Electronic device with liquid-resistant SIM tray and audio module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10028397-B2
Application number	US-201715593253-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2017
Priority date	Sep 6, 2016
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

An electronic device having several modifications designed to prevent liquid ingress into an opening (or openings) of the electronic device is disclosed. For example, the electronic device includes a SIM tray having a sealing element designed to provide a seal at an opening that receives the SIM tray. The sealing element may include a first section and a second section extending from the first section, with the first section designed to bend with respect to (and in some cases collapse onto) the second section. The electronic device may further include an audio module fitted with a sealing element. The sealing element may include extensions extending away from a main body of the sealing element, with some extension designed to engage the audio module, and other extensions designed to engage an audio module interface. The sealing element provides a seal against liquid ingress into the audio module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure that defines an internal volume;
a through hole formed in the enclosure and having an internal surface, the through hole in communication with the internal volume;
a subscriber identification module (SIM) tray that is movable with respect to the enclosure; and
a sealing element having a first section and a second section and an opening, the second section being secured with the SIM tray when the SIM tray is positioned in the opening, wherein when the SIM tray is inserted into the through hole the first section engages the internal surface such that a liquid is prevented from entering the internal volume via the through hole.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein when the SIM tray is inserted into the through hole, the first section collapses onto the second section.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a notch that is located in the through hole, and wherein when the SIM tray is inserted into the through hole, the first section is bent due to engagement with the notch.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the SIM tray comprises:
a head portion that is co-planar with respect to the enclosure when the tray is fully inserted into the enclosure;
a body portion extending from the head portion and capable of receive a SIM card; and
a recessed portion between the body portion and the head portion, wherein the recessed portion receives the sealing element.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the second section is positioned at least partially in the recessed portion.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure includes a size and shape to receive both the SIM tray and the sealing element.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a compliant PU coating.

8. An electronic device, comprising:
an audio module that generates acoustical energy, the audio module comprising a snout;
an audio module interface that secures with the audio module; and
a sealing element that engages the audio module and the audio module interface, the sealing element comprising a first extension and a second extension, the first extension engaging the audio module interface and the second extension engaging the snout, the sealing element forming a seal that prevents a liquid from entering between the audio module and the audio module interface.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein:
the sealing element comprises an opening, and
the second extension is positioned within the opening.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the first extension surrounds an exterior portion of the sealing element.

11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein when the first extension bends against the audio module interface, and wherein the second extension bends against the snout.

12. The electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising:
a display assembly; and
a protective layer that covers the display assembly, the protective layer comprising an opening aligned with the audio module interface.

13. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein in the first extension extends in a first direction, and wherein the second extension extends in a second direction opposite the first direction.

14. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the audio module interface includes an opening that at least partially receives both the sealing element and the snout.

15. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the sealing element comprises:
multiple extensions engaging the audio module interface; and
multiple extensions engaging the snout.

16. An electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure that includes a bottom wall and sidewalls that combine with the bottom wall to define an internal volume, the sidewalls including a sidewall having a first through hole and a second through hole, the first hole and the second through hole opening to the internal volume;
a button that generates a command to an operational component in the internal volume, the button comprising a first end having a first protrusion extending at least partially in the first through hole, the button further comprising a second end having a second protrusion extending at least partially in the second through hole, the second end opposite the first end;
a first sealing element secured with the first protrusion and engaging the enclosure at the first through hole, thereby forming a first seal from a liquid at the first through hole; and
a second sealing element secured with the second protrusion and engaging the enclosure at the second through hole, thereby forming a second seal from a liquid at the second through hole.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the first sealing element is positioned on the first protrusion.

18. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the first protrusion comprises a grooved region that receives the first sealing element.

19. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the first sealing element and the second sealing element remain engaged with the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, during actuation of the button.

20. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein when the button is actuated:
the first sealing element moves in conjunction with the first protrusion, and
the second sealing element moves in conjunction with the second protrusion.

21. A method for forming an electronic device having an enclosure that includes an internal volume, the enclosure having a through hole that opens to the internal volume, the method comprising:
providing a SIM tray that carries a SIM card, the SIM tray movable with respect to the enclosure; and
positioning a sealing element onto the SIM tray, the sealing element having a first section and a second section, the second section being secured with the tray, wherein in response to the SIM tray being inserted into the through hole, the through hole deforms the first section relative to the second section and the sealing element forms a seal from a liquid at the through hole, wherein the sealing element comprises a ring that includes an opening such that the SIM tray passes through the ring at the opening.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
forming a recessed region in the SIM tray; and
fitting the sealing element onto the SIM tray at the recessed region.

23. The method of claim 22 , fitting the second section onto the recessed region.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the first section is perpendicular with respect to the second section.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein receiving the sealing element comprises receiving a compliant PU material that forms the sealing element.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first section collapses onto the second section when the SIM tray is inserted into the through hole.

27. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display assembly;
a frame that carries the display assembly, the frame coupled with the enclosure; and
a second sealing element that prevents a contaminant from entering a location between the frame and the enclosure.

28. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch;
audio modules;
speaker modules;
a fastener;
a port capable of receiving an electrical connector; and
a circuit board.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Zhao xiao ying
• Lui Timothy S
• Cater Tyler B
• Phouthavong Rasamy
• Myers Scott A
• Pope Benjamin J
• Hurrell David A
• Xydis Christopher R
• Huo Edward S
• Dinh Richard Hung Minh
• Firka Michael W
• Auclair Martin J
• Mundell Kurtis J
• Bavetta Salome
• Leutheuser Paul
• Esmaeili Hani
• Froese Kevin M
• Chowdhury Ihtesham H
• Tan Tang Yew
• Bates Eric W
• Zhang Yaocheng

Classifications

• H05K7/1461

  Slidable card holders; Card stiffeners; Control or display means therefor · CPC title

• H04R2499/11

  Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  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 title

• H01H13/06

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings · CPC title

• H04M1/026 Primary

  Details of the structure or mounting of specific components · CPC title