Wearable devices and manufacturing methods thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a wearable device. The wearable device includes: a plastic shell, a breathable metal component, and an electronic module. The plastic shell has a receiving portion and includes a through hole. The plastic shell is bonded to the periphery of the breathable metal component by embedded injection molding, and the breathable metal component seals the through hole, while having waterproof and breathable functions. The electronic module is disposed in the receiving portion, and the electronic module, the breathable metal component, and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wearable device and its manufacturing method, particularly a wearable device and its manufacturing method capable of operating in high-pressure and low-pressure environments. Background Technology

[0002] Please see Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of an existing smartwatch. In common smartwatches, to balance the internal and external pressures and prevent damage to internal structures or components due to pressure differences, manufacturers typically create a through-hole A11 in the watch case (A1) to stabilize the internal and external pressure difference.

[0003] However, in order to maintain the waterproof effect of the smartwatch, the smartwatch manufacturer will attach a waterproof and breathable membrane A2 to the inside of the casing A1. The manufacturer will also form two screw holes A12 in the casing A1 and use two screws A3 to fix a fixing bracket A4 to the inside of the casing A1. The fixing bracket A4 is then paired with a foam component A5 to press against the waterproof and breathable membrane A2, thereby strengthening the bonding strength between the waterproof and breathable membrane A2 and the casing A1.

[0004] The aforementioned design, which utilizes a waterproof and breathable membrane A2 in conjunction with screw holes A12, screws A3, mounting brackets A4, and foam components A5, not only results in higher manufacturing costs, but also means that the space occupied by screw holes A12, screws A3, mounting brackets A4, and foam components A5 within the smartwatch will directly or indirectly make it difficult for manufacturers to add additional electronic components to the smartwatch. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention discloses a wearable device and its manufacturing method, which is mainly used to improve existing wearable devices by using a waterproof and breathable membrane, along with related auxiliary structures or components (such as the aforementioned screw holes, fixing frames, screws, foam components, etc.), to solve many problems.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a wearable device comprising: a plastic shell, a breathable metal component, and an electronic module. The plastic shell has a receiving portion and includes a through hole, with both ends of the through hole opening into the receiving portion and the external environment, respectively. The plastic shell is integrated with the periphery of the breathable metal component by embedded injection molding, and the breathable metal component closes the through hole, while having waterproof and breathable functions. The electronic module is disposed in the receiving portion, and the electronic module, the breathable metal component, and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a wearable device, comprising: a shell manufacturing step: forming a plastic shell around a breathable metal part by means of embedded injection molding, the plastic shell including a receiving portion; wherein the breathable metal part has waterproof and breathable functions; and an assembly step: fixing an electronic module to the receiving portion so that the electronic module and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

[0008] In summary, the wearable device and its manufacturing method of the present invention can effectively reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the wearable device through the design of breathable metal parts, etc. Compared with the traditional manufacturing method that uses waterproof and breathable membranes in conjunction with related auxiliary structures or components, the wearable device and its manufacturing method of the present invention can allow relatively more space to be used inside the plastic shell.

[0009] To further understand the features and technical content of this invention, please refer to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional diagram of an existing smartwatch.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wearable device of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the wearable device of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the wearable device of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a cross-section along section line VV.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the breathable metal component of the wearable device of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the breathable metal component of the wearable device of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of the manufacturing method of the wearable device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following description, if it is indicated that a specific diagram is referred to or as shown in a specific diagram, it is only to emphasize that most of the relevant content mentioned in the following description appears in that specific diagram, but does not limit the following description to refer only to that specific diagram.

[0019] Please refer to the following: Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wearable device of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the wearable device of the present invention. Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the wearable device of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along section line VV. The wearable device 100 of the present invention includes: a plastic shell 1, a breathable metal component 2, an electronic module 3, and two watch straps 4. The plastic shell 1 has a receiving portion 12 and includes a through hole 11. The two ends of the through hole 11 are respectively opened into the receiving portion 12 and the external environment.

[0020] The plastic outer shell 1 is integrated with the periphery of the breathable metal component 2 via injection molding. The breathable metal component 2 corresponds to the closed through-hole 11 and has both breathable and waterproof functions. The size and shape of the through-hole 11 can be varied according to requirements and are not limited to those shown in the figure. In addition, the shape and size of the breathable metal component 2 can also be varied according to requirements; the figure shown is only one example.

[0021] In one specific embodiment, the breathable metal component 2 can be, for example, steel, and includes multiple material pores with an average pore diameter of less than 20 micrometers (µm). The porosity of the breathable metal component 2 is approximately 25%. Of course, the specific material of the breathable metal component 2 and the average pore diameter of its contained material pores are not limited to the above description. In practical applications, as long as the breathable metal component 2 can achieve a waterproof effect that prevents water molecules with a diameter greater than 100 micrometers and has a breathable effect, the breathability range can be adjusted according to the actual situation, such as between 20% and 30%. The material of the breathable metal component 2 can be selected according to requirements.

[0022] Electronic module 3 is housed in receiving portion 12. Electronic module 3, breathable metal part 2, and plastic shell 1 together form a closed space, preventing water molecules with a diameter greater than 100 micrometers outside the wearable device 100 from entering this closed space. In practical applications, electronic module 3 may include a display 31 and a control module 32. The display 31 may be a touch screen or a non-touch screen, without limitation. Control module 32 may include various functions such as communication, barometric pressure measurement, and temperature measurement, depending on requirements, without limitation. The control module 32 shown in the figure is only a simplified representation; the actual appearance of control module 32 and its included electronic components are not limited to the above description or figures.

[0023] One end of each of the two watch straps 4 is fixed to the plastic casing 1, while the other ends of the two watch straps 4 can be operated to fix them together. In the drawings of this embodiment, the wearable device 100 is used as an example of a smartwatch, and the wearable device 100 includes two watch straps 4. However, the wearable device 100 of the present invention is not limited to being used only as a smartwatch. For example, the wearable device 100 of the present invention can also be used as a mountaineering navigation device, a bicycle computer, etc.

[0024] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the breathable metal component of the wearable device of the present invention. In practical applications, the breathable metal component 2 may include a body 21 and a protruding structure 22. The body 21 may be a nearly circular sheet-like structure or a nearly cylindrical structure, and the periphery of the body 21 may have a ring-shaped protruding structure 22, and the thickness of the body 21 and the thickness of the protruding structure 22 are not equal. This design allows for better bonding strength between the plastic shell 1, which is injection molded and combined with the breathable metal component 2, and the breathable metal component 2. Of course, the shape of the body 21 of the breathable metal component 2 can also be changed according to the shape of the through hole 11 of the shell 1. For example, if the shape of the through hole 11 is square, then the body 21 of the breathable metal component 2 may be a nearly square sheet-like structure or a nearly square prism-like structure. Furthermore, the number and shape of the protruding structures 22 are not limited to those shown in the figure. In different embodiments, the periphery of the body 21 may also extend outward to form multiple protruding structures 22, and the multiple protruding structures 22 may be arranged at intervals, and the shape of each protruding structure 22 may be a polygonal sheet structure or a polygonal column structure, etc.

[0025] Please see Figure 7The diagram shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the breathable metal component of the wearable device of the present invention. To enhance the connection strength between the breathable metal component 2 and the plastic shell 1, the periphery of the breathable metal component 2 may be formed with a textured structure 23. In this embodiment, the textured structure 23 is basically composed of multiple pyramidal structures, but the textured structure 23 is not limited to that shown in the figure.

[0026] Please see Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the wearable device of the present invention. The manufacturing method of the wearable device of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0027] A housing manufacturing step S1: Using an injection molding method, a plastic shell is formed around a breathable metal part, the plastic shell including a receiving part; wherein, the breathable metal part has waterproof and breathable functions;

[0028] Assembly step S2: Fix an electronic module to the receiving part so that the electronic module and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

[0029] For detailed information on the breathable metal parts, plastic housing and its housing, electronic modules, etc., please refer to the description of the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0030] It is worth mentioning that, depending on the actual wearable device to be manufactured, a corresponding assembly step may be added to the assembly step S2. For example, if the manufacturing method of the wearable device of the present invention is used to manufacture a smartwatch, then the assembly step S2 also includes a step of fixing one end of each of the two watch straps to the plastic shell.

[0031] In summary, the wearable device and its manufacturing method of the present invention, by combining the plastic shell with the periphery of the breathable metal part through injection molding, can replace the traditional breathable and waterproof membrane and related auxiliary structures or components, thereby effectively reducing manufacturing costs and increasing the usable space inside the plastic shell.

[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wearable device, characterized in that, Include: A plastic housing having a receiving portion, the plastic housing including a through hole, the two ends of the through hole being respectively opened into the receiving portion and the external environment; A breathable metal component that seals the through hole and has waterproof and breathable functions; wherein, the plastic shell is attached to the periphery of the breathable metal component by embedded injection molding. An electronic module is disposed in the accommodating part, and the electronic module, the breathable metal part, and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

2. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the breathable metal part has a textured surface.

3. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilated metal part has at least one protruding structure on its periphery, which is used to engage with the plastic shell.

4. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The breathable metal component contains multiple material pores, the average pore diameter of which is less than 20 micrometers.

5. The wearable device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The porosity of the breathable metal component is between 20% and 30%.

6. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The breathable metal component is made of steel.

7. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The wearable device also includes two watch straps, one end of each of which is fixed to the plastic housing, and the electronic module includes a display.

8. A method for manufacturing a wearable device, characterized in that, Include: A shell manufacturing step: A plastic shell is formed around a breathable metal part using an injection molding method, the plastic shell including a receiving part; wherein, the breathable metal part has waterproof and breathable functions; Assembly step 1: Fix an electronic module to the receiving part so that the electronic module, the breathable metal part and the plastic shell together form a closed space.

9. The method for manufacturing a wearable device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The breathable metal component contains multiple material pores, the average pore diameter of which is less than 20 micrometers.

10. The method for manufacturing a wearable device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The porosity of the breathable metal component is between 20% and 30%.

11. The method of manufacturing a wearable device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The breathable metal component is made of steel.

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