Forming features in a ceramic component for an electronic device

• US 10,216,233 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2015
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Franklin, Jeremy C., Babiarz, Kristina A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morgan, Eileen
• Application Number:
  US14/843,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20170060193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 451 41, 451242, 451246, 451257
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/001 Flexible materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 19/03 for grinding grooves in glass workpieces, e.g. decorative grooves
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 29/005 using brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 29/04 for rotationally symmetrical workpieces, e.g. ball-, cylinder- or cone-shaped workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera

Abstract

A three-dimensional feature is formed in a surface of a component. Material is removed from the component by rotating an abrading tool about a first axis. While the abrading tool is rotated, the component (and/or a shaft coupled to the abrading tool) is rotated on a second axis. The second axis may be transverse to the first axis and may run through a center of the three-dimensional feature. The abrading tool may correspond to the three-dimensional feature. For example, the abrading tool may be configured to contact an entirety of an exterior of the three-dimensional feature during the removal operation, fill the three-dimensional feature during the removal operation, and/or have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the three-dimensional feature in two planes that are normal to each other.

Claims

1. A method for forming a three-dimensional feature in a surface of a cover for an electronic device, comprising:

removing material from the cover by rotating a spherical bristle brush including multiple abrasive bristles about a first axis, the outer periphery of the multiple abrasive bristles defines a spherical shape; and

while rotating the spherical bristle brush about the first axis, rotating the cover about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis;

wherein

the spherical bristle brush contacts an entirety of the three-dimensional feature during the operations of removing the material and rotating the cover.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of removing the material abrades a portion of an exterior of the three-dimensional feature in a first direction and then abrades the portion of the exterior of the three-dimensional feature in a second direction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of removing the material forms the three-dimensional feature in a flat area of the surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional feature has a concave dome shape and the spherical bristle brush has a convex shape matching the concave dome shape.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of rotating the cover comprises rotating the cover at least 90 degrees.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of removing the material comprises polishing the three-dimensional feature.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising polishing the surface of the cover, wherein the surface is planar.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation of polishing the surface of the cover comprises polishing the surface of the cover using a flat rotary brush.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second axis runs through a center of the three-dimensional feature.