Support structures for computing devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9641920-B1
Application number	US-201414502839-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Sep 30, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2014
Publication date	May 2, 2017
Grant date	May 2, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments of the subject technology provides novel approaches to providing structural components for mobile computing devices to meet structural and physical form factor requirements for such devices. More specifically, the subject technology describes examples of novel mid-frame structural components, opposing snap features, camera support housing with an integrated lens, and a flexible printed circuit design with a self aligning dome FPC to button configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile device comprising:
a mid-frame support structure having a rectangular shape, the mid-frame support structure including a first interlocking feature disposed along a first side of the mid-frame support structure and extending substantially parallel from the mid-frame support structure, the mid-frame support structure being within the mobile device and behind a display of the mobile device;
a speaker support structure including a first speaker, a second speaker, and a second interlocking feature disposed along a first side of the speaker support structure, the second interlocking feature configured to mechanically couple with the first interlocking feature to form a mid-frame structure;
a rear cover of the mobile device including a surface, the mid-frame support structure abutting the surface; and
a camera support housing configured to hold a camera, the camera support housing being aligned with a first inner edge of the rear cover and a second inner edge of the rear cover,
wherein the speaker support structure is disposed substantially parallel to the mid-frame support structure.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first speaker comprises a first molded speaker box, the first molded speaker box having a first hollow cavity, the first hollow cavity configured to seat at least a first insert-molded speaker driver disposed within the first hollow cavity; and
the second speaker comprises a second molded speaker box, the second molded speaker box having a second hollow cavity, the second hollow cavity configured to seat at least a second insert-molded speaker driver disposed within the second hollow cavity.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein:
the rear cover includes an inner surface having a first edge, the first edge including a set of opposing snap features that extend perpendicular to the inner surface, the opposing snap features configured to couple with a set of complementary features on the mid-frame support structure, the set of opposing snap features including at least a first snap feature oriented in a first direction and at least a second snap feature oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction in a same axis that is parallel to a plane of the inner surface.

4. A mobile computing device comprising:
a mid-frame support structure including a first interlocking feature, the mid-frame support structure being within the mobile computing device and behind a display of the mobile computing device;
a speaker support structure including a second interlocking feature, the speaker support structure configured to attach to the mid-frame support structure by engaging the second interlocking feature to the first interlocking feature, the speaker support structure including at least one speaker driver disposed substantially at a first end of the speaker support structure;
a rear cover of the mobile computing device including a surface, the mid-frame support structure abutting the surface; and
a camera support housing configured to hold a camera, the camera support housing being aligned with a first inner edge of the rear cover and a second inner edge of the rear cover.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , wherein the mid-frame support structure further includes a side member, the side member including the first interlocking feature extending substantially parallel from the side member, the side member extending parallel with a plane of the mid-frame support structure.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 5 , wherein
the second interlocking feature is disposed substantially parallel to a side of the speaker support structure, the second interlocking feature configured to attach to the first interlocking feature of the mid-frame support structure to have the side of the speaker support structure disposed substantially parallel to the side member of the mid-frame support structure.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a first molded speaker box disposed at a first location of the speaker support structure, the first molded speaker box configured to seat a first speaker driver; and
a second molded speaker box disposed at a second location of the speaker support structure, the second molded speaker box configured to seat a second speaker driver.

8. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a set of opposing snap features substantially disposed on at least a first edge of the surface and extending perpendicular to the surface, the opposing snap features configured to mechanically couple with a set of complementary features on the mid-frame support structure.

9. The mobile computing device of claim 8 , wherein the set of opposing snap features include at least a first snap and at least a second snap that are each oriented in opposite directions.

10. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , wherein the camera comprises:
a camera module coupled to the camera support housing, the camera module comprising:
a lens cover disposed over a lens element; and
a connector support portion, the connector support portion extending outward from the camera support housing.

11. The mobile computing device of claim 10 , wherein the connector support portion further includes a connector interface mounted on the connector support portion.

12. The mobile computing device of claim 11 , wherein the camera support housing is secured to the rear cover using a mechanical fastener.

13. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a dome switch disposed on a flexible printed circuit (FPC), the FPC coupled to a stiffener element, the stiffener element coupled to the mid-frame support structure.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , further comprising a switch assembly, the switch assembly comprising:
a flexible printed circuit (FPC), the FPC comprising a first dome element disposed on a portion of the FPC;
a FPC stiffener element configured to support the FPC, the FPC being seated on at least a portion of the FPC stiffener element; and
a button, the button being substantially aligned with the first dome element.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 14 , wherein the FPC stiffener element is disposed on at least a portion of the mid-frame support structure.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 15 , further comprising a spring, the spring being disposed in a housing slot provided by the FPC stiffener element, the housing slot being at an offset from the first dome element.

17. The mobile computing device of claim 16 , wherein the spring moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the FPC stiffener element in response to the button being depressed by a force that actuates the dome element.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 14 , wherein a distance between the button and the first dome element comprises a value that has the button being substantially adjacent to the first dome element.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 14 , further comprising:
an outer button disposed on a surface of an outer housing, the outer button configured to engage the button responsive to the outer button being depressed by a force that actuates the outer button.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Jones Ii Alfred Charles
• Johnson Kelly Erin
• Rajaraman Bhargav Prasad
• Cloutier Andrea
• Martinez Angel Wilfredo

Classifications

• H04R1/021

  incorporating only one transducer · CPC title

• H04R5/02

  Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers · CPC title

• H04M1/03

  Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets · CPC title

• H04R1/025

  Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture · CPC title

• H04R2499/11

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