Components of an electronic device and methods for their assembly

• US 10,034,402 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2017
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kiple, Bryan P., Woodhull, Charles B., Pakula, David A., Tan, Tang Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wyche, Myron K
• Application Number:
  US15/832,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20180098444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 231 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/04 Milling with the axis of the cutter inclined to the surface being machined
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/16 Chamferring
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/20 Deburring
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/28 Finishing roughing and finishing B23C2220/605
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/48 Methods of milling not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2226/31 Diamond
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2226/315 polycrystalline [PCD]
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 5/00 Milling-cutters for cutting gear-teeth B23F21/12
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 5/1081 with permanently fixed cutting inserts B23C5/1018 and B23C5/1063 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 11/00 Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 17/00 Metal-working operations, not covered by a single other subclass or another group in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 17/02 Single metal-working processes; Machines or apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/02 Anodisation
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/022 Anodisation on selected surface areas
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/12 Anodising more than once, e.g. in different baths
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/246 for sealing layers
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/34 of metals or alloys not provided for in groups C25D11/04 - C25D11/32
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 1/38 Masks having auxiliary features, e.g. special coatings or marks for alignment or testing; Preparation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 : Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/11 : Supports for sets, e.g. incorporating armrests
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 : Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0243 : for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 : Metal casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 : Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/47 : Burnishing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 407/1906 : including holder [i.e., head] having seat for inserted tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/300896 : with sensing of numerical information and regulation without mechanical connection between sensing means and regulated means [i.e., numerical control]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/303752 : Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30952 : with cutter holder

Abstract

Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing that includes;

a first section having a first locking feature defined by a first interstice,

a second section having a second locking feature defined by a second interstice, and

a coupling member interposed between the first section and the second section, wherein the coupling member includes a first interface feature at a first side of the coupling member and a second interface feature at a second side of the coupling member, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the first and second interface features are captured within the first and second interstices, respectively, such that (i) the first and second sections are locked together, and (ii) the first and second sections are electrically isolated from each other.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are formed of an electrically conductive material.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is formed of a dielectric material.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first section carries a wireless antenna, and the second section carries a circuit coupled to the wireless antenna.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a bottom wall and sidewalls that extend from the bottom wall.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the sidewalls include a sidewall locking feature.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the coupling member includes a sidewall interface feature captured by the sidewall locking feature.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a through-hole, and a fastener extends through the through-hole to further lock the first and second sections together.

9. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the coupling member includes a first-shot component and a first-shot component cavity that receives a second-shot component.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein a material that forms the first-shot component is different than a material that forms the second-shot component.

11. A method for creating a housing for an electronic device, the method comprising:

using a first electrically conductive material to form a first section, the first section having a first locking feature defined by a first interstice;

using a second electrically conductive material to form a second section, the second section having a second locking feature defined by a second interstice; and

using an electrically insulating material to form a coupling member having a first interface feature and a second interface feature, wherein the coupling member is capable of (i) locking the first and second sections together, and (ii) electrically isolating the first and second sections from each other, by;

retaining the first interface feature within the first interstice, and

retaining the second interface feature within the second interstice.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first electrically conductive material and the second electrically conductive material are a metal.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the coupling member is formed by injection molding the electrically insulating material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling member is formed by a one-shot molding process.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrically insulating material is a resin.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the coupling member is formed by injection molding the resin into an injection mold cavity that separates the first and second sections, thereby locking the first and second sections together.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first interface feature is formed by the resin flowing into and retained within the first interstice, and the second interface feature is formed by the resin flowing into and retained within the second interstice.

18. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing having (i) a first section that includes a first interstice that defines a first locking feature, and (ii) a second section that includes a second interstice that defines a second locking feature, wherein the first section is capable of carrying first operational components that include at least a wireless antenna that is capable of establishing a wireless communication channel, and the second section is capable of carrying second operational components that includes at least a circuit capable of communicating with the wireless antenna; and

a coupling member that is capable of locking together the first and second sections by using the first and second locking features, wherein first and second interface features of the coupling member are captured within the first and second interstices, thereby electrically isolating the first and second sections from each other and preventing a capacitive coupling between the wireless antenna and the second section.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 18, wherein the first and second sections are formed of electrically conductive material.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 18, wherein the first and second interface features of the coupling member are bonded to the first and second locking features.