PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9853671-B2
Application Number: US-201514618568-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices

Abstract:
Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. The ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more removable modules, wafers coupled to circuit boards, cages and retaining plates to assist in retaining the tray within the assembly. The ejectable component assembly may include springs operative to engage detents in the tray to retain the tray in the assembly. The ejectable component assembly may include a tray ejector mechanism for ejecting the tray from the assembly.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ejectable tray for use in an electronic device, the ejectable tray comprising:
 a first tray end having an outer surface that forms part of an exterior surface of the electronic device; 
 a second tray end configured to be inserted into an opening of a housing of the electronic device; and 
 a body portion formed between the first and second tray ends, the body portion forming a pair of opposing rails extending between the first and second tray ends, the pair of opposing rails configured to hold and contact a first side of a removable card module, and defining an opening exposing at least a portion of the first side, wherein a circuit board of the electronic device is configured to electrically connect to the first side through the opening when the tray is inserted in the electronic device, wherein the first tray end forms a side wall along an edge of the removable card module of a height that is less than a thickness of the removable card module. 
 
     
     
       2. The ejectable tray of  claim 1 , wherein the removable card module is a subscriber identity module (SIM). 
     
     
       3. The ejectable tray of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body portion and the second tray end form three side walls surrounding the removable card module; and 
 the three side walls have a height that is less than a thickness of the removable card module. 
 
     
     
       4. The ejectable tray of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion include a detent that is configured to engage with a spring located within the housing to retain the ejectable tray within the housing. 
     
     
       5. The ejectable tray of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the first tray end is flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The ejectable tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray end includes a tray hole for receiving an instrument used to eject the ejectable tray from the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an opening; 
 a circuit board disposed within the housing; 
 a tray operative to receive a removable card module, the module in communication with the circuit board when the tray is inserted in the housing, the tray comprising: 
 a first end that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device; 
 a second end configured to be inserted into the opening of the housing; and 
 a body portion connecting the first and second ends, wherein the body portion defines a pair of rails extending from the first end, the pair of rails configured to hold a first surface of the removable card module, the pair of rails defining an inner opening exposing at least a portion of the first surface, wherein the circuit board electrically connects to the first surface through the inner opening when the tray is inserted in the housing, the body portion and the second end form two or more side walls that surround the removable card module and the two or more side walls have a height that is lower than an upper surface of the removable card module. 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the removable card module is a subscriber identity module (SIM). 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a cage positioned over the tray when inserted in the housing, wherein the cage holds the removable card module within the tray when the tray is inserted in the housing. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the cage is attached to the circuit board and is positioned over a second surface of the removable card module when the tray is inserted; and 
 the second surface is opposite to the first surface of the removable card module that is configured to electrically couple with the circuit board. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the first end includes a tray hole for receiving an object that is used to eject the tray from the housing. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the body portion include a notch that is configured to engage with a spring located within the housing to retain the tray within the housing. 
     
     
       13. A tray of an electronic device, the tray comprising:
 a body portion including two side walls that are configured to retain a subscriber identity module (SIM) card within the tray, the two side walls configured to connect a lower surface of the SIM card, the body portion defining a void exposing at least a portion of the SIM card; 
 a first end formed at a first end of the body portion, the first end having a cosmetic outer surface; and 
 a second end formed at a second end of the body and configured to be inserted in an opening of a housing; 
 wherein a circuit board of the electronic device electrically connects to the lower surface through the void when the tray is inserted within the housing; 
 wherein the side walls of the body portion have a height that is lower than an upper surface of the SIM card when the SIM card is positioned in the tray. 
 
     
     
       14. The tray of  claim 13 , wherein the body portion include a detent that is configured to engage with a spring located within the housing to retain the tray within the housing. 
     
     
       15. The tray of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the lower surface of the SIM card comprises a conductive surface of the SIM card. 
 
     
     
       16. The tray of  claim 13 , wherein the first end includes a tray hole for receiving an object that is used to eject the tray from the housing. 
     
     
       17. The tray of  claim 13 , wherein the second end includes a wall that is configured to retain the SIM card within the tray, wherein the wall has a height that is lower than the upper surface of the SIM card.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/914,100, filed Jun. 10, 2013 and titled “Compact Ejectable Component Assemblies in Electronic Devices,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,818, which is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/236,676, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and titled “Compact Ejectable Component Assemblies in Electronic Devices,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,462,514, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/125,474, filed Apr. 25, 2008 and titled “Compact Ejectable Component Assemblies in Electronic Devices,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to apparatuses and methods for providing compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices. 
     To enhance the use of electronic devices (e.g., cellular telephones), ejectable component assemblies may be used to couple removable modules to the device. Some known ejectable component assemblies for personal electronic devices include a tray for receiving a removable module, and a connector coupled to a circuit board within the housing of the device for receiving the tray as it is inserted through an opening in the housing. The connector may retain the tray such that the module is functionally connected to the circuit board. Variations in the manufacture of such electronic devices result in, for example, variations in the distance between the circuit board and the opening in the housing through which the tray of an ejectable component assembly is to be inserted. These manufacturing variations generally create an undesirable abruptness in the profile created by the tray and the external surface of the housing about its opening once the tray has been inserted. 
     Moreover, some known ejectable component assemblies for personal electronic devices also include an ejector coupled to the circuit board of the device for ejecting the tray from the connector and the housing of the device. The manufacturing variations of the device also tend to create variations in the distance between a user external to the device and the ejector, which in turn may increase the size of the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A compact ejectable component assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, an ejectable component assembly for use in an electronic device that includes a circuit board, a tray, and a cage may be provided. The tray may receive a removable module and be retained between the circuit board and the cage. The tray may include an opening through which the circuit board may establish an electrical connection with the module. In some embodiments, the ejectable component assembly may include a wafer that is electrically coupled to the circuit board and that extends into the opening in the tray to contact the module. In some embodiments, the ejectable component assembly may include a retaining plate with an extension that complements a protrusion in the tray. The extension may guide the tray when it is inserted into or ejected from the assembly. The extension may also assist in retaining the tray when fully inserted in the assembly. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device having a housing, a circuit board, and a tray for receiving a module may be provided. The tray may include at least one detent. The electronic device may also include at least two springs that are operable to engage the at least one detent of the tray to retain the tray within the assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a compression spring that may be positioned behind one end of the tray within the assembly. The compression spring may compress when the tray is inserted into the assembly and decompress when the springs disengage from the detent to assist in ejecting the tray from the assembly. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device having a housing, a tray for receiving a module, a cage for receiving the tray, and a retaining plate may be provided. The retaining plate may include at least one protrusion to engage a portion of the tray. In some embodiments, the retaining plate can include a ramp positioned such that an end of the tray rests on the ramp when the tray is within the assembly. The ramp may ensure that the module placed in the tray makes contact with the cage and prevent the module from slipping out of the tray during removal of the tray from the assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly may include an ejection mechanism operable to remove the tray from the assembly. The ejection mechanism may include an ejection arm and an actuating arm that may pivot about a pivot point when a suitable instrument applies force to a user contact plate. By pivoting, a tray contact plate may apply a force to a portion of the tray toward the exterior of the assembly to eject the tray from the assembly. 
    
    
     
       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 perspective view of an illustrative electronic device that includes an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative ejectable component assembly when a tray is partially inserted in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an illustrative ejectable component assembly when a tray is completely inserted in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line IV-IV of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line V-V of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line VI-VI of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line VII-VII of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top elevational view of a portion of the illustrative ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top elevational view of an illustrative ejection mechanism for use with an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the ejection mechanism of  FIG. 9A  taken from line IXB-IXB of  FIG. 9A  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 2  taken from line X-X of  FIG. 2  when the tray is in a first position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 2  taken from line X-X of  FIG. 2  when the tray is in a second position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an illustrative module tray in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an illustrative module tray having a cosmetic outer surface in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Apparatus and methods are provided for improving the construction of ejectable component assemblies, and are described below with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     The following discussion describes some embodiments of an electronic device that includes at least one ejectable component assembly. The term “electronic device” can include, but is not limited to, music players, video players, still image players, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, remote controls, pagers, laptop computers, printers, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the electronic devices may perform a single function (e.g., an electronic device dedicated to playing music) and in other cases, the electronic devices may perform several functions (e.g., an electronic device that plays music, displays video, stores pictures, and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     The electronic devices may generally be any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature electronic device so as to allow a user, for example, to listen to music, play games, record videos, take pictures, and/or conduct communications operations (e.g., telephone calls). Some miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held electronic devices, such as an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can be integrated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, key chains, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, electronic devices that incorporate an ejectable component assembly may not be portable at all. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device that includes an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronic device  10  can include at least one user input component assembly  12  that allows a user to interface with the device, at least one device output component assembly  14  that provides the user with device generated information, at least one ejectable component assembly  16  that allows a user to insert and eject a removable module into and from the device, and a protective housing  18  that at least partially encloses the one or more input, output, and ejectable component assemblies of the device. 
     Component assemblies  12 ,  14 , and  16  can include any type of component assembly operative to receive and/or transmits digital and/or analog data (e.g., audio data, video data, other types of data, or a combination thereof). Input component assembly  12  may include any suitable input mechanism such as, for example, sliding switches, buttons, keypads, dials, scroll wheels, touch screen displays, electronics for accepting audio and/or visual information, antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof. Output component assembly  14  may include any suitable output component forms such as, for example, audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof. Ejectable component assembly  16  may include any suitable assembly operative to insert and eject a removable module from the device (see, e.g., removable module  30  of  FIG. 2 ). The removable module may include, for example, integrated circuit cards (ICCs), chip cards, memory cards, flash memory cards, microprocessor cards, smart cards, such as subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the removable module may contain electronic circuitry from which the electronic device may read data and/or to which the device may write data. 
     Ejectable component assembly  16  can include module tray  20  that may be insertable into and ejectable from housing  18  through housing opening  19 . In some embodiments, tray  20  may be fully removed from assembly  16  and/or device  10  when ejected, or instead may be restricted in some fashion from being completely removed from assembly  16  and/or device  10 . For example, a portion of tray  20  may be restrained within assembly  16  when tray  20  is ejected from housing  18 . Tray  20  may include module holder  24 , first tray end  21 , second tray end  23 , and body portion  22  extending therebetween. First tray end  21  may include an aesthetically pleasing outer surface to provide a cosmetic surface. First tray end  21 , second tray end  23 , and body portion  22  may define the periphery and/or walls of module holder  24 . Module holder  24  may be operative to receive and hold removable module  30 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative ejectable component assembly when a tray is partially inserted in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an illustrative ejectable component assembly when a tray is completely inserted in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, tray  20  may be inserted into or ejected from ejectable component assembly  16 , which may include cage  40  operative to receive and/or restrain tray  20  and removable module  30 . Cage  40  may be placed opposite circuit board  50  of electronic device  10  such that tray  20  may be positioned and retained between cage  40  and circuit board  50 . For example, module  30  may be placed in tray  20  and slid into an opening of cage  40 . 
     Cage  40  can include a top surface and at least two sidewalls. The top surface may be raised above circuit board  50  and the sidewalls may extend toward circuit board  50  from the top surface such that the sidewalls may be substantially perpendicular to the top surface (e.g., cage  40  may resemble an upside-down U-shape coupled to circuit board  50 ). The orientation of the top surface and side walls may allow space for tray  20  and/or module  30  to be retained within cage  40 . For example, at least one interior surface of cage  40  may contact module  30  to retain module  30  in holder  24  when in cage  40 . In some embodiments, at least one dimension of cage  40  may be substantially the same size as tray  20 . For example, height  44  and width  45  of cage  40  may be substantially the same as the height and width of tray  20  and/or removable module  30 , respectively. Cage  40  may have any suitable length  43 . For example, cage  40  may or may not extend over the entirety of tray  20  when tray  20  is fully inserted into assembly  16 . 
     Cage  40  may be coupled to any suitable component of assembly  16 , circuit board  50  and/or device  10 , and have any suitable shape. Cage  40  may be coupled to any suitable component using any suitable approach, including for example soldering, surface mount technology, welding, an adhesive, or any other suitable approach. Cage  40  may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, or any other suitable material. Cage  40  may be formed using any suitable process, for example molding, casting, forming, forging, machining, joining, or any other suitable process. 
     If cage  40  is formed of a material or is coupled to an element that may store excess electrical charge, cage  40  may be grounded to a circuit board within device  10  or another conductive element within device  10  to dissipate the excess charge. This may help avoid excess charges built up in cage  40  damaging or corrupting the parts or processes taking place within assembly  16  and/or device  10 . 
     Circuit board  50  may be any type of circuit board, including for example printed circuit boards (PCBs), logic boards, printed wiring boards, etched wiring boards, and other known boards that may be used to mechanically support and electronically connect electrical components (e.g., I/O component assemblies  12 ,  14 , and  16  via coupling circuitries). Circuit board  50  can be constructed using one or more layers of a non-conductive substrate and signal conducting pathways. The signal conducting pathways may exist in one or more layers or in each layer of the non-conductive substrate. The signal conducting layers, sometimes referred to as traces, members, or leads, may be a metal conductive material (e.g., copper or gold) or an optical conductive material (e.g., fiber optics). When one or more of I/O component assemblies  12 ,  14 , and  16  are physically and electrically coupled to board  50  via coupling circuitries, board  50  may communicate with the one or more component assemblies of device  10  using the signal conducting layers. 
     To retain tray  20  at portions over which cage  40  does not extend, assembly  16  may include retaining plate  60 . Retaining plate  60  may be coupled to any suitable element within assembly  16 , circuit board  50 , and/or device  10 . Retaining plate  60  may be of any suitable shape and placed in any suitable location within device  10  to retain at least portions of tray  20  and/or module  30 . For example, retaining plate  60  can have a shape that substantially complements portions of tray  20  and/or module  30  when tray  20  and/or module  30  is fully or partially inserted into device  10 . Retaining plate  60  may include curved front and rear edges which may prevent an edge of module  30  from catching on assembly  16  during insertion into or ejection from assembly  16 . 
     Retaining plate  60  may be formed of any suitable material, including for example plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, or any other suitable material. Retaining plate  60  may be formed through any suitable process, for example, casting, molding, forming, forging, machining, joining, or combinations thereof. If retaining plate  60  is manufactured from a material that may store excess electrical charge, retaining plate  60  may be grounded to circuit board  50  or another conductive element within device  10  to dissipate the excess charge. This may help avoid excess charges built up in retaining plate  60  damaging or corrupting the parts or processes taking place within assembly  16  and/or device  10 . 
     Retaining plate  60  may include wedge ramp  62  operative to assist in retaining module  30  in tray  20 . Ramp  62  may be of any suitable shape and be placed in any suitable position within retaining plate  60 . In some embodiments, ramp  62  may be positioned such that the tip of tray  20  (e.g., second tray end  23 ) is maintained away from circuit board  50 . This may allow ramp  62  to bias tray  20  up to secure module  30  between module holder  24  and the bottom of cage  40 , and prevent tray  20  from slipping underneath module  30  during removal (e.g., when the walls of module holder  24  are less than the height of module  30 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line IV-IV of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 4  may thus be a side view of assembly  16 . Cage  40  may include lip  42  or other curved edges to prevent tray  20  and/or module  30  from catching on cage  40  during insertion or removable of tray  20  from assembly  16 . Retaining plate  60  may extend into or through cage  40  to further assist in retaining tray  20  by providing more surface area for retaining plate  60  to contact and thus restrain tray  20 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line V-V of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line VI-VI of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 5 and 6  may thus be cross sections of assembly  16  along different parallel planes. Assembly  16  may include wafer  52 , which may be mechanically supported and electronically connected to other components in device  10  by circuit board  50 . Wafer  52  can be, for example, any integrated circuit (IC) such as a microchip, silicon chip, or computer chip. In some embodiments, wafer  52  may provide an interface for module  30  to electrically communicate with other components in device  10 . For example, wafer  52  may connect to an electrically conductive portion of module  30  (e.g., electronic circuitry  32 ). 
     In some embodiments, wafer  52  may include one or more electrical pins  54  extending beyond the periphery of wafer  52  to contact module  30 . Electrical pins  54  may extend into opening  26  of tray  20  when tray  20  is at least partially inserted into assembly  16  to contact electronic circuitry  32  of module  30 . For example, electrical pins  54  may be biased to deflect upward through opening  26  in tray  20 . 
     Electrical pins  54  may have any suitable shape. For example, electrical pins  54  may include springs or wedges operative to contact module  30 . Electrical pins  54  may be coupled to any suitable location or portion of wafer  52 , for example to form a cantilever spring. Electrical pins  54  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., a metallic conductor, semiconductor, or superconductor) to communicate with electronic circuitry  32  of module  30 . 
     Electronic circuitry  32  may be provided on first surface  31  of module  30  such that when placed in tray  20 , electronic circuitry  32  of module  30  may face holder  24  of tray  20  and may be exposed through opening  26  of tray  20 . This may allow electronic circuitry  32  to contact electrical pins  54  of wafer  52 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Tray  20  may include curved surfaces to prevent tray  20  from catching on electrical pins  54  when tray  20  is inserted or ejected from housing  18 . 
     Electronic circuitry  32  can include any suitable integrated circuit (IC), such as a microchip, silicon chip, or computer chip that includes semiconductor and passive components that have been manufactured in the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material on surface  31  of module  30 . The electrical contact between the semiconductor components and electrical pins  54  may allow wafer  52  to read data from or write data into module electronic circuitry  32 . The data read from and written into electronic circuitry  32  may take any electrical form, for example digital or analog, and the communication between electronic circuitry  32  and wafer  52  may be synchronous or asynchronous. 
     Cage  40  may include one or more springs  41  on the cage surface facing module  30  for contacting and forcing or biasing removable module  30  towards holder  24 . The force applied by springs  41  may also bias module  30  towards electrical pins  54  of wafer  52 , thus enhancing electrical contact. Springs  41  may include any suitable type of spring, protrusion, wedge or other suitable component to force or bias module  30  towards wafer  52 . For example, springs  41  may include a tension spring, extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire spring, coil spring, flat spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hairspring, balance spring, leaf spring, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, springs  41  may be protrusions operative to deflect Springs  41  may be coupled to cage  40  using any suitable approach or may instead or in addition be constructed as part of cage  40  (e.g., as a protrusion or cutout). 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  taken from line VII-VII of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, portions of tray  20  may lie in the same horizontal plane as electrical pins  54  and/or wafer  52  when tray  20  is being ejected from, fully inserted in assembly  16 . This may reduce the height required to accommodate wafer  52  in assembly  16 . For example, portions of wafer  52  may protrude into opening  26  of tray  20 . By nesting wafer  52  with tray  20  the overall thickness or height of assembly  16  can be reduced by at least the thickness of tray  20 . For example, the thickness or overall height of assembly  16  may be reduced (e.g., reduced by 0.30 mm, for example from 1.85 mm to 1.55 mm). As shown in  FIG. 7 , wafer  52  can protrude into opening  26  of tray  20  and be in the same horizontal plane as portions of tray  20 . 
     As described above, retaining plate  60  may be operative to engage and retain tray  20 . Retaining plate  60  can include retaining plate extension  61  constructed to complement tray protrusion  28  of tray  20 . Plate extension  61  and tray protrusion  28  may form complementing features to assist in guiding tray  20  into assembly  16  (e.g., towards wafer  52 ) and to retain the periphery of tray  20 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top elevational view of a portion of the illustrative ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, tray  20  may include at least one notch (e.g., detents  27 ) along tray protrusions  28 . Detents  27  may be operative to receive a spring mechanism for holding tray  20  within assembly  16 . Spring mechanisms  126  may be fixed at one end and biased towards tray  20 . For example, detents  27  may be operative to receive spring mechanisms  126  such that when tray  20  is fully inserted in the electronic device, at least one spring mechanism  126  may engage at least one detent  27 . 
     In some embodiments, electronic device  10  may include secondary spring  124  with spring arms  122 . Spring arms  122  may be operative to apply pressure against spring mechanism  126  to retain spring mechanism  126  engaged in detents  27 . This may increase the total force applied to detents  27  and further ensure that tray  20  remains substantially immobile within device  10 . 
     Both the spring mechanisms  126  and the spring arms  122  may be displaced to disengage spring mechanisms  126  from detents  27  and eject tray  20  from electronic device  10 . To assist in the ejection of tray  20 , compression spring  130  may be coupled to retaining plate  60  such that compression spring  130  is placed behind and/or aligned with end  23  of tray  20  when tray  20  is inserted in assembly  16 . When tray  20  is positioned in assembly  16 , spring  130  may be compressed and exert a force on end  23  toward the exterior of the housing of the device. Then, as spring mechanisms  126  disengage from detents  27 , spring  130  may decompress and exert a force on end  23  to eject tray  20 . 
     Spring arms  122 , secondary spring  124 , spring mechanism  126 , and compression spring  130  may be coupled to any suitable element within assembly  16  and/or device  10 . Spring arms  122 , secondary spring  124 , spring mechanism  126 , and compression spring  130  may be of any suitable shape and placed in any suitable location within assembly  16 . These elements may be of any suitable spring type, for example, tension spring, extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire spring, coil spring, flat spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hairspring, balance spring, or leaf spring, or any combination thereof, as to effectively assist in ejecting and/or retaining tray  20 . Spring arms  122 , secondary spring  124 , spring mechanism  126 , and compression spring  130  may be formed of any suitable material, for example, plastic, glass, metal, ceramic raw materials, epoxies, concrete, plaster, clay, or composite materials, or any other suitable material, or combinations thereof. Additionally, these elements may be formed through any suitable method, for example, casting, molding, forming, forging, machining, or joining, or combinations thereof. 
     If one or more of the springs (i.e., spring arms  122 , secondary spring  124 , spring mechanism  126 , or compression spring  130 ) are formed of a material or are coupled to an element that may store excess electrical charge, the springs may be grounded to circuit board  50  or another conductive element within device  10  to dissipate the excess charge. This may help avoid excess charges built up in the springs and prevent damage to components of assembly  16  and device  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the ejectable component assembly may include a mechanism for ejecting the tray.  FIG. 9A  is a top elevational view of an illustrative ejection mechanism for use with an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the ejection mechanism of  FIG. 9A  taken from line IXB-IXB of  FIG. 9A  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. A tray ejecting mechanism (e.g., tray ejector  90 ) for ejecting tray  120  from an electronic device (e.g., device  10 ,  FIG. 1 ) may be incorporated in ejectable component assembly  116 . Tray ejector  90  can include base  92  that may be coupled to the housing of the electronic device by pivot  91 . Tray ejector  90  may also include actuating arm  94  that may extend from pivot  91  in a first direction and be coupled to user contact plate  93 , and ejection arm  96  that may also extend from pivot  91  in a second direction and be coupled to tray contact plate  95 . Tray ejector  90  can be provided such that actuating arm  94  and ejection arm  96  may pivot about pivot  91  in the direction of arrow  91 ′. 
     Tray ejector  90  can be provided such that actuating arm  94  may be biased with respect to pivot  91  (e.g., by a spring), whereby user contact plate  93  abuts or is substantially adjacent to the interior of housing  118  near tray hole  129  and housing hole  117 . For example, a spring may exert a force on actuating arm  94  that may keep actuating arm  94  (and as a result user contact place  93 ) in place abutted with the interior of housing  118 , absent any other forces. First end  121  of tray  120  may include first end tray hole  129 . Tray hole  129  may be substantially aligned with a hole in the device&#39;s housing (e.g., housing hole  117 ) when tray  120  is inserted into ejectable component assembly  116 . These holes may provide access to user contact plate  93  using a suitable instrument. 
     Using ejector  90 , a user of the device may eject tray  120  from the electronic device to access a module holder or a module plated placed in the tray. For example, a user may insert a paperclip, pin, or any other suitable instrument through tray hole  129  and housing hole  117  (e.g., in the direction of arrow  99 ) to press user contact plate  93 . The instrument may exert a force against user contact plate  93  in the direction of arrow  99  and cause actuating arm  94  to pivot about pivot  91  in the direction of arrow  91 ′. This may also cause ejection arm  96  to pivot in the same direction (e.g., both arms may pivot in the direction of arrow  91 ′) and cause tray contact plate  95  to move in the direction of arrow  98 , which is generally opposite to that of arrow  99 . The movement of tray contact plate  95  may exert a force against tray  120 , thereby forcing tray  120  in the direction of arrow  98  and releasing tray  120  from its retained position. 
     Tray contact plate  95  may contact any suitable portion of tray  120 . In some embodiments, tray contact plate  95  may contact a portion of the bottom side of tray  120  that surrounds opening  126  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 9A  for illustrative purposes). Tray contact plate  95  may have any suitable shape to exert force against tray  120 . For example, tray contact plate  95  may be profiled (e.g., to help center the force against tray  120 ). As another example, user contact plate  93  may be curved or concave shaped, which may help keep the tip of a paperclip or other suitable instrument centered on the appropriate portion of the contact plate. 
     All the components of tray ejector  90  (e.g., pivot  91 , base  92 , user contact place  93 , actuating arm  94 , tray contact plate  95 , and ejection arm  96 ) may be coupled to any suitable element within assembly  116  and/or the electronic device. For example, actuating arm  94  and ejection arm  96  may be positioned and sized to assist in ejecting tray  20  when the extension arms are pivoted about pivot  91 . The elements included in tray ejector  90  may be formed of any suitable material, for example, plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, or any other suitable material. 
     If one or more of the elements are formed from a material or are coupled to an element that may store excess electrical charge, the elements may be grounded to a circuit board or another conductive element within the electronic device to dissipate the excess charge. This may help avoid excess charges built up in the elements damaging or corrupting the parts or processes taking place within assembly  116  and/or the device. 
       FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 2  taken from line X-X of  FIG. 2  when the tray is in a first position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 2  taken from line X-X of  FIG. 2  when the tray is in a second position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, tray  20  may include bridge  80 . Bridge  80  may bridge a gap formed by protrusions  28  not connecting across opposite sides of tray  20 . Bridge  80  may be in any suitable location in tray  20 , for example along second end  23 . The bottom of bridge  80  may be curved to help tray  20  avoid catching on elements within assembly  16  while being inserted or removed from assembly  16  (e.g., bridge  80  may slide over wafer  52 ). This may allow portions of wafer  52  to lie in the same horizontal plane as portions of tray  20 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an illustrative module tray in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an illustrative module tray having a cosmetic outer surface in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As described above in connection with tray  20  ( FIG. 2 ), tray  220  may include first end  221 , second end  223  and body portion  222 . 
     Tray  220  may include module holder  224  incorporated in body portion  222  for holding a removable module. Holder  224  can be sized to substantially match that of a module (e.g., module  30 ,  FIG. 5 ), such that the module can be snap-fitted or releasably retained in holder  224 . Holder  224  may include opening  226  through which a portion of the removable module may be exposed. For example, opening  226  may allow electrical circuitry of the electronic device (e.g., electronic device  10 ,  FIG. 1 ) to access data from the module through opening  226  when tray  220  is partially or fully inserted into the device. To reduce the profile of tray  220 , at least three sides of tray  220  (e.g., all sides except for the side adjacent first end  221 ) may be lower than the top surface of a module placed in the tray. 
     Tray  220  may include protrusions  228  extending from body portion  222  to guide tray  220  within an electronic device assembly. The top of protrusions  228  may or may not be in the same horizontal plane as the top of step  281  and/or the top of module holder  224 . In some embodiments, protrusions  228  may include detents  227 . Detents  227  may be placed on the top, bottom, or various sides of tray  220  (e.g., side wall  225 ), protrusions  228 , step  281 , or module holder  224 . The depth of detents  227  may be selected based on any suitable criteria, including for example to receive a spring mechanism for securing tray  220  in an assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the surfaces of tray  220  (e.g., first end  221 , body portion  222 , second end  223 , module holder  224 , side wall  225 , detents  227 , protrusions  228 , bridge  280 , or step  281 ) may be curved to prevent tray  220  from catching on elements within an assembly or device when tray  220  is inserted or ejected from the housing. 
     In some embodiments, first end  221  may as shown in  FIG. 12 . Cosmetic surface  230  may include first end tray hole  229 , which may be placed anywhere along cosmetic surface  230  and have any suitable size and shape. Tray hole  229  may be cylindrical to allow any suitable instrument enter the interior of the housing of a device and manipulate an assembly. For example, the instrument may be used to assist in ejecting tray  220  from the housing. 
     Tray  220 , or portions of tray  220 , can be formed using any suitable process and any suitable material. Suitable processes may include casting, molding, forming, forging, machining, joining, other suitable process. In some embodiments, or any tray  220  can be formed using an injection molding technique, for example, a double shot injection molding technique. Suitable materials for tray  220  may include plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, or composite materials, or any other suitable material. 
     If tray  220  is formed of a conductive material, tray  220  can be anodized and coated such that it may be insulated and rendered substantially not conductive. To further avoid electrical shock to the device, one or more portions of anodized metal tray  220  can be exposed, for example by laser etching, to contact one or more grounding portions of the assembly to remove the charge. The grounding portions may be made of any suitable conductive material and may be placed in any suitable location as to effectively contact the exposed portions of tray  20  when tray  20  is fully inserted or as tray  20  is being inserted into device  10 . 
     While there have been described electronic devices with compact ejectable component assemblies, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “upper” and “lower,” “length” and “height,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof, rather than a hexahedron, as illustrated by  FIGS. 1-12 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150210
Publication Date: 20171226
Grant Date: 20171226
Priority Date: 20080425
Inventors: MYERS SCOTT A.
WANG ERIK L.
SLOEY JASON S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06K13/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3818", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/0831", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/0831", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0295", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3818", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/0831", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0295", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3818", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41214397