Abstract:
This application relates to adhesives for use in electronic devices. Specifically, the embodiments discussed herein set forth stretch release conductive adhesives for adhering an electrical component to the surface of a housing of a computing device while also allowing current to flow through the electrical component. A stretch release conductive adhesive can include a graspable portion for providing a means to stretch and remove the stretch release conductive adhesive from an electronic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/936,296, of the same title, filed Feb. 5, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/936,811, of the same title, filed Feb. 6, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/937,409, of the same title, filed Feb. 7, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
         [0002]    This application is a continuation of International Application PCT/US14/58263, with an international filing date of Sep. 30, 2014, entitled “STRETCH RELEASE CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The described embodiments relate generally to methods for mounting components to and removing components from a computing device. More particularly, the embodiments set forth various removal systems that utilize conductive adhesive material that allows non-destructive removal of the components. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    A portable computing device can include many components that provide operational functionality for users of the device. For example, a typical portable computing device can include a processor, multiple connectors, an antenna, flexible circuits, one or more fans, speakers, batteries, and the like. Notably, overall sizes of portable computing devices are continually shrinking in response to a demand for smaller, lighter devices. To meet this demand, internal components of the portable computing device are being made smaller and are being mounted in more consolidated arrangements. 
         [0005]    One approach for mounting a component within a portable computing device includes the use of double-sided adhesive tape. However, this method can make removing the component difficult and time consuming and can leave behind adhesive residue that must be cleaned before reinstalling a replacement component. Further, this approach can result in damaging the component during the removal process, which can be costly and inefficient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This paper describes various embodiments that relate to methods and systems for mounting and removing components within a computing device. In particular, disclosed herein are various component mounting and removal apparatuses that are conductive and enable a component (e.g., a flexible circuit) to be securely installed into a computing device. Moreover, these component mounting and removal apparatuses enable the component to be easily removed from the computing device when servicing or replacement is required. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment, a stretch release conductive adhesive used for extracting a component that is secured to a surface of a housing is disclosed. The stretch release conductive adhesive can include a conductive adhesive body that adheres the component to the housing surface and allows a current to flow from the component into the surface of the housing through the stretch release conductive adhesive. A portion of the conductive adhesive body can extend out from between the component and the housing to provide a graspable portion. When a removing force is applied to the graspable portion, the graspable portion independently transfers the removing force to at least the conductive adhesive body disposed between the component and the housing surface. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, a stretch release conductive adhesive for extracting a component or flexible circuit from a housing is disclosed. The stretch release conductive adhesive is conductive and includes a compressible securing portion designed to secure the component to an interior surface of the housing at a securing thickness. The stretch release conductive adhesive also includes an extracting portion coupled to the compressible securing portion at a junction. The extracting portion is arranged to receive and transfer an extracting force to the compressible securing portion by way of the junction. In turn, the extracting force reduces the thickness of the compressible securing portion at a detaching region. The detaching region is located a distance away from the junction to cause detachment of the component. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment, a method of extracting a component or flexible circuit from a housing using a stretch release conductive adhesive is disclosed. The stretch release conductive adhesive is conductive and includes a compressible securing portion coupled to an extracting portion at a junction. The method includes applying an extracting force to the extracting portion. The method also includes transferring the extracting force to the compressible securing portion by way of the junction. The extracting force causes a reduction in thickness of the compressible securing portion at a detaching region. The thickness of the compressible securing portion in turn shrinks from a securing thickness to a reduced thickness. The component is secured to an interior surface of the housing when the compressible securing portion is at the securing thickness. Conversely, the component is detached from the interior surface of the housing when the compressible securing portion is at the reduced thickness. 
         [0010]    Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a view of a stretch release conductive adhesive in a securing state, according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a view of a stretch release conductive adhesive in a stretched state, according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a view of a conductive pathway created by a stretch release conductive adhesive between a flexible circuit and housing, according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a view of a stretch release conductive adhesive having one extracting portion securing a flexible circuit to a housing, according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a view of a stretch release conductive adhesive having multiple extracting portions securing a flexible circuit to a housing, according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method for securing a flexible circuit to a housing using stretch release conductive adhesive, according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method for removing a flexible circuit from a housing using stretch release conductive adhesive, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
         [0020]    In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
         [0021]    As the size and weight of computing devices and other electronic devices decreases, retention mechanisms for components included in these devices become smaller as well. Adhesive tape can be particularly effective at retaining components within a device while occupying a minimal amount of space. Several types of adhesive tape have been designed to address this problem. In particular, a pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied to one or both sides of a highly extensible backing The backing can be formed from a highly extensible polymeric material with a high tensile strength and a lengthwise elongation at break in excess of 700%. When a force is applied to stretch the backing in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the tape, the backing deforms causing the adhesive to elongate and detach from the surface. These are commonly referred to as stretch release adhesives. Examples of adhesive tapes that meet these requirements are Command™ adhesives produced by 3M™ and Powerstrip™ adhesives produced by Tesa™. By combining the features of conductive adhesive and stretch release adhesives the deficiencies of many commonly used adhesives in computing devices are resolved. 
         [0022]    In some applications, adhesives must be conductive in order to allow electrons to travel through the adhesive. For example, components such as flexible circuits within a computing device are adhered to the interior surface or housing of the computing device in order to provide grounding for the flexible circuits. During repair or rework of the computing device, flexible circuits are often removed. Typically, removal causes damage to the flexible circuits because the conductive adhesives attaching the flexible circuits were not designed for removal. Therefore, by removably attaching flexible circuits to the housing, less time is spent cleaning adhesive residue and less flexible circuits are damaged during repair and rework. 
         [0023]    As set forth above, one common technique for securing a component (e.g., a flexible circuit) within a computing device involves using a conductive adhesive. When the component needs to be removed from the computing device, service technicians are required to pry the component away from the housing of the computing device, which can damage the component and/or housing. One technique that can be used to help mitigate this problem is by securing a stretch release conductive adhesive layer between the component and the housing. Accordingly, one embodiment sets forth a stretch release conductive adhesive used for extracting a component (e.g., a flexible circuit) secured to an interior surface or housing of a computing device, such as a housing of the computing device. The stretch release conductive adhesive can include a conductive compressible securing portion and an extracting portion coupled at a junction. The conductive compressible securing portion is placed between the component and the housing, and is designed to facilitate removal of the stretch release conductive adhesive by providing a means (i.e., by pull tab or extracting portion) by which to grip the stretch release conductive adhesive and pull it without tearing it through the creation of stress concentrations. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the extracting portion can be made of the same or different material as the conductive compressible securing portion. In one embodiment, the extracting portion can be made of a plastic material that is less compressible than the conductive compressible securing portion. In some embodiments, the extracting portion includes an inner portion that is made of the same material as the conductive compressible securing portion and an outer sheath that covers the conductive compressible securing portion. The extracting portion can have a thickness that is thinner or thicker than compressible securing portion. In some embodiments, portions of the extracting portion can have features such as grooves or projections that can facilitate a grasping of the extracting portion. The grooves can range from sharp angles to smooth bumps across the extracting portion. 
         [0025]    The stretch release conductive adhesive can be made conductive by any suitable means, such as incorporating any conductive elements, particles, or compounds into the adhesive material. For example, common conductive materials such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, calcium, tungsten, zinc, nickel, lithium, iron, etc., can be incorporated into the stretch release conductive adhesive to make it conductive. Moreover, nanoparticles such as gold, zinc, silver, carbon, etc., can also be incorporated into the stretch release conductive adhesive to make it conductive. 
         [0026]    The stretch release conductive adhesive can be used in a mobile device, media player, or any other computing device in which internal components can be housed. Furthermore, a variety of internal components—including batteries, fans, speakers, circuit boards, cables, wires, and other electronic components—can be secured within the housing by way of the stretch release conductive adhesive. The stretch release conductive adhesive can be applied such that a number of components are attached at a single junction formed of stretch release conductive adhesive. For example, one or multiple layers of stretch release conductive adhesive can be used to ground multiple flexible circuits to a surface associated with a housing of a portable electronic device and the like. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the stretch release conductive adhesive can include a conductive compressible securing portion and an extracting portion coupled at a junction. When a conductive compressible securing portion is at a securing thickness between a flexible circuit and a housing, the conductive compressible securing portion can secure the flexible circuit to the housing while also providing a conductive pathway between the housing and the flexible circuit. When the conductive compressible securing portion is at a reduced thickness, the compressible securing portion can detach the flexible circuit from the housing without damaging the flexible circuit. Thus, when an extracting force F is transferred to a detaching region between the flexible circuit and the housing, a compressible securing region can begin to detach the flexible circuit from the housing. As extracting force F continues to be applied to the extracting portion, the thickness of the conductive compressible securing portion is reduced until substantially the entire conductive compressible securing portion has a sufficiently reduced thickness. The thickness of the conductive compressible securing portion is sufficient when the flexible circuit is no longer adhered to the housing and the flexible circuit can be easily removed from the housing. In this way, the stretch release conductive adhesive can be used to attach, extract, and provide a conductive pathway between the flexible circuit and the housing or surface for which the stretch release conductive adhesive is removably attached. In some embodiments, the stretch release conductive adhesive can be pulled with extraction force F at an angle that is substantially parallel, non-parallel, or at a non-zero angle with relation to the flexible circuit, component, or surface. 
         [0028]    These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view  100  of a stretch release conductive adhesive  114  in a securing state according to one embodiment of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 1  illustrates a view of the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  securing a component  108  to a surface of a housing  110 . As shown, the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  includes a conductive compressible securing portion  106  that provides a conductive pathway  112  from the component  108  to the housing  110 . The stretch release conductive adhesive  114  can further include an extracting portion  102  that is coupled to the conductive compressible securing portion  106  by a joint  104 . The joint  104  is not essential in some embodiments. 
         [0030]    The extracting portion  102  can take many forms, for example, extracting portion  102  can take the form of a tab, a ring, a string, etc. or any form suitable for grasping and pulling. This arrangement allows for a component such as a flexible circuit to be removably attached to the housing of a computing device while also grounding the flexible circuit to the housing. The extracting portion  102  can be positioned relative to the compressible securing portion  106  in any number of configurations, for example a zero, non-zero, or negative angle in relation to the compressible securing portion  106 . In some embodiments, there can be multiple extracting portions  102  that provide multiple gripping areas facilitating removal of stretch release conductive adhesive  114 . In some embodiments, the joint  104  is adjacent to a low friction material or acute edge that can facilitate movement of the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  along the edge of or away from the component  108 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view  200  of a stretch release conductive adhesive  114  in a stretched state according to one embodiment of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates a view of the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  being extracted from between component  108  and housing  110  by an extracting force F. As shown, the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  is displaced from between the component  108  and the housing  110  by an extracting force F applied to the extracting portion  102 . The extracting force F is transferred to the conductive compressible securing portion  106  by way of the joint  104  to reduce the thickness of the conductive compressible securing portion  106  between the component  108  and the housing  110  from a securing thickness to a reduced thickness. The region from which the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  detaches can be located between the component  108  and the housing  110 . This arrangement allows for a flexible circuit to be removed from the housing  110  without damaging the flexible circuit (i.e. the component  108 ) or leaving a residue. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view  300  of a conductive pathway  112  created by a stretch release conductive adhesive  114  between a flexible circuit  302  and a housing  110 , according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates the conductive pathway  112  created by the conductive material included in the stretch release conductive adhesive  114 . As discussed herein, any variety of conductive materials can be included in the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  in order to create the conductive pathway  112  shown in  FIG. 3 . Upon rework or repair of computing device in which the housing  110  and flexible circuit  302  are retained, the stretch release conductive adhesive  114  is easily removed without damaging the flexible circuit  302 . The flexible circuit  302  can then by reused by technicians operation on the computing device, thereby saving material costs and speeding up the removal process. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view  400  of a stretch release conductive adhesive having an extracting portion  410  and securing a flexible circuit  302  to a housing  110 , according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 4  illustrates a first component  402  and a second component  404  being connected by a flexible circuit  302 . The extracting portion  410  is configured to be easily found and gripped by a technician or machine. The first component  402  and second component  404  are connected to a housing  110 , and the flexible circuit  302  is grounded to the housing  110  by the stretch release conductive adhesive. Once disconnected from first component  402  and second component  404 , the flexible circuit  302  ends, first flexible circuit end  406  and second flexible circuit end  408 , are easily removed from the housing  110  by pulling on the extracting portion  410 . For example, during rework of the housing  110 , a technician will simply disconnect the flexible circuit  302  from the first components  402  and the second component  404 , then pull on the extracting portion  410  until the first flexible circuit end  406  and second flexible circuit end  408  are released from the housing  110 . The technician is then free to use the flexible circuit  302  again. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view  500  of a stretch release conductive adhesive having multiple extracting portions and securing a flexible circuit to a housing, according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 5  illustrates the first component  402  and the second component  404  connected by a flexible circuit  302 , and the flexible circuit  302  grounded to a housing  110  by the stretch release conductive adhesive. The stretch release conductive adhesive is adhered between the flexible circuit  302  and the housing  110 , providing a conductive pathway from the flexible circuit  302 , through the stretch release conductive adhesive, to the housing  110 . The first extracting portion  502  and second extracting portion  504  are attached to the stretch release conductive adhesive. Once the flexible circuit  302  is disconnected from the first component  402  and the second component  404 , a technician or machine can pull on either the first extracting portion  502  or the second extracting portion  504 , to remove the first flexible circuit end  406  and/or the second flexible circuit end  408 , respectfully, from the housing  110 . By pulling on both the first extracting portion  502  and the second extracting portion  504 , the flexible circuit  302  will be completely released. For example, during rework of the housing  110 , a technician or machine will disconnect the flexible circuit  302  from the first component  402  and the second component  404 , then simply pull on the both the first extracting portion  502  and the second extracting portion  504  until both the first flexible circuit end  406  and the second flexible circuit end  408 , respectfully, are released from the housing  110 . The technician is then free to use the flexible circuit  302  again. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method  600  for securing a flexible circuit to a substrate using the stretch release conductive adhesive of  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown, the method  600  begins at step  602 , which involves receiving a flexible circuit. Step  604  involves securing the flexible circuit or component to a conductive substrate using stretch release conductive adhesive. In some embodiments, the conductive substrate can be a housing. The component can include a wire, a cable, a battery, a fan, a speaker, a circuit board, or other electronic components. The surface can be made of any of a number of suitable materials, such as metal or plastic, and can include a portion of low friction material or a coating of low friction material. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method  700  for removing a flexible circuit from a housing using stretch release conductive adhesive, according to one embodiment. In particular, the method  700  begins at step  702 , which involves gripping an extracting portion of a stretch release conductive adhesive. Next, step  704  involves pulling on the extracting portion to release the stretch release conductive adhesive from between a flexible circuit and a housing. Finally, step  706  involves releasing the flexible circuit from the housing. This method  700  applies to  FIGS. 1-5 , and can therefore be used to remove stretch release conductive adhesive having multiple extracting portions, as illustrated in  FIG. 5  and described herein. 
         [0037]    The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.