PROXIMITY SENSOR CONNECTION MECHANISM

• US 20190089352A1
• Filed: 09/21/2017
• Published: 03/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Hassemer, Brian Jon, Fordham, Paul Lynn, Janninck, Mark Daniel, Lim, David Kyungtag
• Granted Patent: US 10,461,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/945 Proximity switches H03K17/96 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9455 constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

An electronic device includes: a display assembly including an electronic display configured to generate an optical image viewable from in front of the electronic device; a proximity sensor coupled to at least a portion of the display assembly, the proximity sensor including a sensing element configured to be responsive to presence of an object in front of the electronic device, the sensing element supported by a support structure having an upper surface facing a frontal direction of the electronic device; and a conductor that electrically connects the sensing element of the proximity sensor and the portion of the display assembly, the conductor including a conductive path extending along the support structure to the upper surface of the support structure.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a display assembly comprising an electronic display configured to generate an optical image viewable from in front of the electronic device;

a proximity sensor coupled to at least a portion of the display assembly, the proximity sensor comprising a sensing element configured to be responsive to presence of an object in front of the electronic device, the sensing element supported by a support structure having an upper surface facing a frontal direction of the electronic device; and

a conductor that electrically connects the sensing element of the proximity sensor and the portion of the display assembly, the conductor comprising a conductive path extending along the support structure to the upper surface of the support structure.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is physically and electrically connected to the portion of the display assembly by one or more connections at the upper surface of the support structure.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the one or more connections at the upper surface of the support structure provide the only connection of the proximity sensor to another component of the electronic device.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the display assembly coupled to the proximity sensor comprises at least one of a display panel or a cover located atop the display panel.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the display assembly coupled to the proximity sensor comprises an extension tab projecting outward from an edge of a substrate of the display assembly.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a housing that includes:

(i) a base to which the sensing element is mounted, and (ii) a frame extending from the base to define the upper surface of the support structure.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the frame comprises a molded monolithic body, and wherein the conductor comprises an integral portion of the body of the frame.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a body carrying a housing of the proximity sensor within which the sensing element is disposed.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the body of the support structure is connected to a portion of a circuit board.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the body of the support structure is comprised of a non-conductive semiconductor material, and wherein the conductor extends through a portion of the body.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the body of the support structure comprises a recess defining a floor between opposing raised shoulders, the housing of the proximity sensor mounted to the floor, and the shoulders defining the upper surface of the support structure.

12. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a substrate coupled to a body of the device;

a sensor assembly comprising a sensing element configured to transmit and receive signals, the sensor assembly further comprising a front surface physically attached and electrically connected to the substrate; and

a conductor electrically connecting the sensing element and the substrate, the conductor comprising a conductive path extending from the sensing element to the front surface of the sensor assembly.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the substrate comprises a portion of a display assembly, and wherein the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a housing receiving the sensing element, and wherein the front surface of the sensor assembly comprises a portion of the housing.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the housing includes:

(i) a base to which the sensing element is mounted, and (ii) a frame extending from the base to define the upper surface of the sensor assembly.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the frame comprises a molded monolithic body, and wherein the conductor comprises an integral portion of the body of the frame.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a body of non-conductive semiconductor material carrying a housing within which the sensing element is disposed, and wherein the conductor extends through a portion of the body of semiconductor material.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the body of semiconductor material comprises a recess defining a floor between opposing raised shoulders, the housing mounted to the floor, and the shoulders defining the upper surface of the sensor assembly.

19. A method of manufacturing an electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a display assembly configured to generate an optical image viewable from a frontal direction of the electronic device, the display assembly comprising one or more conductive lines extending along the display assembly;

positioning a proximity sensor in a rearward location relative to at least a portion of the display assembly, the proximity sensor comprising a sensing element arranged to be responsive to presence of an object in front of the electronic device; and

while the proximity sensor is in the rearward location, coupling the proximity sensor and the display assembly to form a conductive path from the sensing element to the conductive lines of the display assembly.