TWI546205B - Manufacturing method of decorative metal pattern and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

Method for manufacturing decorative metal pattern and electronic device

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal pattern and an electronic device, and more particularly to a method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern and an electronic device including the decorative metal pattern.

Nowadays, in order to enhance the aesthetics of goods, it is quite common to form a pattern on the casing of a commodity. This can usually be accomplished by spraying ink onto the shell of the article or by thermal transfer of the ink layer to the surface of the shell of the product. As the process progresses and the aesthetics improves, the texture of the product's appearance is more and more valued.

At present, if a metal texture is to be exhibited on the outer casing of the product, it is generally used directly on the metal casing or by electroplating the metal onto the casing. However, if such a casing is applied to a mobile phone, the design of the antenna is limited. If the metal-like material is sprayed onto a partial casing by means of painting, inkjet or thermal transfer, the true metallic luster cannot be expressed due to the limitation of the material texture.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern in which a decorative metal pattern is provided on a partial surface of a casing to exhibit a metallic texture on the appearance of a casing of a commodity, and to avoid the position of a specific component.

The invention provides an electronic device comprising the above decorative metal figure case.

The invention provides a method for manufacturing a decorative metal pattern, comprising: providing a casing, wherein the casing has a surface; forming a metal layer on the surface of the casing; forming a first etching mask to the metal layer; etching the portion Exposing a metal layer outside the first etch mask to form a decorative metal pattern; removing the first etch mask.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of forming the first etching mask comprises forming a first photoresist layer onto the metal layer; exposing the first photoresist layer; and developing the exposed first photoresist layer to form The first etching mask.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of forming the first etch mask further includes disposing a first reticle on the first photoresist layer on a first region of the surface; exposing the first region a first photoresist layer; a second mask disposed on the first photoresist layer on a second region of the surface, wherein the first region and the second region are on different planes of the surface; and the second exposure The first photoresist layer on the area.

In an embodiment of the invention, the surface of the housing has a recess and the decorative metal pattern is located in the recess.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes forming a second etching mask onto the decorative metal pattern; the etching portion is exposed to the decorative metal pattern outside the second etching mask to form; the relief pattern or a gravure pattern is On the decorative metal pattern; the second etching mask is removed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of forming the first etching mask comprises forming a second photoresist layer onto the decorative metal pattern; exposing the second photoresist layer; and developing the exposed second photoresist layer To form a second etching mask.

In an embodiment of the invention, in the step of forming the metal layer on the surface of the casing, the metal layer is formed on the surface by wet plating.

In an embodiment of the invention, the material of the housing is plastic.

In an embodiment of the invention, the material of the housing comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC).

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the step of forming the metal layer on the surface of the casing, the method further includes disposing an activation layer on the surface of the casing and then providing a metal layer on the activation layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the surface is an outer surface of the housing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the decorative metal pattern is formed on a portion of an outer surface of the housing, the housing having an inner surface opposite the outer surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the outer surface is a convex curved surface, and the inner surface is a concave curved surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes disposing an antenna on the other surface of the decorative metal pattern relative to the housing, and the antenna substantially corresponds to a portion where the metal layer is etched.

In an embodiment of the invention, the metal layer comprises copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver or palladium.

The invention further provides an electronic device comprising a casing, a decorative metal pattern and an antenna. The housing has a relatively outer surface and an inner surface. The decorative metal pattern is formed on a portion of the outer surface of the housing. The antenna is disposed on the inner surface and substantially corresponds to the outer surface of the housing without forming a decorative pattern Another part of the case.

In an embodiment of the invention, the decorative metal pattern comprises a relief pattern or a gravure pattern.

In an embodiment of the invention, the material of the casing comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polycarbonate.

In an embodiment of the invention, the material of the decorative metal pattern comprises copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver or palladium.

In an embodiment of the invention, the outer surface is a convex curved surface, and the inner surface is a concave curved surface.

Based on the above, the present invention creates a decorative metal pattern in a partial area of the casing by etching to make the casing have a metallic texture and a glossy pattern. Moreover, for the housing applied to the mobile phone, the method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of the present invention can avoid the antenna in the housing to avoid affecting the antenna performance. In addition, the present invention further forms a relief pattern or a gravure pattern on the decorative metal pattern by etching to increase the richness of the metal pattern.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

1 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2A to 2F are schematic views of a method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of Fig. 1. 3A to 3F are partial cross-sectional views of Figs. 2A to 2F.

The manufacturing method S100 of the decorative metal pattern of this embodiment includes the following steps. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A, first, a housing 110 is provided in which the housing 110 has a surface 112 (step S110). In this embodiment, the housing 110 is a housing of an electronic device, and the electronic device can be a mobile phone. In other embodiments, the electronic device can also be a notebook computer or a tablet computer. limit. As shown in FIG. 2A, the surface 112 of the housing 110 is an outer surface. In this embodiment, the outer surface is a convex curved surface, but the outer surface is not limited thereto. In addition, the material of the housing 110 is plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), but the material of the housing 110 is not limited thereto.

Next, referring to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B, a metal layer 119 is formed on the surface 112 of the casing 110 (step S120). In the present embodiment, the material of the metal layer 119 includes copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver or palladium, and the metal layer 119 is formed on the surface 112 by wet plating. The metal layer 119 of the present embodiment can be firmly fixed to the surface 112 by wet plating. Of course, the manner in which the material of the metal layer 119 and the metal layer 119 are formed on the surface 112 is not limited thereto.

When the direct bonding effect of the material of the casing 110 (for example, polycarbonate) and the metal layer 119 is poor, in order to promote the bonding state of the surface 112 of the casing 110 and the metal layer 119, the surface 112 and the metal layer of the casing 110 may be provided. An activation layer 116 is applied between 119 to assist the metal layer 119 to be uniformly formed on the surface 112 of the housing 110. In this embodiment, the material of the active layer 116 may be metal or resin. The metal and the resin may be formed on the surface 112 by sputtering and water plating, respectively. However, the material type and formation manner of the active layer 116 may not be This is a limitation.

Then, a first etching mask is formed on the metal layer 119 (step S130). In this embodiment, the first etching mask is formed as follows: First, referring to FIG. 2C and FIG. 3C, a first photoresist layer 120 is formed on the metal layer 119 (step S132). Secondly, referring to FIG. 2D and FIG. 3D, a first mask 130 is disposed on the first photoresist layer 120. Third, referring to FIG. 2E and FIG. 3E, the first photoresist layer 120 is exposed (step S134). In the present embodiment, a technique of stereo exposure is used to expose the first photoresist layer 120 overlying the surface 112 (outer surface) and the metal layer 119. Finally, the exposed first photoresist layer 120 is developed to form a first etch mask (step S136). In other embodiments, the surface 112 of the housing 110 can include first and second regions on different planes by providing a first photomask to the first photoresist layer 120 on the first region of the surface 112. Upper, after exposing the first photoresist layer 120 on the first region. The second photomask is further disposed on the first photoresist layer 120 on the second region of the surface 112, and the first photoresist layer 120 on the second region is exposed, and the first region and the second region of the different planes are borrowed. After multiple exposures by different masks, the exposed first photoresist layer 120 is developed to form a first etch mask, but the manner in which the first etch mask is formed is not limited thereto.

Next, the etched portion is exposed to the metal layer 119 outside the first etch mask to form a decorative metal pattern 150 (step S140). Finally, the first etching mask is removed (step S150). Referring to FIG. 2F and FIG. 3F, the decorative metal pattern 150 is formed on a portion of the outer surface of the housing 110. In this A positive photoresist is used in the embodiment, but in other embodiments, a negative photoresist may also be used, which results in a pattern opposite to that of Fig. 3F.

In the present embodiment, the housing 110 has an inner surface opposite the outer surface, and an antenna 10 is disposed on the other surface of the decorative metal pattern 150 relative to the housing 110, and the antenna 10 is substantially etched corresponding to the metal layer 119. part. That is, the antenna 10 is disposed on the inner surface to correspond to another portion of the outer surface. In this embodiment, the inner surface is a concave curved surface, but the inner surface is not limited thereto. Method for manufacturing decorative metal pattern 150 of the present embodiment A decorative metal pattern 150 may be formed in a partial area of the outer surface of the housing 110 to provide a shape in which the housing 110 has a metallic texture and gloss. In addition, since the decorative metal pattern 150 is only distributed on the outer surface of the portion, if the housing 110 is the housing of the mobile phone, the position of the decorative metal pattern 150 on the outer surface can avoid the position of the antenna 10 inside the housing 110. To avoid affecting the performance of the antenna 10.

4A to 4F are schematic cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the decorative metal pattern of Fig. 1. The main difference between FIGS. 4A to 4F and FIGS. 3A to 3F is that the surface 212 of the housing 210 of FIG. 4A is an outer surface 214 having a recess 212a, and the decorative metal pattern 250 is formed in the recess 212a. The surface 112 of the housing 110 of 3A is a smooth outer surface 114. The manufacturing process of the decorative metal pattern 250 of the present embodiment is described in detail below.

First, referring to FIG. 4A, a housing 210 is provided, wherein the surface 212 of the housing 210 is an outer surface having a recess 212a. The outer surface of the embodiment is a convex curved surface, but the outer surface is not limited thereto. Next, referring to FIG. 4B, a metal layer 219 is formed on the surface 212 of the housing 210. In this embodiment, The metal layer 219 includes copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver or palladium, and the metal layer 219 is formed on the surface by wet plating, but the material of the metal layer 219 and the manner of forming the metal layer 219 are not limited thereto.

Then, a first etching mask 240 is formed on the metal layer 219. In this embodiment, the first etching mask 240 is formed as follows: First, referring to FIG. 4C, a first photoresist layer 220 is formed on the metal layer 219. Secondly, referring to FIG. 4D, the first photomask 230 is disposed on the first photoresist layer 220 and the first photoresist layer 220 is exposed. In the present embodiment, a technique of stereo exposure is used to expose the first photoresist layer 220 overlying the surface 212 (outer surface) and the metal layer 219. Finally, referring to FIG. 4E, the exposed first photoresist layer 220 is developed to form a first etch mask 240.

Finally, the etched portion is exposed to the metal layer 219 outside the first etch mask 240 to form a decorative metal pattern 250, and the first etch mask 240 is removed. Referring to FIG. 4F, a decorative metal pattern 250 is formed in the recess 212a of the surface 212 of the housing 210 to provide a metallic and glossy shape of a portion of the housing 210.

In addition to the decorative metal patterns 150, 250 being formed on the outer surface, a relief pattern or a gravure pattern can be formed on the decorative metal pattern in the same manner to provide a richer and more diverse metal pattern formed in the housing. On the outer surface. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of fabricating a relief pattern or a gravure pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A to 6I are schematic views of a method of manufacturing the intaglio pattern of Fig. 5. The manufacturing method S300 of the gravure pattern of this embodiment is described in detail below.

First, please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A, a housing 310 is provided, wherein the shell The body 310 has a surface 312 (step S310). In this embodiment, the surface 312 is an outer surface of the housing 310. The outer surface of the embodiment is a convex curved surface, but the outer surface is not limited thereto. The housing 310 may be a housing of a mobile phone, but the type of the housing 310 is not limited thereto. In addition, the material of the housing 310 may be plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), but not limited thereto.

Next, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a metal layer 319 is formed on the surface 312 of the housing 310 (step S320). In the present embodiment, the metal layer 319 includes copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver or palladium, and the metal layer 319 is formed on the surface 312 by wet plating. In addition, the thickness of the metal layer 319 of the present embodiment may be greater than the thickness of the metal layer 119 in FIG. 2G in order to subsequently form the intaglio pattern 390 on the decorative metal pattern 350.

Then, a first etching mask is formed on the metal layer 319 (step S330). In the present embodiment, the process of forming the first etching mask is as follows: First, referring to FIG. 6C, a first photoresist layer 320 is formed on the metal layer 319 (step S332). Secondly, referring to FIG. 6D, a first mask 330 is disposed on the first photoresist layer 320 and the first photoresist layer 320 is exposed (step S334). In the present embodiment, a technique of stereo exposure is used to expose the first photoresist layer 320 over the surface 312 (outer surface) and the metal layer 319. Finally, the exposed first photoresist layer 320 is developed to form a first etch mask (step S336). The pattern of the first etch mask corresponds to the pattern of the first reticle 330.

Next, the etched portion is exposed to the metal layer 319 outside the first etch mask to form a decorative metal pattern 350 (step S340). Come back, remove The first etching mask (step S350). Referring to FIG. 6E, the decorative metal pattern 350 is formed on a portion of the outer surface of the housing 310.

Then, a second etching mask 380 is formed on the decorative metal pattern 350 (step S360). The process of forming the first etch mask 380 is as follows: First, referring to FIG. 6F, a second photoresist layer 360 is formed onto the decorative metal pattern 350 (step S362). Secondly, referring to FIG. 6G, a second mask 370 is disposed on the second photoresist layer 360 and exposes the second photoresist layer 360 (step S364). Finally, referring to FIG. 6H, the exposed second photoresist layer 360 is developed to form a second etch mask 380 (step S366), wherein the pattern of the second etch mask 380 corresponds to the pattern of the second mask 370.

Next, the etched portion is exposed to the decorative metal pattern 350 outside the second etch mask 380 to form a gravure pattern 390 on the decorative metal pattern 350 (step S370). Finally, the second etching mask 380 is removed (step S380). Referring to FIG. 6I, a gravure pattern 390 is formed on the decorative metal pattern 350 on the outer surface of the housing 310. In this embodiment, a portion of the second etching mask 380 is distributed on the periphery of the decorative metal pattern 350, and after the etching process, the decorative metal pattern is compared with the removed portion of the decorative metal pattern 350. The periphery of the 350 is not removed, and therefore, the intaglio pattern 390 is formed on the decorative metal pattern 350.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the housing 310 has an inner surface opposite to the outer surface, and an antenna 10 is disposed on the other surface of the decorative metal pattern 350 relative to the housing 310, and the antenna 10 substantially corresponds to the metal layer 319. The portion to be etched. That is, the antenna 10 is disposed on the inner surface to correspond to another portion of the outer surface. The inner surface of this embodiment is a concave curved surface, but the inner surface This is not a limitation. In the method of manufacturing the intaglio pattern 390 of the present embodiment, after the decorative metal pattern 350 is formed in a partial region of the outer surface of the casing 310, the intaglio pattern 390 is formed on the decorative metal pattern 350. The gravure pattern 390 can provide a richer metal pattern of the housing 310 by transmitting light and shadow differences caused by the difference in depth. In addition, since the intaglio pattern 390 is only distributed on the outer surface of the portion, if the housing 310 is the housing of the mobile phone, the position of the intaglio pattern 390 on the outer surface can avoid the position of the antenna 10 inside the housing 310 to avoid the influence. Antenna 10 performance.

7A to 7C are partial schematic views showing a method of manufacturing the relief pattern of Fig. 5. The main difference between FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 6G to 6I is that FIGS. 7A to 7C are for producing the relief pattern 490, and FIGS. 6G to 6I are for manufacturing the intaglio pattern 390. In this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6F, first, after forming a decorative metal pattern 350 on a portion of the outer surface of the casing 310, a second photoresist layer 360 is formed to the decorative metal pattern 350. The steps are described in detail in FIGS. 6A to 6F, and are not described here.

Next, referring to FIG. 7A, a second mask 470 is disposed on the second photoresist layer 360 and exposes the second photoresist layer 360. The technique of stereo exposure is used here to expose the second photoresist layer 360. Next, referring to FIG. 7B, the exposed second photoresist layer 360 is developed to form a second etching mask 480 on the decorative metal pattern 350, wherein the pattern of the second etching mask 480 corresponds to the second mask. 470 pattern. Finally, the etched portion is exposed to the decorative metal pattern 350 outside the second etch mask 480 to form a relief pattern 490 on the decorative metal pattern 350, and the second etch mask is removed. Curtain 480. Referring to FIG. 7C, the relief pattern 490 may be formed on the decorative metal pattern 350 on the outer surface of the housing 310.

In this embodiment, the second etching mask 480 is distributed inside the decorative metal pattern 350, and after the etching process, the interior of the decorative metal pattern 350 is removed, and part of the interior is decorative. The metal pattern 350 is not removed, and a relief pattern 490 is formed.

That is to say, through the distribution of the second etching mask on the decorative metal pattern, the manufacturer can decide to form a gravure pattern or a relief pattern on the decorative metal pattern to add on the outer surface of the casing. The diversity of metal patterns. Of course, in other embodiments, the above steps may be repeated a plurality of times to create a metal pattern having more light and shadow changes.

In summary, the present invention creates a decorative metal pattern in a partial area of the casing by means of lithography etching, so that the casing has a metallic texture and a glossy pattern. Moreover, for the housing applied to the mobile phone, the method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of the present invention can avoid the antenna in the housing to avoid affecting the antenna performance. In addition, the present invention further increases the richness of the metal pattern by forming a second etching mask on the decorative metal pattern to form a relief pattern or a gravure pattern on the decorative metal pattern.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

S110-S150‧‧‧Steps

10‧‧‧Antenna

110, 210, 310‧‧‧ housing

112, 212, 312‧‧‧ surface

116‧‧‧Active layer

119, 219, 319‧‧‧ metal layers

120, 220, 320‧‧‧ first photoresist layer

130, 230, 330‧‧‧ first mask

150, 250, 350‧‧‧ decorative metal patterns

212a‧‧‧ Groove

240‧‧‧First etching mask

360‧‧‧second photoresist layer

370, 470‧‧‧ second mask

380, 480‧‧‧ second etching mask

390‧‧ ‧ gravure pattern

490‧‧‧ Letterpress pattern

1 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2A to 2F are schematic views of a method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of Fig. 1.

3A to 3F are partial cross-sectional views of Figs. 2A to 2F.

4A to 4F are schematic cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the decorative metal pattern of Fig. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of fabricating a relief pattern or a gravure pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A to 6I are schematic views of a method of manufacturing the intaglio pattern of Fig. 5.

7A to 7C are partial schematic views showing a method of manufacturing the relief pattern of Fig. 5.

S110-S150‧‧‧Steps

Claims (9)

A method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern, comprising: providing a casing, wherein the casing has a surface; forming a metal layer on the surface of the casing; forming a first etching mask to the metal layer; The etched portion is exposed to the metal layer outside the first etch mask to form a decorative metal pattern; the first etch mask is removed; a second etch mask is formed onto the decorative metal pattern; and the etched portion is exposed The decorative metal pattern outside the second etching mask to form a relief pattern or a gravure pattern on the decorative metal pattern; removing the second etching mask; and providing an antenna to the decorative metal pattern Relative to the other surface of the housing, and the antenna substantially corresponds to the portion of the metal layer that is etched. The method for manufacturing a decorative metal pattern according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the first etching mask comprises: forming a first photoresist layer onto the metal layer; and exposing the first photoresist layer And developing the exposed first photoresist layer to form the first etch mask. The method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of claim 2, wherein the step of forming the first etch mask further comprises: disposing a first reticle on the first region of the surface On the first photoresist layer; Exposing the first photoresist layer on the first region; and providing a second photomask on the first photoresist layer on a second region of the surface, wherein the first region and the second region Located on different planes of the surface; and exposing the first photoresist layer on the second region. The method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the casing has a groove, and the decorative metal pattern is located in the groove. The method for manufacturing a decorative metal pattern according to claim 1, wherein the forming the first etching mask comprises: forming a second photoresist layer onto the decorative metal pattern; and exposing the second light a resist layer; and developing the exposed second photoresist layer to form the second etch mask. The method of manufacturing a decorative metal pattern according to claim 1, wherein in the step of forming the metal layer on the surface of the casing, the metal layer is formed on the surface by wet plating. The method of manufacturing the decorative metal pattern of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the metal layer on the surface of the housing further comprises first providing an activation layer on the surface of the housing. And then disposing the metal layer on the active layer. An electronic device comprising: a housing having an opposite outer surface and an inner surface; a decorative metal pattern formed on the outer surface of the housing, wherein the decorative metal pattern comprises a relief pattern or a Gravure pattern; An antenna is disposed on the inner surface and substantially corresponds to another portion of the outer surface of the housing where the decorative pattern is not formed. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the outer surface is a convex curved surface, and the inner surface is a concave curved surface.