PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7554812-B2
Application Number: US-35250306-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Structural support for portable electronic devices

Abstract:
Parallel stacking mid-frame structural supports for use with a portable electronic device are presented including: a first side member; a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with; a support feature for providing structural support when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and an attachment feature; a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member; and a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member. In some embodiments, the mid-frame structural support also includes: a first number of rib supports for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB), and a second number of rib supports for supporting the PCB. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold is approximately 800 grams.

Claims:
1. A parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for use with a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including at least a printed circuit board (PCB), a switch mounted on the PCB, and a bezel that contacts the switch, the switch being disposed between the PCB and the bezel, the bezel including at least a control interface for receiving force applied by a user of the portable electronic device, the mid-frame structural support comprising:
 a first side member, the first side member including at least a first portion for supporting the PCB, the switch and the PCB being disposed between the bezel and the first portion, the first portion receiving the force transmitted through the control interface, the switch, and the PCB when the control interface receives the force for actuating the switch to control at least an action of the portable electronic device; 
 a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with
 at least one support feature for providing structural support for the portable electronic device when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and 
 at least one attachment feature; 
 
 a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member; and 
 a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member. 
 
     
     
       2. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  wherein the at least one attachment feature is selected from the group consisting of: a screw, a bolt, a rivet, and a pin. 
     
     
       3. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first plurality of rib supports for supporting the PCB, the first plurality of rib supports disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member; and 
 a second plurality of rib supports for supporting the PCB, the second plurality of rib supports disposed substantially parallel to the first side member and the second side member wherein the first plurality of rib supports and the second plurality of rib supports define a plurality of openings configured to surround a plurality of electronic components on the PCB, the switch being disposed between the control interface and a portion of the second plurality of rib supports. 
 
     
     
       4. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 3  wherein the first plurality of rib supports and the second plurality of rib supports are configured to provide support for a PCB mounted switch. 
     
     
       5. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  wherein the mid-frame structural support is composed of a non-conducting metallic compound. 
     
     
       6. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  wherein the mid-frame structural support is composed of a non-conducting polymeric compound. 
     
     
       7. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  wherein the portable electronic device is a music device. 
     
     
       8. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined threshold is at most 800 grams. 
     
     
       9. A portable electronic device for use by at least a user, the portable electronic device comprising:
 a base having a snap-weldment feature; 
 a bezel for enclosing the base, the bezel configured to receive the snap-weldment feature such that the bezel is retained by the snap-weldment feature, the bezel including at least a control interface for receiving force applied by the user; 
 a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting a plurality electronic components in the base; 
 a switch mounted on the PCB, the switch being disposed between the bezel and the PCB, the switch contacting the bezel; and 
 a parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for structurally supporting the bezel and the PCB, the parallel stacking mid-frame structural support including,
 a first side member, the first side member including at least a first portion for supporting the PCB, the switch and the PCB being disposed between the bezel and the first portion, the first portion receiving the force transmitted through the control interface, the switch, and the PCB when the control interface receives the force for actuating the switch to control at least an action of the portable electronic device, 
 a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with
 at least one support feature for providing structural support for the portable electronic device when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and 
 at least one attachment feature, 
 
 a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member, and 
 a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9  wherein the parallel stacking mid-frame structural support is disposed with respect to the base such that a gap exists, the gap being configured to close when the applied load exceeds the predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold being greater than zero gram. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first plurality of rib supports for supporting the PCB, the first plurality of rib supports disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member; and 
 a second plurality of rib supports for supporting the PCB, the second plurality of rib supports disposed substantially parallel to the first side member and the second side member wherein the first plurality of rib supports and the second plurality of rib supports define a plurality of openings configured to surround the plurality of electronic components on the PCB, the switch being disposed between the control interface and a portion of the second plurality of rib supports. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  wherein the first plurality of rib supports and the second plurality of rib supports are configured to provide support for a PCB mounted switch. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 9  wherein the mid-frame structural support is composed of a non-conducting metallic compound. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 9  wherein the mid-frame structural support is composed of a non-conducting polymeric compound. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 9  wherein the portable electronic device is a music device. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 9  wherein the snap-weldment feature is composed of spring steel. 
     
     
       17. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 9  wherein the predetermined threshold is less than 1500 grams. 
     
     
       18. A parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for use with a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including at least a printed circuit board (PCB), a switch mounted on the PCB, and a bezel that contacts the switch, the switch being disposed between the PCB and the bezel, the bezel including at least a control interface for receiving force applied by a user of the portable electronic device, the mid-frame structural support comprising:
 first member means, the first member means including at least a first portion for supporting the PCB, the switch and the PCB being disposed between the bezel and the first portion, the first portion receiving the force transmitted through the control interface, the switch, and the PCB when the control interface receives the force for actuating the switch to control at least an action of the portable electronic device; 
 second member means disposed substantially parallel to the first member means, the first member means and the second member means each configured with;
 means for providing structural support when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and 
 means for attaching the first member means and the second member means with a bezel; 
 
 third member means mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means; and 
 fourth member means mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means. 
 
     
     
       19. The mid-frame structural support of  claim 18  further comprising:
 first support means for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means and the second member means; and 
 second support means for supporting the PCB disposed substantially parallel to the first member means and the second member means wherein the first support means and the second support means define a plurality of openings configured to surround a plurality of electronic components on the PCB, the switch being disposed between the control interface and a portion of the second support means.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     A claim for priority is hereby made under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119 for the present application based upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/725,842, filed on Oct. 11, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic device have proliferated modern society. Cell phones, computing devices, personal digital assistants, MP3 players and the like are now commonplace electronics having generous amounts of computing power packaged in ever shrinking device profiles. The ability to package devices in smaller and smaller profiles is due at least in part to shrinking electronic components. Thus, the space necessary to house a sufficient number of electronic components to enable such complex devices continues to diminish. However, as the push for smaller device profiles continues, structural considerations become increasingly important. 
     When electronic devices were first introduced to modern markets, size was not a primary concern. Bulky devices utilizing tubes instead of solid state electronic components were commonplace. Even with the introduction of smaller electronic components like transistorized circuits, device profiles often lagged behind technological developments often resulting in devices filled mostly with air. Once new applications for electronic devices began to surge forward, demands for smaller devices ensued. Now, a portable music device, for example, may hold thousands of songs in a device profile no larger than a disposable lighter. With smaller profiles, component stacking and material selection has become more critical. 
     Typically, electronic devices are composed of many elements that may be serially stacked in a package. In one example, a keyboard may be stacked with a printed circuit board (PCB), a chassis, and bezel or cover plate. Stacking components generally allows a smaller profile in both x and y directions, but may lead to increased thickness in a z direction. In attempting to reduce profiles in a z direction, increasingly thinner material thicknesses may be utilized. However, thinning materials may lead to a corresponding diminishment of torsional and flexural rigidity in an electronic device. Prior art solutions have led to the development of mid-frame structural supports which may be serially stacked and may provide some needed rigidity to a device. However, serial stacking may not always result in a lower profile in a z direction because any thinning of materials may be offset by a structural support element that might be required in an electronic device. As such, parallel configurations of structural supports for portable electronic devices are presented herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below. 
     Parallel stacking mid-frame structural supports for use with a portable electronic device are presented including: a first side member; a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with; a support feature for providing structural support when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and an attachment feature; a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member; and a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member. In some embodiments, the mid-frame structural support also includes: a first number of rib supports for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB), the first number rib supports disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member; and a second number of rib supports for supporting the PCB, the second number of rib supports disposed substantially parallel to the first side member and the second side member wherein the first number of rib supports and the second number of rib supports define a plurality of openings configured to surround a plurality of electronic components on the PCB. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold is approximately 800 grams. 
     In other embodiments, a portable electronic device is presented including: a base having a snap-weldment feature; a bezel for enclosing the base, the bezel configured to receive the snap-weldment feature such that the bezel is retained by the snap-weldment feature; a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting a plurality electronic components in the base; an a parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for structurally supporting the bezel and the PCB, the parallel stacking mid-frame structural support including, a first side member, a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with, a support feature for providing structural support when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and an attachment feature, a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member, and a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold is approximately 800 grams. 
     In other embodiments, a parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for use with a portable electronic device is presented including: a first member means; a second member means disposed substantially parallel to the first member means, the first member means and the second member means each configured with; a means for providing structural support when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and a means for attaching the first member means and the second member means with a bezel; a third member means mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means; and a fourth member means mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means. In some embodiments, the mid-frame structural support also includes: a first support means for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed substantially perpendicular to the first member means and the second member means; and a second support means for supporting the PCB disposed substantially parallel to the first member means and the second member means wherein the first support means and the second support means define a plurality of openings configured to surround a plurality of electronic components on the PCB. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative representation of a portable electronic music device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative orthogonal representation of a structural support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative representation of a structural support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative orthogonal representation of a structural support with rib supports in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative representation of a structural support with rib supports in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative representation of a portable electronic music device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A user may store and play any number of musical selections using device  100 . One example of a portable electronic music device is an IPOD™ by APPLE™. In some examples, a screen  114  may be provided that may be utilized as a graphical user interface. A selection wheel  110  may provide any number of player controls  102 - 108  to provide a user friendly and efficient interface. In this example, a player control may be defined by an area that may be pressed to actuate an underlying switch. In some examples, a center button  112  having an underlying center button switch may be provided for additional selections. Further, a port  116  may be used for I/O functions as well as charging functions. Legend arrows  150  are provided for clarity. As illustrated, portable electronic music device  100  is configured with a simplified user interface having only four selection wheel controls ( 102 - 108 ) and one center button  112 . 
     In making a user selection, a force may be applied by a stylus, pointer, or finger upon portable electronic music device  100 . In examples where device profile is very thin, a user selection may cause flexure in the device. Flexure may lead to stress related failures of a printed circuit board (PCB) enclosed within a device. This is particularly true in examples utilizing PCB mounted switches because forces are continually being applied to a specific locus of a PCB. Without some form of strengthening of portable electronic music device  100  and an enclosed PCB, failure rates may rise to undesirable levels. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative orthogonal representation of a mid-frame structural support  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, a mid-frame structural support may add needed rigidity to a portable electronic device. In a parallel stacking embodiment, mid-frame structural support  200  does not add to a device thickness profile thus allowing for thinner devices. Parallel stacking refers to a stacking scheme that does not add thickness to a stack when adding a component. In contrast, serial stacking refers to a stacking scheme that adds thickness to a stack when adding a component. As such, mid-frame structural support  200  is configured with side members  202 / 222  which may be mechanically contiguous with side members  204 / 224 . In some embodiments, side members  202 / 222  and  204 / 224  may be disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other. In other embodiments, side members  202 / 222  and  204 / 224  may be disposed in an arrangement consistent with the shape of a supported enclosure. In some embodiments, side members  204  and  224  are configured as mirror images of each other. In still other embodiments, each side member may be unique in configuration. As can be appreciated, sizing of side members  202 / 222  and  204 / 224  is consistent with rigidity, material selection, and enclosure size requirements. For example, in some embodiments, a non-conduction metallic compound may be utilized to construct side members. In other embodiments, a non-conducting polymeric compound may be utilized. Mid-frame structural support  200  may be configured with any number of features including an attachment feature  206 , a support feature  208 , and a snap-weldment feature cavity  210 . These features will be discussed in further detail below for  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative representation of a mid-frame structural support  306  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Top view A of portable electronic device  300  is illustrated for clarity and reference. Likewise, side view B illustrates a cross-sectional view pointing out location of various features of mid-frame structural support  306 . Cross-sectional view C illustrates an example of a snap-weldment feature  310  that may be used to capture bezel  304  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Snap-weldment feature  310  is attached with base  308 . Snap-weldment feature may be attached in any manner well-known in the art. Snap-weldment feature  310  may be composed of a resilient material such as spring steel that maintains tension on bezel  304 . Snap-weldment feature  301  may be further configured to align bezel  304  in a ±z direction. As noted above, mid-frame structural support  306  may be configured with a snap-weldment feature cavity (see  210 ,  FIG. 2 ). By utilizing a snap-weldment feature cavity, mid-frame structural support  306  may be nested with bezel  304  without interfering with snap-weldment feature  310 . 
     Cross-sectional view D illustrates an example of a support feature in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, a nominal gap  312  is provided between mid-frame structural support  306  and base  308 . Nominal gap  312  is closed only under loading. Thus, when a force applied to bezel  304  exceeds a predetermined threshold, nominal gap  312  closes so that mid-frame structural support  306  carries the load caused by the applied force. In some embodiments, the applied force is approximately 800 grams. In other embodiments, the applied force is less than 1500 grams. Nominal gap  312  also allows for tolerance discrepancies in stack buildup and further provides for a uniform cosmetic gap  314  to be maintained around the perimeter of device  300 . Cross-sectional view E illustrates an example of an attachment feature in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, an attachment means  316  may be utilized to attach bezel  304  with mid-frame structural support  306 . As may be appreciated, attachment may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art including, for example, a screw, a bolt, a rivet, and a pin. In some embodiments, mid-frame structural support  306  may be configured with a nominal attachment gap  318  to allow for tolerance discrepancies. As may be appreciated, illustrated drawings are intended for illustrative clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Indeed, sizing requirements may be unique to any one portable electronic device design. Thus, the principles described herein are equally applicable to widely varying device designs and profiles. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative orthogonal representation of a mid-frame structural support  400  with rib supports  412 - 414  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, a mid-frame structural support may add needed rigidity to a portable electronic device. In a parallel stacking embodiment, mid-frame structural support  400  does not add to a device thickness profile thus allowing for thinner devices. Parallel stacking refers to a stacking scheme that does not add thickness to a stack when adding a component. In contrast, serial stacking refers to a stacking scheme that adds thickness to a stack when adding a component. As such, mid-frame structural support  400  is configured with side members  402 / 422  which may be mechanically contiguous with side members  404 / 424 . 
     In some embodiments, side members  402 / 422  and  404 / 424  may be disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other. In other embodiments, side members  402 / 422  and  404 / 424  may be disposed in an arrangement consistent with the shape of a supported enclosure. In some embodiments, side members  404  and  424  are configured as mirror images of each other. In still other embodiments, each side member may be unique in configuration. As can be appreciated, sizing of side members  402 / 422  and  404 / 424  is consistent with rigidity, material selection, and enclosure size requirements. For example, in some embodiments, a non-conduction metallic compound may be utilized to construct side members. In other embodiments, a non-conducting polymeric compound may be utilized. Mid-frame structural support  400  may be configured with any number of features including an attachment feature  406 , a support feature  408 , and a snap-weldment feature cavity  410 . These features are discussed in further detail above for  FIG. 3 . 
     In addition, mid-frame structural support  400  may be configured with rib supports  412 - 414 . In general, rib supports may be utilized to provide structural support for a PCB. As noted above, in some embodiments, a PCB mounted switch for user input may be provided. In those embodiments, stresses due to forces applied in actuating a PCB mounted switch may lead to stress related failures of the PCB. Thus, some support structures may be desirable to avoid such failures and correspondingly increase reliability. In some embodiments, rib support  414  may be disposed substantially perpendicular to side member  404 / 424  while rib support  412  may be disposed substantially parallel to side member  404 / 424 . As may be appreciated rib supports may be configured to create a plurality of openings for surrounding any number of electronic components. In the example illustrated, rib support configuration is symmetrical to provide consistent stiffness throughout the structure. However, symmetry is not required. Indeed, any configuration for openings is possible utilizing embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative representation of a structural support with rib support  502  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, cross-sectional view F and top view G are aligned and illustrated. As noted above, a mid-frame structural support may add needed rigidity to a portable electronic device. In a parallel stacking embodiment, a mid-frame structural support does not add to a device thickness profile thus allowing for thinner devices. Parallel stacking refers to a stacking scheme that does not add thickness to a stack when adding a component. In other words, parallel stacking does not add to the z direction of a stack. In contrast, serial stacking refers to a stacking scheme that adds thickness to a stack when adding a component. Rib support  502  may add additional support for a portable electronic device PCB. Illustrated PCB  504  includes a number of PCB mounted switches such as PCB mounted switch  506 . PCB mounted switch  506  may be actuated by a user exerting a force upon bezel  508  with a stylus, pointer, or finger. In some embodiments, an actuator button  510  distinct from bezel  508  may be employed to actuate a PCB mounted switch. Rib support  502  may be attached with PCB  504  in any manner well known in the art including gluing, bonding, taping, or otherwise attaching. In some embodiments, attachment material may be selected to provide vibration and mechanical shock protection. In other embodiments, attachment material may be selected to provide electronic insulation. 
     PCB  504  may be supported by portion  514  of rib support  502 . At least two considerations for support should be accounted for in selecting a rib support configuration. First, as illustrated, rib support  502  may be configured so that support is co-located with or approximately co-located with a PCB mounted switch (see rib support portions  520 - 540 ). By co-locating or approximately co-locating rib support  502  with PCB mounted switches, forces used to actuate switches, which might typically result in stress related failures on PCB  504 , may be mitigated. Forces may be mitigated because PCB  504 , in utilizing embodiments of the present invention is not as prone to flexure or torsion due to user input. A second consideration for configuration is electronic component  512  location and density. Because rib structure  502  is intended for parallel stacking, care must be utilized in selecting a rib support opening configuration. Electronic component location may be configured to correspond to a selected rib support configuration; rib support may be configured to correspond to electronic component location; or any combination thereof. Thus, a particular configuration such as that illustrated should not be construed as limiting outside of the considerations already enumerated. As noted above, embodiments described herein allow for structural support without contributing to a z direction increase in thickness. In addition, some embodiments described herein also allow for structural support without contributing to x and y (i.e. length and width) directions because rib supports may be configured to lie between electronic components. Thus, structural support may be effectively added to a device with little or no impact on device size. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. For example, any number of rib supports may be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention depending on electronic component location and density. Furthermore, although embodiments illustrated are generally rectangular in configuration, any shape corresponding to a selected electronic device may be utilized without departing from the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060210
Publication Date: 20090630
Grant Date: 20090630
Priority Date: 20051011
Inventors: LYNCH BRIAN
MOOLSINTONG JAN
ZADESKY STEPHEN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1417", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1417", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37910906