蘋果申請新專利-以超音波接合金屬與塑膠的技術

蘋果(Apple, Inc.)在今年3月15日公開了一件最新申請的專利，此項專利顛覆了傳統結合金屬與塑膠件的方法，取而代之的是另一種嶄新的方式-透過超音波來接合金屬與塑膠件!

進一步來說，雖然超音波接合的方式確實比黏著劑的可靠度更高，但是，如果要將兩種異性材質時(如金屬和塑膠)，超聲波接合的過程就會變得相當困難。蘋果的技術主要是將金屬表面預先作過粗化處理而使其呈現凹凸不平，如此就更容易和熔融的塑膠材質接合。當熔融的塑料材質接觸到經粗化後的金屬表面就會漸漸冷卻以致最後成型，這樣就能完美地貼合在金屬表面了。

此外，這項專利技術未來也可以使用在iPhone和iPad系列產品的外部金屬部件以及內部塑料部件上以增加產品設計的靈活性及多樣性。


Abstract

Electronic devices and other apparatuses that include plastic parts ultrasonically bonded to metal parts are disclosed. A first component or part includes a metallic surface region having a surface roughness with one or more surface irregularities. A second component or part formed from a plastic material that can include an energy director is attached to the metallic surface region via an ultrasonic bond, such that a portion of the plastic material is melted or otherwise formed into the surface irregularities to attach the two components or parts together. The parts can be housings, internal components or other items. The surface irregularities can be formed as a result of a chemical etching process, a machining process, or a combination thereof, and can result in the creation of undercuts or cavities in the metallic surface region.