Components of an electronic device and methods for their assembly

• US 10,849,244 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2019
• Issued: 11/24/2020
• 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:
  US16/404,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20190327846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 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 roughing and finishing B23C2220/605
• 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 portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing that includes side walls defining a front opening, and an antenna window that is opposite of the front opening;

a cover glass positioned over the front opening;

an antenna panel disposed within the antenna window and comprising a material that is transparent to radio frequencies; and

a coupling member disposed between the cover glass and the antenna panel, the antenna panel being coupled to the coupling member.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a back wall that together with the side walls define a cavity, and the portable electronic device further comprises an antenna that is carried within the cavity.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the back wall includes a radio-opaque material.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the side walls include a front edge that defines the front opening and a back edge that defines the antenna window.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 4, wherein the front edge has a first curvature and the back edge has a second curvature.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the antenna panel is flush with an exterior surface of the side walls.

7. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing including side walls that define a cavity, the side walls forming a front edge that defines a front opening, the side walls forming a rear edge that defines a rear opening;

a cover glass extending over the front opening;

an RF circuit disposed within the cavity, the RF circuit coupling with an RF antenna to establish a wireless communication channel;

an antenna panel comprising RF-transmissive material, the antenna panel extending across the rear opening; and

a coupling member disposed within the cavity between the antenna panel and the cover glass, the antenna panel being coupled to the coupling member.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein the front edge has a first curvature and the rear edge has a second curvature.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein an exterior surface of the antenna panel is flush with exterior surfaces of the side walls.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein the coupling member includes a dielectric material.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein the RF-transmissive material is glass material.

12. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing including a bottom wall and side walls that together define a cavity, at least one of the side walls forming a front edge that defines a front opening, at least one of the side walls forming a rear edge that defines a rear opening;

a cover glass extending over the front opening;

an antenna panel comprising RF-transmissive material coupled to the rear edge so as to cover the rear opening;

an RF circuit disposed within the cavity and communicatively coupled to a wireless communication channel with an RF antenna; and

a coupling member disposed within the cavity between the antenna panel and the cover glass, the antenna panel being coupled to the coupling member.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the front opening is opposite of the rear opening.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein an exterior surface of the antenna panel is flush with external surfaces of the bottom wall and the side walls.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the at least one side wall includes a radio-opaque material.