Electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12411459-B2
Application number	US-202318151177-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2023
Priority date	Jan 14, 2022
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing including a sidewall defining an upper peripheral edge surrounding an opening; and
a transparent display cover disposed in the opening, the transparent display cover including an outward facing surface;
wherein;
the transparent display cover is positioned such that the upper peripheral edge is level with the outward facing surface; and
the transparent display cover is spaced apart from the sidewall to define a gap forming a cavity extending below the transparent display cover.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes a display assembly comprising the transparent display cover.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the outward facing surface is planar.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the display assembly further comprises a touch interface.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the sidewall, the protrusion defining a recess.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 , further comprising a crown disposed in the recess.

7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the protrusion surrounds a portion of the crown.

8. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein:
the recess is a first recess;
the protrusion further defines a second recess; and
the electronic device further comprises a button disposed in the second recess.

9. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing sidewall defining:
a first speaker vent;
a second speaker vent; and
an aperture between the first speaker vent and the second speaker vent; and
a button disposed between the first speaker vent and the second speaker vent in the aperture.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:
the housing sidewall defines an internal volume;
the electronic device further comprises a first speaker disposed within the internal volume, the first speaker positioned to direct sound through the first speaker vent; and
the electronic device further comprises a second speaker disposed within the internal volume, the second speaker positioned to direct sound through the second speaker vent.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the housing sidewall further defines a front speaker volume disposed between the housing sidewall and the first and second speakers.

12. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:
the first speaker vent comprises at least two openings defined by the housing sidewall; and
the second speaker vent consists of a single opening defined by the housing sidewall.

13. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the housing sidewall defines:
a first side of the electronic device; and
a second side of the electronic device opposite the first side;
wherein the first side defines the first and second speaker vents and the aperture.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the second side defines a protrusion defining a recessed feature.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 , further comprising a crown disposed in the recessed feature.

16. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing defining an internal volume and an upper peripheral edge, the housing including:
a first sidewall defining a first speaker vent and a second speaker vent; and
a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall including a protrusion defining a recessed feature;
a transparent display cover flush with the upper peripheral edge;
a button disposed between the first speaker vent and the second speaker vent; and
a dial disposed in the recessed feature.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the upper peripheral edge of the housing is configured to protect the transparent display cover from inadvertent contact during use.

18. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the protrusion is configured to protect the dial from inadvertent contact during use.

19. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein:
the first sidewall defines an aperture between the first speaker vent and the second speaker vent; and
the button is disposed in the aperture.

20. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein:
the protrusion is a first protrusion;
the housing includes a second protrusion extending upward toward the upper peripheral edge, the second protrusion including an upper portion separated from a lower portion by a non-metallic material portion, the upper portion defining the upper peripheral edge; and
the upper peripheral edge surrounds the display cover.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Anderson Molly J
• Tissandier Clement C
• Atura Bushnell Tyler S
• Werner Christopher M
• Boozer Brad G
• Deschamps Daniela M
• Robison David W
• Parker Michael R

Classifications

• G04G21/08

  Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces · CPC title

• G04G17/08

  Housings · CPC title

• G06F1/1637

  Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing · CPC title

• G06F1/1692

  the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders · CPC title

• H04R1/403

  loud-speakers · CPC title