CASING FOR A MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20110021255A1
• Filed: 02/03/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Ki-Hoon, Chae, Han-Seok
• Granted Patent: US 8,244,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal comprises a case having internal and external surfaces. The mobile communication device further comprises a first layer formed over the external surface of the case, the first layer comprising conductors for allowing plating on the outer surface of the case; a second layer formed over the first layer, the second layer comprising an antenna pattern for transmitting and receiving radio signals corresponding to one or more frequency bands; a third layer formed over the second layer to protect the case; a circuit board configured to process signals conformable to the radio signals, wherein the circuit board is disposed within an inner surface of the case; and a connection unit formed through the case and configured to electrically connect the second layer to the circuit board.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal comprising a case having internal and external surfaces, the mobile communication device comprising:

a first layer formed over the external surface of the case, the first layer comprising conductors for allowing plating on the outer surface of the case;

a second layer formed over the first layer, the second layer comprising an antenna pattern for transmitting and receiving radio signals corresponding to one or more frequency bands;

a third layer formed over the second layer to protect the case;

a circuit board configured to process signals conformable to the radio signals, wherein the circuit board is disposed within an inner surface of the case; and

a connection unit formed through the case and configured to electrically connect the second layer to the circuit board.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the first layer is a layer printed over the external surface of the case.

3. The terminal of claim 2, wherein the first layer is printed by use of ink, wherein the ink comprises conductors and the print defines a pattern of formation for the conductors.

4. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the first layer further comprises a binder resin, the binder resin adhering the conductors onto the external surface of the case.

5. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the second layer is plated on the first layer.

6. The terminal of claim 5, wherein the second layer comprises a metal.

7. The terminal of claim 1, further comprising a protection layer formed over the second layer to protect the second layer.

8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the third layer has a color similar to that of the second layer.

9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the third layer formed over the second layer to form an outer surface of the case to protect the case.

10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the third layer is formed over the second layer and is hardened by radiation.

11. The terminal of claim 10 wherein coating material of the third layer covers the second layer and the outer surface of the case in a first color.

12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the connection unit comprises:

a recess portion recessed into the external surface of the case, the second layer being formed over the recessed surface; and

one or more connection pins formed of a conductive material and inserted into a hole formed through the recessed surface, wherein one end of at least one connection pin is connected to the second layer and another end is connected to the circuit board.

13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the second layer extends from the recessed surface to an inner circumferential surface defining the hole formed through the recessed surface.

14. The terminal of claim 13, wherein the connection pin is configured to at least partially contact the second layer on the inner circumferential surface between both ends thereof.

15. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the connection pin is formed so that one end thereof terminates at the recessed surface and another end is elastically presses against a connection terminal disposed on the circuit board.

16. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the connection pin has a first end terminating at the recessed surface and a second end protruding from an inner surface of the case, wherein the circuit board is provided with a connection terminal configured to press the second end of the connection pin.

17. The terminal of claim 12, wherein a plurality of connection pins are provided to define grounding and feeding paths with the circuit board.

18. The terminal of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to cover the second layer and an accommodation chamber, the accommodation chamber formed at the external surface of the case so that a battery is mounted therein.

19. The terminal of claim 18, wherein the external surface of the case comprises a main surface at which the accommodation chamber is defined and side surfaces formed in a direction crossing the main surface, wherein the pattern of the second layer is formed on at least one of the main surface and the side surfaces.

20. The terminal of claim 1, further comprising an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio signals corresponding to a frequency band different from the radio signals and wherein the antenna is mounted in the terminal body.