PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9972459-B1
Application Number: US-201414480276-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Tactile switch assembly in an electronic device

Abstract:
A tactile switch assembly can include a tactile switch structure electrically connected to one end of a flexible circuit. The tactile switch assembly has a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state and a smaller second length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state. The flexible circuit folds over itself one or more times in the folded state. The tactile switch structure can include a stiffener positioned over a switch. The flexible circuit can extend over at least a portion of a top surface of the stiffener and wrap around the stiffener at a bend region and extend under at least a portion of a bottom surface of the stiffener. One or more component chambers can be created in openings in the stiffener that provide additional locations for one or more electrical components to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tactile switch assembly, comprising:
 a support plate having opposing first and second sides; 
 a tactile switch structure comprising a switch configured to press against the first side of the support plate, wherein the tactile switch structure is electrically connected to a first end of a flexible circuit, the tactile switch assembly has a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state, the tactile switch assembly has a second length that is less than the first length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state, the flexible circuit folds over itself at least once in the folded state, and a second end of the flexible circuit is located adjacent to the second side of the support plate when the flexible circuit is in the folded state; and 
 an electrical component directly coupled and electrically connected to a surface of the flexible circuit, wherein the switch is interposed between the electrical component and the support plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the tactile switch structure includes a stiffener positioned adjacent to the switch and the flexible circuit folds over the stiffener in the tactile switch structure. 
     
     
       3. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one component chamber surrounded by the stiffener, the flexible circuit positioned over the stiffener, and the flexible circuit positioned under the stiffener. 
     
     
       4. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the electrical component electrically connected to an additional surface of the flexible circuit. 
     
     
       5. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a connector electrically connected to the second end of the flexible circuit. 
     
     
       6. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 5 , further comprising an additional electrical component electrically connected to the flexible circuit between the tactile switch structure and the connector. 
     
     
       7. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stiffener attached to a folded portion of the flexible circuit. 
     
     
       8. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 1 , the tactile switch structure further comprising a sensor attached to the flexible circuit. 
     
     
       9. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor. 
     
     
       10. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the switch comprises a dome switch. 
     
     
       11. A tactile switch assembly, comprising:
 a flexible circuit, wherein the tactile switch assembly has a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state, the tactile switch assembly has a second length that is less than the first length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state, and the flexible circuit folds over itself at least once in the folded state; 
 a stiffener attached to the flexible circuit, wherein the stiffener has first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface directly contacts a first portion of the flexible circuit when the flexible circuit is in the folded state, and the second surface directly contacts a second portion of the flexible circuit when the flexible circuit is in the folded state; 
 a support plate; and 
 a tactile switch structure attached to the flexible circuit and interposed between the support plate and the second portion of the flexible circuit, wherein the tactile switch structure comprises:
 a dome switch that is configured to press against and directly contact the support plate and is electrically connected to an end of the flexible circuit; 
 a cover glass that covers the dome switch and the second portion of the flexible circuit; and 
 a fingerprint sensor interposed between the cover glass and the second portion of the flexible circuit, wherein the fingerprint sensor is electrically connected to the second portion of the flexible circuit. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The tactile switch assembly as in  claim 11 , further comprising an additional stiffener, wherein a first surface of the additional stiffener is attached to the flexible circuit and a portion of a second surface of the additional stiffener is left uncovered by the flexible circuit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/875,573, filed Sep. 9, 2013 and titled “Tactile Switch Assembly in an Electronic Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to input devices, and more particularly to a tactile switch assembly in an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The size of various types of electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices, continues to decrease while the number of functions and features in the electronic devices increases. The use of space in an electronic device has therefore become an aspect of the electronic device that must be optimized. It can be difficult to increase the number of electronic components and circuitry in the electronic device as the size of the device becomes smaller and thinner. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a tactile switch assembly can include a tactile switch structure electrically connected to one end of a flexible circuit. The tactile switch assembly has a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state and a smaller second length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state. The flexible circuit folds over itself one or more times in the folded state. The tactile switch structure can include a stiffener positioned over a switch. The flexible circuit can extend over at least a portion of a top surface of the stiffener and wrap around the stiffener at a bend region and extend under at least a portion of a bottom surface of the stiffener. One or more component chambers can be created in openings in the stiffener that provide additional locations for one or more electrical components to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit. 
     In another aspect, a tactile switch assembly can include a tactile switch structure electrically connected to one end of a flexible circuit. The tactile switch structure can include a switch electrically connected to a portion of the flexible circuit. The tactile switch assembly can have a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state and a smaller second length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state. The flexible circuit includes an accordion fold section comprising a plurality of bend regions when the flexible circuit is in the folded state. 
     In another aspect, a tactile switch structure can include a flexible circuit extending over at least a portion of a top surface of a stiffener. The flexible circuit can bend around the stiffener at a bend region and extend under at least a portion of a bottom surface of the stiffener. At least one component chamber can be created in an opening in the stiffener, the component chamber being surrounded by the stiffener, the flexible circuit extending over the top surface of a stiffener, and the flexible circuit extending under at least a portion of the bottom surface of the stiffener. 
     And in yet another aspect, a method for constructing a tactile switch structure can include extending a flexible circuit over a top surface of a stiffener in the tactile switch structure, and folding the flexible circuit around the stiffener at a bend region and extending the flexible circuit under at least a portion of a bottom surface of the stiffener. At least one component chamber can be created in an opening in the stiffener, the component chamber being surrounded by the stiffener, the flexible circuit extending over the top surface of a stiffener, and the flexible circuit extending under at least a portion of the bottom surface of the stiffener. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example electronic device that can include a tactile switch assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flexible circuit of a tactile switch assembly in an unfolded state; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the tactile switch assembly with the flexible circuit in a folded state; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the tactile switch assembly with the flexible circuit in a folded state; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of the tactile switch assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective top view of a trim with a cover glass positioned around the tactile switch structure; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the tactile switch structure taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the tactile switch structure taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein provide a tactile switch assembly that can include a tactile switch structure connected to one end of a flexible circuit. A connector, such as a board-to-board connector, can be connected to the other end of the flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can be folded over itself one or more times to reduce the amount of space the tactile switch assembly fills in an electronic device. The folded flexible circuit can provide one or more circuit areas where additional electrical components can be electrically connected to the flexible circuit. Additionally or alternatively, the flexible circuit can be used to create one or more component chambers in the tactile switch structure that allow for additional electronic circuitry to be nested in the tactile switch structure and electrically connected to the flexible circuit. 
     Directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “leading”, “trailing”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments described herein can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting. When used in conjunction with layers of a device, the directional terminology is intended to be construed broadly, and therefore should not be interpreted to preclude the presence of one or more intervening layers or other intervening features or elements. Thus, a given layer that is described as being formed, positioned, disposed on or over another layer, or that is described as being formed, positioned, disposed below or under another layer may be separated from the latter layer by one or more additional layers or elements. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of one example of an electronic device that can include a tactile switch assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device  100  is implemented as a smart telephone. Other embodiments can implement the electronic device differently, such as, for example, as a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet computing device, a gaming device, a remote control device, and other types of electronic and input devices. 
     The electronic device  100  includes an enclosure  102  at least partially surrounding a display  104  and one or more buttons  106  or input devices. The enclosure  102  can form an outer surface or partial outer surface and protective case for the internal components of the electronic device  100 , and may at least partially surround the display  104 . The enclosure  102  can be formed of one or more components operably connected together, such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure  102  can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display  104 . 
     The display  104  can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, a multi-touch sensing touchscreen that uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. The button  106  can take the form of a home button, which may be a mechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does not physically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on a display, and so on. Further, in some embodiments, the button  106  can be integrated as part of a cover glass of the electronic device. In one embodiment, a tactile switch assembly can be included in the button  106 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative block diagram of the electronic device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The electronic device  100  can include the display  104 , a processing device  200 , memory  202 , an input/output (I/O) device  204 , a sensor  206 , a power source  208 , and a network communications interface  210 . The display  104  may provide an image or video output for the electronic device  100 . The display may also provide an input region for one or more input devices, such as, for example, a touch sensing device and/or a fingerprint sensor. The display  104  may be substantially any size and may be positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device  104 . 
     The processing device  200  can control some or all of the operations of the electronic device  100 . The processing device  200  can communicate, either directly or indirectly, with substantially all of the components of the electronic device  100 . For example, a system bus or signal line  212  or other communication mechanisms can provide communication between the processing device  200 , the memory  202 , the I/O device  204 , the sensor  206 , the power source  208 , and/or the network communications interface  210 . The processing device  200  can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing device  200  can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processing device” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     The memory  202  can store electronic data that can be used by the electronic device  100 . For example, a memory can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals, biometric images such as fingerprint images, data structures or databases, and so on. The memory  202  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     The I/O device  204  can transmit and/or receive data to and from a user or another electronic device. One example of an I/O device is button  106  in  FIG. 1 . The I/O device(s)  204  can include a display, a touch sensing input surface such as a trackpad, one or more buttons, one or more microphones or speakers, one or more ports such as a microphone port, and/or a keyboard. 
     The electronic device  100  may also include one or more sensors  206  positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device  100 . The sensor or sensors  206  may be configured to sense substantially any type of characteristic, such as but not limited to, images, pressure, light, touch, heat, movement, relative motion, biometric data, and so on. For example, the sensor(s)  208  may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, a light or optical sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, a gyroscope, a magnet, a health monitoring sensor, and so on. In one embodiment, a biometric sensor such as a fingerprint sensor can be included in button  106  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The power source  208  can be implemented with any device capable of providing energy to the electronic device  100 . For example, the power source  208  can be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries, or a connection cable that connects the remote control device to another power source such as a wall outlet. 
     The network communication interface  210  can facilitate transmission of data to or from other electronic devices. For example, a network communication interface can transmit electronic signals via a wireless and/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired network connections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR, and Ethernet. 
     It should be noted that  FIGS. 1 and 2  are illustrative only. In other examples, an electronic device may include fewer or more components than those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In some embodiments, a tactile switch assembly can be included in an input device or can be an input device in an electronic device. For example, a tactile switch assembly can be included in the button  106  shown in  FIG. 1 . The tactile switch assembly can provide a tactile switch for the button  106 , and can include other components and features. For example, the tactile switch assembly can include a sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor or a thermal sensor. The tactile switch assembly can include various electrical components that are electrically connected to a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can be folded over itself one or more times to reduce the amount of space the tactile switch assembly requires in an electronic device. Additionally, the flexible circuit can be used to create one or more component chambers in the tactile switch structure that allow for additional electronic circuitry to be included in the tactile switch structure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a flexible circuit of a tactile switch assembly in an unfolded state.  FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the tactile switch assembly with the flexible circuit in a folded state. With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a tactile switch assembly  300  includes a connector  302  electrically connected to one end of a flexible circuit  304  and a tactile switch structure  306  electrically connected to the other end of the flexible circuit  304 . Only a portion of the tactile switch structure  306  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The connector  302  can be a board to board connector in some embodiments. The bottom surface of the connector  302  and a top surface of the tactile switch structure  306  are shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     One or more electrical components  305  can be connected to the flexible circuit  304  in a first circuit area  308 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more electrical components  400  can be electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304  in a second circuit area  401  (see  FIG. 4 ). And in some embodiments, one or more electrical components can be electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304  in a third circuit area  402  (outlined by the box in  FIG. 4 ). 
     In the unfolded state, the tactile switch assembly has a first length L 1 . When folded for inclusion in an electronic device, the tactile switch assembly has a shorter second length L 2 . The flexible circuit  304  can fold over itself multiple times at bend regions  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 , and  318  to produce the smaller length L 2 . The flexible circuit  304  can be folded to produce the structure shown in  FIG. 4  by folding section  320  under section  322  at bend region  316 . Section  324  can then be folded with respect to section  326  at bend region  314 , and section  328  folded over the opposite side of section  324  at bend region  312 . Connector  302  is then folded over the opposite side of section  328  at bend region  310 . And tactile switch structure  306  is folded with respect to section  330  at bend region  318 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the accordion fold of the flexible circuit  304 . The flexible circuit  304  can include an accordion fold section  403  formed by the bend regions  310 ,  312 ,  314 . In some embodiments, stiffeners  404 ,  406  can be attached to portions of the flexible circuit  304  in the accordion fold section  403 . The stiffener  404  can attach to region  328  while the stiffener  406  can attach to region  324 . Regions  324  and  328  become more rigid when the stiffeners  404  and  406 , respectively, are attached to the regions. The position and/or length of the stiffeners  404 ,  406  can define the locations and bend radii of the bend regions  310 ,  312 , and  314 . 
     In some embodiments, stiffeners  408 ,  410  can be attached to the flexible circuit  304  to provide increased rigidity to the flexible circuit. The stiffeners  408 ,  410  can assist in stabilizing a dynamic region  412  of the flexible circuit  304 . The dynamic region  412  can be an unsupported region of the flexible circuit  304  positioned between the stiffener  408  and the stiffener  410 . The stiffeners  408 ,  410  can limit movement of the dynamic region  412  in the z-direction (up and down) as well as in the x-y directions. The stiffeners  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410  can each be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, or a composite material. 
     The tactile switch structure  306  can include any suitable tactile switch. For example, the tactile switch can be a dome switch  414  that is positioned at a bottom surface of the tactile switch structure in one embodiment. The dome switch  414  can be supported by a support plate  416 . When a force is applied to the tactile switch structure (e.g., by pressing on button  106 ), the dome switch is pressed against the support plate  416 , which can cause the dome switch to collapse and activate the switch. Other embodiments can use a different type of switch, such as, for example, a force sensing switch. The tactile switch structure  306  is described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a top view of the tactile switch assembly with the flexible circuit in a folded state. The stiffener  408  can cover a portion of the flexible circuit  304 , leaving room for one or more electrical components  400  to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit in the second circuit area  401 . The stiffener  408  can have any given dimensions and shape. 
     An integrated circuit or sensor  500  can be attached to the top surface of the tactile switch structure  306 . In one embodiment, the sensor  500  is a fingerprint sensor. Other embodiments can use a different type of sensor, such as a thermal sensor. The flexible circuit  304  is disposed under the sensor  500 . Wire bonds  502  can electrically connect the sensor  500  to the flexible circuit  304 . 
     Attachment points  504  illustrate locations where the stiffener  410  can attach to a trim (not shown). In one embodiment, the stiffener  410  can be welded to the trim at the attachment points  504 . 
     The stiffener  408  can include alignment openings  506 . The alignment openings  506  can be used to control the alignment of the flexible circuit  304  to a housing or a cover glass (not shown). Proper alignment of the flexible circuit  304  can reduce or prevent torsion on the dynamic region  412  of the flexible circuit, and can reduce the distance the dynamic region  412  moves in the x and y directions. 
     An adhesive layer  508  can be disposed over a portion of the stiffener  408  and along a top surface of the region  326  of the flexible circuit  304 . The adhesive layer  508  can attach to a surface of a housing in the electronic device. For example, the adhesive layer  508  can be affixed to a cover glass sub-assembly in the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of the tactile switch assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . As described earlier, the stiffener  410  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) can be attached to a trim  600  at attachment points  504 . In one embodiment, the stiffener  410  can be welded to the trim  600  at the attachment points  504 . Other embodiments can include any number of attachment points that can be positioned at any given location on the trim  600 . 
     The trim can include alignment marks  602  that can be used for alignment at one or more assembly steps during the construction of the tactile switch assembly and/or an electronic device. As one example, the alignment marks  602  can be used to properly align the trim  600  to obtain a suitable environmental seal around the tactile switch assembly  300  and/or the tactile switch structure  306 . As another example, the alignment marks  602  can be used to properly align the trim  600  to a housing in the electronic device. Other embodiments can include any number of alignment marks that can be positioned at any given location on the trim  600 . 
     As described earlier, the tactile switch structure  306  includes a dome switch  604  in the illustrated embodiment. The dome switch  604  can be constructed as any suitable dome switch. As one example, the dome switch can include a conductive dome positioned over a conductive contact. Signal lines or traces can be electrically connected to the conductive dome and to the conductive contact. A deformable structure, such as an elastomeric dome, can be disposed over the conductive dome. The deformable structure compresses based on an applied force, which in turn can cause the conductive dome to collapse and contact the conductive contact. This contact closes a circuit formed with the signal traces, the conductive dome, and the conductive contact, thereby activating the tactile switch. The tactile switch is in a closed or deactivated state when the conductive dome does not contact the conductive contact. 
     The signal lines or traces connected to the dome switch can be included in the flexible circuit  304 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the flexible circuit  304  is positioned over the dome switch. The tactile switch structure  306  is described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a perspective top view of a trim with a cover glass positioned around the tactile switch structure. A cover glass  700  is disposed in the trim and over the tactile switch structure. The cover glass  700  can be made of any suitable material, including glass, ceramic, and plastic. Additionally, the trim  600  can be made of any suitable material, including metal and plastic. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the tactile switch structure taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . The tactile switch structure  306  can include the cover glass  700  attached to the trim  600 , the integrated circuit or sensor  500  disposed under the cover glass, and the flexible circuit  304  positioned below the sensor  500 . The sensor  500  can be attached to the flexible circuit  304  with an adhesive layer  800 , such as a heat cured epoxy. 
     The flexible circuit  304  can wrap around the stiffener  410 . Thus, the stiffener  410  can be attached to the bottom surface of the flexible circuit overlying the stiffener  410  with an adhesive layer  802  and to the top surface of the flexible circuit underlying the stiffener  410  with another adhesive layer  804 . The adhesive layers  802 ,  804  can be any suitable type of adhesive, such as, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). As described earlier, the stiffener  410  can be attached to the trim  600  at one or more attachment points. 
     In one embodiment, the adhesive layer  802  can be a backfill adhesive layer. The sensor  500  and the flexible circuit  304  can be laminated to the cover glass  700  first. A small amount of a liquid adhesive can then be placed on the top surface of the stiffener  410 . The stiffener, along with the small amount of liquid adhesive, are then placed against the flexible circuit, which causes the liquid adhesive to spread out between the flexible circuit and the stiffener. The liquid adhesive hardens and becomes stiff, which can assist in providing good tactile feedback to a user when the user presses down on the tactile switch assembly. 
     The dome switch  414  is electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304  that is positioned under the stiffener  410 . A cover structure  806  can be disposed over the wire bonds (see  502  in  FIG. 5 ) to protect the wires. 
     One or more component chambers  808 ,  810  can be created in openings in the stiffener  410  by wrapping the flexible circuit  304  around the stiffener  410 . The component chambers  808 ,  810  can be surrounded by the flexible circuit  304  and the stiffener  410 . In some embodiments, one or more electrical components can be disposed in the component chambers  808 ,  810  and electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304 . For example, a capacitor or integrated circuit can positioned in a component chamber and can be attached to the flexible circuit  304 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the tactile switch structure taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible circuit  304  enters the tactile switch structure at one end  900  and extends over the top surface of the stiffener  410 . The flexible circuit  304  then folds over the stiffener  410  at bend region  318  and extends under at least a portion of the bottom surface of the stiffener  410 . 
     As described earlier, the arrangement of the flexible circuit  304  and the stiffener  410  can create one or more component chambers  808 ,  810 . An electrical component or components  902  can be located in the component chamber  808  and electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304 . Similarly, one or more electrical components  904  can be located in the component chamber  810  and electrically connected to the flexible circuit  304 . The component chambers  808 ,  810  provide additional locations for electrical components and allow the electrical components  902 ,  904  to be nested within the tactile switch structure  306 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical components  902 ,  904  are electrically connected to the bottom surface of the overlying flexible circuit  304 . In another embodiment, electrical components can be electrically connected to the top surface of the flexible circuit positioned under the stiffener  410 . And in some embodiments, electrical components can be electrically connected to both the bottom and top surfaces of the flexible circuit  304 . 
     Various embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have been described herein, it should be noted that the application is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respect to one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, where compatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may be exchanged, where compatible.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140908
Publication Date: 20180515
Grant Date: 20180515
Priority Date: 20130909
Inventors: HILL, MATTHEW D.
RAO, MATTHEW P.
LEE, ALEX M.
POPE, BENJAMIN J.
KOLE, JARED M.
MYERS, SCOTT A.
MAG, STEFAN C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
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Family ID: 62091397