EP2494656A1

EP2494656A1 - Mobile device

Info

Publication number: EP2494656A1
Application number: EP10775781A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mika Mehtonen
Original assignee: Lite On Mobile Oyj
Current assignee: Lite On Mobile Oyj
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2010-10-28
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: CN102668236B; CN102668236A; WO2011051408A1; SE0950810A1; SE534322C2

Abstract

The invention provides a housing element for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises at least one antenna radiator arranged to be moulded to a non-conductive element of th e housing element wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna. The antenna comprises at least a first film. The housing element comprises the antenna and the non-conductive element. Said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film. The antenna is arranged to be moulded to the non- conductive element. The invention further provides a corresponding method to manufacture the housing element and a mobile device comprising the housing element. The invention also provides an antenna for a mobile device. The antenna comprises at least one antenna radiator wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna comprising at least a first film. Said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film.

Description

Mobile device

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of housing elements and antennas for mobile devices, such as mobile phones. The invention also covers the field of methods to manufacture a housing element for a mobile device as well as mobile devices comprising such a housing element. A mobile device is defined as a portable communication and/or computer device.

BACKGROUND ART

There are today solutions where antennas are integrated in an external cover to a mobile phone.

One solution is described in patent GB 2345196. This document discloses a method for producing an antenna incorporated in a unitary housing comprising the steps of:

• printing on a carrier film, using conductive ink, the antenna

• inserting said carrier film in a mould

· injection moulding material into the mould.

A drawback with this solution is that the conductivity of the conductive ink limits the antenna performance at low GSM frequencies and the carrier film can cause dents visible at the outer surface of the phone. The possibilities for decorative printing are limited as this printing can only be made on one of the two surfaces of the carrier film.

Other prior art solutions include some kind of mechanical attachment of a flexfilm with the antenna pattern to an outside or inside surface of the cover. If applied on the outside it results in visual problems and if applied on the inside, antenna efficiency can be decreased. When glue is used to attach the flexfilm to the cover it will result in positioning accuracy problems as well as visual and cost problems. The flexfilm typically includes a plastic substrate of polyimide. This makes the flexfilm difficult to stretch which means that the flexfilm is unsuitable for use in a moulding process.

There is thus a need for a solution for providing a cover with improved possibilities for decorative printing and with an integrated antenna, as well as the antenna itself applied to a carrier with improved possibilities for decorative printing, where the antenna performance is improved, especially at low frequencies, to allow multiband operation and where the appearance of the external surface of the cover is improved.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is to reduce at least some of the mentioned deficiencies with the prior art solutions and to provide:

• a housing element for a mobile device

• a method to manufacture the housing element

• an antenna integrated with at least a first film

· a mobile device comprising the housing element to solve the problem to achieve an improved antenna performance especially at low frequencies, to allow multiband operation and to achieve an improved appearance of the external surface of the housing element as well as improved possibilities for decorative printing.

The object is achieved by providing a housing element for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits and at least one antenna radiator arranged to be moulded to a non-conductive element of the housing element wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna. The antenna comprises at least a first film. The housing element comprises the antenna and the non-conductive element, said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film. The antenna is arranged to be moulded to the non-conductive element. At least one hole and/or aperture is arranged in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits.

The object is further achieved by a method to manufacture a housing element for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits and at least one antenna radiator being moulded to the housing element wherein:

• metal is used for realizing said antenna radiator,

· said antenna radiator is integrated in an antenna comprising at least a first film, the housing element comprising the antenna and the non- conductive element,

• said antenna radiator is attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film,

· the antenna is moulded to the non-conductive element and

• at least one hole and/or aperture is arranged for in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits. The object is further achieved by an antenna for a mobile device. The antenna comprises at least one antenna radiator and the mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits, wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna comprising at least a first film. Said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film. The object is further achieved by providing a mobile device comprising a housing element according to any one of claims 1 -17.

In one example of the housing element said antenna radiator is made of a well conductive metal.

In one example of the housing element said antenna radiator is made of gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals. In one example said housing element is at least a part of an external cover of the mobile device.

In one example said housing element is a back cover of a mobile phone. In one example of the housing element said hole/s and/or aperture/s in the non-conductive element is/are filled with a conductive material such that the conductive filling is substantially flush with an inner surface of the housing element or said hole/s and/or aperture/s is/are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

In one example of the housing element the conductive filling is conductive glue.

In one example of the housing element the first film has a decorative printing applied to a top surface of the first film.

In one example of the housing element the first film has a number of sub layers and decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. In one example of the housing element the sub layers comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer.

In one example of the housing element the antenna comprises a second film with a decorative printing and the first film with said antenna radiator.

In one example of the housing element the second film has a number of sub layers and decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device.

In one example of the housing element the sub layers comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer.

In one example of the housing element the first film, the second film and the sub layers are transparent or non transparent or a combination of transparent and non-transparent films and sub layers within one antenna. In one example of the housing element the non-conductive element has a first hole and a second hole where the first hole is arranged for RF connection and the second hole is arranged for connection to ground.

In one example of the housing element the antenna comprises one or several metal antenna radiators.

In one example of the housing element the top surface of the first film and/or the second film comprises a protective layer.

In one example of the method to manufacture the housing element, the method comprises: • printing the antenna radiator pattern and position marks, using a conductive agent, on one of the surfaces of the first film or one of the surfaces of a sub layer,

• applying metal onto the antenna radiator pattern,

· applying decorative printing to at least one surface of the first film and/or its sub layers,

• curing the printing of the antenna radiator pattern, position marks and the decorative printing,

• punching holes at the position marks,

· pre-forming a production sheet, a reduced production sheet or an antenna element by insertion in a pre-forming tool, the production sheet and reduced production sheet comprising a number of antennas elements,

• cutting away the area of the antenna element outside an outline border and

• moulding the antenna to the non-conductive element thus realizing the housing element. In one example of the method a shearing operation where the production sheet is cut into smaller pieces and/or a contacting step is added, in the contacting step said hole/s and/or said aperture/s in the non-conductive element is/are filled with a conductive material or said hole/s and/or aperture/s are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

In one example of the method, the method comprises:

• printing the antenna radiator pattern and position marks, using a conductive agent, on one of the surfaces of the first film or one of the surfaces of a sub layer,

• applying metal onto the antenna radiator pattern, • covering the bottom surface of the first film with an adhesive layer,

• applying decorative printing to at least one surface of a second film and its sub layers,

• laminating the two films,

• punching holes at the position marks,

• pre-forming a production sheet, a reduced production sheet or an antenna element by insertion in a pre-forming tool, the production sheet and reduced production sheet comprising a number of antenna elements,

• cutting away the area of the antenna element outside an outline border and

• moulding (808) the antenna to the non-conductive element thus realizing the housing element.

In one example of the method a shearing operation where the production sheet is cut into smaller pieces and/or a contacting step is added, in the contacting step said hole/s and/or said aperture/s in the non-conductive element is/are filled with a conductive material or said hole/s and/or aperture/s are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

In one example of the antenna the first film has a decorative printing applied to a top surface of the first film.

In one example of the antenna the first film has a number of sub layers and in that decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. In one example of the antenna the sub layers comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer. In one example of the antenna the antenna comprises a second film with a decorative printing and the first film with said antenna radiator.

In one example of the antenna the second film has a number of sub layers and decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device.

In one example of the antenna the sub layers comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer.

In one example of the antenna the first film, the second film and the sub layers are transparent or non transparent or a combination of transparent and non-transparent films and sub layers within one antenna.

In one example of the antenna said antenna radiator has two connections, one for connecting said antenna radiator to the Radio Frequency, RF, circuits of the mobile device and one for connecting to a ground of the mobile device, the connections being arranged through said hole/s and/or aperture/s in the non-conductive element.

In one example of the antenna the antenna comprises one or several antenna radiators of metal. In one example of the antenna at least one of said antenna radiators is a PIFA and/or a patch antenna radiator. In one example of the antenna said antenna radiator is made of a well conductive metal.

In one example of the antenna said antenna radiator is made of gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals.

The invention integrates the antenna in the housing element of the mobile device. This saves space in the interior of the mobile device where the antenna is located in many prior art solutions of today. The invention also provides a solution for providing connection pads for the antenna radiator, used to connect the antenna radiator with the radio frequency circuits of the mobile device. By locating the antenna radiator close to the exterior of the mobile device, as far away as possible from electronic parts of the mobile device, the antenna performance can be improved. A standard In Mould Label (IML) manufacturing process can be used which means a stable and cost effective manufacturing with a high yield.

The antenna performance is improved further by the antenna radiator being made of metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a mobile device. Figure 2a schematically illustrates a side view of a housing element realized in a one film version of the invention.

Figures 2b - 2f schematically illustrates side views of further examples of a housing element in a one film version of the invention. Figure 3 schematically shows in a partially exploded perspective view an example of the first film with decorative printing, conductive agent, antenna radiator and position marks (one film version) Figure 4 schematically illustrates in a partially exploded perspective view an example of the first film with five sub layers (one film version).

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a side view of a housing element realized in a two film version of the invention.

Figure 6 schematically shows an example of a two film version of the invention in a partially exploded perspective view.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates in a partially exploded perspective view an example of a two film version of the invention, with the first film holding an antenna radiator and a second film with decorative printing on three sub layers.

Figure 8 is a block diagram of an example of the manufacturing method for the one film version of the invention.

Figure 9 schematically illustrates a production sheet with a number of antennas. Figure 10 is a block diagram of an example of the manufacturing method for the two film version of the invention.

Figure 1 1 is in a partially exploded perspective view of a one film version of the invention with the housing element being a back cover of an external cover for a mobile phone. Figure 12 is in a partially exploded perspective view of a two film version of the invention with the housing element being a back cover of an external cover for a mobile phone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the enclosed drawings. The dimensions in the drawings are not to scale and relations in dimensions between parts in the drawings have been chosen to improve clarity.

The invention comprises a housing element with an integrated antenna for a mobile device defined as a portable communication and/or computer device. The mobile device can e.g. be a mobile phone, a handheld computer, a lap top, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or any other mobile device with an integrated antenna. The housing element is integrated with the mobile device and may also include a decorative printing. The housing element can in a preferred example of the invention comprise at least a part of an external cover of the mobile device. The housing element can e.g. be a back cover of a mobile phone.

Figure 1 shows a mobile device 101 , exemplified with a mobile phone, comprising a control unit 107 configured to control communication with a mobile communication system 103. A keyboard 1 13, a display 1 15 and radio frequency (RF) circuits 109 are connected to the control unit 107 which together with an antenna 1 1 1 are arranged to establish a radio-interface 105 for communication with the mobile communication system 103. The mobile device also normally comprises at least one ground plane. A common feature for the mobile devices is that an antenna radiator is connected to the RF circuits which in turn are connected to further electronic components and optionally the antenna can also be connected to the ground plane. Radio Frequency (RF) is a frequency of electromagnetic radiation below 300 GHz, i.e. it includes e.g. frequencies for radio, TV and all kinds of radio communication such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System). The housing element of the invention comprises a non-conductive element to which an antenna is moulded. The antenna comprises at least one film manufactured of e.g. a non conductive material such as plastic materials as PolyCarbonat (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET). The film can be transparent or non-transparent. The invention can be realized in two main versions, a one film version and a two film version. In the one film version at least one antenna radiator is applied to one surface of a first film and a decorative printing is preferably applied to an opposite surface, or the same surface, of the first film. The alternate two film version comprises two films where the optional decorative printing is applied to a second film and the at least one antenna radiator is applied to the first film. The antenna, common to both main versions of the invention, comprises at least the first film with the at least one antenna radiator applied. In the two film version the antenna also incorporates the second film. In both the one film and two film versions a metal layer is added on top of a conductive agent being applied to the first film. The conductive agent may be of different types but should be a material with a reasonable conductivity, such as conductive ink (silver ink). The conductive agent can be applied by e.g. printing. In the two film version the first and second films are laminated together. In the two film version there are two separate manufacturing processes, one for the decorative printing on the second film and one for the application of the metal antenna radiator on the first film.

An electrolytically grown or laminated metal pattern has higher conductivity and a smoother surface than a pattern of conductive ink. The higher conductivity leads to better RF properties when using a metal pattern instead of conductive ink as a radiator, which results in an improved antenna performance, especially at low GSM frequencies. This is an advantage of the invention and an advantage common to both main versions of the invention. Metal has better and consistent conductivity compared to other conductive substances. The achieved surface smoothness of th e metal radiator improves the performance of the metal radiator due to the known fact that the currents of the antenna radiator primarily use only the top surface of the metal radiator. An antenna radiator using conductive ink changes its conductivity when the moulding pressure is changed. Variations in moulding pressure thus leads to variations in conductivity which decreases the yield or the statistical quality of the antenna radiator using conductive ink.

The thickness of the metal radiator is typically around 10 micrometer (10 μιτι) for GSM frequencies but can also be thicker or thinner depending on the actual frequency, choice of metal or combinations of metal and the required performance. Normally the thickness of the radiator is within a range of 1 -20 micrometer (1 -20 μιτι). The inventive concept does however not restrict the use of a radiator thickness also outside this range. A thicker layer generally gives better performance but higher costs and lower frequencies require a thicker radiator than higher frequencies.

As the antenna performance is increased at low frequencies compared to prior art the antenna can e.g. in one example of the invention be designed to cover low GSM frequencies, around 850 MHz, and high GSM frequencies around 1800-1900 MHz as well as UMTS frequencies around 2 GHz using one antenna radiator. In a further example one antenna radiator can cover high and low GSM frequencies. The antenna can use one or several antenna radiators, each radiator covering a certain frequency band or bands or combination of frequency bands used for, above GSM and UMTS, Near Field Communication (NFC)/RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), FM-radio, DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld) used for TV, Bluetooth, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), Wimax, UWB (Ultra Wideband), GPS (Global Positioning System) and LTE (Long Term Evolution). The inventive concept is however not restricted to antennas operating at certain frequencies, but can be used also for antennas operating at other frequencies than mentioned above.

An additional advantage with both main versions is that in combination with improved conductivity of the radiator there are also no visible dents from a carrier of an antenna radiator, as the antenna radiator is either on the same film as the decorative printing (one film version) or the film with the antenna radiator and the film with the decorative printing have the same size and are covering substantially the complete outer surface area of th e housing element (two film solution). The outer surface of the housing element is defined as the surface of the housing element located closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the inner surface is defined as the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. In a preferred example of the invention when the housing element comprises at least a part of the external cover of the mobile device, the outer surface of the housing element is also the exterior surface of the external cover of the mobile device. The invention also covers a method for manufacturing the housing element using IML technology and the housing element as well as an antenna manufactured according to the method. The invention further covers a mobile device equipped with the housing element. Figure 2a to 2f are side views of a housing element showing different examples of the invention in the one film version of the invention. In these examples the housing element 201 is the back cover of a mobile device. The housing element can however also be an interior part of the mobile device or another part of the external cover of the mobile device. The housing element comprises a non-conductive element 202 with at least one hole 206 and/or at least one aperture 210 and an antenna 209 with a first film 203 comprising a decorative printing 204 and an antenna radiator 205. The decorative printing 204 is, except for the example shown in figure 2f, applied to a top surface 207 of the first film, by e.g. ink printing, screen printing, spray painting or an NCVM (Non Conductive Vacuum Metallization) layer. The decorative printing can also be applied on a bottom surface 208 of the first film. The example illustrated in figure 2f does not have to comprise a decorative printing as will be explained. The first film can also have several sub-layers as will be described later. The top surface of a film or sub layer is defined as the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device while the bottom surface is the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. The first film can be transparent or non transparent. The thickness of the first film can vary, among other things depending on the number of sub layers, within 0,01 - 0,9 mm, preferably within 0,1 - 0,3 mm and most preferably within 0,01 - 0,1 mm. The decorative printing can be made on the bottom or top surface of any of these sub-layers. The first film and its sub layers can be manufactured of plastics such as PC, ABS or PET. The first film can optionally also include an environmental protective layer on the top surface. The decorative printing is normally covering most of the top or bottom surface of the first film or most of the top or bottom surface of one of the sub layers included in the first film.

A conductive agent is applied to the bottom surface of the first film or the bottom surface of one of the sub-layers. The conductive agent can be applied by e.g. printing. The area covered by the conductive agent corresponds to the pattern of the antenna radiator and position marks. The position marks can be located close to the edges of the first film. A metal layer, e.g. of copper, comprising the antenna radiator 205, is then applied over the area of the conductive agent except for the area of the position marks, using an electrolytic process, such as electroplating. An etching or laser process can be used to remove parts of the metal layer in case the area of the conductive agent is larger than the final radiator pattern e.g. in case a tuning of the antenna is desired. The antenna radiator can also be a stamped metal part that is applied to th e conductive agent. An antenna radiator of well conductive metal, and position marks comprising only the conductive agent, are thus applied to the bottom surface of the first film or the bottom surface of any of the sub-layers. The metal can e.g. be gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals. The antenna radiator can thus be included in a mid layer of the first film. As the decorative printing is normally made at a surface closer to the outer surface of the housing element than the surface where the antenna radiator is applied, the antenna radiator will be covered by the decorative printing and will not be visible from the outside. An antenna is thus accomplished including the first film, the decorative printing and the antenna radiator. When the antenna is applied to an interior housing element or with the configuration shown in figure 2f, the decorative printing can be left out. An adhesive layer can preferably by applied to the bottom surface 208 of the first film or the bottom surface of the sub-layer closest to the interior of the mobile device for better attachment to the resin, used for the non-conductive element 202. In the example of figure 2f an adhesive layer can also be applied to the top surface 207 of the first film or the top surface of the sub- layer closest to the exterior of the mobile device for better attachment to the resin, used for the non-conductive element 202.

One or several contact pads for the antenna radiator, used to connect the antenna radiator to e.g. a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of the mobile device, is accomplished by using a conductive material such as conductive glue which is inserted in hole/s 206 and/or aperture/s 210 in the non-conductive element 202 of the housing element 201 , the holes being located at positions in register with a suitable contact point or suitable contact points at the antenna radiator. Figure 2a is illustrating a solution using one hole 206. Figure 2b shows an example with one aperture 210 uncovering the complete area of the antenna radiator from the non-conductive element. Figure 2c shows an example with one aperture 210 uncovering part of the area of the antenna radiator from the non-conductive element. Figure 2d shows an example with one aperture 210 uncovering part of the area of the antenna radiator from the non-conductive element and one hole 206. Figure 2e shows an example with two holes. The hole/s 206 are only uncovering a small area of the antenna radiator from the non-conductive element at positions in register with a suitable contact point or suitable contact points at the antenna radiator while the aperture/s 210 are uncovering larger areas, including suitable contact point/s, of the antenna radiator from the non-conductive element. The hole/s and/or aperture/s in the housing element is/are filled with the conductive material such as conductive glue such that the conductive filling will be substantially flush with the inner surface of the housing element. The hole/s and/or the aperture/s can also in other examples of the invention be partially filled with the conductive filling. There may be a conventional contact such as a pogo pin to arrange the contact between the conductive pad or pads and the PCB of the mobile device. A non-galvanic connection, such as a capacitive coupling, may also be used for contact between the conductive pad or pads and the PCB.

In a further example of the invention the hole/s and/or aperture/s is/are open, i.e. not filled by the conductive filling or partially filled by the conductive filling. The contacting to the electronic components of the mobile device can then be arranged in any conventional way by galvanic or non galvanic means.

Figure 2f shows an example of a one film version of the housing element 201 with the radiator 205 applied to the first film 203 as explained for the examples according to figures 2a - 2e above. In the example of figure 2f there is one hole 206, however in other alternatives there can be other arrangements of hole/s and/or aperture/s as described above. In this example the antenna 209 comprises the antenna radiator 205 applied to the first film 203. The antenna is surrounded by the non-conductive element 202 except for around the hole/s and/or the aperture/s. The outer surface 21 1 of the housing element is in the example of figure 2f also the exterior surface of the external cover of the mobile device. The housing element can also be an interior part of the mobile device as explained earlier. Adhesive layers can also be applied to the top surface 207 and /or the bottom surface 208 of the first film or the top surface of the sub-layer closest to the exterior of the mobile device and/or the bottom surface of the sub-layer closest to the interior of the mobile device for better attachment to the resin, used for the non-conductive element 202. An environmental protective layer can optionally be applied to the outer surface 21 1 of the housing element. In variations of the example of figure 2f when a transparent resin is used decorative printing can be applied to the first film in the same way as described for the examples according to figures 2a- 2e.

An advantage with the one film solution is that it allows for a very thin solution as the first film can be used to hold both the decorative printing and the antenna radiator as shown in the examples according to figures 2a - 2e.

Figure 3 shows the first film 301 realized with a transparent film. The first film has a decorative printing, in this case a wave pattern on a coloured background applied to the top surface 302 of the first film. The coloured background is not shown for clarity reasons. On the bottom surface 303, in figure 3 the surface facing the reader, the antenna radiator 304 is applied to the conductive agent 305. The antenna radiator can be of any type such as e.g. a Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) or a patch. Position marks 306 are located close to the edges of the first film. Some or all of the position marks can in other examples of the invention be located within a borderline 307. The position marks are printed with the conductive agent either on the top or bottom surface of the first film. These marks can e.g. be used to position the antenna in a pre-forming tool as will be explained further in association with figures 8 and 10. The rectangular borderline 307 represents the outline of the final shape of the first film when it will be inserted in a mould for integration with the non-conductive element of the housing element. The shape of the borderline is adapted to the desired shape of the housing element and does not have to be rectangular.

Figure 4 shows in a partially exploded perspective view the first film 401 realized with 5 sub layers, 402-406. The top surface 407 of the first film, which is also the top surface of the first sub layer 402, has in this example a decorative printing comprising a colour covering the complete top surface 407. The colour is not shown for clarity reasons. The top surface of the second sub layer 403 has a decorative printing comprising a wave pattern and the top surface of the third sub layer 404 has a decorative printing comprising an elliptical pattern. The decorative printing can also be applied to the bottom surface of each sub layer. The top and bottom surface of a sub layer is defined in analogy with the definition for top and bottom surface for a film, i.e. the top surface is defined as the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device while the bottom surface is the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. In the example of figure 4 the decorative printing is thus applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer. The fourth sub layer 405 in the example of figure 4 can be a technical sub layer which can be used for various reasons such as bonding layers together, adding mechanical strength or chemical resistance. When looking from the outside of the mobile device, the technical sub layer can also shade sub layers, which are closer to the interior of the mobile device or provide a smooth background for sub layers with decorative printing which are closer to the exterior of the mobile device. The shading can for example be made by covering the technical sub layer with a black colour. The fifth sub layer 406 is used to apply the conductive agent 408 to the bottom surface of the fifth sub layer. The antenna radiator 409 is then applied to the conductive agent. The position marks 410 can be printed at the bottom or top surface of the fifth sub layer using the conductive agent. A further adhesive sub layer can be applied to the bottom surface of the fifth sub layer to improve the adhesion to the non conductive element 202. Adhesive sub layers can also be inserted in between top and bottom sub layers to improve bonding between layers.

The first film 401 can optionally also include an environmental protective layer on the top surface 407.

In this example the sub layers are transparent. They can also be non transparent. In this example it will not be possible to see the antenna radiator from the outside of the mobile device as the decorative printing on the first sub layer will obscure from insight.

In the example of figure 4 there are five sub layers. The number of sub layers can however be more than 5 layers, typically 10-20 sub layers, including one or several technical sub layers and adhesive layers as well as additional layers with decorative printing and the protective layer. The sub layers may thus include at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer. The invention is not limited to a certain number of sub layers as long as the thickness of the film is within the range mentioned above. The rectangular borderline 41 1 represents the outline of the final shape of the first film when it will be inserted in a mould for integration with the non- conductive element of the housing element. The borderline can also have other shapes e.g. with curved side edges adapted e.g. to the shape of a back cover of a mobile device such as a mobile phone.

The antenna element 400 is thus accomplished including the first film 401 , with its sub layers and decorative printing and the antenna radiator 409 applied with the conductive agent 408. The part of the antenna element inside the rectangular borderline is the actual antenna to be used in the mobile device. Figure 5 is a side view of a housing element in an example of the two film version of the invention. In this example the housing element 501 is the back cover of a mobile device. The housing element can however also be an interior part of the mobile device or another part of the external cover of the mobile device. The housing element comprises the non-conductive element 502 with the hole 504, the first film 503 and a second film 505. The second film is for clarity reasons separated with a small gap 506 from the first film. In the manufacturing process, which will be described in association with figures 8 and 10, the two films are laminated together and the gap 506 thus disappears. The difference from the one film version of the invention, in the example shown in figure 5, is that the decorative printing is now arranged on the second film 505. The first film is used for attachment of the antenna radiator and the second film is used for the decorative printing. A further example of a two film solution is that the second film with the decorative printing is laminated to the one film solution described above, i.e. further decorative printing is added using the second film.

A first decorative printing 507 is applied to the top surface of the second film and a second decorative printing 508 is applied to the bottom surface of the second film, by e.g. ink printing, screen printing, spray painting or an NCVM layer. The second film can be transparent or non transparent. The thickness of the second film can vary, among other things depending on the number of sub layers, within 0,01 - 0,9 mm, preferably within 0,1 - 0,3 mm and most preferably within 0,01 - 0,1 mm. The second film can also have several sub- layers as will be described later. The decorative printing can be made on the bottom or top surface of any of these sub-layers. The second film and its sub layers can be manufactured of plastic material such as PC, ABS or PET. The second film can optionally also include an environmental protective layer on the top surface. The decorative printing is normally covering most of the top or bottom surface of the second film or most of the top or bottom surface of one of the sub layers included in the second film. The bottom surface of the first film is preferably covered by an adhesive layer to improve adhesion to the non-conductive element.

The conductive agent is applied to the bottom surface of the first film 503. The thickness of the first film in the example of figure 5 without decorative printing is about 0,03 mm. The thickness of the first film can however vary, among other things depending on the number of sub layers, within 0,01 - 0,9 mm, preferably within 0,1 - 0,3 mm and most preferably within 0,01 - 0,1 mm. The conductive agent can be applied e.g. by printing. The area covered by the conductive agent corresponds to the pattern of the antenna radiator and position marks. The position marks can be located close to the edges of the first film. A metal layer, e.g. of copper, comprising the antenna radiator 509, is then applied over the area of the conductive agent except for the area of the position marks, using an electrolytic process such as electroplating. An etching or laser process can be used to remove parts of the metal layer in case the area of the conductive agent is larger than the final radiator pattern e.g. in case a tuning of the antenna is desired. The antenna radiator can also be a stamped metal part that is applied to the conductive agent. An antenna radiator of a well conductive metal, and position marks comprising only the conductive agent, are thus applied to the bottom surface of the first film. The metal can e.g. be gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals. As the decorative printing is made at a surface closer to the outer surface of the housing element than the surface where the antenna radiator is applied, the antenna radiator will be covered by the decorative printing and will not be visible from the outside. An antenna is thus accomplished including the second film with the decorative printing and the first film with the antenna radiator. When the antenna is applied to an interior housing element, the decorative printing can be left out, which also means that the second film can be left out.

An advantage with the two film version is that a full size second film with decorative printing covering the main part of the outer surface of the housing element, or the surface of the housing element most distal from the interior of the mobile device, is laminated with the first film having an area larger than the second film and overlapping the second film and also having an area outside the overlapping part. The position marks may then advantageously be located on the area of the first film outside the overlapping part.

The position marks have two purposes for the two film version of the invention: 1 . to position the first film in relation to the second film

2. to position the antenna in a pre-forming tool and/or a mould (see

below)

For the one film version the position marks are only used for the second purpose. In some applications, e.g. when accuracy in positioning is not critical, the position marks can be left out.

The area of the first film outside the borderline 307, 41 1 holding the position marks, as shown in figures 3 and 4, is cut away before the moulding process. The position marks can , for both the one film version and the two film version, be located both within the borderline 307, 41 1 , or outside this borderline. Position marks for the first purpose are often located outside the borderline and position marks for the second purpose can be located within the borderline when the accuracy demand is high for positioning the antenna in the pre-forming tool and/or the mould or the positioning in the pre-forming tool and/or the mould cannot be made by just using the shape of the antenna. An antenna element 400 can thus have position marks both within the borderline and outside the borderline. A further advantage with the two film version is that there will be no visual marks on the top surface of the second film from the underlying first film which could be the case if the first film has a smaller area than the second film. If the first film has a smaller area than the second film the borders from the smaller first film could be seen on the top surface of the second film when it is laminated to the second film. An adhesive layer can preferably by applied to the bottom surface of the first film and the antenna radiator for better attachment to the resin used for the non-conductive element.

One or several contact pads for each antenna radiator, used to connect the antenna radiator to e.g. a PCB of the mobile device, is accomplished by using a conductive material such as conductive glue which is inserted in holes 504 in the non-conductive element 502 of the housing element 501 , the holes being located at positions in register with a suitable contact point or contact points at the antenna radiator. Figure 5 is illustrating a solution using one hole 504 and one antenna radiator 509. The hole or holes in the housing element is/are filled with the conductive material e.g. the conductive glue such that the conductive filling will be substantially flush with the inner surface of the housing element. There may be a conventional contact such as a pogo pin to arrange the contact between the conductive pad or pads and the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of the mobile terminal. A non-galvanic connection, such as a capacitive coupling, may also be used for contact between the conductive pad or pads and the PCB. The hole 504 of figure 5 can be replaced with hole/s and/or aperture/s in the same way as described for the one film version in figures 2b to 2e. The hole/s and/or aperture/s can also be filled with the conductive filling in the same way as described for the one film version of the invention in association with figure 2.

In a further example of the invention the hole/s and/or aperture/s is/are open, i.e. not filled by the conductive filling or partially filled with the conductive filling. The contacting to the electronic components of the mobile device can then be arranged in any conventional way by galvanic or non galvanic means. A special advantage with the two film version of the invention is that the decoration and metallization is made in two separate processes where each process can be optimized for maximum yield independent of the other. This increases the total yield.

A typical antenna radiator as a dual band PIFA normally needs two connections for connecting the at least one antenna radiator to the mobile device, one for connecting said antenna radiator to the Radio Frequency (RF) circuits of the mobile device and one for connecting to a ground of the mobile device. If a half-wave antenna is used one RF connection can be sufficient. The antenna radiator connections are arranged through the hole/s and/or aperture/s in the non-conductive element. The antenna radiator can be of any type such as a patch or a PIFA here can be one or several antenna radiators e.g. two metal antenna radiators comprising one main antenna radiator for the GSM/UMTS and a separate Bluetooth or GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna radiator. The non-conductive element may thus comprise a first hole and a second hole 206, 504 where the first hole is arranged for RF connection and the second hole is arranged for connection to ground.

Figure 6 shows in a partially exploded perspective view an example of a two film version of the invention with the antenna element 601 comprising the second film 602 with the decorative printing, the first film 603 with the at least one antenna radiator 604 and position marks 605. In this example both carriers are realized with transparent films.

The second film has a decorative printing, in this case a colour applied to cover the top surface 607 of the second film. The colour is not shown for clarity reasons. On the bottom surface of the first film 603, in figure 6 the surface facing the reader, the antenna radiator 604 is applied to the conductive agent. The conductive agent is not shown in figure 6 but is applied directly to the bottom surface of the first film and the antenna radiator is then applied to the conductive agent. The antenna radiator can be of any type such as e.g. a PIFA or a patch antenna. Position marks 605 are located close to the edges of the first film. In another example of the invention some or all the position marks can also be located within a borderline 606. The position marks are printed with the conductive agent either on the top or bottom surface of the first film. These marks are used to position the antenna in the pre-forming tool and/or the mould as will be explained further in association with figures 8 and 10. The position marks are also used to position the first film in relation to the second film. The rectangular borderline 606 represents the outline of the final shape of the first film, representing the antenna, when it will be inserted in a mould for integration with the non- conductive element of the housing element. The borderline can also have other shapes than rectangular as described in association with figures 3 and 4.

Figure 7 shows the two film version of the invention in a partially exploded perspective view with the antenna element 701 comprising the first film 702 and the second film 703. The decorative printing is in this example realized on the top surface of a first 704, second 705 and third 706 sub layer of the second film.

The top surface of the second film 703, which is also the top surface of the first sub layer 704, has in this example a decorative printing comprising a colour covering the complete top surface. The colour is not shown for clarity reasons. The top surface of the second sub layer 705 has a decorative printing comprising a wave pattern and the top surface of the third sub layer 706 has a decorative printing comprising an elliptical pattern. The decorative printing can also be applied to the bottom surface of each sub layer. The top and bottom surface of a sub layer is defined in analogy with the definition for top and bottom surface for a film, i.e. the top surface is defined as the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device while the bottom surface is the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device. In the example of figure 7 the decorative printing is thus applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer. The second film can also comprise technical layers and adhesive layers as described for the first film in association with figure 4.

On the bottom surface of the first film 702, in figure 7 the surface facing the reader, the antenna radiator 707 is applied to the conductive agent. The conductive agent is not shown in figure 7 but is applied directly to the bottom surface of the first film and the antenna radiator is then applied to the conductive agent.

The antenna radiator can be of any type such as e.g. a PIFA or a patch antenna. Position marks 708 are located close to the edges of the first film. In another example of the invention some or all of the position marks can also be located within a borderline 709. The position marks are printed with the conductive agent either on the top or bottom surface of the first film. These marks are used to position the antenna in the pre-forming tool and/or the mould as will be explained further in association with figures 8 and 10. The position marks are also used for to position the first film in relation to the second film. The rectangular borderline 709 represents the outline of the final shape of the first film, representing the antenna, when it will be inserted in a mould for integration with the non-conductive element of the housing element. The borderline can also have other shapes than rectangular as described in association with figures 3 and 4.

The second film 703 can optionally also include an environmental protective layer on the top surface.

In this example the sub layers are transparent. They can also be non transparent. In this example it will not be possible to see the antenna radiator from the outside of the mobile device as the decorative printing on the first sub layer of the first film will obscure from insight.

In the example of figure 7 the second film has three sub layers. The number of sub layers can however be more than 3 layers, typically 10-20 sub layers, including one or several technical sub layers and adhesive layers as well as additional layers with decorative printing and the protective layer. The sub layers may thus include at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer. The invention is not limited to a certain number of sub layers as long as the thickness of the film is within the range mentioned above.

The antenna element 701 is thus accomplished including the first film 702, with the antenna radiator 707 applied with the conductive agent and the second film 703 with its sub layers and decorative printing.

In summary the invention provides a housing element for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits and at least one antenna radiator arranged to be moulded to a non-conductive element of the housing element wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna. The antenna comprises at least a first film. The housing element comprises the antenna and the non-conductive element, said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film. The antenna is arranged to be moulded to the non-conductive element. At least one hole and/or at least one aperture is arranged in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits. The invention further provides an antenna for a mobile device. The antenna comprises at least one antenna radiator and the mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits, wherein said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna comprising at least a first film. Said antenna radiator is arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film.

The manufacturing method will now be described with reference to figure 8, showing an example for the one film version, and figure 10, showing an example for the two film version.

In a first printing step 801 the printing of the antenna radiator pattern and position marks is performed, using a conductive agent, on one of the surfaces of the first film or one of the surfaces of a sub layer as described. The conductive agent can e.g. be a weakly conductive ink. The conductive agent can thus be any conductive material suitable for printing and having at least a weak conductivity. This first printing step also includes the optional insertion of technical and adhesive sub layers as well as an environmental protective layer to the first film.

In a following applying step 802 metal is applied onto the antenna radiator pattern. An electrolytic process as electroplating can be used for applying the antenna radiator. An etching or laser process can be used to remove parts of the metal layer in case the area of the conductive agent is larger than the final radiator pattern e.g. in case a tuning of the antenna is desired. The conductive material can be a metal such as e.g. copper, silver or gold.

In a third decorative printing step 803, the decorative printing is applied to at least one of the surfaces of the first film and/or its sub layers using e.g. ink printing, screen printing, spray painting or an NCVM layer as described. However when the antenna is applied to an interior housing element or when the configuration described in association with figure 2f is used, the decorative printing can be left out. In a curing step 804 the printing of the antenna radiator pattern, the position marks and the decorative printing are allowed to dry e.g. by introducing the antenna in a heating chamber. In these first four steps the first film comprises a number of antenna elements 902 on a common production sheet 901 , see figure 9. Each antenna element is intended for one mobile device. In a fifth punching step 805, e.g. using laser or similar method, holes are punched at the position marks 903. The punching step can optionally include a shearing operation where the production sheet 901 is cut into smaller pieces, e.g. into a reduced production sheet comprising 8 antenna elements in the example of figure 9. The shearing operation can e.g. also result in a reduced production sheet comprising 4 antenna elements. The antenna is the part of the antenna element inside the outline border 904.

In a sixth pre-forming step 806 the production sheet, the reduced production sheet or the antenna element is inserted in a single- or multi-cavity preforming tool. The position holes can help to position the production sheet, the reduced production sheet or the antenna element in the pre-forming tool. A single cavity pre-forming tool can be used when the production sheet is cut into single antenna elements. The antenna element will normally have a 3D structure, i.e. the antenna element will be curved in a third dimension, after the pre-forming but can also be planar. After the pre-forming the antenna element, the production sheet or the reduced production sheet will have the shape of the mould cavity which together with the position holes will help to position the antenna element, the production sheet or the reduced production sheet in the mould. In a seventh cutting step 807 the area of the antenna element 902 outside the outline border 904 including the position marks, as shown in figure 9, are cut away. In this way individual antennas with the final shape having the outline 904 are created. The position marks can, for both the one film version and the two film version, be located both within the outline border 904, or outside this border. Position marks for the first purpose are often located outside the border and position marks for the second purpose can be located within the border when the accuracy demand is high for positioning the antenna in the pre-forming tool and/or the mould or the positioning in the preforming tool and/or the mould cannot be made by just using the shape of the antenna. An antenna element 400 can thus have position marks both within the border and outside the border.

The eighth moulding step 808 is a conventional IML process where the antenna is placed in the mould cavity and resin, to form the non-conductive element is injected into the mould cavity. The antenna is thus moulded to the non-conductive element. The resin material can e.g. comprise thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics, typically PC or a blend of PC and ABS. The resin attaches to the antenna and the output of the moulding step is the housing element. The moulding step is a standard process well known to the skilled person and is therefore not further discussed here. In an optional ninth contacting step 809 the hole/s 206, 504 and/or aperture/s 210 in the non-conductive element can be filled with a conductive material such as e.g. conductive glue. The conductive filling is made such that the conductive filling will be substantially flush with the inner surface of the housing element. The hole/s or aperture/s can in another example of the invention be partially filled with the conductive material. There may be a conventional contact such as a pogo pin to arrange the contact between the conductive pad or pads and the PCB of the mobile device. A non-galvanic connection, such as a capacitive coupling, may also be used for contact between the conductive pad or pads and the PCB.

When th e ninth contacting step is not implemented the hole/s and/or aperture/s in the non-conductive structure will be left open, i.e. not filled or partially filled by the conductive filling. The contacting to the electronic components of the mobile device can then be arranged in any conventional way by galvanic or non galvanic means. In the tenth step the manufacturing proceeds with further assembly steps not part of this invention.

Figure 10 illustrates an example of the manufacturing method for the two film version of the invention. A first two film printing step 1001 comprises the printing of the antenna radiator pattern and position marks, using a conductive agent, on one of the surfaces of the first film or one of the surfaces of a sub layer as described. In the two film version the first film normally comprises only one layer. The conductive agent can e.g. be a weakly conductive ink. The conductive agent can thus be any conductive material suitable for printing and having at least a weak conductivity.

In a following applying step 1002 metal such as copper, gold or silver is applied onto the antenna radiator pattern. An electrolytic process as electroplating can be used for applying the antenna radiator. An etching or laser process can be used to remove parts of the metal layer in case the area of the conductive agent is larger than the final radiator pattern e.g. in case a tuning of the antenna is desired. The conductive material can be a metal such as e.g. copper, silver or gold.

In a third adhesion print step 1003 the bottom surface of the first film is preferably covered by an adhesive layer to improve adhesion to the non- conductive element. Decorative printing is applied to at least one surface of the second film and its sub layers in a two film decorative printing step 1004. This is performed in analogy with applying the decorative printing to the first film in the one film version of the invention. Curing is performed in a two film curing step 1005 in the same way as described for the one film version. The two films are laminated together in a separate lamination process step 1006 thus creating an antenna with decorative printing. This lamination process may be either a hot process, as e.g. using a heat activated glue layer between the films or a cold process, as e.g. using a pressure sensitive adhesive between the films.

The following steps are performed as the manufacturing steps 805-810 described above for the one film version. Figures 8 and 10 show two examples of manufacturing methods for the housing element. Variations are possible within the scope of the invention. Common for the manufacturing method described in association with figures 8 and 10 is however that the invention provides a method to manufacture a housing element for a mobile device with the following features:

• metal is used for realizing said antenna radiator,

• said antenna radiator is integrated in an antenna comprising at least a first film, the housing element comprising the antenna and the non- conductive element,

· said antenna radiator is attached to the first film via a conductive agent located between said antenna radiator and the first film,

• the antenna is moulded to the non-conductive element and

• at least one hole and/or at least one aperture is/are arranged for in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits.

The mobile device comprises radio frequency circuits and at least one antenna radiator being moulded to the housing element. In the description of the manufacturing methods illustrated in figures 8 and 10 position marks are used. For some applications, as mentioned earlier, e.g. when accuracy in positioning is not critical, the position marks can be left out. Figure 1 1 gives a partially exploded perspective view of a housing element 1 101 with an antenna 1 102 and a non-conductive element 1 103 in a one film version. The illustrated housing element can e.g. be a back cover of a mobile phone. A part of the antenna radiator 1 104 can be seen on the bottom surface of the first film. A contact pad 1 105 is filling up a hole, as shown in figure 1 1 , in the non-conductive element with a conductive material and is in galvanic contact with the antenna radiator. In other examples of the invention there can be at least one hole and/or at least one aperture. An opening 1 106 through the non-conductive element and the antenna can e.g. be used as an opening for a camera.

Figure 12 gives a partially exploded perspective view of a housing element 1201 with an antenna 1202 and a non-conductive element 1208 in a two film version. The antenna comprises the first film 1203 with the antenna radiator 1205 and the second film 1204 with the decorative printing. The illustrated housing element can e.g. be a back cover of a mobile phone. A part of the antenna radiator 1205 can be seen on the bottom surface of the first film. A contact pad 1206 is filling up an opening, which can be a hole or an aperture, in the non-conductive element 1208 with a conductive material and is in galvanic contact with the antenna radiator 1205. In other examples of the invention there can be at least one hole and/or at least one aperture. An opening 1207 through the non-conductive element and the antenna can e.g. be used as an opening for a camera.

As mentioned above, the first film, the second film and the sub layers can be transparent or non transparent. It is further possible with a combination of transparent and non-transparent films and sub layers within one antenna. The invention also provides a mobile device comprising a housing element according to any one of claims 1 -17. The invention is not linnited solely to the examples described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the appended claims. Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of different examples and applications can be used in conjunction with or replace the attributes of another example or application.

Claims

1. A housing element (201, 501, 1101, 1201) for a mobile device (101), the mobile device comprising radio frequency circuits (109) and at least one antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) being arranged to be moulded to a non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208) of the housing element, characterized in that said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna (209, 1102, 1202) comprising at least a first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203), the housing element comprising the antenna and the non-conductive element, said antenna radiator being arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent (305, 408) located between said antenna radiator and the first film, the antenna being arranged to be moulded to the non-conductive element and further in that at least one hole (206, 504) and/or aperture (210 ) is arranged in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits.

2. A housing element according to claim 1, characterized in that said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) is made of a well conductive metal.

3. A housing element according to claim 2, characterized in that said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) is made of gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals.

4. A housing element according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the housing element (201 , 501 , 1101, 1201 ) is at least a part of an external cover of the mobile device (101 ).

5. A housing element according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing element (201 , 501 , 1101, 1201 ) is a back cover of a mobile phone.

6. A housing element according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that said hole/s (206, 504) and/or aperture/s (210) in the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208) is/are filled with a conductive material such that the conductive filling is substantially flush with an inner surface of the housing element (201 , 501 , 1101, 1201 ) or said hole/s and/or said aperture/s is/are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

7. A housing element according to claim 6, characterized in that the conductive filling is conductive glue.

8. A housing element according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203) has a decorative printing applied to a top surface (302, 407) of the first film.

9. A housing element according to claim 8, characterized in that the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203) has a number of sub layers (402-406, 704-706) and in that decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device (101 ).

10. A housing element according to claim 9, characterized in that the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer (405).

11. A housing element according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the antenna (209, 1102, 1202) comprises a second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) with a decorative printing and the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203) with said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205).

12. A housing element according to claim 11, characterized in that the second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) has a number of sub layers (402-406, 704- 706) and in that decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device (101 ).

13. A housing element according to claim 12, characterized in that the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer (405).

14. A housing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203), the second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) and the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) are transparent or non transparent or a combination of transparent and non-transparent films and sub layers within one antenna.

15. A housing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208) has a first hole and a second hole (206, 504) where the first hole is arranged for RF connection and the second hole is arranged for connection to ground.

16. A housing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna (209, 1102, 1202) comprises one or several metal antenna radiators (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205).

17. A housing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top surface of the first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203) and/or the second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) comprises a protective layer .

18. A method to manufacture a housing element (201 , 501 , 1 101 , 1201 ) for a mobile device (101 ), the mobile device comprising radio frequency circuits (109) and at least one antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1 104, 1205) being moulded to the housing element, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in :

• using metal for realizing said antenna radiator,

• integrating said antenna radiator in an antenna (209, 1 102, 1202)

comprising at least a first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203), the housing element comprising the antenna and the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1 103, 1208),

• attaching said antenna radiator to the first film via a conductive agent (305, 408) located between said antenna radiator and the first film,

• moulding the antenna to the non-conductive element and

• arranging for at least one hole (206, 504) and/or at least one aperture (210) in the non-conductive element to allow contacting between said antenna radiator and the radio frequency circuits.

19. A method according to claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in : · printing (801 ) the antenna radiator pattern and position marks (306, 410, 605, 708, 903), using a conductive agent (305, 408), on one of the surfaces of the first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203) or one of the surfaces of a sub layer (402-406, 704-706),

• applying (802) metal onto the antenna radiator pattern,

· applying decorative printing (803) to at least one surface of the first film and/or its sub layers,

• curing (804) the printing of the antenna radiator pattern, position marks and the decorative printing,

• punching (805) holes at the position marks,

· pre-forming (806) a production sheet (901 ), a reduced production sheet or an antenna element (902, 701 , 601 , 400) by insertion in a pre-forming tool, the production sheet and reduced production sheet comprising a number of antenna elements,

• cutting (807) away the area of the antenna element outside an outline border (307, 41 1 , 606, 709, 904) and

· moulding (808) the antenna (209, 1 102, 1202) to the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1 103, 1208) thus realizing the housing element (201 , 501 , 1 101 , 1201 ).

20. A method according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a shearing operation where the production sheet (901 ) is cut into smaller pieces and/or a contacting step is added, in the contacting step said hole/s (206, 504) and/or said aperture/s in the non-conductive element being filled with a conductive material or said hole/s and/or aperture/s are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

21 . A method according to claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in :

• printing (1001 ) the antenna radiator pattern and position marks (306, 410, 605, 708, 903), using a conductive agent (305, 408), on one of the surfaces of the first film (203, 301 , 401 , 503, 603, 702, 1203) or one of the surfaces of a sub layer (402-406, 704-706),

• applying (1002) metal onto the antenna radiator pattern,

• covering (1003) the bottom surface of the first film with an adhesive layer,

• applying (1004) decorative printing to at least one surface of a second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) and its sub layers,

• curing (1005) the printing of the antenna radiator pattern, position marks and the decorative printing,

· laminating (1006) the two films,

• punching (805) holes at the position marks, • pre-forming (806) a production sheet (901), a reduced production sheet or an antenna element (902, 701, 601, 400) by insertion in a pre-forming tool, the production sheet and reduced production sheet comprising a number of antenna elements,

· cutting (807) away the area of the antenna elements outside an outline border (307, 411 , 606, 709, 904) and

• moulding (808) the antenna (209, 1102, 1202) to the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208) thus realizing the housing element (201 , 501 , 1101 , 1201 ).

22. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that a shearing operation where the production sheet (901) is cut into smaller pieces and/or a contacting step is added, in the contacting step the said hole/s (206, 504) and/or said aperture/s (210) in the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208) being filled with a conductive material or said hole/s and/or aperture/s are open or partially filled with the conductive material.

23. A mobile device (101) comprising a housing element (201, 501, 1101, 1201 ) according to any one of claims 1 -17.

24. An antenna for a mobile device (101), the antenna comprising at least one antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) and the mobile device comprising radio frequency circuits (109), characterized in that said antenna radiator is a metal antenna radiator integrated in an antenna (209, 1102, 1202) comprising at least a first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203), said antenna radiator being arranged to be attached to the first film via a conductive agent (305, 408) located between said antenna radiator and the first film.

25. An antenna according to claim 24, characterized in that the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203) has a decorative printing applied to a top surface (302) of the first film.

26. An antenna according to claim 25, characterized in that the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203) has a number of sub layers (402- 406, 704-706) and in that decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device (101) and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device.

27. An antenna according to claim 26, characterized in that the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer (405).

28. An antenna according to claim 24, characterized in that the antenna comprises a second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) with a decorative printing and the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203) with said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205).

29. An antenna according to claim 28, characterized in that the second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) has a number of sub layers (402-406, 704- 706) and in that decorative printing is applied to at least one top surface and/or at least one bottom surface of a sub layer, the top surface being the surface closest to the exterior of the mobile device (101) and the bottom surface being the surface closest to the interior of the mobile device.

30. An antenna according to claim 29, characterized in that the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) comprises at least one adhesive sub layer and/or at least one technical sub layer (405).

31. An antenna according to any one of claims 24-30, characterized in that the first film (203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702, 1203), the second film (505, 602, 703, 1204) and the sub layers (402-406, 704-706) are transparent or non transparent or a combination of transparent and non-transparent films and sub layers within one antenna (209, 1102, 1202).

32. An antenna according to any one of claims 24-31 , characterized in that said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) has two connections, one for connecting said antenna radiator to the Radio Frequency, RF, circuits of the mobile device (101) and one for connecting to a ground of the mobile device, the connections being arranged through said hole/s (206, 504) and/or aperture/s (210) in the non-conductive element (202, 502, 1103, 1208).

33. An antenna according to any one of claims 24-32, characterized in that the antenna (209, 1102, 1202) comprises one or several antenna radiators (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) of metal.

34. An antenna according to any one of claims 24-33, characterized in that at least one of said antenna radiators (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707,

1104, 1205) is a PIFA and/or a patch antenna radiator.

35. An antenna according to any one of claims 24-34, characterized in that said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) is made of a well conductive metal.

36. An antenna according to claim 35, characterized in that said antenna radiator (205, 304, 409, 509, 604, 707, 1104, 1205) is made of gold or silver or copper or aluminium or platinum or a combination of metals.