ADAPTIVE PROCESSES FOR IMPROVING INTEGRITY OF SURFACES

• US 20160029496A1
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: LEGGETT, William F., LANCASTER-LAROCQUE, Simon Regis Louis
• Granted Patent: US 10,649,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

A process for performing localized corrective actions to structure of an electronic device is described. The structure may include a mating surface configured to receive another structured such that the two structures may be, for example, adhesively bonded together. The localized corrective actions are configured not to improve the mating surface but to also prevent light within the electronic device from escaping in undesired areas of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the corrective action includes using a removal tool to remove identified portions of the surface. In other embodiments, the corrective action includes using a different tool to add material identified portions of the surface. The identified means may include an automated inspection system.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a first part of an electronic device with a second part of the electronic device, the method comprising:

scanning the first part to determine a first surface profile;

scanning the second part to determine a second surface profile;

receiving a material on the second part, based upon the first surface profile and the second surface profile, the material allowing the first part to be positioned on the material such that the first part is co-planar with the respect to the second part; and

securing the first part with the material.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to securing the first part with the material, curing the material.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving an adhesive on the material, wherein receiving the material on the second part, based upon the first surface profile and the second surface profile, comprises receiving an amount of material allowing the first part to be positioned on the adhesive such that the first part is co-planar with the respect to the second part.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein printing the material on the second part comprises printing an electrically conductive material on the second part.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second surface profile comprises a concave shape.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising subsequent to scanning the second part to determine the second surface profile, providing an ablation to the second part to alter the second surface profile.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein providing the ablation comprises providing a laser ablation.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

an indicium having a first surface profile;

a display housing having a recessed portion that receives the indicium, the recessed portion comprising a second surface profile; and

a material disposed in the recessed portion such that, when cured, the material comprises a shape corresponding to the first surface profile and the second surface profile.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive separate from the material, that adhesively secures the indicium with the material.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the indicium, when adhesively secured with the material, is co-planar with respect to the display housing.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the second surface profile comprises a convex shape or a concave shape.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the material comprises a metal-based resin.

13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the indicium comprises a cosmetic surface opposite a surface corresponding the first surface profile, and wherein the cosmetic surface includes a surface profile that is non-parallel with respect to the first surface profile.

14. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the material places the recessed portion within a predetermined tolerance.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method for assembling a first part of an electronic device with a second part of the electronic device, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising:

scanning the first part to determine a first surface profile;

scanning the second part to determine a second surface profile;

receiving a material on the second part, based upon the first surface profile and the second surface profile, the material allowing the first part to be positioned on the material such that the first part is co-planar with the respect to the second part; and

securing the first part with the material.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein:

scanning the first part to determine the first surface profile comprises scanning a display housing; and

scanning the first part to determine the first surface profile comprises scanning a hinge assembly configured to pair with a display housing.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein:

scanning the first part comprises scanning an indicium;

scanning the second part comprises scanning a display housing.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising receiving an adhesive over the material, wherein receiving the material on the second part, based upon the first surface profile and the second surface profile, comprises receiving an amount of material allowing the first part to be positioned on the adhesive such that the first part is co-planar with the respect to the second part.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein receiving the material comprises printing the material on the second part.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising subsequent to scanning the second part to determine the second surface profile, providing an ablation to the second part to alter the second surface profile.