PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9042105-B2
Application Number: US-201213530038-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic devices with printed circuit boards having padded openings

Abstract:
An electronic device may be provided with a printed circuit board having padded through-holes. The padded through-holes may be formed from openings in a printed circuit board substrate and elastomeric members in the openings. The elastomeric members may be conductive elastomeric members such as electrically or thermally conductive elastomeric members. The printed circuit board may be secured within a housing for the electronic device using engagement members that extend through padded through-holes. The engagement members may engage with the housing or with additional engagement members that are attached to the housing. The electronic device may include a cowling structure formed over electronic components on a surface of the printed circuit board. The cowling structure may be secured to the printed circuit board using attachment members that engage with the engagement members in the padded through-holes.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a printed circuit board having a plurality of padded through-holes; 
 a structural member; and 
 a plurality of engagement members, wherein each engagement member includes a portion that is formed within a corresponding one of the padded through-holes and wherein the printed circuit board is secured to the housing using the plurality of engagement members, wherein the structural member comprises a plurality of holes and a plurality of recessed portions, wherein each of the holes is formed in a respective one of the recessed portions, and wherein each of the padded through-holes in the printed circuit board comprises:
 an opening in the printed circuit board that extends from a first surface of the printed circuit board to a second surface of the printed circuit board; and 
 an elastomeric member in the opening, wherein the portion of each engagement member that is formed within the corresponding one of the padded through-holes is formed in contact with the elastomeric member in the opening. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of additional engagement members attached to the housing. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device defined in  claim 2  wherein each engagement member includes an additional portion that engages with a corresponding one of the additional engagement members that are attached to the housing. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device defined in  claim 3  wherein each additional engagement member comprises a metal engagement member that is welded to the housing. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one electronic component attached to the printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       6. The electronic device defined in  claim 5  wherein a portion of each of the additional engagement members is interposed between the printed circuit board and the housing and wherein the at least one electronic component is attached to the printed circuit board between the printed circuit board and the housing. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the structural member is secured to the printed circuit board using the plurality of engagement members. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a plurality of attachment members, wherein each attachment member is engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of engagement members. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device defined in  claim 8  wherein each attachment member includes a portion within a corresponding one of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least one electronic component attached to the printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device defined in  claim 10  wherein a portion of each of the engagement members is interposed between the printed circuit board and the structural member and wherein the at least one electronic component is attached to the printed circuit board between the printed circuit board and the structural member. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein each elastomeric member comprises a material having a hardness durometer value between 35 and 40. 
     
     
       13. A printed circuit board, comprising:
 a printed circuit board substrate having openings configured to receive engagement structures that mount the printed circuit board to a support structure; 
 first and second standoffs, wherein the first standoff has an opening that receives an associated one of the engagement structures; and 
 a plurality of conductive elastomeric members formed in the openings in the printed circuit board substrate, wherein one of the conductive elastomeric members is interposed between the first and second standoffs. 
 
     
     
       14. The printed circuit board defined in  claim 13  wherein each of the conductive elastomeric members comprises silicone. 
     
     
       15. The printed circuit board defined in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a conductive ground layer, wherein each of the conductive elastomeric members comprises an electrically conductive elastomeric member having at least a portion formed in contact with the conductive ground layer. 
 
     
     
       16. The printed circuit board defined in  claim 14  wherein each of the conductive elastomeric members comprises a thermally conductive elastomeric member configured to conduct heat away from the printed circuit board substrate. 
     
     
       17. The printed circuit board defined in  claim 14  wherein each of the conductive elastomeric members further comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of: copper, zinc, nickel, and silver. 
     
     
       18. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a printed circuit board having a plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of elastomeric members, wherein each of the elastomeric members is formed in a corresponding one of the openings; 
 a first set of engagement members attached to the housing; 
 a second set of engagement members attached to the first set of engagement members through the openings in the printed circuit board; 
 a plurality of attachment members; and 
 a cowling structure attached to the second set of engagement members using the plurality of attachment members. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device defined in  claim 18  wherein each of the elastomeric members comprises a first portion formed in contact with a surface of the corresponding one of the openings, a second portion formed in contact with a first surface of the printed circuit board, and a third portion formed in contact with an opposing second surface of the printed circuit board, wherein each of the second set of engagement members includes a portion formed in contact with the first portion of a selected one of the elastomeric members, and wherein the elastomeric members are configured to allow the printed circuit board to move relative to the housing in a direction parallel to the first and second surfaces of the printed circuit board when a sudden force is applied to the housing. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device defined in  claim 19  wherein each of the first set of engagement members comprises an opening, wherein the second set of engagement members each include a first portion in the opening in the an associated one of the first set of engagement members, a second portion in a corresponding opening in the printed circuit board, and a third portion interposed between the printed circuit board and the cowling structure. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device defined in  claim 18  wherein the plurality of attachment members comprises a plurality of screws that engage in openings in the second set of engagement members. 
     
     
       22. The printed circuit board defined in  claim 18  wherein each of the elastomeric members comprises silicone infused with a metal selected from the group consisting of: copper, zinc, nickel, and silver.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This relates generally to electronic devices and components for electronic devices. 
     Electronic devices such as cellular telephones and tablet computers include numerous electronic and mechanical components. An electronic device commonly includes one or more housing structures that form an enclosure for the device. The electronic and mechanical components are mounted in the housing. 
     Electronic components for an electronic device often include a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is sometimes mounted within the housing by securing a portion of the printed circuit board to the housing. During a drop event, undesirable stresses may be exerted on the portion of the printed circuit board that is secured to the device housing. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved electronic devices and parts for electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Electronic devices may be provided that include mechanical and electronic components. These components may include mechanical structures such as mounting structures and electrical components such as integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and electrical devices that are mounted to printed circuit boards. Optical components, connectors, antennas, buttons, and other structures may be included in an electronic device. 
     An electronic device may have a housing. Electronic components and mechanical structures may be formed within the housing. The electronic components may include one or more printed circuit boards. A printed circuit board may be mounted to the housing. 
     In order to provide a robust assembly that protects internal components of the device during a drop event, a printed circuit board may be provided with padded openings such as padded through-holes. The padded openings may include holes in the printed circuit board that are partially filled with elastomeric members. An elastomeric member may, if desired, be an over-molded elastomeric member in an opening in the printed circuit board. 
     The printed circuit board may be secured to the housing of the device by inserting engagement members through the padded openings in the printed circuit board and into receiving members that are attached to the device housing. A receiving member may be attached to the device housing and may include an opening for receiving the engagement members. 
     The engagement members may include a central opening for receiving an additional engagement member such as a screw, clip, plug, or other attachment member. The printed circuit board may be secured to the housing of the device by inserting the additional engagement members into the engagement members that have been inserted through the padded openings in the printed circuit board and into receiving members that are attached to the device housing. 
     If desired, an additional internal support structure may be secured to the printed circuit board by inserting the additional engagement members through openings in the additional support structure and into the openings in the engagement members that have been inserted through the padded openings in the printed circuit board and into receiving members that are attached to the device housing. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device such as a laptop computer with internal electrical and structural components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device such as a handheld electronic device with internal electrical and structural components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device such as a tablet computer with internal electrical and structural components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with internal electrical and structural components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of illustrative structures that may be mounted to a device housing including a printed circuit board and a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 4  after securing the printed circuit board to the device housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of a printed circuit board having a padded through-hole that is partially filled with an elastomeric member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device having a printed circuit board that is secured to a device housing with an engagement member that is inserted through a padded opening in the printed circuit board into a receiving member and an additional engagement member that is inserted into an opening in the engagement member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device having a printed circuit board that is secured to a device housing with an engagement member that is inserted through a padded opening in the printed circuit board into a receiving member and an additional engagement member that is inserted into an opening in the engagement member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices can be provided with mechanical and electronic components such as optical parts, camera mounting structures, printed circuits, cowlings and other structural members, thermal management structures, buttons, vibrators, and other mechanical and electrical structures. 
     Electronic devices that may be provided with these components include desktop computers, computer monitors, computer monitors containing embedded computers, wireless computer cards, wireless adapters, televisions, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, routers, portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and handheld devices such as cellular telephones and media players, and small devices such as wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. Portable devices such as cellular telephones, media players, tablet computers and other handheld electronic devices are sometimes described herein as an example. 
     A rigid printed circuit board may be provided with padded through-holes. Padded through-holes may include openings in the rigid printed circuit board that are partially filled with an elastomeric member. Engagement members that extend through the padded through-holes may be used to secure the printed circuit board to other components of the electronic device. A support structure such as a cowling structure may be mounted to the rigid printed circuit board so as to overlap one or more electronic components such as integrated circuits and printed circuit board connectors on the rigid printed circuit board. 
     To ensure adequate thermal dissipation from the rigid printed circuit board, a thermally conductive filler such as silicone filled with thermally conductive particles may be used to form the elastomeric member. To ensure grounded electrical contact between the rigid printed circuit board and other device components, an electrically conductive filler such as silicone filled with electrically conductive particles may be used to form the elastomeric member. If desired, electrically and thermally conductive particles may be used to form an electrically and thermally conductive elastomeric member. 
     Illustrative electronic devices that may be provided with printed circuit boards with padded through-holes for improving device robustness (e.g., in drop events) are shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 .  FIG. 1  shows how electronic device  10  may have the shape of a laptop computer having upper housing  12 A and lower housing  12 B with components such as keyboard  16  and touchpad  18 . A rigid printed circuit board and other device components such as electrical and structural components may be mounted within upper housing  12 A and/or lower housing  12 B. 
       FIG. 2  shows how electronic device  10  may be a handheld device such as a cellular telephone, music player, gaming device, navigation unit, or other compact device. A rigid printed circuit board and other device components such as electrical and structural components may be mounted within upper housing  12 . 
       FIG. 3  shows how electronic device  10  may be a tablet computer. However, the examples of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  are merely illustrative examples. Electronic devices such as illustrative electronic device  10  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  may be laptop computers, computer monitors with embedded computers, tablet computers, cellular telephones, media players, other handheld and portable electronic devices, smaller devices such as wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, other wearable and miniature devices, or other electronic equipment. 
     Device  10  may have a housing enclosure such as housing  12 . Housing  12 , which is sometimes referred to as a case or enclosure, may be formed of materials such as plastic, glass, ceramics, carbon-fiber composites and other composites, metal, aluminum, other materials, or a combination of these materials. Device  10  may be formed using a unibody construction in which most or all of housing  12  is formed from a single structural element (e.g., a piece of machined metal or a piece of molded plastic) or may be formed from multiple housing structures (e.g., outer housing structures that have been mounted to internal frame elements, welded standoffs, engagement structures, engagement member receiving structures, or other internal housing structures). 
     Device  10  may have one or more displays such as display  14 . Display  14  may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or other suitable display. Display layer  14  may include display pixels formed from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), plasma cells, electronic ink elements, liquid crystal display (LCD) components, or other suitable display pixel structures compatible with flexible displays. Display  14  may, if desired, include capacitive touch sensor electrodes for a capacitive touch sensor array or other touch sensor structures (i.e., display  14  may be a touch screen). 
     The display may have a planar rectangular active region in its center. The edges of the organic light-emitting diode display surround the active center region and form a rectangular peripheral ring. This border region may contain circuitry that does not emit light and is therefore referred to as the inactive portion of the display. The inactive portion of the display is shown as inactive border region  20  in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , device  10  may include electronic components such as printed circuit board  22  and components  40  and  41 . Components  40  and  41  may include integrated circuits or other circuit components, batteries, cameras, compasses, wireless communications circuits, antennas, circuit board connectors such as board-to-board connectors or other circuitry. 
     Printed circuit board  22  and components  40  and  41  may be used to run software code for device  10 , such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, antenna and wireless circuit control functions, etc. 
     Printed circuit board  22  and components  40  and  41  may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using printed circuit board  22  and components  40  and  41  include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, protocols for handling cellular telephone communications services, etc. 
     Printed circuit board  22  may be include a rigid printed circuit board substrate formed form a material such as fiberglass-filled epoxy (e.g., FR4) or other suitable rigid printed circuit board materials or combinations of materials. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  components  40  may be mounted on top surface  22 T and/or bottom surface  22 B of printed circuit board substrate  22 . If desired, device  10  may be provided with a structural member such as cowling  24 . Some of components  40  may be mounted between printed circuit board  22  and cowling  24 . Cowling structure  24  may be mounted to the rigid printed circuit board so as to provide a force on component  41  that presses component  41  against printed circuit board  22 . 
     For example, a printed circuit board connector may be held against printed circuit board  22  using cowling structure  24  to help hold first and second portions of the printed circuit board connector in contact. A printed circuit board connector may have mating first and second portions. Printed circuit board connectors may be used to connect additional printed circuit boards such as rigid printed circuit boards and flexible printed circuits to printed circuit board  22 . The first portion of a printed circuit board connector may be mounted to printed circuit board  22 . The second portion may be connected to a flex circuit. Mating pins in the first and second portions may form electrical connections between the first and second portions of the connector. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a support structure such as cowling structure  24  may include recessed portions  36 . Cowling structure  24  may be formed from any suitable rigid material such as metal, plastic, glass, or other suitable rigid material. In one suitable configuration that is sometimes discussed herein as an example, cowling  24  may be formed from a piece of stamped sheet metal (e.g., aluminum, copper, or steel). Components such as display  14  may, if desired, be attached to cowling structure  24 . 
     Structures such as standoffs  26  may be used to separate printed circuit board  22  from housing  12 . Structures such as standoffs  28  may be used to separate printed circuit board  22  from a support structure such as cowling structure  24 . Engagement members such as attachment members  32  may be inserted into engagement member such as standoff  28  through openings in portion  36  of cowling structure  24 . Engagement members  32  may include threaded screws, clips, prongs, pins, snaps or other attachment members. 
     As shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 5 , printed circuit board (PCB)  22  may include openings such as openings  29 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , PCB  22  includes four openings. However, this is merely illustrative. If desired, PCB  22  may include one or more openings, two or more openings, three or more openings or five or more openings. PCB  22  may include openings such as openings  29  for receiving engagement members for securing PCB  22  to housing  12  and other openings such as through-holes, vias, recesses, etc. Printed circuit board  22  may be provided with elastomeric members  30  in openings  29 . In this way, PCB  22  may be provided with padded openings that help prevent damage to PCB  22  during a drop event. 
     Elastomeric members  30  may be formed from a material having sufficient hardness to provide structural support for PCB  22  in device  10  and sufficient compressibility to alleviate stresses in PCB  22  near openings  29  in the event that device  10  is dropped or otherwise bumped or hit. As examples, a material having a hardness value such as a Shore® Durometer hardness value between 35 and 40, between 34 and 41, between 30 and 40, between 20 and 45, less than 40, less than 39, less than 38, between 36 and 38 or less than 50 may be used to form elastomeric members  30 . Elastomeric members  30  may be formed from rubber, silicone, plastic, metal or other suitable materials having sufficient hardness to provide structural support for PCB  22  in device  10  and sufficient compressibility to alleviate stresses in PCB  22  near openings  29  in a drop event. 
     In one suitable configuration that is sometimes discussed herein as an example, elastomeric members  30  may be formed from silicone that is infused with thermally and/or electrically conductive particles. As examples, particles such as powdered copper, powdered zinc, powdered silver, and/or powdered nickel may be added to a silicone compound for forming elastomeric members  30 . 
     Elastomeric members  30  with electrically conductive particles may be used to electrically couple other conductive members such as standoffs  26  and/or  28  to grounding structures such as a ground plane in PCB  22 . Elastomeric members  30  with thermally conductive particles may be used to thermally couple PCB  22  to other thermally conductive parts such as cowling  24  in order to provide a thermally conductive path for transferring heat away from PCB  22  (e.g., to cowling  24  or to housing  12 ). 
     Elastomeric members  30  may be overmolded, inserted, snapped or otherwise formed into openings  29  in PCB  22  during assembly of device  10 . Elastomeric members  30  may be formed in openings  29  before or after components such as components  40  and/or  41  ( FIG. 4 ) have been attached to PCB  22 . In configurations in which elastomeric members  30  are formed in openings  29  before components such as components  40  and/or  41  have been attached to PCB  22 , elastomeric members may be formed from a material having a melting temperature that is high enough that the material will remain solid during soldering of electronic components (e.g., by reflowing solder under the electronic components during Surface Mount Assembly processes). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , engagement members such as standoffs  28  may include portions that may be inserted through openings such as openings  29  in printed circuit board  22  and into receiving engagement members such as standoffs  26 . Standoffs  26  may be attached to housing  12 . For example, standoffs  26  may be formed from metal material (e.g., steel) that is welded (e.g., laser welded) to housing  12 , may be machined features of housing  12 , or may be formed from metal, plastic, ceramic, glass or other materials or combinations of materials that are attached to housing  12  using adhesive, engagement features (e.g. clasps, threaded structures, etc.) or other attachment mechanisms. If desired, housing  12  may be provided with one or more recesses such as recess  35  that receive a portion of standoffs  26 . 
     Engagement members such as standoffs  28  may be formed from plastic, ceramics, metal (e.g., aluminum) or other materials. During assembly of device  10 , PCB  12  may be aligned with housing  12  by aligning openings  29  with corresponding openings in standoffs  26 . Engagement members  28  may be inserted through openings  29  of PCB  22  and into openings such as openings  27  in standoffs  26 . If desired, portions of engagement members  28  that have been inserted into openings  27  of standoffs  26  may be secured in openings  27  using adhesive, structural engagement features (e.g., screw threads or clasps on standoffs  28  that engage with features in openings  27 ) or other attachment mechanisms. As shown in  FIG. 5 , standoffs  28  may include features such as features  33  that receive an assembly tool such as a screw driver during assembly of device  10 . 
     Additional engagement members such as screws  32  may be inserted into openings such as openings  31  in engagement members  28 . Screws  32  may be secured in openings  31  using adhesive, structural engagement features (e.g., screw threads or clasps on standoffs  28  that engage with features in openings  31 ) or other attachment mechanisms. If desired, engaging screws  32  in openings  31  may expand engagement members  28  thereby securing engagement members  28  in openings  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a structural member such as cowling  24  may be provided with openings such as openings  34  for receiving attachment members such as screws  32 . Cowling  24  may be secured to PCB  22  by inserting screws  32  through openings  34  and into engagement members  28 . If desired, openings  34  may be formed in recessed portions such as portions  36  of cowling  24  so that screw heads of screws  32  do not protrude above surface  38  of cowling  24 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the structures of  FIG. 5  following assembly of the structures of  FIG. 5  to form a portion of device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , PCB  22  and cowling  24  may be secured within housing  12  using screws  32 . Space may be provided between cowling  24  and PCB  22  by standoffs  28  and recesses  36  in cowling  24 . Standoffs  28  may be formed in contact with elastomeric members  30  and cowling  24 . Elastomeric members  30  may provide a portion of an electrical and thermal conductive path between PCB  22  and standoffs  28 , cowling  24 , housing  12  and/or other structures within device  10 . If desired, a portion of elastomeric members  30  may be formed in contact with an exposed portion of a ground plane in PCB  22  in order to provide electrical grounding to structures such as cowling  24 . 
       FIG. 7  shows how elastomeric members  30  may be formed in openings  29  in printed circuit board  22  having a portion in contact with top surface  22 T, a portion in contact with bottom surface  22 B, and a portion formed within opening  29  of PCB  22 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , portions such as portions  30 S may be formed along a surface of PCB  22 . Portions  30 H may be formed within openings  29 . Portions  30 S and/or portions  30 H may be formed in contact with conductive structures in PCB  22 . Portions  30 S and portions  30 H may be formed from a common material or from different materials. For example, portions  30 S may be more or less electrically conductive than portions  30 H or portions  30 S may be more or less thermally conductive than portions  30 H. 
       FIG. 8  shows an illustrative assembled portion of device  10  in the vicinity of an opening in PCB  22 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a portion of engagement member  26  may be formed in a recess such as recess  35  of housing  12 . A portion of engagement member  28  may be formed within an opening in engagement member  26 , a portion of engagement member  28  may be formed within an opening in elastomeric member  30 , and a portion of engagement member  28  may be formed between PCB  22  and cowling  24 . A portion of engagement member  28  may be formed in contact with engagement member  26 , a portion of engagement member  28  may be formed in contact with elastomeric member  30 , and a portion of engagement member  28  may be formed in contact with cowling  24 . A portion of elastomeric member  30  may be interposed between engagement member  26  and PCB  22 . Other portions of elastomeric member  30  may be interposed between engagement member  28  and PCB  22 . Members  26 ,  28 ,  32  and  30  may be formed from materials or combinations of materials suitably chosen to thermally or electrically couple or isolate PCB  22  from any component of device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , portions such as portions  30 S of elastomeric members  30  may be formed in contact with a ground layer such as ground plane  48  of PCB  22 . Ground plane  48  may be a layer of, for example, copper in PCB  22 . A layer of solder mask material may be removed from one or more outer surfaces of PCB  22  in order to allow elastomeric members  30  to contact ground plane  48 . However, this is merely illustrative. If desired a portion of a ground layer of PCB  22  that is not near the surface of PCB  22  may be formed in contact with elastomeric members  30  within openings in PCB  22  or elastomeric members  30  may be formed without contacting any conductive structures in PCB  22 . 
     Attachment member (screw)  32  and engagement member  28  may be provided with respective engagement features  42  and  49  for engaging respectively with engagement member  28  and engagement member  26 . In the example of  FIG. 9 , engagement features  42  and  49  have been implemented as threads for screwing screw  32  and engagement member  28  respectively into engagement member  28  and engagement member  26 . However, this is merely illustrative. If desired, engagement features  42  and/or engagement features  49  may be implemented using any suitable features (e.g., snaps, clips, protrusions) for engaging screw  32  and engagement member  28  respectively into engagement member  28  and engagement member  26 . 
     Padded through-holes in PCB  22  formed using elastomeric members  30  that partially fill openings in PCB  22  may help protect PCB  22  from damage in a drop event by allowing PCB  22  to move laterally in a direction such as a direction parallel to surfaces  22 T and  22 B of PCB  22  (i.e., in the x-y plane of  FIG. 9  as indicated by arrows  46 ). The elastomeric properties of members  30  may help ensure that, following a jarring event such as a drop event in which PCB  22  moves laterally, PCB  22  returns to its properly aligned position within device  10 . In this way, elastomeric members  30  may help ensure that connectors and other structures in device  10  that benefit from proper alignment of PCB  22  in housing  12  remain in proper position for carrying out their respective functions. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120621
Publication Date: 20150526
Grant Date: 20150526
Priority Date: 20120621
Inventors: MALEK SHAYAN
WITTENBERG MICHAEL B.
ARDISANA JOHN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K5/0043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/11", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1417", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0215", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0201", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/183", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0047", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0052", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0073", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/0314", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0073", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/183", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/0314", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1417", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/0314", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0047", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0215", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0215", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/11", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/183", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0052", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0201", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49774278