Shell structure, intelligent communication equipment and production process of shell structure

Abstract

The invention discloses a shell structure, intelligent communication equipment and a production process of the shell structure. The production process comprises the following steps that S1, a first support is formed through injection molding; s2, forming an antenna body on the surface of the first bracket through an LDS process; s3, spraying a protective layer on a part of the antenna body on the surface of the first bracket, wherein a part of area of the antenna body is exposed on the outer surface of the first bracket to serve as a signal contact point; s4, the first support sprayed with the protective layer is put into a mold to be subjected to secondary injection molding to form a second support, the second support and the first support are connected into a whole to form a shell structure, and the signal contact points are exposed on the outer surfaces of the first support and the second support; residual injection molding runners on the shell structure subjected to injection molding are machined and removed; and S5, carrying out network distribution test on the antenna signal of the shell structure. The antenna body is protected from cracking in the high-temperature and high-pressure environment of in-mold injection molding by spraying the protective layer, and the qualified rate of the product antenna can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of intelligent communication devices, specifically to a housing structure, an intelligent communication device, and a manufacturing process for the housing structure. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, outdoor sports watches have higher requirements for antennas, water resistance, and battery life. The signal transmission and reception performance of the antenna is an important indicator of the watch's performance. It must be able to support GPS navigation and other signal transmission and reception in scenarios where 5G signals are weak or not fully covered in the wild, while also ensuring that the antenna does not take up too much space, encroaching on the space of other components or increasing the size of the watch.

[0003] LDS (Laser-Drilled Surface Mount) technology allows the antenna circuit diagram to be directly laser-engraved onto the watch case, and then metallized onto the circuit diagram to form the signal receiving antenna. This avoids interference from internal components, resulting in a more stable signal. It also saves design space, allowing for a thinner product and increased battery space for longer battery life. Traditional LDS technology typically involves first injection molding the first support frame, then using LDS to form the antenna body onto the first support frame, and finally a second injection molding process to form the second support frame, creating a housing structure with the antenna body. However, because the antenna body structure formed by LDS is relatively fragile, it is prone to deformation or even breakage under the high pressure and high speed impact of the molten plastic during the second injection molding process, leading to a low product yield.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a process method that can improve the deformation or breakage of the antenna body caused by impact during injection molding, so as to improve the product qualification rate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a housing structure, an intelligent communication device, and a manufacturing process for the housing structure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A shell structure, comprising: The first support is formed by injection molding; The antenna body is formed on the surface of the first bracket using LDS process; A protective layer that covers a portion of the surface of the antenna body; The second bracket is injection molded and fixedly connected to the first bracket, so that the antenna body is located between the first bracket and the second bracket; The antenna body is partially exposed on the outer surfaces of the first and second supports to form signal contact points.

[0008] Optionally, the protective layer includes an adhesive layer, which is cured after being sprayed.

[0009] Optionally, the thickness of the adhesive layer ranges from 250 to 350 μm.

[0010] A smart communication device includes the aforementioned housing structure.

[0011] A manufacturing process for a shell structure includes the following steps: S1: The first support is formed by injection molding; S2: The antenna body is formed on the surface of the first support using LDS process; S3: Spray a protective layer onto a portion of the antenna body on the surface of the first bracket, with a portion of the antenna body exposed on the outer surface of the first bracket as a signal contact point; S4: After the first bracket with the protective coating is applied, it is placed into the mold for secondary injection molding to form the second bracket, so that the second bracket and the first bracket are connected as one body to form a shell structure, and the signal contact points are exposed on the outer surfaces of the first bracket and the second bracket; and the remaining injection channels on the shell structure after injection molding are processed and removed. S5: Perform network analysis tests on the antenna signal of the shell structure, package qualified products into warehouse, and reject unqualified products.

[0012] Optionally, in S1, the first bracket includes a first part and a second part; during the injection molding of the first bracket, a bracket connecting material is injection molded between the first part and the second part so that the first part and the second part are connected by the bracket connecting material and arranged relative to each other; in S2, the antenna body is correspondingly formed on the surfaces of the first part and the second part; in S4, CNC machining is used to mill away the injection channels and bracket connecting material on the shell structure together.

[0013] Optionally, S3 includes the following steps: S31, Install the spray masking clamp, which is used to hold the first bracket and block the signal contact points on the first bracket; S32, spray adhesive layer on both sides of the first bracket, cover the antenna body on the first bracket with adhesive layer, wherein the signal contact point is shielded by spray shielding clamp so that it is not covered by adhesive layer; adhesive layer serves as a protective layer. S33, Dry and cure the adhesive layer on the first bracket after the adhesive layer has been sprayed; S34, remove the masking fixture from the first bracket, inspect the first bracket, put qualified products into the warehouse for subsequent production, and remove or rework unqualified products.

[0014] Optionally, in S31, the spray shielding fixture includes a detachably snap-fit ​​upper cover and a lower cover, which can be closed on both sides of the bracket connecting material and cover and shield the signal contact points of the antenna body.

[0015] Optionally, in S32, the thickness of the sprayed adhesive layer ranges from 250 to 350 μm.

[0016] Optionally, in S33, a segmented drying process is adopted; the first stage drying temperature is 90℃ and the drying time is 30min; the second stage drying temperature is 100℃ and the drying time is 40min; the third stage drying temperature is 110℃ and the drying time is 50min. Alternatively, in S33, a segmented drying process can be adopted; the first stage drying temperature is 90℃ and the drying time is 40min; the second stage drying temperature is 120℃ and the drying time is 30min.

[0017] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects: by spraying a protective layer on the first bracket to cover part of the antenna body, the antenna body can be protected during the secondary injection molding of the second bracket on the first bracket, reducing the occurrence of deformation and breakage of the antenna body due to high pressure and high speed impact and friction of the molten plastic; improving the product qualification rate; protecting the signal contact points with the spray shielding fixture to ensure the antenna signal conductivity; and improving the uniformity of adhesive layer curing through the segmented drying process. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the first and second supports in this embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing one side of the first bracket in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the other side of the first bracket in this embodiment; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of the shell structure in this embodiment; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the spray masking fixture and the first support used in the production process of this embodiment.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. First bracket; 11. First part; 12. Second part; 2. Antenna body; 21. Signal contact point; 3. Second bracket; 4. Bracket connecting material; 41. Positioning hole; 5. Spray shielding clamp; 51. Upper cover; 52. Lower cover. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention, primarily used to illustrate the embodiments and to explain the operating principles of the embodiments in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. Components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0021] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Reference Figure 1-5 This embodiment provides a housing structure, taking a watch housing structure as an example. It includes a first bracket 1, an antenna body 2, a protective layer, and a second bracket 3. The first bracket 1 is formed by injection molding. The antenna body 2 is formed on the surface of the first bracket 1 using an LDS process. The protective layer covers a portion of the surface of the antenna body 2. The second bracket 3 is formed by injection molding and fixedly connected to the first bracket 1, so that the antenna body 2 is located between the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 3. The antenna body 2 is partially exposed on the outer surfaces of the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 3 to form signal contact points 21.

[0023] By setting a protective layer (not shown in the figure), when the second bracket 3 is formed by secondary injection molding on the first bracket 1, the antenna body 2 can be protected, reducing the occurrence of deformation and breakage of the antenna body 2 due to high pressure and high speed impact and friction of molten plastic; thus improving the product qualification rate.

[0024] In this embodiment, the protective layer includes an adhesive layer, which is cured after spraying. The adhesive layer can be a single-component high-temperature epoxy resin adhesive.

[0025] In this embodiment, the thickness of the adhesive layer ranges from 250 to 350 μm, with a preferred thickness of 300 μm.

[0026] This embodiment also discloses a smart communication device, specifically a smartwatch, which includes the aforementioned housing structure.

[0027] This embodiment also discloses a manufacturing process for a shell structure, including the following steps: S1: The first support 1 is formed by injection molding; S2: The antenna body 2 is formed on the surface of the first bracket 1 using LDS process; S3: Spray a protective layer onto part of the antenna body 2 on the surface of the first bracket 1, and expose part of the antenna body 2 on the outer surface of the first bracket 1 as a signal contact point 21. S4: The first bracket 1 after the protective layer is sprayed is placed into the mold for secondary injection molding of the second bracket 3, so that the second bracket 3 and the first bracket 1 are connected as one body to form a shell structure; and the remaining injection flow channels on the shell structure after injection molding are processed and removed. S5: Perform network analysis tests on the antenna signal of the shell structure, package qualified products into warehouse, and reject unqualified products.

[0028] By spraying a protective layer onto a portion of the antenna body 2, it is protected during the subsequent secondary injection molding of the second bracket 3, preventing deformation and breakage due to the high-pressure, high-speed impact and friction of the molten plastic, thus improving the product qualification rate. It should be noted that the network analysis test is a network performance test. Furthermore, in S1, the first support 1 includes a first part 11 and a second part 12; during the injection molding of the first support 1, a support connecting material 4 is injection molded between the first part 11 and the second part 12, so that the first part 11 and the second part 12 are connected and arranged relative to each other through the support connecting material 4. The first part 11, the second part 12, and the support connecting material 4 form a whole, so that the antenna body 2 can be formed on the surface of the first part 11 and the second part 12 by LDS, and it is also convenient to subsequently spray a protective layer on the first support 1, without having to spray the protective layer on the first part 11 and the second part 12 in separate steps.

[0029] In S2, the antenna body 2 is formed on the surfaces of the first part 11 and the second part 12 respectively.

[0030] In S4, CNC machining is used to mill away the injection molding channels and bracket connecting material 4 on the shell structure to facilitate subsequent mesh separation testing of the shell structure.

[0031] Furthermore, S3 includes the following steps: S31, Install the spray masking clamp 5. The spray masking clamp 5 is used to hold the first bracket 1 and to block the signal contact point 21 on the first bracket 1.

[0032] S32, spray adhesive layer on both sides of the first bracket 1, and cover the antenna body 2 on the first bracket 1 with adhesive layer, wherein the signal contact point 21 is shielded by the spray shielding clamp 5 so that the signal contact point 21 is not covered by adhesive layer; adhesive layer serves as a protective layer.

[0033] S33, the adhesive layer of the first bracket 1 after spraying the adhesive layer is dried and cured.

[0034] S34, remove the masking fixture 5 from the first bracket 1 and inspect the first bracket 1. Qualified products are stored for subsequent production, while unqualified products are rejected or reworked. Inspection requirements: The surface should be free of burrs, dirt (grease, etc.), and other defects; the positioning holes 41 on the bracket connecting material 4 should be free of burrs, blockages, and dirt; the glue path should be continuous and full, without any breaks or scraping. It should be noted that the positioning holes 41 on the bracket connecting material 4 facilitate the installation of the masking fixture 5 and also facilitate the positioning of the mold for the first bracket 1 during secondary injection molding. Remove any residual glue or foreign matter from the surface using a lint-free cloth dampened with alcohol.

[0035] Furthermore, in S31, the spray masking clamp 5 includes a detachably snap-fit ​​upper cover 51 and a lower cover 52, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the upper cover 51 and the lower cover 52 can fit over both sides of the bracket connecting material 4, covering and shielding the signal contact point 21 of the antenna body 2. Positioning pins are positioned between the upper cover 51 and the lower cover 52, passing through the positioning holes 41 on the bracket connecting material 4 to achieve accurate positioning and ensure that the signal contact point 21 on the antenna body 2 is accurately covered and shielded. During the spraying process, adhesive is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of the first part 11 and the second part 12, simultaneously covering the antenna body 2 on them.

[0036] Furthermore, in S32, the thickness of the sprayed adhesive layer is controlled between 250-350 μm. If the adhesive layer is too thick, it will affect the adhesive flow during secondary injection molding, resulting in air trapping in some areas or insufficient adhesive exposure in thin-walled areas; if the adhesive layer is too thin, the antenna is prone to deformation and breakage. Actual testing shows that controlling the adhesive layer thickness within the 250-350 μm range effectively protects the antenna body 2 without affecting the product after secondary injection molding. A preferred adhesive layer thickness is 300 μm.

[0037] Furthermore, in S33, a segmented drying process is used for the adhesive layer; the first stage drying temperature is 90℃ and the drying time is 40min; the second stage drying temperature is 120℃ and the drying time is 30min.

[0038] In another embodiment, in S33, a segmented drying process is used for the adhesive layer; the first stage drying temperature is 90°C and the drying time is 30 min; the second stage drying temperature is 100°C and the drying time is 40 min; and the third stage drying temperature is 110°C and the drying time is 50 min.

[0039] Of course, in the actual drying process, the drying temperature of each section can vary by 1-2℃, as long as the drying effect is guaranteed. If the baking time is too long or the temperature is too low, the adhesive layer will not be fully cured, and the adhesive layer may overflow onto the product appearance or cause deformation of the antenna body 2 during injection molding. Therefore, by drying in sections, we can ensure that the adhesive layer is cured evenly, improve the curing effect, and avoid the situation where the adhesive layer cracks due to drying at too high a temperature all at once.

[0040] Although the invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, all of which shall be within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A shell structure, characterized in that: include: The first support is formed by injection molding; The antenna body is formed on the surface of the first bracket using LDS process; A protective layer that covers a portion of the surface of the antenna body; The second bracket is injection molded and fixedly connected to the first bracket, so that the antenna body is located between the first bracket and the second bracket; The antenna body is partially exposed on the outer surfaces of the first and second supports to form signal contact points.

2. The shell structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective layer includes an adhesive layer, which is cured and formed after being sprayed.

3. The shell structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the adhesive layer ranges from 250 to 350 μm.

4. A smart communication device, characterized in that: The shell structure includes any one of claims 1-3.

5. A manufacturing process for a shell structure, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: The first support is formed by injection molding; S2: The antenna body is formed on the surface of the first support using LDS process; S3: Spray a protective layer onto a portion of the antenna body on the surface of the first bracket, with a portion of the antenna body exposed on the outer surface of the first bracket as a signal contact point; S4: After the first bracket with the protective coating is applied, it is placed into the mold for secondary injection molding to form the second bracket, so that the second bracket and the first bracket are connected as one body to form a shell structure, and the signal contact points are exposed on the outer surfaces of the first bracket and the second bracket; and the remaining injection channels on the shell structure after injection molding are processed and removed. S5: Perform network analysis tests on the antenna signal of the shell structure, package qualified products into warehouse, and reject unqualified products.

6. The production process according to claim 5, characterized in that: In S1, the first bracket includes a first part and a second part; during the injection molding of the first bracket, a bracket connecting material is injection molded between the first part and the second part so that the first part and the second part are connected by the bracket connecting material and arranged opposite to each other. In S2, the antenna body is formed on the surfaces of the first part and the second part respectively; In S4, CNC machining is used to mill away the injection channels and bracket connecting material on the shell structure.

7. The production process according to claim 6, characterized in that: S3 includes the following steps: S31, Install the spray masking clamp, which is used to hold the first bracket and block the signal contact points on the first bracket; S32, spray adhesive layer on both sides of the first bracket, cover the antenna body on the first bracket with adhesive layer, wherein the signal contact point is shielded by spray shielding clamp so that it is not covered by adhesive layer; adhesive layer serves as a protective layer. S33, Dry and cure the adhesive layer on the first bracket after the adhesive layer has been sprayed; S34, remove the masking fixture from the first bracket, inspect the first bracket, put qualified products into the warehouse for subsequent production, and remove or rework unqualified products.

8. The production process according to claim 7, characterized in that: In S31, the spray shielding fixture includes a detachably snap-fit ​​upper cover and a lower cover, which can be closed on both sides of the bracket connecting material and cover and shield the signal contact points of the antenna body.

9. The production process according to claim 7, characterized in that: In S32, the thickness of the sprayed adhesive layer ranges from 250 to 350 μm.

10. The production process according to claim 7, characterized in that: In S33, a segmented drying process is adopted; the first stage drying temperature is 90℃ and the drying time is 30min; the second stage drying temperature is 100℃ and the drying time is 40min; the third stage drying temperature is 110℃ and the drying time is 50min. Alternatively, in S33, a segmented drying process is adopted; the first stage drying temperature is 90℃ and the drying time is 40min; the second stage drying temperature is 120℃ and the drying time is 30min.

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