Method for assembling an electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016147258-A1
Application number	US-201615009283-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 28, 2016
Priority date	Sep 4, 2007
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electronic device is provided. The device may include a plate placed behind a screen formed from a window and a display module to provide the screen with additional stiffness (e.g., to resist dropping events). The window may be maintained in the electronic device by trapping the window between a bezel and the display module. In some embodiments, the window may include a chamfered edge operative to be received by a recessed edge in the bezel. In some embodiments, the input mechanism of the electronic device may be metallic and need to be grounded, but may be surrounded by components or other non-grounding components. The device may include screws operative to pass through a circuit board to reach a frame, which may serve as a ground, where the screws are located in proximity of the button. In some embodiments, the circuit board may include an additional component for grounding the button

First claim

1 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . An electronic device, comprising:
a structure having wall; a frame coupled to the wall and serving as a circuit ground; an input mechanism retained at least partially within one of the structure and the frame; a circuit board positioned between the input mechanism and the frame; and a display retained at least partially within one of the structure and the frame; wherein the input mechanism is grounded to the frame through the circuit board.

20 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein the input mechanism is grounded using screw that passes through the circuit board.

21 . The electronic device of claim 19 , further comprising a switch positioned on the circuit board below the input mechanism.

22 . The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the switch is electrically coupled to the frame.

23 . The electronic device of claim 19 , further comprising a conductive spring electrically coupling the circuit board to the frame.

24 . The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the structure comprises:
a housing positioned below and coupled to the frame; and a bezel positioned above and coupled to the frame.

25 . The electronic device of claim 24 , wherein the bezel comprises:
a first aperture formed through a planar surface configured to receive the input mechanism; and a second aperture formed through the planar surface configured to receive a window.

26 . The electronic device of claim 25 , wherein the input mechanism is positioned in the first aperture of the bezel.

27 . The electronic device of claim 25 , wherein further comprising the window physically coupled to the bezel and positioned within the second aperture wherein an outer surface of the window is flush with the planar surface.

28 . The electronic device of claim 27 , further comprising:
a display module positioned adjacent the window within the second aperture of the bezel; and a support plate physically coupled between the display module and the frame.

29 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the support plate is coupled to the frame.

30 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the support plate is formed from at least one of:
a composite material; a polymer; or a metal.

31 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein further comprising at least one of an adhesive or a tape that physically couples the display module to the support plate.

32 . An electronic device, comprising:
an electrically conductive frame; a wall coupled to the electrically conductive frame; a circuit board electrically grounded to the electrically conductive frame; a screw electrically and physically coupling the circuit board to the electrically conductive frame; and an input mechanism coupled to the circuit board.

33 . The electronic device of claim 32 , wherein the input mechanism comprises one of a button or a click wheel.

34 . The electronic device of claim 32 , further comprising a conductive spring that grounds the circuit board to the electrically conductive frame.

35 . The electronic device of claim 32 , wherein the circuit board includes:
a trace; and a resistor positioned between the input mechanism and the trace that shields the trace from charge accumulated by the input mechanism.

36 . An electronic device, comprising:
a structure; a display positioned within the structure; a gasket coupling the display to the structure; a frame coupled to the structure; a circuit board electrically coupled to the frame; and an input mechanism coupled to the circuit board.

37 . The electronic device of claim 36 , wherein the display is coupled to the frame by a support plate.

38 . The electronic device of claim 36 , further comprising a conductive fastener that electrically and physically couples the circuit board to the frame.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Filson John Benjamin
• Fowler Duane Lawrence

Classifications

• G06F1/1626 Primary

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

• Y10T29/49947

  by applying separate fastener · CPC title

• Y10T29/49126

  Assembling bases · CPC title

• Y10T29/49117

  Conductor or circuit manufacturing · CPC title

• H04M1/0249

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