Electronic device having waterproof structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10010005-B2
Application number	US-201615344485-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2016
Priority date	Nov 6, 2015
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

An electronic device including a front cover, a back cover, and a sidewall configured to surround at least a part of an internal space formed between the front and back covers. Disposed in the space is a rear case including a first conductive connecting member formed therein; a first space formed between the back cover and the rear case; and a second space formed between the front cover and the rear case, the second space configured to be hermetically sealed from the first space. An electrical connecting member includes a first part disposed in the first space, a second part that extends to a surface of a non-conductive structure, and a third part electrically contacting the first conductive connecting member. A printed circuit board disposed within the second space is electrically connected with the first conductive connecting member. The sidewall may comprise an opening configured to receive a side key.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A portable electronic device comprising:
a front cover configured to form a front of the electronic device;
a back cover configured to form a back of the electronic device;
a sidewall configured to surround at least a portion of an internal space formed between the front cover and the back cover;
a display device located in the internal space and comprising a screen area configured to be exposed through the front cover;
a first structure located within the internal space and extending from the sidewall, the first structure comprising a first surface directed toward the front cover, a second surface directed toward the back cover, and a through-hole extending from the first surface to the second surface;
a non-conductive structure disposed within and filling the through-hole, the non-conductive structure comprising a third surface directed toward the front cover, a fourth surface directed toward the back cover, and a via-hole;
a first conductive connecting member disposed within and filling the via-hole of the non-conductive structure, the first conductive connecting member comprising a fifth surface directed toward the front cover and a sixth surface directed toward the back cover;
a printed circuit board electrically connected with the first conductive connecting member;
a first space communicating with at least one opening formed in the sidewall, at least a part of the first space being surrounded by at least one of a part of the sidewall or a part of the first structure; and
a second space at least partially surrounded by another part of the first structure and the non-conductive structure, the second space configured to be hermetically sealed from the first space;
wherein the printed circuit board is disposed within the second space.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises a conductive sidewall.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first structure comprises a conductive structure integrally formed with the conductive sidewall.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first conductive connecting member comprises a same metal material as the conductive sidewall.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a third conductive connecting member electrically connected and disposed between the first conductive connecting member and the printed circuit board.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , further comprises:
a second conductive connecting member comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part,
the first part disposed within the first space,
the second part extending to the fourth surface of the non-conductive structure, and
the third part electrically contacting the first conductive connecting member.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the second conductive connecting member comprises a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

8. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , further comprising a key having a size and shape configured to be inserted into the at least one opening formed in the sidewall, wherein the key is inserted by a movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one opening.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the second conductive connecting member further comprises a dome structure configured to make contact with the key when a pressure is applied to the key in the direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one opening.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the key is configured to generate an electrical signal in the first part of the second conductive connecting member that is disposed within the first space when an external pressure is applied to the key in the direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one opening.

11. An electronic device comprising:
a front cover;
a back cover;
a rear case disposed between the front cover and the back cover;
a first space formed between the back cover and the rear case;
a second space formed between the front cover and the rear case, the second space configured to be hermetically sealed from the first space;
a first conductive connecting member formed in the rear case, the first conductive connecting member comprising a first surface directed toward the front cover and a second surface directed toward the back cover;
an electrical connecting member comprising a first part disposed within the first space, a second part that extends to a second surface of a non-conductive structure, and a third part electrically contacting the first conductive connecting member; and
a printed circuit board disposed within the second space and electrically connected with the first conductive connecting member.

12. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the first surface and the second surface of the first conductive connecting member are flat surfaces.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the electrical connecting member comprises one or more connection pads, and wherein the one or more connection pads and the first conductive connecting member are bonded to each other by ultrasonic welding.

14. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the rear case comprises a sidewall having an opening configured to receive a side key disposed therein, the side key configured to be pressed into the opening of the sidewall in a lateral direction of the sidewall.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein a first part of the rear case directed toward the sidewall comprises a conductive material, and a second part of the rear case disposed between the sidewall and the first conductive connecting member comprises a non-conductive material.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the non-conductive structure comprises a via-hole formed therein, and the first conductive connecting member is disposed within and fills the via-hole.

17. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the first conductive connecting member is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by a second conductive connecting member.

18. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the second conductive connecting member comprises a clip shape with resilience, the clip shape including a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being secured to the printed circuit board, and the free end extending toward the first surface of the first conductive connecting member.

19. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the electrical connecting member comprises a flexible material and the first conductive connecting member comprises a rigid material.

20. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the front cover comprises at least one edge area having a curved surface.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hyun Jung-Woong
• Lee Sung-Young
• Jun Yunjae

Classifications

• H04M1/0249

  Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly · CPC title

• H05K2201/09563

  Metal filled via · CPC title

• H05K5/03

  Covers · CPC title

• H05K1/147

  at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit (H05K1/148 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04M1/18

  Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment (H04M1/19 takes precedence) · CPC title