ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A METAL-CERAMIC COMPOSITE COMPONENT

• US 20080291617A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DiFonzo, John, Ligtenberg, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,911,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.32
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12007 Component of composite having metal continuous phase interengaged with nonmetal continuous phase

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a first component. The electronic device may also include a metal-ceramic composite component coupled to the first component and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the first component in a first direction.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a first component; and

a metal-ceramic composite component made of a metal-ceramic composite material containing at least a metal material and a ceramic material, coupled to the first component, and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the first component in a first direction.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first component represents an enclosure of the electronic device.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite material contains at least one of aluminum and magnesium.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component is made of a metal-ceramic matrix composite.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component has a greater strength in the first direction than in a second direction.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component has a metal surface.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein at least a surface of the metal-ceramic composite component is anodized.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein at least a surface of the metal-ceramic composite component is colored through anodization.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component is configured to provide an opening for receiving an object that is inserted into the electronic device.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the object is inserted into the electronic device in the first direction.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component represents at least part of at least one of a disk drive bezel a memory card bezel, and a connector.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component represents at least part of a user interface component.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a second component, wherein the metal-ceramic composite component includes a cast feature configured to match at least a portion of the second component.

14. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a second component, wherein at least a portion of the second component is inserted between at least a portion of the metal-ceramic composite component and at least a portion of the first component.

15. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a structural component coupled to the metal-ceramic composite component.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component is disposed between at least a portion of the structural component and at least a portion of the first component.

17. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the metal-ceramic composite component is bonded to the structural component by an adhesive.

18. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the structural component includes an opening configured to receive an object that is inserted into the electronic device in the first direction.

19. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the structural component represents at least part of at least one of a disk drive bezel, a memory card bezel, and a connector.

20. A structural component configured for use in an electronic device, the structural component comprising a first part, wherein the first part is made of a metal-ceramic composite material and is configured to reinforce the electronic device in a first direction.

21. The structural component of claim 20 including an opening configured to receive an object that is inserted into the electronic device.

22. The structural component of claim 21 wherein the object is inserted into the electronic device in the first direction.

23. The structural component of claim 20 representing at least part of at least one of a disk drive bezel, a memory card bezel, and a connector.

24. The structural component of claim 20 wherein the first part is further configured to secure a member of the electronic device in place with respect to an enclosure of the electronic device.