30, the carrier 30 is a flexible film layer, the flexible film layer respectively covers the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier, and is used to support the first soft glue layer 10, the flexible film layer can drive the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 to rotate relative to the second soft glue layer 20 of the bending area 11 to confine the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 within a preset angle range.

[0031] Specifically, the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 are covered with flexible film layers respectively. Since the flexible film layer can drive the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the first soft glue layer 10 of the second carrier area 122 to rotate relative to the second soft glue layer 20 of the bending area 11, the flexible film layer of the first carrier area 121 and the flexible film layer of the second carrier area 122 can both rotate relative to the second soft glue layer 20 of the bending area 11, so that the flexible film layer of the first carrier area 121 and the flexible film layer of the second carrier area 122 can be limited within a preset angle range. Therefore, using the flexible film layer as a carrier can effectively support the first soft glue layer 10 of the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the flexible film layer is the same as the thickness of the second soft adhesive layer 20 .

[0033] Specifically, the flexible film layer covers the carrier area 12 of the first soft adhesive layer 10, and the second soft adhesive layer 20 covers the bending area 11 of the first soft adhesive layer 10. Since the thickness of the flexible film layer is the same as the thickness of the second soft adhesive layer 20, different areas of the first soft adhesive layer 10 covered with the flexible film layer and the second soft adhesive layer 20 have the same thickness. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the uneven force caused by uneven thickness during the bending process of the shell from causing wrinkles or fractures in the shell, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the first soft glue layer 10 and the second soft glue layer 20 are both 0.15-0.2 mm. Specifically, the thickness of the first soft glue layer 10 and the second soft glue layer 20 is the same, and the thickness of the first soft glue layer 10 can be 0.15 mm, 0.16 mm, 0.17 mm, 0.18 mm, 0.19 mm or 0.2 mm, etc. Therefore, a thinner shell can be obtained by using the first soft glue layer 10 and the second soft glue layer 20 with a thickness of 0.15-0.2 mm, which is conducive to the folding of the shell and avoids the phenomenon of the shell breaking when folding due to the shell being too thick.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 are symmetrically distributed at both ends of the bending area 11. Specifically, the carrier 30 covers the first carrier area 121 to form an upper cover of the electronic device housing, and the carrier 30 covers the second carrier area 122 to form a lower cover of the electronic device housing. Since the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 are symmetrically distributed at both ends of the bending area 11, when the angle between the upper cover and the lower cover of the electronic device is 0°, the upper cover of the electronic device can just cover the lower cover, so that the flexible screen of the electronic device can be effectively protected when not in use.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the bending area 11 is located in the middle of the first soft rubber layer 10 and partially extends along the two ends of the first soft rubber layer 10 to separate the first carrier area 121 from the second carrier area 122. Thus, the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 on the first soft rubber layer 10 are completely separated by the bending area 11, so that the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 can rotate relative to the bending area 11, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, the soft rubber layer is a low-temperature resistant silicone layer, and the flexible film layer is a PET film layer.

[0038] Specifically, the first soft rubber layer 10 and the second soft rubber layer 20 are made of low-temperature resistant silicone layers, and the carrier is made of PET film layers. Since the low-temperature resistant silicone layer has good flexibility, the low-temperature resistant silicone layer is used as the outer surface of the shell and the bending area 11, which can effectively avoid the problem of material wrinkles and breakage when the shell is bent; since the hardness of the PET film layer is greater than that of the low-temperature resistant silicone layer, the PET film layer is used as the inner surface of the shell, which can not only effectively drive the first carrier area 121 and the second carrier area 122 to rotate relative to the second soft rubber layer 20 of the bending area 11, but also effectively avoid the second soft rubber layer 20 of the bending area 11 squeezing the carrier during the folding process of the shell, causing the electronic device shell to be unable to fold, thereby improving the reliability of the shell folding.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a foldable shell, comprising:

[0040] S101, forming a first soft rubber layer and a second soft rubber layer by a rolling process using a soft rubber raw material, wherein the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, and the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area;

[0041] Specifically, the soft rubber raw material can be a low-temperature resistant silicone raw material, which is rolled to form a first silicone layer and a second silicone layer with a thickness of 0.2 mm, and the lower surface of the first silicone layer is divided into a bending area, a first carrier area, and a second carrier area. According to the area of ​​the bending area, the second silicone layer is die-cut to have the same area as the bending area.

[0042] S102, forming a flexible film layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area, and forming a second soft adhesive layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the bending area.

[0043] Specifically, the flexible film layer can be a PET film layer, and a PET film layer with a thickness of 0.2 mm is covered on the entire upper surface of the first silicone layer, and the first silicone layer and the PET film layer are connected by glue, and then the PET film layer located on the bending area of ​​the first silicone layer is cut by a mold, so as to form a PET film layer on the first silicone layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area. The pre-die-cut second silicone layer is added to the bending area, so as to form a second silicone layer on the first silicone layer in the bending area.

[0044] S103, hot pressing the first soft adhesive layer compounded with the second soft adhesive layer and the flexible film layer to form a foldable shell.

[0045] Specifically, the first silicone layer compounded with the second silicone layer and the PET film layer is placed in a mold for hot pressing molding. The temperature of the hot pressing molding is 120-130° C. and the pressure of the hot pressing molding is 30-300 tons of pressure / 2-20 minutes to form a foldable shell.

[0046] In an optional embodiment, the first soft glue layer compounded with the second soft glue layer and the flexible film layer is hot-pressed to form a foldable shell, including: hot-pressing the first soft glue layer compounded with the second soft glue layer and the flexible film layer to obtain an intermediate of the foldable shell; cutting the intermediate of the foldable shell into corresponding specifications according to actual product requirements to obtain a foldable shell.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, a wear-resistant paint is sprayed on the other side of the first soft adhesive layer corresponding to the other side of the first soft adhesive layer covered with the second soft adhesive layer and the flexible film layer to form a wear-resistant layer on the upper surface of the first soft adhesive layer. The wear-resistant layer has scratch-resistant and fingerprint-resistant properties. Forming the wear-resistant layer on the upper surface of the first soft adhesive layer can not only improve the scratch-resistant performance of the foldable shell, but also improve the aesthetics of the foldable shell, thereby improving the user experience.

[0048] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present invention, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first soft rubber layer and the second soft rubber layer are prepared by a rolling process, and the flexible film layer and the second soft rubber layer are covered on the first soft rubber layer, and then the first soft rubber layer covered with the flexible film layer and the second soft rubber layer is hot-pressed to obtain a foldable shell. The preparation process is simple and easy, pollution-free, and suitable for mass production.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0051] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0052] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable housing, characterized in that: include: A first soft rubber layer, wherein the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area and are used to be connected to the carrier; A second soft rubber layer, wherein the second soft rubber layer covers the first soft rubber layer in the bending zone, and is used to enable the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier zone and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier zone to rotate relative to the first soft rubber layer in the bending zone so as to confine the first soft rubber layer in the first carrier zone and the first soft rubber layer in the second carrier zone within a preset angle range.

2. The foldable housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The carrier is a flexible film layer, and the flexible film layer is respectively covered on the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the second carrier, and is used to support the first soft rubber layer. The flexible film layer can drive the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier area to rotate relative to the second soft rubber layer of the bending area to confine the first soft rubber layer of the first carrier area and the first soft rubber layer of the second carrier area within a preset angle range.

3. The foldable housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the flexible film layer is the same as the thickness of the second soft adhesive layer.

4. The foldable housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the first soft adhesive layer and the second soft adhesive layer are both 0.15-2.0 mm.

5. The foldable housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first carrier region and the second carrier region are symmetrically distributed at two ends of the bending region.

6. The foldable housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending area is located in the middle of the first soft adhesive layer and partially extends along two ends of the first soft adhesive layer to separate the first carrier area from the second carrier area.

7. The foldable housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The soft rubber layer is a low-temperature resistant silicone layer, and the flexible film layer is a PET film layer.

8. A method for preparing a foldable shell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: The first soft rubber layer and the second soft rubber layer are formed by rolling the soft rubber raw material, wherein the first soft rubber layer is divided into a bending area and a carrier area, the carrier area is divided into a first carrier area and a second carrier area, and the first carrier area and the second carrier area are respectively located at two ends of the bending area; Forming a flexible film layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area, and forming a second soft adhesive layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the bending area; The first soft glue layer compounded with the second soft glue layer and the flexible film layer is subjected to hot pressing to obtain a foldable shell.

9. The preparation method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The forming of the flexible film layer on the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area includes: bonding the flexible film layer to the first soft adhesive layer in the first carrier area and the second carrier area by glue.

10. The preparation method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The temperature of the hot pressing molding is 120-130° C., and the pressure of the hot pressing molding is 30-300 tons of pressure / 2-20 minutes.

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