Electronic device having a composite structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11418638-B2
Application number	US-201916569525-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 12, 2019
Priority date	Sep 21, 2016
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to an enclosure for an electronic device. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having an enclosure component and an internal component that may be affixed along a bonding region. The enclosure component may be formed from an enclosure material and defines an exterior surface of the enclosure and an opening configured to receive a display. The internal component may be formed from a metal material different than the enclosure material. The bonding region may include an interstitial material that has a melting temperature that is less than a melting temperature of either one of the enclosure material or the metal material. The bonding region may also include one or more of the enclosure material or the metal material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
an enclosure comprising:
an aluminum rear wall defining a rear exterior surface and an interior surface of the enclosure opposite to the rear exterior surface; and
a set of sidewalls extending from the aluminum rear wall and surrounding the interior surface of the enclosure;
one or more ribs arranged along a portion of the interior surface, the one or more ribs in combination with the set of sidewalls at least partly defining a compartment on the interior surface of the aluminum rear wall;
a set of mounting features formed from steel, each mounting feature defining a threaded aperture, the set of mounting features extending from a portion of the interior surface located within the compartment;
a first bonding layer disposed between each mounting feature of the set of mounting features and the aluminum rear wall and bonding each mounting feature to the interior surface of the aluminum rear wall, the first bonding layer comprising:
an interstitial material that has a melting temperature less than that of the steel, the interstitial material being one of nickel, a nickel alloy, zinc, a zinc alloy, or an aluminum alloy; and
aluminum from the aluminum rear wall melted together with the interstitial material;

a circuit assembly positioned over the set of mounting features and defining a set of openings; and
a set of threaded fasteners, each threaded fastener of the set of threaded fasteners extending through an opening of the set of openings in the circuit assembly and into a threaded aperture of a respective mounting feature of the set of mounting features, thereby securing the circuit assembly to the enclosure.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the electronic device is a laptop computer;
the electronic device further comprises:
a display coupled to the enclosure and configured to produce graphical outputs; and
an input system coupled to the enclosure and configured to receive inputs from a user;

the input system comprises a keyboard; and
the display is pivotally coupled to the enclosure.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the one or more ribs are formed of steel; further comprising:
a second bonding layer disposed between the one or more ribs and the aluminum rear wall and bonding each rib of the one or more ribs to the interior surface of the aluminum rear wall, the second bonding layer comprising:
the interstitial material; and
aluminum from the aluminum rear wall melted together with the interstitial material.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein:
a rib of the one or more ribs defines a passage between the rib and the interior surface; and
the electronic device further comprises an electrical connector extending through the passage.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein:
the compartment is a first compartment;
the circuit assembly is a first circuit assembly;
the one or more ribs further define at least a portion of a second compartment;
the electronic device further comprises:
a second circuit assembly positioned at least partially in the second compartment; and

the electrical connector electrically couples the first circuit assembly to the second circuit assembly.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the set of sidewalls is formed of aluminum.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ribs comprise steel.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Misra Abhijeet
• Osborne Steven J
• Spraggs Ian A
• Rammah Marwan
• Counts William A

Classifications

• 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

• G06F1/163

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• H04M1/0283

  for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate · CPC title

• H04M1/026

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

• G06F1/1626

  with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] · CPC title