DE10131611C1 - Forming external shape of electronic device, especially mobile communications device, involves filling holder chamber with deformable medium, deforming to predetermined shape - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves providing a deformable holder with a chamber filed via at least one opening, providing an at least temporarily deformable filling medium, coupling the holder to the electronic device, filling the chamber with the medium and deforming the holder with the medium to a predetermined shape. AN Independent claim is also included for a holder for forming the external shape of an electronic device and a set containing at least two electronic devices, each with an inventive holder.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for Gestal th the outer shape of an electronic device, in particular special of a mobile communication device or a Zube listening part for a mobile communication device.

It is common for electronic devices, especially mobi communication devices, such as mobile telephony Terminals or organizers, with different functional outputs to offer things and external manifestations with the different needs of different customers to meet. It is customary, various Vorrich types of services, which are reflected in their performance features differ from each other. Likewise it is over to design device types in different design variants offer, so as to address customers optically. Although For example, by color design of housings ei ner electronic device gives opportunities an elek tronic device with a certain power spectrum to offer in different design variants are these possibilities are very limited, so that the user le diglich from a limited assortment him most likely op table must select appealing housing. In particular the customer to the substantially predetermined Gehgegeo bound metrics. An example of such a design variant th are exchangeable housing shells for mobile phones, soge called "clip-it-covers", as in the Open EP 1 091 540 A2 (Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.) are shown. Comparable solutions are also from the Patent DE 196 39 197 C2 (Motorola Inc.), US Pat 5,848,152 A (Motorola Inc.) and 6,201,867 B1 (Koike, K.) be known.  

In the prior art is in this regard, for example, from the Laid-open publication DE 199 24 959 A1 (Marketing Partners) ei ne multilayer housing assembly known which protection provides mechanical and electronic interference.

In addition, a printed circuit board is known in the prior art, which verse by blow molding with a plastic housing hen (Patent DE 199 12 256 C1 (Siemens AG)). the It is used to attach and hold the circuit board.

From the publication WO 93/05399 A1 (Robert Bosch GmbH) is still a case-sensitive sensor with a Housing known which form-fitting with a package connected is. The packaging consists of elastic, shocks compensating material and protects the sensor at a Fall on a hard ground.

It is an object of the present invention, a method be to provide the user with a variety of possibilities in the design of the outer shape of an electroni has device.

This object is achieved by a method for designing the external form of an electronic device, in particular a mobile communication device or an accessory for a mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps:

• A) providing a deformable receptacle with an over at least one opening fillable receiving chamber,
• B) providing at least one at least temporarily defor mable filling medium,
• C) coupling the receptacle with the electronic device,
• D) filling the receiving chamber with the filling medium and
• E) Deforming the filled with the filled filling medium Recording to a predetermined shape.

Thus, according to the invention, a conventional electronic Device coupled with the recording, where on closing the receiving chamber of the recording with the filling medium is filled and then depending on the ideas of respec user to adapt to the individual requirements in terms of ergonomics or external appearance of the Device adapted. For example, the user may a mobile phone with the inventive method in Step E) the attached to the mobile phone recording the deform the phone to the shape of his hand adapted and thus ergonomically taken to make calls can be.

In a development of the invention can be provided that welcome the recording as a hose with the receiving chamber Zenden deformable walls, preferably from a dünnwan Digen plastic material or rubber material is formed. In such an embodiment of the recording, this can without significant effort after filling the Aufnahmekam be deformed.

The implementation of the method according to the invention is further facilitated by the inclusion in its unfilled State attached to the geometry of the electronic device fits or is adaptable. So it is possible the recording with  equip certain functional areas, by means of which this in step C) on a housing of the electronic Vor direction is attachable. For example, it may be provided that in step C) the recording with tight fit on the electro niche device is striped or attached to this becomes. Similarly, it may be possible for the recording to the electronic device attached by gluing becomes.

Is the recording in one of the above-mentioned types attached to the electronic device, so can be Fill their receiving chamber according to step D). For this purpose can as a filling medium, a curable foam, preferably a butt lyurethanschaum be used, which at least before a Curing process is deformable. A polyurethane foam offers especially because it is available at low cost is and the present invention desired conditions, such For example, easy fillability in the receiving chamber, good deformability and high dimensional stability after off hardening fulfilled.

Furthermore, it can be provided that in step D) the filling medium is filled under pressure into the receiving chamber. By the se measure ensures that the receiving chamber full is constantly filled with the filling medium.

The invention further relates to a receptacle for designing egg ner outer shape of an electronic device, esp that of a mobile communication device or an accessory partly for a mobile communication device, according to the first Hend described method, comprising a to the geometry adapted to the electronic device, coupled with this bare deformable boundary wall, which has a receiving space limited, wherein the receiving space with an at least temporarily deformable filling medium is filled.  

In this recording can be provided that they at least a closable opening over which the receptacle space is filled with the filling medium. Furthermore, this can Have at least part-receiving chambers, which at least from are separated from each other in sections. By this measure can already through the training of the part-receiving chambers certain design guidelines are made as well as the Stability of the recording increased during and after filling become.

This effect can be strengthened by the fact that the Begren tion wall is formed such that the recording in be filled state of the receiving chamber a predetermined target Form in which it is further deformable. The Sollform specifies a certain basic geometry, of which starting from the user still sufficient possibilities has to admit the individual according to his needs Design ergonomics and design.

The invention further relates to a set comprising at least two electronic devices, each one recording after assigned to the type described above, wherein the at least two electronic devices each after coupling with the associated recording, in particular according to the described above, via a common Interface for a common operation ver are bindable. With such a set, it is possible various electronic devices, such as a Mo mobile phone and a charging station, individually in their outer Shape and then couple. equally Is it possible to provide different electronic modules? such as modules of a mobile phone, namely a display, a radio module, a keyboard, a bat terie or the like, which in each case by certain Interfaces can be connected as required and which can be designed individually in their shape, al  However, to such a limited extent that nevertheless a funk appropriate connection is possible.

According to the invention, this set can also be provided for that the common interface of a male-female Connection is formed, wherein at the one electronic Device, such as the charging station, a plug and on the other electronic device, for example the Mobile phone, a female connector is formed.

In the following, embodiments of the present Er invention explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Put it represents:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a mobile phone;

Fig. 2 is a view showing how a receptacle is slipped over the mobile phone of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Figures 1 and 2, wherein a pressure vessel with filling medium is connected to the receptacle is.

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Figures 1 to 3 with filled ter and deformed recording.

Fig. 5 shows the initial state in a second Ausführungsbei game of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view after filling and Defor ming the recording for the second Ausführungsbei game of the present invention, and

Fig. 7 shows the second embodiment of the present invention in use.

In Fig. 1, a mobile phone is shown in perspective side rear view and generally designated 10. This includes a housing 12 having a substantially elliptical base, wherein on the observer facing end face a female connector 14 for coupling with an external accessory component, such as a charger, a headset or the like, is provided.

In order to make the mobile phone 10 in its outer shape indivi dueller or / and ergonomic, the inven tion proper method is applied. In a first step, starting from the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in Fig. 2, a receptacle 16 on the mobile phone 10 is introduced . The receptacle 16 consists of a kind of balloon made of thin-walled elastic rubber material, which encloses a Aufnah mekammer. The receiving chamber is about a filling nozzle 18 and a filling opening 20 with a filling medium be filled. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the receptacle 16 is in its geometry to the geometry of the housing 12 so fitted that it can be slipped under elastic deformation on the Ge housing 12 and spanned in the fully übergestülp th state on the housing 12 in the tight fit is.

Fig. 3 shows how the receptacle 16 in the tight fit over the Ge housing of the mobile phone 10 is clamped. From Fig. 3 is further removed, that the receptacle has a recess 22 which releases the female connector 14 in the clamped to the receptacle 16 . It should be noted that the coupling of the receptacle 16 and the housing 12 additional Lich to the elastic deformation of the receptacle 16 , from wel cher the tight fit results, even by gluing of receptacle 16 and housing 12 can be achieved.

From Fig. 3 it is further seen that a pressure vessel 24 with a manually operable valve 26 and a filling hose 28 for filling the receiving chamber of the receptacle 16 to the filler neck 18 , as shown by arrow P ₁ , can be closed. After connecting the filling hose 28 to the filler neck 18 , the valve 26 is depressed by a user according to arrow P ₂ and thereby filling medium from the pressure vessel 24 through the valve 26 , the filling hose 28 and the filler neck 18 into the receiving chamber of the receptacle 16 a filled.

The filling medium is a polyurethane foam (PU foam), which is in a viscous de formable state during filling and over a certain period of time after filling and in a period of a few minutes after it is in the receiving chamber of the recording 16 was filled, hardens.

Fig. 3 also shows transverse seams 30 via which mutually opposite portions of the thin-walled plastic material of the receptacle 16 are interconnected.

Looking at Fig. 4 it can be seen that the receiving chamber of the receptacle 16 is now filled with the filling medium and has been brought by a user in a desired shape. In the state shown in FIG. 4, as indicated with reference to FIG. 3, the recess 22 releases the female connector 14 . Further, in the state shown in Fig. 4, the filling hose is separated from the filler neck 18 and the Druckbe container has been removed. Fig. 4 shows that by filling the receiving chamber of the receptacle 16 at the back of Mo biltelefon 10 a plurality of ribs 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ , 32 ₃ and 32 _{4 has} formed, which are separated by the respective transverse seams 30 from each other. The ribs 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ , 32 ₃ and 32 ₄ give the back of the cellphone 10 an interesting exterior appearance and also cause the mobile phone 10 is formed shockproof on its back, so that damage by external mechanical influences, for example when falling down of the mobile phone on a hard surface, can be prevented.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Looking at Fig. 5 it can be seen that a receptacle is provided with a substantially rectangular recess 38 36, in which a connector plug 40 according to arrow P with its contact strip 42 ₃ inserted. The connector 40 is connected via a cable 44, for example, with a charger or the like verbun the.

Fig. 5 is further removed, that to a connecting piece 46 of the receptacle 36 , in turn, as described with reference to Fig. 3 for the first embodiment, a pressure vessel 24 with valve 26 and filling hose 28 according to arrow P ₁ is connected. By manual actuation of the valve 26 according to arrow P _{2 which} is surrounded by the receptacle 36 ne receiving chamber with filling medium from the pressure vessel 24 be filled.

By filling the receiving chamber with filling medium and then deforming the filled receptacle 36 , an outer shape of the receptacle 36 , which resembles the shape of a chair, is finally obtained. In which the "seat" of the Ses sels corresponding area 48 , in particular in its Zen trum, the contact bar 42 projects upwards. Below this the seat corresponding area 48 is a Fußbe rich 50 , which may be formed by suitable deformation of the receptacle 36 or by attaching a separate element.

Fig. 7 shows how a mobile phone 10 with its plug socket 14 is plugged onto the contact strip 42 and on the trained by filling with filling medium and suitable deformation corresponding to FIG. 6 trained as a mobile phone holder on 36 is placed.

The invention shows a way in which by means of relatively simple means a possibility is provided to users, electronic devices such as the mobile phone 10 or a charging device can be customized and to the user's needs in terms of design, functionality and ergonomics can be adapted.

It should be noted that the recordings 16 and 36 each of the electronic components, namely the Mo mobile phone 10 and the plug 40 , if necessary, but not necessarily destructive, remove, so that the respective electronic cal device used in its original form again can be. Thus, it is possible, after once made fiction, according to "reshaping" the outer shape of the mobile phone as to put into its initial state and if he wishes to change again by the inventive method in its external appearance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

mobile phone

12

casing

14

socket

16

admission

18

filling

22

recess

24

pressure vessel

26

Valve

28

filling hose

30

cross seam
32 ₁

, _{2, 3}

, ₄

rib

36

admission

38

recess

40

connector

42

contact strip

44

electric wire

46

connecting branch

48

Seat corresponding area

50

footer
P ₁

, P ₂

, P ₃

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Claims (13)

A method of designing the external shape of an electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ), in particular a mobile communication device or an accessory for a mobile communication device, comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a deformable receptacle ( 16 , 36 ) with a receiving chamber which can be filled via at least one opening ( 20 ),
• B) providing at least one at least temporarily defor mable filling medium,
• C) coupling the receptacle ( 16 ; 36 ) to the electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ),
• D) filling the receiving chamber with the filling medium and
• E) Deforming the filled with the filled filling medium receptacle ( 16 ; 36 ) to a predetermined shape.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle ( 16 , 36 ) as a hose with the receiving chamber bounding deformable walls, preferably of a thin-walled plastic material or rubber material, is ausgebil det. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recording in its unfilled state to the Geome trie of the electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ) adapted or adaptable. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized, that the filling medium is a curable foam, preferably a Polyurethane foam, which is at least before curing process is deformable.   5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step C) the receptacle ( 16 ; 36 ) with a tight fit on the electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ) is striped or attached thereto. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that in step D) the filling medium under pressure in the recording chamber is filled. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that in step E) the inclusion in one for the respective Be user ergonomic shape. 8. A receptacle ( 10 ; 36 ) for shaping the outer shape of an electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ), in particular a mobi len communication device or an accessory for a mo biles communication device, according to the method of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a to the geometry the electronic device ( 10 ; 40 ) adapted to be coupled with this deformable boundary wall, which limits a Aufnah mekammer, wherein the receiving chamber is filled with a at least temporarily deformable filling medium. 9. Recording according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one closable opening ( 20 ) through which the receiving chamber can be filled with the filling medium. 10. Recording according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by part-receiving chambers ( 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ , 32 ₃ and 32 ₄ ), which are at least partially separated from each other. 11. Recording according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the boundary wall is formed such that the acquisition on ( 16 ; 36 ) assumes a predetermined desired shape in the filled state of the receiving chamber, in which it is further defor mable. 12. Set comprising at least two electronic devices ( 10 , 40 ), which in each case a receptacle ( 16 , 36 ) is assigned according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the at least two electronic devices ( 10 , 40 ) respectively after coupling with this each associated receptacle ( 16 , 36 ), in particular according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, via a common interface ( 14 , 42 ) for a common operation are connected to each other. 13. Set according to claim 12, characterized in that the common interface of a male-female connection ( 14 , 42 ) is formed, wherein at one electro-American device ( 40 ) has a plug ( 42 ) and at the other electronic device ( 10 ) a socket ( 14 ) is formed from.