Patent Description:
Electronic medical equipment, such as portable ultrasound imaging devices, and many other electronic processing devices, such as laptop computers, typically include at least one printed circuit board (PCB) that carries a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or other electronic components for operation of the device. For electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of such devices, it can be important to shield the components on the PCB from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduce radiated emissions that can degrade performance during operation. Additionally, especially for portable electronic devices, it can be important to mount the PCB in such a way that it can withstand inadvertent loads resulting from installation and use. Such loads can include, for example, shock loads that can occur if a user inadvertently drops the device. To meet these challenges, conventional electronic devices are often designed and constructed so that they can withstand a drop of, for example, <NUM> feet, and provide EMI shielding sufficient to meet Federal Communication Commission (FCC) class B regulations.

In some conventional electronic devices, the PCB is mounted to a metal enclosure or chassis with off-the-shelf rubber grommets and isolators in an attempt to mitigate shock loads. Additionally, such devices typically include one or more grounding straps having a first end attached to a perimeter of the PCB and an opposite end attached to the metal enclosure in an attempt to provide sufficient EMI shielding. <CIT> discloses an example of a ground connection structure.

<CIT> discloses mounting of a motherboard using rubber bushings.

Off-the-shelf rubber grommets and isolators, however, often provide insufficient shock isolation. Similarly, the use of grounding straps typically provides only limited EMI shielding. Moreover, the use of grounding straps can make it difficult to mount the PCB in the enclosure, especially if multiple ground straps are installed around the perimeter of the PCB. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide PCB mounting systems that can provide robust protection from shock, vibration, strain and/or EMI, while also being relatively easy to install.

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods for mounting PCBs and other circuit boards in electronic devices. As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the apparatuses, methods and systems described herein can be used to mount PCBs in portable medical equipment and other electronic devices in such a way that the PCB and its components are protected against performance-degrading EMI, radiated emissions, and inadvertent shock, vibration, and/or strain loads.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in <FIG> to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations and/or systems often associated with printed circuit boards, electronic device enclosures, ultrasound imaging systems and other medical equipment, etc. are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the details set forth herein, or with other structures, methods, components, and so forth. The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of embodiments of the technology. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Component details may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such as position of components and certain precise connections between such components when such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the invention.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below. In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element <NUM> is first introduced and discussed with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an isometric view of an electronic device <NUM> having an electronics board mounting system <NUM> configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. <FIG> is a partially exploded isometric view of the electronic device <NUM> illustrating aspects of the electronics board mounting system <NUM> in more detail.

Referring first to <FIG>, in some embodiments the electronic device <NUM> can be a portable electronic device, such as a portable medical device (e.g., a portable ultrasound imaging device). It should be noted, however, that the electronics board mounting system <NUM> described herein is not limited to use with portable electronic devices, portable medical devices, or any other type of electronic device, but is usable with virtually any type of processing or other electronic device that contains a PCB or other electronics board mounted therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> includes a first or lower portion <NUM> that is pivotably connected to a second or upper portion <NUM> in a clamshell configuration by means of a hinge <NUM> extending along a rear edge portion thereof. In some embodiments, the upper portion <NUM> can include a display (e.g., an LCD or LED), that can display graphical, textual, and/or other images (e.g., ultrasound images) when the upper portion <NUM> is rotated to the open position shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the lower portion <NUM> can include a control panel <NUM> containing various user-input devices (e.g., a touchpad, a keypad, buttons, knobs, etc.) for receiving various types of user input for controlling operation of the device <NUM>. Additionally, as described in greater detail below, the lower portion <NUM> can also include an electronics board <NUM> that is shock-mounted within an enclosure <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a housing or chassis <NUM>) and electrically grounded thereto by means of the electronics board mounting system <NUM> ("mounting system <NUM> "). In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics board <NUM> is a PCB that carries, for example, one or more CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, memory, and/or other processing and/or electronic devices and circuitry for operation of the device <NUM> in a conventional manner. In other embodiments, however, the electronics board <NUM> can be other types of circuit boards or similar substrates that carry processing and/or other electronic components in electronic devices that may be susceptible to shock, vibration, strain and/or EMI during assembly, use, etc. Accordingly, the term "electronics board" is used herein to refer generally to PCBs and other structures that mechanically support and/or electrically connect electronic components.

Referring next to <FIG>, in some embodiments the enclosure <NUM> includes a first or lower cover <NUM> and a second or upper cover <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower cover <NUM> has the form of a generally rectangular housing having a generally rectangular opening <NUM> in an upper portion thereof, and the upper cover <NUM> has the form of a generally flat panel having a rectangular shape configured to cover the opening <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the upper and lower covers <NUM> and <NUM> and variations thereof can have other configurations. For example, in other embodiments the upper cover <NUM> can also be in the form of <NUM>-dimensional housing or enclosure, like the lower cover <NUM>. In some embodiments, both the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> can be formed (e.g., cast, machined, etc.) from conductive materials, such as metallic materials (e.g., magnesium, aluminum, etc.) which are well known in the art and often used for electronic device enclosures.

Although not shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the lower cover <NUM> can include a plurality of integrally-formed conductive risers or bosses that extend upwardly from an interior surface of the lower cover <NUM> toward the opening <NUM>. The electronics board <NUM> is mounted to the bosses within the lower cover <NUM> by a plurality of individual mounting assemblies <NUM> (identified individually as mounting assemblies 120a-h). Once the electronics board <NUM> has been mounted to the lower cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the upper cover <NUM> can be positioned over the opening <NUM> and secured around the periphery thereof to secure the electronics board <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM>. In some embodiments, the conductive upper and lower covers <NUM> and <NUM> form a Faraday cage around the electronics board <NUM> that completely encloses, or at least substantially encloses, the electronics board <NUM>. As is known, the Faraday cage can block, or at least substantially attenuate, electromagnetic fields from entering the enclosure <NUM> and causing EMI that can degrade performance of the electronic components mounted to the electronics board <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the mounting assemblies <NUM> can substantially isolate the electronics board <NUM> from shock, vibration and strain, while also providing electrical grounding paths to the lower cover <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> that enhance EMI protection.

Although both the upper and lower covers <NUM> and <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment are formed from conductive metal, in other embodiments the electronic device <NUM> can include an outer cover formed from plastic or another non-conductive material, and the electronics board <NUM> can be enclosed, or at least partially enclosed, within an electrically conductive internal enclosure (e.g., a metallic mesh enclosure) positioned within the outer plastic cover. In such embodiments, the internal conductive enclosure can provide EMI protection, and the mounting assembly <NUM> can be used as described herein to provide grounding paths from the electronics board <NUM> to the internal enclosure.

<FIG> is an exploded isometric view of one of the mounting assemblies <NUM> of <FIG> configured in accordance with embodiments with the present technology. <FIG> are enlarged bottom isometric views of a first support member <NUM> and a second support member <NUM> of the mounting assembly <NUM>, respectively, configured in accordance with embodiments with the present technology. Although only one of the mounting assemblies <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment all of the mounting assemblies <NUM> are identical, or at least substantially identical and, accordingly, the description that follows applies to all the mounting assemblies <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring first to <FIG>, as noted above in the discussion of <FIG>, each of the mounting assemblies <NUM> is operably mounted to a corresponding conductive boss <NUM> that extends upwardly from an interior surface of the lower cover <NUM> (<FIG>). In the illustrated embodiment, the boss <NUM> is integrally formed (e.g., cast) with the lower cover <NUM> and accordingly formed from the same conductive material. In other embodiments, the boss <NUM> can be formed separately from the lower cover <NUM> and attached thereto by a suitable bracket, fastener, adhesive, weld, etc. The boss <NUM> includes a threaded fastener hole <NUM>, which is centrally located in an upper surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the boss <NUM> can also include structural features for strength or stiffness, such as one or more ribs <NUM> (identified in individually as ribs <NUM> a-d) that extend radially outward from the boss <NUM> at equal (e.g., <NUM> degree) spacings.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly <NUM> further includes a stand-off <NUM> and a first support member <NUM>. The stand-off <NUM> can include a hexagonal head portion <NUM> and a threaded portion <NUM> separated by a shoulder <NUM>. An upper surface <NUM> of the hexagonal portion <NUM> includes a threaded fastener hole <NUM>. The stand-off <NUM> can be made from a suitable conductive material, such as a conductive metal (e.g., mild steel).

In some embodiments, the first support member <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a first isolator) can include an exterior shoulder <NUM> concentrically positioned between a bushing portion <NUM> and a broader base portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bushing portion <NUM> includes a plurality of deformable features <NUM> (e.g., elastically deformable features; identified individually as deformable features 246a-h) that project radially outward at even circumferential spacing around the bushing portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable features <NUM> have the form of longitudinal ridges with generally flat or "squared-off" outer edge portions. In other embodiments, however, the deformable features <NUM> can have other shapes and sizes, such as ridge shapes with rounded outer edge portions, or one or more of the deformable features <NUM> can be omitted. In some embodiments, the support member <NUM> can also include a plurality of deformable features <NUM> (e.g., elastically deformable features; identified individually as deformable features 254a-h) that extend upwardly at even circumferential spacing around the shoulder <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable features <NUM> have the form of protruding surface portions or raised "bumps" with an inverted "U" cross-sectional shape.

In other embodiments, the deformable features <NUM> can have other shapes, sizes and/or spacings, or one or more of the deformable features <NUM> can be omitted.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the first support member <NUM> further includes a central through hole <NUM> extending from an upper surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the through hole <NUM> includes a first or upper through hole portion 242a separated from a larger-diameter second or lower through hole portion 242b by an interior shoulder <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lower through hole portion 242b includes a plurality of channels or grooves <NUM> (identified individually as grooves 260a-d) extending radially outward at equal circumferential spacing. As described in greater detail below, the grooves 260a-d are configured to fit over the ribs 231a-d of the boss <NUM>.

Referring next to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the mounting assembly <NUM> further includes a second support member <NUM> and an end plate or washer <NUM>. The second support member <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a second isolator) includes a central through hole <NUM> extending from a first or upper surface <NUM> to a second or lower surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the through hole <NUM> includes a first or upper through hole portion 274a separated from a larger-diameter second or lower through hole portion 274b by an interior shoulder <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, the second support member <NUM> can further include a plurality of deformable features <NUM> (e.g., elastically deformable features; identified individually as deformable features 280ah) projecting downwardly at even spacing around the lower surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the deformable features <NUM> are identical, or at least generally similar in size, shape and placement, to the deformable features <NUM> on the opposing shoulder <NUM> of the first support member <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the deformable features <NUM> can have different shapes, sizes, and/or spacings, etc., and in yet other embodiments, one or more of the deformable features <NUM> can be omitted.

In some embodiments, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> can be formed from a resilient and/or elastic material, such as synthetic or natural rubber and/or other elastomeric materials, that can elastically deform (e.g., elastically compress; or at least partially elastically compress) in response to external forces. For example, in some embodiments the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> can be formed from silicone, such as silicone having a Shore A hardness of <NUM>-<NUM> durometer, <NUM>-<NUM> durometer, or <NUM>-<NUM> durometer. In other embodiments, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> can be made from other elastomers and/or other suitably elastic and/or resilient materials. Accordingly, it will be understood that embodiments of the first support member <NUM> and the second support member 270are not limited to any particular material unless expressly stated herein, and can generally be made from virtually any material that can deflect and/or elastically deform to absorb static and/or dynamic loads from shock, vibration, stress, strain, etc..

In some embodiments, the washer <NUM> can include a plurality of recesses <NUM> (identified individually as recesses 286a-l) circumferentially positioned at equal spacing around a central through hole <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses <NUM> are formed by corresponding through holes positioned at <NUM> degree intervals around the central through hole <NUM>. In other embodiments, the washer <NUM> can include more of fewer of the recesses <NUM> at different spacings. Although the recesses <NUM> are formed by through holes in the illustrated embodiment (use of through holes simplifies manufacture and use of the washer <NUM>), in other embodiments the recesses <NUM> can be formed by dimples, grooves, and/or other features, and in some embodiments, the recesses <NUM> can be omitted. In some embodiments, the washer <NUM> can be formed from a suitable conductive metal, such as beryllium copper, mild steel, etc., and can have the same diameter, or at least approximately the same diameter, as the second support member <NUM>. In other embodiments, the washer <NUM> can have other shapes and sizes, and can be made from other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly <NUM> further includes a first grounding member 290a, a second grounding member 290b, and a fastener <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first grounding member 290a includes a distal portion <NUM> that extends at an angle from a base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> includes a through hole <NUM> and a "bump" or rounded protrusion <NUM> that projects downwardly toward the washer <NUM>. More specifically, the protrusion <NUM> is located the same radial distance from the through hole <NUM> as the recesses <NUM> are located from the through hole <NUM> in the washer <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> of the first grounding member 290a includes a tip portion having a contact surface <NUM> that is formed to extend outwardly generally parallel to the base portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second grounding member 290b can be identical, or at least general similar in structure and function to the first grounding member 290a, with the exception that the second grounding member 290b can be flipped over <NUM> degrees so that the distal contact surface <NUM> projects upwardly from the corresponding base portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the grounding members <NUM> can be formed from a relatively thin conductive metal sheet material that exhibits resilient or spring-like qualities while also being electrically conductive. For example, in some embodiments the grounding members <NUM> can be formed from beryllium copper sheet, such as beryllium copper sheet having a thickness of from <NUM> inch to <NUM> inch, from <NUM> inch to <NUM> inch, or from <NUM> inch to <NUM> inch. In other embodiments, the grounding members <NUM> (which can also be referred to as "fingers," "conductive fingers," "conductive contracts," etc.) can be formed from other suitable electrically conductive materials having suitable resiliency to return to their original shape after the contact tip surface <NUM> has been deflected.

The electronics board <NUM> includes a through hole <NUM> configured to receive the bushing portion <NUM> of the first support member <NUM>. Although the through hole <NUM> is depicted as a complete circular hole in <FIG>, it should be noted that some embodiments the mounting assembly <NUM> can be used at or near an edge of the electronics board <NUM>, in which case the through hole <NUM> may only form a portion of a circular hole in the electronics board <NUM>. In some embodiments, the through hole <NUM> can have the same diameter, or at least approximately the same diameter, as the bushing portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, the through hole <NUM> can be configured to provide a clearance fit for the bushing portion <NUM> (e.g., a fit in which the through hole <NUM> is slightly larger (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> inch larger) than the outer diameter of the bushing portion <NUM>. In still further embodiments, the through hole <NUM> can be configured to provide an interference fit for the bushing portion <NUM> (e.g., a fit in which the though hole <NUM> is smaller (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>. 010inch smaller) than the bushing portion <NUM>.

The electronics board <NUM> can further include a grounding pad <NUM> positioned proximate to the through hole <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding pad <NUM> provides a conductive surface that extends through an arch of from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, or about <NUM> degrees around the through hole <NUM>. In other embodiments, the grounding pad <NUM> can extend completely around the through hole <NUM>. The grounding pad <NUM> can be shaped to have a first radius R1 and a second radius R2 that are selected to position the contact surface <NUM> of the first grounding member 290a generally in the radial center of the grounding pad <NUM>. In some embodiments, the grounding pad <NUM> can be laminated onto or into the surface of the electronics board <NUM> to provide a conductive contact surface that is readily accessible by the contact surface <NUM> of the first grounding member 290a. For example, in some embodiments the grounding pad <NUM> can be made from a suitable conductive foil, such as a gold-over-copper foil well known in the manufacture of PCBs and other circuit boards. Additionally, the grounding pad <NUM> can be electrically connected through one or more ground paths (not shown) to one or more ground planes <NUM> in the electronics board <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ground plane <NUM> can be formed in or on the surface of the electronics board <NUM> in a conventional manner, and can be comprised of copper foil or other suitable materials well known in the art.

<FIG> is an isometric cross-sectional view of the assembled mounting assembly 120at one of the mounting locations of the electronics board <NUM> in accordance with the embodiments of the present technology. <FIG> are a series of top isometric views illustrating various stages of installing the electronics board <NUM> in the enclosure <NUM> (<FIG>) in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, to assemble the mounting assembly <NUM> and install the electronics board <NUM> in the enclosure <NUM>, the threaded portion <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM> is threadedly inserted into the threaded hole <NUM> in the boss <NUM>. The hexagonal portion <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM> can facilitate tightening of the stand-off <NUM> into the boss <NUM>. After the stand-off <NUM> has been attached to the boss <NUM>, the first support member <NUM> is positioned over the stand-off <NUM> so that the ribs 231a-d of the boss <NUM> are received in the grooves 260a-d of the first support member <NUM> (<FIG>), and the upper surface <NUM> of the boss <NUM> contacts the shoulder <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> (also <FIG>). When the first support member <NUM> is in this position, the upper surface <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM> protrudes slightly above the adjacent upper surface <NUM> of the bushing portion <NUM>, as shown in, for example, <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a stage in the installation of the electronics board <NUM> in which a plurality of the stand-offs <NUM> (identified individually as stand-offs 232a-h) and a plurality of the first support members <NUM> (identified individually as first support members 240a- <NUM>) have been mounted to corresponding bosses <NUM> in the manner described above. Next, the electronics board <NUM> is positioned over the first support members <NUM> so that each of the bushing portions <NUM> is received in a corresponding one of the openings <NUM> in the electronics board <NUM> as shown in, for example, <FIG> and <FIG>. Next, the second support member <NUM> is positioned over the first support member <NUM> so that the bushing portion <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> contacts the interior shoulder <NUM> on the second support member <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). At this stage, the hexagonal portion <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM> extends at least partially through the upper through hole portion 274a of the second support member <NUM> so that the upper surface <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM> is positioned flush with, or just slightly below, the upper surface <NUM> of the second support member <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>).

Next, the washer <NUM> is centrically positioned over the second support member <NUM>, followed by the first grounding member 290a and the second grounding 290b. The threaded portion <NUM> of the fastener <NUM> is then inserted through the through holes <NUM> and <NUM> and threadedly inserted into the threaded hole <NUM> in the stand-off <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Before the fastener <NUM> is fully tightened, however, the first grounding member 290a can be rotated in either direction about the fastener <NUM> to position the contact surface <NUM> in direct, intimate contact with the grounding pad <NUM> on the electronics board <NUM>, as shown in, for example, <FIG>. Additionally, the second grounding member 290b can also be rotated into a favorable position so that its contact surface <NUM> will make direct and intimate contact with an adjacent interior surface of the upper cover <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> (<FIG>) once the upper cover <NUM> has been installed on the lower cover <NUM>. Once the first and second grounding members <NUM> have been rotated into the desired angular positions, the fastener <NUM> can be fully tightened. Doing this holds the protrusion <NUM> on the first grounding member 290a in the corresponding opening <NUM> in the washer <NUM>, to thereby maintain the first grounding member 290a in the desired angular position. After the electronics board <NUM> has been fully mounted to the lower cover <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> can be secured over the opening <NUM> in the lower cover <NUM> (<FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, when the fastener <NUM> is fully tightened the washer <NUM> is brought firmly to bear against the upper surface <NUM> of the stand-off <NUM>, and the first and second support members <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are slightly compressed between the washer <NUM> and the boss <NUM>. As a result, the electronics board <NUM> is compressed between the deformable features <NUM> on the first support member <NUM> (<FIG>) on the bottom side, and the deformable features <NUM> on the second support member <NUM> (<FIG>) on the top side. However, because of their elastic compressibility, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> provide an elastic mounting arrangement for the electronics board <NUM> that can greatly attenuate shock loads on, and/or dampen vibration of, the electronics board <NUM> resulting from, for example, the electronic device <NUM> (<FIG>) being inadvertently dropped by a user.

Additionally, the compliant nature of the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> also enables them to reduce strain on the electronics board <NUM> (and associated stress) that can occur during installation (because of, e.g., misalignment of the mounting bosses <NUM>, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), and/or during use (because of, e.g., thermal loads, device mishandling, etc.). By way of example only, in some embodiments the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> can enable upward and downward movement of the electronics board <NUM> (i.e., movement perpendicular to the electronics board <NUM>) of up to <NUM> inch, or up to <NUM> inch, without sustaining damage. By way of another example, in some embodiments the deformable features <NUM> on the bushing portion <NUM> (in combination with other features of the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>; <FIG>) can enable lateral movement of the electronics board <NUM> (i.e., side-to-side movement in the plane of the electronics board <NUM>) of up to <NUM> inch, or up to <NUM> inch, without sustaining damage.

Another aspect of the present technology is that, in some embodiments, the compliance of the grounding members <NUM> can be matched, or at least approximately matched, to the compliance of the first and second support members <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Matching compliances in this manner can ensure that the first grounding member 290a maintains conductive contact with the grounding pad <NUM>, and the second grounding member 290b maintains conductive contact with the upper cover <NUM>, even while the electronics board <NUM> may be moving or vibrating in response to, for example, extreme shock loads. For example, in some embodiments the first grounding member 290a can be formed so that, as the fastener <NUM> is fully tightened, the grounding pad <NUM> contacts the contact surface <NUM> and causes the distal portion <NUM> of the grounding member 290a to deflect upwardly a preset amount (e.g., <NUM> inch or less, or <NUM> inch or less). This deflection "preloads" the first grounding member 290a, and enables the contact surface <NUM> to maintain contact with the grounding pad <NUM> in harsh vibratory environments, even if the electronics board <NUM> moves away from the grounding member 290a in response to, for example, an extreme shock load. Similarly, the second grounding member 290b can be formed so that an interior surface portion of the upper cover <NUM> contacts the contact surface <NUM> of the second grounding member 290b as the upper cover <NUM> is installed on the lower cover <NUM>, causing the distal portion <NUM> of the second grounding member 290b to deflect downwardly a preset amount (e.g., <NUM> inch or less) when the upper cover <NUM> is fully installed. This preset deflection enables the contact surface <NUM> of the second grounding member 290b to maintain contact with the upper cover <NUM>, even in harsh vibratory environments. By maintaining conductive contact between the first grounding member 290a and the grounding pad <NUM>, and between the second grounding member 290b and the upper cover <NUM>, the mounting assembly can ensure that the Faraday cage around the electronics board <NUM> is maintained and performance is not degraded, even in extreme use conditions.

There are a number of other advantages associated with the embodiments of the present technology. For example, in some embodiments using multiple of the mounting assemblies <NUM> around not just the perimeter but also the interior portion of the electronics board <NUM> (at, e.g., spacings of about <NUM>-<NUM> inches) provides a multi-point shock mounting system that can substantially reduce potentially detrimental loads on the electronics board <NUM> resulting from shock and vibration (e.g., from being dropped), as well as strained, (e.g., strain resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.). Moreover, the multi-point mounting assemblies also provide multiple ground locations to both the top and bottom surfaces of the Faraday cage provided by the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> (<FIG>). More specifically, in some embodiments the first grounding member 290a provides a direct ground path from the corresponding grounding pad <NUM> (and thus the electronics board ground plane <NUM>) to the lower cover <NUM> by means of the boss <NUM>. Moreover, the first grounding member 190a also provides a portion of the ground path from the grounding pad <NUM> to the upper cover <NUM> by means of the second grounding member 190b, which provides direct contact to the upper cover <NUM> via the contact surface <NUM> of the second grounding member 190b. These ground paths are substantially shorter than conventional EMI ground paths provided by, for example, grounding straps which are typically attached only around the perimeter of a circuit board. Moreover, embodiments of the present technology can greatly simplify the installation of the electronics board <NUM> by discarding the grounding straps and associated fasteners of the prior art, and instead provide direct grounding to both the upper and lower surfaces of the Faraday cage by means of the first and second grounding members 290a and 290b, respectively, as described above.

<FIG> is a graph 400a illustrating vibrational damping test results of the electronics board mounting system <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. A vertical axis <NUM> of the graph 400a measures accelerations in g's (g), and a horizontal axis <NUM> measures time in seconds (s). In this particular test, the enclosure <NUM> of the device <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) was excited at a level of <NUM>'s, as illustrated by a first plot line <NUM>. As a second plot line <NUM> shows, however, a heat sink mounted to the electronics board <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM> only experienced a vibration level of <NUM>'s, even though the outer enclosure <NUM> was vibrating at a level of <NUM>'s. Accordingly, the graph 400a illustrates that mounting the electronics board <NUM> to the enclosure <NUM> with a plurality of the mounting assemblies <NUM> described above can substantially reduce inadvertent shock, vibration and/or other loads on the electronics board <NUM> that may occur in use.

<FIG> is a graph <NUM> b illustrating radiated emissions test results of the electronics board mounting system <NUM> configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. A vertical axis <NUM> of the graph 400b measures radiated emissions in volts per meter (V/m), and a horizontal axis <NUM> measures frequency of the emissions in Hertz (Hz). A first plot line <NUM> illustrates the radiated emissions limits as a function of frequency required to meet FCC Class B regulations. A second plot line <NUM> illustrates measured radiated emissions from the electronics board <NUM> during operation. As can be seen from the second plot line <NUM>, the radiated emissions from the electronics board <NUM> are substantially below the limits required by the Class B regulations. Accordingly, use of the electronics board mounting assemblies <NUM> described herein can provide effective means of isolating the electronics board <NUM> and its components from shock, vibration, and/or strain loads, while also providing robust electrical ground connections between the electronics board <NUM> and the enclosure <NUM> to reduce radiated emissions, EMI, and/or other performance-degrading occurrences.

References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present technology should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present technology.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further implementations of the invention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to. " As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The above Detailed Description of examples and embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various examples described above can be combined to provide further implementations of the invention. Some alternative implementations of the invention may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted above, but also may include fewer elements. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

Claim 1:
A mounting assembly (<NUM>) for mounting a circuit board (<NUM>) in an electronic device enclosure (<NUM>) having a first conductive cover portion (<NUM>) and a second conductive cover portion (<NUM>), wherein the first conductive cover portion includes a mounting feature (<NUM>), and wherein the mounting assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a first elastomeric isolator (<NUM>) configured to be attached to the mounting feature (<NUM>) and contact a first side of the circuit board (<NUM>), the first elastomeric isolator including a first plurality of deformable features (<NUM>) protruding from a surface of the first elastomeric isolator to contact the first side of the circuit board (<NUM>);
a second elastomeric isolator (<NUM>) configured to be attached to the mounting feature (<NUM>) and contact a second side of the circuit board (<NUM>) opposite to the first elastomeric isolator; and
a grounding member (290a) configured to be attached to the mounting feature (<NUM>) adjacent to the second elastomeric isolator (<NUM>) and at least partially form a ground path from the circuit board (<NUM>) to the first conductive cover portion (<NUM>).