RUGGED CONDUCTIVE HOUSING STRUCTURE FOR PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE DISPLAY

• US 20090086420A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Dynamics Itronix Corporation (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Dynamics Itronix Corporation (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Jeffrey Lee, Stockham, David Henry
• Application Number:
  US12/032,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20090086420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.260
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing

Abstract

A portable computing device and a display housing module for a portable computing device is disclosed. The display housing module includes a conductive rear chassis, a display module and a front bezel. The display module is configured to display images and includes a backlight unit, a display panel, and a touch screen. The conductive rear chassis is strong, lightweight, and rigid. It is configured to receive and secure the display module and to protect the display module from shock events, drop events, and vibration. The conductive rear chassis may provide a conductive path to a ground connection. This prevents EMI from affecting an antenna signal by channeling EMI originating from noisy electronics to ground, thereby preventing unwanted EMI leakage outside of the display module. The conductive rear chassis is further configured to receive an environmental sealer around the perimeter of the housing. The conductive rear chassis is further configured for direct attachment to a front bezel. Attaching the front bezel to the conductive rear chassis creates pressure on the environmental sealer and allows the internal display parts to function properly without regard to environmental elements.

Claims

1. A display housing module for a portable computer, comprising:

a display module, having an outer perimeter, configured to display images based at least in part on signals originating from at least one electronic printed circuit board;

a conductive rear chassis configured to receive the display module; and

an environmental sealer extending about the perimeter of the display module;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is attached to a front bezel, whereby the front bezel creates pressure on the environmental sealer;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is shaped as a rectangular container and includes sidewalls along the perimeter of the chassis;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises a ground connection;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one printed circuit board mounter configured to electrically link the at least one electronic printed circuit board with the conductive rear chassis, whereby electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board is channeled to ground and thereby suppressed;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of;

titanium, aluminum, and zinc.

2. The display housing module according to claim 1 wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one antenna mounter.

3. The display housing module according to claim 2, wherein at least one antenna is mounted to the conductive rear chassis.

4. The display housing module according to claim 3, wherein the at least one mounted antenna is configured to send and receive signals using protocols selected from the group consisting of:

GPS, WAN, LAN, PAN, and WiMAX.

5. The display housing module according to claim 4, wherein the conductive rear chassis prevents interference with antenna signals by shielding the antenna from electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board.

6. The display housing module according to claim 2, wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one hinge mounter.

7. The display housing module according to claim 3, wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one external decorative cover mounter.

8. The display housing module according to claim 1, wherein the display module comprises a backlight unit, a display panel, and a touch screen.

9. The conductive rear chassis according to claim 1, further comprises a display panel holder, wherein the display panel holder comprises inward projections disposed about at least two perimeter walls of the chassis, whereby the inward projections are configured to receive and secure a display panel.

10. The display housing module according to claim 9, wherein the display panel holder is covered by a rubberlike display panel cushion along the perimeter walls.

15. The display housing module according to claim 4, wherein the conductive rear chassis prevents interference with antenna signals by shielding the antenna from electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board.

11. A display housing module for a portable computer, compri sing:

a display module, having an outer perimeter, configured to display images based at least in part on signals originating from at least one electronic printed circuit board;

a conductive rear chassis configured to receive the display module; and

an environmental sealer extending about the perimeter of the display module;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is attached to a front bezel, whereby the front bezel creates pressure on the environmental sealer;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is shaped as a rectangular container and includes sidewalls along the perimeter of the chassis;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises a ground connection;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one printed circuit board mounter configured to electrically link the at least one electronic printed circuit board with the conductive rear chassis, whereby electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board is channeled to ground and thereby suppressed;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is formed of a carbon material.

12. The display housing module according to claim 11 wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one antenna mounter.

13. The display housing module according to claim 12, wherein at least one antenna is mounted to the conductive rear chassis.

14. The display housing module according to claim 13, wherein the at least one mounted antenna is configured to send and receive signals using protocols selected from the group consisting of:

GPS, WAN, LAN, PAN, and WiMAX.

16. The display housing module according to claim 12, wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one hinge mounter.

17. The display housing module according to claim 13, wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one external decorative cover mounter.

18. The display housing module according to claim 11, wherein the display module comprises a backlight unit, a display panel, and a touch screen.

19. The rear conductive housing according to claim 11, further comprises a display panel holder, wherein the display panel holder comprises inward projections disposed about at least two perimeter walls of the chassis, whereby the inward projections are configured to receive and secure a display panel.

20. The display housing module according to claim 19, wherein the display panel holder is covered by a rubber like display panel cushion along the perimeter walls.

21. A portable computing device comprising a base processing module, a keyboard module, and a display module comprising:

a base processing module comprising a top surface;

a keyboard module coupled to the top surface of the base processing module; and

a display housing module connectively coupled to the base processing module comprising;

a display module configured to display images based at least in part on signals originating from at least one electronic printed circuit board;

a conductive rear chassis configured to receive the display module; and

an environmental sealer extending about the perimeter of the display module;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is attached to a front bezel, whereby the front bezel creates pressure on the environmental sealer;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is shaped as a rectangular container and includes sidewalls along the perimeter of the chassis;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises a ground connection;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one printed circuit board mounter configured to electrically link the at least one electronic printed circuit board with the conductive rear chassis, whereby electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board is channeled to ground and thereby suppressed;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, and zinc.

22. The portable computing device of claim 21, wherein the portable computing device meets the United States Military standard, MIL STD 810F, for drops, shocks, and vibration.

23. A portable computing device comprising a base processing module, a keyboard module, and a display module comprising:

a base processing module comprising a top surface;

a keyboard module coupled to the top surface of the base processing module;

a display housing module connectively coupled to the base processing module comprising;

a display module configured to display images based at least in part on signals originating from at least one electronic printed circuit board;

a conductive rear chassis configured to receive the display module; and

an environmental sealer extending about the perimeter of the display module;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is attached to a front bezel, whereby the front bezel creates pressure on the environmental sealer;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is shaped as a rectangular container and includes sidewalls along the perimeter of the chassis;

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises a ground connection,

wherein the conductive rear chassis comprises at least one printed circuit board mounter configured to electrically link the at least one electronic printed circuit board with the conductive rear chassis, whereby electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board is channeled to ground and thereby suppressed;

wherein the conductive rear chassis is formed of a carbon material.

24. The portable computing device of claim 23, wherein the portable computing device meets the United States Military standard, MIL STD 810F, for drops, shocks, and vibration.

25. A display housing module for a portable computer, comprising:

a display module configured to display images based at least in part on signals originating from at least one electronic printed circuit board;

means for housing the display module;

means for protecting the display module from environmental elements such as water, dust, sand, and chemicals;

means for attaching a bezel to the conductive rear chassis;

an antenna mounted to the conductive rear chassis, whereby the antenna is configured to send and receive signals;

means for preventing at least some electromagnetic interference originating from the at least one electronic printed circuit board from interfering with signals sent to and from the antenna; and

means for dissipating heat originating from the display module;

wherein the means for housing the display module is formed from a non-magnesium material.