Positioning mechanism for use in mold structure

1. Field of the Invention

The exemplary invention relates to positioning mechanisms, particularly to positioning mechanisms used in mold structures.

2. Description of Related Art

Insert molding labeling (IML) technology is normally implemented to integrally form a shell with a provided film. The shell is insert molded with the provided film and used in a portable electronic device.

However, during molding process, precise positioning of the film within a mold structure can be difficult.

Therefore, there is a room for improvement within the art.

Many aspects of the exemplary positioning mechanism of a mold structure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the exemplary positioning mechanism of the mold structure. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a mold structure using a positioning mechanism therewith according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the mold structure shown in FIG. 1 .

During an insert molding labeling (IML) process, an exemplary positioning mechanism is suitably used to position a film within the mold structure. Therefore, the film can be integrally formed with a shell. The shell can be used with electronic devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital handsets, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the mold structure 100 includes a core mold portion 10 and a cavity mold portion 20 mating with the core mold portion 10 .

The core mold portion 10 includes a rectangular core plate 12 and a core insert 14 . The core insert 14 protrudes from a first mold assembly surface of the core plate 12 . The core insert 14 includes a recess 142 facing the cavity mold portion 20 .

The cavity mold portion 20 includes a cavity plate 22 and a positioning mechanism 24 . The cavity plate 22 has a second mold assembly surface (not labeled) defined to correspond with the first mold assembly surface of the core plate 12 . The second mold assembly surface defines a positioning cavity 222 . When the positioning cavity 222 receives the core insert 14 , a molding cavity (not labeled but shown in FIG. 2 ) is formed for molding the shell.

Referring also to FIG. 2 , the cavity plate 22 further defines a sliding cavity 224 positioning cavity 222 . The sliding cavity 224 accommodates the positioning mechanism 24 and allows the cavity insert 242 to slide within the sliding cavity 224 . The sliding cavity 224 is enclosed by a bottom wall 2241 and a peripheral wall 2243 . A limiting flange 2242 is formed on the peripheral wall 2243 and is further located at the interface of the positioning cavity 222 and the sliding cavity 224 . The limiting flange 2242 keeps the cavity insert 242 from sliding out of the sliding cavity 224 .

The positioning mechanism 24 is configured for positioning the film 30 within the mold structure 100 . The positioning mechanism 24 includes the cavity insert 242 and an elastic member 244 . The elastic member 244 can be exemplified as a coil spring.

The cavity insert 242 is generally step-shaped and has a positioning portion 2422 and a sliding portion 2424 integrally connecting with the positioning portion 2422 and accommodated in the sliding cavity 224 . The cavity insert 242 is assembled within the sliding cavity 224 and the positioning portion 2422 protrudes from the sliding cavity 224 and enters into the positioning cavity 222 . As such, the limiting flange 2242 prevents the sliding portion 2424 from sliding out of the sliding cavity 224 .

The positioning portion 2422 has substantially the same size and shape as a positioning hole 32 defined through the film 30 . Thus, the film 30 can be positioned with the cavity insert 242 by passing the positioning portion 2422 through the positioning hole 32 . The outer surface of positioning portion 2422 , after passing through the positioning hole 32 , resists against the bottom wall of the recess 142 of the core insert 14 .

The elastic member 244 is accommodated within the sliding cavity 224 and has one end acting on the bottom wall 2241 of the sliding cavity 224 and the other end acting on the positioning portion 2422 . The elastic member 244 is compressed when assembled between the bottom wall 224 and the positioning portion 2422 , thereby biasing the cavity insert 242 out of the sliding cavity 224 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , when in use, the film 30 is first coiled into and then positioned with the positioning portion 2422 . The core mold portion 10 is brought together with the cavity mold portion 20 . During this assembly stage, the core insert 14 engages into the positioning cavity 222 and urges the cavity insert 242 to slide into the sliding cavity 224 and compress the elastic member 244 . Thus, the film 30 is firmly secured in the molding cavity (not labeled) formed between the core mold portion 10 and the cavity mold portion 20 .

Finally, conventional Insert molding labeling (IML) technology can be implemented to integrally form a shell with the film 30 .

The film 30 can be conveniently and precisely positioned by the cavity insert 242 within the mold structure 100 by any number of conventional manual or automatic operations.

It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the exemplary invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.