PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9627797-B2
Application Number: US-201514805035-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Ejection assembly with plug feature

Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a plug feature for an electronic device. More specifically, the plug feature described herein is used to plug, fill or otherwise seal an aperture associated with a SIM tray of an electronic device. The plug feature may be coupled to an ejection mechanism and may extend at least partially into an aperture defined by the SIM tray and/or an aperture defined by the housing of the electronic device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a SIM tray defining an outer aperture; 
 a housing defining an inner aperture aligned with the outer aperture; 
 an ejection mechanism; and 
 a plug feature fixedly coupled to the ejection mechanism, the plug feature extending at least partially into the inner aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature comprises a hydrophobic coating. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature is compressible. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature comprises a chamfered edge. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene coating. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature seals the inner aperture. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug feature extends at least partially into the outer aperture. 
     
     
       8. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a SIM tray at least partially received in the housing; 
 a tool aperture defined by the SIM tray; 
 an ejection mechanism positioned within the housing of the electronic device to eject the SIM tray from the housing in response to an actuation force; and 
 a plug feature fixedly coupled to the ejection mechanism and preventing contaminants from entering the housing through the tool aperture. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the plug feature receives the actuation force. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the plug feature is substantially flush with the housing. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the plug feature extends at least partially into the tool aperture; and 
 the plug feature is removed from the tool aperture in response to the actuation force. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the plug feature is received in the tool aperture when the actuation force is no longer applied. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the plug feature comprises a concave outer surface. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the plug feature comprises a synthetic polymer. 
     
     
       15. A housing for an electronic device, the housing comprising:
 a SIM tray defining an outer aperture; 
 an inner aperture formed in the housing and aligned with the outer aperture; and 
 an ejection mechanism fixedly coupled to a plug feature, the plug feature aligned with the inner aperture and the outer aperture to seal the inner aperture. 
 
     
     
       16. The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the plug feature seals the outer aperture. 
     
     
       17. The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the plug feature comprises a hydrophobic coating on an outer surface. 
     
     
       18. The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the plug feature comprises a chamfered edge to facilitate removal of the plug feature from the inner aperture. 
     
     
       19. The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the plug feature is compressible. 
     
     
       20. The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the plug feature is receives a force applied by an ejection tool.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to a plug feature for an ejection assembly of an electronic device. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a plug feature for an ejection assembly for a subscriber identification module (SIM) tray. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many electronic devices include a SIM tray that holds a SIM card. In order to open the SIM tray and access the SIM card, a tool is typically inserted through an aperture in the SIM tray and into a corresponding aperture within the housing of the electronic device. When force is applied to the tool, the SIM tray opens, revealing the SIM card. 
     However, the aperture within the SIM tray and the corresponding aperture within the housing may permit liquid or other contaminants to enter the housing of the electronic device. The liquid and contaminants can damage the inner components of the electronic device and cause the electronic device to fail. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an electronic device having an ejection assembly with a plug feature. The electronic device includes a SIM tray that defines an outer aperture. The electronic device also includes a housing that defines an inner aperture. The inner aperture is aligned with the outer aperture. An ejection mechanism is positioned within the housing. A plug feature is coupled to the ejection mechanism. The plug feature extends at least partially into the inner aperture. The ejection mechanism causes the SIM tray to eject from the housing in response to an actuation force. 
     Also disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing and a SIM tray. The SIM tray is at least partially received in the housing and a tool aperture is defined by the SIM tray. The electronic device also includes an ejection mechanism positioned within the housing. The ejection mechanism ejects the SIM tray from the housing in response to an actuation force. A plug feature is coupled to the ejection mechanism and prevents contaminants from entering the housing through the tool aperture. 
     A housing for an electronic device is also described. The housing includes a SIM tray that defines an outer aperture. An inner aperture is formed in the housing and is aligned with the outer aperture. An ejection mechanism is contained within the housing. The ejection mechanism is coupled to a plug feature. The plug feature is aligned with the inner aperture and the outer aperture and seals at least the inner aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows an example electronic device having an ejection mechanism with a plug feature according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a close-up view of a SIM tray of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly having a plug feature according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a top-down view of the ejection assembly of  FIG. 2A  being actuated by an ejection tool according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly and an associated sealing member according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly having a plug feature according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly having a plug feature according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a top-down view of a SIM tray inserted into an electronic device and an associated ejection assembly having a plug feature according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure is directed to an ejection assembly of an electronic device. More specifically, the embodiments described herein are directed to an ejection assembly for a subscriber identity module (SIM) tray of an electronic device. The ejection assembly includes an ejection mechanism and a plug feature. The plug feature is coupled to the ejection mechanism and seals or otherwise fills an aperture in the housing of the electronic device. The plug feature may also seal an associated aperture in the SIM tray. 
     For example, the housing of the electronic device may include an inner aperture. The SIM tray may include an outer aperture that is aligned with the inner aperture. An ejection tool may be inserted through the inner aperture and the outer aperture and contact the ejection mechanism within the housing of the electronic device. When an actuation force is applied to the ejection mechanism via the ejection tool, the ejection mechanism pivots about an axis. Actuation of the ejection mechanism causes the SIM tray to eject from or otherwise slide out of the housing. 
     As the inner aperture and the outer aperture are essentially openings in the housing of the electronic device, water, moisture, and/or other contaminants may enter the housing of the electronic device though these apertures. The water or other contaminants may damage the internal components of the electronic device. 
     To prevent these contaminants from entering the housing through these apertures, a plug feature is disclosed. The plug feature is used to seal the inner aperture and, in some cases, the outer aperture. In some instances, the plug feature is coupled to the ejection mechanism. In other implementations, the plug feature is aligned with or surrounds the inner aperture. The plug feature may extend into the inner aperture to seal the housing. The plug feature may also extend into the outer aperture. 
     As the plug feature is contained within the inner aperture, when the ejection tool is inserted through the outer aperture and the inner aperture, the ejection tool contacts the plug feature. When an actuation force is applied to the ejection mechanism via the plug feature, the actuation force causes both the plug feature and the ejection mechanism to actuate and thereby eject the SIM tray. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-5 . 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. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an example electronic device  100  having an ejection assembly with a plug feature according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the electronic device  100  is a mobile telephone. However, the plug feature described herein may be used in a variety of other electronic devices including, but not limited to, tablet computers, wearable electronic devices, laptop computing devices, global positioning systems, and so on. 
     More specifically, the plug feature may be used with an electronic device  100  having a SIM tray. In other implementations, the plug feature may be used in any device, electronic or otherwise, having a memory card slot, an expansion card slot, a compact disc tray, a locking data port, a stylus eject button or mechanism, a band release mechanism (e.g., for a wearable electronic device), a housing release mechanism, a battery door release mechanism, a reset button aperture and the like. 
     Put another way, the plug feature described herein may be used in any device, including mechanical devices, medical devices and so on, that has an aperture that extends through a housing of the device and has an actuation mechanism that is aligned with the aperture. When coupled to the actuation mechanism, the plug feature may be inserted into the aperture to seal the aperture against contaminants. 
     The plug feature described herein may be reusable. That is, the plug feature may be inserted into and removed from the inner aperture and the outer aperture any number of times. 
     In other implementations, the plug feature may be used as a security or anti-tampering feature. For example, the plug feature may be a destructible plug feature that indicates when a port or aperture in the electronic device has been accessed. That is, the plug feature may seal an aperture in a housing of an electronic device. However, if a tool is inserted into the aperture and breaks or otherwise disturbs the plug feature, a user of the electronic device may know that the aperture has been accessed. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1A , the electronic device  100  includes a housing  110 . The housing  110  surrounds the periphery of the electronic device  100  and encloses various components of the electronic device  100 . A SIM tray  120  may be at least partially received or contained within the housing  110 . The SIM tray  120  includes a SIM card that stores data about the electronic device and/or data about the user of the electronic device  100 . 
     In order to eject the SIM tray  120 , an ejection tool is inserted into a tool aperture such as outer aperture  130 . The outer aperture  130  extends through a surface of the SIM tray  120 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates region A-A of  FIG. 1A  with the SIM tray  120  partially ejected. As shown in this figure, the outer aperture  130  is aligned with a tool aperture within the housing  110 . More specifically, the electronic device  100  includes an inner aperture  240  that extends through the housing  110 . As will be described below, the inner aperture  240  and the outer aperture  130  are aligned with an ejection mechanism. Thus, when an ejection tool is inserted through the outer aperture  130  and the inner aperture  240 , the ejection tool contacts the ejection mechanism. When an actuation force is applied to the ejection tool, the actuation force causes the ejection mechanism to move or rotate. Movement of the ejection mechanism causes the SIM tray  120  to eject from the housing  110 . 
     As will be described below, the plug feature (not shown) seals the inner aperture  240  and prevents moisture, water or other contaminants from entering the housing  110 . In some implementations, the plug feature may extend entirely through the inner aperture  240  and partially or entirely through the outer aperture  130 . Thus, a surface of the plug feature may be flush or substantially flush with respect to the housing  110  and/or the SIM tray  120 . 
       FIGS. 2A-5  illustrate top-down views of various ejection assemblies for use with an electronic device, such as electronic device  100 . For clarity purposes, the SIM tray, such as, for example, SIM tray  120 , has been omitted from these figures for clarity. Accordingly and as shown in these figures, the ejection assemblies may be contained within the housing of the electronic device and interact with a SIM tray in order to eject the SIM tray from the electronic device. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly  200  having a plug feature  230  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ejection assembly  200  may be contained within an electronic device such as the electronic device  100  shown and described with respect to  FIG. 1A . 
     More specifically, the ejection assembly  200  may be contained within a housing  210  of the electronic device. The ejection assembly  200  includes an ejection mechanism  220  and a plug feature  230 . As will be described below, the ejection mechanism  220  rotates about an axis in response to an actuation force. As the ejection mechanism  220  rotates, a distal end  250  of the ejection mechanism  220  contacts a portion of the SIM tray and ejects the SIM tray from the housing  210 . The SIM tray may sit atop the distal end  250  of the ejection mechanism  220 , and so is not visible in the cross-section view of  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
     In some implementations, the plug feature  230  is coupled to the ejection mechanism  220  using an epoxy or glue. In another implementation, the ejection mechanism  220  and the plug feature  230  are formed as a single unitary structure. That is, the plug feature  230  is integrally formed with the ejection mechanism  220 . In still yet another implementation, a portion of the plug feature  230  may fit over or otherwise be coupled to a portion of the ejection mechanism  220 . The plug feature  230  may also fit within and extend from an arm or other portion of the ejection mechanism  220 . For example, the ejection mechanism  220  may define a cavity or recess from which the plug feature  230  extends. 
     The plug feature  230 , or one or more surfaces of the plug feature  230 , may have a hydrophobic coating. For example, the surface of the plug feature  230  that extends into the inner aperture  240  may be coated with a hydrophobic coating to help keep moisture or water from entering the housing  210 . 
     The plug feature  230  may also have a coating on one or more surfaces that facilitates the plug feature  230  being removed from and inserted into the inner aperture  240 . For example, and not by way of limitation, the coating on the plug feature  230  may be a polytetrafluoroethylene coating or other such coating that reduces friction between the plug feature  230  and the inner aperture  240 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the plug feature  230  and the ejection mechanism  220  are aligned with the inner aperture  240 . The inner aperture  240  may extend entirely through the housing  210 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2A , the inner aperture  240  may be aligned with an outer aperture. For example, the inner aperture  240  is aligned with an aperture in a SIM tray such as the outer aperture  130  described above with respect to  FIG. 1A . 
     The plug feature  230  may extend partially though the inner aperture  240  when the ejection mechanism  220  is in its nominal state such as shown in  FIG. 2A  (e.g., the SIM tray is present and retained within the electronic device). In another implementation, the plug feature  230  may extend entirely though the inner aperture  240  such that a surface of the plug feature  230  is flush or substantially flush with the housing  210 . In yet another implementation, the plug feature  230  may extend entirely though the inner aperture  240  and partially or entirely though an outer aperture such as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The plug feature  230  may be made of rubber, plastic or other synthetic polymer. The plug feature  230  may be compressible, although this is not necessary, and may have a diameter that is larger than inner aperture  240 . Even though the diameter of the plug feature  230  may be larger than the diameter of the inner aperture  240 , the plug feature  230  may be compressed to fit within the inner aperture  240 . For example, as the ejection mechanism  220  returns to its nominal state, the ejection mechanism  220  may force or otherwise insert the plug feature  230  back into the inner aperture  240 . 
     In some implementations, the ejection mechanism  220  returns to its nominal state through operation of a biased spring mechanism. In another implementation, the ejection mechanism returns to its nominal state when the SIM tray is inserted back into the housing  210 . 
     The compressible nature of the plug feature  230  may also assist in removing the plug feature  230  from the inner aperture  240 . For example and as shown in  FIG. 2B , an ejection tool  270  may be inserted into the inner aperture  240 . More specifically, the ejection tool  270  may be inserted through an outer aperture (e.g., outer aperture  130  ( FIG. 1A )) and through the inner aperture  240 . Once inserted, the ejection tool  270  may contact the plug feature  230 . When an actuation force is applied to the ejection tool  270 , the ejection tool  270  may compress the plug feature  230  and actuate the ejection mechanism  220 . In response to the actuation force, the ejection mechanism  220  moves or pivots about an axis point  260 . A distal end  250  of the ejection mechanism  220  contacts a portion of the SIM tray and pushes the SIM tray out of the housing  210 . 
     Although movement of the ejection mechanism  220  is described as pivoting, the ejection mechanism  220  may move in various manners in response to an applied force. For example, the ejection mechanism  220  may move up and down in response to an applied force, side to side in response to an applied force, back and forth in response to applied force and so on. 
     Additional structures may assist in ejecting a SIM tray from an electronic device, in addition to the action of the distal end  250  of the ejection mechanism  220 . For example, actuating the ejection mechanism  220  may not only cause the ejection mechanism  220  to pivot about its axis point  260  but may also disengage one or more teeth or detents from the SIM tray. For example, rotating the ejection mechanism  220  may move detents away from grooves or other mating features in the SIM tray so that the detents no longer lock the SIM tray in place. Thus, actuation of the ejection mechanism  220  may also dislodge securing features from the SIM tray as well as impart motion to the SIM tray. The exact mechanical structure though which the motion of the ejection mechanism  220  causes the SIM tray to eject from the housing  210  may vary from device to device or between embodiments, and so only sample structures and operations are described herein. It should be appreciated that the seal and plug feature  230  creating the seal may be used with any suitable SIM tray ejection structure. 
     During actuation of the ejection mechanism  220 , the plug feature  230  may be partially or entirely removed from the inner aperture  240 . Once the actuation force is removed from the ejection mechanism  220 , the ejection mechanism  220  returns to its nominal state in which the plug feature  230  is positioned or otherwise contained within the inner aperture  240 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly  300  and an associated plug feature  330  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the plug feature  330  is a sealing member. The sealing member is used to seal an inner aperture  340  of the housing  310 . More specifically, the sealing member may surround the inner aperture  340  or otherwise be aligned with the inner aperture  340 . The sealing member, or portions of the sealing member, may also extend into the inner aperture  340 . Non-limiting examples of a sealing member include, but are not limited to, a gasket, an O-ring and the like. 
     An ejection mechanism  320  may be positioned adjacent to or otherwise be aligned with the sealing member. The sealing member may have a surface profile that mates with a surface profile of the ejection mechanism  320  and vice versa. For example, a surface of the sealing member may include a cutout or other such feature that mates with a corresponding feature on an arm or other portion of the ejection mechanism  320 . 
     In some implementations, the sealing member is coupled to the ejection mechanism  320 . Thus, as the ejection mechanism pivots about an axis and moves from a first position to a second position, the sealing member also moves from a first position to a second position. 
     In another implementation, the sealing member is coupled to the housing  310 . As the ejection mechanism  320  is actuated, the sealing member remains on the housing  310 . 
     The sealing member may be made of silicon or other expandable and/or compressible material. In such implementations, the sealing member may be coupled to both the housing  310  and the ejection mechanism  320 . As the ejection mechanism  320  is actuated, the sealing member expands. When the ejection mechanism  320  moves back to its nominal state, the sealing member contracts. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly  400  having a plug feature  430  according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The ejection assembly  400  may function in a similar manner as the ejection assembly  200  described above with respect to  FIG. 2A . For example, a plug feature  430  may be coupled to an ejection mechanism  420 . As the ejection mechanism  420  is actuated, the plug feature  430  moves from a first position to a second position. 
     The plug feature  430  of this particular embodiment has a concave outer surface (e.g., a surface that is exposed to the opening of the inner aperture  440  of the housing  410  and/or an outer aperture). Although a concave outer surface is shown, the outer surface of the plug feature  430  may be in a variety of different configurations and shapes. For example, the outer surface of the plug feature  430  may be convex. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top-down view of an ejection assembly  500  having a plug feature  530  according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The ejection assembly  500  may function in a similar manner to the ejection assembly  200  described above. That is, the plug feature  530  may be coupled to an ejection mechanism  520 . The plug feature  530  may also extend into an inner aperture  550  defined by the housing  510  of an electronic device. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the plug feature  530  includes a chamfered edge  540 . The chamfered edge  540  facilitates the removal and insertion of the plug feature  530  into the inner aperture  550  of the housing  510 . For example, the chamfered edge  540  may permit a sidewall of the plug feature  530  to pass by or minimally contact a sidewall of the housing  510  as the ejection mechanism  520  pivots or rotates about an axis in response to an actuation force. When the actuation force is removed, the chamfered edge  540  may also enable the plug feature  530  to be easily inserted back into the inner aperture  550 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a top-down view of a SIM tray  620  inserted into an electronic device and an associated ejection assembly  600  having a plug feature  660  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ejection assembly  600  may function in a similar manner to the ejection assembly  200  described above. That is, the plug feature  660  may be coupled to an ejection mechanism  650 . The plug feature  660  may extend into an inner aperture  640  defined by the housing  610  of an electronic device. The plug feature may also extend into an outer aperture  630  defined by the SIM tray  620 . 
     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 the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the 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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150721
Publication Date: 20170418
Grant Date: 20170418
Priority Date: 20150721
Inventors: SONG YUANYUAN
WU WEI GUANG
LEE SUNGCHANG
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/5213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/443", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/631", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6397", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/631", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6397", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/443", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 57837432