PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9894787-B2
Application Number: US-201414323566-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for coupling sections of an electronic device

Abstract:
This is directed to systems and methods for coupling sections of an electronic device together. Sections of an electronic device can be coupled together via “knuckles.” The particular shape and structure of the knuckles can be based on various design considerations. For example, in some embodiments each section can function as an individual antenna. In this case, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide electrical isolation between the sections, thus allowing proper operation of the antennas. For example, the knuckles can be formed from a dielectric material, etc. As another design example, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide increased strength in areas of high strain, and/or to counteract torsional twisting in areas of high impact. As yet another design example, the knuckle can be designed in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing or which otherwise meets cosmetic requirements.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A housing for an electronic device comprising:
 a first section constructed from a first conductive material and forming a first portion of an external sidewall of the housing, the first section including, within a curve of a spline:
 a corner portion having a first thickness; and 
 at least part of an interface portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness; 
 
 a second section constructed from a second conductive material and forming a second portion of the external sidewall; and 
 a joining portion structurally coupling the first section to the second section and forming a third portion of the external sidewall, the joining portion configured to mechanically interlock with the interface portion; 
 wherein the first section is electrically isolated from the second section. 
 
     
     
       2. The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion includes a first rib feature and a second rib feature, wherein the first rib feature locks the joining portion into the interface portion and the second rib feature locks the joining portion into the second section. 
     
     
       3. The housing of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first rib feature and the second rib feature have a cylindrical shape that extends along a height of the joining portion. 
     
     
       4. The housing of  claim 2 , wherein the joining portion further includes a first channel, a second channel, and a middle portion, and wherein the first channel connects the first rib feature to the middle portion and the second channel connects the second rib feature to the middle portion. 
     
     
       5. The housing of  claim 4 , wherein the middle portion of the joining section has an increased volume to reinforce the joining section from mechanical strain. 
     
     
       6. The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion includes at least one lock feature coupling the joining portion to at least one of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
       7. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the joining portion includes a dielectric composite material. 
     
     
       8. An electronic device housing comprising:
 a first section formed from a first conductive material that forms a first portion of a sidewall of the electronic device housing, the first section including, within a curve of a spline:
 a corner portion having a first thickness; and 
 at least part of an interface portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness; 
 
 a second section formed from a second conductive material and forming a second portion of the sidewall of the electronic device housing; and 
 a joining portion formed from a nonconductive material and forming a third portion of the sidewall, the joining portion mechanically interlocked with the interface portion; 
 wherein the joining portion electrically isolates the first and second sections. 
 
     
     
       9. The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the joining portion includes a mechanical connector piece inserted into the first section and the second section. 
     
     
       10. The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the joining portion is inserted between the first and second section while the joining portion is in a first state and the joining portion is changed from the first state into a second state. 
     
     
       11. The housing of  claim 10 , wherein the first state is a liquid and the second state is a solid. 
     
     
       12. The housing of  claim 11 , wherein heat is applied to the joining section to achieve the first state and cooling is applied to the joining section to change the joining section to the second state. 
     
     
       13. The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the nonconductive material comprises a dielectric composite material. 
     
     
       14. A housing for an electronic device
 a first section formed from a first conductive material that defines a first portion of an exterior surface including a corner portion and a first interface surface positioned within a curved spline region of the exterior surface, the first section operable to function as an antenna for the electronic device; 
 a second section formed from a second conductive material that defines a second portion of the exterior surface and a second interface surface; and 
 a joining portion including a nonconductive material that defines a third portion of the exterior surface, a third interface surface, and a fourth interface surface; 
 wherein: 
 the third interface surface is mechanically interlocked with the first interface surface and the fourth interface surface is mechanically interlocked with the second interface surface; 
 the joining portion electrically isolates the first section from the second section; and 
 the first, second, and third portions of the exterior surface form a portion of a sidewall of the housing. 
 
     
     
       15. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the third portion of the exterior surface is positioned within the curved spline region of the exterior surface. 
     
     
       16. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the joining portion is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the first and second sections. 
     
     
       17. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the first interface surface, the second interface surface, the third interface surface and the fourth interface surface each include a structure selected from among: a dovetail; a rib; and a knuckle. 
     
     
       18. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the first interface surface has a thickness greater than a thickness of the corner portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/987,741, filed Jan. 10, 2011 and titled “Systems and Methods for Coupling Sections of an Electronic Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Systems and methods are disclosed for coupling sections of an electronic device. In particular, components of an electronic device can be assembled from two or more sections, where these sections may be coupled together using knuckles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A portable electronic device can be constructed using different approaches. In some cases, an electronic device can be constructed by assembling several components together. These “components” can include external components that are combined to form a device enclosure (e.g., a device “housing”), as well as internal components that may provide structural support or other functionality for the electronic device (e.g., the internal component could be a microchip). Based on the design of the electronic device, the components can be formed from any suitable material(s) such as metals, plastics, or any other materials. 
     In some cases, the various components of the electronic device can operate as part of an electrical circuit. For example, a particular component could serve as a resistor or as a capacitor to another part of the electronic device. As another example, a component can function as part of an antenna assembly of the electronic device. If the component is used in only a single electrical circuit, then the component may be constructed from a single piece of conductive material. If the same component, however, is used in several different electrical circuits, the component may need to be constructed from several “sections” of conductive elements. In this case, however, it may be necessary to separate each of the conductive sections with an insulating or other non-conductive material, in order to ensure that each section operates in its own electrical circuit correctly. 
     SUMMARY 
     This is directed to systems and methods for coupling sections of an electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device can be formed from several components, such as an outer periphery component and/or other components. The outer periphery component may provide a housing structure for the electronic device by encircling the electronic device. In some cases, this outer periphery component can be assembled from two or more “sections.” Knuckles may then be used to couple these sections together. 
     The shape and structure of the knuckles can be based on various design considerations. For example, in some embodiments each section of the outer periphery component can function as an individual antenna, or as any other suitable electric circuit component. In this case, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide electrical isolation between the sections. For example, the knuckles can be formed from a dielectric material, can be designed to have minimum capacitance requirements, and the like. As another design example, the knuckles can be designed in order to provide increased strength in areas of high strain, and/or to counteract torsional twisting in areas of high impact. As yet another design example, the knuckle can be designed in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing or which otherwise meets cosmetic requirements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative outer periphery component constructed by connecting several sections together in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device component in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic top views of illustrative components that include a knuckle in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of an illustrative outer periphery component with knuckles in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  show various schematic views of a particular knuckle design in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  show various schematic views of another particular knuckle design in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  show various schematic views of another particular knuckle design in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An electronic device can include several components assembled together to form internal and/or external features of the electronic device. For example, one or more internal components (e.g., electrical circuitry and/or internal support structures) can be placed within external components (e.g., housing structures) to provide an electronic device having desired functionality. As used herein, the term “component” refers to a distinct entity of an electronic device, such as a particular electronic circuit (e.g., a microchip), a member forming the housing of the electronic device (e.g., a backplate, an outer periphery component, and the like), an internal support structure (e.g., a mid-plate), and the like. 
     In some cases, a component can be manufactured by assembling and connecting two or more different individual elements (i.e., “sections”) together. As used herein, the term “section” refers to an individual portion of a component, where that component may be formed from multiple sections. The various sections of the component may then be coupled together using a “knuckle.” Based on the desired functionality and design of the component and its sections, these knuckles can exhibit a wide range of shapes and structures. For example, the knuckles can include structural designs that reinforce the knuckle at areas of high mechanical strain, that counteract twisting movements at areas of high torsion, that interlock with the sections to provide enhanced coupling support between the sections, that provide electrical isolation between the sections, and the like. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of an illustrative component of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 1  shows outer periphery component  100  that can be constructed by connecting several sections together, such as sections  110 ,  120 , and  130 . Outer periphery component  100  can be constructed to form an exterior, periphery surface for an electronic device. In particular, outer periphery component  100  can surround or wrap around some or all of the internal components (e.g., electronic circuits, internal support structures, and the like) of the electronic device. In other words, outer periphery component  100  can define an internal volume into which internal components can be placed. For example, outer periphery component  100  can wrap around the electronic device such that external surface  101  of outer periphery component  100  defines a left surface  102 , a right surface  104 , a top surface  106 , and a bottom surface  108  of the electronic device. 
     The thickness, length, height, and cross-section of outer periphery component  100  can be selected based on any suitable criteria including, for example, based on structural requirements (e.g., stiffness or resistance to bending, compression, tension or torsion in particular orientations). In some embodiments, outer periphery component  100  can serve as a structural member to which other electronic device components can be mounted. Some of the structural integrity of outer periphery component  100  can come from the closed shape that it defines (e.g., outer periphery component  100  forms a loop, thus providing structural integrity). 
     Outer periphery component  100  can have any suitably shaped cross-section. For example, outer periphery component  100  can have a substantially rectangular cross-section. Each corner of the substantially rectangular cross-section can be rounded in shape, thus forming a “spline.” As used herein, the term “spline” refers to a rounded corner portion of an outer periphery component. In some embodiments, outer periphery component  100  can have a cross-section in any other suitable shape including, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or a curved shape. In some embodiments, the shape or size of the cross-section of outer periphery component  100  can vary along the length or width of the electronic device (e.g., an hourglass shaped cross-section). 
     Outer periphery component  100  of the electronic device can be constructed using any suitable process. In some embodiments, outer periphery component  100  can be constructed by connecting section  110  and section  120  together at interface  112 , connecting section  120  and section  130  together at interfaces  122 , and connecting section  130  and section  110  together at interface  132 . Although outer periphery component  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being constructed from three sections, one skilled in the art could appreciate the outer periphery component  100  could alternatively be formed from any suitable number of two or more sections, and that the interfaces between the sections may be positioned at any location on outer periphery component  100 . Based on where the interfaces are located, the sections of outer periphery component  100  can have any suitable shape. For example, in  FIG. 1  the sections are illustrated as having a large L-shaped section  110 , small L-shaped section  130 , and U-shaped section  120 . 
     Each section can be constructed individually and later assembled to form outer periphery component  100 . For example, each section can be individually constructed using one or more of stamping, machining, working, casting, or any combinations of these. In some embodiments, the materials selected for sections  110 ,  120  and  130  can be conductive, thus allowing the sections to provide an electrical functionality for the electronic device. For example, sections  110 ,  120 , and/or  130  can be formed from a conductive material and may then serve as an antenna for the electronic device. 
     To join the individual sections together, intermediate knuckles  114 ,  124  and  134  can be placed within interfaces  112 ,  122 , and  132 , respectively. In some embodiments, each of the knuckles can be constructed from a material that can begin in a first state and may subsequently change to a second state. As an illustration, the knuckles can be constructed from a plastic that begins in a first, liquid state and then subsequently changes to a second, solid state. While in the liquid state, the plastic can be allowed to flow into interfaces  112 ,  122 , and  132 . After flowing into these interfaces, the plastic material may subsequently be allowed to harden into knuckles  114 ,  124  and  134  (e.g., the plastic material is allowed to change into the second, solid state). Upon changing into the solid state, the plastic material may then bond together sections  110  and  120 ,  120  and  130 , and  130  and  110 , respectively, thus forming a single new component (e.g., outer periphery component  100 ). 
     In addition to a material that is allowed to change from a first to a second state, any other suitable material or process can be used to form knuckles  114 ,  124  and  134 . For example, the knuckles can include a mechanical fastener, connector, clip, or other connector piece that is prefabricated and then inserted between the component&#39;s sections. As another example, in some cases, the knuckles can include an adhesive that is used instead of or in addition to a mechanical fastener or connector. For example, an adhesive layer can be placed between the sections being connected. The adhesive layer can be provided using any suitable approach including, for example, as a liquid or paste adhesive, tape, heat-based adhesive, or combination of these. In some embodiments, an adhesive layer can have a reduced thickness or width (e.g., reducing the space between the sections) to ensure that the sections are properly connected. This may be due to mechanical properties of the adhesive, as a thicker layer of the adhesive may have limited strength in bending, compression, peeling, or tension. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic close-up view of an interface between two sections of a component. For example,  FIG. 2  shows a partial view of component  200  that can be constructed from first section  210  and second section  212 , which may then be coupled together by knuckle  220 . 
     First and second sections  210  and  212  may each be constructed from the same material, or may each be constructed from a different material. For example, first and second sections  210  and  212  can be constructed from one or more of a metal material, a plastic material, a composite material, an organic material, or any combinations of these. In some cases, one or both of sections  210  and  212  can be constructed from conductive materials (and thus be used as part of the circuitry within the electronic device, such as an antenna), but may need to be electrically isolated from one another for proper functioning of device circuitry. In such cases, knuckle  220  can be constructed from an insulating or dielectric material to prevent an electrical signal from crossing the gap between first section  210  and second section  212 . In some embodiments, knuckle  220  can be constructed from a combination of conductive and insulating materials, where the insulating materials are disposed between the conductive materials. Alternatively, one or more conductive materials can be embedded within insulating materials. 
     Any suitable knuckle material and process can be used to connect knuckle  220  between first section  210  and second section  212 . For example, as described above with regards to knuckles  114 ,  124 , and  134  of  FIG. 1 , a knuckle material which changes from a first state to a second state can be used. Such a knuckle material could include a liquid or a moldable solid (e.g., a soft clay-like state) that can be placed between sections  210  and  212  such that the knuckle material is shaped into a suitable knuckle. Once properly positioned between the first section  210  and second section  212  (e.g., filling the gap between the sections), the knuckle material can change to a second state in which the knuckle material adheres to the sections and provides a structurally sound bond (e.g., a mechanical bond) between first section  210  and second section  212 . 
     During manufacturing of first section  210  and second section  212 , variations or errors in the sections&#39; shapes can occur due to manufacturing tolerances etc. However, because the knuckle material can flow into any gap between the first section  210  and second section  212  while in the first state, the knuckle material can absorb or erase these variations. This can beneficially result in component  200  being constructed with a higher precision than its individual sections  210  and  212 . In this manner, this approach can be forgiving of imperfections and other manufacturing artifacts along the exposed surface of first section  210  and second section  212 . In fact, the opposing surfaces of first section  210  and second section  212  may not need to have corresponding features, as the opposing surfaces of the first and second sections may not engage or need to be placed in close proximity (e.g., as would otherwise be required with an adhesive). Moreover, the knuckle material can readily flow around and into features of first section  210  and second section  212  (as described below), thus ensuring that the knuckle material is securely locked into the first and second sections upon hardening. 
     Any suitable process can be used to place the knuckle material between first section  210  and second section  212 , and any suitable process can be used to change the knuckle material from the first state to the second state. In some embodiments, a “molding process” can be used in which the knuckle material is initially inserted in a liquid state and then is subsequently hardened. For example, one or more of injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, or rotomolding processes can be used. In this case, a “one shot” process can be used in which the knuckle material is inserted in a single step, and then independently changes to its second state. In other words, the knuckle can be formed in a single step (e.g., in “one shot”) without necessitating additional steps or manufacturing processes. 
     As another example, a brazing process can be used instead of or in addition to a molding process. For example, a dielectric composite material can be brazed between first section  210  and second section  212 . In one implementation, a composite material can be placed in a fixture between first section  210  and second section  212 , and the composite material can be heated so that it melts and fills a region between the sections. For example, first section  210 , second section  212  and the composite material can be placed in contact with a heated surface, thus causing the composite material to heat and flow. The composite material can be cooled once it has filled the region between first section  210  and second section  212 , thus forming a secure bond between the composite material and the sections. Any suitable type of brazing can be used including, for example, torch blazing, furnace brazing, braze welding, vacuum brazing, or dip brazing. Any suitable composite material can be used, such as, for example, plastic, rubber, organic composites, non-conductive metal alloys, any other suitable dielectric or insulating, materials, or any combinations of these. Furthermore, the geometry of features along internal surfaces of first section  210  and second section  212  can be selected and designed to enhance the brazed bond. 
     The sections connected by the knuckle can include any suitable feature for improving the adhesion between the sections and the knuckle.  FIGS. 3A-3C  show schematic top views of illustrative components including first and second sections coupled by a knuckle in accordance with some embodiment of the invention. The first and second sections can include any suitable feature for improving a bond with the knuckle. In some embodiments, the sections can include one or more internal features that provide an interlocking interface, or that increase the surface area required for adhering the knuckle to the first and second sections. For example, a section can include a curved internal feature (e.g., a spherical or cylindrical recess or protrusion) into or around which material from the knuckle can extend, thus increasing a surface tension-based force. As another example, a section can include a feature having one or more openings, holes, hooks or other attributes that can engage a corresponding feature of the knuckle, once the knuckle has transitioned to the second state (e.g., a hole in the first section into which a post of the knuckle can extend). In some embodiments, the sections can include locking features such as a recessed edge that forms a hook into which the knuckle material can flow. 
     Component  300  shown in  FIG. 3A  can be constructed by connecting first section  302  and second section  304  using knuckle  306 . To improve the adhesion between first section  302  and knuckle  306 , first section  302  can include opening  308  within the body of first section  302 . Similarly, second section  304  can include opening  310  within the body of second section  304 . Openings  308  and  310  can be connected to the main body of knuckle  306  via channels  309  and  311 , respectively. These openings and channels can have any suitable size or shape including, for example, a shape selected such that the channel is smaller than the opening. This can ensure that the knuckle material which flows into the opening cannot pass back through the channel, and thus may improve the retention abilities of knuckle  306 . Openings  308  and  310  can have any suitable shape including, for example, a curved or angled cross-section, or a variable cross-section. 
     Component  320  shown in  FIG. 3B  can be constructed by connecting first and second sections  322  and  324  using knuckle  326 . To improve the adhesion of knuckle  326  to first section  322  and second section  324 , knuckle  326  can include overflowing portions  328  extending beyond the cross-section of first section  322  and second section  324 . This may cause overflowing portion  328  to come into contact with exposed outer surfaces of first section  322  and second section  324 . Overflowing portions  328  can extend over any suitable surface of first section  322  and second section  324  including, for example, over one or more of a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, or a back surface, and/or along only one of the first and second sections, or various combinations of these. 
     Component  340  shown in  FIG. 3C  can be constructed by connecting first sections  342  and second section  344  using knuckle  346 . First sections  342  and second section  344  can include openings  348  and  330 , and channels  349  and  331 , respectively, as described above in connection with component  300 . To allow openings  348  and  330  to extend through the entire height of first and second sections  342  and  344 , while maintaining uniform and consistent external surfaces of the sections, the first and second sections can include chamfers  343  and  345 , respectively, extending from a surface of the sections. For example, the chamfers can extend from an internal surface of first and second sections  342  and  344 , such that the chamfers extend within an internal volume of an electronic device that includes component  340 . Openings  348  and  330  can extend through chamfers  343  and  345 , respectively, instead of or in addition to the main bodies of the sections  342  and  344 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an illustrative schematic view of components of electronic device  400  in accordance with some embodiments. For example,  FIG. 4  shows an outer periphery component  402  encircling an inner component  404 . For example, inner component  404  could include a midplate or other structural support component of electronic device  400 . Similar to outer periphery component  100  of  FIG. 1 , outer periphery component  402  can be assembled together from various sections. In particular, outer periphery component  402  is illustrated as being assembled from four sections—section  410 , section  420 , section  430 , and section  440 —however, one skilled in the art could appreciate that any other suitable number or setup of section could be used to form outer periphery component  402 . Outer periphery component  402  can also include four rounded corners (i.e., splines  450 ,  452 ,  454 , and  456 ). As mentioned above, the term “spline” as used herein refers to a rounded corner portion of an outer periphery component. 
     In some embodiment, each of sections  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  can be formed from a conductive material and can function as an antenna or other electric circuit component of electronic device  400 . As an illustration, section  410  could function as a Bluetooth® antenna, section  420  could function as a WiFi antenna, and sections  430  and  440  could function as a cellular telephone antenna (e.g., where section  430  could service a particular frequency range and section  440  could service a different frequency range). 
     Sections  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  can each be coupled to another section using knuckles  412 ,  422 ,  432 , and  442  (e.g., where knuckle  412  can couple section  410  and  420  together, knuckle  422  can couple section  420  and  430  together, and so forth). In order to electrically isolate the sections of outer periphery component  402  (e.g., in the case where each section functions as an antenna or other electric circuit component), in some cases knuckles  412 ,  422 ,  432 , and/or  442  can be formed from a dielectric or other isolating material. 
     In some cases, one or all of the knuckles can be included within the splines of outer periphery component  402 . For example, knuckles  412  and  422  are illustrated in  FIG. 4  as being positioned with the curves of splines  450  and  452 , respectively. Similarly, although knuckles  432  and  442  are not illustrated as being located directly within the curve of a spline, these knuckles are illustrated as being positioned significantly within the vicinity of splines  454  and  456 , respectively. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates a particular number of knuckles located in a particular position, one skilled in the art could appreciate that outer periphery component  402  could alternatively include any suitable number of knuckles, and any suitable number of these knuckles could be located within a spline and/or adjacent to a spline or within any other suitable location of outer periphery component  402 . In particular, the sections and placement of knuckles within electronic device  400  can be determined based on the layout of internal components and/or other structural design considerations of electronic device  400 . 
     The particular shape and structure of a knuckle can be based upon various design considerations. For example, as mentioned above, in some cases the knuckle can provide for electrical isolation between sections of the outer periphery component. Thus, the knuckle can be designed in order to meet certain, minimum capacitance requirements (e.g., where a greater amount of capacitance can result in greater electrical isolation between the component&#39;s sections). As a particular illustration, the knuckle can be designed to have an increased amount of surface area, thus increasing the capacitance between the adjacent sections. 
     As another exemplary design consideration, the knuckles can be designed in order to have an increased amount of material in areas of high strain, thus reducing the chances of the knuckle breaking under stress. As yet another exemplary design consideration, the knuckle can be designed to counteract torsional twisting. For example, ribs can be included in the knuckles to increase the stability of the structure, thereby reducing the chances of torsional movement and breaking of the outer periphery component. Such ribs or other support may especially be beneficial when the knuckles are located within a spline area of the outer periphery component. For example, if an electronic device is accidentally dropped, the spline area may be especially vulnerable to breakage due to the concentrated impact forces upon the corners of the electronic device (e.g., in this case knuckles  412  and  422  of  FIG. 4  may be more vulnerable than knuckles  422  and  432  of  FIG. 4 ). Thus, knuckles can be designed in a manner that counteracts such impact forces (e.g., by adding ribs and/or providing a thickened middle portion). 
     As yet another exemplary design consideration, the knuckles can be designed in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing or that otherwise meets cosmetic requirements. For example, the knuckle can be designed in a manner which hides some or all of the knuckle under the outer periphery component, such that a user may only view the polished, outer surface of the electronic device. As another example, the knuckle can be designed such that it is flush with an outer surface of the outer periphery component, such that the electronic device has a smooth surface free of bumps or protrusions. 
       FIGS. 5A-5E  show various views of a schematic of a particular design for knuckle  500  in accordance with one embodiment. For example, knuckle  500  could correspond to a particular embodiment of one or more of the knuckles of electronic device  400  of  FIG. 4 . In particular,  FIG. 5A  shows an isotropic view of knuckle  500 ,  FIG. 5B  shows a top view of knuckle  500 ,  FIG. 5C  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  500  along an x-y plane,  FIG. 5D  shows a side view of knuckle  500  from the inside of an electronic device, and  FIG. 5E  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  500  along a y-z plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  500  can include various rib features, such as rib  510  and rib  512 . Rib  510  may lock into a first section of the outer periphery component and rib  512  may lock into a second section of the outer periphery component, thereby coupling the first section and the second section together. Rib  510  and  512  can be any suitable shape, such as cylindrical shape which extends substantially through the height of the outer periphery component. Ribs  510  and  512  can have a diameter which is sufficiently large to provide a secure bonding with the sections, thereby providing stability and resisting torsional movement of the sections. Knuckle  500  can also include spine  514  extending along the height of the knuckle, thereby providing strength and stability for knuckle  500 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  500  can also include various “dovetail” features, such as dovetail  520  placed horizontally with regards to knuckle  500  (e.g., located in the x-y plane) and dovetail  530  placed vertically with regards to knuckle  500  (e.g., located in the z-y plane). Dovetails  520  and  530  may provide additional stability and support for knuckle  500 , and moreover can increase the thickness of knuckle  500  (e.g., thereby providing increased electrical isolation between the sections and/or increasing the mechanical stability of knuckle  500 ). 
     In some embodiments, knuckle  500  can be designed and positioned in a particular manner based on other components within the electronic device. For example,  FIG. 5B  illustrates internal component  599  located near knuckle  500 . Due to internal design constraints, it may not be possible to move internal component  599  to a different position within the electronic device. Accordingly, knuckle  500  may instead be designed in a manner such that it does not encroach upon or otherwise adversely affect internal component  599 . As another illustration, knuckle  500  can be designed in a manner such that it provides structural support for internal component  599 . For example, internal component  599  is illustrated in  FIG. 5B  as resting against knuckle  500 . 
     Knuckle  500  can also be designed such that is has a significantly large middle area, thus providing enhanced structural support for knuckle  500 . For example, the x-y cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5C  shows middle portion  540  of knuckle  500 . As illustrated by this viewpoint, knuckle  500  has a relatively large cross-sectional middle portion  540 . 
     Additionally, knuckle  500  can also be designed such that the resulting electronic device is aesthetically pleasing. For example, any exposed outer surface of knuckle  500  can be designed such that they are flush with an outer surface of the electronic device, such as surface  550  ( FIGS. 5B and 5C ), surface  560  ( FIGS. 5D and 5E ), and surface  570  ( FIGS. 5D and 5E ). 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  show various views of a schematic of another exemplary design for a knuckle in accordance with one embodiment. For example, knuckle  600  could correspond to a particular embodiment of one or more of the knuckles of electronic device  400  of  FIG. 4 . In particular,  FIG. 6A  shows an isotropic view of knuckle  600 ,  FIG. 6B  shows a top view of knuckle  600 ,  FIG. 6C  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  600  along an x-y plane,  FIG. 6D  shows a side view of knuckle  600  from inside an electronic device, and  FIG. 6E  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  600  along a y-z plane. 
     Similar to knuckle  500  of  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  600  can include rib  610 , rib  612 , spine  614 , dovetail  620 , and middle portion  640 . Also similar to knuckle  500  of  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  600  can include surfaces  650 ,  660 , and  670  that can be substantially flush with a surface of the electronic device, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing façade for the electronic device. However, dissimilar to knuckle  500  of  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  600  may include two instance of a vertical dovetail, such as dovetails  630  and  632  ( FIG. 6D ). As described above with regards to  FIGS. 5A-5E , knuckle  500  may be designed in a particular manner based on inner components of the electronic device, such as inner component  599 . In other words, knuckle  500  may have only a single dovetail  530  in order to avoid encroaching onto inner component  599 . However, knuckle  600  of  FIGS. 6A-6E  may instead by located in a portion of the electronic device that is not adjacent to any inner components. Accordingly, knuckle  600  can have two vertical dovetails, dovetails  630  and  632 . The additional vertical dovetail can thus increase the mechanical stability of knuckle  600  by providing symmetric stability around the knuckle&#39;s axis. Additionally, each of dovetails  630  and  632  may lock into a different section of an outer periphery component; thus, the two instance of dovetail  630  and  632  can help ensure that each of these sections are securely coupled to knuckle  600 . 
       FIGS. 7A-7E  show various views of a schematic of another exemplary design for a knuckle in accordance with one embodiment. For example, knuckle  700  could correspond to a particular embodiment of one or more of the knuckles of electronic device  400  of  FIG. 4 . In particular,  FIG. 7A  shows an isotropic view of knuckle  700 ,  FIG. 7B  shows a top view of knuckle  700 ,  FIG. 7C  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  700  along an x-y plane,  FIG. 7D  shows a side view of knuckle  700  from inside an electronic device, and  FIG. 7E  shows a cross-sectional view of knuckle  700  along a y-z plane. 
     Similar to knuckle  600  of  FIGS. 6A-6E , knuckle  700  can include rib  710 , rib  712 , spine  714 , dovetail  720 , dovetail  730 , dovetail  732 , and middle portion  740 . Also similar to knuckle  600  of  FIGS. 6A-6E , knuckle  700  can include surfaces  750 ,  760 , and  770  that can be substantially flush with a surface of the electronic device, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing façade for the electronic device. However, dissimilar to knuckle  600 , the corners of dovetails  730  and  732  ( FIG. 7D ) can be relatively more rounded than dovetails  630  and  632  ( FIG. 6D ), respectively. Also dissimilar to knuckle  600 , ribs  710  and  712  can be relatively enlarged, such that ribs  710  and  712  substantially form an oval shape together. For example, when viewing the cross-sectional view of knuckle  700  in the y-z plane ( FIG. 7E ), ribs  710  and  712  can together extend substantially across the entire top length of knuckle  700 . Such a design may significantly increase the surface area of knuckle  700 . This, in turn, can increase the capacitance of knuckle  700 , thus providing increased electrical isolation between sections coupled by knuckle  700 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device can undergo impact testing to ensure the knuckle has been designed with sufficient structural stability and strength. For example, in some cases a “Mean Drops to Failure” test can be used. In a Mean Drops to Failure test, an electronic device can be repeatedly dropped from a same height. For example, the electronic device can be repeatedly dropped from a height of 1.2 meters. Several electronic devices can be repeatedly dropped until they finally fail (e.g., break). The mean number of drops required to fail the electronic device can then be determined, and compared to threshold value. As an illustration, in order to pass the test, the electronic devices must meet a threshold value of greater than  30  means drops to failure, or any other suitable threshold value. In some embodiments, the electronic device can be dropped while at 100% of its weight (e.g., rather than adding weights to the electronic device, or removing weight from the electronic device). Such testing methods may give more accurate results than, for example, merely dropping an electronic device a fixed number of times. 
     It should be understood that the processes described above are merely illustrative. Any of the steps may be removed, modified, or combined, and any additional steps may be added or steps may be performed in different orders, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The described embodiments of the invention are presented for the purpose of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140703
Publication Date: 20180213
Grant Date: 20180213
Priority Date: 20110110
Inventors: MERZ NICHOLAS
JARVIS DANIEL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0247", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0247", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 45571781