CN1942065B - Translucent or transparent cover and device therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device (600) having a transparent cover (100) with an inner structural member (105) and an outer sleeve (110) at least partially surrounding the edge of the inner structural member (105). The converter assembly (115) is insert molded into the inner structural member (105), which in turn is insert molded with the outer sleeve (110). The wires (150) extending from the converter assembly (115) run along the edge of the inner structure (105), and the cover (100) is pivotally mounted on the main body (605) of the electronic device (600) .

Description

Translucent or transparent covers and devices with such covers

This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on November 1, 2005 with the title of "translucent or transparent cover and device with such cover" and application number 200510118669.1.

technical field

The present invention generally relates to electronic devices having translucent or transparent removable covers. The invention is particularly applicable to portable electronic devices such as two-part radio communication devices having a translucent or transparent removable cover removably mounted on the body of the device, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Background technique

Removable covers are often used to cover user interfaces on electronic devices. Such covers (often referred to as bezels, flaps or flaps) are increasingly being configured on personal handheld communication devices such as mobile phones or mobile radio phones, two-way wireless communication devices, etc., and are used to protect the device The user interface is protected from accidental touches. The cover also often provides a more compact and attractive electronic device by allowing the body of the device to have a foldable configuration.

In such devices, the removable cover can be opened to activate the device, and the cover can also be used as a microphone or receiver by mounting a transducer (speaker or microphone) on the cover. Any electrical connection required between the converter and the body of the device through the hinge typically requires wires or flexible electrical conductors. The wires are usually hidden in an opaque area of the cover. In addition, the connection and mounting of the converter is also usually hidden by the opaque area of the cover. Translator wires and transducer connections are not suitable for use with translucent or transparent covers, although a small window may be provided in the cover to allow the user to view the display screen on the main body when the cover is in the closed position covering the display screen.

In the description, including the claims, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms mean non-limiting content such that a method or apparatus that includes the listed elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not listed.

Contents of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a translucent or transparent cover for an electronic device, the cover comprising:

an inner structural member and an outer casing at least partially surrounding the edges of the inner structural member;

the converter assembly in the cover; and

A plurality of wires extend from the converter assembly and run along at least one edge of the inner structural member.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic device, comprising:

a body in which the circuit is mounted;

a translucent or transparent cover movably mounted on the body, the cover comprising an inner structural member and an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the edges of the inner structural member; and

A transducer assembly disposed in the cover and electrically coupled to the circuit by wires disposed along at least one edge of the inner structural member.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a transparent or translucent cover for an electronic device, the cover comprising:

an inner structural member and an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the edge of the inner structural member;

a converter assembly disposed in the cover; and

multiple wires extending from the converter assembly,

In this case, the wire is supported on the inner structural part symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, comprising:

a housing in which an electrical circuit is installed;

a transparent or translucent cover movably mounted on the housing at a fixed end edge of the cover, the cover comprising:

an inner structural member and an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the edge of the inner structural member;

A converter assembly disposed in the cover and electrically connected to the circuit by wires supported on the inner structural member symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Suitably the cover is movably mounted to the body by a hinge assembly allowing relative pivotal movement of the cover relative to the body.

Appropriately, the converter assembly is mounted on the structure.

The two said wires are suitably supported symmetrically on the inner structure. The wires extend along opposite edges of the construction. Suitably, said opposite edge is a longitudinal edge of the structural element.

A first length of each wire adjacent the transducer assembly extends away from the hinge assembly toward the free end of the cover. The oppositely extending second length of the wire extends in an opposite direction along the lateral edge of the inner structural member. The transverse edge is transverse to the longitudinal edge. The wire also has a third substantially parallel length extending from the free end toward the hinge assembly along the opposite edge of the structural member.

The converter assembly may include a housing to enclose the converter.

Appropriately, the converter assembly may be insert molded into the structural part. At least a length of the wire may be insert molded into the formation. The first length of each wire may be suitably insert molded into the formation. The second and third lengths can be positioned and supported on the edge. The formations may suitably be insert molded with the outer sleeve.

Suitably the transverse and longitudinal edges of the inner structural member may be of complementary shape to respective adjacent edges of said cover. The construct may be transparent. It is appropriate that the outer casing may be transparent.

The overall length of wire can be sandwiched between the construction and the outer sleeve.

Description of drawings

To facilitate the understanding and practice of the invention, illustrative examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is combined in the description and becomes a part of the description to further show the embodiments and explain the different principles and advantages of the present invention. According to the present invention, wherein:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a transparent cover for an electronic device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cover of Figure 1 after the converter assembly 115 has been insert molded together with the inner structure;

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view showing the wires being bent onto the inner structure of the cover in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover in Figure 1 after insert molding the inner structural member 105 into the outer sleeve 110;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cover in Figure 1 after assembly;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the electronic device with the cover in Figure 1;

FIG. 7 shows the method used to make the cover of FIG. 1 and install it on the electronic device of FIG. 6 .

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are for simplicity and clarity of illustration and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.

Detailed ways

Before proceeding to the detailed description of embodiments according to the present invention, it should be observed that the present embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps, apparatus and covers. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the following that the method steps, devices and covers represented by the usual reference signs in the drawings only show specific details relevant to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not described specific details to obscure the disclosure of the present invention.

In this document, relative terms such as first and second, top and bottom etc. are used only to distinguish one entity or action from another without requiring or implying any actual relationship between such entities or actions. relationship or rule. The terms "comprises", "comprising" and variations thereof are meant to encompass non-limiting content such that a method, apparatus, or cover having recited elements does not include only those listed elements, but may include These methods, steps or other elements not enumerated or inherent in the cover. An element stated by "comprising a" does not exclude, without further limitations, the presence of additional identical elements in the described method steps, devices or covers.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings are used to designate the same elements. Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of a substantially transparent cover 100 for an electronic device. The cover 100 may be fully transparent or semi-transparent. The cover 100 includes: an inner structural member 105 ; an outer casing 110 , a converter assembly 115 and a wire 150 . The parts associated with cover 100 are: inner hinge mount 180 with mounting hole 182 ; hinge cover 185 with threaded blind hole 186 ; mounting bolt 190 . Mounting bolt accommodating holes 198 are disposed in cover positioning grooves 197 on the outer sleeve 110 , and protrusions 195 having hinged mounting holes 196 are disposed on the inner structural member 105 .

The inner structural member 105 has a groove 155 extending along an opposite longitudinal edge 160 , the groove 155 also extending along a transverse edge 165 of the inner structural member 105 , which is transverse relative to the longitudinal edge 160 .

Transducer assembly 115 includes a two-part housing consisting of a base 120 and a snap-fit cover 125 surrounding a transducer 130, which is typically a speaker or microphone. The converter 130 is installed in the groove 135 in the base 120, and the wire 150 is electrically mounted to the electrical connector of the converter 130 by soldering. A speaker hole 136 is arranged in the recess 135 to allow the transducer 130 to communicate with the exterior of the two-part housing. When the converter 130 is housed in the two-part housing, the wires 150 pass through the corresponding channels 140 and protrude from the housing.

FIG. 2 shows another exploded view of the substantially transparent cover 100 after the transducer assembly 115 and the first length 250 of each lead wire 150 have been integrally or insert molded onto the inner structural member 105 . In this case, the inner structural member 105 typically comprises injection molded clear plastic with which the transducer assembly 115 is integrally molded and which does not obscure the speaker aperture 136 . Once integrally molded, the first length 250 of each wire 150 is fully encased within the inner structural member 105, with the extension of the wires shown in phantom.

After the inner structure 105 is formed by injection molding, the wire 150 is bent, usually manually, to have a second length 255 extending in the opposite direction, along the groove 155 (from the transducer The assembly extends in opposite directions starting and past the lateral edge 165 of the inner construction member 105 of the first length (250). The wire 150 is further bent to have a substantially parallel third length 260 extending in the groove 155 along the opposite longitudinal edge 160 of the structural member 105 and symmetrically supported by the inner structural member 105 superior.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed perspective view of the wire 150 as it is bent over the inner structural member 105 . The wire is bent around the edges 160, 165 and inserted into the groove of the inner structural member 105, typically by hand. Additionally, the wire 150 is bent adjacent the hinged edge 330 of the inner structural member 105 to form a fourth length 350 extending along the outer sleeve mating surface 305 . The wire also has a fifth length 355 extending away from the hinged edge 330 .

4 shows a perspective view of the substantially transparent cover 100 (excluding hinged cover 185 and inner hinge mounts) after insert molding the inner structural member 105 into the outer sleeve 110 surrounding the inner structural member 105. The edges 160 , 165 also cover most of the outer mating surface 303 and the snap fit cover 125 . Outer sleeve 110 is typically injection molded from clear plastic, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 5 , FIG. 5 shows a substantially assembled transparent cover 100 . Once assembled, the bolts 190 are aligned with the holes 182, 196, 198 and 186, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 shows an electronic device 600 with cover 100 . The electronic device 600 has a body 605 in which circuitry is mounted, the body 605 including drivers for driving a display 630 and switches actuatable by keys 640 in correspondingly aligned keypads. The transparent or translucent cover 100 is movably mounted on the main body by a hinge assembly 610 comprising an inner hinge mount 180 and two outer mount projections 615 . This hinge assembly allows a relative pivotal movement of the lid 100 about the axis X relative to said body from the closed position shown to the open position. Additionally, the converter assembly 115 is electrically coupled to the circuit via the wire 150, wherein the end of the fifth length 355 is connected to a terminal associated with the circuit. As shown, the lateral edges 165 and longitudinal edges 160 of the inner structural member 105 form complementary shapes to corresponding adjacent edges of the outer sleeve 110 to form the outer edges of the cover 105 . In addition, a first length 250 of each wire 150 adjacent to the converter assembly extends away from the hinge assembly 610 toward the free end of the cover 100 , while a third length 260 extends from the free end along the opposite edge of the construction member 110 . Extends toward the hinge assembly 610 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , and to FIGS. 1-6 where necessary, FIG. 7 shows a method 700 for making cover 100 and mounting it to electronic device 600 . First, at block 710 , method 700 insert molds transducer assembly 115 and first length 250 of wire 150 into inner structural member 105 . In this way, the transducer assembly 115, the first length 250 of the wire 150, and the transparent or translucent inner structural member 105 on which the transducer assembly 115 must be mounted are integrally molded together.

Next, at block 720 , a bend of the length of the wire 150 is performed on the inner structural member 105 . The second and third lengths 255 , 260 are positioned and supported on the respective edges 160 , 165 , typically by manually bending the wire 150 around the edges 160 , 165 and inserting them into the groove 155 . Additionally, the wire 150 is bent to form a fourth length 350 and a fifth length 355 (shown in FIG. 3 ). The method 700 then insert molds the inner structural member 105 and the outer casing 110 at block 730 (as shown in FIG. 4 ). In this way, the overall length of the wire 150 , specifically all of the lengths 255 , 260 , 350 and a portion of the fifth length, is clamped between the inner structural member 105 and the outer sleeve 110 .

Next, method 700 attaches inner hinge mount 180 to hinge cover 185 using bolts 190 at block 740 (as shown in FIG. 5 ). Finally, the method 700 pivotably mounts the cover 100 to the electronic device 600 at block 750 .

Advantageously, the present invention provides a translucent or transparent removable cover that covers the main body 605 of the electronic device 600 in the closed position. However, the cover 100 does not hide, for example, the display 630 or the keys 640 . The wires 150 are generally uninsulated and are suitably of silver material, so they are hardly noticeable, especially since the wires generally follow the edge profile of the cover 100, whereas the lateral edges 165 and the longitudinal edges 160 have corresponding The edges of adjacent outer casings 110 have complementary shapes.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been described in the preceding specification. However, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that various changes and changes can be made to this embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative only and not restrictive, and all such modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. The stated benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and elements that enable or make any benefits, advantages or solutions more specific are not considered to be critical, necessary or essential technical features or elements of any or all claims . The invention is defined only by the appended claims including any amendments made before the pendency of this application and the equivalents of those claims.

Claims (17)

1. A transparent or translucent cover for an electronic device, the cover comprising: an inner structural member and an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the edge of the inner structural member; a converter assembly disposed in the cover; and multiple wires extending from the converter assembly, In this case, the wire is supported on the inner structural part symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis. 2. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first length of the wire next to the converter assembly extends towards the first end edge of the cover. 3. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first lengths of each of the wires are parallel to each other. 4. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second lengths of the wires each extend laterally from the first lengths of the wires toward a longitudinal edge of the cover. 5 . The cover for an electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the second lengths of the wires are two, wherein the second lengths of the wires extend in opposite directions. 6. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the second length of the wire is along an area adjacent to the first end edge of the cover. 7. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the third lengths of the wires each extend laterally from the second lengths of the wires toward the second end edge of the cover. 8. The cover for an electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the third lengths of the wires are along respective regions adjacent to opposite longitudinal edges of the cover. 9. An electronic device comprising: a housing in which an electrical circuit is installed; a transparent or translucent cover movably mounted on the housing at a fixed end edge of the cover, the cover comprising: an inner structural member and an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the edge of the inner structural member; A converter assembly disposed in the cover and electrically connected to the circuit by wires supported on the inner structural member symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the cover is pivotably mounted to the housing at the edge of the fixed end by a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly allowing the cover to move relative to the housing pivoting movement. 11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first length of the wire proximate to the transducer assembly extends towards the free end edge of the cover. 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the first lengths of each of the wires are parallel to each other. 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the second lengths of the wires each extend laterally from the first lengths of the wires toward a longitudinal edge of the cover. 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the second lengths of the wires are two, wherein the second lengths of the wires extend in opposite directions. 15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the second length of the wire is along a region adjacent to a free end edge of the cover. 16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the third lengths of the wires each extend laterally from the second lengths of the wires toward the fixed end edge of the cover. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the third lengths of the wires are along respective regions adjacent to opposite longitudinal edges of the cover.

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