Components of an electronic device and methods for their assembly

• US 10,285,295 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2018
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• 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
• Application Number:
  US16/042,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20190021180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 288 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
• 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. A housing for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a first housing part having a first interstice defined by a first locking member;

a second housing part having a second interstice defined by a second locking member, wherein the first and second locking member are separated by an interface; and

a coupling member that is interposed between the first and second housing parts, wherein the coupling member includes a first locking structure that is captured within the first interstice and a second locking structure that is captured within the second interstice such that the first and second housing parts are coupled together and electrically isolated from each other.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first locking member is integrally formed with the first housing part, and the second locking member is integrally formed with the second housing part.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first housing part includes a first external surface, and the second housing part includes a second external surface, and at least one of the first or second external surfaces is characterized as having a chamfered edge.

4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first locking structure is included along a first side of the coupling member, and the second locking structure is included along a second side of the coupling member that is opposite to the first side.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second housing parts is a sidewall.

6. The housing of claim 5, wherein the sidewall includes a sidewall locking member that is coupled to the coupling member.

7. The housing of claim 1, further comprising:

a third housing part having a third locking member defined by a third interstice, wherein the third housing part is coupled together with the second housing part.

8. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a first housing section having a first locking feature;

a second housing section having a second locking feature, wherein the first and second locking features are separated by an interface; and

a coupling member disposed within the interface, wherein the coupling member includes a locking structure that is coupled to the first and second locking features such that the first and second housing sections are coupled together and electrically isolated from each other.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the coupling member includes a dielectric material.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first and second locking features are integrally formed with the first and second housing sections, respectively.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first housing section includes a first interstice defined by the first locking feature, and the second housing section includes a second interstice defined by the second locking feature.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the coupling member is at least one of disposed within or around the first and second interstices.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first housing section is a sidewall, and the sidewall includes a sidewall locking feature that is coupled to the locking structure.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first and second housing sections include extruded metal.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first housing section or the second housing section is characterized as having a spline shape.

16. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing having (i) a first housing section that includes a first interstice that is defined by a first locking feature, and (ii) a second housing section that includes a second interstice that is defined by a second locking feature, wherein the first housing section is capable of carrying a first operational component, and the second housing section is capable of carrying a second operational component that is capable of electrically coupling with the first operational component; and

a coupling member having a locking structure that is captured by the first and second interstices, and the coupling member extends between the first and second locking features such that the coupling member electrically isolates the first and second housing sections from each other.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first operational component is a wireless antenna, and the second operational component is an electrical circuit that is capable of electrically coupling with the wireless antenna.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first and second housing sections are formed of electrically conductive material.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the coupling member includes dielectric material.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the locking structure includes a first locking structure disposed at a first side of the coupling member and a second locking structure disposed at a second side of the coupling member that is opposite to the first side.